Principal's Reports

Welcome to our 2026 school year and the first newsletter of the year. I have been very proud of how quickly our students have settled in and their resilience in accepting new changes. Please remember that it can take a few weeks for children to feel fully connected in their new class groups and to encourage them to work through any feelings of doubt. Luckily, we are a small enough school that the children all know each other and have opportunities to mix across all grade levels.

I would encourage our parent community to take the time to read the newsletter each fortnight as not only does it have key dates, but each team of teachers also gives an overview of what students are learning. This is a great way to know what is happening in your child's education.

New Students:

A huge welcome to our new Prep students and new families that have joined us at other grade levels. We hope you enjoy being part of our learning community and encourage you to ask questions and get involved.

Last week, our new Prep students each received their book bag from the Department of Education which included some great books to read together and enjoy at home. Our bags were a little extra special than other schools, as my eldest sister (I'm one of 10 siblings!) knitted a reading buddy bear in school colours for each of our Prep students. We hope you enjoy the extra surprise. I have a family of these buddy bears outside my office that lots of student enjoy spending time with.

                                     Picture of Floyd D and Amelia F enjoying their books and bears.  

Student Leadership Positions:

We have nearly finalised all of our student leadership positions. Our school captains and vice captains were selected at the end of 2025. I have included a snippet of their speeches in this fortnight's newsletter.

Harla:

Why I want to be school leader?

My reasons are, I am respectful around all teachers and students, I always use my manners, and I follow all school rules. If a teacher or a student ever asks me to do something for them, I have no hesitation and immediately do it.

Oakley:

I wanted to be school captain because I wanted to help the school make some improvements and to make the school a better place and easier to learn at.

Ayla:

I believe a good leader isn’t someone who tells people what to do. It’s someone who listens, includes others and works hard to make things better. That is the kind of leader I aim to be.

Brianna:

Let me tell you why I think I would be a great school captain. School is supposed to be a place where everyone should feel safe and be confident with everything they do. With my help, I can help with so much more next year. I love how Bunyip PS includes everyone for who they are, and I want to be a part of that.

School Captains: 

Oakley B and Harla H

Vice Captains:

Ayla S and Brianna N

Badges for our captains and vice captains were presented last year.

School House Captains:

Holgate (Red) - Zac O and Jaxson H

Anderson (Blue) - Alex M and Skye C

A'Beckett (Yellow) - Levi P and Eliza S

Flett (Green) - Ava M and Winston H

These badges will be presented at our next assembly.

Positive Behaviour Support Captains:

Mia-Rose T, Maruzel S and Hayden A

PBS badges were presented at the end of last year.

Cultural Captains:

Maverick I and Zeke W

Badges will be presented at assembly.

Sustainability Captains and Student Representative Council members still to be announced.

Community Benefit Fund Grant:

Exciting News! Thanks to the grant writing talent of Kristy Nielson we have been given a $5,000 grant from AMPYR for a sustainability grant. The grant will be used to purchase raised garden wicking beds. The raised garden beds will be located alongside the school car park, an area that is accessible to both students and members of the wider community.

The project involves the installation of Foodcube raised garden wicking beds (https://foodcube.com.au/). They are water-efficient, low-maintenance raised garden beds made with durable, recycled materials. The raised design of the garden beds will support inclusive participation for students with disability or mobility challenges, including students who use wheelchairs or require mobility support. This ensures all students are able to engage in gardening activities in a safe and accessible way.

Our Family BBQ will be held on Tuesday 17th February from 3.30pm - 5.00pm.   All students must have parents/guardians in attendance.  If you have not yet submitted your order for complimentary sausages in bread, please do so via the link below. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Order your free sausages in bread here:

https://compasstix.com/e/6h6pup828m

All Images in this newsletter are the property of Bunyip Primary School and may not be copied, shared, or distributed without permission.