The Bimbadeen Blaze

Principal's Report 

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, learn and play. We pay respect to Wurundjeri elders past, present and emerging and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families of Bimbadeen Heights Primary School.

Congratulations Tia!

It is always a cause for celebration when one of our students reaches their personal goals. On behalf of the Bimbadeen community, we would like to congratulate Tia C who has been selected as a member of the School Sport Victoria Team Vic 12 Years and Under Australian Football State Team. The team will compete in the annual School Sport Australia, Australian Football Championship in Adelaide in August. We congratulate Tia on this wonderful achievement and wish her all the best for her preparation and for the competition.

NAIDOC Week

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

 

During our first week back in Term 3, students and teachers spent time to explore and celebrate Indigenous culture. We highlighted the theme of NAIDOC week: ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’. This year’s theme encouraged a genuine commitment by all of us to ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ and support and secure institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reforms. It’s also time to celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations—they have been the heroes and champions of change, of equal rights and even basic human rights.

 

We take great pride in promoting cultural inclusion and it is amazing to see the connectedness our students displayed. We encourage you to reflect with your child and discuss the learning that took place on Indigenous culture. 

If you would like to find out more about NAIDOC week, please visit https://www.naidoc.org.au/ . 

100 and 150 Values Tokens Award Recipients

An important element of our SWPBS token system is the awarding of certificates and ribbons when students reach specific milestones. Classroom teachers and students track the awarding of values tokens to positively reinforce our students’ choices across the school. When our students reach the milestones of 25, 50 or 75 tokens, they receive a certificate that is presented in their classrooms by their teacher. When our students receive 100 and 150 values tokens, we recognise their achievement at our next assembly and present them with a 100 values tokens award ribbon. 

Our students have achieved the 150 milestone so quickly that the 150 ribbons are still at the printer!

 

At our assembly at the end of term, we presented 100 values tokens award ribbons to the following students:

  • Lily R 1AJ
  • Lincoln P 1AJ
  • Zoe W 1JG
  • Kruz G 1JG
  • Max C 0LN
  • Bella P 0TJ
  • Harrison W 0TJ
  • Chelsea H 0TJ
  • Thomas M 0TJ
  • Vantus C 0TJ.

 

We were also thrilled to present awards to the following students who have been the first to reach the 150 token milestone for this year: 

  • Cleo W 1JG
  • Ava W 1JG.

Cleo and Ava will receive their 150 ribbons in coming weeks. 

Congratulations to these students for demonstrating our school values and for being positive role models for our community. We look forward to presenting more 100 and 150 award ribbons throughout second semester.

Farewell to Mrs Blair Blackburn

We would like to farewell Mrs Blackburn. Mrs Blackburn has been a wonderful addition to Bimbadeen Heights Primary School Community and an asset to the Year 3/4 team. 

Thank you Mrs Blackburn for all that you have contributed to our school and to  your students. 

We wish you well on your next journey.

 

Contact and Communication

From time to time, parents and carers may have enquiries regarding educational, relational or behaviour matters. The following flowcharts provide parents and carers with direction about who to contact for which matter. The person of contact, e.g. the Classroom teacher, may liaise with other staff members or professionals where appropriate.

 

The flow charts indicate the order in which contact should be made about various matters, based on the processes that exist within the school. If you are unable to decide who to contact, please call Administration on 9726 9989 or bimbadeen.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au for assistance.

 

 

Student Learning

Year Level programs, camps, excursions, and incursions

Wellbeing and Engagement

Student Behaviour 

In the first instance please contact

Classroom teacher

Classroom teacher

Classroom teacher

Classroom teacher

Then

(only if the matter has not been satisfactorily dealt with at the previous step)

Team Leader

Team Leader

Team Leader

Inclusion Leader

Then

(only if the matter has not been satisfactorily dealt with at the previous step)

Learning Specialist

Assistant Principal

Inclusion Leader

Assistant Principal

 

 

Concern regarding an incident

Sport

Finances or Parent Payments

Facilities Hire

In the first instance please contact

Classroom teacher

Classroom teacher

Business Manager

Assistant Principal

Then

(only if the matter has not been satisfactorily dealt with at the previous step)

Inclusion Leader

Physical Education Teacher / Sport Coordinator

 

 

Then

(only if the matter has not been satisfactorily dealt with at the previous step)

Assistant Principal

 

 

 

  • Student Learning – Academic progress within the classroom. This can include Individual Education Plans and Semester Reports, student progress or difficulties. 
  • Year Level programs, camps, excursions, and incursions – Extra-curricular events within the year level cohort.
  • Wellbeing and Engagement – Student wellbeing and engagement which includes disability and access, mental health, significant changes at home that may impact the student, attendance and connectedness to school.
  • Student Behaviour and Incidents – Regular or frequent incidences which may include bullying (repeated and targeted behaviour over a period of time), cyber bullying, negative social interactions and physical aggression. This may also include safety concerns at school. 
  • Sports – Extra-curricular sport activities such as Interschool Sport, District Events, Swimming and or sport excursions.
  • Finance or Parent Payments – Matters regarding family accounts with the school and payments made to the school. This includes the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).
  • Facilities Hire – Information regarding the hiring of school facilities outside of school hours.

Any enquiries or concerns that have not been satisfactorily addressed and/or resolved following these processes, may then be directed to the attention of the School Principal, Adele Gregson.

 

General Contact

Bimbadeen Heights Primary School

118 Hayrick Lane

Mooroolbark Victoria 3138

 

Principal: Mrs Adele Gregson

 

https://www.bimbadeenheightsps.vic.edu.au/ 

 

Hours of Operation 

Monday – Thursday        8:30am – 4:30pm

Friday                                  8:30am – 4:00pm

 

Administration

General inquiries              03 9726 9989             bimbadeen.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

Absences                            03 9726 9989             enter via Sentral

School tours                       03 9726 9989             bimbadeen.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au

 

Team Leaders

Foundation         Elizabeth Nicholson

Year 1                   Beth Dean

Year 2                   Stacy Brookes

Year 3/4               Rebecca Bartlett

Year 5                   Virginia Gardner

Year 6                   Jemima Gange

 

Learning Specialist           Bree King

 

Inclusion Leader               Marty Gill

 

Assistant Principal           Sabrina George

 

Business Manager           Adele Gates

 

Communication

  • Sentral - Sentral is the school’s online Learning Management and Communication System. Sentral enables teachers, parents and carers to be more closely engaged in the learning journey, and improve the flow of information, fostering collaboration and connecting home and school. Sentral features include a news feed where important information is shared between the school and parents and carers, as well as a direct messaging function, calendar, Student Report Cards, fortnightly school newsletters, and teacher contact information.  For further information or for assistance with using Sentral, including technical issues, please contact Melinda Ruscitti on 9726 9989 or melinda.ruscitti@education.vic.gov.au or a member of our Administration staff will be able to assist you on 9726 9989 or bimbadeen.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

 

  • Email - Together with Sentral, email is the primary mode of communication between home and school. In general, email is used to notify parents about important school information (for example, parent/teacher interviews, student reporting and Principal’s correspondence). From time to time, information pertinent to a single year level is communicated via email. It is important that parent and carer email addresses held at the school are correct and up to date.

 

  • Telephone - From time to time, parents and carers may need to speak with a member of staff. While we encourage community members to make contact in the first instance using Sentral, telephone contact is also encouraged. If a member of staff is unavailable to take a call, parents and carers will be transferred to their voicemail where they can leave a message.

 

  • Website - Our school website https://www.bimbadeenheightsps.vic.edu.au/ provides an overview of the school and its learning programs, values, and philosophy, as well as information about the Bimbadeen community. Parents and carers can access important school information including contact and communication, enrolment, school policies and key documents, along with school newsletters.

 

Parent and Carer Communication Preferences

 

Parents and carers are encouraged to visit Sentral for up-to-date information about school activities. SMS technology is used for unexplained daily absences.

 

It is important that parents and carers advise the school in writing of changes to their family situation, particularly in the event of a separation or divorce, which could affect their communication preferences. Individual parent/carer Sentral access and communication options are available under circumstances of separation or divorce. 

 

If parenting or other court orders are issued, both parents or carers should forward a copy, including any subsequent updated or replacement orders, to the Administration team. All communications will be directed to parents and carers in line with these orders. This includes, but is not limited to, orders relating to contact with children, parent payments, or attendance at school premises or events. 

 

If there are no orders in place, the school will presume both parents or carers share joint parental responsibility and will communicate accordingly. 

 

Thank you for respecting the communication guidelines. This ensure we have clear and consistent communication processes that best support the needs of our community.

Parent/Teacher Interviews in Week 3

Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 3 from Monday 25 July to Friday 29 July and will be held in person, with the option of online via Webex for those parents and carers who are unable to attend in person. Information has been sent to families this week, with parents/carers having the opportunity to make a booking via Sentral. 

 

Parent/Teacher interviews provide a great opportunity for parents/carers to discuss their children’s learning and progress over the past semester as well as the opportunity to discuss your child’s wellbeing and engagement. 

 

If you have not made a time to meet with your child’s teacher in Week 3, please do so at your earliest opportunity. 

School Council Update

The Bimbadeen Heights PS School Council is committed to sharing our work with the Bimbadeen community. The June meeting of School Council was held on Monday 20 June where we discussed and endorsed the school’s confirmed cash budget, approved two school policies, and endorsed the purchase of a new kiln for our Art program. 

 

The date for our School council Annual Reporting Meeting, where we report on the activities and achievements of School Council for the previous 12 months (2021 School Year) has been pushed back to August 17 and will be held at 6:30pm, prior to our School Council Meeting. A WebEx link and further information will be sent out early next term. 

 

If you have any strategic matters that you would like discussed at our next meeting, please reach out to a member of School Council. Our membership includes: 

We look forward to continuing our school improvement work with School Council with a focus on improving student learning outcomes.

 

Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge - reprint

The 2022 Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open, and our students and staff are excited to be participating. The Challenge encourages children and students to read a set number of books over the year and record their efforts online. Since the Challenge first began in 2005, more than 3.5 million students have read over 54 million books.

 

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 2 September 2022.

 

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books. All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

 

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge 

2023 Foundation Enrolments (reprint)

While our school tours have concluded for prospective families, enrolments are still open for Foundation in 2023. We encourage prospective parents to complete an online tour via the school website where you can learn about our wonderful school and meet our staff and students. Prospective families can also attend an in-person tour where we can show you our wonderful school and answer any questions you might have or discuss your child’s individual needs. 

 

Parents/carers of 2023 Foundation students are encouraged to submit their enrolment form as soon as possible but no later than the state-wide Foundation enrolment due date of 12 August 2022. We will be notifying parents/carers of their child’s Foundation placement at Bimbadeen Heights PS by 26 August 2022.

 

Completed enrolment forms can be returned to the school:

  • directly, by dropping enrolment forms and additional documentation into the school office
  • via post to Bimbadeen Heights Primary School, 118 Hayrick Lane, Mooroolbark 3138
  • via email to bimbadeen.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au (please scan and send all sides of the enrolment form, including additional documentation).

 

We hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.

 

Adele Gregson and Sabrina George