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.
You might have wondered why we can be seen wearing rainbow capes when you have seen us out on yard duty before school, this is because they are our ‘birthday capes’ and we are getting ready to visit a student/s for their birthday. At Bimbadeen, each student receives a special visit from Mrs Gregson or Mrs George for their birthday each year. They receive a birthday card, designed by our Year 6 students each year (so they receive 7 different cards from Foundation to Year 6), and they get to select a birthday treat from the birthday basket. This year, our treats are either a lollypop or a Play Mobile figurine.
The best part of our visit is spending time with our students, getting to know them, discussing their learning, celebrating their achievements and connecting with them. We endeavour to visit students on their actual birthday, if it is a school day, and visit students who have a school holiday birthday in the first week of the next term, the week after a weekend birthday, or the day after a public holiday birthday. The smile on our students’ faces when they see us coming with our birthday cape on is a simple yet wonderful delight.
Congratulations to our Bimbadeen students who have been successful in their summer season of team and individual sporting competitions and activities. We would like to say a very big congratulations to...
Saints Under 11 B Res basketball team - won their Grand Final
- Brody S - Declan S - Luke F
- Ryder H - Levi S - Riley E
- Matthew H
Saints Under 12 C Res Basketball team - won their Grand Final
- Declan D
Saints Under 10's Basketball team - won their Grand Final
- Lachlan N
- Tom HG
Saints Under 9's Basketball team - won their Grand Final
- Amelia M - Scarlett H - Tori G
- Isla D - Olivia H - Milla D
- Ellie K
Crossover United Under 13 B basketball team - won their Grand Final
- Cohen D
- Lincoln D
Wonga Park Under 12/7's Cricket team - won their Grand Final
- Liam B
If your child has achieved success in their extra-curricular endeavours, please let us know as we would love to be able to share and celebrate their successes in our Newsletters and at our Assemblies. Please send an email to bimbadeen.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au detailing their achievements so we can include them in our next addition.
Congratulations to our Easter Raffle winners. Thank you to the members of our community who donated items to our raffle and purchased raffle tickets and thank you to the Year 1 Teaching Team for coordinating the Easter Raffle this year.
We had a whopping 80 prizes up for grabs, with many happy students and community members who won a prize.
A special thankyou to the Thomas family who donated the first prize, a giant bunny from The Ministry of Chocolate!
On Monday the 27th of March, our Student Leadership Team participated in the Halogen Australia National Young Leaders Day. The following report was written by our student leaders:
The school leaders had the opportunity to participate in the National Young Leaders Day Conference which took place in the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on Monday 27th March. We attended this day to learn more about leadership, and qualities that a young leader has. We were very fortunate to have four inspiring leaders share their stories with us:
Bimbadeen’s school leaders were very fortunate to meet and have a photo with Nazeem Hussain. The day reminded us that leadership is about making contributions and together we can shine brightly.
In conclusion, our Student Leadership Team learned a lot about Leadership and has a fun experience (as well as learning some groovy dance moves).
Individual Highlights
Jude - When Dipper and Nazeem spoke about their lives.
Lily - Taking photos with Nazeem Hussain.
Mackenzie - When Amanda Johnstone spoke about her business that she started at age 16. I also liked the Dipper introduction video.
Max - Listening to all the speakers talk about what their life was like when they were younger and how they got to where they are today.
Mason - When everyone was chanting ‘Dipper.’
Izzy - Listening to the leadership journey of others.
Matthew - Listening to Dipper and his inspirational quotes.
Phoebe - When Dipper attempted to sing the song ‘Flowers.’
Kira - I liked when we were all dancing with Ezra and Dean.
Elise - Hearing about other peoples lives.
Written by the student leaders
On Wednesday the 5th April, the Student Leadership Team went to the Shrine of Remembrance for the Melbourne Legacy’s 91st ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony for Students.
Our day started with a train and bus ride to the city, followed by a walk to the Shrine. The ceremony involved a number of speakers and special guests. A band played and a choir led the crowd in singing 'I am Australian' and 'Waltzing Matilda'. We listened to stories of returned soldiers and poems including ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ and ‘We Shall Keep The Faith’.
Lily and Jude laid a wreath at the eternal flame on behalf of the Bimbadeen Heights PS community, and we then observed a minute’s silence to pay our respects to soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
We were fortunate to tour the Shrine, and the visitor’s centre to learn more about our country’s history and war. We explored the Crypt and the Sanctuary to pay our respects, then enjoyed the view of the city from the balcony.
Overall we had a great day. Below are our highlights and what we enjoyed most about the day:
Jude - Seeing things like the land mines in the Shrine Museum.
Lily - Watching the honour guard march and laying a wreath on behalf of the school.
Mackenzie - When Daisy Bayona shared her speech about what it means to remember.
Max H - Being able to attend with my friends and other schools.
Mason - Watching the honor guard marching.
Izzy - Hearing about how many soldiers fought for Australia and the ways that we can remember them.
Matthew - Looking at the ‘Battle of Britain’ silk tapestry.
Phoebe - Watching the Shrine Guard doing their drills.
Kira - Walking through the Shrine of Remembrance.
Elise - Hearing about how many people fought for the freedom of our country and listening to Daisy speak.
Thank you to our Student Leadership Team for selling ANZAC items throughout the final two weeks of term to help raise funds for the Lilydale RSL through the annual ANZAC Appeal.
It has been fantastic to see our students proudly wearing their badges and wrist bands and using their bag tags and key rings. We are looking forward to our own Bimbadeen ANZAC Ceremony to be held at school on Monday 24 April at 2:30pm.
Parents and carers are welcome to attend this outdoor event.
Further information about this event will be sent to families via Sentral.
On Tuesday, we held our second annual Whole School Cross Country event within and around the school grounds. There was a buzz of excitement throughout the school about our first major house competition for the year and both teachers and students alike enjoyed this exciting event on our sporting calendar. Parents and carers were welcome to attend as spectators and we all enjoyed the opportunity for our school community to come together for this special event.
Congratulations to Blair house who were the winning house on the day with a total score of 430 points, closely followed by Fletcher on 375 points, Brice on 345 and Lithgow on 305. Well done to all our students who put in their best effort and demonstrated our school values of resilience during the run, as well as compassion as they encouraged and supported their peers and fellow house members throughout the competition.
A special thank you to Mr Joshua Gray who did a wonderful job in organising the event, and our staff and wonderful parent and carer volunteers who assisted on the day.
At this time of the year many people are thinking about choosing a school for next year. This may be parents of children in Year 6 who are deciding on secondary schools or parents of pre-schoolers who are looking for a primary school.
Choosing the school that is best suited to your family and child’s needs can still be a challenge. The best way to determine the right school for you is to visit them, participate in the school tours and take advantage of the open days/nights and various transition events that the schools offer. This approach works equally well for primary and secondary schools.
From the first day of Term 2, we will be accepting enrolments for Foundation in 2024. We encourage prospective parents and carers 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 school and answer any questions you might have or discuss your child’s individual needs.
Parents and carers of 2024 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 28 July 2023. In line with the Department of Education’s enrolment timeline, we will be notifying parents and carers of their child’s Foundation placement at Bimbadeen Heights PS by 25 August 2023.
Completed enrolment forms can be returned to the school:
If you know of anyone who is looking at a Primary School for next year, please encourage them to visit our website and register for the online tour where they will hear teachers, parents and students talk about our school. They are also encouraged to come and visit Bimbadeen and see our school ‘in action’ where they will get a sense of the great relationships that exist here.
We love showing people around and talking about this outstanding school.
Bimbadeen Heights Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.
The school’s approach to creating and maintaining a child safe school environment is guided by our school philosophy and values. At Bimbadeen Heights Primary School our vision is to provide each child with the opportunity to develop their full potential, whilst promoting the school values of respect, resilience, integrity, and compassion. We know children can struggle to achieve their personal best if they are not safe from abuse.
At Bimbadeen Heights Primary School our values guide the decisions and behaviours of all members of our school community, including in relation to child safety. Our school
values are:
These core values are supported by the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Framework.
Bimbadeen Heights Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.
We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people
are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Our child safe policies, procedures, strategies, and practices will be inclusive of the needs of all children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, LGBTIQA students and children who are vulnerable including students who are in out of home care.
Every person involved in Bimbadeen Heights Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.
If you have any concerns about Child Safety, please speak with a member of our school leadership team.
We hope you enjoy a lovely break over the school holidays, and we look forward to welcoming you all back for the beginning of another fantastic term of learning at Bimbadeen.
Kind regards,
Adele Gregson and Sabrina George
