We are an inclusive community that strives for excellence
Our values guide the decisions and behaviours of all members of our school community
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back the Victorian school community in 2021.
Following an incredible effort by students, staff, teachers, parents and carers last year, Victorian schools are well placed to safely commence the new school year.
Schools will return to a largely normal program of activities, including welcoming parents and other vital members of the school community back into their grounds.
Throughout the pandemic, Victorian schools have rapidly adapted and successfully implemented measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in school environments. By embedding COVIDSafe principles in all its operations and reinforcing good behaviours throughout 2020, schools have created safe spaces, and are in a strong position to quickly respond to any coronavirus (COVID-19) risks that may emerge.
Given the current very low risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in the community, continued high rates of testing, wastewater monitoring, and continued observance of health and safety measures in schools; those with medical vulnerabilities or their carers can feel reassured that they can safely return to working and learning on site.
While we have seen outbreaks emerge over the summer break, we have also witnessed our capacity to respond quickly to limit the impact of these outbreaks. Should community cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) increase again, I am confident that with COVIDSafe plans in place, alongside our ability to quickly identify and respond to cases – schools remain safe places for all staff and students. I also continue to be reassured by evidence that children are less impacted by the virus and are less likely to develop severe illness.
It is crucial, however, for everyone to remain vigilant – to stay home when unwell, get tested, perform regular hand hygiene, wear a mask when required and maintain physical distancing from others when practical. Schools should consider how they can continue to pursue strategies that contribute to reduced transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Schools and parents continue to have an important role to promote and ensure testing when a child or staff member has any symptoms, no matter how mild, and then stay home. Getting tested and staying home until results are known, remains critical to limiting community transmission.
Adj Clin Prof Brett Sutton
Victorian Chief Health Officer
When the school renovations have been completed and the art room is fully accessible I will get a group together to finish our yarn bombing installation. All the 2020 Y2 and Y3 students’ weaving is ready and we just need to finish the hoop and wheel decorations.
Footscray Art Prize – Young Artist category closes midday Monday 8 February. If your child does art at home and you are interested in submitting it (online) please read the details on this site: www.footscrayartprize.com/youngartists Entry is free.
Helen Johnson
Art Teacher
Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.
Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website.
For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in nine community languages:
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
Click here for 2021 Application Form
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.
If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.
Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.
If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 9742 6659 and ask for an application form.
You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.
Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.
The CSEF program for 2021 closes on 25 June, 2021.
For more information about the fund click here.
Residents and visitors to the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula areas of Victoria are being warned to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.
Ross River virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Anglesea.
These viruses can cause symptoms including joint pain and stiffness, headache, fever, rash and fatigue.
The best protection from these diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. Protective measures include:
A range of information about protecting against mosquito bites is available on the Better Health Channel’s Beat the Bite web page.
Parentingideas offer positive parenting tips on child development for raising children & teenagers to be happy and resilient and building strong families. This week's Insights articles are:
Seven ways to be a positive influence on children and young people
How to better advocate for your child on the autism spectrum
10 confidence-building ideas - Here are 10 ways to build confidence in your kids so they can take their place in the world.
Please click here to go to the Parenting Ideas Blog.
10 ways to get kids in a good mood - An underestimated feature of emotional intelligence is the ability to shift moods. An emotionally smart person consciously knows what to do to put him or herself in a better mood, or get themselves out of a frump. These are the types of empowering skills that we can teach kids. This poster features 10 healthy ways for kids (and adults) to put themselves into a better mood when the need arises.
Previous Insights:
Helping your child become the best student they can be
Making new friends and staying in touch with old classmates
When kids experience problems at school
Building deep emotional connections with kids
Managing the Mother Load
Modelling self-kindness
The power of sorry
A flexible approach to raising kids
Give kids a thumbs up for the right things
Parenting in challenging times
Goodbye Primary School hello Sec School
Hopeful kids are happy kids
Helping your child avoid being cyber bullied
Wellbeing strategies for parents
A topic you can't ignore
Help kids tap into their inner resources
Encourage kids to occupy themselves
Staying the course in COVID times
Maintaining strong family traditions
Standing behind difficult decisions
When kids experience problems at school
Giving kids scripts for social and school success
There are better questions than how much screen-time
What kids learn from their dads
What content are children watching
Collaborative parenting style wins the day during COVID-19
Conquering kids' techno-tantrums
Successfully transitioning students back to school
Charting a new course for kids post COVID-19
Establishing a personal learning centre at home
Expect more from kids in these difficult times
Successful close quarter living
Helping siblings resolve their fights
Leading the way for children during the Coronavirus pandemic
Going beyond the fishbowl
Respectfully breaking the masculinity strait jacket
Parenting in the age of disruption
Managing separation anxiety at school drop offs
Spending time with kids: How much is enough?
Why validation is the best parenting skill of all
A taste of falafel and independence
Strengthening kids' self-esteem in a digital world
Are you asking your kids to step up?
Leaving your fathering mark
When relationships go wrong for girls
Protecting your child's online privacy
The loss of healthy rites of passage
Refining your parenting style
Developing leadership skills in your child
How much is too much to tell our kids
Helping kids tolerate discomfort
Managing your child's anxiety
Encouraging healthy attitudes towards women
Creating healthy digital habits in kids
6 tips for parenting anxious kids
Helping children make and keep friends
Mum's the work
Helping kids feel good by doing good
The messages all boys need to hear
Responding constructively to the Christchurch shooting
Balancing extra-curricular activities for flourishing kids
Daily lessons in resilience
Unearthing Kids Strengths
Top five strategies to improve your parenting this year
Preventing childhood bullying
Technology holiday guide for parents
Deveoping a resilience mindset
Making a smooth transition to secondary school
Why developing empathy in your child matters
Be careful who you take parenting advice from
How to stop your children from swearing
Help kids develop impulse control
Kids need good men in their lives
How do you show up for your kids
Four critical tools for kids' anxiety management
Overcoming the curse of perfectionism
Let consequences do the talking
Five forgotten skill sets that contribute to student success
Dealing with video game crazes: Fortnite and fanaticism
Developing your child's emotional intelligence
Using screen time to foster kids wellbeing and family fun
Four reasons why your child or teen may be anxious
Fostering healthy sibling relationships
5 ways to validation: showing distressed kids you get it
Talking to kids makes them smart
What to say when kids become anxious
Helping children achieve sustained school success
Understanding your child's anxious behaviour using the ABC method
Getting the screentime balance right
Let kids off the leash for greater confidence and resilience
Working closely with your child's teacher this year
It's time to talk bullying and autism
Peer time counts big time towards your child's success
Exposing kids to challenges helps prevent anxiety in later life
Video Games: the good, the bad and getting the balance right
The power of gratitude for a happier life
Avoid the pitfalls of labelling kids
Managing Christmas Chaos as a Sole Parent
How independence-building is the pathway to your child's resilience
A parenting for independence audit
Secrets of managing boys' behaviour
How to help kids when you think they are being bullied
Developing independence when it feels positvely risky
Anxiety in Primary School Kids
Staying relevant in a Digital World
Parenting kids through the challenges of change
Parenting the in-between years
Celebrate the marvel of motherhood, not parenthood!
Wellbeing tips for primary school kids
What rules should you have around digital devices
Help kids change their perspective when things go wrong
How to get kids off to school on time without yelling, whining or constantly reminding
Developing independence in primary school
Top 10 parenting tips for school meetings
Moving beyond asking, "What did you do at school?"
Four parenting priorities for 2017
Making the most of these holidays
What it means to be an emotionally intelligent parent
BFF Forever: when friendships go sour
Let the consequences do the teaching
Talking to children about sex: when and how
Teach kids how to solve problems
15 Healthy ways to manage emotions
The pitfall of using other children as benchmarks
Helping kids focus in the age of distraction
When things go wrong at School
Parents and kids sport - would you please behave!
Tolerance: a vital ingredient for your child's success
10 mindsets that will radically improve your parenting
Five ways to know you are over-parenting
Helping kids deal with rejection
Why effective learning starts with a good night's sleep
It's not okay to be away...nor to be late to school
Developing your child's social media scripts
How to move your child from worrier to warrior
The trick to being at your parenting best
Don't threaten, bribe or deal - breathe and act
Why is it valuable to make teens feel older?
Is your Teenager Sleep Deprived
10 Confidence Building Strategies every parent and teacher should know
Creating good study and work habits in secondary school
Stay sane when travelling with kids
Parents using kids as bargaining chips
Respectful Relationsips- what do you need to teach your children
Manage like a cat, nurture like a dog
The many faces of independence
How to raise a child to be a giver
Which subjects should I choose?
Exploring the New Frontier in Parenting
Maintain a strong relationships with your teen
Build up Frequent Father points
It's time for dads to Speak Up
Do you let your kids amaze you
Teach your kids about time and place