I hope this message finds you well and feeling energised as we begin the final term of 2025. It was wonderful to have so many families and friends join us for this morning’s Share the Joy of Learning. Your presence and support truly add to the sense of community we value at Boneo. A heartfelt thank you to our School Council, with a special mention to Josie Pierce for sourcing the coffee cart – it was a lovely addition to the morning.

Term 4 is always an exciting term. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

Prep Transition: We extend a warm welcome to our 2026 Preps as they embark on their educational journey with us. Transition activities will help them become familiar with our school, staff and their fellow classmates. Our 2026 Prep Parent information evening is on Tuesday 14th October and transition sessions begin on Wednesday 22nd October from 9am until 10am.

Celebrating the Graduating Class of 2025: We look forward this term to honouring our graduating class of 2025 and celebrating their hard work and dedication as they prepare to move on to secondary school.

Events: We have a number of special events taking place this term including our Swimming Program, Year 5 ‘Big Day Out’, Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Maryborough, Colour Fun Run, Year 4 Camp, Year 2 Sleepover, a number of Sporting events, Koorie Kids Day Out, Oaks Day, end of year Celebration Picnic and various excursions and incursions throughout the term.

We are excited about the possibilities that this term holds for our students and families. As always, we are committed to providing the best educational experience for our students, and your support makes it all possible.

Planning for 2026

If you have a child in Foundation through to Year 5 who is planning to leave Boneo Primary School at the end of 2025 could you kindly email the office at boneo.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Curriculum Day

Our upcoming Curriculum Day is on Monday 3rd November. Students are not required to attend school on this day.

School preparations for the bushfire season

Each year, we undertake a range of activities to ensure the safety of our school and to prepare for bushfires and grassfires. An important part of this process is communicating to parents and carers what will happen when certain fire danger ratings are issued to help ensure the safety of students and staff.

Our school has been identified as being at risk of bushfire or grassfire and is a Category 4 school.

Our school will close on a day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in Central fire district. On such days, children should never be left at home alone or in the care of older children.

Closure of the school due to a Catastrophic fire danger rating will be enacted when the Bureau of Meteorology forecast and related public safety messaging are confirmed. Due to uncertainties in the forecast, the timing of this confirmation may vary. Information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you by Compass.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, even if the weather forecast changes. It is also important to be aware that:

· No one will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Catastrophic day.

· Out-of-school-hours care will also be cancelled on these days.

· All bus routes that travel through the Catastrophic area will be cancelled.

· School camps will be cancelled if a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast for fire weather district in which the camp is located, or if the travel involves passing through areas that have Catastrophic fire danger.

What can families and the school community do to help us prepare?

· Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers.

· Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters and accessing Compass.

· Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements if our school is closed due to Catastrophic fire danger. Further information can be found on the CFA’s website.

· Action your family’s bushfire survival plan if your own triggers are met. Our school community may be spread out across many areas and some families may be at higher risk than others. Your family’s safety is critical, so please let us know if you are actioning your bushfire survival plan and if your children will be absent on these days. · If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan.

You can find more information on emergencies, warnings and preparedness actions here:

· VicEmergency app – that can be downloaded on your android and iOS mobile devices

· VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) · Website https://emergency.vic.gov.au · Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vicemergency) · Twitter (https://twitter.com/vicemergency)

· ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters