Dear Parents and Carers,

Across Boneo, students continue to be engaged in rich, purposeful learning experiences that build knowledge, skills and confidence. Our whole-school approach provides consistency across classrooms while ensuring that learning is responsive to the needs of each student. A strong focus remains on achievement and growth. Teachers use ongoing assessment and evidence of learning to identify what students know, where they need to grow and the teaching and support that will help them take their next steps. Students are supported to understand their learning goals, recognise their progress and take increasing ownership of their learning.

As we move through Term 4, we encourage families to stay connected by regularly checking Compass Learning Previews. These provide an overview of upcoming learning, key knowledge and skills, and ways families can reinforce and extend learning at home.

Talking with your child about what they are learning, asking them about their goals and celebrating the progress they are making are simple but powerful ways to strengthen the connection between home and school.

At Boneo, we want every student to know what they are learning, understand why it matters and recognise how they are growing. This shared understanding helps students see themselves as capable learners and encourages them to keep striving for their personal best.

Happy Campers

What a fantastic experience our Year 3 and Year 4 students have had at camp over the past fortnight! Both camps provided wonderful opportunities for students to step outside their comfort zones, challenge themselves, build friendships and create lasting memories with their classmates.

It was particularly rewarding to see so many students give challenging activities a go, support one another and discover just how capable they are. It was wonderful to experience the kindness and encouragement students showed one another throughout the camps. It was heartwarming to see how positively they supported one another.

A huge thank you to our students for their enthusiasm, positive attitudes and willingness to embrace the experience. Thank you also to our parents and carers for supporting your children to participate and for trusting us with these important experiences away from home.

Finally, a very special thank you to our dedicated staff and parent volunteers who gave their time, energy and care to make both camps such memorable experiences. Your commitment to creating opportunities for our students to grow, connect and build confidence is truly appreciated and we couldn’t do it without you.

Traffic Safety at Boneo Primary School

Student safety is our priority. I ask all parents and carers to follow the council directed traffic flow system for drop off and pick up outlined below:

• Drive slowly and follow all road rules in and around the school.
• Use designated parking areas and follow the directions of staff.
• On the tennis court side of the school enter via Boneo Road and exit at Limestone Road. We have a one-way traffic system.
• Please do not allow your children to walk or run through the carpark. This is exceptionally dangerous.
• Only park in allocated spaces. Please do not create your own parking bay – it is unsafe.
• Keep the accessible parking bays free for those who need this space.
• For a quick drop off, please use the ‘Kiss and Go’, on Limestone Road. This is a no parking zone and helps ease the traffic.
• Please do not park near the designated bus pick up on Limestone Road. This is a legal requirement, and the shire will be enforcing this.
• Never stop or park in unsafe locations, including areas that obstruct visibility or create hazards for pedestrians.
• Always check carefully for children who may be walking between vehicles or crossing the road.

Children can be unpredictable, particularly during busy arrival and departure times. Please remain patient, avoid distractions and be mindful of the many students and families moving around our school.

We all share responsibility for keeping our children safe. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for every student at Boneo Primary School.

Thunderstorm asthma – be prepared

Grass pollen season, which typically runs from October to December each year in Victoria, brings an increase in asthma and hay fever symptoms. It also increases the risk of thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.

Boneo Primary School will implement a range of measures to keep our school community safe as the risk of thunderstorm asthma increases. Many of our staff are trained in asthma first aid. We will monitor the VicEmergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify greater risk.

During the season, there are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and your family:

• If your child has ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan.
• Taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
• If your child has hay fever, see your pharmacist or doctor for a hay fever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer. These are available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
• If your child has hay fever and experiences wheezing and coughing, it is important to make sure they don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor about an asthma action plan.
• Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October to December, especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm.
• Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it to ‘recirculate’.

Find out more for more information, speak to your doctor. You can also refer to the Better Health Channel website.

Medications at school

Schools must obtain written authority for all medication to be administered by the school. It is required that we have a Medication Authority Form signed by the student’s medical or health practitioner for the administration of any medication at school. Forms are available from the office.

Appropriate storage and administration directions:

· Medication should be in the original container with the original label. This should include the name of the student, information on dosage and times to be administered (where prescribed).

· Medication should be within its expiry date and promptly replaced at the date of expiry.

Unfortunately, we cannot administer any medication (including over the counter medication such as eye drops, hay fever or Panadol medication), unless we have this signed form returned to school.

Softball Division Championships

This week, the Year 5/6 Girls softball team travelled to Mornington to compete in the Softball Division Championships. They played in three intense games, winning the first 16 – 13, losing the second 11-14 and winning the third 14-11. Congratulations to all the girls and thank you to Mrs Richardson and Pauline for coaching, and for Rosebud RSL for assisting us with transport. .

Year 5 

Lions School Lego Competition

A select group of our Boneo Lego Masters were invited to compete in the Lions Club Schools Lego Builders Competition on Thursday, joining 17 other schools from across the Mornington Peninsula.

Our budding Lego engineers, Will E, Memphis H and Dorian P, embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, creativity and great building skills! 

We are so proud of our students for representing Boneo Primary School and showcasing their passion for LEGO building.