Dear Parents and Carers,

It was wonderful to see our school community embracing the Torres Strait Islander tradition of ‘Floral Friday’ today. Students and staff wore floral clothing and accessories to promote communication, culture and inclusion in a bright and colourful way. The funds raised today will go towards purchasing additional First Nation’s Resources for our school.

Stay well this winter

We are seeing an increasing number of students presenting with ‘typical winter illnesses,’ and as we move into the colder months of the year and I would like to encourage students, and staff, to continue practising well-established hygiene habits:

• wash and sanitise their hands regularly.
• avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• cough or sneeze into their elbow.
• use air purifiers in the classroom.
• maximise external ventilation.
• stay home if unwell and consult their GP.

Thank-you in advance for supporting the school with this.

Professional Practice Days

The Victorian Government Schools Agreement provides teachers one professional practice day in 2024. As a school, our staff work together to ensure minimal impact on the students. Next Friday, 7 June, our staff will have their professional practice day. They will be busy using student data to plan future learning and working on learning tasks. Students are not required at school on this day.

Social Media

Social media platforms can provide opportunities for learning, creativity, and connecting with others. However, they also come with certain risks that need to be addressed. Here are some tips to help you navigate this topic with your child:

What is social media:

Social media refers to online platforms where people can create, share, and interact with content. Examples of popular social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. These platforms allow users to connect with friends, share photos and videos, and join communities based on shared interests.

Benefits of social media:

Social media can be a source of educational content, allowing students to learn new things and explore different perspectives. It can also foster creativity by providing a platform to showcase artwork, writing, or other projects. Social media can help students connect with friends and family members, even if they are far away. It can also promote social skills, such as communication and collaboration, when used responsibly.

Risks of social media:

It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with social media use. These can include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online predators, and potential negative effects on mental health. Additionally, excessive use of social media can lead to distractions from schoolwork and reduced physical activity.

Setting boundaries and guidelines:

To support your child navigate this space, it is important to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for your child’s social media use. Here are some suggestions to help:

• Age-appropriate platforms: choose social media platforms that are designed for children or have appropriate safety measures in place. It’s important for parents and carers to be aware of age limits and consider their child’s readiness and maturity level before allowing them to use social media apps.
• Privacy settings: Ensure that your child’s account has privacy settings enabled to limit who can see their content and interact with them. Encourage them to only accept friend requests from people they know in real life.
• Time management: Set limits on the amount of time your child spends on social media. Encourage them to balance their online activities with other hobbies, schoolwork, and physical exercise.
• Open communication: Establish an open line of communication with your child so they are able to talk to you about their experiences online.

The eSafety Commission has some further information and resources to help support parents and carers: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

Congratulations to Charlotte Roberts and Matilda Miller for representing Boneo Primary School at the division athletics! We are incredibly proud of their efforts. Charlotte achieved 26th place, and Matilda secured an impressive 7th place. Well done, girls!

Year 1 Moonlit Sanctuary Excursion

On Tuesday the Year 1’s supported their inquiry topic about ‘Living Things’ with a visit to the Moonlit Sanctuary. They enjoyed feeding the wallabies and seeing and learning about many of the Australian animals and reptiles within the park.

Cyber Academy

Students exploring tiltbrush and google earth in Virtual Reality

Year 3 Yarning Circle

Kitchen and Garden

Prep Share Assembly