Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Student Led Conferences
On Monday and Tuesday, we proudly held our student-led parent-teacher interviews - and what a success they were! These conferences place students at the heart of the conversation, empowering them to reflect on their learning, share their progress, and articulate their goals in front of both their teachers and parents/carers.

I value the format of student-led conferences for two key reasons.

Firstly, they are more than just a meeting - they’re a powerful learning experience. Students take ownership of their learning journey and develop important skills in self-reflection, communication, and accountability. When students lead the conversation, they build confidence in their abilities and gain a deeper understanding of their learning progress and next steps.

Secondly, student-led conferences strengthen the partnership between home and school. We know that students thrive when families and educators work together. These interviews provide a unique space for students, parents, and teachers to come together, listen, and support one another. Parents heard directly from their children about their learning, while teachers gained insight into how students view their own growth.

As written reports are released to families this Friday, I hope the student-led interviews have helped shift the focus - from comparison to celebration. They allow each child’s progress to be seen and valued in its own right, without being measured against others or standard benchmarks. My hope is that parents walk away with a deeper appreciation of their child’s unique learning story, celebrating the strengths and growth that were shared during the interviews.

Across all year levels, we saw students take pride in their work, speak confidently about their goals, and clearly understand their achievements and areas for growth. Classrooms were filled with meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and moments of pride. I hope parents left informed, encouraged, and - most importantly - connected.

We are incredibly proud of our students for stepping up to lead these important conversations, especially those who stayed well into the evening to do so. Thank you to our dedicated staff for preparing students so thoughtfully and providing coverage in the student waiting area with endless games of Uno, playdough, drawing and Connect Four.

We look forward to continuing this valuable tradition in future terms.

Building Works
We have seen fast progress over the last two weeks – with the frame and some roofing being installed. It is starting to take shape. We have installed new pads around the poles supporting the new basketball court roofs and hopefully will see progress to the retaining walls on the second basketball court soon, as we are currently at a standstill over the design and prices from architects and builders.

Carline Parking
Please do not park in the median strip along Mills Road. This creates traffic congestion, reduces visibility for normal road traffic and will attract large fines from shire or police. I know the build project has created some headaches for families, but please exercise patience and always be mindful of students.

Please also be mindful of parking on nature strips of nearby houses. The lawns are wet and soft and muddy car tracks form quickly.

Supervised Student Crossing
The conversation between Baw Baw Shire and the Department of Transport and Planning is still happening. We will continue to communicate when further information comes to hand.

Foundation 2026 Enrolments
Our Foundation enrolments close this Friday July 4, we will provide further information to families via post on Friday August 1.

Lockdown Drill
On Tuesday, we had a lockdown practice. We had informed all teachers and students and our focus was teaching students what to do when or it required. Lockdown practices are conducted in schools to ensure the safety and security of students and staff during potential emergencies, such as gas leaks, smoke, nearby criminal activity, or other threats. These drills help prepare everyone to respond quickly and calmly if a real situation occurs. By practicing lockdowns, schools aim to minimise confusion and chaos, reduce risk of harm, and ensure clear communication and procedures are followed. Regular practice builds familiarity with safety protocols, reinforcing a culture of preparedness and helping to protect the wellbeing of the entire school community.  

Important Dates
A reminder that the school term finishes this Thursday, July 3 and school will resume for students on Tuesday July 22.

Wishing all our students, their families and our community members a safe and happy holiday break.

Warm Regards,
Stephen Pitt | Principal