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Wow, it’s all happening and there is still 4 weeks to go! I thought I would use this opportunity to update you all what’s been happening and what’s coming up both inside and outside the school.

 

Colour Run – Friday 5th December 

We hope you have been securing sponsors and donations, as today is the FINAL DAY to submit them!
Parents are encouraged to come along and watch and get involved in all the fun!
The rough outline for the day is as follows:
12 – 2pm – Starting with our Foundation students with their Grade Six buddies, we will make our way through year level by year level.
2 – 2:30pm – Usual recess break
2:30 – 3:15pm – Return to the oval for sliming!!!

 

End of Term Arrangements

A reminder that the student’s last day of school for 2025 will be Thursday 18th of December. We will have a final assembly on the netball court (weather permitting) at 9:15am on this day and students will be dismissed at the usual 3:30pm.
Friday 19th of December is a school curriculum day where teachers will be organising, moving and planning for 2026 as school access over the holiday period will be severely restricted due to landscaping works occurring.

 

BYOD Program 2026 

As you may or may not be aware, the Department of Education have released some policy changes in regards to digital devices from 2027. Below is correspondence in regard to this:
From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.

Under the new guidelines, schools:

• will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6
• will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

 

What this means for our school

This means we will be ceasing our current BYOD program for Grades 3-6 from 2027 on. Instead, we will provide class sets of digital devices for use by students. Students who have been using BYO devices prior to 2027 will be able to continue to bring their devices to school, but we will be following the new recommended device use times. Students with disability who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes. These changes are intended to support families with cost-of-living pressures and reduce student screen time. You can read more about the changes on the department’s website: Digital Learning: Policy.

Our current BYOD program will remain in place for 2026 and more information on this will be sent out on Compass shortly.

 

2026 Class Structure and Locations

Planning is well and truly underway for 2026 and I can confirm, barring any last-minute surprises, that we will have the following structure:

• Foundation: 3 classes
• Grade 1/2: 3 classes
• Grade 3/4: 4 classes
• Grade 5/6: 4 classes

Our specialist subjects will be:

• Performing Arts
• Visual Arts
• PE
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

 

Once our building is completed (hopefully April) we will have space galore, but until then, we will be a little cramped.

Our Term one class location plan is as follows:

• 3 x Foundation classes – in the current 5/6 space
• 3 x 1/2 classes – remaining in their current 1/2 space
• 4 x 3/4 classes – remaining in their current 3/4 space
• 2 x 5/6 classes – in the current 1/2 space
• 2 x 5/6 classes – in the current Foundation space

Performing Arts and STEM will take place in the student’s classrooms.

Visual Art will be in the Art room.

PE will take place in the yard.

 

Government Social Media Restrictions 

From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms will no longer be allowed to let Australians under 16 create or keep accounts. This is not a ban on seeing the internet — it’s a delay in having full accounts until young people are ready for them.

 

Why the Law Is Changing 

The new law aims to protect young people from:

• Harmful or age-inappropriate content
• Features that encourage excessive screen time
• Online environments that can impact wellbeing, stress, sleep and attention

Platforms will be required to enforce minimum ages, something that currently happens inconsistently.

 

Which Platforms Are Affected?

Age restrictions will likely apply to:

• Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok, Youtube, X (Twitter), Reddit, Threads, Kick and others.

Young people can still view public content without logging in.

Platforms that remain unrestricted for under-16s include:

• Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, Messenger, Roblox, WhatsApp, YouTube Kids

 

What Happens to Existing Accounts?

Platforms will be required to:

• Identify and deactivate/remove under-16 accounts
• Provide clear instructions on how users can download or save data (photos, posts, contacts).
• Some may deactivate accounts rather than delete them so they can be restored at 16 — but this is not guaranteed.

Encourage your child to save anything important before 10 December.
Under-16s won’t get into trouble for having an account — but platforms could face large fines.

 

How Will Platforms Check Age?

Platforms may use signals such as:

• Account history
• Content interactions
• Language style
• Facial or voice age estimation
• Activity patterns matching school schedules
• Connections with other young users
• Location signals to detect VPN use

These checks aim to identify under-16 accounts while protecting user privacy.

 

How to Support Your Child Through the Change

Many young people may feel upset, worried, confused or angry. Parents can help by:

• Leading with empathy and listening to their concerns
• Talking about how they currently use social media
• Explaining the purpose of the law — to protect, not punish
• Focusing on what they can still do online and offline
• Reassuring them they can talk to you anytime
• Having several small conversations instead of one big one

eSafety provides:

• Conversation starters for parents
• A Get-Ready Guide for under-16s
• Tips for finding alternative ways to connect, learn and explore interests,

If Your Child Needs Extra Support

Encourage them to reach out to:

• Kids Helpline (5-25 years)
• Beyond Blue or other confidential services

 

Kind regards,

Russell Siverwright

 

 

 

• Friday, 28th November – Whole School Assembly
• Friday, 5th December – Colour Run
• Wednesday, 10th December – Year 6 Graduation
• Friday, 12th December – Whole School Assembly
• Friday, 19th December – Student Free Day

The wait is almost over! Get ready to get colourful at our Monty’s Colour Fun Run! Donations close this Friday 21 November, and funds will go towards the amazing STEM Lab in our new building.

 

Remember to share your profile page to receive any last-minute donations from friends and family. Every $20 you raise is one entry into the $20,000 cash prize with Australian Fundraising to be drawn at the end of the year.

 

If you haven’t started, create your page at www.myprofilepage.com.au and start fundraising today.

 

#MontytheMonstar #MontytheMonstarFunRun #funrun #colourfunrun #AustralianFundraising

Chess Club – Fridays, 8:00 – 8:50 AM

Hot Shot Tennis – Fridays, 8:00 – 8:40 AM

 

Richmond Scout Group is running a 2025 Christmas Tree Drive!

They offer contactless delivery to your home on November 29th or 30th.

5-7ft trees are $105

Delivery is free for Richmond and surrounding areas.

Order online using the link below!