The GaGa Pit is complete

The GaGa Pit is Complete!

We're excited to announce that our new Gaga Pit is now complete and ready for students to enjoy!

GaGa Ball roots originated in Israel. The word 'Ga' means hit or touch, so 'Ga-Ga' means Hit-Hit.

A huge thank you to all of the students, families and community members who supported the fundraising efforts that made this project possible. The pit is the result of many months of hard work and generosity. While it's unfortunate that some of last year's Grade 6 students won't have the opportunity to enjoy it after all the effort they put into the mini-fete, their contribution played a significant role in bringing this project to life, and we are incredibly grateful.

As this is an exciting new addition to our playground, we know many students will be eager to use it. To ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to enjoy the Gaga Pit safely and respectfully, we will be introducing shared expectations and a timetable for year levels in the coming weeks.

A special thank you also goes to the students who assisted with measuring and assembling the pit. Your hard work, teamwork and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated.

Help needed for flyer drop -
Google form sign up

The 50th Anniversary committee have been working overtime to organise the event.

We need someone to help organise a flyer drop to the houses in the local area. 

If you are able to help do flyer drops an/or are able to help coordinate everything. Please let us know by filling out the Google Form: 
https://forms.gle/hPrQq5FEhyxe3j4i8 

Bike education  

Bike Education Program

We're excited to be running our Bike Education Program this term, with students in Grades 1–6 taking part. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop their bike riding skills, improve their confidence and learn about safe riding practices in a fun and supportive environment.

The program will be held on:

• Monday 24th August
• Tuesday 1st September
• Tuesday 8th September
• Tuesday 15th September

To help students get the most out of the program, we ask that they bring their own bike if they have one available. Please ensure bikes are in safe working order and clearly named.

Our Prep students will also be joining in the fun! Their sessions will focus on developing confidence, balance and coordination through bike and scooter activities. If your child has a scooter, balance bike or small bike, please send it along for these sessions.

We look forward to seeing our students enjoying the program while building important skills, confidence and a lifelong love of being active.

Policy updates

The following policies have been reviewed by school council:
All policies can be viewed on the policy page of the school website

• Visitors Policy 2026
• Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy 2026
• Child abuse (including grooming) identification and response policy 2026

• Volunteer Plicy 2026
• Asthma Policy 2026
• Anaphylaxis Policy 2026
• Duty of Care Policy 2026

Report Racism

Dear parents and carers,

At Karingal Heights Primary School we value the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and faith of all our students. We are proud of our diversity, and everyone is welcome at our school.

Karingal Heights Primary School has been told about some racist incidents that have not supported these values. This has included using racist language and slurs and drawing/displaying racist symbols. This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our school. We are taking immediate action as part of our commitment to make our school a safe and inclusive place for everyone.

Celebrating the diversity of our community makes us stronger, kinder and innovative. We are committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel accepted, supported and are empowered to learn.

Karingal Heights Primary School has taken steps to ensure the school is a place free of racism and where everyone feels welcome, respected and supported. You can read about the school’s effort to prevent and respond to racism on our website here.

To achieve our values and aims, everyone at Karingal Heights Primary School plays an important role, and we are writing to ask for your support.

Karingal Heights Primary School asks that you support your child/ren to:

• understand that we celebrate diversity and multicultural inclusion
• understand the importance of everyone at school being treated with respect
• understand that Karingal Heights Primary School takes racism very seriously
• understand that the school will support students if they experience or see their classmates experience this racism

Your partnership in reinforcing these values at home will significantly help create a more respectful and inclusive environment at school.

For more information, please see Racism: talking with children and teens, Raising Children Network.

If you or your child/ren have experienced racism or other unfair treatment, Karingal Heights Primary School is here to help. Talk to Jeremy Bodley. They can help you understand the school policies, access support and make a complaint.

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting the incident to school, you can call or email the Report Racism hotline. The Department of Education runs the Report Racism hotline. It is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) on 1800 722 476 or via email at report.racism@education.vic.gov.au.

If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: https://go.vic.gov.au/4h9ivgm

Thank you for your help and support.

Kind regards,

Jeremy Bodley

Principal

School

SWPBS Focus: Being Resilient – Waiting Patiently

Over the next fortnight, our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) focus is Being Resilient, with a particular emphasis on waiting patiently.

Waiting patiently is an important life skill that helps children develop self-control, persistence and respect for others. Throughout the school day, students are often required to wait their turn—whether it's lining up, asking
for help, participating in class discussions, using equipment, or playing games at recess and lunch.

At school, we will be explicitly teaching and recognising students who demonstrate this expected behaviour by:

• Waiting their turn without interrupting others.
• Keeping their hands and feet to themselves while waiting.
• Using calm bodies and quiet voices.
• Finding appropriate ways to keep themselves occupied while they wait.
• Responding positively when they need to wait a little longer.

By learning to wait patiently, students build resilience by managing disappointment, regulating their emotions and understanding that good things are often worth waiting for.

Families can support this learning at home by encouraging children to wait their turn during conversations, games and everyday routines, and by acknowledging their efforts when they demonstrate patience.

We look forward to celebrating students who show resilience by waiting patiently and making positive choices throughout the fortnight.

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR)

At Karingal Heights Primary School, all students participate in the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program. RRRR education is
a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from Foundation to Year 12 and supports schools to embed a culture of respect, equality and positive relationships across the entire school community.

The program helps children and young people develop the social, emotional and relationship skills they need to build healthy relationships, manage challenges, and contribute to safe, inclusive and respectful learning environments.

Across all year levels, students explore eight key Social and Emotional
Learning topics:

• Emotional Literacy
• Personal Strengths
• Positive Coping
• Problem Solving
• Stress Management
• Help Seeking
• Gender and Identity
• Positive Gender Relationships

These learning experiences build students' confidence, resilience and wellbeing, while supporting them to develop empathy, communicate effectively, resolve conflict respectfully and make positive choices.

We encourage all parents and carers to learn more about the RRRR program
by visiting the Victorian Department of Education's Respectful Relationships webpage: https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-relationships.