Dear Families, 

Last Friday we celebrated World Teachers’ Day at both our campuses. I would like to acknowledge and say thanks to the amazing efforts of our teachers. We are very fortunate to have such a committed team of teachers at Beveridge Primary School who work so hard in the interests of our students’ wellbeing and learning. 

Diwali Festival 

Diwali is the Indian “festival of lights” - a holiday celebrating the triumph of light over dark, good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. Tomorrow our students will have had the opportunity to learn more about Diwali and participated in some cultural activities. To all our families celebrating the festival, Happy Diwali!

Lockdown Drill

This week we practised our last emergency drill, a lockdown, for the year. Our students and staff are all very familiar with the procedure and have a greater understanding of how to be safe during an emergency. I thank everyone for the cooperation during the drill. 

Foundation 2025 Transition Visits

We have our first transition session next Friday 8th November with our 2025 Foundation students. Our new students will spend an hour in the classroom playing with other students, meeting staff members and learning the routines of school. Looking forward to welcoming some new families to our school community. 

Student Placement 2025

We are currently working through the process of creating our 2025 classes. To assist us with this process, we would appreciate it if parents could notify us if their child will NOT be enrolled at Beveridge PS in 2025. 

A reminder that there is no school on Monday (Report Writing Day) or Tuesday (Melbourne Cup day). I hope all families take the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend. Team Kids will operate vacation care only on Monday. 

Yours sincerely, 

Christine Cole

• 1st November: Diwali Day Celebrations
• 4th November: Report Writing Day - Student Free Day 
• 5th November: Melbourne Cup - Public Holiday 
• 6th November: Young Leaders Day @ Wallan SC (selected students)
• 8th November: 4/5 Big Bash Excursion (Limited Numbers - CLOSED)
• 8th November: 2025 Foundation Transition
• 11th November: Remembrance Day Service
• 13th November: Grade 6 2025 Uniforms Online Orders Due to PSW
• 15th November: Grade 2 Reptile Incursion 
• 18th November: BSE Program - Grade 6 Incursion 
• 21st Novmeber: Grade 4/5 Werribee Zoo Excursion
• 22nd November: 2025 Foundation Transition
• 29th November:150 Year Celebration Day 

• 6th December: Grade 1 Edgar's Mission Excursion
• 9th December: Assumption College Year 7 Transition 
• 10th December: Government High Schools - Year 7 Transition
• 10th December: STEP UP DAY - Transition Program (info to follow)
• 12th December: Grade 6 Graduation 
• 13th December: Curriculum Day 
• 18th December: Grade 6 Funfields Excusrion 
• 20th December: Last Day of Term Early Finish 12noon & 12:15

Foundation A– Felicity B           Foundation B– Meisha G
Foundation C– Ollie F                Foundation D– Lenny D

1A– Harper P                             1B– 
1C– TJ T                                     1D– Reeve I

2A– Andre B                              2B– Isaac S
2C– Sehteg S                             2D– Parker R

3A– Jagger M                           3B– Chloe P
3C–Winrose L                           3D– Azariah T

4/5A - Tatum D                       4/5B– Havannah E 
4/5C– Presley N                      4/5D— Ehana R
4/5E–Aidan J                           4/5F– Hazal A

6A– Harseerat S                      6B - Shennelle V
6C - Lily A                                6D– Samar K

This week, our junior campus had the exciting opportunity to host a film crew from the Department of Education and Training (DET)! The crew came to capture the enthusiasm of some of our superstar grade one and two students as they participated in the Premier's Reading Challenge.

Our young readers showcased their favourite books and shared their thoughts on why reading is so important to them. From adventures in fantastical worlds to learning new things, their passion for reading was truly inspiring. The film crew filmed engaging interviews, capturing the joy and creativity that comes from diving into a good book.

This initiative not only highlights the importance of reading in our school but also encourages all students to embrace the challenge. We can’t wait to see our students on screen, celebrating their love for literature and inspiring others to read! Stay tuned for the upcoming video featuring our young superstars!

Action Arrowsmith

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A Joyous Diwali Celebration: A Night of Lights, Culture, and Community Spirit

This year's Diwali celebration organised by Beveridge Primary School’s Dwaraka Indian Community Playgroup and Kilmore Primary School’s Family Learning Multicultural Playgroup was a resounding success, bringing together members of our community to celebrate the Festival of Lights in a truly spectacular way. Held at the Greater Beveridge Community Centre on Friday the 25^th of October from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm, the evening was filled with joy, laughter, and a deep sense of connection. From the vibrant cultural performances to the delicious food shared, it was a celebration that reflected the very spirit of Diwali — triumph of light over darkness, and good over evil which was also highlighted by a message to raise awareness on family violence.

The event kicked off with an elegant lighting ceremony by our Chief Guest Mr Rob Mitchell MP /Member for McEwen, Ms Tregambe, a representative for the Member for Kalkallo/Minister for Carers Hon Ros Spence and Christine Cole, principal of Beveridge Primary School.

The cultural programs highlighted the diversity and beauty of Indian traditions. Traditional dance performances, including a semi classical Indian dance and energetic Bollywood-style group dance by Jollity Bollywood dance company; Bhangra dance by Beveridge Primary School children and Punjabi Gidha by mothers in Dwaraka playgroup dazzled the audience. Elderly adults performed lively Punjabi dances singing cultural songs. It was a powerful reminder of how Diwali brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in making the cultural program a truly unforgettable experience.

Such an event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. A sincere thank you to Bendigo Bank for their generous community grant which helped cover the major expenses for the event. Thanks to Mitchell Shire Council for their contribution towards refreshments. Their continued support not only made this Diwali celebration possible but also helped us enhance the overall experience for the entire community. Special thanks to Mitchell Shire Council staff members Joe Guta (Community Development Officer - Health, Wellbeing and Diversity) Teagan Harris (Coordinator Community Development and Youth Services) and Maria Hodgins (Acting Placemaking Officer) for their support with organising the event.

Yuva Films Productions gave a generous discount for their services with photo/video coverage.

We’d also like to express our gratitude to the volunteers who gave their time and resources to ensure the event ran smoothly. From assisting with decorations to helping with logistics, your contributions were truly invaluable. We are incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated community.

No Diwali celebration is complete without a spread of traditional savory delights and sweets, and this year’s event was no exception. The aroma of freshly made pakoras, naan bread, pulao rice, vegetable korma and butter chicken filled the air.  Guests were treated to a diverse selection of dishes including gulab jamun sweet that showcased the culinary diversity of India. Thanks to Sunrise Sweets for providing a considerable discount to the cost of food ordered.

The celebration ended with lighting of sparklers outside the community hall. It was heartwarming to see families come together with laughter and festive cheer.

We look forward to making next year’s Diwali celebration even bigger and better, continuing the tradition of bringing our community together in the spirit of celebration, culture, and unity.

Once again, thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and attended. Your presence made this Diwali celebration truly special. We wish all of you a prosperous year ahead, filled with happiness, peace, and light!

Here are links to a video and an article about the event published in last week’s Northern Central Review.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LoOD8pqq-y6pXT5VmbbZTZHxCdaRKDhg

https://ncreview.com.au/2024/10/29/diwali-celebrations/

Shanthi Antony

Leading Teacher (English as an Additional Language)

Mitchell Shire Cluster of Schools

Diwali

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Dear Arrowsmith Families,
Due to some recent incidents with biting at the Junior campus, we have included some information about biting behaviours and how to support children who display this behaviour.

Understanding Biting Behaviour

Biting can be a common behaviour in young children, often stemming from various emotions or needs. It's essential to understand that biting is usually not a sign of aggression but rather a way for children to express themselves.

Reasons Children May Bite:

• Exploration: Young children explore their environment and may bite out of curiosity.
• Frustration: They might bite when feeling overwhelmed or unable to communicate.
• Attention-Seeking: Some children bite to gain attention, even if it's negative.
• Stress or Anxiety: Changes in routine or social situations can lead to biting as a coping mechanism.

How Parents Can Help

1. Stay Calm and Supportive

• Model Calmness: If your child bites, respond calmly. Your reaction influences their understanding of the behaviour.
• Validate Emotions: Acknowledge your child's feelings. Let them know it’s okay to feel upset or frustrated, but there are better ways to express those emotions.

2. How to Talk to Your Child About Biting

• Use Simple Language: Keep the conversation age appropriate. For example, say, “Biting hurts. We use words, not teeth.”
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage your child to express themselves. Ask questions like, “What were you feeling when you bit?” or “Can you tell me what happened?”
• Teach Empathy: Help your child understand the impact of their actions. You might say, “When you bite, it makes others sad or scared.”
• Role-Play Solutions: Practice scenarios where your child might feel the urge to bite and guide them through alternative responses. For instance, “If you’re upset, you can tell a teacher or use your hands to express yourself.”

3. Set Clear Boundaries

• Explain Consequences: Help your child understand that biting hurts others and is not acceptable. Use age-appropriate language to explain the impact of their actions.
• Establish Consistent Rules: Reinforce the idea that biting is not tolerated at home or school. Consistency helps reinforce boundaries.

4. Encourage Positive Social Interactions

• Playdates and Group Activities: Arrange playdates with peers to help your child practice social skills in a controlled environment.
• Teach Sharing and Turn-Taking: Use games to promote sharing and patience, reinforcing positive interactions.

5. Monitor Triggers

• Observe Patterns: Pay attention to when and where biting occurs. Is it during certain activities, when they're tired, or when they’re frustrated?
• Adjust Environment: If possible, modify situations that lead to biting. For instance, ensure your child has a quiet space to retreat to when feeling overwhelmed.

6. Collaborate with School

• Open Communication: Stay in contact with your child’s teachers and caregivers to discuss progress and strategies that work.
• Follow Through: Implement similar strategies at home and school to ensure consistency.

Additional Resources

• Books for Children: Consider reading books about emotions and friendships to help your child understand and navigate their feelings.
• Support Groups: Look for parenting support groups or workshops that focus on managing challenging behaviours.

Remember

Biting is often a phase that can be managed with understanding, patience, and consistent support. By working together, parents and educators can help children learn healthier ways to express their emotions and interact with peers.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need further support, please contact your students classroom teacher or the Wellbeing office.