Chewton Primary School
Newsletter 23rd October 2025
Embedded Files
Chewton Primary School is situated on Djaara Country!
We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people, the custodians and caretakers of the land. We thank them for the care they have taken and continue to take of Country: the rivers, mountains, trees and animals. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
We follow Bunjil's teachings: Care for self , Care for others, Care for Country
We commit to Be Brave and Make Change.
We will be a voice for generations.
Now, more than ever.
Poorneet (tadpole season) - September to October Kulin seasons
Important Dates
Important Dates
Friday 24th October Sushi
Wednesday 29th October Vaping prevention session with Bron Grieves 2:30pm
Thursday 30th October School Council meeting
Friday 31st October: Halloween dress up day, World Teacher Day
Preparation for Puberty Grade 5-6 students
Tuesday 28th Oct 9:30-11am
Friday 7th November 2.30- 3.30
Thursday 20th November 9.30- 11am
Tuesday 18th Nov at 9,30 a- 11
Tuesday 25th November 9:30-11am
3 November Curriculum Day: Assessment and Reporting. There will be OSHC available
10-12 November Grade 5-6 Anglesea camp
7 November Kickball P-2 (change of location to Maldon)
11 November Remembrance Day
19 November Bike Ride 3-6 (we need 3 parents for this to go ahead)
18, 25 November, 2, 9 Dec Prep Transition
3 December International Day of persons with disability
9 December Whole School Step Up Day
10 December Human Rights Day
16 December Xmas Carols, Yabbying
17 December Graduation/ End of year picnic 5:30pm
18 December Year 6 Big Day Out
19 December Pool Day 12-2:30
Please complete your School Uniform survey asap. School council is meeting next week to discuss the policy.
Please complete your School Uniform survey asap. School council is meeting next week to discuss the policy.
From the Office...
From the Office...
Please remember to use the ipad for late arrivals and early pick ups
Please remember to use the ipad for late arrivals and early pick ups
Thanks so much to everyone for remembering to sign in using our new ipad check in!
Changes to digital device use
Changes to digital device use
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:
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
What this means for our school
As you know, we already provide school-owned digital devices for student learning, so there is no impact on our school’s BYOD programs.
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.
CSC Year 7 Info
CSC Year 7 Info
Family Information Evening and Orientation Day
Family Information Evening and Orientation Day
The Castlemaine Secondary College will be hosting a Family Information Evening for students new to year 7 in 2026.
Monday 8 December 6:00 to 7:00pm
Orientation Day will be held at Castlemaine Secondary College
Tuesday 9th December 9:00am - 3:15pm
Year 7 Laptop Program – 2026
Year 7 Laptop Program – 2026
From 2026, Year 7 students at Castlemaine Secondary College will not be required to bring their own laptop. Instead, students will have structured and purposeful access to college-provided devices during class time.
This change is designed to:
Improve student focus and learning outcomes through reduced and more intentional technology use.
Decrease overall screen time, providing students with valuable opportunities to disconnect from devices and reflect on their learning.
Enhance meta-cognition, helping students better understand how they learn and develop strategies for self-regulation and problem-solving.
Support wellbeing and social connection by encouraging face-to-face interaction and communication.
Ensure equitable access to technology and remove financial pressure on families.
Promote balanced, mindful use of digital tools, ensuring devices are used to enhance learning rather than distract from it.
Our teachers will continue to integrate technology meaningfully, within a clear structure that prioritises engagement, wellbeing, and positive learning habits.
Tha Happy Tree
Tha Happy Tree
Photos by Justin Balmain
Parents will receive a link to the Performance video for you to download. Please do not share any material on social media without the consent of the child's parents. Please see our photography policy
Chewton Primary wins Lynette Russell History Prize for First Nations History in Schools
Chewton Primary wins Lynette Russell History Prize for First Nations History in Schools
Congratulations to Chewton Primary School for being awarded the Lynette Russell Prize for 2025. In a field of incredibly strong entries, Chewton Primary School's stuck out as an incredibly complex and impactful project. It was clear from the application that this was a project which had placed authentic and meaningful relationships with the local Dja Dja Wurrung stakeholders are the centre, and this was further demonstrated through the extensive and ongoing support from many Elders and key figures in the community. Another strength of the application was the focus not just on the content within the curriculum, but also the context beyond the curriculum and this was evidenced by having such a large number of local community members participating in the walk and an ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
The multi-year nature of this project and the ongoing growth of this event is a testament to the continued commitment and focus of Chewton Primary School, and this too was a strength of this application. Furthermore, the continued connection to and focus on the academic engagement with and outcomes from First Peoples content in the classroom was also a strong aspect of this application.
Chewton has provided an exceptional example of the high quality learning and community engagement opportunities available when committing to decolonising the classroom and working in partnership with local Dja Dja Wurrung and Koorie stakeholders and this is to be celebrated.
Bernadette was presented with the award at the History Council of Victoria Annual Lecture at the State Library this week.
The Award comes with a certificate, a $500 prize, and a free membership of the History Council of Victoria Friends.
Music Trivia Night
Music Trivia Night
Massive thanks to everyone involved in making the Music Trivia night such a success. It was a fantastic celebration of our great school community. Special thanks to Krista, Clare, Andy, Alice, Laura, Taryn, Scott, Bindi, Rory, Ed, Frog, Lily, Alex, Harri, Brock,, Maz, Katie, Ellen and Mark and everyone who helped in any way! We look forward to the next Chewtonians performance!
Thanks to all the businesses who donated goods. We made over $5000! If you go into any of these businesses to shop, make sure you say thanks! We will be sending them a certificate of thanks.
Leaf and Thread
Love Shack
Lunchbox Sushi
Mimosa Botanicals
Mulberrys Deli
Stonemans Bookstore
Superhero
Taproom Castlemaine
The Corner Store Merchants
Theatre Royal
Wood delivery (clare and Andy)
Newstead Native Plants
The Bridge
Castlemaine Vintage Bazzar
Johonny Baker
Castlemaine floristry
Art Supplies Castlemaine
Castlemaine Fresh
Boom Town Wine
Ice Cream Social
Castlemaine Harvest
Lyal Earle
Oxart Pottery
Chewton Pool
Woolykins
Castlemaine Veterinary
Star Cinema - Eaglehawk
Cabose and Feve
IGA Maxi
Oni Streatw+A14:A33ear
Outside School Hours Care
Outside School Hours Care
Monday- Friday 7am-9am
Monday- Friday 3:30pm-6pm
contact Kerrie 0410 734 733
Available for our Curriculum Days
Read more here!
Community Notices
Community Notices
The Castlemaine Rocky Riders Mountain Bike Club, Dirt Crits Series starts Thursday 6th November and registrations are now open! Dirt Crits is a junior cross country mountain bike event series, consisting of 10 rounds of mountain biking fun (5 in Nov-Dec 2025, 5 in Feb-Mar 2026) at the Walmer Forest trailhead, Daltons Road Castlemaine.
Dirt Crits are run as a handicapped format, with individual start times and laps to complete calculated week-to-week, based on lap times. So on any given week, anyone can win!
There are two categories: Dirt Cubs (age 3-7 ) & Dirt Masters (ages 8-14 )
Dirt Crits are all about fun. We encourage riders of all abilities to come and have a go, either to compete, or to just roll around and enjoy our local trails in a friendly and inclusive environment.
Cost of entry for each week of racing is just a gold coin donation.
To register: https://events.auscycling.org.au/.../individual/events/2529
First Peoples connections and information
Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) https://djadjawurrung.com.au/ DJAARA - Home | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DjaDjaWurrung/ Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation https://nalderun.net.au/ Anti-racism https://racismnoway.com.au/ https://alltogethernow.org.au/racism/racism-in-schools/how-to-discuss-racism-with-children/ Treaty https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty First Peoples connections and information
You can find out more about Yoorrook here
https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/ and Four Corners have an excellent program on Yoorrook.
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/four-corners/series/2025/video/NC2503H008S00
We also heard about the current Treaty work being undertaken in Victoria. You may have heard that Djaara have begun Treaty negotiations with the Victorian government.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/djaara-treaty-first-nations-state-australia-victoria/105337078First Nations Days of Significance:
Term 1
February 13th: Anniversary of Apology to Stolen Generations
February 13-26 Anniversary of the 1967 Freedom Ride
March 21 National Close the Gap day
April 5th: Anniversary of Bringing them home report
April 15th anniversary of the Royal commission into Aboriginal Deaths in custody
April 25th ANZAC Day
Term 2
May 26th: Sorry Day
May 27th - June 3rd: Reconciliation Week
May 30th: Reconciliation Walk
July 7th -14th: NAIDOC Week
Term 3
August 4th: National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day
August 9th: International Day of the World's Indigenous People
August 13th: Anniversary of the Yirrkala bark petitions
august 23: Anniversary of the Gurindji Wave Hill Walk off
September 7: Indigenous Literacy Day
October 26: Anniversary of the Uluru handback
December 10: Human rights day
Meeting Place Dates 2025
TERM 1 - 21 February, March 7, April 4
TERM 2 - 9 May, 23 May, 13 June, 27 June
TERM 3 - 25 July, 15 August, 29 August, 12 September
TERM 4 - 24 October, 7 November, 28 November
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Frog and yellow (flowering) time
Frog and yellow (flowering) time
September-mid-November – as the weather warms, the peak flowering season for many wildflowers begins. Frosts and rainy days are often still common.
As the water warms over spring, River Blackfish and Murray Cod become more active. These are caught in traps constructed along waterways using stone and woven baskets.
Watjarang (Platypus) along Campbells Creek breed and lay eggs. This is peak flowering season for many wildflowers, such as Murna (Yam Daisy), Gitjawil Matom (Chocolate Lily) and Bam (Bulbine Lily), which can be seen at the Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve, Kalimna Park and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Gurndi (Cranberry Heath) berries ripen and are ready to eat.
• This is peak flowering season for many wildflowers, such as Murna (Yam Daisy), Gitjawil Matom (Chocolate Lily), Bam (Bulbine Lily), Sticky Everlasting, Clustered Everlasting, Grey Everlasting and Orchids, as well as for shrubs such as Downy Grevillea, Rough Mint-bush, and Fairy Wax-flower.
• Watjarang (Platypus) breed and lay eggs
• Brushtail Possums carry their young from nests
• River Blackfish spawn
• The bush is bright with yellow daisies that provide a landing pad where insects can warm up on cold mornings
• Australian Reed-warblers begin calling along creeks and rivers
• Rainbow Bee-eaters arrive from northern Australia to nest along creek and river banks
• Large flocks of White-browed and Masked Woodswallow arrive from northern Australia and can be heard calling in the sky
• This is peak frog breeding season – large frog choruses can be heard in wetlands and along creeks and rivers
• Black Wattle and Red Box flower.
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