Principal’s Message

As we approach the end of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the Badger Creek Primary School community and all that we have achieved together. At the beginning of the year, we set ourselves significant goals. It is incredibly encouraging to pause now, reflect, and recognise just how much has been accomplished.

Our three Big Rocks—Community, Wellbeing and Learning—have guided our work throughout the year. Below is a snapshot of the progress, growth, and connection we have created across each priority.

Community

This year, our commitment to strengthening partnerships and fostering community connection was evident in every corner of the school:

• Deepened partnerships with the Sanctuary’s education team and First Nations staff.
• Represented our school proudly at community events including the ANZAC Service and the First Nations Remembrance Service.
• Held whole-school Swimming, Athletics, and Cross-Country carnivals, with students progressing to District and Regional events.
• Celebrated the completion of the Fighting Extinction Project with the Sanctuary, presented at Melbourne Zoo.
• Supported 30 girls who participated in the AFL Gala Day.
• Became runners-up in the Quad Footy Cup.
• Worked closely with Healesville High School through the Stomp production and a range of shared programs.
• Strengthened staff collaboration with local schools through moderation and shared resources.
• Established the Badger Creek Primary School “Men’s Shed,” supporting hands-on Grade 4 building projects.
• Engaged students in multiple excursions and incursions that built strong links to the wider community.
• Finished the year with a wonderful Christmas Concert, including Bizarre Bizarre and a lively Community Market.

Wellbeing

Student wellbeing remained a central focus, with initiatives that supported belonging, connection and resilience:

• Continued progress toward implementing Tier 2 SWPBS supports, including a student-led Bush Play gateway project.
• Appointed a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader who has been instrumental in driving wellbeing initiatives.
• Delivered targeted small-group wellbeing programs tailored to student needs.
• Facilitated whole-school cyber safety sessions.
• Offered a rich array of school events—Snow Trip, Swimming (P–4), 100 Days of Prep, Book Week, Hoop Time, leadership workshops, excursions, and the Year 6/7 Transition Pizza Night.
• Celebrated students filling multiple trees in Bunjil’s Place with joyful water-based activities.
• Opened our Campfire Yarn Circle and completed our Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Introduced Bush Play as a lunchtime option every Wednesday.
• Analysed AtoSS data through the Tier 2 Wellbeing team, leading to an additional school connection group focused on Year 5 students.
• Achieved 100% fidelity in implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support and were encouraged by our coach to apply for Gold recognition.
• Hosted student leaders from six schools through the Young Leaders Respectful Relationships Program, supporting each group to develop school-based projects that enhance student outcomes.

Learning

In learning, our focus on strong instructional practices and continuous improvement has contributed to meaningful student growth:

• Continued school-wide implementation of InitiaLit, SpellEx, MacqLit, and structured mathematics strategies.
• Reviewed whole-school procedures, conducted Child Safe training, and inducted three new staff members.
• Achieved positive NAPLAN growth across spelling, numeracy, reading, writing, and grammar and punctuation.
• Updated school reporting and introduced inquiry-based reading tasks.
• Facilitated successful Respectful Relationships sessions and CAT Moderation.
• Held our first transition session for 2026 preps, and supported all students to spend time with their 2025 cohorts.
• Delivered targeted maths lessons and groupings in both Junior and Senior years to ensure confidence and consistency with strategy use.
• Developed a comprehensive Literacy Scope and Sequence outlining what is taught from Prep to Year 6.
• Shared a numeracy and literacy Learning Task with families each term.

Next Steps-

Following an extensive review of student outcomes—including feedback from the Parent Opinion Survey and the Attitudes to School Survey—we have established our Big Rocks for 2026:

• Feedback
• Goal Setting
• Growth

These priorities will be supported through a Multi-Tiered System of Support.

To begin this work, staff will use the first curriculum day after the holidays to explore and unpack each of these new priorities in depth.