Parents

The Valkstone Primary school zone is available on findmyschool.vic.gov.au.

This hosts the most up-to-date information about Victorian school zones for 2021 onwards.

Students residing in this zone are guaranteed a place at our school, which is determined on the basis of your permanent residential address.

The Department provides guidance through the School Placement Policy to ensure that students have access to their designated neighbourhood school and the freedom to choose other schools, subject to facility limitations.

You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions on the Department’s website under School zones.  

For more information

If you have a question about school zones call the VSBA Hotline on 1800 896 950 or email: vsba@edumail.vic.gov.au

Term 1:
Tuesday 28th March 9:15 a.m.

Term 2:
Tuesday 2nd May 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9th May 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday 16th May 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday 23rd May 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday 30th May 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday 6th June 9:15 a.m.
None on Tuesday 13th June
Tuesday 20th June 2:30 p.m.

Term 3:
Tuesday 18th July 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday 25th July 2:30 p.m.

2024 Foundation (Prep) enrolments

The Department of Education (DE) has released a new statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline.

The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child into Foundation (Prep) at a Victorian government primary school, including Valkstone Primary School.

The new timeline will apply for children starting Foundation (Prep) in 2024. All government primary schools will follow the new timeline in 2023 to support Foundation (Prep) enrolments for the 2024 school year.

You can find information and resources about the new timeline, including factsheets, at: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep). You can also download the ‘Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents/Carers for the 2024 school year’ from the Starting School webpage (available from 24 April 2023).

You will be able to apply to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) 2024 at Valkstone Primary School from 24 April 2023.

What you need to do:

1. Feel free to join a school tour or to learn more about our school and the enrolment application process.
2. Download the Foundation (Prep) enrolment information pack from Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) (available from 24 April 2023)
3. Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 28 July 2023
4. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by Friday 11 August 2023. If you receive an offer of placement, you should contact our school to accept the offer by Friday 25 August 2023
5. Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2023
6. Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from Tuesday 30 January 2024.

Enrolment applications submitted after 28 July 2023 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department’s Placement Policy.

Our School Council

School Council, within the framework of overall state policy guidelines, develops systems and processes that best suit our students. Council has a range of responsibilities, including:

• policy making;
• general facilities and grounds usage and maintenance;
• budget approval and oversight;
• employment of the principal and some staff (including Out of School Hours coordinators); and
• community participation.

Whilst overall policy is determined by School Council the day to day programs and operation of the school are the responsibility of the principal and staff.

The operation of School Council and its sub-committees are assisted by a set of principles and procedures, called Standing Orders and Terms of Reference (role statements).

Composition of Council

School Council is structured to represent the joint interests and responsibilities of teachers and parents for the education of children. Each school council decides on their composition and the numbers of representatives in each category. Our council consists of eleven members in total: six parent members and five DET members including the principal. Councillors serve a two-year term, with half the Council standing for election each year. Elections are held prior to March 31 each year.

Sub Committees

The following sub committees have been established to assist in the operation of School Council:

• Strategic Planning
• Finance
• Education
• Grounds and buildings
• Fundraising
• Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

Membership of these sub committees is open to parents and teachers. Nominations for membership are called for annually. All sub committees include teachers and at least one School Council representative.
Whilst School Council has the ultimate decision-making responsibility the sub committees initiate improvements, make recommendations and lead the implementation of plans.

Involvement

The School Council does not act in a vacuum. It seeks to involve the whole school community and, where appropriate, the wider community. Important policy initiatives are moulded in the light of wide consultations with parents, staff and where necessary, students. Involvement in the sub-committees of the School Council is open to both elected members of School Council and members of the general school community. Involvement is generally sought annually, with interest and a willingness to allocate time and ideas being the chief requirements.

Our School Council invites all parents to participate in the work and activities of School Council. Subcommittees are an excellent avenue for such involvement. The council meets at least once per term, usually on a Tuesday evening. School Council meetings are open for observers to attend, and the minutes of meetings are available through the office. Parents are also kept informed through School Council articles in the school newsletter following each meeting.

We invite all parents to consider involvement in this important governing body of our school. Half the Council is up for re-election each year, prior to March 31. Nominations are called via the school’s website and official nomination forms are available from the school office. Elections, involving the whole school community, are held if the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies on Council.

Membership of sub-committees is open to any school community member, based on interest. It is not necessary to be a member of School Council to join a sub-committee. Sub-committees such as the Fundraising sub-committee are vital to the community life of the school and rely on broad membership to achieve its aim of catering for the fundraising needs of the school.