I would like to share with the school community recent approval granted by the Moorabool Shire Council for use of the green space at Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s – Maddingley Fields.
Maddingley Fields is located adjacent to the main campus, along South Maddingley Road, which accommodates the school’s long term car park (staff parking) and new oval.
Whilst the staff car park has been in use for a while now, this additional green space will provide an open environment for students during Physical Education and Sport classes. The oval will also provide additional play area during lunchtimes for selected age groups. This is an exciting new addition for our Maddingley student’s and we look forward to seeing it become a well-loved addition to our school grounds.
Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s Character Education Program continues to provide our students with a Values and Virtues based education, underpinning the schools’ values of Knowledge, Wisdom, Kindness, Discipline, Leadership, Ambition, Confidence and Respect. The program has progressed in 2025 with a new and exciting P-4 curriculum, as well as our well established 5-8 and Inspire Programs. The character education model at Bacchus Marsh Grammar is based on mainstream educational research from universities in Australia and worldwide, including the University of Birmingham and the Jubilee Centre, ensuring that it is inclusive and relevant to all students and teachers at Bacchus Marsh Grammar.
In line with the schools’ programs and strategic plan this year a research project is being conducted in collaboration with the Australian Catholic University, ACU, aimed at better understanding and planning character education at Bacchus Marsh Grammar.
This project is being led by Dr. Kylie Kerr and Dr. Jonathon Sargeant from Australian Catholic University (ACU), both experienced researchers in education, wellness, ethics education and positive education. This research at Bacchus Marsh Grammar reflects the latest research on character education.
In the first round of research students from Year’s 8 and 10 have been invited to participate in the research and families have been contacted regarding this.
We very much look forward to improving and consolidating our Character Education programs and strongly believe that this is only possible through reflection, research, and feedback.
Mr Andrew Perks – Deputy Principal: Culture and Character Education
Earlier this month, the annual Commencement Ceremonies were held at the Maddingley and Woodlea Campuses, bringing the school community together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its students.
Beyond celebrating achievements, the Commencement Ceremony was also an opportunity to recognise our 2025 School Captains and Senior School Leaders. On behalf of all students, an undertaking was made to always strive to be their best selves.
Congratulations to all students who received subject study scores of 45 or higher, earning the VCE Academic Excellence – Subject Award. Those who achieved an ATAR above 90 were presented with the VCE General Excellence Award.
A special acknowledgment goes to the students who achieved a VCE Perfect Score, attaining a study score of 50—an incredible accomplishment.
The highest academic honour, the Dux of Bacchus Marsh Grammar, was awarded to Memphis Menz. This title is a reflection of remarkable dedication and academic distinction, serving as an inspiration to students following in their footsteps.
Beyond celebrating achievements, the Commencement Ceremony also sets clear expectations for the year ahead, reinforcing the values and commitments that define the school community.
Congratulations to all students for a fulfilling and successful 2024 and best wishes to our 2025 School Leaders.
Mrs Danielle Copeman – Head of Woodlea Campus Mr Andrew Pate – Head of Maddingley Campus
The kindergarten children at Bacchus Marsh Grammar Early Learning Centre have embraced nature’s beauty and the joy of learning through hands-on experiences in our community garden. It’s been a wonderful journey of growth, teamwork and discovery as our children settle into the Early Learning Centre and engage in meaningful activities that bring them closer to the world around them.
The children have been busy harvesting various fresh produce from the garden, including squash, cucumbers, chillies, silver beet, beans and spring onions. With great enthusiasm and care, the children carefully picked the ripened vegetables and took them home with their families to enjoy in their kitchens. It’s a lovely way to connect the children’s learning to the broader community, as families have been using the garden’s bounty to create healthy, home-cooked meals.
After the giant sunflowers in our garden bloomed, the children helped to pick the giant, vibrant heads. Using their fine motor skills, the children have been meticulously extracting the seeds from the sunflower heads while learning about regrowing these beautiful flowers. These seeds will be saved for planting later in the year, creating the perfect opportunity for the children to continue their journey of growth and exploration.
We are excited to continue growing together as a community, watching our garden flourish and our children grow with each new experience. Here’s to more seasons of learning and exploring.
Junior School Parent/Teacher Interviews – March 4 and 6
Parent/teacher interviews are a valuable opportunity for communication between families and teachers. On March 4 and 6, Junior School parents will have the opportunity to discuss their child’s strengths and goals with their classroom teachers for 2025.
We look forward to sharing valuable insights to support your child’s growth both academically and socially.
Please refer to EdSmart notices for details on how to book a parent/teacher interview time.
Mrs Sally Savic – Head of Junior School Woodlea Mr Darren Gibson – Head of Junior School Maddingley
Maddingley
Year 2
This term, our Year 2 students are diving into the world of counting and patterns, exploring everything from skip counting to identifying patterns and rules in number sequences. Through engaging activities and challenges they are developing strong mathematical skills using a range of hands-on activities such as bead strings to assist with counting and demonstrating skip counting on bead templates.
Alongside their mathematical adventures, students are travelling back in time to Ancient India! They are learning about the incredible contributions of this ancient civilisation, from its rich culture and history to groundbreaking inventions like the numeral system. With hands-on projects and interactive lessons, the children are discovering Ancient Indian traditions and beliefs that are still practised today.
It’s an exciting term so far filled with learning, exploration and creativity! We can’t wait to see what our Year 2 students will achieve next!
Maddingley Year 2 Team
Woodlea
Together on Tuesdays: Building Connections in Junior School Woodlea
In the Junior School at Woodlea, our new Year 4 leaders have embraced their leadership roles through the Together on Tuesdays program which was launched on 18 February. This student-led initiative provides engaging and inclusive activities for students across Years 1 to 4 during break times, fostering friendships, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
The first session was a fantastic success, with a large number of eager participants joining in. Students had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities including drawing, colouring, Lego building, skipping, down ball and more. The Year 4 leaders enthusiastically guided each activity, ensuring that every student felt included and had something enjoyable to engage in.
This program not only offers meaningful break-time activities but also supports the development of leadership skills in our Year 4 students. By taking on the responsibility of planning and running activities, they are strengthening their communication, organisation and teamwork skills, while setting a positive example for their peers.
It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm from both our leaders and participants, and we look forward to watching Together on Tuesdays continue to grow throughout the year.
Mrs Sally Savic – Head of Junior School Woodlea Mrs Courtney Williams – Deputy Head of Junior School Woodlea
Year 1
Woodlea Year 1 students have been learning about the features and structure of a recount, focusing on how to share real-life experiences in a clear and engaging way. We have been exploring how recounts are written in the past tense, follow a chronological sequence and include key details to bring their experiences to life and help the reader understand what happened.
To help us remember, we chant:
Recounts are true, it happened to you! First, next and last, an event from the past!
Here are four wonderful samples from our own classrooms:
Cooking Recount
On the weekend, I cooked eggs with my mum.
First, we cracked the eggs in the cooking pan.
Next, we flipped the eggs.
Finally, we put the eggs on the plate and ate the eggs.
My favourite part was eating the egg. -Tabrez 1WA
Park Recount
On the holidays, my brother and I went to the park with Milky.
First, I went inside the dog park and I saw a lot of dogs.
Next, I climbed the Eiffel Tower.
Last, I went on the swings.
I had the best day ever! -Xena 1WB
Cinema Recount
On the school holidays, I went to the movies.
First, I got a ticket to play games. I got a surprise and got popcorn.
Next, I went to my seat with my family.
Last, I hopped in the car with my family and went to bed.
I had an excellent day watching Moana 2. -Samar 1WC
Birthday Recount
On the 10th of May, I celebrated my 6th birthday.
First, I organised my house.
Next, my mum made the immaculate food.
Last, the guests came and we started the party.
I had a great day. -Rehmat 1WD
The Woodlea Year 1 Team
Term 1 Junior School Art
Students across Prep to Year 2 have been busy exploring a variety of creative projects and techniques. Prep students have started their Art journey by learning the expectations of the Art room, creating a Paper Skills Poster to practise cutting, folding and gluing and explored their imaginations by drawing their dream houses.
Year 1 students began the year with self-portraits using oil pastels and an ink wash, while learning to mix primary colours to create secondary colours.
Meanwhile, Year 2 students kicked off the year with detailed self-portraits in oil pastels, followed by learning about complementary colours and applying this knowledge in a dynamic collage project.
Year 3 students are exploring Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, focusing on his iconic painting Starry Night (1889). They will continue to examine the artist’s techniques and expressive use of colour.
Transitioning from Van Gogh’s expressive brushwork to a more contemporary style, Year 4 students have delved into the dynamic world of Keith Haring, an American artist known for his bold, movement-filled figures and connection to Pop Art and street culture. Students will create their own individually-themed action figures, using bold outlines, expressive movement and bright colour choices.
We have nearly completed our first month and I would like to give you a snapshot of how your child is settling in and what the school is doing to support your child.
We started the year off with all the Year 7 students attending Staughton Vale in what we call “Get to Know You Day” in which all the students take part in various activities as a class. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone, especially as half of the class and year are new to the school. The next day we spent again as a class getting organised with our diaries, Chrome books, photos and lockers etc.
The start of Week 2 saw our students getting to know their new teachers and subjects, and the week flew by. In order to help with the transition of our new students, all the Year 7 students have a phased introduction to homework.
This approach helps reduce anxiety and stress by gradually acclimatising students to the new workload. It also supports the development of effective study habits and accommodates the diverse educational backgrounds of our students. Optional homework will be available, particularly for those who were in Year 6 at BMG in 2024 and still want to complete it.
Next week will see our students taking part in and supporting their Houses at the Middle School Swimming Competition. The following week, on 3 March, all our Year 7 students will have a workshop with Darren Pereira, a renowned Australian school speaker, alongside all other Year 7 students. Darren will help them develop the skills and attitudes they need to thrive in Year 7 and beyond. In the evening, we will offer parents and guardians the opportunity to gain advice from Darren at a parent workshop on how to help your child transition positively into Year 7. We are organising a parent evening on the same day at the school from 6 pm to 7 pm for parents to hear from Darren about strategies to help their child transition to secondary education. This would be a great opportunity to help you understand the issues early adolescent children are facing. An email has been sent to all parents about this.
In Week 8, we will be supporting our Year 7 students with a cyber security training workshop helping them to navigate the dangers of the internet and social media.
We will also be hosting our Parent/Teacher Interviews during that and the following week.
In Week 9 NAPLAN will be held as well as our Middle School Athletics Carnival! Between these dates, we will also have visits to Staughton Vale, and sporting competitions such as BMPSSA and ICCES.
So, as you can see, we have had and still have, a lot to get through and this is keeping your child busy. It can be a stressful time for both you and your child. My own advice in supporting your child to navigate this time is to let them talk about their experiences. If they are struggling, support them but also see it as an opportunity to help develop the skills they will need as an adult. As a parent, I understand the strong desire to solve our children’s problems, but this can take away the opportunity for them to show resilience, again, a skill they need to learn as an adult. That said, informing the school if your child is struggling or encountering issues is the best policy, if only to keep the school informed.
Scott Bayne – Head of Middle School: Maddingley
Year 7 Camp
From Monday 17 February until Wednesday 19 February, our Year 7 cohort undertook their surf rescue camp, provided by the YMCA in Anglesea. On top of learning how to surf and how to be safe around the ocean, students completed activities such as mountain bike riding, canoeing and taking a chance on the giant swing! A few of our stellar Year 7s from Tutor Group 7G spoke to their Tutor Group teachers, Miss Zammit and Mrs Pentony, about their time on camp:
Matilda M: “The thing I liked most about camp was spending time with my friends. The thing I am most proud of myself for is giving every activity a try, especially surfing, which I was better at than I expected. If I could change anything about camp it would be the vertical challenge because it rained just before I attempted it so it was really hard.”
Aahana S: “What I loved most about camp was that we got to build tents, cook our own food, and also got to do mountain biking. The thing that I am most proud of that I did in camp is probably finishing the vertical climb. The thing that I would change about camp would probably be that my group would get to do more water activities like canoeing, and I also really wanted to try out skateboarding.”
Divit N: “I liked how we went to do a lot of different activities that made our stay very enjoyable and it pulled us out of our comfort zone. I learnt how to surf in our surfing activity. It was very important about how we should be careful around the sea. That we stay for longer such as two more days would be better so that we could complete the activities we did not get to do, but overall the experience was exquisite.”
Shakespeare Incursion
On March 18 and 19, Year 6 students had the exciting opportunity to participate in an engaging incursion with Bell Shakespeare, a renowned theatre company. The team visited our school to help us deepen our understanding of the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream while enhancing our acting skills in preparation for our upcoming performance assessment. Throughout the session, we took part in a variety of interactive games designed to boost our confidence and creativity. One memorable activity involved acting out the concept of a forest and, surprisingly, a fork and knife! Additionally, we worked together as a class to perform a condensed 10-minute version of the play, where we had fun experimenting with Shakespearean language and embracing the whimsical nature of the characters. This experience not only sharpened our acting abilities but also made the world of Shakespeare come alive in a way that was both educational and incredibly fun!
Manreet, Divjot & Lorelei 6B
Woodlea
Year 7’s “Get to Know You” Day
Our Year 7 students recently had the opportunity to spend a day at Staughton Vale. The day, designed as a “Get to Know You Day,” allowed students to build connections with their peers, develop important teamwork and leadership skills and experience the importance of culture and belonging within their school community.
Throughout the day, the students participated in a variety of activities, including orienteering, House competition, the history of Staughton Vale and self-reflection. One of the most meaningful aspects of the day was the chance for each student to write a letter to their Year 12 self, offering them a chance to reflect on their journey and set goals for their future.
The House competition events throughout the day played an important role in strengthening the students’ sense of belonging. The series of outdoor games, including tug-o-war and various relay-style challenges, gave students the opportunity to compete in a fun and friendly atmosphere, all while encouraging teamwork and House spirit.
The competition was tight, with the final results as follows:
Aneli 7WF shared how the day helped her build teamwork and leadership skills. “It was great to bond with my House, Dale,” Aneli said, “and I especially enjoyed writing the letter to my Year 12 self. It will be interesting to reflect on what I did in 2025 at the end of VCE.”
Dean 7WD, another Year 7 student, found that Staughton Vale offered more than just a farm-like setting. “The campus is less of a farm and more of a school with farms around it,” he said. He particularly enjoyed the outdoor activities, especially orienteering and tug-o-war. “It was a fun way to explore the campus, and the House competitions were a great way to work together even though we didn’t know each other at first.”
A big thank you to all the staff and students who made the day such a memorable success!
Krystal Pitt – Head of Year 7 Woodlea
Year 7 Deep Time Incursion
On February 17 and 18, the Year 7’s took part in an incursion based on archaeology run by two archaeologists, Bella and Stephanie.
We learnt about how scientists determine how old artefacts are using carbon dating and other methods. Bella and Stephanie showed us how archaeologists excavate areas and how different remains can help with understanding how things were.
Then the actual activity began. We had 4 tables, each with a box of sand but in the sand were hidden artefacts waiting to be found. After finding an artefact, we noted down where in the box we uncovered it, what material we thought it was made of and whether it was a broken or complete piece. We had to match the artefact to what it looked like using a book that held the information of the climate in the area and what it truly was. It was lots of fun excavating artefacts with tools in the sand.
After everyone had finished the work, we inspected other tables and their artefacts. Some had plastic bottle caps, some had glass and some had bones.
This archaeology incursion was similar to our current topic in Global Studies which is Deep Time Australia. We are now learning about Indigenous history where much of the information has come from archaeology. This develops a deeper and clearer understanding of our current topic by showing how some of the artefacts might have been found. This Global Studies incursion was very informative and expanded our knowledge of Archaeology and Deep Time.
As we are well into the school year, we’re excited to have all of our Senior School students back to campus! Whether they’re stepping into their final year or continuing their journey through this exciting stage of learning, we’re eager to support you every step of the way.
This year promises to be filled with growth, opportunities and new challenges. We hope our students are feeling inspired and ready to take on what lies ahead. Our dedicated teachers and staff are here to guide, encourage and help them succeed as they work towards achieving their academic and personal goals.
Let’s make this year unforgettable as we work together to create a positive, vibrant community where everyone can thrive. Welcome back—we can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish in 2025!
Mrs Natalie Desira – Head of Senior School Ms Tenielle Brown – Deputy Head of Senior School
VCE Vocational Major Bendigo Camp
On Wednesday, 12 February, the VCE VM class left the school and made our way to Bendigo. Along the way, we made stops at different places to enjoy the scenery and overall it was an enjoyable and successful commute.
On our way to Bendigo we visited the Great Stupa Buddhist temple and had a guided tour and meditation session. While we were there, we were told the history of when the temple was made. During the tour, we got to see inside the temple and the many holy relics there. We also got to see the Jade Buddha, which is completely carved out of jade stone, the Shakyamuni Buddha and Kasyapa Buddha, disciples of the Buddha, the 16 Arhants and several modern-day masters and what they stood for. We also completed a scavenger hunt that taught us a lot about the culture. It was really enjoyable. Afterwards we had to get food from Woolworths for the rest of the camp including breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. We finished off the day with a water fight and a game of Sticky Golf Run by Michael, Marcus and Ethan. For dinner Michael, Marcus and Ethan were in charge of cooking the Spaghetti Bolognese.
On the second day we woke up nice and early and headed over to do our tour of the Golden Dragon Museum. On the tour, we learned about the local Chinese history in Bendigo and the connections to the gold mines. The Golden Dragon Museum was a very colourful place which had a lot of past and present dragons that are still used for festivals and traditions. We also learned about Chinese art and ancient artefacts collected in the museum. After lunch, we met at the Central Deborah Goldmines where we descended 61 metres below earth and toured the mines. While there, we were able to see real gold and hear and operate an old gold mining drill. We also learned about the Gold Rush and how this impacted Bendigo. Afterwards, we hopped on the Vintage Trams for the Talking Tram Tour which took us all around Bendigo and showed off some impressive historical sites. When we returned to camp, Jack and Oliver ran a basketball game with everyone before dinner which was a BBQ cooked by Hunter, Max, Cooper and Dyllan. After dinner, Katherine and Cerys ran their activity Uno Teams followed by a soccer match run by Hunter, Cooper and Dyllan.
In conclusion, the camp was very fun and a great learning experience for our class.
Tarryn Davidson – Teacher
Inspire Day at Altona Beach
Our Year 9 students had a fantastic time at their second Inspire Day, held at Altona Beach. The day focused on team-building activities and essential life-saving skills, equipping students with knowledge on how to respond to ocean-related emergencies. Through hands-on sessions, they learned about beach safety, rescue techniques, and emergency response strategies.
Although they were unable to get into the water, students remained engaged, demonstrated great attitudes, and took away valuable skills that could one day help save lives. It was an enriching and rewarding experience for all!
Stacey Viljoen – Head of Year 9 and Head of Duke of Edinburgh: Woodlea
VCE Unit 1 & 2 Environmental Science Excursion to Ecolinc
Our VCE Environmental Science students had a fantastic day at Ecolinc, deepening their understanding of biogeochemical cycles and their interactions with the environment. They explored the impact of human activities on the nitrogen and carbon cycles and conducted hands-on investigations, testing nitrogen levels in soil and analysing dissolved carbon in water and the atmosphere. This hands-on experience helped bring key scientific concepts to life and reinforced their learning in an engaging and practical way.
Stacey Viljoen – Head of Year 9 and Head of Duke of Edinburgh: Woodlea
It has been wonderful to see students actively participating in our Physical Education and Sport curriculum over the past week. The warm weather has provided the perfect opportunity for outdoor activities, including our House Swimming events. We remind all students and parents to prioritise sun safety throughout Term One by regularly applying sunscreen and wearing a hat during PE and Sport classes.
Year 11/12 Summer Sport Challenge
As we prepare for the first inter-school competition of the year, our Year 11 and 12 students have had the opportunity to sign up for the sports of tennis, cricket, golf and volleyball. The Summer Sports Challenge will take place on Friday 21 March at Maddingley Park, MARC stadium, Bacchus Marsh Tennis Club and the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Course. We encourage any students in Year 11 and 12 to sign up and take part in what will be a wonderful day of competition against Braemar.
ICCES Badminton & Table Tennis
The ICCES Badminton and Table Tennis cross-campus trials took place last Friday at the Maddingley Gym. The popularity of the sports has created a competitive selection process for students to test their skills in a variety of drills and competitive play. Following this trial, 3-4 player teams will be selected to represent BMG in the following categories – Junior Girls & Boys (Yr 7 to 9) and Senior Girls & Boys (Yr 10 to 12). The ICCES Badminton & Table Tennis competition will take place at MSAC on Wednesday 5 March.
Outdoor and Environmental Studies – Coastal Expedition
Last week, the Unit 3 and 4 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students embarked on their Coastal Expedition. They travelled to Queenscliff and the surrounding Swan Bay area to explore how humans understand and interact with natural environments. These hands-on experiences will allow students to apply classroom theory while enjoying various outdoor recreational activities. The Unit 1and 2 students ventured out this week to the Surf Coast and we look forward to hearing about their time away on expedition and learning in the outdoors.
Mr Bryce Durham – Head of Faculty: PE and Health
Woodlea House Swimming Carnivals
Woodlea students demonstrated their healthy House spirit and enthusiastic sense of competition through their active participation in the Year 7-11 House Swimming Carnival and the Year 3-6 House Swimming Carnival which were completed in Weeks 3 and 4 of Term One.
Year 7-11 had a perfectly sunny, hot day for their event and all students performed with determination and skill. The House team relays were fiercely contested and most enjoyable to watch for all in attendance. The results for the Year 7-11 event are: 1st: Lerderderg, 2nd: Pyrites, 3rd: Dale, 4th: Parwan, 5th: Kororoit, 6th: Djerriwarrh, 7th: Pykes and 8th: Toolern.
The Year 3-6 Carnival, held the week after, was quite a contrast in weather, with rather cool conditions. Swimmers literally tested the waters before their races and even with some blue lips and chills, none were deterred from competition. Once again, students commendably swam and supported each other and their Houses; cheering competitors on and filling multiple events where needed to enable their House to gain maximum points. It was also lovely to see a good turn-out of parents supporting our Junior School swimmers. The 3-6 results are: 1st: Dale, 2nd: Djerriwarrh, 3rd: Lerderderg, 4th: Parwan, 5th: Pyrites, 6th: Pykes, 7th: Kororoit and 8th: Toolern.
Special shout out to Mr Long, Mr Delic and all the PE Department at Woodlea for the amazing coordination and running of two very successful carnivals to usher in the 2025 year of House competition. The Years 8 and 10 House leaders, who volunteered to assist at the Year 3-6 Carnival, also deserve our praise and appreciation for their stellar efforts and their example of service on the day. Well done Woodlea!
Dr Tan, Mrs Farrugia & Mr Baniowski – Heads of House
Victorian State Championships for Ayla
Ayla, a student of 4WE, has been training diligently and competing in Athletics trials, demonstrating exceptional dedication to her sport. Last weekend, she participated in the Metro Region Track and Field Championships, representing one of the eight regions of Victoria. We are delighted to share that Ayla has now qualified for the Victorian State Championships.
She will compete in the Under-10 Girls 1500m Walk Race on March 8, 2025.
This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to Ayla’s hard work, perseverance and commitment to excellence. We congratulate her on this remarkable milestone and wish her all the best for the upcoming championships!
Students at Maddingley celebrated Library Lovers Day (February 14) with Literary Valentines, sharing their favourite reads from last year by depicting them on a heart. Our Literacy Leaders Harvi Matheti and Rishm Judge (Year 6) and Aashi Darak and Lewis Guglielmino (Year 8) worked to cut out hundreds of library-themed valentines and to staff the Library Lovers trolley, spreading the love of books to the school community.
Parents whose children travel on the buses listed below have received communication earlier in the week via the BMG channels of SMS and Edsmart Broadcast concerning the following bus timetables with updates to the times and/or routes;
WHITE
PINK
LEMON
SKY
PLATYPUS
The changes to the above buses will be effective as of AM travel Monday 3 March 2025.
Woodlea Late Bus
The late bus out of Woodlea will be chartered by Christians Bus Company. There are no changes to the timetable.
This change was effective as of Tuesday 25 February 2025.
Private/Late Bus Travellers – Student ID Cards
All students have been issued with their student ID card for 2025. Students MUST use their Student ID card to tap on/off the bus. Student ID cards are compulsory when boarding a private bus, attending any school excursions/camps or the LATE bus etc and they must be always carried. Students who board the bus three times without their Student ID cards will receive a detention or further consequences.
School photos will be held in Term 2 at both the Maddingley and Woodlea School campuses during the dates below:
Woodlea – 5-9 May 2025
Maddingley – 12-16 May 2025
Timetables are yet to be confirmed and will be subject to change in order to work in conjunction with other School activities.
Mrs Cathy Perconte – Community Development Coordinator
Camps, Sports, and Excursion Fund (CSEF)
The Camps Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families in covering the costs of school excursions, camps and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. The allowance is paid directly to the school by the Education Department.
Eligible families include those holding a valid means-tested concession card such as a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card, or those who are temporary foster parents.
To encourage families to apply, the school will provide a rebate equivalent to the School Development Levy for families whose applications are submitted and approved by the Education Department.
The CSEF application form can be downloaded below. The form outlines the eligibility requirements and must be returned to the school by 23 June 2025.
Parents must meet the eligibility requirements by:
Eligibility Date: 31 January 2025
2nd CRN validation date (for failed CRNs only): 23 April 2025
Parents who received CSEF at Bacchus Marsh Grammar in 2024 do not need to submit a new application in 2025, provided there has been no change in family circumstances.
Please note that CSEF payments apply only to the current application year and cannot be claimed retrospectively for prior years.
Parents/Guardians are familiar with the school communication platform EdSmart which is used to relay school information and seek digital consent for class excursions, camps, sporting events via a notification slip.
This platform also allows for the school to ‘cc’ communication slips to students so they receive, via email, the necessary information for upcoming activities and due dates. The difference between the format for parents/guardians and students is that the consent section is not accessible to students. They do, however, receive a notification when parents have consented to an activity.
The school will be activating this feature in EdSmart for students to receive communication slips for all excursions, camps and events for Years 5 to 12, where consent is required. This will enable students to have clear details of the event/activity date, materials they are required to bring, uniform expectations and transport.
This may also assist in the student’s ability to prompt parent/guardian consent if deadlines are not met.
EdSmart Consent
Please note that EdSmart will be the only acceptable form of providing consent for your child to attend school activities/sport/camps or similar. Notes in diaries and emails to Heads of Sub-Schools, Heads of Year and/or Teachers will not be accepted in future. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact administration@bmg.vic.edu.au.
