Principal's Report

For the members of our community who did not experience isolation, this week brings to an end our first full term at school since 2019. The momentum, positive energy and accomplishment that result from some continuity are significant and cannot be underestimated. For those who did isolate at some stage, I trust that the circle times and remote learning programs ensured your children remained engaged and connected in some way during, throughout what I have just learned first-hand, is a very difficult week. 

I thank the many families and students who have been understanding in the face of teachers isolating and who have shown great flexibility and continued to give 100% in the classroom. We can look forward to more of the same in Term 2 and hopefully even fewer numbers as vaccination rates continue to climb. In this edition, you’ll find some information regarding some changes and upcoming opportunities that we look forward to.

LOST PROPERTY

As outlined in edition 3, the process for Lost Property will be changing as of Term 2. This change is necessitated by both the sheer quantity of lost property around the school daily but also the challenge that exists for anyone trying to locate a lost item of clothing. Going forward the following will apply:

• All lost property will be deposited in one of two locked storage containers; one for named items and one for unnamed items. 
• All clearly named items will be re-distributed to students weekly. We currently have some assistance however any parents who would like to volunteer to support this please contact the school. 
• All unnamed items will be donated to the Second-Hand Uniform Store or a charity for non-uniform items.
• Lost property will not be accessible to parents or students to sift through or try and locate items

Therefore, it is critical that all items are clearly named and that students take responsibility for their uniform items. Leaving things around the school may result in them not getting it back for a week or so, and if unnamed, will see it not returned at all. A more conscientious approach will assist us in being more sustainable and responsible. 

SECOND-HAND UNIFORM STALL

Thank you to Melissa Da Silveira, Megan Lester and Maria Morfis for their incredible effort in sorting and then selling many high-quality second-hand uniform items last week. There were hundreds (if not a thousand) items to sort, categorise and then on-sell in this process and many hours went into this process. All of the $639 raised will be directly channelled towards literacy resources for students. 

TERM 2 EXTRACURRICULAR OFFERINGS

Next term sees us provide several new extra-curricular offerings both during lunchtimes and after school for our community. This is exciting as they provide the chance for students to be either exposed to new opportunities or to pursue a particular passion or skill. It also provides more options for families as many of you move from working from home back to workplaces. 

We will have after school and lunchtime clubs that span Science, Engineering, Chess, Digital Systems, Music, Art and potentially more to be added. Details for most of these are within the advertising section of this edition or previous editions and I encourage you to get your child involved. 

GRADE 4 CAMP

Our Grade 4 students, staff and many parents took off this morning to Camp Manyung for what will be a brilliant way to close out their term. I thank Paul Coverdale for his coordination of the camp as well as Stuart, Michelle, Heli and Amanda for their planning and commitment to the camp as they leave their families and evenings of freedom behind for a few days. Each of our parent volunteers also gives up their lives for three days to enable the camp to be viable and enjoyable for all of our students and I thank them for this substantial contribution. Camps truly are a brilliant chance for students to develop their confidence, cooperation and resilience and I wish them a fantastic time away.

PSYCHOLOGIST APPOINTMENT

After an extensive recruitment process that stems back to 2021, I am pleased to inform you that we have appointed a psychologist to work within our school on a part-time basis for the remainder of the year. Mrs Michelle Giuliano is a highly experienced practitioner who holds a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and dual Bachelor of Applied Science and Social Science, Psychology (Honours). She has worked extensively in a range of school settings and for the DET and will, during her time with us, work directly with staff, students and families to provide guidance, support and professional learning. We are very excited to welcome Michelle to the HPS community.

SNACK SHACK UPDATE

Our Snack Shack will be back up and running from the beginning of Term 2. The usual processes for ordering through FlexiSchools will be required and further information about menus, over the counter sales and other initiatives, will be communicated via Compass. The area surrounding the Snack Shack is also receiving a revitalisation with some outdoor furniture, functioning garden beds to grow produce and some additional landscaping to make the space a thriving corner of our school.

I wish each of you a wonderful break should you be fortunate enough to have some time off and hope that the fortnight is fun, full of memories and perhaps a little chocolate too.