Message from the Principal 

Hi Greenhills and welcome back to school for the start of Term 3!

Along with our focus and commitment to high levels of academic achievement, student agency and wellbeing, we have a jam-packed calendar of events and activities this term. During busy terms like this, it is vital to stay informed by reading the newsletter, watching Two Minute Tuesdays and logging into Compass regularly. It is also a great idea to keep a family calendar with all the important things listed on it. Why not encourage your child to do this as well? They could even use the calendar function on an iPad or another form of technology. Of course, our Year 5 & 6 students are supported to develop organisational skills like this through the use of their school diaries. 

SPOTLIGHT ON VISUAL ARTS

When you walk through our Admin building and other areas of the school, it feels like an art gallery. There is always an amazing, colourful and captivating selection of student artwork on display. At the moment, we have Year 2 artworks which have been inspired by the Australian artist Pete Cromer. I am sure you will agree that they look amazing!

Our Year 3’s have also completed some amazing oil pastel resist artworks using colours from the traditional Koru artwork from New Zealand.

LOTS OF EXCURSIONS & EVENTS – COMPASS PERMISSIONS

This is a reminder that we need your support in finalising permissions and payments to any events, excursions or activities by the specified date.

Excursions and incursions certainly offer our students rich and engaging learning opportunities, but they are also a significant load for our staff to organise and run. 

Making sure you have completed the permissions via COMPASS by the specified date. This allows time for staff to make final checks on numbers and print out all the required paperwork and handbooks. These include the emergency contact details of those that attend so that in the case of an emergency we can ensure we have everything we need. These handbooks are printed and distributed to all staff attending and a copy is also left at the school office. Our staff need to complete this on the day before the event to minimise all the other requirements needed to do on the day itself.

This process will be strictly enforced. We will be unable to make telephone calls home on the morning of an event to follow up any missing permissions. If you are having trouble accessing Compass, need a hard copy of a permission form or require support to make a payment please let the office team know. We do not want any students to miss these opportunities and will do everything to support you prior to the day to ensure that everything is organized as it should be. 

DATES TO REMEMBER

26th July (Friday) – Curriculum Day – on this pupil free day our staff will be preparing for our whole school launch of School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS). Janine and Brad will share more about this initiative and what this will look like at Greenhills in a special Two Minute Tuesday on 30th July.

7th August (Wednesday) – Term 3 Meet with the Principal Team – Webex at 7.30pm

22nd August (Thursday) – Book Week Dress Up Parade

11th September (Wednesday) – Student Agency Conferences – on this day students just attend for the duration of their 15-minute conference. 

18th September (Wednesday) – Jungle Book Production (A-K surnames Year P-4 cast).

19th September (Thursday) – Jungle Book Production (L-Z surnames Year P-4 cast).

GETTING TO SCHOOL ON TIME!

This is a reminder that we need our students at school by 8.55am each day. 

As our Prin Team walk around our school each morning, we continue to notice the very settled and structured processes we have implemented to ensure our students are “set up for success” each day. This includes our 8.55am bell time which is designed to provide students the opportunity to enter their classroom, say hello to their teachers and get organised for the day of learning which starts at 9am sharp.

However, we also still see some students arriving after 8.55am. You would be amazed at the effect even a few minutes late each day can have over a longer time frame. So, with this in mind we are encouraging everyone to be at school by 8.55am ready to go! 

Looking forward to a G.R.E.A.T. term ahead.

James Penson 

Principal