Message from the Principal 

CULTURAL AWARENESS & UNDERSTANDING DAY

On Monday this week, Greenhills Primary School proudly celebrated our Cultural Awareness and Understanding Day, providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn about, appreciate and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives. The day was designed to foster respect, curiosity and understanding while encouraging students to reflect on the importance of connection, storytelling and culture.

A highlight of the day was a special presentation from Emma Bamblett, who shared her artistic journey and the stories that inspire her creative work including her artwork around our school – especially the incredible wooden panels in the Djila Djerring. Our students were fascinated to learn about Emma's connection to culture, Country and community, and how these influences are reflected throughout her many artistic projects. Through examples of her artwork and creative collaborations, Emma explained how art can be a powerful way to tell stories, express identity, preserve culture and strengthen connections between people. We are grateful to Emma for her ongoing support of our school, and we look forward to learning with her again later this year around her picture story book “12 Days of Bush Christmas”. 

Also, if you are using public transport anytime soon, keep your eye out for the Myki readers decorated with Emma’s artwork.

Students explored how Aboriginal peoples have used art for thousands of years to share stories, knowledge and culture. After learning about traditional Aboriginal symbols, students created their own "Connection Story Hands" to represent the people, places and communities that are important to them. These artworks will be combined into a collaborative mural celebrating the connections that make Greenhills such a special community.

Students learnt about the importance of Dreaming stories in Aboriginal culture and how storytelling has been used for generations to share knowledge and culture. In mixed-age groups, they retold stories through drama and performance, using movement and expression to bring the stories to life.

Students also explored the traditional practice of weaving, learning how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have used natural materials to create practical items and share knowledge for thousands of years. Supported by older students, they created woven frames, yarning sticks and bracelets, gaining an appreciation for the creativity, sustainability and cultural significance of this enduring practice.

The day concluded with an entertaining and “deadly” live hip-hop performance and dance assembly. Students enthusiastically participated in the performance, experiencing contemporary Indigenous music and dance while celebrating culture through movement, creativity and connection. Most importantly, the assembly provided a memorable and fun way to end the day.

Our Cultural Awareness and Understanding Day was a wonderful reminder that reconciliation and understanding are strengthened through learning, listening and respect. We are incredibly proud of the way our students embraced the day's activities with curiosity, empathy and enthusiasm, and we look forward to continuing to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives throughout our learning programs.

SEMESTER 1 - STUDENT REPORTS

From 4pm on Wednesday 24th June, you will be able to access your child's Semester 1 Report via Compass. Please note that our Semester One Reports will not contain an individual written teacher comment due to the Australian Education Union industrial action earlier this term.

This Semester Report forms one element of our Continuous Reporting Program and follows the student work samples and matching teacher assessments that have been shared throughout this term and last term. 

Our effort behind Continuous Reporting is to provide parents and carers with more frequent communication about your child/ren’s progress and assist you to develop a deeper understanding of how you child is assessed throughout the school year. Whilst our Continuous Reporting process continues to be developed and refined, we don’t want you to have to wait until a semester report before you find out about your child’s learning progress.  

This semester, Janine, Brad and I have been impressed by the effort that our students have put into their learning. Whilst we keep a close eye on the academic outcomes, we also looked carefully at the assessment of each student’s effort and attitude which are based around our G.R.E.A.T. values. To us, these are the most important indicators of future success and being able to fulfil potential.

I was also really impressed with the way our students have reflected on their learning through detailed and insightful comments in the “Student Self-Reflection” section. This part of the learning cycle, which is known as metacognition, is critically important. By supporting our students to develop agency in their learning (which can be learnt) our students can improve their learning outcomes.

Here is a selection of some sections from different student reflections from our 2026 Semester 1 Reports. I think you will agree that they provide clear evidence of our student’s increasing ability to articulate the specific HILAT’s they are using in their learning in different subject areas, and most importantly their growing commitment to being responsible learners and develop strong student agency dispositions. 

Student Self-reflection

A highlight so far this year was going to Bundoora Park Farm. I liked printing my initials with the ink because it was fun and something new to try! also liked learning about the emus and the Wurundjeri people. It was interesting to learn about their culture and the history of the land. I had a great day and learned lots of new things.

A time I have been persistent this semester was when I was doing a tricky maths question. I kept trying and I didn't give up even when it got really hard. I used my strategies like counting out the numbers and using MAB and asking for help. I ended up getting it right.

A way that I have used feedback this semester to improve my learning was when I was doing writing. I was writing a story and we did partner feedback. My partner showed me and told me how to do different punctuation to make it more exciting. I reread my writing and made sure had full stops where I needed and used exclamation marks to make the story better.

The next step in my learning is my counting goals. I've done really well this year with my skip counting but now I need to get even better at doing my counting goal out loud really quickly.

Year 1/2 Student

A highlight this year has been P.E because I like the soccer cone game and playing different sports that I usually don't play. I developed my teamwork by going in groups with people and taking turns and not getting frustrated.

I have been persistent with my learning this semester by continuing to practice my skills even when I found some problems tricky. I showed effort for the multiplication and the vertical algorithm. I feel good that asked questions when I needed it and I became more confident with my maths and the Check It sheet.

I have used feedback to help me improve my learning when I was reading fluently to my partner on the jellyfish sheet. I listened carefully to my partner's feedback about not speaking like a robot and speak more fluently and more smoothly. I practised at home to make my reading and voice more engaging for others.

Something I am proud of my learning this semester is becoming more confident when sharing my working out in class. At the start of the term, I was nervous and stuttering and not wanting to share but now I am willing to come up and share. I am proud because I have built my confidence.

The next step in my learning is to improve my reading stamina and reading for a longer period of time. I can do this by not distracting myself and focus on my book. I can practice at home and not talk to others.

Year 3/4 student

A highlight this year so far is ISS because I got both of the sports I wanted. When I found out, I was really excited. I also enjoyed action teams because I wanted community, and I got it with my friends, and I was really excited.

I have been persistent this semester when I did the maths race because there was a hard question. My group and I had a go and didn't give up. I was a little confused at first, but I showed grit and didn't give up. We showed this by trying different strategies and working together.

I used feedback to help me improve my CYOA story by adding detail, paragraphs, and vocabulary/punctuation to hook the reader in. After that, it sounded way better than before.

I have played an active role in my learning by seeking and applying feedback from my peers and teachers to make my work more interesting and neat, so the readers would want to read more.

The value I have shown the most this semester is grit and adventure. I have shown this by not giving up even when things are tough, and I always get excited to learn new things and I like a challenge.

Year 5/6 student

A highlight this year so far was the girl’s footy day. It was so fun competing against other schools in the area. For me, learning a completely new sport was pretty hard at first because I barely understood how the goals work and the positions. But in the 2nd game that's when I started learning the rules and the areas you need to stay in. In the end we won the grand final so in the end I'm really glad I decided to do it, and it was a really tun experience.

I've been persistent in math this semester because math is definitely not my strong suit, but I still do my best to listen and ask for help when I need it and to understand the techniques and concepts. I do my best to remember them and get better at it.

I've used feedback to help me improve in art with our shoe designs, because when I'm feeling unsure, I ask for ways to improve to enhance my shoe design. Especially with my flames for my flaming hot Cheetos shoe design I made.

I have played an active role in my learning especially in English by being open to the new. have been learning new ways to enhance my sentences in writing and using other words than 'and'.

A learning achievement that I have been most proud of has been my handwriting because I've always been a really messy writer but I think I'm improving a lot. I've come a long way. Another achievement is my note taking in inquiry. I think it's becoming neater, easier to look back at and find answers about natural and artificial electricity power and appliances, and how they all work together to work.

The value I have shown the most this semester is Grit because I haven't given up in math or English. Also working towards my goals and doing my best even when I don't really understand the math activate at the start of class.

Year 5/6 student

You can see what I mean! How wonderful are they and this is just a very small sample!? It is noticeably clear that our whole school focus on student agency and in particular “Feedback” is starting to take shape.

I encourage you to download and print your child’s report and then read it with them. In particular, have a close look at the Learning Confidence / Attitude section completed by both the teacher and the student. You might like to discuss any differences that you notice between these two assessments and unpack more of what that could mean with your child. 

LAST DAY OF TERM – FINISH AT 2.30PM

A reminder that on our last day this term, Friday 26th June we will finish at 2.30pm. Our assembly will be held at from 1.50pm.

SIBLING ENROLMENT FORMS

This is the final call for any sibling enrolments for Prep in 2027. Early next term, we will be sending out confirmations of enrolments to families. It is vital that if you have a student starting school next year that you put in an enrolment form.

THANK YOU SEMESTER 1 – ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

Wow – we made it through to the end of a long and challenging term. Looking at our staff and students we only just made it and the holidays have come at the perfect time. 

I hope that all our families get some time together to enjoy life away from the school routines and can come back refreshed for Term 3!

Finally, thank you for your continuous support of our school. I am so grateful for the work of our dedicated staff, the engagement of our students each day and the home school partnership our school has built over such an extended period of time. Working in our school each day is an absolute privilege because I see so many good things happening, and our students always have smiles on their faces.

Greenhills is a GREAT place to be!

James Penson,

Principal.