Welcome to our Week Eleven newsletter, our final one for 2024. It’s hard to believe that the school year is almost over (one day to go). We have had an extremely successful year at Highvale and are excited by what's to come in 2025.

Christmas Carols

Our Christmas Carols event was hugely successful. Our students performed beautifully and the band was impressive as always. Thanks to Miss Stoddart and the HPCG for organising this community event, although it was warm we got through with icy poles and a lot of festive spirit.

School Captains

Last Monday, we had a very special Assembly where we announced our 2025 School Captains. The decision was a very difficult one as the candidates were of a particularly high quality this year. Congratulations to all of the students who applied, particularly to the successful applicants: Mann Attly, Ethan Shoshan, Anvita Shinde and Sham Naser. We are very excited to work with Sham, Anvita, Mann and Ethan closely next year. You will see them hosting assemblies, speaking at public events, leading initiatives and working closely with the school leadership team.

Reports

Reports are live and available on Compass. Please make sure you download your child’s report, currently there are many that are still unread. If your child is leaving HPS at the end of the year (including all Year 6 students) please ensure you download your child’s report before Compass access ceases (on 31 December).

Transition

Last week, students were provided the opportunity to ‘move up’ into their new year level on two occasions. They enjoyed the opportunity to spend time in their new class with their new teacher and peers. We welcomed our new staff; Mr Salamouras, Mrs Milanese and Ms Coady to Highvale. Since then we have also welcomed Mrs Altube to HPS who will be teaching Year Four in 2025.

Unfortunately, she was unable to meet her Year Four class on our Meet the Techer Day, but will send them something in the mail over the break.

Here is a list of the classroom teachers and specialists for 2025:

Prep FY – Mrs Fegan/ Mrs Yencken

Prep B – Miss Bellotti

1D – Mr Dempsey

1S – Mrs Scott

2M – Mrs Milanese

2S – Mr Salamouras

2J – Miss Ji

3J – Miss Kellart (Mrs Janky)

3CB – Miss Cheong/ Mrs Browning Briese

4U – Mr Usai

4A – Mrs Altube

5S – Mr Smith

5D – Mrs Drew

6D – Mrs Dvorscek

6S – Mrs Scully

STEAM – Mrs Williamson

Art – Mrs Sinclair/ Ms Fellowes

Performing Arts – Miss Stoddart

PE – Mr Creswell

LOTE – Mr Maio, Mrs Graham

EAL – Mrs Sinclair

TLI – Mrs Graham

Other roles: Mrs Coady & Mrs Guo

We also say farewell to some wonderful Highvale staff who will be moving onto new adventures in 2025. This list includes:

Teagan Gorfine - Kurrun PS

Imogen Nightingale – Lyndale Greens PS

Emily Hine – Beverly Hills PS

Steph Quarrier – Quarters PS

Ben Latta – Canterbury PS

Natalie Deacon – Croydon Community College

Susanne Heine – Bayswater PS

We also bid farewell to Sharon Ebinger, who although will not be with us in a full time capacity, we hope will return to HPS as a casual relief teacher. We also wish Helena Salles (German teacher) all the best in her future endeavours.

Year Six Graduation

Our Year Six Graduation was last Thursday and it was a fabulous evening. Congratulations to all of the graduating students on everything that you have achieved in your time at Highvale, we are so proud of you. A special mention to Cameron Vat who was the proud recipient of the Jan Kennedy Award. We look forward to hearing all about the Year Six students successful transition to Secondary School. Please come back and visit us when you get a chance.

Thank you

A huge thank you once again to all of the parents who are members of our School Council and the HPCG. On behalf of the school I would like to say thank you for your valuable contributions across the year. Your purpose is always to make HPS the best place it can be and for that we need to thank you. We look forward to working with you again in 2025 and also welcoming some new members to the team. A special mention to the Klair family, Pav & Gurdeep. We have been lucky enough to have Pav as our School Council President for many years and his contribution to the School Council and the HPS community is commendable. Equally, Gurdeep has been a valued member of the HPCG and has been a driving force in many of our community events across the years. As their youngest daughter Alana is in Year six and will graduate at the end of this year, we farewell the Klair family and thank them for their service. We appreciate everything you’ve done for HPS Pav and Gurdeep, thank you!

Life Education - Grade One

Erica: On Friday the 6th of December we had a special visit from Healthy Harold and their friend Leah. They taught us all about our emotions, feelings, and making and keeping friends. They even showed everyone my heartbeat. It was very cool.

Markus: During our Healthy Harold incursion, we learnt about our feelings and what your body does (how it reacts) when you experience different emotions. For example, if you feel frustrated, you might slap your thigh, or if you are excited, you might shout, run or dance. I feel happy in Miss Bellotti’s class. I also felt happy during the incursion.

Claire: On Friday we met Harold and learnt about our emotions. I learnt about how our hearts beat fast when we are worried. I loved the part where I got to see two people’s heartbeats on the Ipad.

Early Dismissal

A reminder that school finishes tomorrow at 1.30pm. There will be a final assembly in the MPC at 1:00pm to say farewell to our Year Six students and wish everyone a safe Christmas and holiday break. Parents and carers are welcome to attend this very special assembly.

On behalf of all of the Highvale staff, I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. I hope the holidays are a safe and enjoyable time for everyone. We look forward to seeing you back at school on Thursday 30th January for Term One 2025. Until then enjoy the break and the beautiful weather.

Carly Epskamp

Acting Principal

carly.epskamp@education.vic.gov.au

Highvale Primary Community Group

Highvale Primary School Carols Night - Thank You