Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community, 

One of the great traditions here at Heidelberg is the open afternoons that year levels often hold at the end of an inquiry unit, inviting families in to be part of classroom expos where students proudly share and discuss their learning. This week we visited the Foundation classes for their very first expo! It was so wonderful to see the smiles on faces and hear them share facts about the animal they had been investigating. One of the most heartwarming things about these expos, is that families will also seek to include and invest time in other students in the class. HPS really is a village! 

Next week we have Year 3, 4 and 6 all holding expos and opening their classrooms to families. We hope you enjoy it as much as the students.

Building Works

Thank you to our fabulous students and staff who have taken it in their stride as construction zones are established and builders start to move onsite to conduct preliminary works. The resilience being displayed is noticed and commended.

Upcoming activities this coming week:

• Remaining Site Fencing to be installed from basketball court/playground up to the hall
• Site sheds installed in staff carpark area
• Investigations for stump layout of relocatable buildings

Morning Supervision

As you are all aware, School Aged Care (SAC) is currently located in the library. This means that the small side gate at Gate 3 is being opened for students who are attending SAC to gain entry from 7am.

The double gates will be opened at 8.40am indicating that active supervision for all other students has commenced on-site. Please note that the school do not provide active supervision of students prior to 8.40am. 

Breakfast Club will resume from the top school area

Breakfast Club is all set and ready to return from Wednesdays to Fridays each week. We offer brekky club as part of our school wellbeing strategy, to ensure children's tummies are full assisting them to be ready for learning.

If you would like to volunteer your help for Mondays or Tuesdays, please let Naomi or Sue (1st Aid) know.

Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools

At our school, we are proud of our wonderfully diverse community. Our students come from many different backgrounds, cultures, languages, and traditions, and this diversity is one of our greatest strengths. As we continue to grow and learn together, it's essential that we also focus on building a school culture that is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to all.

Why Talk About Racism?

Racism, whether intentional or unintentional, can affect children deeply. It can show up in many forms—from name-calling and exclusion to unconscious biases. These experiences can impact a child’s sense of belonging, confidence, and ability to thrive at school. That’s why it's important for us—parents, educators, and students—to work together to recognise and challenge racism in all its forms.

What We’re Doing at School

Our school is committed to:

• Teaching Respect and Empathy: Through classroom discussions, storybooks, and activities that celebrate different cultures.
• Creating Safe Spaces: Where students can talk about their identities, ask questions, and learn about others in an age-appropriate way.
• Celebrating Cultural Events: Such as Harmony Day, Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid, NAIDOC Week, and more, helping children understand and appreciate different cultures.
• Encouraging Inclusive Practices: From the language we use to how we form friendships, we guide students in being kind, inclusive classmates.

How You Can Help at Home

Inclusion starts with small conversations and actions. Here are some ways you can support your child in understanding and valuing diversity:

• Talk About Differences: Celebrate what makes people unique and explain that our differences make our community richer.
• Model Inclusive Language: Use kind and respectful words when talking about people from different backgrounds.
• Read Diverse Books: Explore stories from a variety of cultures and experiences. Ask your child what they learned or felt after reading.
• Encourage Questions: Children are naturally curious—it's okay if they ask things you're not sure how to answer. Learning together is powerful.
• Speak Up Together: If you or your child witness unfair treatment, talk about it. Show them how to stand up for others in safe and respectful ways.

Together, We Make a Difference

Creating an inclusive culture isn’t the responsibility of one person—it’s a shared journey. By working together as a community, we can raise a generation of children who are compassionate, aware, and proud of their own identities while celebrating others'.

Thank you for helping us create a school where every child feels seen, valued, and included.

SRC Events

• Hoodie Up for Autism - was today! Thank you to everyone who support this event!
• Clothing drive for the Red Nose Appeal. Please bring any donations of unwanted clothing to your child's classroom by 1st July. 

2026 Foundation Student Enrolment 

Do you have, or know, a child starting school next year?

Next Steps:

1. Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 25 July 2025.
2. You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 28 July and Friday 8 August 2025. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should contact our school to accept the offer by Friday 22 August 2025.
3. Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2025.
4. Prepare your child to start Foundation (Prep) from Wednesday 28 January 2026.

The enrolment process is now open and application forms are to be submitted to the school office. Please find more details on our website at https://www.heidelbergps.vic.edu.au/

Enrolment applications submitted after 25 July 2025 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department’s Placement Policy.

TK Tuckshop Canteen Service

We encourage HPS families and staff to download the app in preparation for TK Tuckshop service delivering Tuesdays and Thursdays during term time, commencing Term 3 - Tuesday July 22. To help with this, please see the communication flyer below.

Our school captains, Alex, Ruby and Ava, were given the difficult task of taste testing a variety of lunch order options from our new incoming provider but as they said, someone had to do it! Lachie was disappointed to miss out on free food- why did it have to be a day he was sick!

There was barely a crumb left as they delighted in the flavours and portion sizes of pasta, butter chicken, sushi, pizza, picnic & bento boxes, rolls and bureks.

Overall, the verdict was.......HPS students are going to love the different options, the hot foods available and the portion sizes!

Be sure to down load the app and be ready to order Tuesdays and Thursdays from Term 3.

2025 Camp Dates:

Year 4 - Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th August

School Council Meeting Dates: Start time 6pm, Conclude by 8pm 

Term 3

Tuesday 12 August 

Tuesday 9 September

Term 4

Tuesday 28 October 

Tuesday 2 December

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and a great final week of term!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School