Assistant Principals' Report

Hello everyone and welcome to our newsletter article,

At HPS student leadership, voice and agency helps to build a positive school climate. We have many ways our students can be involved in leadership activities and school wide events. As a student leader we are always striving to be better, help our peers to be better and always be demonstrating our school values. Through the leadership opportunities students are taking responsibility to make our school a better place to learn and play. As a student leader our behaviours and actions allow us to give to and beyond our school community.

This week our students have demonstrated leadership including our Year 6 students performing their Japanese Puppet Plays to their buddies in Foundation as well as visiting their buddy to have them share their Term 2 Inquiry project. 

Today our Student Representative Council (SRC) have overseen the Hoodie Up for Autism, a day that helps to raise awareness of Autism. While the official Hoodie Up Day is Tuesday 29 April, organisations can run Hoodie Up events at any time that works for them. Hence, HPS celebrating today.

Hoodie Up is a great to complement our existing neuroinclusion and diversity initiatives. Amaze is a wonderful organisation supporting people with Autism and their families. Why hoodies? Some Autistic people may sometimes experience sensory overload by the environment around them. Wearing a hoodie is an easy self-regulation tool to reduce sensory input and support feeling calm. Students across the school have supported the day by wearing a range of hoodies and oodies. 

Today our Year 5 SRC representatives (Claudia, Elle, Elise, Charlie, Campbell & Darcy)  took photos of students in their hoodies & oodies. Please see a photo of them in their hoodies below.  More photos will be shared through the school Facebook page.

Excerpt taken from Department of Education website: 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/management/dimension3empoweringcont.pdf

Effective schools build a culture where teachers and students work together, and where student voice, agency and leadership are understood as inter-related factors that contribute to the notion of empowerment and sense of school pride. 

Student leadership is not confined to a small group of individuals, as leadership potential is inherent within all learners. Student leadership includes listening to and being able to clarify the issues of the students they represent and advocating on their behalf. Student leaders have an increased sense of responsibility to help others and to model leadership principles and values. Trust, autonomy and relationships are enhanced through the development of leadership qualities. 

Have a lovely weekend and week ahead.

Helen Thomas & Monique Rankin

Assistant Principals

Heidelberg Primary School