Principal's Message

Staffing arrangements 2024

I am very pleased to report that moving into 2024 we have a minimal amount of class teacher movement! We will be welcoming Nichole Bell to Hillsmeade PS next year, coming to us from Grayling PS with many years of experience.

We will say farewell to a few staff who are off on new adventures. These include:

Classroom teachers - Samantha Bond and Carolyn Okamura

ELC teacher-Amy-Leigh Nettleton

Tutor - Serina Norton

Education Support Staff - Dean Wixon, Katie Barnett, Cathy Caprani and Maddison Scully.

Student Transitions for 2024

Students will meet their 2024 class teachers for the first time on Monday 11th December, after lunch.

This will be followed by a longer session on Tuesday 12th December where students will be with their 2024 teacher and class for a whole morning session.

We will also be finishing the year by having 2024 classes together on the last day of school - Tuesday 19th December.

This means that the official last day of 2023 classes will be Monday 18th December.

On Tuesday 19th December, students will start and end the day with their 2023 teachers, but they will spend the majority of the day in their 2024 classes.

Year 6 will be participating in a variety of cohort activities on the Tuesday and therefore not be impacted by this event.

Teachers will prepare students in the coming weeks to assist them in feeling organised and prepared for the transition sessions ahead. Please don't hesitate to speak to your class teacher if you have any questions or contact the school office via email hillsmeade.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone 9704 6313.

Transition is vital for student success. A lot of time, energy, consultation and organisation has been dedicated to ensuring that 2024 classes are enabling all students to feel connected and successful. All requests have been taken into consideration and enacted where possible. Please remember that this has been a complex process and we have always put the students first in our decision making.

We are really looking forward to a fabulous 2024!

Curriculum Day - Monday 27th November

Just a reminder that students do not attend school on Monday, however OSHC will be available.

End of Year Extravaganza - Monday 11th December   4.15pm - 5.45pm.

All students are expected to attend our Extravaganza and participate in the performances classes are preparing.

We ask families to come along and enjoy the performances, say farewell to our Year 6s and hopefully win yourself a prize in the Christmas Raffle!

BYO chairs, picnic rugs and snacks.

The performance will take place on the amphitheatre, with families asked to please take a spot on the synthetic oval. 

There will be staff and signage to assist you on the night. 

Students are asked to wear Christmas attire and we encourage families to join in the festivities too, with a touch of Christmas in your outfits!!

Christmas Raffle

This year we are once again running our annual Christmas raffle! Tickets will go on sale early next week and there are a huge variety of prizes on offer! Tickets will be $2.00. The raffle will be drawn on Monday 11th December at the End of year Extravaganza.

Student Leaders 2024

We have been busily working with our Year 5 students to move through the selection process for our 2024 Student Leaders. On Friday 1st December we will be announcing our leaders for next year at assembly. Thank you to all students who demonstrated interest in being a leader and don't forget that if you miss out this time, there will be more opportunities next year to demonstrate your leadership skills.

Final Assembly for 2023

The final assembly will be held on Friday 15th December. Year 6 students will be at Gumbuya World and we will have our new 2024 Student Leaders guiding us through assembly.

This assembly will also see the official launch of our new school values of RESPECT, RESILIENCE and KINDNESS.

Last Day of 2023

A reminder that the last day for students is Tuesday 19th December. School finishes at 2.30pm.

First Day for Students 2024

Please be aware of the following dates:

Monday January 29th - Staff return.

Tuesday January 30th - Students in Years 1-6 return.

Friday 2nd February - All Prep students attend their first day.

(Prep students will attend for 1:1 sessions with their teachers on either 30/1, 31/1 or 1/2 - allocated times to be distributed)