Nigel's Natter

Hi HBPS Familes,

I hope you enjoyed the weekend, including today we have 25 days of school remaining before the Christmas Break. There is lots happening in those 5 weeks, and the teaching and learning program will run right to the very last week of term. 

I ask for your continued support in getting your children to school regularly, so we can avoid the end of year SPIKE in absences. 

JOURNALISTS IN THE MAKING

I got asked the hard questions last week for the next episode of the HBPS News. So proud of the speaking confidence our kids are developing. Whoop Whoop! 

THANKS IS ENOUGH

Every year I have families reach out asking what they can get their child's teachers, and, this year our message is THANKS IS ENOUGH. We are all experiencing tough times financially, some more than others - and as a community - I don't want there to be any pressure to go out and buy a gift for any school staff. 

The most meaningful thing you can provide our team is recognition for the amazingly complex work they do with your children day in day out! A hand made card, a little note or a drawing is more special than chocolates in a mug! 

I am sending this message to our teachers also. No staff will be handing out end of year gifts to classes this year. Rather, we'll be sharing with the kids what we love about them and why we're grateful to have taught them. 

KELLY CLUB

We're switching Out of School Hours Care Providers, and I'm excited about the program. 

The program will operate:

• Before School Care - 6:30am - 8:55am 
• After School Care - 3:15pm - 6:00pm.
• Holiday Program - 7:00am - 6:00pm. 

Families are also eligible for a Government rebate which reduces the cost per session.

To register: www.kellyclub.com.au 

Service Coordinator  - 0467 770 079

Service email - hamlynbanks@kellyclub.com.au 

SHARING WHAT'S WORKING

I've been sharing some of the School Improvement work we've been doing this year. We've been using a structured synthetic approach to teaching phonics for years now. DET has just mandated this approach for all schools. 

Year 3 Spelling NAPLAN  - You can see below the impact this has had for our kids! Our Prep to Year 3 program is making a huge difference. 

Year 5 Numeracy NAPLAN - This year we've been using a Explicit Instruction approach in all Maths lessons where students are explicitly taught new concepts then engage in lots of guided practice before doing any independent work. 

You can see the improvement below and we're just getting warmed up! 

SCHOOL SAVING BONUS  

Parent and carer School Saving Bonus code distribution  

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025. From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code. The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more.

If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.

Parents and carers can use the School Saving Bonus code in store at school-nominated suppliers. Parents and carers can also choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers or for school activities.  

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au). A step-by-step user guide will be available on the webpage on 26 November.   

If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au 

BOOK LISTS AND PACKS

 To order your Book Pack and make financial contributions, visit:

 https://www.wincschools.com.au/   Search for our school and enter the access key: 6YR8U 

Please note that if you order before the 6th of December 2024, you will get free delivery. After the 6th, a $10.95 delivery fee will be charged. 

BUILDING WORKS and ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Big thanks for your flexibility while there have been access restrictions at school due to building works. These will continue right through until the break. Shortly, the LARGE ramp to the Social Club room will be fenced off, as will the Year 6 Portable (next to the oval). 

Much of the work being done is under the floor with building restumping and drainage works.  

See you at the front gate. 

Nigel