Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community, 

Thank you to families who have shown concern for our Darebin St Crossing Supervisor, Bernie, during his recent absence. We have been advised that Bernie has been unwell. We have sent our well wishes from the whole community and hope to see him back on the crossing in no time.

Education Week

In 2026, Victoria celebrates Education Week from Monday 18 May to Friday 22 May.

The theme of 2026 Education Weekis Showcase your school, encouraging school communities to celebrate what’s great about their school.

***We invite our current HPS families, as well as potential future families, to visit our school during our open morning on Thursday 21 May between 10am & 11.30am*** 

Across our school, classes will showcase learning in a variety of curriculums areas. Student leaders will be available to accompany people or you are welcome to wander and explore at your own leisure. We look forward to welcoming the community to our school and proudly showing off all the wonderful things HPS has to offer.

Play Spaces

We are now entering the final six months of our building works and are looking forward to regaining several much-anticipated spaces for students to enjoy during play times. We understand that many students are missing the open areas they previously had access to, and we appreciate the patience and flexibility shown by our students, staff and families throughout this exciting period of change.

Although our current play areas are limited, the final redevelopment plan has been carefully designed to provide a balanced mix of active, passive and climbing spaces that will cater to a wide range of student interests and needs.

In the meantime, regular consultation between our Student Representative Council (SRC) and staff continues to help guide decisions and implement strategies that support a safe, inclusive and engaging yard environment. Current supports and structured opportunities include:

• Weekly offsite play opportunities for Year 4–6 students at Heidelberg Park and De Winton Oval
• Scheduled oval access to ensure all year levels can fairly share the space across the week
• A variety of Enrichment Clubs during break times, providing students with different activities and choices
• Movement breaks incorporated into classroom programs throughout the day
• Year 6 students leading structured activities and games for Foundation students during break times

We thank our school community for their continued support as we work towards creating improved learning and play spaces for all students.

Are you able to offer assistance at all with...

*Storage? - we have a collection of seating (approx. 4mx3m) that will be fabulous to arrange as auditorium options for events in our new gymnasium from next year. They are currently being stored in the bike shed, however due to our recent work with Banyule Council and promotion of Active to School Travel, we are wanting to clear the bike shed for use of student bikes and scooters. If you happen to have space to store these chairs until the end year in a shed or storage area at home, please let me know!

*Enrichment clubs - do you have a talent or passion that could be utilised within our Enrichment Clubs during break times? If so you may like to consider volunteering to provide a coaching clinic, zumba class or yoga session.

*Breakfast club - are you available Mondays or Tuesdays 8.30-9.00am to support our Breakfast Club? We would value a volunteer to help cook toast and serve breakfast to our students.

Please call, email or chat to me at the gate if you have any questions or are able to help out.

New Build Plans

Foundation 2027 Enrolments 

Do you have a child starting school in 2027?

We are accepting enrolments now. Hard copy enrolment forms can be found in the office foyer, or on our website.  

Enrolments will close on Friday 31 July 2026.

If you are enrolling the sibling of a student at our school, and both children will be attending our school at the same time, your child is prioritised for a place at our school as per the department’s Placement Policy. For more information, please read about when and how to enrol your child in Prep at vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep.

National Reconciliation Week

Thank you to our parent, Fiona L, for providing posters for display around our school.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

The theme also reminds us that reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights isn’t a passive activity, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long.

Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.

Industrial Action - Important Update!

I write to inform you that the Australian Education Union (AEU) has this week announced that proposed stop work action has been suspended for the next 2 weeks. The 1/2 day work stoppage that is set by the AEU for our area is on Thursday 28th May, which at this stage, has not be suspended.  Please stay tuned and I will provide more information about what this means for our school as it becomes available.

Is your family up for a 60 Second Challenge?

2026 School Term Dates

Term 2: Monday 20th April- Friday 26th June (2.30pm finish)

Term 3: Monday 13th July- Friday 18th September (2.30pm finish)

Term 4: Monday 5th October- Friday 18th December (1.30pm finish)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School

9457 2259

naomi.ivers@education.vic.gov.au