Principal's Message

From the Principal

Principal Report –  Term 2 Focus 

With a successful Term 1 completed and some valuable time spent over the break resting and setting up for Term 2 staff are looking forward to the term ahead. To ensure we have a clear focus of the collective work to be done  staff  have been working together to set the following  Term 2 goals. 

1. Amplifying student learning. Staff will build on what they have established and learnt about their class and students to enhance student  learning outcomes. In their weekly planning staff continue to consider what they want each student to achieve by the middle of the year and what  their plan is to support them in reaching this goal. 
2. Assessments and Reports: As Reports are a  clear end point to  Semester One, a key part of staff focus this term will be completion of mid assessment, development of Individual Learning Plans for those students who require this additional support, and parent teacher interviews. 
3. Building our Wellbeing skills:  Across Term 1 several staff attended professional learning days to build this knowledge of wellbeing approaches that support learning and relationships. Across the term  staff  will share their learning from the following Positive Partnerships (ASD Training), Respectful Relationships as well as Mental Health in Primary Schools Training.

Playground Use

It has been lovely to see some of our families stay and utilise our playground at the end of the school day. This is valuable time for building relationships between students and families. To continue to extend this opportunity to our families we ask two things. First that students do not go to the playground without  parent supervision. We ask that parents collect their child first rather than meeting them at the playground.  This is an important part of our  Duty of Care  to our students. Secondly, that use of the playground finish by 4:00 to allow our OSCH students to utilise our facilities.  Again,  this is a Duty of Care responsibility of  the school as well as OSCH.

Dress like a Patient Fundraiser

It was great to see the whole school embrace our  ‘Dress like a Patient Day’ last week as our  annual fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Each contribution made helped our school donate a total of  $446.30 towards this year’s national total of $23,822,792. An outstanding show of support from communities such as ours right across Australia. I know many of our families, including myself, have their own personal connection with the Royal Children’s Hospital and understand first hand what an amazing place and service that is provided. 

Year 3 – 6 Cross Country – School and District

A huge shout out to Mr Watt and his support team for all their work in ensuring last week’s cross country was a terrific event. Although the conditions were a  little on the warm side each student participated with a positive mindset and a commitment to do their best and finish the course. Congratulations to the students who finished the event with a top placing that was recognised at our assembly today.  These student will run the lake again next week against the top place getters from the other Hamilton and surrounding schools. We hope the forecast brings a mild autumn day with perfect running conditions. 

Welcome Emma McCallum 

Our school is proud each year to support a few young educators on their uni path to being teachers. Last  term we had Mr Max Kermeen join the Year 3/4  classroom with Miss Hannah. Max will be joining us again  in Term 3 for the second part of his teaching round. This week though we have Miss Emma McCallum joining Mrs Clark and Mrs Dickson in the Year 1/2 classroom for two weeks. We know that across their time with us these young adults  are being nurtured by strong teaching teams that will strengthen their skills and grow their passion for teaching. 

Information Night and Open Day

The first term of the year was particularly busy with tours showcasing our school  as families begin to contemplate the right school for their child in 2026.  It has been a privilege to speak about the intentional structure of our school, the committed and caring staff, the kind and engaged students and our  supportive school community.  Next week all the Hamilton Government  Primary Schools will  be holding their group  tours on Tuesday May 6th. These will also be supported by a parent information night.  We invite all parents who have a little person starting in 2026 to join our  Information Night on Monday May 5th at 6:30. We also invite families to  attend a tour the following day at one of the three tour times – 9:15, 11:15 or 2:15.  

Mothers Day 

Last year’s Mothers Day event was a huge success and an event that people still speak positively about. Initially we had planned to run this year’s event next Friday in conjunction with the Bake Sale however due to the rescheduled  of the District Cross Country from the Thursday to Friday this is not possible. We are however inviting all our Mum’s or special people to join us for  afternoon tea in the stadium next Thursday afternoon, May 8th at  2:00.  Guests are then invited to visit their child/ren in their classrooms to spend time with them and be part of the activities each area team has planned. 

Bake Sale

A reminder that next Friday afternoon our School Council will be holding their second fundraiser for the year, the Bake Sale. This is a  timely planned event leading into the Mother’s day weekend where a plate of extra food to share with the special mother figures in your life is greatly appreciated. To ensure that there is enough for everyone we are calling out for donations of cakes, slices, cupcakes, scrolls, jams,  etc.. And from our non-baking families we are also happy to accept buckets of flowers along with helpers on the day to pack, price and set up. Please let the office or Bec Doheny know if you can help.

Swimming 

In the next few weeks our Year 3/4 swimming classes will commence their two week swimming program at HILAC.  This program will run from May 12th – May 23rd. Children will have 30 minute lessons in one of the four swimming times  between 12:00 and 2:00.  It is always amazing to see the progress children make across the two weeks. 

Glasses for Kids and Smile Squad 

A final reminder that this term we are offering families the opportunity for your  child to have a Dental Check Up and/or eye screening. These are both two fabulous health services at no cost for families. Whilst the Eye Screening is only for F – 3 we are also currently liaising with the Lions’ Eye Health  to offer their screening service for our Year 4 – 6 students. We are hoping to lock these dates in shortly so we can align this around the same time as the Glasses for Kids visit.