Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community,

During the last two weeks the students have from Year 3 and Year 5 have been participating in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessments. I would like to make a special mention to our students for the resilience and perseverance displayed during this time. I am very proud of how our students carried themselves throughout this process, which can be a little overwhelming at times.

I would like to acknowledge the patience, flexibility and support of the school staff, particularly the Year 3 and Year 5 teams.

Lastly, I would like thank and congratulate our Assistant Principal (Curriculum) , Mr Justin Lania for the enormous body of work he put in preparing for the assessments, but also the extraordinary management of the assessment implementation, that was heavily impacted by COVID related absences.

Thought of the Week

One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up, instead of what they have to gain.

Educational Support Staff - Thank You

Within last week's newsletter I acknowledged the contribution made by Sam and Amanda in the front office. In recognition of our other ES Staff and to celebrate Educational Support Staff Day that took place on Monday 16th May, I would like to acknowledge and thank the following staff for the energy, compassion and commitment they bring to their roles everyday at Heidelberg Primary School.

Sue Zerna - First Aid
Anna Sheldrick, Vickie Bird and Mel Katz - Student Support
Vimmy Abraham, Denise Pilinis and Chantelle Haycroft - School Age Care

Year 6 Camp

During the past 4 days the Year 6 group have been exploring the Great Ocean Road area, while based at Camp Kangaroobie. There is nothing quite like the experience of school camp, with memories often staying with us for a lifetime. We are so pleased that the students have had this opportunity, but it would have not been possible without the significant contribution of the our committed HPS Staff:

Katharine Thomas
Liam Szczepanski
Carol Dawson
Yana Li
Helen Thomas
Ethan Griffiths
Nick Voulgaris

A very special thanks to Katharine Thomas for her role in organising and leading the the camp.

I would also like to sincerely thank the following parents who gave their time and support to ensure the students could have this wonderful experience.

Danielle Logan
Chris Keenan

Election Day BBQ and Cake Sale - Saturday 21st May

On Saturday 21st May, Heidelberg Primary School will be operating as a polling booth for the federal election, with the hall and BER being in use for this purpose.

The community engagement committee of school council will be operating a BBQ and cake sale on election day.

Many thanks to Community Engagement Committee for their time and effort preparing for this event. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

WORKING BEE LAST SATURDAY 14 MAY

(Update from Carol Dawson - Leading Teacher (Facilities and Operations)

Last Saturday we held the first working bee in a couple of years, due to Covid restrictions. I would like to sincerely thank all parents and children who came. It was wonderful to see students carrying library shelves to their new home in the BER. Our new library fittings have arrived and been put together this week. The books will be put into the new shelving next week, so that the library will be out of action for only a short time.

Other tasks achieved on Saturday were to fill a skip with unused items stored under the Year 1 building for many years, weeding, spreading mulch and preparing garden beds for planting. I would like to especially thank the following families: Buttler, Allan, Westerbeek, Barrett, Williams, Ho, Gordon/Hughes, Downes, Stent, Andrews, Booth, Vo, Chan, Meng, Scarmozzino, Gale and Crawford.

Also I would like to thank Scott Crawford and Cath Stent for organising the gardening, Brett MacKenzie for leading the library furniture group and Justin Lania for helping fill the skip.

2023 Foundation Enrolments and Tours

I would also like to request that families with older siblings already at the school, who plan for the younger sibling to join us next year, submit their Foundation enrolment documentation as soon as possible.

It would also be appreciated if you know of families who reside in the HPS school zone (www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au), and are planning to join us in 2023, that they submit their enrolment paperwork as soon as they are able.

The remaining dates for Term 2 are as follows:

Tuesday 24th May (7.00pm) - 2023 Foundation Parent Information Evening
Thursday 2nd June (9.30-10.30) - School Tour
Wednesday 15th June (9.30-10.30) - School Tour

Term 2 tours can be booked through the following link: Heidelberg Primary School Tours

Kind regards

Brett MacKenzie

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School