Principal and Assistant Principal's Page

Acting Principal's Report

Welcome back to Term 4! It feels very strange saying that at Week 4, but this is my first newsletter for the term, as I was away in Japan with our wonderful Year 5/6’s. I want to thank Naomi Mori-Hanazono for stepping up to be Acting Principal at this time and Keiko Harada for being Acting Assistant Principal- the school ran smoothly while we were away.

Japan Trip

The Japan Trip was a wonderful success. We left on 11 October, bound for Kansai Airport in Osaka, via Singapore. On arrival we caught a train and bus to Kyoto, where we visited the Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine. We did lots of walking looking at the streetscape as well as shopping! We stayed in a Japanese Inn which had beautiful gardens and traditional futon beds. The next day we continued our tours of Kyoto, visiting the Kinkakuji Temple and Arashiyma, which is a majestic bamboo forest. We boarded a bus and headed for the Nabari City Hall. We were warmly welcomed by the Major, Principal and Education Board and later students were united with their host families. The Mie prefecture is very famous for its ninja history and we participated in a ninja training course - everyone passed with flying colours!  We later went for a hike to the Akame 48 Waterfalls, famous for having a large salamander population in the waters. That night we stayed at the Taisenkaku Ryokan, which again showcased traditional Japanese sleeping in futon beds and delicious food! Students spent the next day with their host families. Some of the host families met up for a barbecue, took students shopping and sightseeing in the local area.

The next few days were spent at Kuramochi Primary School. The whole school community was involved in a welcome ceremony for us. Each grade performed an item - some were songs, games, quizzes and presentations about Japan and the local area. Our students also made a formal presentation to the Kuramochi school community about Huntingdale Primary School. They spoke very well and were complimented on their Japanese speaking skills. Each day students walked to school, supervised by the teachers, even in the rain! This was a first for many of our students who come to Huntingdale each day by car. When arriving at school students had to remember to change their shoes into their indoor slippers.

Students joined the Year 5 & 6 classes for subjects such as mathematics, calligraphy, science, sport and literacy. In the mornings all students had 20 minutes of independent study time, before teaching instruction began.  It was an excellent opportunity for students to use and further develop their Japanese speaking skills and also see the difference in schooling. The classrooms are set up in traditional rows, many subjects have text books, and students are responsible for serving the hot lunch as well as cleaning the school each day. The school facilities are very different from ours - three levels with stairs (lots of exercise for all of us!), a science room, a full size hall with a stage and very little technology in the classrooms other than a computer projector. The Kuramochi community really welcomed our students and were more than willing to help. It was quite a tearful farewell when we did leave.

The final days of our trip saw us visit Nara Park, famous for its deer population. Some of the deer were overfriendly and surrounded us!  We visited Todaiji Temple and travelled back to Osaka to the Ramen Museum, where we learnt the history of Ramen and got to make our own personalised ramen cup. We moved onto Kobe and stayed at the Sheraton, which was a real treat! The final day we visited Kidzania, an amusement park where students experience different careers. We visited the port area for more sightseeing before going to the airport for the trip home.

I am very proud of the way that our students conducted themselves while in Japan. They were excellent ambassadors for our school, the state of Victoria and Australia. They certainly showed our school values of kindness, personal best, courage and creativity. Students were kind and caring towards one another and to the students at Kuramochi. They really looked out for one another to make sure everyone was ok. Our students showed courage in many ways - the courage to speak in Japanese, trying new food, going to their homestay families and embracing the Japan trip experience. Students used their personal best in trying to learn new Japanese words and phrases and extend themselves to learning more. Our students were creative in trying to solve problems and working together. 

I would sincerely like to thank Mr Eiji Nishikubo for organising the Japan Trip. He did an amazing job and the trip ran very smoothly. He was also chief interpreter for me, which I appreciated. He was ably supported by Mrs Soo Lee Tan and Miss Nozomi Koyama, who together supported our students on the trip and kept parents updated.

We will be organising a Japan Trip share night, for the students who participated, but also for the current Year 3&4 students, who will be able to go on the 2019 Japan Trip in two years’ time.

Japan Trip Share Evening

On 14 November from 6.30 to 7.30, students who went on the Japan Trip will share their experiences. We invite those families as well as our families in Year 3&4 to attend the night as their children will be able to attend the 2019 Trip. We look forward to seeing you there. There will be some refreshments served on the night. Please email the school to let us know you’re attending.

Trivia Night

What a fabulous night our Disney Vs Anime trivia night was! Those people who came to the night did an excellent job of dressing up - there were lots of us dressed up as Minnie Mouse! The best dressed winner was Allison who was dressed as the Queen of Hearts. Our quiz master, Brad Pruscino, did an amazing job of devising the questions (some of which were very tricky!) and coming up with some pretty whacky challenges to earn more points.

I’m disappointed to report that the teachers table ‘Mostly Minnie’ didn’t win, or even finish in the top 3! Well done to the eventual winners Disney Me!

Thank you to everyone who attended and a huge thank you to the organisers of the night- Vi, Iori, Fiona, Chris, Eiji, Brad, Lisa, Nafisa, Juliet, Jacqui, Noriko, Miharu, Nao and Emiko. We raised around $3100 which will go toward STEM equipment and set up of Watashi Mo.

2018 Grade Placements

In November, classroom teachers will be working on class lists for 2018. Parents are invited to write to me regarding class placements for their children. This information will be shared with the relevant teachers and the insights gained by your comments will be considered by staff when children are placed in their new groupings for 2018.  It should be noted that there is no provision to request teachers. 

Please remember that class placement is taken most seriously by staff and consideration is given to the child’s intellectual, physical, emotional and social development as well as the cohorts of children.  All information received from parents is considered in this context. Please ensure you write to me by Friday 10th November as staff will begin working on class lists soon after. Please note that if you made a request last year to Mrs Gray that you will need to write another request this year if it is still relevant for your child.

Staff create spreadsheets for each year level with key information including: Current classes, Literacy (English and Japanese) achievement, Numeracy achievement, Behaviour, Gender, Discussion contributors, Friendships, and other information e.g. specific learning needs as the basis of developing new classes.  Once the classes are devised we cross check these classes with staff across the school to find best fit.  

If you are planning on moving interstate, to another country or away from Huntingdale and are yet to notify the office please do so as soon as possible.  Numbers have a significant bearing on our planning and we appreciate early notification where possible.   If you hear of anyone wishing to attend Huntingdale in 2018 please send them to the office to enrol.  

In School Transition Sessions

Moving to a new year level can elicit many different feelings for children. Some are excited about the prospect of ‘moving up’ a level - the learning challenges ahead, meeting new teachers and making new friendships. Other children can be a little nervous and others quite anxious.  To help students have a smooth transition in 2018 and familiarise themselves with their new year level, we are organising some “n school transition” sessions for students in F-5. We will have two afternoon sessions in November and on 18 December students will have ‘walk up’ where they will meet their new teachers and grade for 2018. If you have any questions about this, please contact the school.

ICAS Mathematics Competition

Last term, many students in Years 2-6 sat the ICAS Mathematics Competition. The competition had strict rules and tested the students in the areas of Algebra and Patterns, Chance and Data, Measures and Units, Number and Arithmetic and Space and Geometry. We had many students attain achievement certificates. Congratulations to all of these students, particularl

Acting Assistant Principal's Report

It has been busy two weeks with our Junior and Senior swimming programs. It is a great experience especially for Foundation children who take responsibility for their own clothes and changing by themselves.  It is amazing to see their progress throughout the year.

ALC Certificate

Earlier in the year, our year 5 and 6 students participated in the Assessment of Language Competence (ALC) tests for Japanese. Certificates for this test will be presented during assembly on Monday 6th November.  The Assembly will start at 2:45pm. Everyone is very welcome to join.

“Movember!”

Dear “all HPS dads”

Mr Herskope and our other male teachers are going to participate in the very important charity “Movember”. Please feel free to join in the team and logon onto: Mobro.co/huntingdale2017. Mr Herskope's  team number is 2264873, we can’t wait to see your moustaches develop! 

For those dads who can we will have a “Mo Day” at the end of the month as well!  Mr Herskope, Mr Tolliday, Mr Thomas and Nishikubo sensei will be sacrificing their top lips and starting fundraising right way.

Looking forward to see who joins in, you can send your photos to

huntingdale.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au as well as uploading them on to the Team page.

Enjoy the Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday 7th November.  Please remember to have a relaxed time with your family.

Naomi Mori-Hanazono

Acting Assistant Principal