Leadership Report

Thursday 14th March 2024

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

I hope you were able to spend some time with your family over the Labour Day long weekend and managed to escape the heat!

While we are deep into Term 1, there are still many upcoming events. Please check Compass for more information. 

Upcoming events include:

• HPS Sports Carnival – 20 March 2.00pm – 3.15pm
• Harmony Day – 21 March
• Parent Helper Training Session – 21 March
• Year 5/6 Summer Sports Gala Day @ Jells Park – 22 March
• John Monash Science Sessions (Senior Students) – 27 March
• Buddies Day (morning) – 28 March
• End of Term Pizza Lunch – 28 March
• Whole School Anaphylaxis Training (staff) – 28 March 2.45pm (final day Term 1).

Week 9 (the last week of term) is also Planning Week. 

Just a reminder that school holidays begin on Thursday 28th March at 2.30pm. 

NAPLAN

Our Grade 3s and 5s have been sitting their annual NAPLAN tests this week, which are now conducted online. The way NAPLAN is reported to parents changed in 2023. Instead of the old 10 band system used previously, students will now receive one of 4 ratings for each test area. The new ratings are:

• Exceeding – A child has met the proficiency standard
• Strong – A child has met the proficiency standard
• Developing – A child has not met the proficiency standard
• Needs additional support - A child has not met the proficiency standard

The new standards are designed to provide a clearer understanding of your child’s achievement levels. A result in strong or exceeding shows that a child is achieving at the expected standard for their age level. 

At Highvale Primary school, we use the information from NAPLAN and our testing to inform planning and then cater to the point of need of each of our students. The NAPLAN tests will provide information as to what areas our Year 3 and 5 students need to focus on next. NAPLAN provides each student with a snapshot of their learning and this information is cross referenced with school-based assessments to provide a rounded view of each child’s progress. NAPLAN results should be received in Term 2. 

Student Representative Council

Congratulations to our Student Representative Council members for 2024. I know they have already been hard at work preparing a student-led activity for classes and I look forward to future projects!

3D Printing

It’s been exciting to visit STEAM – Design & Technology - lessons recently to see some wonderful 3D objects being built. Mrs. Williamson has been working with the Year 5&6 students to 'create objects that can be used in the school'. Students were thoroughly engaged in the activity and have enjoyed seeing their final products!

Student Supervision

Please note that no student should be on school grounds before 8.45am without parent/carer supervision and students should be picked up by 3.45pm. 

Our priority is the safety of your child. 

We have a wonderful Out of Hours School Care program which is run by TheirCare. Students are not only looked after but provided with fun and engaging games and breakfast and afternoon tea. 

Thank you to those families who continue to ensure their child is at school and picked up on time. 

Child Safety and Wellbeing at Highvale Primary School: Information for Families and the School Community

The Victorian Government recently announced Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing. 

Highvale Primary School has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view in our newsletter (see Policies section) and on our school website.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices. 

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact Joshua Crozier: joshua.crozier@education.vic.gov.au

Policies that have been approved so far this year include:

• School Cash Handling Policy
• School Electronic Funds Management Policy
• School Purchasing Card Policy
• Petty Cash Policy

Policies currently under consultation and/or review include (these can found in the School Policy Consultation and Update section of the newsletter):

• Child Safety: Code of Conduct
• Child Safety: Risk Register
• Anaphylaxis Policy
• Asthma Policy

Highvale Primary Community Group (HPCG) Fundraising

Every year our HPCG parent volunteers work extremely hard to organise or contribute to extracurricular events such as our Fun Run, Carols Evening and Special Lunch Days, to name just a few.  As well, our HPCG play a very important role fundraising, to help our school purchase equipment and complete projects that would not be possible without the HPCG’s support.  Most importantly, the funds raised by the HPCG are expended each year to support every child in our school.

We will provide updates through our school newsletter ‘Highvale Happenings’ to let everyone know how the fund raising is progressing and to encourage everyone to support our HPCG events and fundraisers.  

Last year, we were able to purchase 20 laptops and a charging trolley, interactive smartboards for every classroom as well as make a contribution to the senior playground. 

Parent Training: ‘Children’s Wellbeing & Learning’ Session

We will be holding a Parent Training session next Thursday 21 March from 7.30pm. 

This session will provide parents with an overview of Highvale Primary School’s Literacy and Mathematics programs, as well as our PBL approach. By participating in this, parents will then be able to volunteer to support student learning in the classrooms, incursions, excursions or sporting events.

*Please note - as we adhere to Child Safe Standards, there are a number of other requirements before being able to volunteer. This includes providing a copy of your Working With Children’s card, completing the HPS Code of Conduct and the Volunteer Induction documents (available in School Stream under the Forms tab). 

Please contact the office if you have any questions.

A link will be provided closer to the date via Compass - please check your emails.

Harmony Day

Next Thursday, we will celebrate Harmony Day. As a multicultural school it is a great way to recognise and embrace the diversity of our community.

Students may come dressed wearing something or everything ORANGE! Remembering to wear safe shoes and your school hats.

Why do we celebrate Harmony Day?

Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our First Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.

Why Orange?

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Living together in harmony

To live peacefully and happily in Australia, we have to make sure that everyone feels equal. It does not matter how different we are, we should always treat others with fairness and respect.

Some people might look or dress differently from you. Try to learn more about other people’s cultures and customs. Remember, differences are not a bad thing. They make us unique and special.

Australia by numbers

Many people in Australia speak different languages. The top five languages spoken in Australia are:

1. English
2. Mandarin
3. Arabic
4. Cantonese
5. Vietnamese

Approximately 30 percent of Australians were born overseas. The top five countries where people have travelled from are:

1. England
2. New Zealand
3. China
4. India
5. Philippines

Harmony Day Fast Facts

• Did you know that since 1945 over seven million people have migrated to Australia?
• Harmony Day takes place on the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
• Did you know that Harmony Day began in 1999 and since then more than 25,000 Harmony Day events have been held across the country?
• Australians identify with over 270 ancestral backgrounds.
• Often, before an event, function or meeting takes place, Australians will acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land they are on. This is called an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ and it pays respect to Aboriginal culture and heritage.
• Events celebrating Harmony Day can be held by schools, sporting clubs or community groups.

School Tours and 2025 Enrolments

School Tours for Prep 2025 and new Year 1-6 students are provided on Wednesday mornings between 9.30-10.45am. Due to demand, tours must be booked through the school office (Ph: 9887 8000).  If you have friends, family or neighbours with school age children, especially those commencing Prep in 2025 please encourage them to book a tour to find out more about our wonderful school and community.

The virtual tour is available at https://highvaleps.vic.edu.au/

End of Term

A reminder that the last day of term will be Thursday March 28th. Students will be dismissed at 2:30pm on this day. 

Take care,

Josh Crozier

Assistant Principal

joshua.crozier@education.vic.gov.au