Dear HPS Community,

Welcome back for a new school year. I hope that everyone had a nice break and managed to enjoy quality time with friends and family. I have loved hearing about what students got up to on the holidays and listening to all the adventures that were had.

Mrs Faye Phillips stopped by school quickly one day before Christmas and was surprised to find a kangaroo visiting our school! Her quick stop turned out to be not so quick as she coordinated with Wildlife Victoria to have the kangaroo captured and safely removed where it was taken away to be cared for and released into a much more appropriate location for a roo than our school grounds.

It has been amazing to see how settled and positive everyone has been as we started 2024. Classes have been setting classroom culture and expectations through the Connect Create Explore (CCE) learning program, which allows for plenty of student voice! Mrs Fiona Greville was very impressed with our Year 1 students' wonderings and brainstorming of questions they would like to explore during term 1 science topic earth and space sciences - changes we see in our sky and landscape over - day into evening and over time (seasons).

We have some deep thinkers who posed questions that theologians, scholars and scientists continue studying today.

We are super impressed with our Foundation students and their families who are doing a marvellous job at familiarising themselves so well with the school routine. A morning tea was held on Thursday morning so parents/guardians could get to know each other and connect through a shared experience. It was very well attended and I thank our school council president Emma-Jane Stabb and the staff members who helped out to set up in preparation. 2024 school captains did a great job to welcome the group, introducing themselves and giving some student perspective insights of what makes HPS so great!

Communication

Compass is used as the main communication forum. Capers, our school newsletter, is currently sent out weekly on a Friday however I am interested to gain your feedback on the timing and frequency of this publication. Please let me know your thoughts when you see me or email heidelberg.ps@education.vic.gov.au

If you wish to contact your child's teacher's, you can email them through the Compass portal. Alternatively, you may be able to see them before or after school to arrange a mutually agreeable time to meet.

Please note staff often are not able to check emails during the day due to teaching, planning, yard duty etc. All endeavours will be made to reply to contact in a timely manner (within 2 days, during business hours).

School Arrival/Departure

Arriving on time allows students to prepare themselves in the school environment before lessons commence. This transition period allows them to mentally prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. When students are punctual, they are more likely to enter the classroom with a clear and open mind, ready to absorb information and engage actively in the day.

Start of Day

The early moments of the school day often hold essential announcements, discussions, and introductory activities. Missing out on these initial interactions can result in students feeling disconnected from the class’s collective progress, potentially impacting their overall comprehension and engagement with the learning engagements.

Whilst life happens and there are times when it can't be avoided, please strive toward giving your child the best start to their day by arriving prior to the 9.00am bell.

End of Day

School concludes at 3.20pm each day (except for last day of each term). Staff supervise students departing at the Cape St front gate and at the Darebin St gate 3 from 3.20- 3.35pm. If students have not been collected by that time, they will be taken to the front office whilst a phone call is made to follow up collection arrangements.

Parents/ Guardians are able to contact the school during the day to have a message passed on to their child if pick up arrangements have needed to be changed. Please ensure the school has been contacted as early as possible to ensure the information can reach the child in plenty of time.

*Note: Gate 5 will no longer be used as a drop off /pick up location due to the safety concerns associated with traffic and parking occurring so close to the gate. With no room on the pathway to 'gather', it creates unsafe congestion.

Upcoming Dates

Thursday 15th February

Friday 16th February

Monday 19th February

Tuesday 27th February

Monday 4th March

Wednesday 6th - 7th March

Friday 8th March

Tuesday 12th March

Tuesday 12th – 15th March

Tuesday 13th – 25th March

Thursday 21st March

Friday 22nd March

Wednesday 27th March

Thursday 28th March

School Review (Validation Day)

Grade 3 Chess Lessons Commence

School Review (Fieldwork Day)

School Review (Final Day)

District Swimming - Watermarc

School Photos

Year 3-6 Athletics Day - Willinda Park

Division Swimming - Oak Park SAC

Year 6 Camp - Kangaroobie

Year 3 and 5 NAPLAN

Regional Swimming - TBA

Soccer Round Robin (Year 6)

District Athletics - Willinda Park

Last day of Term 1 (Early Dismissal 2.30pm)

Have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead :-)

Naomi Ivers

Heidelberg Primary School

Wellbeing