General News & Reminders
Library News
Many thanks to families who purchased books via Scholastic Book Club. We are able to select approximately $220 worth of books for our library at no cost due to your purchases.
There are many, many library books borrowed by students that need to be returned to our library before the end of term. Can all families please ask their children to check for library books and return them to school? At an average of $20 per book and the non-returned library books nearing 300, that is a large cost to our library.
If your child is having trouble finding their books or there is an issue of any kind, please contact me in the library.
Students can return books to the library any day - they do not need to wait for their library session.
I appreciate all families taking the time to help their children find and return their books.
Kind regards
Denise Pilinis
Recorder News
Recorder News, July 2025
HPS’s recorder players have enjoyed pleasing progress and some significant milestones in a busy term 2. Students who have practised effectively at home in between lessons gain the most benefit and develop the most impressive skills.
~ A highlight for many was the May Soirée. Performance is a vital part of any instrumental music program, galvanising learning and helping to build resilience and confidence, and the recorder students at HPS are fortunate to have the support of a school community that happily hosts concerts such as the mid-year soirée. To make up for some students’ unavailability on 31 May, we gave two mini-performances, one for Foundation students and one for the Grade 1 cohort, on 18 Wednesday June. Students from grades 5, 3 and 1 played their songs very well indeed.~ Senior students who are learning exam repertoire sat their AMEB exams on 21 June, obtaining excellent experience and results! Congratulations.
~ Assembly performance: On 30 June, the two HPS recorder ensembles joined forces to give a rousing and well-received rendition of a ‘pumped-up’ popular tune – “Hot Cross Buns MASSIVE”.
Soirée feedback from parents and students:
“We loved the soirée - our first experience of a recorder concert. It was excellent and Audrey enjoyed participating. I was so impressed by the skills of the more senior musicians!”
“Logan … was so proud to perform in front of an audience. It was a wonderful experience for him.”
“Yuhki also enjoyed the soirée last week … filled with excitement and was invigorated by the experience.”
“The venue was cosy and intimate although we could do with a few more chairs - it was a good turnout despite the weather.”
“[At] the musical soiree night, it is always lovely to see the kids perform their music and see their development. It gives them the best opportunity at HPS to learn and perform music.”
Spencer (Grade 1): “I was excited and happy to play the recorder and listening to other students to play. I enjoyed listening to my sister Maya’s performance. I liked performance order from Grand 6 to beginners because that gives me some ideas of what to do and made me feel confident and less nervous.
Maya (Grade 5): It was fun and nice to listen to other students playing the recorder. I felt nervous playing in front of other students and families but I was excited to be there for my performance.
Anna (Grade 3):
Thanks, everyone, for a successful term 2, and particular thanks to students and parents for sharing their feedback. Happy holidays!
Fiona Walters, Recorder Tutor
Breakfast Club Update
The Breakfast Club continues to be popular again this term.
The Breakfast Club was established in 2022 to support those students that struggle to have a breakfast before arriving at school.
It provides an opportunity for students to come through, grab some brekky before tackling the school day - in the process aiding their learning and focus by getting some food in their systems!
While still catering for those students it appears that a large majority of those attending are coming for a second breakfast.
We are seeking donations of non-perishable breakfast foods (e.g. Cereal, jam and spreads or a gold coin donation to purchase bread, milk, and butter) to ensure we can continue the program for all students.
Please note that Breakfast Club is NOT a substitute for the SAC program - rather a place for students to come and grab a cup of cereal or piece of toast, particularly if they’ve not been able to at home, once the school gates are open at 8.40am.
The SAC program has also extended its breakfast time, to capture later arrivals.
Donations can be left at the office or Breakfast Club.
Kind Regards
Sue
First Aid Contacts
We can be contacted at 0294-firstaid@schools.vic.edu.au or 0474 800 941. Thank you.
Sue Zerna
First Aid Officer
Lunch Orders
Lost Property Locations
Lost Property can be found around the school at the following locations:
- Main Building (Gallery)
- Library (BER)
- Grade 5 Building
School Song
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