Krystina's Chatter

Dear Families,

Term 2 is well underway, and it’s been a vibrant and productive few weeks across our school. I’d like to share a few important updates and reflections with you.

Farewell and Thank You

This week we say a heartfelt farewell to one of our much-loved Education Support Staff members, Lesley McKinnis, who is retiring after an incredible 25 years in education – with the majority of that time spent right here at Hamlyn Banks Primary School.

Over the years, Lesley has supported countless students through intervention programs, supporting oral language development, and – of course – keeping our fabulous library in order. Her care, dedication, and quiet behind-the-scenes magic have made a lasting impact on our school community.

We are so grateful for everything she has given to our school community and wish her all the very best for this next chapter.

Warmest wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement, Lesley!

Showcasing Our Practice to Other Schools

We’re proud to be leading the way in our region with our implementation of Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI), and the positive impact it's having on student learning is being noticed. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be welcoming staff from schools across our region who are eager to see our approach in action. Hosting these tours is a great opportunity for us to share our journey, celebrate the hard work of our staff, and engage in rich professional conversations that benefit students beyond our own community.

Education Support Day – TODAY!!

Today, we are celebrating Education Support Staff Day. Our ES team plays a vital role in supporting student learning, wellbeing and inclusion. From classroom assistance to behind-the-scenes organisation, they are the quiet achievers who make a big difference every day. Please join us in recognising and thanking them for their dedication and care.

Personal Safety Audit Results

Recently, our students took part in the termly Personal Safety Audit, which helps us better understand how safe and supported our students feel at school. I’m pleased to report that the results show a strong sense of safety and belonging among our students. Importantly, students told us they know who they can go to for help and feel that adults at school care about them. We will continue to use this valuable feedback to strengthen our culture of wellbeing and ensure every child feels safe and heard.

Attendance Expectations

Regular attendance is key to both academic and social success. Our goal is for every student to attend at least 95% of school days—this equates to no more than 10 days absent across the year. We understand that illness and family circumstances arise, but we encourage families to prioritise school attendance wherever possible. Every day counts, and even small amounts of missed learning can add up over time. If you're facing challenges with attendance, please reach out—we're here to help.

Young Leaders’ Breakfast

Last week, we celebrated our student leaders with a special Young Leaders’ Breakfast hosted at North Geelong Secondary College. It was a fantastic opportunity to recognise their contributions and to hear their ideas for how we can continue improving our school. These students continue to impress us with their thoughtfulness, initiative and commitment to making a difference.

Mother’s Day

A very warm thank you to everyone who joined us for our Mother’s Day celebration. Whether it was enjoying a cuppa at our morning event or helping students choose gifts at the stall, your involvement helped create special memories for our children. We hope all of our mums, grandmothers and mother-figures enjoyed a well-deserved moment of recognition on Sunday.

Riding to School – Safety First!

It’s great to see so many students riding their bikes and scooters to school! A friendly reminder that all students must wear a helmet when riding – safety always comes first.

While we provide a locked bike shed during the school day to help keep bikes and scooters secure, any items brought to school are at the owner’s risk. Please note that we cannot guarantee the safety of bikes or scooters left overnight. Thank you for helping keep our school safe and responsible!

As always, thank you for your ongoing support of our school.

Warm regards,

Krystina Simpson