Principal's Message

School Council Update

On Tuesday 12th of March our School Council for 2024 met for the first time this year. I am pleased to announce that Council nominated and voted in members for the four office bearer positions as listed below:

President: Michelle Denison

Vice President: Rachel Vallance

Treasurer:  Carmen Powell

Secretary: Stewart Johnson

Congratulations and thank you for volunteering your time to support our school.

We also agreed to co-opt two community members to Council for 2024. The community members this year are parents who had the next largest number of votes from the recent council elections. We welcome Maree Mahaffy and Allison Bencsics as our community members.

Family Fun Night - What a success!!

Thank you to all families that came along to enjoy all the activities on offer on Tuesday after school. It was great to have our community come together and enjoy each other's company. Thank you to our SRC students who proposed the idea for face painting and then painted all the faces of our students to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal. It was also great that the weather held out. I look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Parent Teacher Interviews

Bookings for interviews will go live on Monday 15th April at 8.30am and close at 8.00am Monday 22nd April. Interviews are being held on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd April (Week 2 Term 2). Interviews will be held in your child's classroom starting 3.30pm until 6.30pm. Keep your eye on Compass for when information is sent, regarding the booking process.

NAPLAN

A huge thank you to our staff for their diligence and preparation in the delivery of the annual NAPLAN assessments. I am so proud of our students for the positive approach they took to all tasks and the effort they displayed. Thank you also to our families for assisting your children in getting ready for the NAPLAN days. A special mention to Mr Craig Harrison and Mr Hardev Singh for their successful co-ordination and communication.

Monash University - Master of Counselling Student 

Throughout the remainder of this term and into Term 2 we will be lucky enough to have a Monash University student assisting the Wellbeing Team by providing support and counselling to selected students. Khushi Yagnik (counsellor) may seek parental permission to work with your child either in a 1:1 or small group situation to focus on areas such as social skills development and managing conflict. We welcome Khushi to the Hillsmeade team!

Student Toilets - only for students

As you may have seen there are large signs on the toilet doors explaining that student toilets are for the use of students only. Unfortunately, members of our community are not following this direction and as a result we are now locking the external doors to toilets after lunchtime. I ask that you please do not use student toilets on our school grounds.

Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for 2024

This year we are continuing to work towards a range of goals across the school. We have a heavy emphasis on the improvement in the implementation of numeracy and the overall wellbeing of students.

Other focus areas for 2024 include:

• Building high expectations
• Little Learners Love Literacy
• Numeracy - George Booker and Top 10 approaches
• School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) approach
  • School values
  • Positive behaviour matrix
• School Culture - houses
• Student Voice - Student Leaders, SRC
• Tutor Learning Initiative
• Social and Emotional Learning

Prep Enrolments for 2025

If you, or someone you know, is interested in enrolling a child for Prep 2025, please feel free to come along to a school tour. School tours are offered at various dates throughout the term.

If you have decided that Hillsmeade PS is the school of choice for your prep child in 2025 please follow this link https://www.hillsmeade.vic.edu.au/enrol/

to enrol your child. I remind families to please check that you reside in the Hillsmeade school zone. You can find our school's enrolment zone at https://www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au/

Out of zone applications will be accepted and the outcome determined by a range of factors, including 'in zone' enrolment numbers. 

Prep enrolments officially commence Monday 15th April 2024. Applications are to be submitted by Friday 26th July 2024 with notifications of the outcome of the enrolment application to be announced between 29th July - 9th August. Formal transition sessions for Prep 2025 commence early Term 4, from 7th October.

Last Day of Term 1 - Thursday 28th March. 2.30pm Dismissal

Don't forget we have the ELC/P/1/2 Easter Parade, the Easter raffle and FREE DRESS DAY! School hats must still be worn at recess and lunch and we ask that students dress in a sun smart and practical manner for a school day. Don't forget your gold coin donation for the Good Friday Appeal!

I hope you all have a lovely break and celebrate a successful first term for 2024. Be safe and enjoy time with family and friends!