Dear Families,

Thank you to all of our families who have been visiting school for a range of special events of late.

We had so many dads and special visitors attend our shared lunch on the Friday before Father's Day. We hope all the people who attended had a lovely Father's Day and enjoyed the special presents that were purchased at the stall.

Both our Junior and Senior students had a great time at their athletic carnivals. I would like to say a big thank you and well done to Mrs Gray for organising the Junior and Senior Athletics. A huge thank you to all the staff as well for running events and ensuring students have a great time.

The Grade P-2 students are still talking about their excursion last week to the Pioneer Settlement. I hope the Grade 2 students got a chance to catch up on some sleep on the weekend after they slept over at school. Thank you to the Junior Unit staff for organising this amazing experience.

We are welcoming many new families to the SHNPS community. We hope that you have all settled into our fabulous school.

I have heard that the 5/6 students have arrived and are having a great time at camp in Anglesea. I am sure they will have a good few days away.

Hats

As the weather begins to warm up again, please ensure your child has a hate for recess and lunch times. If they do not have a hat from next week they will need to play in the shade.

Book Packs\Parent Payment policy

Just a reminder that in Term 4 our Parent Payment policy will be sent home. This will include student book packs for 2025. Payment will be due around late November/December again this year.

We aim to keep the costs very similar to last year. The cost last year was around $230 including book lists and specialist contributions.

We will be offering materials to be purchased through Campion online like last year.

Please see the information below around the School Saving Bonus.

School Saving Bonus

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.
Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

in October, to verify your email address
in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus and access to an online system.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

Term 4 Curriculum Days

Due to our flood damage at the end of last year and the need to move back onsite at the beginning of 2024 we held our Curriculum Days over to ensure staff could access professional learning on these days.

Our Curriculum Day dates for Term 4 are:

Friday Nov 1st

Monday Nov 4th

Friday Nov 22nd

Dec 18th – This is the Professional Practice Day staff are entitled too which is being held on a common day.

Road Safety around the school.

I have recently been in touch with Swan Hill Rural City Council and local Police about road safety around our school.

Of a morning staff have noticed many parents from various local schools taking risks when dropping students off at school. Multiple cars are doing U-turns into our bus bay and at times are double parking on the crossings. Both Murlong and Chapman Streets can be particularly busy in the morning.

Road safety, traveling on buses, and using the crossings safely are discussed with students regularly.

I am urging parents to please drive safely around our school zone to ensure all students arrive at school safely.

Please note the bus zones on both Chapman and Murlong Street are No Standing Zones in both the morning and afternoon. Council and Police have been notified of this and will be patrolling the area.

Please note the staff car park is only for staff who are working onsite. We appreciate families not parking in there.

Morning Drop Off

Just a reminder that our yard is not supervised until 8.30 am. Please ensure students do not get dropped off before 8.30 am. The OSHC program at St Mary's has vacancies for families who need this service of a morning.

Uniform

Teachers have been speaking to students about the importance of wearing school uniform.

Please ensure students have black pants/shorts on with their school t-shirts and jumpers.

I appreciate your support with this.

2025 Enrolments

If you know any families who are looking at enrolling at SHNPS, please encourage them to make a time and visit our school. We invite prospective families to tour the school during learning time to showcase the great learning we do here at SHNPS.

School Council

Our School Council is seeking enthusiastic parent representatives to join our team. School Council is our governing body which makes important decisions at the school. If you are interested in being part of the Council please contact Brea.

Have a lovely week.

Kind Regards

Brea