Dear HPS Community,

Welcome back to our Year 6 campers who had a fabulous time at Camp Kangaroobie in Princetown this week. Thank you to the staff and parent volunteers who assisted in making the camp such a success.

We are currently evaluating our school wide camping program to consider the strengths, areas to further develop and that all contextual considerations are being met.

There are many things that will contribute to identifying if what we currently offer is meeting the purpose and needs for our school, families and students.

We will be inviting families to take part in a survey to provide us with feedback, regardless of if their child has attended any overnight camps yet or not. The survey will be sent out via Compass next week. Students will have an opportunity to provide feedback through a different survey link, which they will access during school time. Our staff will also be provided an opportunity to give their feedback as well. Once we have collected and collated the feedback, school council will analyse and discuss before any decisions for moving forward are made and communicated.

Camping Program currently offered at HPS

Foundation- Breakfast at school Approx $5

Year 1- Activity evening at school with sports and dinner Approx $5

Year 2- Little Explorers Day at school and at Possum Hollow Approx $5

Year 3- 2 night camp at Mount Evelyn https://camps.ymca.org.au/mt-evelyn-discovery-camp Approx $400

Year 4- 2 night camp at Lady Northcote https://camps.ymca.org.au/lady-northcote-discovery-camp Approx $400

Year 5- 2 night camp at Alexandra Adventure Resort https://www.alexandraadventureresort.com.au/ Approx $400

Year 6- 3 night camp at Kangaroobie https://kangaroobie.com/ Approx $500

Education Week

Next week is Education Week, an annual celebration of public education in Victoria.

All children deserve a place to learn and thrive in. This year’s theme Celebration of Cultures highlights the diversity of our communities and the importance of every child feeling safe and welcome at school.

HPS will be having an Open Morning on Friday 23rd May from 9.30-11am. Current and prospective families and community members are welcome to come and see our classrooms in action.

From 11-11.30am, there will be a Q&A opportunity with the principal and school student leaders. We hope to see you there!

Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)

The AtoSS is a voluntary student survey offered by the Department of Education every year to students in Years 4 to 12, to help schools and the department understand students' experiences of school. The survey asks children about their thoughts and feelings about their school, their learning, relationships with other students, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. ORIMA Research Pty Ltd has been contracted by the department to manage the collection of the online survey and will provide support to schools. This year, the survey will be conducted at HPS between 26th May and 6th June.

Further information will be sent to families with students in Year 4-6 on Monday, including details on opting out. Information regarding AtoSS is available in a variety of language translations so if required, please let me know.

2026 Foundation Student Enrolment

Do you have, or know, a child starting school next year?

The enrolment process is now open and application forms can be submitted to the school office. Please find more details on our website at https://www.heidelbergps.vic.edu.au/

2025 Camp Dates:

Only one more over night camp to go for this year and it is...

Year 4 - Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th August

School Council Meeting Dates: Start time 6pm, Conclude by 8pm

Term 2

Tuesday 20 May

Tuesday 17 June

Term 3

Tuesday 12 August

Tuesday 9 September

Term 4

Tuesday 28 October

Tuesday 2 December

Upcoming Dates
Friday 16th May Monday 19th - Friday 23rd May	Walk Safely To School Day Education Week
Monday 19th May	Open Morning 9.30-11.30am
Monday 9th June	King's Birthday - No Students
Monday 23rd June	Pupil Free Day
Friday 4th July	End of Term 2 - 2:30pm Finish

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School

From the Classrooms