Principal's Message

Remembering Megan Shields

During the recent school holidays, our Hillsmeade community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our former School Council Presidents, Megan Shields.

Megan and her family have been an important part of the Hillsmeade story for many years. Her boys began their journey with us at the Hillsmeade Early Learning Centre and continued through our primary school. Her husband, Geoff, is a valued member of our staff team, working every day to support students across the school.

Megan had faced significant health challenges this year, spending much of her time in hospital and rehabilitation. She was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in May, and despite her illness, she showed immense courage and grace throughout.

Megan served our community with great passion and dedication. She joined School Council in 2017, became Vice President in 2019 and 2020, and proudly led as School Council President in 2021 and 2022. I will always be grateful for the personal support and encouragement she showed me when I first began as Principal at Hillsmeade. Megan had an incredible ability to listen, to value every voice around the table, and to bring people together with warmth and respect. Her thoughtful leadership and genuine care for others left a lasting mark on our school.

This loss will be felt by many across our community. Please know that support is available should you or your children need it during this time. Our thoughts, love and deepest sympathies are with Geoff, Lucas and Mark as they navigate the difficult days ahead. The Hillsmeade community stands beside them, always.

Vale, Megan.

Your kindness, leadership and spirit will be fondly remembered.

School Review and new Strategic Plan

As you know, last term we went through our 3 year review cycle with the Department of Education and an independent reviewer. It was a rigorous process and we have now commenced the creation of the school's new Strategic Plan.

As a school we are in a very strong position in all areas, particularly wellbeing and inclusion. Our data and outcomes support the high level of implementation Hillsmeade has in these key areas. We have been working hard in the teaching and learning space, however with recent changes to the Department of Education's Instructional Model and introduction of the new Victorian Curriculum 2.0, there is further work to include as we move forward. Please see below for the devised key directions for moving forward in the coming years, based on the Department of Education, our independent review and the review panel's findings from last term.

2025 - 2029 Strategic Plan Key Directions

Goal 1

To maximise student learning growth and achievement for all students 

Key Improvement Strategies

1a) Develop and embed a documented teaching and learning program based on the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, VTLM 2.0, incorporating extra-curricular program.

1b) Refine systems and practices to support ongoing data analysis to build consistency in teacher practice.

1c) Strengthen the instructional leadership approach to learning and wellbeing.

Goal 2

Enhanced wellbeing and engagement for all students 

Key Improvement Strategies

2a) Enhance the school's sense of community, with a focus on engagement and attendance.

2b) Strengthen student agency and voice to promote active participation in learning.

2c) Build teacher knowledge and practice supporting student learning growth.

This new Strategic Plan will be discussed with staff and at School Council, however if you would like to know more or have any questions/feedback, please reach out to either myself or a member of School Council so that we can assist you and hear your feedback to help us move forward.

Student Placement Requests for 2026

We are deep in planning and preparation mode for 2026.  A core part of this work is the creation of classes, with many contributing factors at play. It is a complex process and takes rigorous consultation to reach our final stage. 

As a part of this process, families have the opportunity to place a request for their child's class placement in 2026. All requests must be in writing via email to hillsmeade.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

and addressed to Linda Buckeridge by 17th October 2025. 

Requests are to be based on student learning needs only.

Please be assured that all requests will be considered however, they are not guaranteed.

Family-Teacher Conversations

It has been a very successful last two nights for our final Family-Teacher Conversations for 2025.

Thank you to all families that attended and to our staff for giving up time with their loved ones to be at school after hours.

You will have received an update on the changes to reporting for this semester, so stay tuned for more information to come about both this year and our plan heading into 2026.

Save the Dates - Term 4

• Prep 2026 Transition sessions commence Tuesday 28th October
• Monday 3rd November - Alternate Student Arrangements day - class teachers unavailable
• Tuesday 4th November - CUP DAY public holiday
• Tuesday 11th November - Prep 2026 Transition session #2
• Tuesday 25th November - Prep 2026 Transition session #3 and Information Night
• Wednesday 26th November - CURRICULUM DAY
• 3rd - 5th December - Year 6 camp
• Monday 8th December - End of Year Extravaganza
• Tuesday 9th December - Statewide Orientation Day & final Prep 2026 transition
• Wednesday 10th December - Year 2 Day Camp
• Thursday 11th December - Year 6 Graduation and Yr 5 Little Day Out
• Friday 12th December - Year 6 Big Day Out
• Monday 15th December - Final day of 2025 classes, Yr 6 last day
• 16th - 18th December - 2026 Step Up: all students in their 2026 classes
• Thursday 18th December - last day of school 2.30pm finish
• Friday 19th December - Curriculum Day