Principal Report

We have reached Week 4 of Term Four and it is wonderful to see our students continuing to engage in their learning and embrace the many opportunities available at HPS. This is always a busy and exciting time of year, with a range of special events and activities bringing our school community together. From celebrating student creativity at our Art Show to welcoming grandparents and special loved ones into our classrooms, these occasions remind us of the importance of connection, belonging and shared experiences. As we move towards the end of the school year, our focus remains on maintaining high expectations, supporting student wellbeing and ensuring every student continues to make progress. Thank you to our dedicated staff and supportive families for the important role you play in making HPS such a positive and connected learning community. I look forward to another productive fortnight as we continue working together.

Happy Birthday 

Happy Birthday to the following students who will celebrate their special day throughout November: Lily Y 5S, Andrea W 5M, Austen H 4P, Tiana P 5E, Meera S 5S, Parinaaz K 6S, Minghao G 2L, Tevin R 5E, Adrian C 6D, Adirana C 6T, Amay S 2M, Kian D 5S, Zoe L 6S, Avni S 3A, Victoria Z 5S, Gavin W 6S, David W 2L, Ansh P 6S, Wei Er Q 3L, Aleina A 6D, Indiana O 2L, Anjali S 4P, Sidarrth G 5M, Meera T 4C, Chloe C 6T, Kezia C 3A, Jacob P 3L, Vimal A 4G, Andrea L 4G, Faith C 6D, Zoe N 1P, Sukvin D 3C, Lionell X 3C, Sophie M 4P. We hope you all have a terrific birthday. 

Attendance

At Highvale Primary School we firmly believe that attending school every day plays a crucial role in shaping a child's educational journey. Regular attendance allows students to fully engage in classroom activities, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. It provides them with the opportunity to grasp new concepts, ask questions and collaborate with their peers. Consistent attendance helps build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, enabling children to excel academically. This term, we will be reinforcing the importance of attending school every day. 

Congratulations to the 321 students who have achieved 100% attendance in October so far. Some of these students include: Astera Z PA, Mason X PA, Anna W PFY, Joshua W PFY, Aiden W 1GC, Anna W 1GC, Stanley X 1P, Rhys Y 1P, Thomas Y 2L, Indi O 2L, Riya P 2M, Elijah P 2M, Heidi H 3C, Sukhvin D 3C, Claire H 3A, Irene P 3A, Cooper K 3L, Sia J 3L, Harnur L 4P, Katerina H 4P, Ushika T 4G, Juliet T 4G, Meera T 4C, Olivia T 4C, Youli Z 5E, Tevin R 5E, Oneli S 5M, Navaya P 5M, Lilah S 5S, Meera S 5S, Minul H 6D, Vicky L 6D, Adriana Z 6T, Salwa A 6T, Claire C 6S and Sara I 6S. 

Remember: It is not ok to be away!

Year Six Farewell

As we are quickly approaching the end of the school year, I would like to take the opportunity to thank and farewell some of our families who have been part of the Highvale Primary School community for many, many years. With their youngest children completing Year Six in the coming weeks, these families are preparing to close an important chapter of their journey with HPS. Their ongoing support, involvement and connection have helped shape the school community we are so proud of today. We are extremely excited to celebrate this beautiful cohort of students as they graduate at our Year Six Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday 1st December, marking the culmination of their primary school years and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. While we are sad to see these families move on, we are incredibly grateful for the many years they have been part of our community and wish them every success and happiness in the years ahead.

Keeping Up to Date with Compass

As we approach the busiest part of the term, we encourage all families to make checking Compass a daily habit. Compass is our primary communication platform and contains important information, messages, reminders and updates about upcoming events, excursions, activities and school arrangements. With so much happening across the school in the coming weeks, regularly checking Compass will help ensure families stay informed, meet important deadlines and avoid missing out on key information. Thank you for your ongoing support and for helping us maintain clear and consistent communication between home and school.

2027 School Captain Selection Process

We are now well into the selection process for our 2027 School Captains. Students have submitted written applications, and both classes and teachers have had the opportunity to vote for the students they believe would best fulfil the captaincy role. Mrs Soccio and I have also conducted group interviews, meeting with four students at a time for informal discussions about what makes Highvale special, their favourite memories of HPS, ideas for improvement, changes they would like to see in the future and what they are most looking forward to about becoming a School Captain. These conversations have provided valuable insight into the students’ perspectives, leadership aspirations and commitment to our school community. The next stage will involve individual interviews, giving each candidate the opportunity to explain why they would make a great School Captain and what qualities, ideas and strengths they would bring to the role. We have been impressed by the enthusiasm and thoughtfulness demonstrated throughout the process and look forward to seeing our student leaders continue to grow.

Student Supervision Before and After School

A reminder to all families that student supervision at HPS begins at 8:45am and students should not arrive at school before this time unless they are attending a supervised program such as TheirCare, Breakfast Club or Run Club. At the end of the school day, the bell rings at 3:30pm, and students who walk or ride home are expected to leave the school grounds promptly. Please note that there is no supervision after 3:45pm. We have recently noticed some students remaining at school after dismissal to play four square or use the playground equipment, including students who are expected to walk or ride home. This is a safety concern, as these students are no longer under staff supervision. We ask parents and carers to reinforce these expectations with their children and ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for their journey home. Your support in helping us maintain a safe environment for all students is greatly appreciated.

Planning for 2027

As we continue planning for the 2027 school year, we sincerely hope that all HPS families will be continuing their journey with us at Highvale Primary School. However, we understand that circumstances can change and families may need to move schools due to relocation or other personal reasons. If your family is considering leaving HPS at the end of 2026, we kindly ask that you notify the school as soon as possible. This information is invaluable in helping us plan class structures, staffing and student placements for next year. Thank you for your support and for helping us prepare for a smooth and successful start to 2027.

Gateways Event – Enrichment opportunity for selected students

We are looking forward to hosting the Gateways event at Highvale Primary School on Monday 9th & Tuesday 10th November. Hosting Gateways is an exciting first for our school and we will have 60  Year Three, Four, Five and Six students participating in a range of engaging activities designed to develop students skills and confidence, extend their thinking and challenge them through collaborative problem-solving tasks. We are pleased to provide our facilities as a venue for this event for the first time and look forward to welcoming participating students and schools to HPS. We hope this initiative marks the beginning of a strong and ongoing partnership between Highvale Primary School and Gateways, creating further opportunities to enrich student learning and development. 

Grandparents and Loved Ones Afternoon – Thank you

We were delighted to welcome our grandparents and loved ones to HPS on Monday 26th October for a special afternoon in our classrooms. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to share their learning, participate in fun activities and create special memories with the important people in their lives. Grandparents and special loved ones play a valued role in supporting our children’s growth, happiness and development, and we were pleased to celebrate the meaningful connections they bring to our school community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the afternoon so special.

Art Show – Congratulations

We were pleased to share the creativity and artistic achievements of our students with HPS families at our 2026 Art Show on Monday, showcasing the imagination, talent and effort of our young artists. This year, students drew inspiration from renowned Australian artist Margaret Preston, exploring Australian flora through vibrant colours, bold patterns and distinctive designs. The Art Show showcased the wonderful artwork created across the school and highlighted the creativity and effort our students invested in their learning. The Art Auction was also a tremendous success, with all class canvases successfully auctioned to enthusiastic bidders. The atmosphere was lively and competitive, with several artworks attracting bids in excess of $100. We extend our sincere thanks to the families who participated so generously and helped make the auction such a success. A huge thank you to Mrs Sinclair for all the time, effort and organisation you put into making our Art Show and auction such a success. The event was a wonderful celebration of our students’ creativity and talent, and the success of the auction was fantastic to see. Your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated!

Maths Games Night

Our inaugural Maths Games Night was a wonderful opportunity for HPS students and their families to come together for an afternoon of mathematical thinking, problem-solving and fun. Held in partnership with Mathnasium, the event featured a range of hands-on maths games, puzzles and challenges that encouraged students and parents to work collaboratively, explore different strategies and discover the enjoyable side of mathematics. Students enjoyed participating in the interactive game stations and sharing afternoon tea with their families and teachers. It was fantastic to see our school community engaging in mathematics beyond the classroom and we look forward to building on the success of this event in the future.

World Teachers’ Day – Friday 30th October

On Friday 30th October, we will celebrate World Teachers’ Day, recognising and thanking our wonderful teachers for the important role they play in supporting our students’ learning, growth and wellbeing. To mark the occasion, we will be holding a fun Dress Up Day, inviting students to come dressed as a teacher or their favourite teacher! Students might like to wear a shirt or dress, accessorise with glasses or a lanyard, or carry a diary, clipboard or whistle to complete their look. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to show their appreciation for the dedicated teachers who inspire, encourage and support them every day. We look forward to seeing everyone’s creative outfits as we celebrate the amazing work of teachers at HPS! 

2027 Prep Transition – Meet the Teacher

On Friday 30th October, our 2027 Prep students will have the opportunity to meet their classroom teacher as the final part of our transition program. This exciting milestone will allow students to begin familiarising themselves with their new learning environment, build connections and develop confidence ahead of starting school next year. We look forward to welcoming our newest HPS students to Highvale again this Friday and supporting them as they take this important first step in their primary school journey!

Long Weekend – Curriculum Day and Melbourne Cup Day

A reminder to families that students will not be required at school on Monday 2nd November, as staff will be participating in a Curriculum Day, followed by the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday 3rd November. We hope all our families enjoy the extended long weekend and take the opportunity to relax, spend time together and enjoy a well-deserved break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to HPS on Wednesday 4th November, refreshed and ready for another great week of learning!

Tissues 

If possible, it would be much appreciated if each student could please contribute a box of tissues to the classroom supply. These come in very handy throughout the day for small spills and for students to blow their nose if they have a runny nose. Please provide a box of tissues to your child’s classroom teacher at your earliest convenience. These will be stored in the classroom until needed. 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS 

Kids Help - kidshelpline.com.au phone 1800 55 1800 

Parent Line - betterhealth.vic.gov.au phone 13 22 89 

Headspace - headspace.org.au phone 1800 650 890 

eSafety Commissioner - esafety.gov.au - Advice for parents and carers to help children have safe experiences online 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support — together, we continue to create a positive, inclusive and high-expectations learning environment for every child.

Have a great week HPS families,

Carly Epskamp

carly.epskamp@education.vic.gov.au