Principal's Message

Dear Sunshine Heights Parents and Carers, 

I will begin with a few reminders. At the front of the school we have had a few students and families stepping out into the road rather than crossing at the designated places. this has resulted in a near miss earlier this week. Please, please take the time to walk to the crossings, keeping yourselves and our students safe when leaving the school grounds. Practising good crossing etiquette keeps our students safe both on the way home from school and across Victoria's road system. It is also important that parents know the Brimbank Council parking compliance officers have been active in the area, and the bus zone at the front of the school is a no-parking zone. This means even staying with your vehicle can result in a fine. Our School Council representatives have been contacting our local member for Brimbank, Councillor Lucy Nguyen about the parking situation around the school. 

Secondly, we have been contact by Sarah Connolly MP regarding an election pledge related to our school. The details are as follows:

Headline:  Election commitment of $600,000 for Sunshine Heights Primary School

Body:  On 13/10/2026, Sarah Connolly announced an election commitment to provide funding of $600,000 to the school if elected.

The funding would be used to upgrade the existing oval.

Please be aware that schools and our staff have an obligation to remain, and be seen to remain, impartial and apolitical at all times. If there are any other notices provided in relation to our school I will ensure these are shared with our school community as above. Our school will be used as a voting station in November for the State Election, and I know our amazing fundraising team will be seeking support for our usual sausage sizzle/cake and coffee sale in due course.

The past fortnight has reminded us of the importance of connection in a community when times are difficult. In the past few weeks we have experienced the bittersweet moment as a dear friend and colleague moved to a new school, farewelling Anthony as he took up his new principalship at Hughesdale Primary School. We are now confronted with the unimaginable heartbreak at losing one of our precious students, and the profound impact this has had on our students, staff and families. I find I am at a loss for the words to express my grief or how deeply it hurts to see so many people I care for in so much pain. My small comfort is in the connections and care I see when our team, our parents and our students step up to hold space for each other to process their grief. Many people may have questions that at this point in time we cannot answer; at this stage our only purpose is to support each other one day at a time. I would also like to thank community members for respecting the privacy of the student and her family, and to continue to avoid engaging in rumours and speculation.

During this time of sadness, please do utilise the grief resources on the Wellbeing Zone page of the newsletter, which can help with conversations with children. I also wanted to thank each of you who has reached out with your words of support for the family, our students and staff team. If you have concerns for your child's welfare, you may contact myself or Vicki McMahon via the office; you may also consider accessing a mental health plan for your child via the GP, who will have further details of grief counsellors in the local community. 

Best wishes, 

David and the Sunny Heights Team