Welcome to our Week Seven newsletter. We are more than halfway through Term Four already, can you believe it? Things are looking bright for HPS students, we have had a lovely couple of weeks with more excitement to come. Some big events that we are looking forward to are Christmas Carols, Swimming Program, Life Education Program and of course our Year Six Graduation.

Welcome to Highvale Primary School

Throughout the past fortnight, we have had two new students start at HPS. Welcome Henry Li who started in Year Six and Alaistair Lee who joined our Year Four Team. We are sure you will love being members of our HPS community and warmly welcome you to our school.

I would also like to once again welcome our Assistant Principal Kelly Soccio who has joined us recently. We are very happy to have you with us at Highvale PS and look forward to your positive impact on the school and the wider community.

Attendance

Well done to the 221 HPS students that have achieved 100% attendance so far in November. The following students are just some of those 221 that have achieved excellent attendance;

Well done Manduul B (Prep), Amaya D (Prep), Quintin C (Year One), Zara L (Year One), Vimal A (Year Two), Calvin C (Year Two), Jun Ler E (Year Three), Pritika G (Year Three), Salwa A (Year Four), Marwin H (Year Four), Ben G (Year Five), Grace L (Year Five), Dehan D (Year Six) and Jazel O (Year Six).

Remember: it is not okay to be away!

Remembrance Day

Last Monday, we celebrated Remembrance Day, which was a day for us to remember those who have served and those who have died in all wars and peacekeeping operations. Remembrance Day marks the date in 1918 when the First World War came to an end. It is officially observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month each year to remember people’s service and sacrifice. Thank- you to the amazing Year Four students and their teachers Mr Dempsey and Miss Quarrier for leading the assembly. As a school leader, I am extremely proud of our observance of these very important dates and the way our school community conducts themselves throughout these special assemblies.

School Council

A reminder that our final School Council meeting for 2024 is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 26th November. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our school councillors for their contributions throughout the year. You are a huge asset to Highvale Primary School and we appreciate all that you do.

School Captains for 2025

Last week we conducted interviews with our aspirant school captains as the annual process for election and selection takes place. I commend everyone who applied for the position via written application and then in interview form. We are spoiled for choice as the quality of applicants was extremely high. The leadership team are reviewing all of the applicants and thinking very carefully about who will fulfill the role next year. We will disclose more information over the coming weeks.

Riddells Creek tragedy

Our thoughts are with the community of Riddells Creek following the death of a staff member, when a truck crashed into the Riddells Creek Montessori Preschool. Once again, we ask you to do what you can to keep all members of our community safe by driving / parking around the school in a mindful manner. This accident is less than two weeks after the tragic occurrence at Auburn South Primary School.

Next week we will have 5 staff members visiting Auburn South and helping out in whatever capacity is required.

Upcoming Events

As mentioned in previous newsletters, we are now moving into an incredibly busy time of the year. This is just a reminder to continue to act on any Compass notifications you may receive (including consenting and paying for events).

Thank you afternoon tea

Thank you to the many wonderful parents, caregivers and friends who have stepped forward to help us in so many ways during the school year. From grounds support, excursions, fundraising, second hand uniform sales, classroom helpers and many more we want you to know that your assistance is invaluable to us and our school simply wouldn’t function the same without your help. As a token of our appreciation for all of your assistance throughout the year, we invite you to attend a special afternoon tea to be held in your honour.

When: Friday 29th November

Time: 2:45pm – 3:15pm

Where: HPS Senior Library

We look forward to sharing this occasion with you and we hope you can make it.

School Savings Bonus - Code Distribution

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025. From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code.

The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more. If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days.  Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.

Parents and carers can use the School Saving Bonus code in store at school-nominated suppliers. Parents and carers can also choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers or for school activities. 

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au).

A step-by-step user guide will be available on the webpage on 26 November.  If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au.

Safe and respectful behaviour within the school community

It is of vital importance that our students feel safe and secure when attending school. Parents/Carers must only approach their own child/children when on the school grounds. Please see the link below regarding the types of behaviours that are not okay in our school community and those behaviours that positively enhance a safe, supportive and respectful school community.

https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-behaviours-within-school-community-policy

Plans for 2025

There is still movement in our 2025 student numbers with families joining the school and some who are leaving over the next few weeks. At this stage we have planned our workforce based on 360 students. We are planning for 15 classes at this stage and a full list of our 2025 staff will be published as soon as possible. All students will be meeting their new teacher at a ‘Meet the Teacher’ morning on Thursday 12th December. This morning will be an opportunity for the children to spend time in their new classrooms, with their new teacher/s and begin to weave the social fabric of their classroom community for 2025.

Should there be any information you would like taken into consideration for next year’s classes, please email me before Friday 29th November.

Helping Your Child with Change

The end of the school year brings transition, which can be a challenging time for children. Here are a few tips to support them:

Speak positively about school, including their teachers and classmates.
Highlight the benefits of a new year, such as making new friends, engaging in fresh learning opportunities, and exploring exciting experiences ahead.
Process and explore your own anxiety around change and transition. Children can sense when we feel nervous or anxious.
Help them identify areas of commonality. Support your child in identifying what is likely to stay the same when moving to their new grade.
Help your child recognise what they can control. Help them realise they can control their attitude/outlook when going into a new year level.
Encourage your child to reflect on past instances of resilience. Every child has been through some kind of challenge or difficulty. Recollecting those experiences is a powerful tool that can remind students they already have the tools to get through this change too.

Are you moving?

If your child/ren are planning a move and will not be returning to HPS in 2025, can you please advise the office as soon as possible as we finalise grade lists and budgets for next year. If you are moving house, but still attending HPS, could you please update your details with the School Office. Thank you in advance.

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

Our next newsletter will be in Week Nine of this Term.

Have a great week ahead HPS families,

Carly Epskamp

Acting Principal

carly.epskamp@education.vic.gov.au

HPCG Annual General Meetin