Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community,

What great support of the sausage sizzle and cake stall we had last Saturday! Thank you so much to all the staff, parents, students and family members who helped out in the lead up to and on the day. The cakes and goodies were very well received by customers and the sausages received two thumbs up by all who enjoyed them.

Coffee and Catch Up

I am thoroughly enjoying meeting and getting to know the Heidelberg PS community even more and enjoy learning about you and your family. 

I would like to invite parents and carers to meet with me for an informal chat and get to know you over a cuppa.

Date: Tuesday 31st October 

Time: 9.15-10.00am

Where: SAC building 

Middle East Conflict 

Many in our school community are affected by the devastating events in the Middle East.

All of us are upset and disturbed by the awful events depicted in media footage and images. This time is particularly distressing for staff, students, families and carers who have family and friends in Israel and Gaza. 

We are also aware that students of diverse backgrounds, including Jewish and Muslim students, may be significantly affected by public events, mainstream media coverage and social media at this time.

Please be assured that all staff are aware of the extreme emotional toll on many in our community at this time. But please also feel free to get in contact with any of the staff at our school if you would like to ensure we are aware of what your child is going through at this time. Our support staff will continue doing all they can to support all our students, and support is also available for our staff.

I also want to assure you that the department is monitoring the situation from a school security perspective, and have advised there is no further action we need to take at this stage.

It is possible that extremely distressing scenes from the conflict may be posted online in coming days. Please ensure your children are aware of where they can find support in the event they come across such images.

You may find some aspects of this resource helpful:

Support is also available through external services including:

• headspace: 1800 650 890
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636.

My door is always open and I am sure we will all look to support one another in this very difficult time.

The Voice Referendum

As you know, last weekend the Commonwealth government held a referendum on whether to alter the Australian Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. As we know the referendum did not pass. This referendum is the first that Australia has had in over two decades and it highlights the importance of referendums to our democratic system of government. We know that in a democracy, it’s important that people can express their opinions on key issues, especially those of great national importance. 

The Premier and the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples put out a joint statement on Voice yesterday that you may like to read. For many people, this referendum has been – and will continue to be – a sensitive topic with deep, personal meaning and it is important that we continue to engage with each in a respectful and considerate way. There have been different responses to this outcome, including disappointment or distress for many students, staff and communities.

School Review

Every school has a School Strategic Plan (SSP) that outlines the key directions and goals they are working towards achieving. In February 2024, HPS will have a review to evaluate the 2019-2023 SSP and develop the next 4 year plan.

There will be opportunity for input and feedback from all key stakeholders and I encourage you to participate and become involved where you can. There is a policy compliance aspect to the school review, and as such you will notice each week in Capers there are, and will continue to be, policies to review and give feedback on. Thank you to Carol Dawson for diligently overseeing and coordinating this aspect of work. 

Hats off to teachers this World Teachers' Day

Next week, on Friday 27 October, Australia is coming together to honour our amazing teachers by celebrating World Teachers' Day. 

The theme is 'Hats off to teachers' and I am inviting students to wear a fun, fancy or fashionable hat on the day, to show their support of our wonderful teachers. 

**School approved sun smart hats will still be required to be worn outside on the day. 

Our teachers at Heidelberg PS are a fabulous team who are committed and dedicated to supporting the needs and continual progress of students as well as our school as a whole. Let's be sure to thank them and celebrate them on World Teachers' Day.

The Heidelberg Primary School Choir is coming back!

We are excited to be starting up the Heidelberg Primary School Choir again. Students in Grades 1 – 5 are invited to come along and to see what it’s all about! Choir will rehearse every Friday in the SAC building from 1.50pm – 2.15pm, and will enjoy lots of performance opportunities. Please note that in 2024, Choir will be open to students from Grades 2 – 6.

Choir will be run by two parent volunteers, Bron Jones and Brett Scapin, with student's being supervised by leadership. We thank Bron and Brett, who  are looking forward to making beautiful music with the kids!

The first rehearsal will be next week on Friday 27th October at 1.50pm. 

Upcoming dates:

** Please note there is no Pupil Free Day 17th November as was advertised earlier in the year. We have already used all our allocated day **

I am looking forward to a productive and positive term ahead. 

Naomi Ivers

Heidelberg Primary School