Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community, 

Food Trucks and Movie Night for HPS Families Tonight! 

We look forward to many from our school community coming together. 

Now to just keep the rain away until it is finished.

This afternoon we held an emergency management drill, involving a lockdown in classrooms. An emergency management drill is to practice a scenario used to test and improve our response to potential emergencies. It is a critical part of emergency preparedness that helps staff, students and visitors become familiar with procedures, identifies weaknesses in plans, and builds confidence in leadership and response teams.

Thank you to staff and students for participating. We will evaluate feedback received so that our processes are strong and thorough to ensure safety for all.

2026 Planning

With the end of year fast approaching, we are finalising things in preparation for next year.

The class structure across the school for next year will be:

• 2 x Foundation
• 3 x Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6
• Specialist classes: The Arts, Library, Japanese, Physical Education and Science

Next Friday 5th December, Foundation to Year 5 students will move with their current classes up to their next year level with the current team of teachers, to experience and have a Q&A about what to expect in 2026 for one session.

On Tuesday 9th December, students will get the opportunity to 'Meet the Teacher' for next year, with their class mates in their new classroom. 

This is the same day that our Year 6 students, who will be attending a Government secondary school, will have a transition day to Year 7.

Our new Foundation students starting next year will have their meet the teacher day on Wednesday 3rd December.

As the year wraps up, some students may show signs of stress, uncertainty, or emotional overload. Transitions can be tough, but with the right strategies, educators and families can help students feel safe, seen, and supported.

Transitions are more than logisitical, they're emotional. Let’s notice the signs and respond with care.

• Support regulation
• Model Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR)
• Maintain Predictability
• Create space for  student/child voice
• Prepare for What's next

More information around implementing these strategies can be found on the Berry Street Education Model Facebook page using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1WM2Su9zE8/

School Aged Care (SAC) 2026

Next week an email will be sent out to advise that bookings and enrolments for before and after care in 2026 have opened. 

School council have approved the increase of fees from 27th January 2026 to the following:

• Before care session $22
• After care session $25
• Full day program (offered on pupil free days) $75
• End of term Aftercare session $35

We thank Vimmy and her SAC staff for all their work in ensuring the care requirements of families are met to a high standard.

Drain safety

We have been made aware of a serious safety concern that potentially involves some Heidelberg PS students. We believe that a number of children may be entering and 'playing' inside a large water drain off Edgar St, Heidelberg. 

This drain goes for about 1km to Rosanna Parklands. It takes all the catchment from Rosanna and Heidelberg and if there is a rain event there could potentially be a large flow of water through the pipe.  

Entering stormwater drains is illegal, dangerous and sometimes deadly. Water levels can rise quickly without warning, and there may be poisonous gases or hidden slopes where you can fall. Warning signs are placed at drain entrances across Melbourne.

Please ensure you educate your child/ren on the ways to remain safe around drains.

For more info, visit:

https://www.melbournewater.com.au/water-and-environment/flooding-and-drainage/drainage-system

We appreciate your support in keeping our young people safe and well educated.

Assembly Summer Nights & Christmas Lights Performances

Monday we will have our first performance with the Year 5 and 6 classes sharing some festive and celebratory songs to welcome us into December.

Students will have the opportunity to perform to their family and peers at allocated whole school assemblies from 9.10am:

• Monday 1st December- Year 5 & 6 students
• Monday 8th December- Year 3 & 4 students
• Monday 15th December- Foundation, Year 1 & Year 2 students

School Council Meeting Dates:Start time 6pm, Conclude by 8pm 

Term 4 

Tuesday 2 December

Wishing you a lovely weekend and a great week ahead!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School