Principals' Page

Welcome Back

Welcome back to all members of our school community as we begin another exciting school year! It is always a time of excitement and nerves as the students return, a new year level, a new classroom, and a different teacher. It has been wonderful to see how smoothly our students have settled into positive and productive learning environments, including our new Foundation students and those who have recently joined HEPS. Starting school or moving to a new school is a significant milestone for families, and we are incredibly proud of the positivity, resilience, and independence our new students have shown.

Students are also enjoying the new modular buildings that were installed late last year. These classrooms are significantly larger, modern, and well-suited to contemporary teaching and learning. We are currently working with a team from the Victorian Schools Building Authority as the put together a plan for the demolition of the old main building (Building A) . We are anticipating that works regarding this will happen over both the term 1 and term 2 school breaks. We have plans for the construction of a new playground once we are able to realise the open space that will be created when Building A has gone.  We are also hopeful for further funding in the May budget to continue our master plan.

2026 is shaping up to be another exciting year of learning and growth for all students.

Positive Behaviour Focus at HEPS

HEPS is a proud SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behaviour Support) school. This means we focus on building positive behaviours by consistently acknowledging and rewarding students when they make positive choices.

This term, our whole-school focus is on School Pride and Ready to Learn Behaviours. School Pride encourages students to take care of their environment by keeping our playgrounds clean and tidy. To support this, students are not taking rubbish outside during recess and lunchtime, helping to maintain a pleasant and respectful school environment for everyone.

Our Ready to Learn Behaviours focus, supports students to be organised, prepared, and ready to engage in their learning each day. By developing these habits, students are able to get the very best out of themselves and their learning experiences.

Students who demonstrate these positive behaviours are rewarded with gems, which contribute towards a whole-school reward. We are very proud of the positive choices our students are making and the supportive school culture they continue to build.

Parent Information Night, Start-Up Program BBQ and Open Classrooms

Last week was a busy and exciting one, with Parent Information Sessions, a Community BBQ, and Open Classrooms. These events provided a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school, reconnect with families, and celebrate the beginning of a new year of learning. It was fantastic to see parents and carers engaging in conversations with teachers, sharing in classroom experiences, and spending time with their children in their learning spaces. A special thank you to the parents who helped cook over 800 sausages and supported the organisation of the BBQ.

New Administration Building

                                                 Front Office Entrance (Armstrong Rd)

                                  Front Office                                                              Staffroom

                          Parent Meeting Room                                            First Aid Room

Late last year, we proudly moved into our brand new Administration Building! This beautiful building features a warm and welcoming office entrance area, a modern first aid room, a parent meeting room, a staff room, a planning room, and new office spaces for the Principal class and Business Manager. We encourage families to pop in and say hello to our friendly office team, Charlotte and Bridget, who are always happy to help. 

We are investigating new signage and a new front fence to add to the facade of the school. If, at this stage, you are a little confused with movement around the site, please ask a teacher or student. They will happily help you to move around the buildings.

Foundation Welcome Picnic - Tonight at 3.30 PM

Foundation parents are warmly invited to attend a Welcome Picnic tonight from 3.30–4.30 pm, held near the new F–3 Playground/oval at the school. This will be a relaxed and friendly opportunity to meet, mingle, and connect with other Foundation families as we begin the school year together.  

Parent Helper Training - Wednesday 18th of Feb, Thursday 12th of March

Having a current Working with Children Check and completing this training helps keep all children safe. These requirements ensure adults understand their responsibilities and follow child-safe practices, creating a safe and supportive environment for all students. Please see the attached flyer for available dates and time to complete the training in term 1.  This training must be completed every 2 years. If you are unsure when you last completed the training, please contact the office.

School Captains and Level 6 Leadership Positions for 2026

At one of our final assemblies in 2025, we proudly announced the 2026 Level 6 leadership positions, including our School Captains. Congratulations to our new School Captains for 2026, Abigail V.E. and Elizabeth S. We look forward to working with all of our new student leaders as they take on their roles in 2026.

Lunchtime Clubs

Lunchtime clubs started this week. These clubs are open to all students across the school; however, some clubs may have limited places due to space or numbers. Students will be reminded by their classroom teachers when clubs are running. We hope to support all students to access these clubs and further develop their social skills and friendships through meaningful and practical experiences.

Before & Afterschool Supervision - 8.45-9AM & 3.30-3.45PM

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff provide yard supervision before school from 8:45 AM and after school from 3:30 to 3:45 PM. Outside of these times, if you are unable to care for your child, our Out of School Hours Care program (TeamKids) is available to provide excellent supervision and support. We kindly ask families to avoid sending children to school too early, as there is no supervision provided before 8:45 AM. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep our school community safe and supported.

Hats On, HEPS!

A friendly reminder that ALL students must wear a school-approved hat each day to help protect them from the sun.

As outlined in our SunSmart Policy (available on the school website):

• From mid-August to 30 April, students are required to wear a sun-protective hat that shades the face, neck, and ears during all outdoor activities. Outside of this period, hats may also be worn for outdoor activities at the discretion of parents or students.
• The ‘No Hat, No Play’ rule will be enforced from mid-August to the end of April. Students without a hat will be asked to stay in designated shaded areas during recess and lunch breaks.

Thank you for supporting this important policy and helping us keep our students safe in the sun!