David's Message

Dear Sunshine Heights Parents and Carers,

In the past few weeks, we have taken the Sunny Heights style from our won garden to the Royal Botanic Gardens, where some of our Sustainability Group (plus a few of our amazing parents) gathered with anticipation. This was the site for the 2023 Victorian Schools Gardening Awards, and we were nominated for two different categories! We won the prize for the best improvement to a space, for the Nugal-nganjin Garden, with the $1000 prize to spend on more plants for this incredible space. I am so grateful to Miss Aasta for her work and dedication in this space, and to our epic parents who regularly dig, weed, plant, construct, design and bring the vision to life. There is very strong research about the positive benefits of nature play for social, cognitive and physical development of children, and about positive health impacts (both mental and physical) through into adulthood. For these reasons we love that the gardens are growing, and we can't wait for the next stages to be completed in the coming year. 

On the same day as the trip to the Victorian Schools Gardening Awards, we made a quick dash back in the afternoon for the launch of our Sunshine Heights x Inkrewsive Crew Be You Project. It was an incredible and very special afternoon, and there have been few points where I have become so emotional seeing the positive impact of our kids and the message of inclusion that they are promoting. We danced, rapped, sang and showed that we are a diverse and cohesive community. Belonging is much more than inclusion - the deliberate actions we take create a feeling of acceptance and celebration of our identities. I have been truly blessed to find a school community that centres this work, alongside the all important development of our students literacy, numeracy and learning area skills. We have to give a very special thank you to Creative Victoria, to Phil and the entire Inkrewsive Crew. Above all though, I have to give the biggest and warmest Sunny Heights cheer of thanks to Miss Francine. The vision for the project, from the original grant application and  inception of the group through to the final products, have all been thanks to her dedication. What a superstar!

In the coming weeks we have our Art Show and Festive Concert on the 7th December (see the specialist page for more details), and will farewell our grade 6 students at Graduation on the 14th December. This time of year is always a mix of joy and sadness, mixed with the anticipation of the Summer break and the 2024 school year. Luckily we have some great opportunities for a dance or two to lift our spirits and keep us smiling until the end of term.

With just a few weeks to go until the end of term, we are busily working on reports and ensuring your child has reached for the stars. On the morning of Tuesday 12th December, our students will meet their new classes and teachers for Step Up Day. During this time they will connect with their 2024 classmates and meet their 2024 teachers. We know of a few students who are moving away, which is always sad for us. Those students will carry a little bit of Sunny Heights with them for ever, and we will always have a place in our school and our hearts for them. We will also have some new students visiting us on that day; if you are planning to make a move before the next school year, please let us know so that we can offer a place to students outside the school on our waiting list. 

Dont' forget, the last day of term is always free dress, and the school day finishes at 1:30pm. Please ensure you have arranged to collect your child, or booked in Big Childcare.

Best wishes,

David and the Sunny Heights Team