Welcome to the new school year. It’s hard to believe how quickly the term is moving — we’re already at the end of Week 5! We’ve been delighted to welcome 19 new Preps this year and it’s been wonderful watching them grow in confidence, get to know their classmates, and become familiar with their new school routines and spaces.

Our school community continues to grow, with 159 students and 117 staff now part of Hamlyn Views. This year we’ve welcomed 12 new staff members across leadership, teaching, education support and allied health roles, and we’ve also had six staff return from leave. It’s been great to see everyone settling in well, building relationships with students and families, and either getting to know the school for the first time or adjusting to the many changes since they were last here.

I’d like to introduce our new assistant Principal Charlotte Peverett. Charlotte comes to us from Lake Colac School and has extensive experience in specialist education. She has a particular interest in curriculum and how our students learn . Please stop and introduce yourself if you see her at school.

AIP

This year marks the second year of our current Strategic Plan, which focuses on two key priorities:

• improving student learning growth, and

• strengthening student independence and wellbeing.

Our AIP outlines the practical steps we take each year to work towards these goals. It guides how we plan teaching and learning, support student wellbeing, and build staff capability so that every student can make meaningful progress.

In 2026, a key area of focus will be continuing to implement, refine and become more familiar with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 for Foundation Levels A–D. This work will ensure our teaching approaches, assessments and learning programs reflect current best practice and support students to develop the skills they need for school and beyond.

School Council Elections

The election process for the 2025 School Council is about to get underway, with two parent positions available for a two-year term. Joining School Council is a great way to stay connected to your child’s school, meet other parents, and have a voice in supporting our school community. It’s an opportunity to share ideas, contribute to school activities, and keep up to date with what’s happening across the school.

No special experience is needed — just an interest in working together to make our school the best it can be for students, families, and staff.

Please refer to the election notice included in this newsletter under the heading School Council Update.

Student transitions

As our school continues to grow, we’re continuing to fine-tune our routines so we can support students and families in the best way possible .

The start and end of the day can be busy, and for some students the gym can feel overwhelming when it’s crowded or when they need to wait. To help students settle calmly and safely, we’re working to move them to and from classrooms as quickly as possible. This means classroom staff need to be in their rooms ready to welcome students as they arrive, and in the afternoons some staff may be supporting students directly to buses rather than being in the gym.

As a result, there may be fewer opportunities to speak with classroom staff at drop-off and pick-up. If you need to share information or organise a conversation, please message your child’s teacher on Seesaw. A heads-up that may also allow staff to organise to be in the gym for a quick chat when possible. You can also pass messages to leadership staff in the gym, who will ensure they reach the classroom team.

Thank you for your support as we continue refining these routines — all changes are made to help students feel calm, safe and ready to learn.

Dogs on school grounds

A gentle reminder that dogs are not permitted on school grounds, even briefly at drop-off or pick-up times.

While we know many of our families love bringing their pets along, some of our students feel frightened or unsettled around dogs. This can lead to dysregulation that carries into the classroom and disrupts their learning and sense of safety.

We appreciate your support in helping us keep the school environment calm and predictable for all students.

A quick request from us

Could families please send plastic drink bottles to school rather than metal ones. When metal bottles are dropped or thrown, they can cause injuries or damage to people and equipment. We really appreciate your support with this, as it helps us keep the environment safe for everyone.

SSGs

Term One Student Support Group (SSG) meetings started this week. These meetings are a great chance to connect with your child’s classroom team, share what you’re noticing at home, and work together to support their learning and wellbeing at school. The goals we discuss will shape your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), which will be finalised and shared with you at the end of the term.

Thank you for taking the time to be part of these conversations — your insights really help us plan the best support for your child.

Harmony Day – Welcome Celebration

This year we are combining our welcome celebration with Harmony Day on Friday 20th March.

Harmony Day is a chance for us to celebrate the diversity of our school community and the many cultures and backgrounds that make it so special. It’s a great opportunity to talk with students about respect, inclusion and belonging, and to remind them that everyone is valued and everyone belongs at our school.

Please refer to the newsletter article for more information.