Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community, 

At assembly on Monday we presented our Student leaders at a badge presentation.

An effective and positive influence leader is not defined by standing at the front — but by standing up for what is right. It is someone who:

• Leads with integrity, even when it’s difficult.
• Demonstrates respect in every interaction.
• Is organised, prepared and accountable.
• Listens to others and values different perspectives.
• Reflects on their impact and continually strives to improve.
• Encourages effort, celebrates strengths and lifts others up.

As they received their badge, they were encouraged to wear it with pride — but also with humility. 

Congratulations to each of our student leaders for 2026. We are proud of you, we believe in you, and we are excited to see the positive influence you will have on our school community this year.

Thank you to Jonathan Wilisoni, Leigh Barry and Fiona Walters who provide support and leadership to these young people so they achieve success in their leadership roles.

Our fabulous Foundation students begin attending full time including Wednesday's from next week. We are so proud of them and their families for their settled and engaged start to their primary schooling. Keep up the great work everyone!

Family picnic at Possum Hollow Thursday 5th March from 4.30pm. We hope to see as many families as possible there!

Evolve Workshops

Heidelberg Primary School is a proud partner school of Evolve, a relationship now in its fifth year. This long‑standing partnership means that every year, Evolve works closely with our students, staff, and parent/carer community to support a comprehensive and inclusive approach to education in one of the most challenging and fast‑moving areas our young people face today - Online Safety and Digital Wellbeing.

This term, Evolve facilitated a series of workshops across the school, each designed to strengthen students’ understanding and confidence in navigating their digital world. Sessions focused on three key areas:

• Privacy & Security

  Supporting students to understand how to protect personal information and recognise potential online risks.

• Digital Wellbeing

  Encouraging healthy technology habits, balance, and an awareness of emotional and social impacts.

• Digital Safety

  Helping students develop the skills needed to make safe, informed choices in online spaces.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this partnership is the continuity it brings. Students often remember Evolve facilitators from previous years, creating a sense of familiarity and trust in each session. Staff continue to engage deeply in professional learning, regularly exploring new strategies to support digital citizenship across the curriculum. Parents and carers also play a crucial role, and we were pleased to see families from across the school in Monday night’s webinar, which focused on the implications of the recent social media ban and what it means for families navigating technology at home.

Evolve and Heidelberg Primary School are extremely proud of the ongoing nature of this relationship. Five years of collaboration has helped build a digitally aware, supportive, and proactive school community - one where students feel empowered, staff feel informed, and parents/carers feel included in the conversation.

We look forward to continuing this important work together. Thank you to Simon Lovett for his work in coordinating the partnership.

3 Way conferences - Goal Setting

Goal Setting Conferences provide valuable opportunities for the teacher, student and parents/carers to share and learn more about the student socially, emotionally and academically. They are a good way to establish and maintain collaborative relationships between school and home, with a focus on the student’s academic achievement, learning and wellbeing.

Conferences provide opportunities for:

• building positive relationships
• sharing information about the student’s interests and learning behaviours
• sharing information about the student’s health and wellbeing
• student agency, through showcasing their work
• providing specific feedback on student achievement and progress
• understanding more about how to support the student in their learning
• establishing goals for improved learning and achievement in the future

We will be inviting parents/carers to book a 10 minute interview with their child's classroom teacher for either Tuesday 10th March between 3.40-5.30pm or Wednesday 11th March between 3.40-7.00pm.

NB: If you have a Student Support Group (SSG) meeting this term you do not need to book a Goal Setting Conference as student goals are discussed at SSGs.

If you would like to arrange a conference time with specialist teachers, please email them directly to arrange a suitable time.

Bookings are open and will close 5.00pm Friday 6th March. If you will require interpreting services for your appointment, please let the classroom teacher know asap. This is arranged free of charge.

In the conference teachers and students will discuss the wellbeing and learning goals that have been determined and students, teachers and parents/carers will discuss the strategies for home and school that will support them achieve success. Teachers will ask parents/carers if there's any information or questions they wish to discuss.

School Council Elections

Notice of election and call for nominations:

An election is to be conducted for members of the school council of Heidelberg PS. 

Nomination forms may be obtained from the school and must be lodged by 4.00pm on 06/03/26. The ballot will close at 4.00pm on 13/03/26. 

Following the closing of nominations, a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:

If the number of nominations is less than the number of vacancies, a notice to that effect and calling for further nominations will be posted in a prominent position at the school.

Parking  

In  Australia, disability parking permits allow holders to park in designated bays marked with the international symbol of access, typically offering time concessions in public spaces. Valid across Australia, permits must be clearly displayed, and holders must follow local council parking rules and time limits.

Please be considerate and mindful of accessible parking spaces near our school.

2026 School Term Dates

Term 1: Thursday 29th Jan- Thursday 2nd April (2.30pm finish)

Term 2: Monday 20th April- Friday 26th June (2.30pm finish)

Term 3: Monday 13th July- Friday 18th September (2.30pm finish)

Term 4: Monday 5th October- Friday 18th December (1.30pm finish)

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School