Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community,

This week started with a pupil free day so that our staff could spend the day engaging in professional learning.

The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) targets a whole school approach in supporting all students to further develop self-regulation skills and enhance their ability to be ready to learn through mindfulness and being present and centred. This model was selected as a priority due to it aligning strongly with our School Strategic Plan goal: To optimise learning and wellbeing growth of all students.

Staff participated in activities and learning to help us understand the importance and positive effect the creation of consistent and predictable routines can have on our students. Ask your child/ren about yarning circles, which is something we have committed to running every morning. This gives students and teachers an opportunity to check in and make connections as well as be positive and well prepared for the day ahead. Therefore, it is really important that students are at school and ready for their day before 9am. We would really appreciate your support in assisting your child/ren to start their day being a part of their class yarning circle.

Attitude to School Survey (AtoSS)- Year 4-6 students

Next week during normal school hours, students from year 4-6 will be invited to participate in the AtoSS.

The AtoSS is a voluntary annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools and the department to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and will be asking your child about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

School Council

Our 2024 School Council is in full swing! As a group we completed the Improving School Governance training session, which helped our collective understanding of:

• the legislative framework for school councils 
• what school councils do
• school council operations
• important features of the school.

School councils play a key role in Victorian government schools and being a member of the school council is a rewarding and challenging experience. Acting as a collaborative team, the council supports the principal to enhance the educational opportunities for students.

I am very pleased to announce the following councillors who will fulfil roles this year:

• President - Emma-Jane Stabb
• Vice-President - Louisa Tobin
• Secretary - Belinda Keeffe 
• Treasurer - Enaksha Garde

Assembly- change of day and time

We have reviewed the current assembly arrangements and are going to trial Monday morning assemblies from 27th May. By bringing the whole school community together at the beginning of the week, we hope to demonstrate the value of connection and setting a positive start to the week ahead. It is anticipated that by holding assembly at this time students will be supported to be more attentive and engaged. HPS community members are still of course welcome and encouraged to attend our assemblies. 

Please note that Year 3 - Room 19 swimming classes will continue as scheduled. If the trial is successful we will look to altering swimming lesson times into the future so as not to clash.

2025 Foundation Enrolments

Do you know someone who has a child starting school in Foundation next year? 

We are now accepting enrolments for Foundation students for 2025.

What you need to do next:

1. Download the 'Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents and Carers.' The pack will be available from Monday 15 April 2024 and will include an application form.
2. Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 26 July 2024.
3. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by Friday 9 August 2024. If you receive an offer of placement, you should contact the school to accept the offer by Friday 23 August 2024.
4. Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2024.
5. Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from Thursday 30 January 2025.

Enrolment applications submitted after 26 July 2024 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department's Placement Policy.

Upcoming Dates

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School