Message from the Principal 

HIGH IMPACT LEARNER AGENCY TRAITS

BEING REFLECTIVE

This term, as part of our continued focus on student agency, we are focusing on Being Reflective. 

Being Reflective means regularly evaluating one’s learning, identifying strengths and areas for growth, and recognising both successes and challenges. This process builds self-awareness, deepens understanding, and helps adjust strategies for greater effectiveness.

A key aspect of reflective learning is viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth. Being reflective builds self-awareness, resilience and enhances critical thinking, reinforces a growth mindset, and fosters a sustained commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

You can support this learning at home by asking questions, encouraging the idea that it is ok to have a go at something and make mistakes as that is how we learn and model the importance of thinking back about things that have happened, debriefing and reflecting. 

MINI FAIR….THE COUNTDOWN IS ON….FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER

The countdown is on and our Mini Fair is getting closer. On the day (Friday 24th October) we will be running a different timetable. This will involve a longer recess 10.55am – 11.40am and shorter session three from 11.40am – 12.15pm. Between 12.15pm and 12.30pm we will add extra time for students to eat their lunch. This is important as there will be many “sometimes” foods available for purchase and we want to ensure that our students have had plenty of time to have their lunch first. At 12.30pm there will be time for our students to set up and then the fair itself will run from 1pm – 3pm. During this time parents and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend and join in the fun. 

During the Mini Fair students will be able to purchase food, drinks, novelty items, play games, competitions and much more. We ask that students please bring their cash in a plastic sealed bag with their name on it (no more than $25). Items to win/purchase range from 50c to $8.  To help with giving change we ask that students bring small notes and coins instead of large notes.  

All the money raised will go towards the purchase of new cubby house (different styles in different areas of the school) and also a Nudel cart. A Nudel cart is a system of building materials that allows students to create construct and de-construct. 

GETTING READY FOR 2026

Even though it is only the second week of Term 4, we are very much focussed on planning for next year and our Transition program is a big part of that. This program has many different elements all designed to provide a positive experience for students, families and our staff team as well. Just a few relevant examples of this include: 

Student Request Process: To help prepare our students for the next phase of their schooling we allow students in Prep through to Year 5 to select up to four other students in no preference order. We then use this information to inform and assist with the building of classes for the following year. This will happen over the next few weeks. 

Parent Request Process: Our parents are also able to make requests as outlined in previous newsletters, these requests close this Friday 17th October. 

Prep Information Night - Wednesday 22nd October 6.30pm - an evening for our 2026 Prep parents to find out more about our school and get organised for the first few weeks of 2026 and beyond. This will be held in our Library.

Year 6 High School Day – Tuesday 2nd December: This is where we set up a high school day with classes in various locations around the school, teachers with specific high school style subjects to teach and our students even get the opportunity to wear their new high school uniforms. 

Mid-Term 4 Meet with the Principal Team – Wednesday 12th November from 7.30pm via Webex. Our focus for this session will include information about school structure, classes, class size and other organisation for 2026 along with gathering some feedback about our School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix.

As you can see there are lots of ways for students and families to participate when it comes to making a smooth transition into 2026. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to outline these and keep you informed along the way.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

Based on our recent 2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey we know that 92% of 106 families responded positively to the statement “I am able to get the information I need through the school’s regular communication channels”. These include our:

• Two Minute Tuesdays released every week via Compass Newsfeed & the official Greenhills Primary School Facebook Page 
• Weekly newsletters
• Compass Newsfeeds
• Team Newsletters sent two or three times a term.

As always, we continually strive to improve and if there is anything you need more information about or would like to see more of, please contact me: james.penson@education.vic.gov.au

MEET WITH THE PRINCIPAL TEAM

Keep the date free: Wednesday 12th November at 7.30pm. This will be our Term 4 Mid-Term Meet with the Principal Team. The session will be held via Webex with the link sent out shortly. Some of the topics that we will cover include:

• School structure & class sizes model for 2026
• Planning and Key Actions for 2026
• Feedback around our School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix

Hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE – PARENT & CAREGIVER HELPERS MORNING TEA

As a thank you to all parents, grandparents and carers who do a wonderful job helping at the school we are holding a thankyou afternoon tea on Tuesday 2nd December from 3pm – 4pm in the Library. The invitation is open to all parents or grandparents or family members who have helped in any way this year. There is no doubt that without such amazing community support we would not be able to achieve what we do. If you are unable to attend we thank you for your contribution and commitment to Greenhills Primary School during 2025.

James Penson,

Principal.