Principal's Report

Dear HPS Community,

I cannot believe that we are about to enter the last week of term; it has flown!

Along with being the end of term, and a full moon, the chilly winter mornings can make it a little harder to get up and out the door. With only 5 more get ups for school, I think we can all encourage and help each other get over the line to the school holiday break with understanding, kindness and compassion.

Don't forget we have a 2.30pm finish next Friday, 28th June, to end the term.

Foundation- Year 2 Cross Country

Despite being below zero degrees celsius and the ground being covered in icy frost, nothing could dampen our Foundation to Year 2 students' excitement and enthusiasm for running their cross country course at school on Wednesday! 

It brought so much joy to many and was a lovely community event as year 6 house captains and Mr Griffiths set the track and ensured a smooth event and parents and family members, staff and other students cheered on our cross country runners! Well done to everyone and thank you for your support of this event.

Showcasing student work

Many year levels are inviting families in to observe first hand what learning has been taking place in classrooms this term. Please feel free to join the following classes at the following times:

Foundation - students presenting their Seasons Dioramas - Wednesday 26th June 2.40- 3.10pm 

Year 3 - sharing their class morning routine and writing from Term 2 - Friday 28th June 9.00-9.30am

Year 4 - sharing their work from this terms Inquiry focus of ‘Change’ - Thursday 27th June 2.40- 3:10pm 

Year 5 - sharing their dioramas created from this terms Inquiry focus - Wednesday 26th June 2.40-3.10pm

 Staff name preferences

The notion of considering what teachers are known as and referred to by students has been discussed in consultation with school council and staff recently. 

While there's not a lot of evidence based research around the topic, there is a view held by people who have been involved in schools that use first names that it is a way to foster respect and inclusivity, a sense of belonging and community. It has also helped students see the adults who teach them as whole people with interests that transcend what they do in the classroom—just as all the research suggests that teachers, to be most effective, need to understand their students as “whole children.”

I have previously worked at a school that used first names and as the assistant principal I was shown no less respect because of it.

It is interesting to reflect and consider, which other professions currently use title and surnames? Do your children refer to anyone else in their lives in this way?

Our Education Support (ES) staff, including at SAC, are already referred to by children as first names, and will continue to do so. We expect the same level of respect to all of our staff.

I am giving teachers the option to choose how they would like to be referred by the children now as well. 

Some teachers will still be referred to by title and surname, some will be title and surname initial, others title and first name with some also changing to first names.

I understand for some people this may take a little getting used to, but as a wonderfully supportive and collaborative community I know we can respectfully adopt this change from term 3 around giving our staff the choice.                                                                                                                        

Student Semester Reports 

Semester One Student Reports will be made available for families to access on Compass, Wednesday, 26th June. Student reports are a fabulous way to identify the learning and progress that have been achieved across the semester and also helps to direct the next steps and opportunities for further learning in the future. We hope that you share these reports with your child/ren, celebrate the success and discuss plans to support the future development. 

3-Way Conferences

On Wednesday 31st July and Thursday 1st August we will be offering 10 minute meeting opportunities for parents/guardians and students to meet with the classroom teacher to discuss progress and strategies to best support students achieve their goals both at home and at school. A Compass newsfeed will provide further information as well as instructions on when and how to make bookings.

Work Experience Students at HPS

Next week we welcome a group of students from local secondary schools, who are completing a week of work experience. We will have some familiar faces among the group as they are past students of our school! We hope they all have a great experience while they are here.

Term 3 Assembly time

Whilst change to the timing of events doesn't always meet everyones needs, overall the purpose of having our whole school come together in an engaging and respectful manner has been achieved with assemblies now occurring on Monday mornings.

Some notable things observed and considered;

• students are attentive and focused
• student leaders are not rushed getting back from Interschool Sport
• sun shines in some student's eyes (this will change through the seasons. Students given option to move if distracted)
• clash with a class attending swimming lesson
• great to have whole school gathering together to start the week

We will continue to hold assemblies at 9.15am Monday mornings, next term.

Please be aware that we will be holding an emergency evacuation drill at 11.15am Tuesday 25th June. Students will be advised in advance that this will occur and that it is an important opportunity to practice safely assembling in an onsite location in case of emergency.

Upcoming Dates

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a great last week of term ahead!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School