Principal Report
Welcome to Week Two of Term One and our first newsletter for 2025. We have had a wonderful week at HPS, with lots of getting to know you activities and setting up routines and expectations. The feeling around the school is that students are very settled in their new classrooms and there is a sense of calm, which is wonderful.
Welcome to Highvale
This year, we have had many new families start their journey at HPS. Welcome to HPS to all of our Prep students and also the following new students: Amika N 1D, Charlotte B 1D, Kenneth L 2S, Krish S 2S, Surveen B 2M, Lotus L 2M, Flora X 2M, Gretel L 2M, Jenil P 2J, Jane Z 3CB, Yilan L 3CB, Vivaan D 3CB, Neymi H 3CB, Jia Y 3J, Khloe L 4A, Stella B 4U, Aaron P 5S, Gavin W 5S, Nikki N 5S, Elijah Z 5S, Isabella Z 5D, Parinaaz K 5D, Joshua C 5D and Diya V 6S.
We are sure you will love being members of our community. If there is anything that you would like to discuss or need assistance with, please contact the School Office on 9887 8000.
We are always here to help!
In 2025, we also welcome some new teachers to HPS: Caroline Coady, Dean Salamouras, Jeanette Milanese and Aleesa Altube. Welcome also to Sophie who is our newest ES staff member and will be supporting various students across the school. We are very excited to have all of you with us at Highvale.
Preps
Our Prep students have done an amazing job transitioning into Primary School and already appear very settled and comfortable in their new environment. We are so proud of you Preps! The Prep teachers Mrs Fegan, Mrs Yencken and Miss Bellotti are working hard to set the students up for success in their first year of schooling. Well done HPS Preps!
Attendance
At Highvale Primary School we firmly believe that attending school every day plays a crucial role in shaping a child's educational journey. Regular attendance allows students to fully engage in classroom activities, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. It provides them with the opportunity to grasp new concepts, ask questions, and collaborate with their peers. Consistent attendance helps build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, enabling children to excel academically. This term, we will be reinforcing the importance of attending school every day.
Remember: it is not ok to be away!
Start Up Program – LEAP (Learn, Explore, Achieve, Progress)
For the past two weeks, everyone at HPS has participated in the LEAP Program. The LEAP program was created by our teachers to ensure students feel safe, secure and valued at school prior to the introduction of any academic concepts. Each class has spent time getting to know each other's likes, dislikes and being part of the classroom set up. This has included discussing and coming to mutual agreements about expectations, norms and guidelines together as a whole class. We hope that the successful implementation of the LEAP program will enable students to feel a sense of belonging and community, whilst assisting them to develop understanding and empathy towards others. At Highvale we foster an inclusive environment, and this program has further highlighted this statement.
School Captains for 2025
We are extremely proud of the way that the four School Captains Sham, Anvita, Mann and Ethan have embraced their role and I look forward to everything they will achieve as Captains in 2025. The four School Captains will also have the opportunity to attend the National Young Leaders Conference next month where they will collaborate with other leaders across Victoria.
Open Classrooms
On Tuesday 18th February, we will be holding an Open Classroom Event from 3:30pm – 4:15pm. This is a chance for you to see inside your child’s classroom and look at what they’ve done across the first few weeks of school. You can ask the classroom teacher any specific questions you may have about the year ahead and just generally get to know them. If you have specific things to discuss about your child and their learning journey, you will need to book an alternative meeting time or perhaps send the teacher an email. Open Classroom is designed for all parents to be in the classroom together, so there will not be any private matters discussed. We look forward to seeing everyone onsite on Tuesday 18th.
Compass & Communication
The Compass parent portal is a key communication tool, which provides parents with access to information about their child’s academic progress, attendance, key dates, reports, upcoming events, payments, interview bookings and newsletters. Please ensure you can access this portal, as information is regularly shared through this service. If you are unable to access Compass, please phone Andrea or Rachael in the Office on 9887 8000.
Tissues
If possible, it would be much appreciated if each student could please contribute a box of tissues to the classroom supply. These come in very handy throughout the day for small spills and for students to blow their nose if they have caught a cold. Please provide a box of tissues to your child’s classroom teacher at your earliest convenience. These will be stored in the classroom until needed.
District Swimming Event
Good luck to all of the swimmers that will attend the District Swimming Event on Thursday the 13th of February at Monash Aquatic Centre. We are sure you will make us proud and have a wonderful day representing Highvale Primary School.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Kids Help - kidshelpline.com.au phone 1800 55 1800
Parent Line - betterhealth.vic.gov.au phone 13 22 89
Headspace - headspace.org.au phone 1800 650 890
eSafety Commissioner - esafety.gov.au - Advice for parents and carers to help children have safe experiences online
Have a great week ahead HPS families,
Carly Epskamp
Acting Principal