Principal's Report

Well, it is somehow Term 4 already, and as one student informed me last week, not many (enough!) days until Christmas! In between now and then, however, there is a full term of events to take place in what is both the busiest and most enjoyable term of the year. As your calendars fill up with personal and work commitments, I encourage you to ensure you have the most important dates in your calendar, such as Carnival, Graduation, Christmas Carols, Soiree, Transition Sessions, Curriculum Days and the like, so as to not miss out. 

Twilight Carnival

There are less than 10 days to go until the biggest event on our school’s calendar! I know there has been a lot of information and communication circulating regarding the event, so without backing over too much, I have included some key reminders below.

• Please ensure you volunteer – this event is only possible with your support!
• We hope you can join us from 3:30pm at the start
• Please ensure that you maintain supervision and responsibility for your children. Whilst we’re at school and it’s a school event, you are responsible for your kids!
• Don't forget to order wrist bands / ride passes here

And finally, in advance an enormous thank you to Jodie Cunningham, Leanne O’Brien and Sally Sweeney who are each responsible for key organisational aspects of the event and have already given hundreds of hours of commitment, and to all stall coordinators who are similarly giving up countless hours to support the running of this event. The students are incredibly excited, as are we, and without your drive, commitment, time and expertise, it would not be going ahead!

CCTV Installation

After consideration over several years with School Council, we have decided to invest in the installation of CCTV to monitor the external areas of our school. This is due to ongoing and costly incidents of vandalism such as oval fences cut, outdoor furniture broken and extensive broken glass/bottles. We foresee that by installing cameras, we will not only reduce or hopefully eliminate this vandalism to save money and ensure our school is a beautiful space for your children, but ensure that we can continue to open up our school on weekends and after hours to the community. 

We are one of few schools that don’t currently have CCTV and therefore, there is very clear guidance and requirements in place for this process. We are and will continue to follow all relevant policies and procedures during the installation and operation of the CCTV system. This includes signage, purposes for use, storage of footage and access to footage, which will be restricted. 

As an additional measure to try to reduce damage to toilets that unfortunately continues to occur within school times, from Monday students will attend toilets with a student of the opposite gender. This student will obviosuly wait outside. This has been trialled in certain classes and we have seen a reduction in the number of visits and the damage that occurs during class time. This is coupled with teachers constantly encouraging and educating students on making good choices, however unfortunately this strategy hasn't seen the changes we would hope for with us already having spent many thousands of dollars on cleaning toilet paper of cielings, fixing seats, unblocking toilets from objects flushed down them and more. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

100KM Fundraiser

As was shared at the start of last term, Mark Carpenter, a HPS dad was aiming to run 100km to support the Mirabel Foundation who do incredible work in supporting vulnerable children in our community.

I’m very pleased to share that recently, Mark completed the Surf Coast Century Ultra Marathon in an amazing 15 hours 32 minutes. Mark ran through the night and was ably supported throughout the run by Stuart Brown and Travis Johnston. So far, with the support of our generous community and corporate support, Mark has raised just over $7000 which is very close to the goal of $10,000. 

The opportunity to donate is still available by visiting the donation page (HERE) before the end of October. 

Congratulations again to Mark and the team on an incredible feat of physical and mental endurance! 

BYOD Review Update

Communications will be sent out in the coming week regarding the outcome of the completed BYOD review.  

New & Important Dates

• Curriculum Days: 4th November & 9th December. 
• Mini Olympics: 15th November 
• Christmas Carols: 13th December (2:00-3:30pm)
• Gr 6 Graduation: 16th December 
• Final Assembly & School Finish: 20th December @ 1:00pm & 1:30pm respectively

To stay up to date with all events and key dates, see the Compass Calendar. 

Celebrations

A huge congratulations to the Grade 6 HPS Futsal Team that made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Nationals recently in Brisbane. The team played incredibly well and resultantly, had a number of students selected to play in the national team. Congratulations to Freddie who has been selected to play a tournament in Spain as well as Miles, Callan, Sam & River who have been invited to play in a tournament in China.

In other holidays success, congratulations to Amelia Q from 5B who won the Under 12 Girls Singles Tournament at the Glen Waverley Tennis Tournament and Mateo won the Under 10 Boys Singles Tournament at the Frankston Tennis Tournament. A wonderful achievement for these siblings with obvious talent and commitment to the sport.