Dear HPS Community,

What a big week we have had at HPS this week!

We started with a big media event on Tuesday morning where channel 9 news came to make a report on the Smile Squad in schools dentist initiative. Some VIP attendees who also visited and participated were Ms Mary-Anne Thomas, Health Minister, Anthony Carbines, local MP and Susan McKee, Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) CEO.

Our HPS community have been great supporters of the program, with more than half the students being given consent to receive their free dentist check up here at school.

We had six Foundation students involved in the event. It was so exciting to see these little super stars shining bright throughout the process of creating the report as well as when on the TV during the 6pm news report! Well done to everyone involved.

School Review - Validation Day

Yesterday was the first of three days for our School Review. It was a great day where the panel were reflecting on the goals and targets of the last School Strategic Plan (SSP) and indeed validating the evaluation we as a school had put together based on the evidence gathered.

The panel spent time doing observations in various classrooms and gathering further data around the successes and opportunities for further development. As we visited classes and moved throughout the school it was fantastic for the panel to see and feel the calm and orderly environments created, the participation and engagement of students and staff in the learning and to see Resilience, Responsibility, Respect and Compassion, the things we as a school value so much, being demonstrated so strongly.

Parents and carers have an opportunity to contribute and provide their input during an online forum with independent reviewer, Lucy Glover, on Wednesday 21st February at 8pm. Thanks to the parents who have registered their interest already. I will send the link once I have received it from Lucy.

Day two is on Monday where external panel members will spend time talking with groups of students and staff, with the third and final day being on Tuesday 27th February. The final day is when a new 4-year strategic plan, with goals, key improvement strategies and targets will be created.

School Council

A notice alerting families of the school council election process has been sent out this afternoon. This is a really great way to become involved and contribute positively to the school. I would like to encourage you to think seriously about nominating to be on council, which helps to shape the future direction and success of the school.

Family Picnic at school Thursday 22nd February

We hope to see as many families as possible join us next Thursday between 5.30-7pm with picnic baskets in hand! This will be a great event to highlight and capture the wonderful spirit and unity of Heidelberg Primary School, whilst catching up and meeting and making new connections and friendships within our community. See you there!

Assembly next week - Friday 23rd February

Next week we will present the badges to our 2024 School Captains and House Captain.

Junior School Council representatives and Ambassador roles will be finalised in the coming weeks and an announcement regarding these positions will be made at a later date.

Goal setting conferences

Semester One Goal Setting Conferences will occur after school on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th March.

The purpose of these 10min meetings between teacher, parents/carers and student is to collectively discuss the student as a learner, identifying their strengths, interests and passions and to also look at the aspects that will be a focus to further develop. They may be goals that are targeted toward improving their wellbeing and/or learning in a particular area.

A newsfeed notification will be sent out to advise when online booking for a conference time will be opened on Compass.

These meetings are a great opportunity to build the important connection between home and school and highlight the importance of working together to achieve great success.

IMPORTANT Community Safety Notice

This Sunday, 18th February, a team from HAZCON will be on-site at Heidelberg Primary School to complete a Div 6 Asbestos Audit.

The works are scheduled to commence around 11:00am and will take half a day.

Please note that for health and safety reasons, nobody can be on-site during this time.

Thank you

Upcoming Dates

Monday 19th February

Tuesday 27th February

Monday 4th March

Tuesday 5th - 6th March

Wednesday 6th - 7th March

Friday 8th March

Tuesday 12th March

Tuesday 12th – 15th March

Tuesday 13th – 25th March

Thursday 21st March

Friday 22nd March

Wednesday 27th March

Thursday 28th March

School Review (Fieldwork Day)

School Review (Final Day)

District Swimming - Watermarc

Goal Setting Conferences (4pm onwards)

School Photos

International Women's Day

Year 3-6 Athletics Day - Willinda Park

Division Swimming - Oak Park SAC

Year 6 Camp - Kangaroobie

Year 3 and 5 NAPLAN

Regional Swimming - Watermarc

Soccer Round Robin (Year 6)

District Athletics - Willinda Park

Last day of Term 1 (Early Dismissal 2.30pm)

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

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School

Wellbeing