Principals' Page

Safe driving and parking

We are all aware that both pick up and drop off at school is a busy time. It is important at this time that we are aware of our driving practice and that safety is the highest priority. Regardless of how much of a rush you are in, it is critical that you slow down, abide by road rules and be respectful of everyone. Last week we had a very close call, with someone nearly hit by a parent who was distracted while driving and in a rush to pick up their child. There is no situation, where time is that critical that we can afford to lose concentration while driving.

I am aware that the Maroondah council inspectors will be attending our school area more frequently to ensure the safety of our community. Please also be respectful of local residents. Parking over their driveways is not respectful.

School holiday program

Due to building projects taking place over the September break, TeamKids will not be offering a vacation care program on the HEPS site. TeamKids will, however, be running programs at other venues and will have availability for HEPS students. Please contact TeamKids directly for further details if you require care for your children over the break.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we look forward to the exciting improvements being made to our site.

Level 3 Camp

Our Level 3 students are currently on camp! Here are a couple of photos of them in action. Stay tuned for the next newsletter, where we’ll share more details and highlights.

Father's Day Celebration

Father’s Day at HEPS was a wonderful celebration! We loved seeing so many dads and special visitors join us for a delicious breakfast, a whole school assembly, and time spent in classrooms. The smiles, laughter and sense of community made the morning truly special. A special thanks to TeamKids for supplying the breakfast.

A big thank you to the Parents Association for organising such a wonderful Father’s Day Stall. There was a fantastic range of gifts for the children to choose from, and it was lovely to see the excitement as they carefully picked something special for their dads and loved ones. We are very grateful to the Parents Association for the time and effort they put into making this such a successful event.

HoopTime Basketball

Our Level 3–4 students had a fantastic time at Hoop Time Basketball last week! They represented HEPS with great teamwork, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm on the court and the way they encouraged and supported each other. We are very proud of the way they played and the positive spirit they brought to the day.

High-Ability and Gifted Children

On Saturday, August 30th, HEPS hosted its first High-Ability and Gifted Children games session. Students and parents came together to connect, make new friends, and enjoy a range of board games from Mensa. Our Friendology icebreaker, along with Chess, Throw Throw Avocado, and Anarchy Pancakes, were favourites on the day. The session was well attended, with 22 students and their parents joining in. 

Events like this provide vital emotional and practical support for both students and parents, as families with very highly able and gifted students often face challenges such as social misunderstandings, managing their child’s intense interests, and advocating for complex educational needs. These game sessions foster a sense of community at HEPS and within our local area by offering shared experiences, practical strategies, and a safe space to discuss both successes and difficulties. HEPS aims to continue expanding this network to help families connect and find meaningful solutions to the needs of raising gifted and highly able children.

Stay tuned for another game session next term!

Three-Way Conferences - Term 3

Conference Dates:

Three-Way Conferences will take place in Week 8 (the second last week of Term) on the following dates:

• Wednesday 10th September | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• Thursday 11th September | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Conferences will be held in your child’s classroom or in an allocated room (as listed in your booking).

Specialist Teacher Appointments

Families also have the opportunity to speak with our specialist teachers:

• Thursday 11th September | 3:50 PM – 6:30 PM
• Mrs Mountford (Art Teacher) will be available on:
  • Monday 8th September | 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 10th September | 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
• Michael Hodgson (PE Teacher) will be available on:

  • Wednesday 17th September from 3.45-6.30 PM

     

Please note: Due to limited availability, we kindly ask that you only book with a specialist teacher if there is a specific need.

Each conference is 10 minutes, and we appreciate your support in keeping to these time limits.

Booking Deadline Bookings will close on Friday 5th September at 3:45 PM.

Working Bee

Our Term 3 Working Bee for 2025 will be held on Sunday, 14th September from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to come together as a community and help keep our school looking its best. 

Planned tasks include painting in various areas, sprucing up the veggie garden, and giving the school grounds a thorough tidy-up.

To say thank you, we’ll be firing up the BBQ for all our wonderful volunteers at the end of the morning

We truly appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there.

SunSmart Hats Required

You may have noticed that the UV index is slowly starting to creep upwards, so it’s time to find your broad-brimmed and bucket hats ready for school. From the start of September students are required to wear SunSmart hats, to comply with our policy.