Dear HPS Community,

Classes have again been busy engaging with learning and social activities across the week.

Our Foundation classes enjoyed a Teddy Bears Picnic which saw lots of cuddly and fluffy friends arriving with the students. Year 6 buddies joined Foundation classes to make it an extra special and memorable experience.

This week we have celebrated Education Week with the theme, 'Spotlight on STEM'. STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering Mathematics. It was wonderful to see so many of our community in classrooms to observe and join in lots of STEM activities this afternoon! There was great persistence and resilience as everyone constructed, created, coded and collaborated their way through bridge building, playground constructing, bubble blowing and more. Thanks to everyone who came along to enjoy the fun.

For parents/carers, learn more about encouraging your child with STEM skills. The following external websites may also help provide for further ideas:

Maths video resources for young children can be accessed through the Mathscots animation series and Everyday Maths animations.

We have also celebrated and acknowledged our Education Support (ES) staff day this week! Our ES work all over the school and we seriously could not do it without them! From the office, to first aid, classroom support to SAC and around the school in the garden and completing maintenance... our ES support our students, classes, staff, families and whole school and we can't thank them enough for all they do.

Teachers and students showed their love to our ES by showering them in gratefulness, kindness and appreciation. Thank you for all you do! To us, ES stands for extra special!

Pupil Free Day - NO SCHOOL MONDAY

Students are not required at school on Monday as we have a pupil free day. Staff will be involved in a professional learning day to complete Day 1 of Berry Street Education Model Training.

Supporting Student Wellbeing and Safety

There are many different ways we support students at our school.

Safety and wellbeing are a priority for our students. We put several strategies in place to support the safety of students and staff and regularly review plans, working closely with regional department staff to adjust and modify where required.

In class, teachers use well-being lessons and respectful relationship curriculum to work with students to develop strategies, supporting them with help seeking, coping and building resilience.

At home, you help your children by:

Helping them feel safe, loved, and cared for. This is the best way to offset stress. Feeling close to you and knowing you love and accept them is more important than ever.
Teaching coping skills. Kids feel better when they know there are things they can do for themselves to offset their stress. Kids of all ages can learn and practice calm breathing and meditation. There are many other skills to learn too.
Helping them take a break from stress. Make time to play, draw or paint, spend time in nature, read a book, play an instrument, be with friends and family. These activities are more than just fun. They help kids feel positive emotions that offset stress.
Reaching out to your child's doctor or a therapist. Chronic stress sometimes requires more support than a parent can provide alone.

Some valuable resources to be aware of are:

Parentline - 1800 30 1300 provide free telephone counselling and advice to parents and carers. Resources are available at

https://www.parentline.com.au/ to support parents and carers to understand a wide range of issues related to raising children

and young people

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 provide a free, 24 hour counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 55 1800.

Resources and webchat are available at https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Assembly- change of day and time

We have reviewed the current assembly arrangements and are going to trial Monday morning assemblies from 27th May. By bringing the whole school community together at the beginning of the week, we hope to demonstrate the value of connection and setting a positive start to the week ahead. It is anticipated that by holding assembly at this time students will be supported to be more attentive and engaged. HPS community members are still of course welcome and encouraged to attend our assemblies.

Please note that Year 3 - Room 19 swimming classes will continue as scheduled. If the trial is successful we will look to altering swimming lesson times into the future so as not to clash.

2025 Foundation Enrolments

Do you know someone who has a child starting school in Foundation next year?

We are now accepting enrolments for Foundation students for 2025.

What you need to do next:

Download the 'Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents and Carers.' The pack will be available from Monday 15 April 2024 and will include an application form.
Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 26 July 2024.
You will be notified of the outcome of your application by Friday 9 August 2024. If you receive an offer of placement, you should contact the school to accept the offer by Friday 23 August 2024.
Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2024.
Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from Thursday 30 January 2025.

Enrolment applications submitted after 26 July 2024 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department's Placement Policy.

Upcoming Dates

Monday 20th May

Tuesday 21st May

Wednesday 22nd May

Friday 24th May

Monday 27th May

Tuesday 28th May

Friday 31st May

Pupil Free Day

School Council meeting 7pm

National Simultaneous Storytime - Bowerbird Blues

District Cross Country - Banyule Flats Reserve

No assembly

Interschool Sport - Macleod (Home)

Monday morning assembly trial begins

Division Cross Country - Banyule Flats Reserve

Interschool Sport - Charles LaTrobe (Away)

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

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School

Assistant Principals' Report