From the Acting Principal

Time really does fly when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 7 of the term. The school community has been deeply engaged in both learning and a variety of fun activities. It’s wonderful to see how settled and engaged our students are across the school. The way our staff tailor content and learning methods to meet individual needs is a testament to how well they know and understand our students. We’re looking forward to the next round of SSG meetings, where we’ll have the opportunity to share and celebrate their progress with you.

Staff News

This term we have welcomed Cat Price, our NDIS Navigator to our team. Cat brings a wealth of knowledge about the NDIS and will be here on Mondays and Wednesdays to support you navigate this sometimes confusing and complex area of support for your child. Contact the school if you would like to arrange a time to chat with her.

We also sadly farewell Amanda Kovacev who has gained a position with the Dept of Education as an OHS Support Officer. Amanda has great passion for this area of work and many schools across the region will now benefit from her knowledge and expertise. Amanda has been a part of the Hamlyn Views Team since 2021 and will be greatly missed.

Blackwood Camp

Earlier this term, our Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend Blackwood Camp, a unique experience tailored for students from Victorian Special Schools. The camp offers a supportive environment where our students can laugh, learn, and engage in outdoor adventure programs. For many, these activities were new, exciting, and sometimes challenging.

The camp featured activities like archery, high ropes, climbing walls, and fishing, all designed to be adaptive and inclusive, ensuring every student could participate. This year, we offered both a 2-night stay and a day trip, allowing students to choose the option that best suited them.

Organising such an event requires extensive planning. I want to extend my gratitude to Marty Dufty and all the staff who contributed to its success. A special thanks also goes to those who attended the overnight camp, giving up time with their own families to support our students.

The Parent Survey

We are currently conducting the annual Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey and would greatly value your feedback. This survey, provided by the Department of Education, helps us understand your views on our school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The data collected is crucial for shaping our planning and setting future goals.

So far, only 15% of our families have responded, which doesn’t give us a complete picture of your opinions. We’d really appreciate your participation to help us improve that number.

The survey is available in 11 languages. If you need assistance accessing or completing it, please visit us—we have iPads available at the Admin office for your use. The survey will remain open until the end of the term, so there’s still plenty of time to share your thoughts. You can access it using the link and PIN below:

https://www.orima.com.au/parent

 PIN: 500036

Science and Book Week 

It was wonderful to see just how much fun and learning came together during these two events. It’s hard to tell who enjoys dressing up more for Book Week—the students or the staff! Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it was heartwarming to see everyone across the school actively participating in the various activities.

Capital Works

If you’ve visited the school recently, you may have noticed the enormous cover that has been erected over one of our basketball courts. It’s much bigger than any of us anticipated, but it will be fantastic for providing shelter from both the sun and rain. Many of our students have enjoyed watching the giant crane and scissor lift in action during their breaks.

There’s still more to come—once the shelter is complete, we’ll be building a large storage shed and installing some exercise equipment. We’re aiming to have everything finished by the end of October.

SSG Meetings.

SSG meetings are scheduled for September 9th, 10th, and 11th. To streamline the booking process, we are using Compass' online booking system, which went live this week. It’s working well, with many families already using it. However, if you encounter any issues, please contact your child’s teacher through Admin or Seesaw to make an appointment.

Kind regards,

Julie Brown

Acting Principal