Leadership Report
Thursday 30th November
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
It’s hard to believe that we are almost in December! It is always a busy time of the year with our carols evening, swimming program, transition sessions and graduation – to name just a few events we are about to undertake.
There is also an air of excitement from our Year 6s who will soon finish primary school and look to secondary school in 2024. In my role, I have many interactions with the Year 6s and I hope they enjoy and value the next few weeks with their friends before they take the next steps on their educational journey.
Swimming Program
Swimming is now well underway, and I would like to thank families for supporting this program. We are fortunate to have been able to heavily subsidise it again this year and it is pleasing that over 90% of our students are attending in 2023.
Did you know that more than 85% of Australians live within 50km of the coast? Given that many students visit pools and beaches over the summer break, it is important our students feel confident around water.
Huntingtower Pool have always provided a high quality program and staff are reporting that this is once again the case – particularly with their new Swim Centre Manager, Megan. As part of our PBL approach, teachers have been proactively teaching our School Values and the expectations before attending the pool and, with support from home, our students’ behaviour, efforts and attitudes have been excellent.
Carols Evening
On Thursday 7th December, we will be holding our annual Carols Evening and we are hoping that all members of our school community are able to attend. Students have been working with their classroom teachers and Ms. Stoddart in Performing Arts to rehearse their Christmas carols. Families are welcome from 5pm with food and refreshments available. At 5.45pm, the bands begin with carols beginning at 6.30pm.
Students should arrive by 6.15pm and are to be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Students can come dressed in Christmas colours or free dress. We expect the evening to conclude at approximately 8pm.
Please join us for a range of activities:
- Food and drink from 5pm to 7:30pm including a sausage sizzle run by the Lions Club, cold drinks, Freddo frogs and packets of chips (cash & EFTPOS payment available)
- Band performance from 5.45pm to 6:15pm
- Carols singing will start from 6:30pm
- Followed by the Carols Night Raffle – raffle tickets now available on Qkr!
**Please bring along small change where possible to avoid long queues using limited EFTPOS facilities.
Please also note that there will be no access to the carpark or driveway during the evening. Please park on the surrounding streets and walk up to the school.
Thanks to the HPCG for helping with the Carols including organising our wonderful raffle which has some fantastic prizes. Be sure to purchase your tickets on Qkr!
We look forward to a wonderful community event!
Parent Helper and Community Members Afternoon Tea
Our school is all the better because of the wonderful help we receive from our parents, carers and members of the school community. We are fortunate to receive assistance on excursions, at sporting competitions or whole school events (like Camps) as well as participating in School Council or our Highvale Primary Community Group. To thank these amazing helpers, who add to the great culture at our school, we held an afternoon tea on Friday 25th November. For those who were unable to attend and made a contribution to the school this year, we thank you for your support – it is very much appreciated.
The Wishing Tree Drive
While Christmas is a special time to spend with family and friends, we know that many in our community find this time difficult. For these reasons, I was proud to hear that our Student Representative Council will once again be participating in the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Families, who are able to, are encouraged to make donations which will be distributed to those in the local area who are facing significant financial hardship.
Anything you can give would be appreciated and I have listed some possible donations.
Christmas items
- Puddings, cakes, mince pies, shortbread
- Long-life cream, custard
- Snacks (biscuits, chips, chocolates, lollies)
- Table décor (bonbons, decorations, tablecloths, napkins)
Tinned foods
(Ring-pull tins only, please)
- Fruits in juice
- Vegetables
- Soups
- Meats or fish
- Meals (baked beans, spaghetti)
Meal bases
- Pasta and pasta sauces
- Rice
- Curry and stir-fry sauces
- Meal kits (Mexican, Asian, Other)
- Cereal
- Spreads
- Savoury biscuits
- Packet of jelly
- Liquid gravy
- Sugar
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
- Long-life milk or juices
- Iced tea
- Baby food
Additional grocery items
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrush, toilet paper)
- Cleaning products (multipurpose cleaner, dish detergent, washing powder)
- Baby care (nappies, baby wipes)
Please take your donations to the HPS Office and place them under our Wishing Tree.
Thank you for your support and for spreading some Christmas joy!
Arriving at school early
Thank you to families for ensuring their students are arriving at 8.45am. As noted, there are no staff on supervision before this time.
Term 4 is a Sun Smart Term
Parents and children are reminded that this term, children must wear school sun smart hats every day during recess and lunch breaks. While the weather hasn’t been too warm lately, I am hoping it will get better in the coming weeks!
Appreciation Gifts to School Staff
The Department of Education outlines what we can and can't accept in the teaching profession. There is certainly no expectation from teachers about an end of year gift and the understanding is that "thank you is enough" and a handwritten card from your child, demonstrating their literacy skills would delight our teachers. However, we understand that some children and families would like to give a gift to members of the staff and therefore, we are asked to communicate some of the guidelines with the school community.
We cannot accept visa or debit cards as these are similar to cash, gift cards to a particular retailer are considered Gifts of Appreciation to members of the Teaching Service and are acceptable.
Teachers can accept a Gift of Appreciation from or on behalf of a parent, carer or student made to members of the Teaching Service (only), intended to express appreciation of the teacher's contribution to the education of a student or students. Where the estimated value is $100 or less, the Gift of Appreciation is considered Token and does not need to be declared to me by the teacher. A gift with an estimated or actual value above $100 is considered Non-Token and under Departmental Guidelines, a registry is then set up where the teacher declares to the Principal of the school what they have been offered.
Where the total estimated value of a Gift of Appreciation is equal to or exceeds $500, the Authorised Delegate (Principal) has discretion to allow the Recipient to retain it only when it has been offered by multiple students, parents and/or carers. Otherwise, the Gift of Appreciation must be either declined or transferred to the ownership of the school or the Department.
Again, I would like to highlight that teachers don't expect end of year gifts and a thank you from your child is all the thanks we need!
Moving in 2024?
Please let us know urgently if you intend to enrol a child at our school, if you are aware of people in our community who will be enrolling, or if you intend to transfer to another school in 2024. We require this information as soon as possible in order to establish class structures for the start of the new school year. If your child is currently in Prep – Year 5 and will not be at Highvale Primary school in 2024 please notify the school office in writing as soon as possible.
Take care,
Josh Crozier
Assistant Principal