Message from the Principal 

Janine, Brad and I have been really impressed with the way our students have started the school year. In fact, we think that this is our most settled and positive start to a school year that we have had in our time at Greenhills. 

We have had a special focus on Gahgook (Respect), and this is highly visible across the school. The way our students are lining up, greeting each other, looking after each other and setting up for success each day will really set the scene for a GREAT year ahead.

Each school year we start with a program called “Get, Set, Connect”. This is designed to support all our students across the school to have a positive start and set a foundation for learning this year built on wellbeing and connection. 

As you can see from the photo’s, our students have been unpacking what a respectful relationship is, designing and creating class mottos, working collaboratively to establish class routines and norms, signing pledges and setting up routines and timetables. All of these are the essential elements to have a calm and orderly learning environment that is based on our School Wide Positive Behaviour System (SWPBS) to Be Safe, Be Responsible and Be Connected.

iPAD’s @ GHPS

As we start up the school year, all our Years 3-6 students will take home a hard copy of our Acceptable Use Policy & Agreement. This document has been updated this year in line with DET requirements and contains information about the responsibilities held by teachers, students and parents when taking part in digital learning. Teachers will go through the document with students and have them sign it. We also ask that you read this and then complete the approval via Compass Events. This process assures that everyone is aware of the rules before we really get started. 

We will also keep you updated through our newsletter and other communications about all the things we can do together to ensure that our students are using iPads to their full potential as learning tools.

On that note, I can confirm that our students are not permitted to use their iPads during recess or lunchtimes without Principal team approval. Our staff team are continuing to focus on ensuring that screentime is used effectively and that our students develop social and personal connections through time away from technology.   

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN & GIRLS IN SCIENCE

Tuesday 11th February is the International Day of Women & Girls in Science.

Science in the 21st century is dynamic, collaborative and diverse, serving as a powerful tool to address global challenges and opening doors to careers far beyond the lab. Pioneers like Marie Curie have proven that women can shape and lead scientific disciplines. Yet, her standing as one of the few widely recognized women scientists reveals the pressing need to advance gender equality and celebrate more diverse contributions.

Women in science who changed the world

International Day of Women and Girls in Science (youtube.com)

Days like this are a GREAT way to think about the things we can all do to inspire, promote, engage, and excite our girls in all thing’s science. We can all work together to do this as a Greenhills team. 

HOT WEATHER & HOT CLASSROOMS

You can guarantee a heatwave each year when school returns! We would like to give our students a big shout out for the way they have navigated and dealt with the hot weather over the past few days. On these days we do enact a “hot weather” timetable and reduce the time students spend outside at recess or lunch. All our teaching spaces have air-conditioning, and we are working to fix these in a couple of classrooms whilst other units need to be updated or replaced. If your child is in a room where the air-conditioner is not working, our staff relocate to a different classroom or area of the school that is cooled sufficiently.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Our uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their own appearance, instils recognition of themselves as an integral part of the school community, and assists in developing pride in representing their school. The uniform dress code aims to promote equality amongst all students. This term as part of our wider focus on our value of RESPECT we are seeking your support to ensure that all students are dressed each and every day looking like a full member of our school team. 

We are lucky to have so many uniform options provided through PSW, and I also encourage any families having difficulties providing school uniform to contact me at the school so that we can assist.

If a student is not in school uniform as listed in our policy, a member of the principal team will issue them with a uniform pass as a reminder. We will then also follow up with families to help ensure and support our students to follow the policy. 

FINAL CALL FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS

This is a final reminder that we have 4 x parent vacancies for School Council for a period of two years. If you are interested in nominating, please collect a form from the school office or contact me and I will arrange one to be sent home. These must be lodged at the office by 4pm Friday 7th February.

WE NEED YOUR HELP – STUDENTS WITH LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES

We have several students at our school with potential life-threatening allergies. These anaphylactic reactions are often triggered by coming into contact with nuts. Whilst we can never say we are a nut free school, we do ask all members of our school community to help keep our students safe by not bringing nuts and nut related products e.g. Nutella to school at anytime. We appreciate your support and assistance with this request. 

James Penson,

Principal.