David's Message

Dear Sunshine Heights Parents and Carers,

We're almost halfway through term 2, and we have some exciting things coming up. On Thursday 6th June we have Twilight School. On this day we start at 1pm and go through to 7pm at night. We also have lunch (or dinner!) break between 5pm and 6pm. Team kids is available for a half day enrolment for students who need supervision in the morning. Throughout the day parents are welcome to pop into the classroom, sit with their child and engage in the learning we undertake with our students each day. This is a very special day for us, and your teacher will let you know if you need to bring anything special such as a torch for your child's activities.

A reminder also that on the following Tuesday (11th June), school is closed to students for our professional practice day, with Team Kids available for bookings. This follows the public holiday on Monday 10th June. 

Friday marked another special day for our community to think about. May 17th is the Internation Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT). The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all Victorian Government Schools are respectful, safe and inclusive spaces of learning and work for all students, staff and members of our communities. We support this day for a number of reasons. Child Safe Standard 5 gives obligations for schools to uphold diversity and equity for everyone regardless of their background characteristics or beliefs. All government schools must ensure the Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination Policy for students and employees in embedded into our daily actions. But the most significant reason is that young people from LGBTIQ backgrounds who youth live in a community that is accepting of LGBTIQ people reported significantly lower rates of impacted mental health, self-harm and risk taking behaviours than those who do not. Given the statistics and risks to young people who do identify as LGBTIQ, the moral imperative for us to work together in creating a safe space is significant. I therefore vow to stand with my LGBTIQ colleagues, parents, students and community to create a safe and inclusive environment in which we don't just survive, but thrive. If anyone wishes to talk to me about this, or the actions we take, you are very welcome to pop in to the office and chat with me or the team. 

Best wishes, 

David and the Sunshine Heights Team