Principal Report
Welcome to our final newsletter of Term Three. We have had some fabulous events recently including Sports Colours Day, our School Production, Buddies Day and of course Market Day. As always a huge thank you to all of our teachers for their dedication, care and commitment to the school and the students in their care. You do a wonderful job and make HPS a great place to be.
Attendance
As you know, at Highvale Primary School we firmly believe that attending school every day plays a crucial role in shaping a child's educational journey. Regular attendance allows students to fully engage in classroom activities, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. It provides them with the opportunity to grasp new concepts, ask questions, and collaborate with their peers. Consistent attendance helps build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, enabling children to excel academically.
Today I will reflect on our August attendance at Highvale PS. There were 179 students who attended school every day in August. Congratulations to the HPS students who were at school every day in August, you are superstars! A few of these students include:
3H - Kian D, Cassie H, Talitha H, Lisa L, Quinn L & Emma L
3N - Shawn F, Pritika G, Sidarrth G & Chloe L
4D - Claire C, Grace J, Aaron L, Vicky L & E-Dayne T
4Q - Lin R, Chong Z, Michael P & Sam T
5L - Emma L, Johnny Y & Chloe K
5S - Elizabeth C, Grace L, Andrea L & Ethan S
6S - Aishaanya A & Rishil A
6D - Avik A & Bella B
Well done everyone!
School Production: Star Warts
Our whole School Production of Star Warts: The umpire strikes back was held on Wednesday 11th September at Crossways and it was an outstanding display of our students ability to ‘put on a show’. Our students were impressive as they sang, danced and entertained the audience with their skills and talents. A special mention to our main cast who remembered an incredible amount of dialogue and presented in such a clear and confident manner. A huge thank you to all of the teachers for their efforts in preparing the students for the big night. Miss Stoddart and her leadership of this production is to be celebrated. A huge thank you to you Miss Stoddart, we could not have done this without you. I look forward to watching the production again via the video recorded by Aidemedia.
Market Day
Well done to our Level Five and Six students on the successful Market Day stalls they had set up in the MPC on Wednesday. For the last 5 weeks, the students have been working on their Market Day stall, brainstorming ideas, getting organised and setting up for success. Earlier in the term the Level Five and Six students voted on a charity to donate too and they voted on the Make a Wish Foundation. We are excited to see how much money we will be able to donate to them as a result of our Market Day.
I visited Market Day and was impressed by the variety of stalls and the thoughtful prizes that were on offer. I was lucky enough to win a crochet octopus, some sweets, a bracelet, some lip balm and a glow stick. My favourite activity was archery and the students leading the stall were VERY helpful as I’d never done archery before. Thank you to our Leve Five and Six students and teachers for organising such a fun day for all of the students to participate in.
Here are some student insights into the Market Day.
Tahlia 6D - My stall was Laugh-a-palooza and we were doing carnival games. We had a mini claw machine, water games, ring toss and mystery cups. We offered poppits, candy, pop tubes and stretchy monsters as prizes. My favourite part of the day was trying to get people to come and buy our products. People were really interested in the claw machine, because it’s rare to see one like this. We made over $100 at our stall. I feel really good that the money we raised goes to kids who need it.
Aryan 6D – My stall was called Fun Day Inc. and we were selling Bloo Wonder trading cards as well as Bloo Wonder inspired plants and we also did the 1990 retro games. We sold Booster Packs which were $2 and they were popular. People liked our stall because it was for everyone, and the Bloo Wonder potted plants sold out in the first hour. We made a lot of money to donate to the Make a Wish foundation. A special thanks to Mr Crozier for his idea of Retro Games.
Aqeil 6S – My stall was Ping- Pong Toss and people had to bounce the ball into the three different rows of cups. Depending on which row your ball landed in, you won a prize. We raised $136 and the profit was about $90. My group was a bit shy and they didn’t approach people at first, but as the day went on they gained confident. My favourite part of the day was spending time with my group and meeting the customers from different classes.
Ethan S 6D – My stall was called ‘Archery or Nothing’ and we didn’t get a lot of customers at the start. But then suddenly there was a lot of customers waiting. We earned $100. The problem for us was that because we were set up outside, our customers had to come outside and we were away from the most of the other stalls. We also had a competitor beside us who may have taken some business away from us. We were happy with our profit and proud of our efforts on the day. It’s good to have the feeling that you made a profit and were successful in your business.
All of the students wanted to say a HUGE thank you to the Level Five and Six teachers who went and bought the supplies that the students needed.
Farewell Mr Crozier
As you will know from a recent Compass post Mr Crozier will be taking some Long Service Leave in Term Four and has then secured a position as the Assistant Principal of Glendal PS. We thank Mr Crozier for his contribution to Highvale PS over the past 10 years. You have been an integral part of our school community and will be missed by all of the staff, students and families. We wish you a wonderful holiday with your family in Term Four and the best of luck in your new role in 2025. Highvale will miss you!
Our School Council president, Purvinder Klair has written the following message for Mr Crozier on behalf of the HPS Council:
Mr Crozier, we would like to thank you for the immense and positive contribution you have made to Highvale and the Community. Your approachable nature, caring demeanour, work ethic and continuous hard work has made Highvale a better School. You will be missed and we wish you all the best at your new School.
Some of Year Six students also wanted to take the opportunity to say a BIG thank you to Mr Crozier.
Steven 6S - Thanks for helping us around the school and thanks for your speeches that make the school a happier and better place. Good luck at your new school.
Meha 6S - Thank you for doing everything you can to make the school what it is today. Noone can replace you and we are so grateful.
Ria 6S - Thank you for your inspiring speeches at assembly and for making us laugh by dressing up as a minion.
Again a huge thank you and goodbye to Mr Crozier, you mean so much to us at Highvale Primary School.
End of Term Three
This Friday 20th September is the last day of term and students will be dismissed at 2:30pm. Please make arrangements for your child to be collected at 2:30pm. School will resume for the first day of Term Four on Monday 7th October. We hope you have a fantastic and safe holiday break.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Kids Help - kidshelpline.com.au phone 1800 55 1800
Parent Line - betterhealth.vic.gov.au phone 13 22 89
Headspace - headspace.org.au phone 1800 650 890
eSafety Commissioner - esafety.gov.au - Advice for parents and carers to help children have safe experiences online
Next term we have more amazing opportunities for our students including The Human Development Workshop, Athletics Day, Remembrance Day celebrations and a range of incursions/ excursions. A very busy time indeed! These opportunities enrich the students learning opportunities. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the term. I am looking forward to a fabulous Term Four with you all.
Carly Epskamp
Acting Principal
carly.epskamp@education.vic.gov.au