Message from the Principal 

2026 THE ART & SCIENCE MIX

This photo highlights how our staff are really taking on the challenge this year to mix the best of the “science” and “art” of teaching. This maths lesson was focused on learning to multiply numbers using vertical algorithm and combined into a scavenger hunt. Our Year 3/4 Maths program works through a “See It’, “Try It”, “Play IT” and “Check It” process each week. This was obviously the “Play It” section. 

UPCOMING CURRICULUM DAY – FRIDAY MARCH 6TH

On Friday 6th March we are organising a full day conference at the Uni Hill Conference Centre in Bundoora with other local schools (Banyule PS, Apollo Parkways PS and Glen Katherine PS). The focus is on the Victorian Teaching and Learning model (VTLM 2.) and specifically the areas of explicit instruction and supported application. I will provide a run down and summary of the day in the newsletter on 11th March.

Don’t forget TeamKids will be operating a full day program on this day.

OUR GREENHILLS ART GALLERY

One of our strengths at Greenhills is the broad range of learning opportunities our students have. A G.R.E.A.T. example of this are our specialist subjects: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, STEAM, Physical Education and Italian. These five subjects ensure that our students can be creative, curious and connected.

These two photos are our Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3/4 Monochromatic Portraits (Mono meaning one and Chromatic meaning colour). After viewing and discussing several examples of monochromatic artworks, the students created a portrait of themselves, then combined these individual artworks to create a huge celebration masterpiece in rainbow colour order. They look fantastic! 

STUDENT AGENCY 

Each morning at 9am, our students spend the first 15 minutes of the day focusing on developing their agency and responsibility for their learning. In effect, student agency is all about learning how to learn. Our aim is that by focusing on this each day, we build our skills set and strengths so that by the time our students leave Greenhills to go to high school, that they are as well prepared as possible. 

Our Principal team walk around the school each morning to see this in action and we all agree that this is enabling our students to have a very settled and focused start to the school day. 

This week we launched into our new High Impact Learner Agency Trait (HILAT) which is “Being Persistent”.

Our HILAT’s are twelve traits that we believe are key to fostering a high level of agency in learners. These elements serve as the foundation for developing confident, self-directed individuals who can navigate their learning with purpose. 

You can read more about this in our Learning & Wellbeing section of the newsletter this week.

STUDENT AGENCY CONFERENCES

Of course, another part of our focus on student agency are our Student Agency Conferences. These are set for Tuesday 31st March. Put this date in your diary as students only attend on this day for the time of their conference.

 Bookings will be open next week.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Next Tuesday 3rd March at 7pm, we will hold our first school council meeting for 2026. This is where office bearers such as School Council president will be elected. School Council meetings are held in the staffroom.

At this meeting we will also establish our sub-committee or working party structure and schedule for this year.

These committees are open to all members of our school community to join and where the work of School Council is done. It is great to have a mix of parents and carers from across the school on each of these. I will outline the structure of our subcommittee or working parties in future newsletters, along with the time and dates for the meetings.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones — Student Use Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Greenhills Primary School during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted. This includes iPads fitted with a Sim card and message sending function and smartwatches.

At Greenhills Primary School, students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off during the school day between 8.45am and 3.45pm. When emergencies occur, parents or carers should reach their child by calling the school’s office.

STUDENT INSURANCE

This is a reminder to all parents and carers that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs. These costs may be recoverable where an injury is caused by the negligence (carelessness) of the Department, a school council or their employees or volunteers.

Student accident insurance policies at low cost are available from commercial insurers.

These cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. I encourage all families to investigate these options and make a decision that suits your needs and requirements. I also encourage everyone to ensure that their ambulance membership is up to date.

QUESTION PROMPT OF THE WEEK

My “Question Prompt For This Week” focuses on learning.

What is something new you have learned recently, and how did you learn it?

James Penson,

Principal.