What a month it has been to start the term! We’ve had the Art Trail, lots of sporting success, the Book Fair, many specialist incursions, a BBQ, prep transition, unfortunately quite a bit of illness with students and staff, and a whole lot more. Term 4 is generally at break-neck speed, so strap yourselves in for the next 8 weeks of fun and festivities!

Art Trail

It was wonderful to see such a huge turnout at the Art Trail a fortnight ago. The quality, quantity and diversity of art on show was a testament to what is an outstanding program planned and taught by Dani. It is clear that your children’s talents and interests are being so well fostered weekly in art and I trust you enjoyed the whole experience. A huge thank you to Dani, and to all teachers, students and parents who contributed to a wonderful afternoon!

BiG Day In @ HPS

Our school is thrilled and privileged to be the only Victorian school to host the BiG Day In. The BiG Day In Junior events are workshop based days for Year 5 and 6 students, who participate in hands on workshops to encourage them to study STEM subjects in high school. The event is sponsored by tech-companies, showcasing the latest in gadgetry and technology. This year our Grade 5/6 students will get to experience workshops such as the one run by SolarBuddy, where they build a solar powered light that is then sent to a 'buddy' in a remote community in Papua New Guinea. I look forward to sharing photos and reflections from this incredible event!

Smart Watches & Phones Policy

Our School’s Mobile Phone Policy is consistent with the Department of Education’s policy, which requires mobile phones and other devices with connectivity (such as smart watches) to be locked away throughout the day. It has become apparent of late that many students are not handing in phones and smart watches to teachers at the start of the day. To ensure consistency and safety for devices, as of Monday 30th October, all classes will have a lockable safe, whereby students will hand in and sign in their device at the start of the day and collect it and sign it out before going home.

It is important to note that this is not a change to our policy, but a concerted effort to ensure we follow the DET’s requirements and in the process, keep your child’s device safe during the day. If you need to contact them during the day, you can easily get messages, forgotten items, and the like to them via the office.

2024 Student Requests

One of the most critical pieces of planning that occur in Term 4 is forming classes that will enable your children to reach their full potential. As per our Class Placement Policy, all students are provided with a chance to list friends they feel they work productively with. Teachers then work hard to ensure social, emotional and academic needs are considered when classes are re-formed. Should you have any specific and evidenced reasons you feel should be taken into consideration when placing your child with classmates in 2024, please outline these in a letter/email to joshua.sheffield@education.vic.gov.au by Friday 10th November. All requests will be carefully considered and, where valid, attempt to be accommodated, but are not guaranteed. Requests for particular teachers will not be considered under any circumstances, nor will requests received after the due date.

Kiss & Go Safety

Over the past weeks, there has been a regular presence from Bayside Council parking officers at our Kiss and Go area. Whilst I can understand the frustration that exists with limited parking and drop-off area, particularly when it’s raining, they are there to ensure your children are safe when entering/exiting school or crossing the road.

School Council has written to Bayside to review whether there is the opportunity to extend our zone, however this looks unlikely given at either end we have a main road and a crossing.

With the expectation that this probably won’t change, I ask families to plan ahead where possible, be safe always, and think of others.

Bike Shed Safety

It's wonderful to see so many students riding and scooting to school, particularly given the instalment of many more racks to allow it as a consequence of some wonderful fundraising. Please remember that whilst this is locked during the day, the best way to secure your child's bike is with a bike lock, to the racks provided.

New & Important Dates

Tonight: BYOD Information Session (Grade 3 families)
Thursday 30th November: Foundation – Gr 2 Mini Olympics
Tuesday 5th December: House Swimming Carnival
Wednesday 6th – 8th December: Grade 3 Camp
Tuesday 20th December – 1:30pm: Students dismissed for the year

To stay up to date with all events and key dates, see the Compass Calendar.

Parent Contributions

Parent payments will be shared via Compass in the week beginning 30 October.

Celebrations

DIVISION ATHLETICS SUCCESS

Congratulations to our Division Athletics team that last week competed to qualify for the State Finals. Our team of 16 finished with many records and placings, with one relay team also qualifying for the State Finals. Congratulations to Miles A, Clementine B, Tasman B, Ed B, Ellysia C, Orlando E, Milla E, Sophie G, Callan J, Lexi K, Ella S, Barny S, Skylar S, Jack S, Atticus T and Mia T on reaching this stage. Good luck to Barny, Jack, Tasman and Eddie at the upcoming State Finals.

FUTSAL CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the students that participated in the Football Victoria Futsal Championships last week. We had a Grade 5 and Grade 6 team entered, with the Grade 5 team narrowly missing the final on goal difference, whilst our Grade 6 team won the final 2-0. Both are outstanding achievements, given our Grade 5s are bottom age and our 6s won, before heading off to the National Championships later this year. Congratulations Callan J, Ari W, Jackson M, River B, Ethan L, Orlando E, Jude J and Freddey S from Grade 5 and Zac S, Jake D, Euan P, Elliot C, Jayce C, Tom G and Mason V from Grade 6.

Specialists