Principal's Message

Welcome Back!

What a week (and a bit!) it has been having everyone back at school! I am so proud of our students in the way they have returned to school routine and how they are meeting school expectations. We have spent a lot of time working through the Positive Start Program in classrooms, introducing our new school values - Kindness, Respect and Resilience and establishing routines. We have also been establishing expected positive behaviours with the introduction of our Matrix of Expected Behaviours. The work completed by the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support team and Department coach in 2023 have led to being able to launch this new approach at the start of this year. This approach is a great step forward for Hillsmeade and our focus on enhancing the positive behaviours we expect and would like to see.

We also welcomed the 92 Prep students that commenced with us on Friday 2nd February. Today saw their first full day of school and an introduction to the feeling of being a "real" primary school student now. Such an exciting time it has been for so many!!

The year ahead looks busy with lots of great events and activities planned across the school. Our first event is on Tuesday 13th February: MEET THE TEACHER. Classrooms will be open from 3.30-4.30pm for a drop-in style approach, welcoming families into the spaces to have a look around and get a feel for what it is like to be a student at HPS in 2024.

Our next whole school event will be the FAMILY FUN NIGHT on Tuesday 19th March 3.30-5.15pm. More information to follow but make sure you have this date in your diaries!

I am really looking forward to a terrific 2024.

Staffing Update

This year we have welcomed two new teachers to the primary school: Melissa Webster and Nichole Bell. In the ELC we welcome Betty Augustus to a Kindergarten teaching role.

We have also added to our Education Support team with Lorinda Godfrey (office), Abbey O'Shannesy, Belinda Muller and Tom Medhurst (Integration). 

Such a positive addition to the Hillsmeade community - welcome!

We also said farewell to Mr Ahmad Chazbek on Friday 2nd February. Mr Chaz - as he was fondly known by all - left Hillsmeade PS after approximately 9 years of service. We are so grateful for the dedication that Mr Chaz provided to our school, especially in developing such a phenomenal sporting program. Alkira SC Sports Academy will be lucky to have him on the team.

In his place we welcome back Ms Tabitha Carter and wish her well in her new role.

This year we see the introduction of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role. Ms Abbie Sheers was successful in being appointed and has hit the ground running in supporting teachers with their implementation of the Social Emotional Learning curriculum (SEL).

Mr Bryce Turvey has stepped into an Acting Learning Specialist role in 2024, with a focus on Numeracy and Ms Emma Zach continues in her Leading Teacher role, which is now substantive, for Disability and Inclusion.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is upon us again during Term 1 (March) for our Yr 3 and Yr 5 students. Please keep an eye out on Compass for information regarding dates and the implementation of these nation wide assessments for 2024.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend everyday of school throughout the terms. If your child is unable to attend we encourage you to please access Compass and provide a reason/explanation for their absence. Teachers and school leaders will be monitoring attendance and may be in touch with you if your child has not been at school especially if the reason for the absence is unexplained.

School Website

I'd like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication from Mr Hardev Singh and his team for the development of the Hillsmeade PS website. The website contains up to date and more relevant information for perspective and current families. I encourage you to have a glance when you can to see the update that has been done.

https://www.hillsmeade.vic.edu.au/

Curriculum Days for 2024 - Have you updated your calendars?

1. Wednesday 22nd May
2. Tuesday 13th August
3. Wednesday 27th November
4. Friday 20th December

Thank you to our entire Hillsmeade community for your support during the commencement of our school year. It has been great to reconnect with you all and please don't hesitate to reach out if you require any support or further information.