Welcome back to all members of our school community as we begin another exciting school year! It’s wonderful to see how smoothly our students have settled into positive and productive learning environments, including our new Foundation students and those who have recently joined HEPS. Starting school or moving to a new one is a big milestone for the entire family, and we’re incredibly proud of the positivity, resilience, and independence our new students have shown.

The start of the school year is a special time for staff, students, and families to build strong, positive relationships and truly get to know one another. This focus during the first few weeks lays the foundation for meaningful learning, personal growth, and social development throughout the year. Let’s make it a fantastic year together.

Capital Works Update

You may notice some exciting changes around our school as our capital works project is well underway! Over the holidays, we made great progress, including the removal of the Foundation playground, Japanese room, and old toilet block to make way for new and improved facilities. Our brand-new toilets are now installed, and construction of our modern administration building will take place over the next few months. We are also hoping for our new playground to be built over the next few months. This will replace the current 3/4 playground. We appreciate your support and patience as we work to enhance our school environment. We will keep you updated on the progress.

Information Evening- Tonight

This is a reminder that all Information Sessions will take place tonight. See flyer for more information.

Foundation at 3.45 in Foundation classrooms

Level 1 and 2 at 5.45pm in the BER middle space

Level 3 and 4 at 5pm in the Villa

Level 5 and 6 at 6.30 in the BER middle space

Start Up Program, BBQ & Open Classroom

Friday 7th of February - Tomorrow

We’re so excited to share what a fantastic start to the year our students and teachers have had with the ‘Start Up’ program! Over the past week, this program has been helping students and teachers connect, settle into routines, and explore the values and behaviours that make HEPS such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

To celebrate this great beginning, we warmly invite all HEPS families to join us for a community BBQ tomorrow (Friday, 7th February) on the oval from 12:30 PM. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy some delicious food, and connect with other families.

We also welcome parents to visit their child’s classroom from 3:00 PM tomorrow to see some of the amazing work the students have been doing over the past week. It’s a great chance to celebrate their efforts and be part of their learning journey.

We can’t wait to see you there and share this special time with you!

Foundation Welcome Picnic

Thursday 13th February

Foundation parents, you are invited to a welcome picnic on Thursday 13th February to meet, mingle, and connect with one another families. This will occur on the deck of the Foundation Classrooms.

Working Bee

Sunday 2nd March 9.00 AM- 12.00 PM

We’re excited to announce our first Working Bee for 2025, happening on Sunday, 2nd March! Over the past few years, we’ve been thrilled to see such fantastic turnouts at our Working Bees, and we’re so grateful for the community spirit that makes these days so special. It’s always inspiring to see everyone come together to keep our grounds looking their very best. Check out the details above—we can’t wait to see you there!

Attendance

I wanted to take a moment to highlight the importance of regular attendance for our students at Heathmont East Primary.

Attendance plays a crucial role in your child's academic success and overall development. When students attend school consistently, they build strong foundations in both their studies and their social skills. Every lesson missed is an opportunity lost, and we understand that in the early years of primary school, every day counts toward fostering a love of learning and building confidence in new subjects.

Additionally, school routines are key to helping students develop responsibility, discipline, and a sense of belonging in their school community. Being present in school allows them to build relationships with teachers and classmates, engage in collaborative activities, and participate in the rich experiences that make school exciting.

We recognise that sometimes circumstances arise, and we are always here to support your child and your family. However, we encourage you to make school attendance a top priority, as it has a lasting impact on your child’s growth and success, both academically and socially.

If your child is absent, please enter an absence note on Compass.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing your child every day, ready to learn and grow.

Parent Helper Training

Monday 17th February from 2.45 - 3.30 PM

Please see below the flyer for our next Parent Helper training. This needs to be completed every two years.

NAPLAN - Year 3 & 5 Students

Our Year 3 and 5 students will participate in NAPLAN between 12 March – 21 March. The schedule and details will be communicated to Year 3 and 5 families in the next couple of weeks.

Before & Afterschool Supervision

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff provide yard supervision before school from 8:45 AM and after school from 3:30 to 3:45 PM. Outside of these times, if you are unable to care for your child, our Out of School Hours Care program (TeamKids) is available to provide excellent supervision and support.

We kindly ask families to avoid sending children to school too early, as there is no supervision provided before 8:45 AM. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep our school community safe and supported.

Hats on, HEPS!

A friendly reminder that ALL students must wear a school-approved hat each day to help protect them from the sun.

As outlined in our Sunsmart Policy (available on the school website):

From mid-August to 30 April, students are required to wear a sun-protective hat that shades the face, neck, and ears during all outdoor activities. Outside of this period, hats may also be worn for outdoor activities at the discretion of parents or students.
The ‘No Hat, No Play’ rule will be enforced from mid-August to the end of April. Students without a hat will be asked to stay in designated shaded areas during recess and lunch breaks.

For PE, sports lessons, or excursions, a hat may be provided by the school for the duration of the activity if your child does not have their own.

Thank you for supporting this important policy and helping us keep our students safe in the sun!

Mobile Phones at School

A friendly reminder about our school’s mobile phone policy: Mobile phones, as well as any device with similar functionality, such as smartwatches, must not be used at HEPS during school hours, including recess and lunchtime, unless an exception has been granted.

Mobile phones brought to school by students are considered valuable items and are brought at the owner’s (student’s or parent/carer’s) risk. We encourage students not to bring mobile phones to school unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

If a student needs to bring a mobile phone to school, HEPS will provide secure storage. Phones should be handed into the school administration office, where they will be stored. Classroom teachers will assist in ensuring this policy is followed. Thank you for supporting this policy and helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for all students!

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