Dear HPS Community,

What a fabulous morning we spent acknowledging and celebrating all our HPS mums, grandmas, aunties and special friends this morning! There was a great vibe in the hall as kids coloured pictures for Mother's Day, photos were taken to celebrate amazing women at the photo booth and people chatted over delicious food and hot cuppas. Thank you to Bakers Delight Rosanna for the generous donation of sweet and savoury treats.

The Mother's Day Morning Tea, organised by our wonderful community engagement leader Emma-Jane Stabb, school council member Lavanya Thirumalaisami and learning specialist Tegan Griffiths, was such a beautiful event to show our gratitude and love to these very special people in the children's lives. Thanks also to school council member Enaksha Garde and Lavanya's daughter, Ziva for their assistance prior to and during the event.

Welcome back to the Year 5 campers! They enjoyed a three day adventure at Mt Alexandrea camp where there were plenty of opportunities to demonstrate of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Compassion. There were lots of challenges accepted, personal growth and development made as well as independence developed.

Next week from Monday to Thursday our Year 6 students will enjoy their opportunity to attend camp. We wish all students, staff and parent volunteers who are attending a wonderful week ahead.

NB- please do not park on Darebin St outside the hall on Monday morning or Thursday afternoon as the buses need to park there for safe pick up and drop off.

At the first whole school assembly this term, I set a challenge in relation to the singing of the school song. The song is a commitment of togetherness and a source of sharing school pride. After noting somewhat a lack of togetherness and pride during the singing of the song, I set the challenge for classes and students to practice across the next week and come to the next assembly willing to present togetherness and pride. It was music to my ears on Monday when the challenge was definitely achieved. A fine rendition of a song about a fine primary school! Well done everyone. The words of the HPS school song can be found in the general news & reminders section of Capers each week.

Baby news!!

Congratulations to Anouka Hoppmann-Smith and her partner Chris, on the safe arrival of their baby boy, Harry. Born 5/5/25. A 3.7kg little bundle of love. We are excited for a new baby to join our HPS family.

Education Support (ES) Week

The crucial and diverse role of ES members in schools cannot be overstated. Teachers often express their reliance on ES colleagues, including office staff, maintenance and gardening personnel, classroom aides, first aid, and many more.

Education Support Personnel (ESP) Day is celebrated around the world each year on 16 May.

We are very lucky to have an amazing ES team at HPS and we will be celebrating these staff and their contributions across the week.

Be sure to show them kindness and gratitude when you see them around our school!

School Council Subcommittees

Are you interested in joining one of our subcommittees in 2025? These groups are open to the school community to join and we welcome your participation.

Please email me (naomi.ivers@education.vic.gov.au) if you are keen to join or have any questions. I will then be able to put you in touch with the convener of the group you are nominating, who can inform you of specific details.

Education (Curriculum & Wellbeing)
Buildings and Grounds
School Aged Care
Finance
Community Engagement & Fundraising

HPS Gardener

Do you know someone who is looking for gardening work for approx 6 hours p/w? We are looking to replace Dave, who finished up earlier this year. The job includes pruning, hedging, weeding, planting and mulching with all tools and equipment provided. Our school community strongly views our environment, including our beautiful gardens, with such pride and we wish for that to continue. Please direct your enquires about this position to Jack Thornton on 9457 2259.

Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)

The AtoSS is a voluntary student survey offered by the Department of Education every year to students in Years 4 to 12, to help schools and the department understand students' experiences of school. The survey asks children about their thoughts and feelings about their school, their learning, relationships with other students, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. ORIMA Research Pty Ltd has been contracted by the department to manage the collection of the online survey and will provide support to schools. This year, the survey will be conducted at HPS between 26th May and 13th June.

Further information will be sent to families with students in Year 4-6 next week, including details on opting out.

Education Week

Education Week is an annual celebration of public education in Victoria.

In 2025, Victoria will celebrate Education Week from Monday 19 May to Friday 23 May.

All children deserve a place to learn and thrive in. This year’s theme Celebration of Cultures highlights the diversity of our communities and the importance of every child feeling safe and welcome at school.

HPS will be having an Open Morning on Friday 23rd May from 9.30-11am. Current and prospective families and community members are welcome to come and see our classrooms in action.

From 11-11.30am, there will be a Q&A opportunity with the principal and school student leaders. We hope to see you there!

National Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June

Thank you to HPS parent, Fiona Lawrie, on behalf of Office Works, for donating posters to every classroom that promote the upcoming National Reconciliation Week.

Did you know that National Reconciliation Week starts with the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and ends on the anniversary of the Mabo victory, which led to the Australian Government recognising native title, and acknowledging Indigenous Australians as the original occupants of Australia?

National Reconciliation Week celebrates the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and all other Australians. Every year, the week is held between the same dates, 27 May to 3 June. The dates draw attention to significant historical events. May 27 marks the day in 1967 when the referendum was passed for the Australian Government to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, and to allow for recognition in the national census. The 3rd of June marks the day in 1992 that led the Australian Government to legally recognise native title and acknowledge Indigenous Australians as the original occupants of Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024 Now More Than Ever is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue. Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect.

We need action. And we need change.   Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

2025 Camp Dates:

Year 6 - Monday 12th - Thursday 15th May

Year 4 - Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th August

School Council Meeting Dates: Start time 6pm, Conclude by 8pm

Term 2

Tuesday 20 May

Tuesday 17 June

Term 3

Tuesday 12 August

Tuesday 9 September

Term 4

Tuesday 28 October

Tuesday 2 December

Upcoming Dates
Friday 16th May Monday 19th - Friday 23rd May	Walk Safely To School Day Education Week
Monday 19th May	Open Morning 9.30-11.30am
Monday 9th June	King's Birthday - No Students
Monday 23rd June	Pupil Free Day
Friday 4th July	End of Term 2 - 2:30pm Finish

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and a very happy Mother's Day on Sunday!

Naomi Ivers

Principal

Heidelberg Primary School

Heidelberg PS - Capers

Respect | Responsibility | Resilience | Compassion

Term 2 - Issue 3 · 09 May 2025

In this issue