Assistant Principals' Report
2026 NAPLAN - Year 3 and Year 5
Over the next two weeks, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will complete the NAPLAN tests. Students have been preparing for these tests with their teachers and had the opportunity to complete a practise test this week. See below the schedule for completing NAPLAN in the Primary Years. Please note that there may be last-minute changes to the scheduling of make-up tests. If you have any questions or concerns about your child completing the NAPLAN tests, please speak to your child’s teacher.
Year 1 Phonics Check Assessment
The Year 1 Phonics Check was a new assessment introduced by the Education Department last year and is a short screening assessment that informs schools about how students are progressing with phonics. We recently received our results from this assessment, which indicated that we are students had performed well. This is a great reflection of the work of our teachers and the learning of our students in the Primary Years.
Home Reading
Reading together at home is one of the most powerful and enjoyable ways to support your child’s learning. When you share a book, you’re not just helping them practise words; you’re building connection, conversation, imagination and confidence. Snuggling up, laughing at a funny page, wondering what might happen next, or talking about a character’s feelings all help children see reading as something warm and meaningful, not just a school task. These small, regular moments create positive memories and a lifelong love of stories.
If you’re looking for a gorgeous book to share at home, we absolutely love Teddy Took the Train by Nikki Greenberg. In our house, this book is on high rotation. Nikki Greenberg has such a wonderful way with rhyme and rhythm and her stories are playful, musical, and perfect for reading aloud together. The words just bounce off the page!
In Teddy Took the Train, Teddy visits Clifton Hill railway station, a place many of us know and visit ourselves, which makes the story feel even more special and familiar for our children. One of our favourite ways to read it is to share the job: I read most of the story, and the kids join in for the fun, catchy, rhythmic parts. It’s such a joyful way to build confidence, fluency, and connection. If you’re hoping to make family reading time extra special, this is a beautiful book to start with. Happy reading!
Ride to School
Our Student Leadership Academy (SLA) is coordinating Ride to School Day in Week 8 on Friday 20th March. The SLA is promoting active travel and healthy habits among our students.
SLA representatives will be collecting data on our current active travel rates and are aiming to improve these numbers on Ride to School Day. Students can choose to ride, scoot or walk to school, either all the way from home or part of the way.
A huge thank you to South Morang Bicycle Centre for generously donating vouchers as prizes for the day. The SLA will also be running a colouring competition to be completed at home.
We are excited to celebrate active travel as a school on Friday in Week 8.
Classroom Helpers
We are pleased to announce that we will be welcoming classroom helpers in Prep to Year 6 classes from the beginning of Term 2. To assist in our classrooms, parents and carers are required to:
- Complete our Classroom Helpers Course
- Sign a confidentiality agreement each year
- Provide a current Working With Children Check (WWCC),
- Complete the HGC Volunteer/Visitor Induction Course
We will be running an onsite Classroom Helpers Course on Wednesday 18th March from 2:10pm to 2:50pm in the PY Learning Lab. For more information and bookings, please see Compass.
Every Day Counts at Hazel Glen College
At Hazel Glen College, we know that strong attendance sets the foundation for student success. Being at school every day gives children the best chance to learn, grow and feel connected to their school community.
Why Regular Attendance Matters
Each school day plays an important role in your child’s learning journey. Consistent attendance helps students to:
- Build strong learning foundations by developing essential skills and knowledge across all curriculum areas
- Develop socially and emotionally through friendships, daily routines and positive interactions that foster confidence and belonging
- Maintain learning momentum, reducing gaps in understanding and avoiding unnecessary stress or overwhelm
Understanding Attendance Patterns
To help families stay informed and supported, we monitor attendance using the following categories:
- Repeated Absences: 5–10 days absent per term
- Ongoing At-Risk Absence: 11–15 days absent per term
- Chronic Absence: 16–25 days absent per term
We recognise that absences can sometimes be unavoidable, particularly due to illness. However, regular attendance and punctuality remain key contributors to your child’s academic progress, wellbeing and connection to school.
How You Can Support Your Child’s Attendance
Positive routines and early conversations can make a big difference. Families can support strong attendance by:
- Talking openly about school — ask your child how they’re feeling, what they enjoy and if anything is worrying them
- Being aware of potential challenges, such as:
- Bullying or cyberbullying
- Feeling disconnected or isolated
- Learning difficulties or feeling overwhelmed
- Low engagement or motivation
- Friendship or teacher relationship concerns
- Competing commitments
- Feeling misunderstood or culturally excluded
- Celebrating attendance achievements, reinforcing the value of consistency and punctuality
- Modelling commitment by demonstrating responsibility and reliability in everyday life
- Encouraging participation in school activities, sports or clubs to strengthen friendships and belonging
- Establishing consistent routines, including:
- Adequate sleep
- Completing homework
- Packing school bags the night before
- Eating breakfast and arriving on time
- Planning transport arrangements (for example, walking with a friend)
Working in Partnership
Every day truly counts. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance, we encourage you to contact their classroom teacher early so we can work together to create a supportive plan. By partnering with families, we can help ensure every student enjoys a positive, consistent and successful school experience.
If your child misses: | That equals: | or: | From Kinder to Year 12 that adds up to: | Which is the equivalent of attending until: |
1 day per fortnight | 20 days per year | 1 month per year | Nearly 1 and a half years | Part way through year 11 |
1 day per week | 40 days per year | 2 months per year | Over 2 and a half years | Part way through year 10 |
2 days per week | 80 days per year | 4 months per year | Over 5 years | The end of year 7 |
3 days per week | 120 days per year | 6 months per year | Nearly 8 years | The end of year 4 |
If your child misses: | That equals: | Which is: | And over 13 years of schooling that equates to: |
10 minutes per day | 50 minutes per week | Nearly 1.5 weeks per year | Nearly half a year |
20 minutes per day | 1 hour and 40 minutes per week | Nearly 2.5 weeks per year | Nearly 1 whole year |
Half and hour per day | Half a day per week | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1 and a half years |
1 hour per day | 1 day per week | 8 weeks per year | Nearly 2 and a half years |
Why Attendance Matters!
Did you know that students who attend school regularly are more likely to succeed academically and socially? Every day counts—missing even just one day a fortnight adds up to nearly 4 weeks of lost learning over the year! Let's work together to build strong attendance habits that set our students up for success.
More than just academic content, school is where children practise social skills, develop friendships, build routines, and form positive habits that support lifelong learning. When attendance is irregular, students can struggle to stay connected—both with the curriculum and with their peers.
