Message from the Principal
James Penson
MINI FAIR - FUN, FABULOUS, FUNDRAISING
Fun was the word last Friday for our second ever Mini-Fair. A big shout out to everyone that assisted and a special mention to our all of our Year 5 & 6 staff and students who turned an outstanding “Earn & Learn” inquiry maths unit into a real-life extravaganza!
I think it was just what the school needed, and I know that our students all walked away with big smiles on their faces…especially those ones that landed a wet sponge on one of our brave staff members!
We will confirm the total funds raised shortly and this money will be used to purchase a cubby house or even cubby houses. We are working to get this installed this year.
Thank you for your support!
YEAR 5 MELBOURNE CITY CULTURE & CONNECTION DAY
What a GREAT day last Monday! The Year 5’s visited the Arts Centre, Birrarung Marr, the NGV, ACMI, Carlton Gardens and finished off with a delicious dinner and gelato on Lygon Street. Our vision at Greenhills is for our students to be curious, connected and open to challenge and have a positive impact on the community. Days like this one are perfect examples of us working and striving to deliver this vision.
A special thanks to Lauren Richardson for her incredible organisation to make this day possible, along with all members of our Specialist Team, Roberta Iebbiano, Ebony Killmister and Ashley Dunne along with our Year 5 teaching team.
PARENT / CAREGIVER SURVEY SUMMARY 2025
We are excited to share that the results of our 2025 Parent & Caregiver Survey have been our strongest yet. Across all areas of the survey, we have had a significant percentage of positive responses (I agree or I strongly agree). Thank you for this feedback and know that we will continue to work hard to improve what we do for our students and involve you in that process. Here is brief summary of some of the areas / questions:
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Total Number of Responses | 72 | 99 | 111 | 106 |
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| This school always aims to improve the quality of education it provides. | 79
| 79
| 85
| 90
|
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| I am able to get the information I need through the school’s regular communication channels. | 81 | 87 | 90 | 92 |
TEACHER COMMUNICATION
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Teachers communicate with me often enough about my child’s education. | 53 | 58 | 67 | 71 |
PARENT SUPPORT IN LEARNING
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
This school provides me with information that helps me support my child’s learning. *new question in survey from 2024 | - | - | 69 | 77 |
EFFECTIVE TEACHING
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Teachers provide useful feedback and respond to the learning needs of my child. | 58 | 69 | 75 | 74 |
| My child is taught organisation skills to help with him/her managing homework and/or school load. | 36 | 41 | 66 | 71 |
STUDENT SAFETY
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| My child feels confident about the skills and strategies he/she has learnt at school to address bullying behaviours. | 43 | 51 | 72 | 75 |
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| The school respects and values my families' beliefs and wishes. | 67 | 78 | 83 | 86 |
| The school communicates the importance of respecting all cultural beliefs and practices. | 83
| 83
| 83
| 92
|
POSITIVE TRANSITIONS
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| My child has been supported this year to adjust to his/her new level. | 76 | 87 | 91 | 83 |
| I feel confident that this school prepares students for the next phase of their life/schooling | 66 | 80 | 83 | 85 |
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| This school celebrates student achievement in all areas. | 72 | 85 | 87 | 92 |
SCHOOL PRIDE AND CONFIDENCE
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| I feel confident that this school provides a good standard of education for my child. | 72 | 86 | 89 | 86 |
PARENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| This school gives me opportunities to participate in my child’s education. | 81
| 83
| 81
| 87
|
SCHOOL ETHOS & ENVIRONMENT
*% Positive Responses
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| This school has clean and well-maintained facilities and grounds. | 81
| 68
| 54
| 78
|
TERM 4 - MEET WITH THE PRINCIPAL TEAM
Don’t forget that on Wednesday 12th November at 7.30pm we will host our Term 4 Mid-Term Meet with the Principal Team. The session will be held via Webex with the link sent out shortly. This session is usually very well attended as we share information about the structure of our school for 2026 including the number of classes, number of students in each class and if we will have any composite classes as part of our structure. We will also gather some feedback on our School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix which we will use to make some changes and updates ready for the 2026 school year and beyond.
SAVE THE DATE – PARENT & CAREGIVER HELPERS MORNING TEA
As a thank you to all parents, grandparents and carers who do a wonderful job helping at the school we are holding a thankyou afternoon tea on Tuesday 2nd December from 3pm – 4pm in the Library. The invitation is open to all parents or grandparents or family members who have helped in any way this year. There is no doubt that without such amazing community support we would not be able to achieve what we do. If you are unable to attend we thank you for your contribution and commitment to Greenhills Primary School during 2025.
James Penson,
Principal.
