Principal and Assistant Principal's Page

Principal's Report

Celebration of Bilingualism

Over the last fortnight, we have had many events that have showcased and celebrated our bilingual school setting.

The school production ‘The Hidden Talent’ was an excellent example of this combining bilingualism, student voice and our school values of creativity, courage and personal best. This production was created by our students- the initial ideas, script, music, props, set, publicity and of course the acting and gymnastics! On the night everything that the students had worked towards came together in what was a spectacular show!

In order to achieve this success they were guided by a wonderful set of parents and volunteers and their teachers. I thank everyone for their team effort in putting this together and the leadership of Miss Nozomi Koyama and Mrs Wakana Karchnak in putting together a great production. We also had a wonderful bunch of Japanese Volunteers who gave their time and dedication towards our production and we sincerely thank you!

Our Taiko drumming group and choir performed on 10 September at the MLC Conference. The school choir were able to perform in their new tops which looked great on them! MLC donated $1000 to the school as a token of thanks and appreciation for the outstanding performances of our students. Thank you to Mr Tadashi Hanazono and Mrs Tomoko Smith for guiding our students. What a wonderful way to share our bilingual music program to the wider community! here are the videos of the performances:

Huntingdale primary school – festival song

https://dqdl6z7leoa92.cloudfront.net/production/MLC+Melbourne+/61696-61495-53775-65747_1080p.mp4

Huntingdale primary school – train song

https://dqdl6z7leoa92.cloudfront.net/production/MLC+Melbourne+/61696-60885-53574-65745_1080p.mp4

Taiko drumming – Huntingdale primary school

https://dqdl6z7leoa92.cloudfront.net/production/MLC+Melbourne+/61696-60886-53573-65147_1080p.mp4

Last Friday the foundation students performed the play ‘O Bento Bus’ as

part of their inquiry unit ‘Voice’. It was fabulous to see our students

showing great courage to perform in front of such a huge crowd. Their Japanese oral language production was outstanding as well as their eye contact, stage movement and expression. The students and teachers have dedicated their time in practising this play and bringing all of the elements together!

Yesterday I visited the hall to a packed crowd to see 1W’s performance of the ‘Three Little Pigs’. Again it was fantastic to see the children performing in front of their peers, teachers and parents so bravely and giving their personal best. The students’ oral language production again was excellent and several students had to ‘jump in’ and learn extra lines to cover for students who were away. This performance was a great partnership with the Visual Arts Program, with students helping to make the props in art sessions to use in the play. Well done to 1W, Mrs Tomoko Smith and Mrs Naoko Inuzuka for supporting the students in this activity.

Last Tuesday was our Show and Share Night, where students were able to share their learning in both languages- English and Japanese. I spoke with several parents who enjoyed seeing their child’s classroom and work. I know students worked hard to prepare for the night and the positive feedback and interaction with their parents is really valued. In the hall we had a display of collaborative artwork, a video about the production and audio of an SBS interview some of the children did.

MP Steve Dimopoulos Community Award Winner- Madeleine 5/6K

On Monday 10th September, Oakleigh MP Steve Dimopoulos award Madeleine from 5/6K his Community Award. Guided by feedback from the Year 6 teachers, Madeleine was selected for her work as a Multimedia Captain, AFL player and ambassador and her general kindness towards others. Well done!

Hats

Don’t forget that students must wear their Huntingdale hat while outside from September 1- 30 April. This includes recess, lunch, excursions and outside sports activities.

If your child does not have a Huntingdale hat, please ensure you purchase one from PSW in Ormond over the school holidays.

We will be checking to see that students have their hats next term and informing those parents of students who do not have hats.

2019 Enrolments

Planning is well underway for the 2019 school year. We ask that any current Huntingdale students who may be leaving next year to inform the school office as soon as possible.

Do you know of any neighbours, friends or family who have students starting in foundation in 2019? If so recommend that they come on a tour of our wonderful school.

We are currently taking new enrolments for students in all year levels in 2019.

Advice on Contaminated Strawberries

As a precaution, DET has asked schools to remind their families to follow the current health advice about strawberries. While it is safe to purchase strawberries, until advised, consumers should cut strawberries up before consuming them.

This advice currently applies to all strawberries.

Anyone in possession of the Donnybrook, Berry Obsession and Berry Licious, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries, and Oasis strawberries should dispose of them or return to the place of purchase. These brands have been removed from sale.

Anyone who finds a contaminated strawberry should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Student Achievements

Masato from 56K was awarded a Pass with Honours in Practice of Music, Grade 5 in the subject of Piano. Well done Masato!

I hope everyone has a great holiday and a restful break.

See you in Term 4

Ruth Biddle

Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

It has been such a busy term in Term 3. What a great celebration at the whole school performance on 7th September. I am sure you are so proud of your children’s achievement on the night. I enjoyed their performance so much as it was my first time to sit out the front and watch the whole performance. Our special visitors (including Consul General of Japan, Japan Club of Victoria, Australia-Japan Society of Victoria) enjoyed the performance and were very pleasantly surprised by our children’s achievement in Japanese.

Show and Show Night

Thank you very much to everyone who came down to the Hall to see the children’s collaborative art work from Education week, the Grade 6’s production video and also to listen to SBS Radio’s interview on Show and Share Night. Children’s art works are still on display now. Thank you to Naoko for working with the children to create such beautiful art work. Thank you also to Nozomi for creating the production video with the students.

Japanese Plays

I had the pleasure to be invited to see the Foundation children’s play and Grade 1 children’s play. I was so surprised at how confident the children were to speak in Japanese to perform their plays. I have seen their practice runs in class, so it was amazing to see them perform for you. These oral production activities are very important for children as they help them to enjoy using the language. I hope you are so proud of them.

Slow Art Collective Collaborative Art Work

Slow Art Collective, Arch-Loom

Students were invited to join in the building of Archiloom, an exciting new woven artwork by the Slow Art Collective. Over the course of two workshops, students worked with the artists and members of Monash University's Science Department, being introduced to weaving techniques, circuit building, creative sustainability and individual responsibility.

Why Slow Art?

‘Slow Art’ is about slow exchanges of value rather than the fast, monetary exchange of value. It is about the slow absorption of culture through community links by creating something together and blurring the boundary between the artists and viewer. It is a sustainable arts practice, not an extreme solution; a reasonable alternative to deal with real problems in contemporary art practice.

The artwork will continue to be up in the space for this weekend, so I encourage your family to have a look at the space all beautifully decorated. https://www.facebook.com/events/1847034652043088/

Lost Property

Lost property is mounting up again…Please check the tubs in office to see if anything belongs to your child. And, please remember, that if you put your child’s name on their lunch box, jacket, hat, etc., there is a better chance of them finding their owner. At the end of each term items left are disposed of responsibly..

The cherry blossoms are beautiful on the street. Please enjoy the time with children during the school holidays!

Naomi Mori-Hanazono

Assistant Principal