From Christian's desk....

Whole School and Level Event Days

As I shared earlier this term our staff have been planning lots of events to either ‘catch-up’ on all those things we’ve missed out on this year or add some additional fun and excitement to our final term.

Last week the Preps celebrated Fairy-Tales in Real Life, yesterday our community celebrated Book Week and today is Footy Day. Looking forward, we have Positive Education Day (4th November) and Outdoor Classroom Day (5th November). More detail will be provided to families via the Weekly Learning Level Newsletters. Our mantra for these days is: ‘do simple well’, with our intention being to engage our students in school life without adding additional stress to families or staff.

Please refer to Amy’s page for more pics of a great week!

Curriculum Day

On Tuesday evening School Council met and endorsed the school’s request for a Curriculum Day for Report Writing on Monday 23rd November. Please refer to the Compass post for more information on the day.

There will be no school on this day, as per the norm, Out of School Hours Care will offer a service for children requiring supervision and care. For all Out of School Hours Care bookings please email oshc.croydon.hills.ps@education.vic.gov.au or call 9724 4514.

Congratulations Nikky!

As I shared in the newsletter last week, our very own Nikky Edwards was nominated for and a finalist in both the Parents Victoria 'Joan Kirner Award' and the 'Parent Champion During Covid' Award. The Joan Kirner Award is an annual award given to a Member Parent Club, Parent, or Individual Member who has demonstrated, encouraged, or facilitated parent or family engagement in their school - this award was won by CHPS's Sue and Paul Brophy last year! The 'Parent Champion During COVID' is a new award for clubs and parents who have made a positive contribution to their school community during the 'learning from home' periods this year.

On Monday, School Council President Sian Jamison, the Administration team and I 'Zoomed in' to hear Education Minister, James Merlino present both awards. There was rapturous applause when Minister Merlino announced Nikky as the winner of the 'Parent Champion During Covid'. In typical Nikky fashion, she was humbled.

Again, thank you to Nikky and all of the families as you have gone above and beyond to support learning through our COVID-19 year.

Parent Opinion Survey

My thanks to those parents who have already taken the time to support our school by participating in this year's DET Parent Opinion Survey. This tool is used to measure school successes and enables us to respond to community attitudes as we plan for the future, to deliver the best outcomes for your children.

This year we have invited all school families to participate via Compass and I would ask you, if you haven't already done so, to please take the time to log in to the online survey (details on Compass) and give us your feedback. Your responses are anonymous and the survey is open until November 13th.

School Safety and Security

Over the past few months we have had increasing concerns around some unwanted visitors in the school grounds. Whilst I welcome community use of our external sports fields and playgrounds, the behaviours of a small group of external community members concern me. Their behaviour has been monitored on our CCTV and reported to police. Further, senior staff have confronted some individuals and requested realignment of behaviour. Thankfully this has been met with apologies.

If you are around the school grounds after hours and witness inappropriate behaviours please consider your personal safety and, rather than approaching visitors yourself, please call the Croydon Police Station on 9724 0100.

Long Weekend

We hope all families enjoy their Grand Final long weekend. I know what I'll be doing on Saturday, even though the mighty Saints got so near and yet so far...

Christian Holdsworth - Principal

For our students....

This Week's Birthdays

Artist of the Week - this one's delicious!