Acting Principal's Newsletter

I trust you all had a fabulous term break! It was lovely to see our students back at school, eager to share their holiday experiences, but equally eager to get back into learning. I too had a lovely term break catching up with friends, watching TV and movies and visiting both the Ian Potter Gallery ‘200 Years of Australian Fashion’ and the National Gallery to see the Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei exhibition. I highly recommend it!

I will be Acting Principal until May 11. Principal Kate Gray is on long service leave for the next few weeks and then is embarking on a trip to New Zealand as the Australian State Schools under 15 Netball Head Coach. I will be sure to keep the school community updated on the results of the tournament and fingers crossed they bring home the championship!

Last week our Year 3-6’s embarked on an adventure to Camp Rumbug. I visited camp on Thursday 14th April and it was pleasing to see so many smiling faces! I watched the flying fox and giant swing and enjoyed lunch with our students. I also had very sore calves the next day from all the walking up the hills! Acting Assistant Principal Naomi Mori-Hanazono has a more detailed report about camp in her newsletter section. I would like to extend my thanks to all of our staff for looking after students at camp. It is a huge undertaking to leave your own family and look after children full time over three days. I’d like to acknowledge the excellent organisation of camp by Keiko Harada. It is a huge job to organise such an event and camp ran very smoothly.

Each term there is a reminder in the newsletter regarding measles, chickenpox, colds and flu. As you may or may not be aware, there are currently children in our school community who are receiving medical treatment. The children participate in the normal school program without any major limitations when they are well enough to be here. A major concern, however, is if these students develop measles or chickenpox, they can become seriously ill. I seek your cooperation in preventing this situation. If your son/daughter has or may have measles or chickenpox or is unwell, I request that you do not send them to school during this period and notify your class teacher and the office as soon as possible. Thank you for your support in keeping our school a safe place for all of our children.

Over the next week Year 5 & 6 students will participate in the Department of Education and Training’s (DET) Student Attitudes to School Survey. This survey is administered to students from Year 5-12 throughout the state to ask for feedback about their feelings and experiences about school. I will also be conducting with Grades 1-6 Huntingdale’s own student survey to find out how children feel about coming to school and their

experiences at Huntingdale. I will share the results with students and embark on a POOCH activity to discuss some of the findings.

On another note about feelings about our school, it is always with pride when I accept comments from visitors about Huntingdale. This past fortnight we have had several new visitors to our school. They have shared comments such as “The children are so well behaved and friendly here”, “I’m made to feel so welcome” and “There is a real positive feel in this school.” This is a credit to our students, teachers and parents. Together we have built a wonderful and welcoming school and positive climate for children to learn in.

This week we have had a number of

activities to mark ANZAC Day. On Tuesday 19th April, School Captains Mark and Aila joined me at the Monash Waverley School’s ANZAC Ceremony at the Cenotaph at Central Reserve in Glen Waverley. Mark and Aila listened to Colonel John Coulsen retell an ANZAC story and they laid a wreath on behalf of our school community to commemorate those who have died during World War 1.

Last week our new Grade 6 polo shirts and jackets arrived. They are the first uniform to have our new logo on it which looks really smart. We offered an alternate colour for the polo shirt this year. This really makes our Year 6’s ‘stand out’ and our younger students know who our school leaders are. Charli and Grace are modelling the new design.

Just a reminder that our Year 6-7 Transition information evening is on 26th April from 6.30pm in the Gillian Penfold Hall. This evening is designed for parents of students in years 4-6 so that they understand the process of Year 6-7 transition. Please RSVP to the school office if you are attending. A light supper will be served.

As you know this year is our school review. A number of surveys were asked of the school community. Principal Kate Gray put out a short 3 WHYS survey. Overall the survey found that parents

Initially enrol their children at Huntingdale because of the bilingual program, in a comfortable small and local school.
Currently send their children to the school because they’re happy with the school, teachers and community and the programs it offers.
Want their children by the end of 6 years to be confidently bilingual and show kindness and self-responsibility.

In the coming weeks we will share the results of the uniform survey and update you on where we are at with our school self-evaluation.

I was saddened to hear about the earthquake in Japan in Kumamoto on 14th April. I hope that anyone who has family and friends in the area is safe and well. Our thoughts are with all the families and emergency workers helping the clean up.

Finally congratulations to the following winners of our annual Easter raffle. I’m sure they enjoyed eating all that chocolate!

1st Prize – ZACHARY (34E)

2ND Prize - AMALIA (1T)

3rd Prize – MIKAYLA (56K)

4th Prize – KEN (2M)

5th Prize – EVA (56K)

6th Prize – DHRIVE (34E)

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Ruth Biddle

Acting Principal

Acting Assistant Principal's Newsletter

While taking the role of Acting Assistant Principal, I have enjoyed being able to spend time with the children in other grades. It is amazing to see so many activities happening in our school.

Camp

We had a great time at Camp Rumbug from 13-15th April. Our children enjoyed the various activities such as the Giant Swing, Flying Fox, and Canoeing, just to name a few.

With lots of walking up and down hills every day, the children were worn out! Camp Idol…… I enjoyed the show so much and was surprised by the great level of talent in our school. My favorite part of the camp was to spend the time with children outside of the classroom and discover the different characters of our children. I was so pleased to see children being brave and trying new things and making new friends.

Thank you to Ian and Lan for helping out through the camp.

Gallipoli Oaks Project

At the last school assembly, our School Captains, Aila and Mark, read Digital e-book of “The Gallipoli Oaks Story: How the trees came to grow here”.

At Huntingdale Primary School we will remember the “Great War” as School Captains (Aila & Mark), Environment Captain (Mafune) and Environment Leaders (Ryan and Catherine) have planted one of 500 Gallipoli Oak Trees as part of a National Trust Project, this ANZAC Centenary.

Thank you Ildiko to assist with showing the kids the best way to plant the tree, and to explain how to care for it.

Upcoming Working Bee

Our Buildings & Grounds sub committee is organizing the next Working Bee on Sunday 1st May. One of the activities on the day will be preparing for the upcoming children’s art project which is part of our Children’s Day Collaborative Art Work. If your children are interested in painting, please bring an art smock.

17th Annual Japan Festival 2016.

Sunday 15th May

10:00am-5:00pm

Box Hill Town Hall & Box Hill TAFE

Please come along and enjoy the Japanese culture and foods. Our Taiko Club will perform on the stage too. If you are keen to help out, please register your preferred time through School Interviews for our booth. To register go to Tiqbiz, scroll down to the second to last icon named "School Interviews", then enter the event code "up7uj" and follow the prompt. Thank you for your help in advance.

Students’ Drawing Contest

If your child loves drawing, why not submit their pictures for the Students’ Drawing Contest. The theme is “Future or Smile.” All drawings will be displayed at the Box Hill TAFE at the Japan Festival and judged by visitor’s vote. Closing Date is 29th April.

HPS Cross-Country

For the first time, our whole school cross-country is going to run this Thursday. Everyone is welcome to come down and cheer them on.

Naomi Mori-Hanazono

Acting Assistant Principal

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