Message from the Principal 

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some family time over the Easter break and recharge ready for the very busy and very short term ahead. Once again, my family enjoyed our annual trip to Pambula (one of my favourite places on Earth!). The weather was sensational (apart from a couple of days over Easter) and the water temperature and quality amazing. I always really enjoy the weather at this time of the year. We still have some warm days but cooler nights and mornings and we can often enjoy those red sunrises and golden evening sunsets. Our Indigenous Australians identify six or seven seasons depending on their location. Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people identify this time as Iuk (eel) and Waring (wombat) seasons which is part of Berrip (early winter).  

LOOKING FORWARD TO TERM 2

We have a lot to look forward to this term. As always it will be action packed and engaging. It will also be a very short term (nine weeks which also includes this week). Some of events and activities this term include:

• House, District & Division Cross Country
• Continuous Reporting
• Maths Olympiads
• School Photos
• Year 1& 2 Swimming lessons
• Mothers & Special Person’s Day  (and Parent Association Stall)
• Parent maths night with Michael Ymer
• Incursions and excursions
• Schools NAIDOC Week

And much, much more!

3RD DIVISION SIGNALS ASSOCIATION

Last Friday, a group of our student leaders from Years 1 - 6 attended the Shrine of Remembrance to hold a special memorial service to honour the 3rd Division Signals Association. Our school makes this annual visit as part of our ongoing and special relationship with the Association which started back in 2007. The partnership fosters relationships and enables schools to carry on the legacy of an ex-service organisation, which is a very special honour for our school. 

This year was a very special event as Jack Bradie, the last serving member of the Unit turned 100 years old this year. There was a special feature article in yesterdays Herald Sun about him which also referenced our school’s involvement.

I have included an email I received from John Vaughan who is the nephew of Jack Bradie.

Hello,

My name is John Vaughan and on Friday the 23rd of April I attended the Remembrance Service for “SIGS 3 AUST DIV”

In the gardens before the Shine. My Uncle Jack Braidie is the last surviving member of the Unit.

To see the Greenhills students in attendance, and the amazing way that they showed their respect as they read their tributes was so heart-warming. 

And I am so grateful that they sacrificed a day of the school holidays to pay this respectful tribute. Uncle Jack is 100 years of age but is in full control of his faculties. He was very moved and extremely grateful to each student, the principal and vice principal, and any other teachers who attended. And also to the fantastic parents who brought their children to the gardens for the service.

What a great school, and your students did their school proud

Regards,

John 

As you can read from the letter, our relationship with the 3rd Division Signals Association is certainly very important and significant to both current and past servicemen and women who served in the Association and all of their family members. 

A big thank you to Lauren Richardson for helping to organise the day with the Association, Janine Hough for attending and supporting our students and of course a big thank you to our students and families who were able to attend during the holiday break.

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION EVENTS

On ANZAC Day yesterday, we had a large number of Greenhills students at our local Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Memorial Service. Once again it was wonderful seeing so many of our students and their families there to represent our school and pay respects to all men and women who have served our nation. During the Service our team of students, dressed in full Greenhills uniform laid a wreath on behalf of our school community. 

At this time each year I also like to remind our school community that we have our own memorial garden at Greenhills Primary School as well. For those of you who might not be aware of this, the garden is located outside the main office as you walk up to the school from Mine Street. This project was led by Andrea Williams our Art Specialist teacher and Helen Platania, a local artist. If you haven’t already seen it, please make sure you take the time to do so. A part of the garden includes a special plaque in recognition of the 3rd Division Signals Association and the face of the soldier in the centre of the mural is James Nolan who is the great, great uncle of the Thom family here at the school. 

James Penson

Principal