Principal's Message

Half way through the term already .... I can't quite believe it!

I want to start by acknowledging that this week is the first full week our staff and students are back onsite together, since 5th August. Thank you families for the hard work you have put in to keep our students in routine, completing remote learning tasks and getting them ready to return to onsite learning. It has been a smooth start and I am elated to see students connecting with their peers and teachers and back on school grounds full time. I'd like to express a huge amount of gratitude also for all the HPS staff and the way in which they have shown flexibility and preparedness in working back onsite. Hillsmeade PS is a fabulous community to be a part of.

School Grounds & Damage

In last week's newsletter I mentioned about caring for our school grounds during weekends, holidays and after school. Unfortunately we have had more damage and mistreatment of our facilities, which also resulted in an injury, due to external visitors making the site unsafe for students and staff outside school hours. It is likely that in the coming months there will be changes to the exterior of our boundary, as we will be looking into ways to keep our school safe and secure during outside school times.

Prep Transition 2022

Prep Transition for 2022 is up and running and we cannot wait to see our new students come onsite, meet teachers and be in their classrooms. Prep 2022 Parent Information sessions are being run online and information is being provided to families detailing dates and times. In conjunction, school tours are resuming with the first date of Tuesday 23rd November at 10am. Registrations are vital for tours and we ask that one adult only attend with dependents. This adult will need to be double vaccinated.  We appreciate your understanding with these requirements for school tours this year.

2022 Class Allocations

We are currently in the phase of creating classes for 2022. If you email the school regarding questions, requests or suggestions, please note they will be received and acknowledged in the process of student and teacher placements for next year.

Change of Curriculum Day

As you may be aware, we have moved Curriculum Day to be Friday 17th December. This means the last day of school will be Thursday 16th December and the day will conclude at 3.30pm. In line with COVID restrictions we are aiming to hold a final assembly outside with community attendance where we will have performances, farewell our Year 6 students, celebrate the end of a great year and of course announce winners of the Christmas raffle! 

Save the date: 

Thursday 16th December 1.30pm-3.30pm More information to follow. Please also note that this will replace the annual Christmas Concert that is normally held after school hours.

In light of COVID restrictions and school events, I would just like to let you all know that as part of our decision making processes we are considering all elements involved. One large element is that of isolation periods for close contacts. Although the period of isolation time looks like decreasing with the introduction of rapid antigen testing, it still means that if we host onsite events, the risk of isolation is there for all members of the community.  I am very aware that these holidays will see families planning their first getaways and family events such as Christmas catch ups and I am not wanting for isolation periods to effect these plans. So I ask the community to please understand the decisions we are making that will ensure safe and happy holidays and an uninterrupted Christmas period for everyone. As the restrictions and guidelines evolve, so will we as a school with making decisions.

Until next week, stay safe and healthy!