Newsletter #1 February 3, 2023
GHPS IS COMMITTED TO CHILD SAFETY
Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.
A very warm welcome to everyone for the start of the 2023 school year. I hope you had a wonderful break and were able to spend quality time with your family and friends. It always gives me great pleasure to welcome the new Preps to the school community, and the opportunity to see people back in the school grounds.
Grade Level Information Sessions and Term Newsletters
Next week each Grade level will hold an information session for parents to attend online at school at 5.30-6pm. The dates for each level are as follows:
- Tuesday 7 February at 5.30pm: Prep, Grade 3 and 5/6 Parent Information session in the classrooms
- Wednesday 8 February at 5.30pm: Grade 1, 2 and 4 Parent Information session in the classrooms
Presentations will provide valuable and key details to support your child’s learning this year and there will be an opportunity to meet and hear from each of the team members and ask any questions about your child’s class.
The Specialists will contribute information about their curriculum as well and it is anticipated that the session will be approximately 30 minutes in duration with additional times for questions. The powerpoint presentations will be available and uploaded to the website by Laura during the week.
School is looking great
As the Capital Works draws to a close, we are thrilled with the new upgrade and being able to see the students play in just about all areas. This has included an exciting new playground installation which has proven to be immensely popular!
The line marking for the resurfaced asphalt is underway this week and we anticipate it being completed by early next week.
We have marvelled at the new Gymnasium and being able to see the students being taught PE in this state of the art facility has been amazing. The whole school assembly will be hosted by the Year 6 students and we would love to see more parents returning to the student-led assembly commencing at 2.45pm on Fridays. Hosting assembly this week will be the 2023 School Captains: Zoya & Asher and we are looking forward to their first whole school assembly.
The new Music/Japanese room is set up, including the Band equipment in readiness for the students to practise and perform.
Interface has provided an update on the external court works. As advised the contractor is aiming to progress with the work tomorrow and be completed by next Wednesday 8th February. We understand the court can be accessed the day after completion, and Interface will confirm next week.
Pam kindly sent a couple of photos yesterday to show the progress made (between the rain). It is looking great!
2023 Student Leaders
Leading the School and the Houses at Glen Huntly has been a time-honoured tradition and the students who have been invested as School, House, Music, Technology, Sustainability, Sport, Wellbeing or Art Captains this year have the opportunity to work with members of the school to encourage and inspire them to be the best they can be and to build team and school morale.
Students have been selected by their peers and staff and the presentation of the badges to the following students took place at the Final 2022 Assembly.
School Captains Zoya Faruqui and Asher White
Sport Captains Harshitha Prasanna and Rory Johnstone
Music Captains Charvi Manas and Owen Watters
Technology Captains Tilly Parrish and Anisha Behl
Sustainability Captains Elka Dench and Aditya Alamuru
Wellbeing Captains Adishree Singh and Atharva Borse
Art Captains Audrey Afxentis and Keshav Iyer
Pike House Captain Bridgett Giouris
Bael House Captain Sanjeev Ananth
Kurwan House Captain Max Taylor
Garrawang House Captain Ganeeth Thogata
Punctuality
Starting this year, we will continue striving to develop stronger teacher/student connections in each classroom with classroom doors open as of 8.50am.
The bell will ring at 8.50am and students are able to enter the classroom to get settled and organised for the start of teaching at 9am.
Attendance
All students are expected to come to school every day that they are well, and school is open to students.
If students can’t come, parents must provide an explanation for their child’s absence to the office on the day of the absence.
Students should arrive at each class ON TIME and ready to learn.
Parents need to assist their child to be punctual by developing time bound routines with their child, both in the evening to get prepared for the next day, and in the morning. This includes a good bath/shower and bedtime routine and a sensible time for going to sleep. This will create the very best opportunities for each child to learn and access vital learning and instruction time.
It has been great to see the students in grades Prep – 6 settled into class so happily.
Thank you in anticipation for your support.
COVIDSafe
Measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Schools must continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.
All staff are aware of our school’s COVID Safe plan.
Managing a confirmed case of COVID-19 in schools
Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test).
Where a parent/carer informs the school by phone or written notification, the school should complete the schools covid case management tool.
Staffing and class organisation
For families new to the school the following outlines the Class organisation and classroom locations.
As announced last year, due to teachers welcoming the opportunity to teach at new levels, part time or as specialists.
Teachers enjoy collaborating in new teams, growing their expertise, and developing their professional learning and curriculum knowledge.
| 2023 | Staffing and 13 classes | East | West | In 2022 |
| Principal | Mrs Libby Alessi | Principal’s Office Main Office Area | Ground Floor | |
| Assistant Principal | Mr Cameron White | AP Office Area | Ground Floor | |
| Prep B
Prep D |
Mr Ryan Bowden
Ms Carly Draper |
Building A
18 20 |
West Main Building
PH Learning Support |
|
| Learning Support Room
TreeHouse Reading |
Ruth Kinyua-Smyth | 19 | West Main Building
PS |
|
| 1 FB
1B |
Ms Shannan Fox
& Ms Juz de Bruyn Ms Becky Broxham |
Mod 5
25 26 |
1D 1PB |
|
| 2S
2M |
Ms Scarlett Mitcham
Mrs Yasmin Moran |
MOD 5
Oval 16 Oval 17 |
2S 2M |
|
| 3RK
3C |
Ms Jasmine Roth
& /Ms Marie Kasambalis Mrs Ms Ashleigh Casas |
MOD 5
Oval 14 Oval 15 |
4S 4A |
|
| 4SJ
4A |
Mrs Eugenia Sassos
& Mr David Jenkins Ms Ash Smart |
MOD 5
Asphalt 10 Asphalt 11 |
3M
3K |
|
| 5/6R
5/6J 5/6K |
Ms Mikaela Ristos
Mr John Jacobs Ms Kamila Krauze |
6
7 5 |
5/6R
5/6J PE Room |
|
| Inquiry Room | 8
Level 1 upstairs |
5/6FJ | ||
| Room 9 | Room 9 | 9 level 2 | Music/Japanese | |
| Tutor Learning, Science Specialist Numeracy Learning Specialist | Mrs Melinda Oldham
Science: Sem 1: Gr 4-6 & Sem 2: Prep -3 Tutor Learning: Catchup and Extension |
Upstairs level 4 | Tutor Learning, Science Specialist & Numeracy Learning Specialist | |
| Uniform Shop | Lisa Oliver | Butterfly House
24 |
||
| Library | Lisa BookWorms
Lisa & Class Teachers /Library |
21
22 & 23 |
||
| Art | Ms Juz de Bruyn
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs |
Artroom
27 |
||
| TheirCare | Activities Centre
Liana and Kate |
28 | ||
| PE & Sport /PMP | Ms Marie Kasambalis
Mon, Tues, Wed |
Outdoors
Office Gymnasium Room 13 |
Gymnasium
Room 13 |
|
| Band, Choir, Music/
Japanese |
Mr David Jenkins
Mon, Tues, Wed |
Music /Japanese Room 12
Gymnasium |
Gymnasium
Room 12 |
|
| Business Manager | Ms Liz Howard | Business Manager’s Office | Ground Floor | |
| Admin & ES support | Laura James- Clark | Main Office Foyer | Ground Floor | |
| Education Support on both East and West | Tanya Matthews, Lisa Oliver, Ruth Kinyua-Smyth, Bindu Ayyala, Cheng Qian and Liz Mahoney |
DET Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI)
We are delighted to be funded through DET to have the DET Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) which will provide extension and catch up for both EAL and NON EAL students with Mrs Melinda Oldham.
Assistant Principal
Mr Cameron White will lead Student Wellbeing, Buildings & Grounds and Publicity & Marketing across the school including numerous administrative roles and tasks.
STUDENT WELL-BEING
Cameron will coordinate this very important student welfare role. Should parents have any concerns about issues related to their child it is important that they contact their child’s classroom teacher or Mr White.
Student Support
Further student support will be provided through offering Mini Lit and the TreeHouse Reading Program with Ruth Kinyua Smyth.
Curriculum Leader: Mr David Jenkins will lead Curriculum and Policy across the school and report on the work of this sub-committee at School Council.
Science: Mrs Oldham will teach Science across the school with Grades 4-6 in Semester 1 and Grades Prep – 3 in Semester 2.
Numeracy: Mrs Oldham will also lead Numeracy as the Numeracy Specialist.
Literacy: Ms Fox will lead Literacy and Ms de Bruyn will teach in Grade 1FB on Friday when Ms Shannan Fox will be working on the whole school Literacy as the Literacy Leader.
Music/Japanese: Mr David Jenkins will teach P, 2 -6 and Ms Juz de Bruyn will teach Grade 1
Physical Education: Ms Marie Kasambalis will teach PE on Mon, Tues and Wednesday.
Art: Ms de Bruyn will teach Art across the school
Cooking: Suzanne will teach Cooking in the new kitchen in the Gymnasium Building and each class will have one session per term.
Additional information about Classroom teachers
Mrs Jasmine Roth who teaches 3 days per week, will be teaching Grade 3 on Mon, Tues, Wed and
Ms Marie Kasambalis will be teaching Grade 3 on Thursday and Friday.
Ms Ashleigh Casas will teach Grade 3 as well.
Mrs Eugenia Sassos who will be teaching 3 days per week, will be teaching Grade 4 on Mon, Tues and Wednesday and Mr Jenkins will be teaching Grade 4 SF on Thursday and Friday.
Ms Ash Smart will teach Grade 4 as well.
Education Support Staff will include Business Manager, Liz Howard, Admin, Laura James Clark, Library, Little Book Worms for pre-schoolers and School Uniforms, Lisa and Tanya, Cheng, Bindu, Laura, Lisa, Ruth and Liz Mahoney will support Disability Inclusion, OHS and all staff will attend to administering First Aid as required.
Back to school student and staff supplies
Maxim has been contacted again by the school due to the non-arrival of book supplies.
The service has been far from satisfactory and will be addressed at the School Council meeting when we meet in February.
Although we were advised on Tuesday that all orders would be delivered that day or the Wednesday, that has not eventuated. In contacting Maxim this morning, we have been advised the orders will arrive by Sunday.
We hope to have this matter resolved and everyone receive their orders, but in the interim the school will continue to use school based resources.
Glen Huntly Parents Association (GPA)
I would like to encourage any parents interested in getting involved in the GPA to do so.
Whether you can attend a meeting or would be able to sign up to our official GPA mailing list, it’s a wonderful way to be involved at the school.
The first meeting will be on Friday 24 February at 9.05am at school in the East Site Staff Lounge If you would like any more information, please go to:
https://www.glenhuntlyps.vic.edu.au/gpa-glen-huntly-parents-association/
I look forward to seeing you there.
School Building Fund, Finance & School Council Meeting
The first meeting for the year will be held on Monday 27 February 2023 at 6.15pm, 6.30pm and 7pm respectively in the East Site Staff Lounge.
Please keep an eye out for the call for Nominations of the 2023 School Council, which will take place later this month.
There will be two Parent Vacancies this year that we need filled.
Before and After School Care- Activities Centre West Site
The Before and After School Care program at GHPS is a Licensed Out of Hours Care facility with an accredited program and operated by TheirCare.
I would like to welcome back the coordinator, Liana and staff to the school year and thank them for providing the excellent holiday program over the break.
If your child needs supervision at the following times due to parents or carers working, study, attending appointments or have other commitments, enrol online at: www.theircare.com.au
The program operates every school day from 7am – 8.45am and from 3.30 – 6.30pm.
Bicycle Helmets
A reminder to parents and children that school policy and Victorian Law requires all children who wish to ride a bicycle to and from school, must wear a safety helmet approved by the Australian Safety Association.
Supervision of Pupils Before / After School
The school grounds are supervised by teachers between 8.45 and 9.00am and children may be left by parents from 8.45am onwards.
Please do not send your child early as the playground is not supervised until 8.45am.
After school, the playground yard is supervised from 3.30 to 3.45pm after school. Please be prompt in collecting your child following dismissal of school, as the grounds are unsupervised after the above mentioned times. This also assists with the After School Program in the Activities Centre as children are unable to play outside until the others have vacated the grounds.
The following procedures will apply after 3.45pm for any child not collected by this time:
- Children who are already permanently booked into the Aftercare program will go directly to Aftercare at 3.30pm.
- After 3.45pm children will be placed in the school’s Aftercare program. (N.B. You will be charged at the applicable Aftercare rates if your child is placed in Aftercare). Parents are urged to make any necessary alternative arrangements for the collection of their children and to notify the school accordingly. It is essential also that parents provide reliable Emergency Contacts to avoid unnecessary distress to their children.
Children Leaving School Prior to Dismissal Time
A reminder to parents that Government Law requires all children to attend school between given hours of 9.00am – 3. 30pm.Should a parent wish to take his/her child(ren) from school before 3.30pm, then that parent should seek permission from the Principal.
Please note that we do not want any child being picked up early unless it is absolutely necessary as it will impact on learning.
Parents, please use Compass or telephone to advise of the date, the time you wish to collect your child(ren), the reason for your request and the name of the person who will be collecting the child if it is not yourself.
In the interest of children’s safety, please advise the office (West Site: Class Teacher) upon your arrival to collect and sign out your child(ren).
Cars and Safety Reminder
Please use the Crossing provided on Garden Ave or Grange Rd. The crossing supervisor has advised that some parents are taking their child’s hand and crossing outside of the designated areas which he finds particularly disturbing and unsafe.
Parents are not permitted to drive vehicles into the East or West Sites of the school grounds when bringing their children to or collecting them from school.
It is extremely dangerous as it creates a traffic hazard in Grange Road for staff trying to enter or leave the premises. The only exception is for parents of children who are not mobile.
In these circumstances parents are permitted to park their vehicle in the marked Visitor’s car park at the end of the driveway. If parents feel that it is too dangerous to park in Grange Road, they are advised that there is a gate in the laneway leading from Munro Avenue and another gate at the southern fence leading from Lyons Street.
Parents are also required not to park across the driveways of neighbouring houses or on the school crossing in Garden Avenue. It is a parking infringement and as such, offenders may be fined.
Two drop off/pick up zones have been provided in Garden Avenue via signs. These areas are situated on the school side of Garden Avenue between the corner of Grange Road and the school crossing and between the school crossing and the lane.
Parents using the drop off/pick up zones (see signs for times) should stop their cars and allow their children to alight or get into the car, then drive off.
Please do not park across the crossing as this is a dangerous and illegal practice.
40KM Signage & Pedestrian Lights
The electronic 40km signs are an important safety measure on Grange Road.
This highly visible signage further serves as a prompt for motorists to address the road safety issue to lower the speed when driving past our school. Please travel safely at all times.
It is very important that families talk to their children about the importance of using the pedestrian lights to cross Grange Rd if not using the bridge and looking both ways before they cross to ensure that the cars are stopping.
The dedicated teaching staff at GHPS look forward to celebrating the success of your child’s learning with both you and your child, communicating what progress has been made and what we can do in partnership to further this learning. We really hope you and your child/ren have had a fantastic start to the school year.
Save the date: Family Fun Night and Picnic: Friday 17 March, 2023. There will be more information coming out closer to the date.
Student Accident Insurance
The Department of Education (DET) does not provide personal accident insurance for students. Parents and guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs. These costs may be recoverable where an injury is caused by the negligence (carelessness) of the Department, a school council or their employees or volunteers.
Student accident insurance policies are available from some commercial insurers. These cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
The Department cannot advise parents/guardians on whether to purchase a student accident policy or which policy to purchase. It is recommended that they seek assistance in this matter with their insurance broker or find a suitable personal accident insurer in the Yellow Pages or online.
Reasonable low cost accident insurance policies are available from commercial insurers.
School’s Privacy Policy
Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy. Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website or via this link.
For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents.
SUNSMART POLICY AND DAYS OF EXTREME HEAT
Children in years Prep – 6 must wear a broad brimmed hat.
There are two styles available from the uniform shop, a standard broad brimmed hat, and a floppy hat similar to the surf hats.
On days when the temperature reaches 33 degrees or above a “Sweat Day” lunch timetable will be implemented.
This means that the children will play in their classrooms between 1.30– 2.30pm. Some discretion will occur prevailing weather conditions (e.g. hot north wind) regarding the temperature which activates the sweat day timetable and time spent inside particularly with the younger children.
As all classrooms are air-conditioned there is no need for children to have their educational program interrupted by removal from school on extremely hot days.
2023 Little Book Worms
GHPS Little BookWorms for 3-5 year olds will start back on Tuesday 28 February 2023 in the Library.
Libby Alessi Principal
Congratulations to the following students who received a ‘Student of the Week’ award.
Isabel 1F – For her great ideas and thoughtful strategies for regulating our feelings and moving ourselves into a more positive zone of regulation.
Dominik 1F – For his courage to persevere through his first week back at school and find 20 supportive friends he didn’t realise he had. Well done, keep being brave.
To all of 1B – for a stellar first week of year 1! You have all begun your first week with a growth mindset and a positive attitude. We have had so much fun learning together and I am so excited for the rest of the year! Well done 1B!
All of 2M – For a fantastic first week of Grade 2! You have settled into the routines of being on the big side and have put so much effort into all of your work. Keep it up superstars!
All students in 2S are students of the week! It has been fantastic getting to know my first class and I am proud of how you have made each other feel welcome. I’m very excited for our year ahead!
All of 3RK – For being absolute superstars this week. We are so lucky to have you guys in our grade 3 class this year!
To the whole of 3C – for your eagerness to learn and teamwork shown. I am so excited to spend an entire year with you all and watching you succeed day by day. Onwards and upwards we go!
All of 4A – For settling straight back into school with a positive mindset and demonstrating teamwork in the classroom and your specialist classes. I am so proud of you all and I am excited for the year ahead!
Rina Ema 4SJ – For always smiling, always being ready to be helpful and supportive and always aiming to do your very best work. You are a superstar!!
Vandita 5/6R – for supporting our new students this week with kindness, tolerance and understanding. Thank you for all your help, you are a star!
John 5/6J – For maintaining a positive and energetic manner throughout the first week in our class. It is great to have someone so vibrant and happy in the family! – it’s contagious!!!
Sahara 5/6J – For demonstrating composed and thoughtful active listening throughout the first week. This enabled you to contribute meaningfully in lessons. A great example you have set for the rest of your class. Congratulations!
To the whole of 5/6K – for engaging in all activities this week and working beautifully! It has been lovely meeting you all and I am looking forward to getting to know each of you much better as the year goes on!
PE/Sport News
Ms K and the students have been loving PE in our new Gym.
TheirCare News
Calendar
February
Tue 7 Prep, Year 3 & Year 5/6 information sessions
Wed 8 Year 2 & 4 information sessions
Fri 17 House Swimming
Fri 24 GPA meeting – East Site Lounge
Mon 27 School Council
March
Fri 3 District Swimming
Mon 13 Labour Day
Tue 14 Professional Practice Day (Student Free)
Fri 17 Family Fun Night
Wed 22 Year 5/6 Camp
Fee payments and Excursion Permissions and Payments.
All Communication notices regarding excursions will be sent through COMPASS.
Permissions are to be given through COMPASS.
Preferred payment method for Fee payments and Excursions is through COMPASS.
This will allow us to always keep all the correct information available to staff whilst on an excursion.
If you have any questions, please contact the office or see Guide below.
CLICK HERE for Parent’s Guide to Compass
Thank you.