Newsletter #2 February 13th, 2026
GHPS IS COMMITTED TO CHILD SAFETY
Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.
And just like that, we are back in the swing of busy school mornings and after school activities. A friendly reminder to please be on time at ten to 9.
Over the last two weeks our teachers have been setting strong foundations for both learning and wellbeing. We hold high expectations for teaching and learning while ensuring classrooms are safe, calm, and supportive places where students can thrive. Guided by evidence-informed practices and our core values of Respect, Pride, Resilience, Creativity and Teamwork we focus on developing confident, capable learners who are well prepared for future learning.
A key part of this approach is our use of Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS), which emphasise clear routines and consistent expectations across the school. Research shows that predictable routines help students feel safe, stay engaged and focus their energy on learning rather than on transitions or classroom procedures. This year, staff are working together to embed a small number of shared daily routines—such as entering and exiting classrooms, lining up after breaks, and consistent acknowledgement systems—so that students experience the same clear expectations throughout the school. These consistent practices support student wellbeing, reduce anxiety, and help every child focus on learning and doing their best each day.
Every Day Counts
Attendance is a priority for all students. Everyday counts. In the Victorian education system, it is compulsory for all students to attend school each day of the school year. At times an absence may be unavoidable, however, every effort must be made to ensure students attend school on time each day.
Evidence tells us that students who regularly miss days of school are at risk of missing out on learning the basic building blocks in subjects and may experience long term difficulties with their learning. School attendance helps children develop social skills, such as friendship building, teamwork, communication skills and develops healthy self-esteem.
When a student is absent this needs to be formally recorded in Compass by the parent or carer, including a reason for the absence. We are required to account for each student twice per day and unexplained absences generate an unnecessary workload for staff and our administration. Please make sure any absence is fully accounted for, and that the correct reason for absence is recorded.
Welcome Picnic
We would like to welcome all families to gather informally for a Welcome Picnic on the school oval (senior campus) on Wednesday 25 h February, commencing at 5.00pm and concluding at 6.30pm. Our specialist team will provide some activities for our students to participate in.
Families are invited to bring rugs, picnic chairs, food, and refreshments to enjoy the afternoon with other members of the school community.
There will be a food truck (TBC) and the GPA will be selling soft drinks and icy poles at the canteen.
Class Representatives
Class Representatives are essential in facilitating school and social connectedness and fun between parents and families. It is easy to take on and can be done as a partnership. We are seeking Class Representatives for our classes. Please email me directly if you are interested.
Nerida.burns@education.vic.gov.au
Communication between school and families
There will be four opportunities for parents to receive a progress update for their child in 2026.
Parents will: –
- be invited for a ‘Getting to Know You Interview’ with your child’s teachers next week. Wednesday February 18.
- be provided a written report at the end of Term Two
- be invited for an interview with teachers in Term 3
- be provided a written report at the end of Term 4.
As usual, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at any time during the year to discuss their child’s progress and needs.
There will be four opportunities for parents to receive a progress update for their child in 2025.
Parents will: –
- be invited for a ‘Meet the Teacher’ interview with your child’s teachers in week 5, Wednesday February 26. More detailed information will be sent very soon separately through Compass.
- be provided a written report at the end of Term Two
- be invited for an interview/3 way conference with teachers in Term 3
- be provided a written report at the end of Term 4.
As usual, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at any time during the year to discuss their child’s progress and needs.
Building a strong partnership with our families is a priority at GHPS.
School Council
It’s that time of year where we call for nominations from our parent and carer community to join School Council. The GHPS School Council is a group of active and passionate individuals who are dedicated to improving the outcomes for our students and our school. Joining School Council is a great way to get involved, meet others, and support the school. All are welcome to apply, no special skills or experience necessary.
Joining the GHPS School Council or one of our sub-committees is a great opportunity for our families to gain an insight into the governance structure under which our school operates and be actively involved in our school community. With regards to the minimum time commitment, School Council members are required to attend eight School Council meetings per year, along with eight short sub-committee meetings per year.
The President chairs the meetings, and all members of the council are expected to attend. Meetings typically last between 1.5-2 hours. The principal in consultation with the President will ensure an agenda is prepared for each regular meeting and will distribute the agenda, minutes from previous meeting and meeting reports such as sub-committee reports, Principal & Staff Report to school council members. Each member contributes to one or more Sub-Committee and leads/attends the meeting.
Some sub committees, duties, and key responsibilities:
COUNCIL General Business:
- Strategic Planning: participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan.
- Representing and taking views of the community into account
- Curriculum & Policy: Policy development and review: developing, reviewing, and updating selected policies that reflect the school’s values and support school’s broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.
- Finance: overseeing the development and expenditure of the school’s annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school’s financial operation
- Out of Hours School care (OHSC TheirCare): Regulating and facilitating after-hours use of school premises and grounds including Out of Hours School care (OHSC TheirCare). Additional use of the premises includes lessons in Cooking, Chess, Guitar, Keyboard, Tennis, Soccer, Cricket as examples.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
- Publicity & Marketing: promoting, stimulating, and creating interest in the school.
- Building and Grounds: maintaining school grounds and facilities.
- Glen Huntly Parents Association (GPA): Raising funds for school related purposes, informing GHPS of community social events and projects.
ALL members enthusiastically volunteer their time and expertise to provide opportunities that improve outcomes for our superstar students.
I look forward to receiving a full complement of nominations for Council and encourage people to feel free to contact me if they require any further advice or information.
If the number of nominations is equal to the number of vacancies, there will be no further call for nominations. It will also not be necessary to hold a ballot. If the number of nominations is less than the number of vacancies, a notice to that effect and calling for further nominations will be posted on Compass and in prominent positions at the school.
Notice of election and call for nomination will be from- Tuesday 17th February 2026.
Nominations forms will be available on the link below or, from the school office.
Closing date for nominations -4.00 pm on Tuesday 24th February 2026
The terms of office, membership categories, and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:
In accordance with Ministerial Order 1280, school council members are required to:
- hold a working with children clearance (WWC clearance – volunteer), or VIT registration (except secondary students on school council)
- not be subject to any court order, including a personal safety intervention order, which would prevent them from attending the school in person
| Membership category |
Term of office |
Name of nominees required |
| Parent member
2 year vacancy |
From the day after the date of the declaration of the poll on Monday 16th March 2026, to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2028 | 6 |
| DET employee member
2 year vacancy |
From the day after the date of the declaration of the poll on Monday 16th March 2026 to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2028 | 2 |
Fact sheet 1: school council elections- information for parents HERE
Nomination Forms are included via the following links.
Please complete the self-nomination form 3 or have a member of the school community nominate you with form 4. (see links below) Additional forms are also available:
- Senior Campus: At the Main Office
Six parent vacancies need to be filled for School Council as of Tuesday 24th February. Parents who are finishing their term of office may renominate as well.
Parents CLICK HERE to self-nominate use Form 3
Parents CLICK HERE to nominate a candidate: use Form 4
Enjoy your weekend,
Nerida Burns and Cameron White
Congratulations to the following students who received a ‘Student of the Week’ award.
Thomas 0A – For Showing Kindness and being a wonderful friend to everyone in our class. You have included others in your games and always use kind words.
Mila 0B – For demonstrating enthusiasm towards learning and resilience in her first week of Prep! Keep up the amazing work Mila!
Rainey 0B – For demonstrating enthusiasm in Phonics, actively participating and showing resilience when giving new things a go. You should be super proud of yourself!
Zoe 0C – Diving into our classroom routines and showing kindness and respect towards her peers. The teachers are proud of the positive choices you are making in the classroom.
Jason 0C – has demonstrated inclusion and pride about starting school. His passion for our whiteboard time and supporting others to feel valued is special. We are impressed with his initiative.
Walden 1A – making a great start to the year. He is always organised and ready to learn. Walden follows the morning routine diligently and sets a great example for others. Well done, Walden!
Ztao 1A – consistently demonstrates our school values. She takes great pride in her work, always ensuring it is presented neatly and with great care. She always tries her best, showing determination to improve and resilience when faced with challenges. Well done, Ztao!
Evie 1B – For being an absolute superstar helper for your teacher and classmates this week. You are so kind and caring and joy to have in the classroom.
Sammy 1B – For being a fantastic Handy Helper this week in the classroom and a superstar reader for Mrs. Ryan. Keep up the great work!
Thaswika 1C – always setting a fantastic example in class by listening carefully, following rules, and being kind to others. Well done!
Sai 1C – For confidently joining in class discussions and writing fantastic fairytale summaries. Well done!
Olivia 2A – For using your initiative during writing this week. You collected a clipboard to lean on and wrote down a word from a poster that was difficult to spell. It was wonderful to see you using the knowledge around you! Amazing way to start the year.
Saanvi 2A – For consistently giving your best effort during every writing task. You show creativity, present your work neatly and always have a go at the challenge sentences. Well done Writing Wiz!
Jacob 2B – For showing pride when creating your holiday postcard. You spent time carefully designing your cityscape picture, and the final result was impressive. Well Done, Postcard Pro!
Jack 2B – For creating a fantastic diary recount about Sunny the Meerkat. Not only did you describe each day in sequence, you created wonderful pictures to match. Well Done!
Ethan 2C – had a stellar week, leading by example, always working hard and being a great friend and classmate to all of 2C.
3A – an amazing start to Year 3. You have shown kindness, collaboration and genuine care for each other every single day. We are so proud of the positive, supportive community you are building together. We love being your teachers!
Indie 3A – For sharing excellent and thoughtful ideas in your persuasive writing about why we should all try cooking. You used clear reasons and strong thinking to convince your reader. Well done!
Nabila 3B – For consistently showing all of the school values every day. Thank you for your kindness, leadership, initiative and support. Your determination and pride in your classroom tasks and bookwork is outstanding!
Albert 4A – For a great start at GHPS! It has been amazing to see how kind you are to others, your motivation in class and just how easy it has been to transition into a new school. Keep it up!
Sophia 4A – For the extensive detail she writes in her response to our Mentor Text, explaining how a character’s traits and actions support the moral of the story. Well done!
Uma 4B – creating a captivating Sizzling Starts that hooked your reader straight away, and you built powerful tension in your action scene by using all six senses to bring it to life. Your description helped us see, hear, feel and experience the moment alongside your character.
Archit 5A – For an outstanding start to the school year. You have been engaged and given your best effort in all your tasks. We all love having you part of 5/6A
Joel 5C – For showing great work in your maths, working with a range of students in our class, and wonderfully laid out book work. Well done, Joel, keep it up!
Saambavi 6B – for showing an incredibly positive attitude, acting as a leader, and being very helpful with classroom setup. A great role model—well done!
Shivansh 6B – Since returning from holidays, he settled straight back into classroom routines with focus and enthusiasm, continuing to be a positive role model and supportive peer.
Teju 6C – For consistently contributing to class discussions, lots of effort in your classwork and helpfulness in our class. Well done, Teju, keep up the hard work!
Something Big is Coming!
We are thrilled to announce this year’s school concert:
Night at the Museum
“A Night at the Museum,” follows a group of students on an exciting school excursion to a magical museum where exhibits come to life. Led by their lively teacher, Ms. Snortlebottom, the group of four students including the mischievous Henry, embarks on an unexpected adventure through history and imagination.
As they explore exhibits from the Roman Empire to the Dinosaur and Australian Outback. The students encounter lively characters like Octavius the Gladiator and Neil Armstrong, each brought to life with engaging dance numbers. Along the way, the students learn valuable lessons about history, culture, and teamwork.
The heart of the story is Henry’s personal journey. Initially the troublemaker, Henry’s experiences teach him about responsibility, redemption, and the importance of being true to oneself. Through the challenges he faces, Henry learns that growth and understanding come from making amends and embracing his potential for good.
The show blends humour, history, and dance. It highlights the value of teamwork, curiosity, and personal growth, making it perfect for audiences of all ages.
This year’s production promises to be bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever before — with every student from Prep to Year 6 taking the stage to share their creativity, energy, and talent.
Get ready for a night full of music, dance, drama, and plenty of surprises. Our students are already preparing to bring the story to life, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Stay tuned for more details soon…
Japanese News
Years 1 and 2 students are now taking turns to be Class Senpais (class leaders) and running the start routine each lesson.
Tran Sensei is so proud of their amazing efforts, taking the risk to stand up in front of the class and giving instructions in Japanese!
Everyone has been learning about the Japanese Zodiac Animals and how the twelve animals were chosen. They were very excited to learn about the Zodiac Animals for the year they were born.
TheirCare News
GHPS Facebook
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Calendar 2026
Term 1
February
Tue 17 Lunar New Year
Wed 18 Meet the Teacher
Fri 20 House Swimming Yr 3-6
Mon 23 District Swimming
Tue 24 School Photos
Wed 25 Welcome Picnic
March
Thu 5 Lightening Premiership Yr 5/6
Mon 9 Labour Day Public Holiday
Tue 10 Curriculum Day (Student free day)
April
Thu 2 Easter Hat Parade
Thu 2 Last Day of term 1 2.30pm early finish
Fri 3 Good Friday Public Holiday
Term 2
April
Mon 20 Term 2 begins
Fri 24 ANZAC Day School Service
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.