Newsletter #3 February 28 2025
GHPS IS COMMITTED TO CHILD SAFETY
Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.
Last Wednesday our community came together for our annual Welcome picnic.
It was a beautiful evening where families enjoyed pizza, games and catching up with friends.
Thank you to our specialist team, Mrs Oldham, Ms de Bruyn, Ms Price, Ms Strain and Mrs Tran who provided the games and activities.
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students progress through their school years, it’s important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students learn through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards over time. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities, and governments with information about how education programs work and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
We always do keep in mind that assessment like NAPLAN target particular areas, and do not necessarily assess what makes your child special and unique. They don’t know that our students can be trustworthy, kind, or thoughtful, and that they try every day to the very best they can. These test scores will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything.
NAPLAN begins on March 12 and finishes on March 21. If families have any questions about NAPLAN please see your child’s teacher.
Prep News
The end of February marks the end of the Prep students’ assessment days, so from next week they will be joining us for the five days.
This may be an adjustment for some of our Prep students, as they may need more relaxation and downtime after school for upcoming weeks
Parent Payments’
A sincere thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child’s education at Glen Huntly Primary School. Your investment in our school is invaluable, enabling us to provide a rich and diverse learning environment that meets the needs and aspirations of our students.
Every contribution, big or small, makes a significant difference in the educational experiences and opportunities we can offer our children. Your partnership with us is essential in helping us deliver high-quality programs and activities that foster academic excellence, creativity, and social growth.
Please note that school contributions may be made at any time during the year via Compass or at the office.
Thank you for your ongoing trust and confidence in Glen Huntly Primary School. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together with you to provide the best possible education for your child.
Class Representatives
We value the input and support of our parents/ carers.
To further connect and provide timely information for our parent community we are asking that a representative from each grade take on the role of parent rep.
The parent rep works closely with the school and can be responsible for overseeing the class WhatsApp group, organising informal social events, sharing key dates, and connecting the families.
If you are interested, please contact me, Nerida.burns@education.vic.gov.au to register your interest. The parent reps will meet with me in upcoming weeks to further clarify the role.
WhatsApp Expectations:
WhatsApp Parent Groups are not an official school communication tool.
They are facilitated by volunteers who should not have to moderate content.
Their primary purpose is to provide a forum for families to connect, receive updates and reminders and ask the occasional question.
Should families wish to raise concerns or complaints, this should be done directly with the school, and if necessary, following the Parent Complaints Policy.
Student Wellbeing
Glen Huntly Primary School is committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment for all students. We understand that students reach their full potential only when they are happy, healthy and safe, and that a positive school culture helps to engage students and support them in their learning. Our school acknowledges that student wellbeing and student learning outcomes are closely linked.
To support this, we have a number of proactive practices in place to support and promote positive wellbeing for all students. Some of these are outlined below,
Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation creates a systematic approach to teach regulation by categorising all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete coloured zones.
Students build skills in emotional and sensory regulation, executive functioning, and social cognition. Zones of regulation are an explicit focus in our Junior School and as required in the middle/upper school.
Lunchtime Clubs
There are great benefits of Lunchtime Clubs as they are an opportunity for students to have fun and interact with peers who have similar interests and passions.
It also allows students to increase friendships, promote peer social acceptance, engagement in teamwork, co-operation and collaboration.
| Monday | Art
Dance and Drama Clubs |
Room 1 Senior Campus
Gym |
| Tuesday | Breakfast Club
Choir Tech and Coding Club Junior library Club |
Kitchen
Music Room Japanese Room – Portable on oval Library |
| Wednesday | Running Club (before school)
Grade 6 Band Japanese Origami Club Junior Board Games |
Gym Music room Japanese Room – Portable on oval Library |
| Thursday | Breakfast Club
Senior Library Club Guitar Lessons (outside provider) Basketball |
Kitchen
Library Room 1 Senior Campus
Gym |
| Friday | Gardening Club
LEGO and Board Games Club Basketball |
Outside vegie gardens east side
Room 1 Senior Campus Gym |
Year 5 and prep Buddy Program
The Buddy Program is one of the many ways we help our Prep students settle into school, as well as promoting and developing leadership skills in our senior students.
Buddies meet regularly throughout the year to complete fun activities together. These activities may include literacy activities, maths games and craft. The program has an extremely positive impact on both the Foundation and Grade 5 students.
Benefits of the buddy program include:
- Prep students having another positive role model within the school
- Prep students having someone to go to if they are worried/scared in the playground
- Prep and Grade 5 children developing new and positive relationships
- Grade 5 students taking on and developing responsibility
- Grade 5 students learning how to be a positive role model for other students
Labour Day Public Holiday
Parents are reminded that there is a Labour Day holiday on Monday 10th March.
There will be no school on this day and in addition to this a student free day will be held on Tuesday 11th March where staff will be engaged in professional learning in the reporting of the new mathematics curriculum.
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.
Nomination forms need to be received and lodged by:
- 4.00 pm on Friday 14 March 2024
The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:
| 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 March 3, 2025, to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2026 | 6 |
| DET employee member
2 year vacancy |
From the day after the date of the declaration of the poll on Monday March 3, 2025, to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2026 | 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:
- East Site: At the Main Office
- West Site: TheirCare Before/Afterschool Care in the Activities Centre
Six parent vacancies need to be filled for School Council as of March 14. 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
Thank you very much to the outgoing Parent Members of the School Council whose term of office will conclude:
- Nicole Healy (Charlie Year 3), Noel Duffy (Isla Year 6), Daniel, Sharbani Dhar (Avayaan Year 6), Rob Holland (Emma Year 5 and Maddie Year 3) and Supriya Arikarevula (Kiara year 4)
Thank you to the three Members of Council who still have one year to serve in their term of office:
- Kristen Howard (Ellie Yr 5) Alexis Weekes (Thomas Yr 5 & Maggie Yr 3) and Savankumar Gaas (Samvega Year 1).
Two staff need to nominate for the two school employee member vacancies: Thank you very much to the outgoing staff members of the School Council whose term of office will conclude:
Melinda Oldham
Two Staff Members continuing their term of office: Cameron White and Becky Broxham whose terms of office will conclude in 2026.
Staff Click here for a self-nomination form for school employee member: use Form 5
Staff Click here for a nomination form for school employee member: use Form 6
The first newly formed school council meeting will be on Monday March 24, 7pm in the East Site Staff Lounge which newly elected members will attend.
I look forward to the newly formed school council for 2025.
Important Dates
March 7 – Grade 5/6 Lightning Premiership Sports Day
March 10 – Labour Day Public holiday
March 11 – Curriculum Day (child free). TheirCare are running a full day program
March 12 to 21 – NAPLAN
March 21 – Harmony Day
March 24 to 26 – Grade 5/6 Camp
April 4 – Last Day of term 1, 2.30 finish
April 22 – Term 2 begins
April 25 – ANZAC Day public holiday
Nerida Burns Principal Cameron White Assistant Principal
Congratulations to the following students who received a ‘Student of the Week’ award.
Evie 0A – For sing her letter-sound knowledge to sound our non-sense words. Great Work, Evie!
Arya 0A – For using her problem solving skills during Developmental Play when helping others build objects. Great Work, Arya!
Micky 0A – For participating with such joy in our learning. Your happiness and smiles make our class a wonderful place to learn and grow together. Well Done, Micky!
Alice 0B – For showing amazing work in blending sounds, identifying initial and final sounds, and coming up with her own rhyming words! Keep up the fantastic effort Alice!
Samuel 0B – For bravely having a go at blending sounds to decode CVC words and recognising our heart words in text, Samuel is always eager to participate and gives his best effort. Well done, Samuel!
Daphne 1A – For making an excellent text-to-self connection with the book The Most Magnificent Thing. You challenged yourself by explaining what part of the text reminded you of your own life. You rockstar!
Klim 1A – For a wonderful first week at Glen Huntly Primary School. We love having you in our class!
Eren 1B – for showing incredible resilience during our partitioning unit! You never gave up and explored so many different ways to partition tens and ones—what a superstar effort! Keep up the amazing work, Eren! Don’t tell Eren – it is a surprise! 😀
Saanvi 1C – This student has shown fantastic respect in our reading sessions this week. She listened carefully, shared her ideas, and made great text-to-self connections by relating stories to her own experiences. Keep up the amazing work, Saanvi!
Amelia 2A – For writing a thoughtful and creative narrative titled ‘Wrong Map’ Your planning was clear and detailed and your five page story took me on a fantastic adventure. Amazing effort!
Hugo 2A – for showing Pride and Resilience in both Numeracy and Inquiry this week. In Numeracy you persisted in representing whole numbers using non-standard expanded form. Then, in Inquiry you gave clear and well-presented examples and non-examples of how to show respect. Outstanding efforts, Hugo!
Nora 2B – For your efforts in creating your story Alexander and the Horse Circuit. Your outstanding use of vocabulary choices like winding, frantically, marmalade, and attempting brought your writing to life and immerses the reader in every part. Fantastic work Nora!
Arjav 2B – showing creativity in your writing this week. You have done a smashing job at extending your sentences with conjunctions, like the word because. Way to go Arjav!
Maggie 3B – Showing care, kindness and patience in the classroom and always helping others. Well done on overcoming your reservations and giving a fantastic presentation to the class about your many superstar qualities!
Rishan 3C – perseverance when faced with narrative writing challenges. He pushed through with a positive attitude.
Sophia 4A – Showing her working for addition and challenging herself. She did such a good job!
Charli 4A – For being a hardworking, caring student and for always looking out for others in 3/4A! Well Done Charli!
Nyala 4B – For displaying beautiful manners in the classroom, working to her fullest and taking such pride in her workbook presentation. Well done on your kindness to others too!
Aryan 5B – Settling into his new class extremely well, showing Respect to his peers and Creativity in Maths.
Avyaan 6B – Demonstrating your leadership and organisational skills as an inclusion monitor. The Prep’s and Year 1’s loved having you there.
Hanish 6C – For consistently going above and beyond to help both classmates and teachers, always offering a hand when needed. Your kindness, patience, and willingness to assist others make you a true role model and a valuable member of our class.
Zac 6C – For demonstrating a strong understanding of text structure through his detailed analysis of a narrative text. His ability to break down key elements such as plot development and sequencing of events has truly stood out. Well done!
Sport News
House Swimming
Last week on the 14th of Feb we had our House Swimming Carnival. It was lots of fun. It was also great that we were able to have the event at Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool, which is just down the street from the school.
The event was fun and more inclusive with 25m races and the splash pad on offer.
The events over the day were 50m & 25m Freestyle ,50 & 25m Backstroke, 50m & 25m Breaststroke, 25m Butterfly and 25m Relay Boys & Girls.
The spirit cup was won by Kurwan and it is about how well the team cheered and if they showed sportsmanship, the chant is also factored in.
For the House Shield the positions were as follows, in 4th was Pike on 53, in 3rd on 75 was Bael, in 2nd was Kurwan on 92 and Garrawang came 1st on 128.
The House Shield is awarded to the house with the most points over the course of the day. Another good thing is that no one all day yielded (gave up) and everyone had fun.
Thank you to Ms Price for organising this event.
By Daniel 5/6C
2025 Garrawang House Captain
Year 1 News
‘In Writing this term, the Year 1s are learning all about fairytales. So far, they have learnt about the elements and structure of fairytales and have practised sequencing and retelling familiar stories.
In Week 4, we read Hansel and Gretel and the students worked in small groups to make puppets of the characters. Then, they practised retelling the story by acting it out in their groups. Some teams even got to present their puppet show to the class!
This week, the students are starting to plan and develop their very own fairytales. Once published, we will be collating these into a class fairytale book that everyone can read and enjoy!’
TheirCare News
GHPS Facebook
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Calendar 2025
Term 1
March
Tue 11 Curriculum Day
Wed 12 to 21 NAPLAN
Fri 21 Harmony Day
Mon 24 Year 5/6 Camp
April
Fri 4 Last Day of term 1 2.30 finish
Tue 22 Term 2 begins
Fri 25 ANZAC Day public holiday
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.