Newsletter #4 March 14 2025
GHPS IS COMMITTED TO CHILD SAFETY
Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.
Mr White and I attended the Beachside Principals’ Conference in Sorrento for two days in week 5 where the theme centred on the science of learning, cognitive load and introducing the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model to our school.
The conference provided an additional opportunity to delve into the research and practical strategies aimed at enhancing learning environments. Discussions and workshops explored how understanding brain function can optimise teaching methods and support student learning effectively. This valuable experience will assist us to continue to build an informed teaching and learning model at Glen Huntly.
On curriculum day last Tuesday, our staff focused on the revised Mathematics Curriculum 2.0 to enhance our school report, aligning it more closely with the updated outcomes and scope and sequence. This revision aims to make our reports more user-friendly for parents, facilitating a better understanding of their child’s progress.
Privacy policy reminder
There have been some untruths being shared on class WhatsApp’s, which can cause unnecessary worry for families.
If you need to know what is really happening, please ask your class teacher, our friendly office staff, or myself.
When using WhatsApp please keep in mind the school’s privacy policy which states:
Public Use of Social Media (inclusive of WhatsApp)
Defamation law aims to balance the right to protect the reputation of individuals and schools with the public’s right to freedom of speech.
It is important to consider the following elements:
- Has the statement been published? This means it has been shared to other people in some fashion (other than sent directly to the school itself).
- Is the statement largely untrue or unsubstantiated?
- Can the school (or perhaps, the principal, a schoolteacher, student or school board member) be identified from the statement?
- Has the statement damaged the reputation of the school/individual or is it likely to?
- Will the damage to the school’s reputation cause financial loss by impacting enrolments, donations and bequests or government grants?
Thank you for your cooperation.
Class reps
Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to be a class rep.
I would still love to have volunteers from the prep classes, grade 1, and grades 3/4.
Open Streets- What a success!
A big thank you to everyone who supported and participated in our Open Streets program over the February. It has been wonderful to see our community come together, creating a safer, healthier, and connected school environment.
The initiative showed how streets can be shared spaces, not just for cars. By reducing traffic, we encouraged more cycling, skating, scooting, and walking and made the school less traffic-congested around our gates. Small changes like this can have a big impact on safety, health, and community spirit.
Thank you to Victoria Bicycle Network, Department of Education and Glen Eira Council. for all your planning, coordination, enthusiasm, and support. Love our GHPS community!
Parent Helpers
Parent Helpers are a valuable opportunity to build a strong partnership between school and home and also present the opportunity to create wonderful memories of engaging in your child’s education.
It is a prerequisite that parents helping in classrooms, and when attending excursions or incursions first undertake our Parent Helper Course before volunteering. This only needs to be done once in your child’s schooling.
Please follow this link (it’s also on the website) to watch the video and read the relevant Child Safe policies.
1Parent-Helpers-Guide-2024.pdf
NAPLAN
The NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy tests for students in Years 3 and 5 are underway. Writing and reading have been completed. Next week will see the students undertaking the Language Conventions assessment on Wednesday and Numeracy on Thursday. Catch up sessions will also be scheduled for next Friday
5/6 CAMP
Preparations are underway for our exciting Grade 5/6 Camp at the Lady Northcote in Gippsland, which is a three-day adventure camp experience.
The activities the students will be participating in will have a strong focus on building resilience, teamwork, and responsibility.
Participation in the camp program is an integral component of the curriculum and aligns with our school values.
I believe it is very important all our grade 5/6 attend this valuable event.
Junior School Council
Class representatives for JSC have been chosen through a voting process in their class and for many of our students, this is their first leadership opportunity within a school setting.
It was a sheer delight to announce the 2025 Junior School Councillors this week as it is always wonderful when the children are recognised for their resilience, vision, and leadership.
Congratulations to everyone and I look forward to hearing the ideas and suggestions from our JSC members at our first meeting on Tuesday March 18.
| 2A | Emmy and Albert |
| 2B | Jett and Nora |
| 3/4A | Robin and Dominik |
| 3/4B | Ernest and Sophia |
| 3/4C | Ragav and Rishaa |
| 5/6A | James and Mahati |
| 5/6B | Siena and Kanishk |
| 5/6C | Jonah and Shivika |
| School Captains | Ivy and Akhilesh |
Harmony Day
Harmony Day at GHPS is on Friday, March 21st.
Harmony Day is the day on which we recognise the diverse cultures of our school and nation and celebrate the richness of each culture.
On the day, our students will be completing activities to develop their cross-cultural understanding.
We encourage all of our students and staff to get into the spirit of Harmony Day by wearing a “touch of orange” or wear a traditional costume to recognise Harmony Day.
Don’t forget you can order rice paper rolls for lunch through the GPA.
There will be a special assembly dedicated to Harmony Day starting at 2.30.
Nerida Burns Principal Cameron White Assistant Principal
Congratulations to the following students who received a ‘Student of the Week’ award.
Abigail 0A – For drawing a detailed picture that demonstrated her understanding of the importance of keeping personal information safe.
Billy 0A – For his amazing sounding out of the word – police ‘p-o-l-e-s’ when labelling his colouring in. Great Work Billy!
Finn 0B – showing excellent focus and participation in class this week. He has demonstrated resilience and persistence while practising the formation of his lowercase letters. Finn has also had a go at using his sounds knowledge to spell CVC words. Well done, Finn, keep up the hard work!
Elysha 1A – For your amazing ideas and plan for your fairy tale. I can’t wait to dive into the adventure and read about Ginger being rescued by Rose.
Hazel 1C – This student has demonstrated great creativity in their fairy tale writing piece this week. They have successfully used their plan and included fairy tale characters such as fairies, giants, and mermaids. Well done Hazel, what a great storyteller you are becoming!
Eddie 2A – For showing fantastic teamwork and determination during our measuring activities this week! You collaborated wonderfully with your partner, helping them estimate and record object masses using the balance scales. Outstanding effort!
Jett 2B – For sharing his insightful ideas during our wellbeing lesson about teamwork this week. His ideas sparked great discussion and helped everyone to understand the value of collaboration. Way to go Jett!
Vivaan 3A – For close reading our Mentor text ‘Fox’ during Literacy sessions. He showed a confident understanding of themes and could give examples to match the theme. Well done Vivaan!
Isabel 3B – For attentively listening and sharing her ideas in Grammar sessions and writing enthusiastically in story writing lessons.
Lia 3C – showing determination in numeracy when subtracting and learning about time.
Yianni 6A – For your outstanding leadership at the Lightning Premiership. We received many positive comments on your inclusiveness, fairness and sportsmanship.
Kai 5B – Showing excellent Teamwork at Lightning Premiership, by helping all your teammates, and showing respect to your teachers and opposition throughout the day. Great work Kai.
Emma 5C – For the detailed responses she wrote in answer to questions about the House of Representatives and the Senate. It has been wonderful to see her interest in the Australian Parliamentary process during our Inquiry lessons!
Did Your Child Do “Nothing” At School Today?
If your child says, “nothing” when you ask “what did you do at school today?” here’s what it means – and how to have better after-school conversations with your school-aged children.
If you have school-aged children, here’s a conversation that you might recognise:
You: “How was school today? What did you do?”
Child: “Nothing.”
Sound familiar? If so, you’re not the only one.
It’s not uncommon for parents to hear “Nothing” or “No one played with me” when they ask “What did you do at school today?”
Be specific about what you’re asking for them. Instead of “How was your day?” Think about it: as adults, we don’t even pay attention when somebody says, “How are you?” We say, “Fine,” and then we move on. Try to be realistic about the expectations you’re placing on children.
You might ask questions like, “What’s one thing that brought you joy? Who’s one friend you played with that you liked? What’s one cool thing you learnt in your classroom today?”
Your child may feel bombarded and may react by withdrawing or pushing you away. It’s okay for them to have that space, especially as they get older.
Other children, particularly those who need some time with transitions, need to be able to reconnect with you in simple ways that don’t have to do with answering questions or reviewing the day.
As a parent, it’s helpful to express interest, but don’t demand that you know everything that’s going on.
Source: https://www.littleotterhealth.com/blog/what-did-you-do-at-school-nothing
Support Materials to support discussion
Literacy Hub – Big 6 of Reading
Mathematics Scope and Sequence – Maths/Numeracy topics covered at each level
Year 3/4 News
In Term 1, the Years 3 and 4 students have been using mentor texts during literacy sessions to expand on their comprehension and vocabulary skills. Using the mentor texts ‘Gary’ by Leila Rudge and ‘Fox’ by Margaret Wild.
The students have been developing their reading skills such as making text connections, close reading, finding themes and the main ideas and visualising. Students also have been doing daily work on spelling before their work with our mentor texts. This has been very beneficial for all students to regularly review and work on spelling rules and strategies.
This week, our Year 3 students have begun their first NAPLAN tests for Writing and Reading. The 3/4 teachers were blown away by our students’ focus and putting into practice what they have learned not only in the first few weeks of school this year, but also in previous years.
Whilst our Year 3’s completed NAPLAN, our Year 4 students took part in a wonderful leadership and teamwork workshop with Miss Pearsall and Harmony Day activities with Miss Strain. They showed great enthusiasm, maturity, and creativity in each of these sessions.
We’re so proud of the start our Year 3 and 4 students have had to 2025 and look forward to all the learning and fun we’ll have for the rest of the year.
Miss Piscioneri, Miss Strain, Miss Krauze and Miss Pearsall
TheirCare News
GHPS Facebook
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Calendar 2025
Term 1
March
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.