Newsletter #9 13 June 2025
GHPS IS COMMITTED TO CHILD SAFETY
Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.
Swimming
The last two weeks were busy with our intensive swimming program. The students had a wonderful time developing their swimming skills at the Carnegie Pool. The convenience of walking to the pool far outweighed the bus rides of past years. It also enabled many parents to come along and see the lessons in action.
Both students, teachers and many parents gave positive feedback. It is my aim to continue the intensive program at Carnegie pool in 2026 but in term 4. If you would like to provide your feedback, please email me at; Nerida.burns@education.vic.gov.au.
Curriculum Day
Last Friday, our staff participated in a curriculum day focused on well-being.
Mr. White provided an overview of the comprehensive and inclusive well-being curriculum and programs currently implemented at GHPS. A key highlight was our introduction to The Social Stencil, an Australian social-emotional curriculum designed to help students understand their own and others’ social, emotional, learning, and communication styles.
Developed over 16 years by Psychologist Dr. Connie Buckingham, The Social Stencil is a neuroaffirming program that fosters inclusive classrooms by recognizing individual differences. It aims to cultivate acceptance, positive peer relationships, and a sense of belonging, thereby contributing to supportive and effective learning environments.
Our teachers are scheduled to integrate this program into their curriculum in Term 3, aiming to enhance students’ social-emotional development and contribute to a positive school culture.
Staffing
Our much-loved music and 3/4A teacher Miss Strain has decided to resign her full-time position effective from the start of term 3.
We are currently in the recruiting process, but this is proving challenging with a limited number of music teachers available. However, we are confident of replacing her role as 3/4A’s class teacher on a Thursday and Friday.
I will keep you posted on our progress.
Reports
Twice a year, parents and carers receive a semester report which indicates your child’s achievement with a ‘progression point’. This progression point score is used from Foundation to Year 10 to track student achievement and growth along the learning continuum in 0.5 increments between the standard achievement levels (e.g. 3.0, 3.5, 4.0).
In addition to a progression point for each of the curriculum areas taught in the semester, teachers provide a description of the core concepts developed. A wellbeing comment is also written which provides an overall summary of a student’s progress, effort, and attitude across all learning areas. It often includes observations about the student’s personal and social development, work habits, classroom behaviour, and engagement in school life.
This year we have updated the Mathematics section to align with the new Mathematics curriculum 2.0. There is now a series of outcomes (demonstrated skills and knowledge) which is marked against a continuum of achievement- not yet achieved, with support, developing, consolidating and established.
This semester’s report will be available to families on June 27 on Compass.
Lightning premiership
Yesterday, our Grade 5/6 students participated in this term’s Lightning Premiership, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship across netball, soccer, and T-ball.
Each team demonstrated dedication and teamwork, making us incredibly proud. Their positive attitude and respect for the game were evident throughout the day.
A special congratulations to all our teams for their efforts and achievements.
News from Junior School Council
Hi,
This week in Student Council meeting we talked about bullying and mean behaviours and the new school playground. The new school playground is going to be near the Japanese room and bike racks. There may be a double slide, rock climbing wall, monkey bars, rope climbing or a single slide.
Also, please tell your kids not to be mean or bully others.
Thank you,
Ragav and Rishaa 3/4C
School Council News
Out of School Hours Care Survey
School council has created a short survey to gather feedback from families who currently use our before and After School Care program provided by TheirCare.
Your feedback will help School Council gain insights into what our families like and value and areas that can be improved. Your response is completely anonymous. The more responses we receive the more informed we can be to improve the OSHC services to meet the needs of our families.
Please click on the link to access the survey:
Our School Council encourages all parents, students, and educational staff to participate in the Australian Government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. This initiative invites your insights on current strategies for preventing and addressing bullying in schools. Your contributions will inform a national standard aimed at enhancing student safety and wellbeing. Additionally, the review includes consultations with stakeholders across the country, including parents, teachers, and students, scheduled between June and July 2025.
School Council encourages you to share your experiences and suggestions to help shape a safer and more supportive school environment for all.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Nerida Burns Principal Cameron White Assistant Principal
Congratulations to the following students who received a ‘Student of the Week’ award.
Timofey 0A – For showing amazing effort and a positive attitude during swimming lessons. You gave it your all and never gave up!
Albie 0A – For showing fantastic decoding skills by sounding out words and reading decodable texts with confidence and enthusiasm! Great Work!
Arjun 0B – For showing great listening, a positive attitude and bravery during swimming. Arjun tried his best in every session this week with a smile! Well done, Arjun!
Ariyna 0B – For showing excellent reading this week! Ariyna used her phonics knowledge to decode CVC and CVCC words and read with confidence and fluency. Well done, Ariyna!
Aiden 1A – For your amazing video presentation about clouds. Your video was fun to watch, you knew all your information and you even pretended to be a weather reporter. I loved your creativity!
Abigail 1A – For bringing our school values to life every day. You are a shining example of our school spirit!
Frankie 1B – For absolutely shining in her presentation about Summer! She wowed us with her creative explanation of how the Earth’s tilt causes the seasons—using a basketball and a mandarin as her models (who needs NASA when we’ve got Frankie?). Her presentation was clever, clear, and totally captivating. Way to tilt our minds, Frankie!
Mickey 1C – This student has shown a strong understanding of how to write a conclusion in an information report, summarising how rainbows are formed. He also shows great awareness of others around him, waiting his turn, using kind words, and treating classmates with care. Although quiet, he observes, listens, and responds thoughtfully. A wonderful example of our school values—well done, Mickey!
Eden 1C – This student consistently shows Pride in their learning and always works to the best of their ability. They wrote a detailed and clear report about rainbows, sharing some interesting facts and demonstrating a good understanding of how to structure an information report. Well done on your great effort, Eden!
Emmy 2A – For showing an amazing attitude at swimming this week. You listened carefully to your instructor, stayed organised, and was always the first one ready out of the change rooms. Well done Swimming Superstar!
Nabila 2A – For coming to school prepared and excited to create her diorama of The Great Barrier Reef. She painted her shoebox beautifully and used colourful pipe cleaners to build a vibrant and creative coral reef scene. Great Work!
Adhiyamaan 2B – For creating a magnificently presented published copy of your information report about the Tasmanian Devil. Your handwriting was impeccable and very neat! Keep it up Adhiyamaan!
Lachlan 2B – For your awesome Uluru diorama – what a creative construction! You turned paper and pipe cleaners into a mini-Australian landmark, and it looked fantastic. Well Done!
Alexandra 2B – For your amazing information report and super cool diagram of the Southern Blue-Ringed Octopus! Your attention to detail and creative touch made it a real standout. Well Done!
Yashas 3A – For showing initiative at Cooking! He was wiping down tables and getting involved in the group. A super display of teamwork and a willingness to try new things!
Nameer 3C – Well done Nameer for making a positive social start to your journey at Glen Huntly. You have shown excitement in swimming and engagement when discovering data maths task. Epic job. Keep it up.
Zoe 3C – For showing exceptional responsibility in her house points monitor role. Also, great effort into her interpreting and comparing graphs understanding.
Manny 4A – For his wonderful enthusiasm and abilities of identifying and adding Fractions! Well Done, Manny, keep up the great work in Numeracy!
Shivansh 5A – For taking time to do your homework to a very high standard and as a result getting excellent results on your spelling test. Great job Shiv!
Akhilesh 6B – Applying himself during swimming program and making huge improvement as a result.
Jaylen 6B – For showing excellent teamwork during Lightning Premiership and Respect towards his opponents.
Botir 6C – For utilising his summarising skills to support his inquiry project by extracting key facts from a website, helping him organise his research clearly. Your ability to summarise shows strong understanding and focus. Well done!
Jonah 6C – For clearly summarising key information about the country, Japan and writing a detailed, well-organised information report. Great work showing your understanding and strong writing skills!
Rina 6C – For your awareness of others, always offering help to those who you sense are stuck or unsure about a task. It is truly amazing to see how you care and think of your peers! Thank you!
Maths News
Mathematics Position Statement
This position statement outlines Victoria’s approach to teaching mathematics and prioritises evidence-based practices aligned with how students learn.
Numeracy is a fundamental life skill. The development and application of mathematical knowledge and skills builds students’ conceptual and imaginative worlds, supports problem solving attributes and skills and provides capabilities that contribute to full, participatory citizenship and career pathways.
Many Victorian students are developing strong mathematical knowledge and skills. However, not all students in Victoria – and across all Australian states and territories – are developing them to the level that will enable these aspirations to be fully realised. This is particularly the case for students who can face additional challenges, including students with disabilities or diverse learning needs. Consistent with The Education State – Excellence in Every Classroom, one of the key priorities for the Department of Education in 2025 and beyond will be to lift the numeracy attainment levels of every student.
We will achieve this through the following strategies:
- Implement the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0
- Ensure students have time to develop mastery
- Develop common classroom resources
- Address mathematics anxiety and build confidence
- Provide professional learning and support
Try at Home:
Powten
Practise multiplying and dividing numbers by powers of ten without using a calculator
About this resource
Interactive tasks where students multiply and divide by multiples of ten. There are five levels each with a set of twelve questions. Students are able to check their answers regularly throughout. CLICK HERE FOR TASKS
TheirCare News
GHPS Facebook
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Calendar 2025
Term 2
June
Wed 18 Year 1 Excursion
July
Fri 4 End of Term 2 Early Finish 2.30pm
Term 3
July
Mon 21 Term 3 commences
August
Fri 22 Kids Disco Night
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.