Healesville Primary School
NEWSLETTER
Edition 22 - Friday 26th July 2019
A note from the Principal
Hello everyone,
I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself. I started this week incredibly excited about the opportunity I have as Principal of Healesville Primary School. When I first came to the school to meet the staff and students at the end of last year I was blown away by the enthusiastic students, welcoming staff, site and facilities. For the past eighteen months, I have been working as part of the Differentiated Support for Schools Initiative (DSSI) in the Outer East. This work has focused on school improvement, teaching both students and teachers at eight schools. Healesville was one of these schools so I am very lucky to have worked with many of your students specifically on Reading. Prior to this, my most recent teaching was at a school in Templestowe where I was a class teacher and part of the leadership team.
I am very fortunate as I love what I do, I love teaching and learning. I pride myself on being open to learning and I believe this is fundamental to all aspects of my life- professional and personal. I have three children of my own, two sons and a daughter and they are always at the core of my life.
I also have a personal mantra of being the best I can be. I encourage all my students to try, to give everything a go, to try their best. I will be encouraging all staff and students at Healesville to be the best that they can be. I will endeavour to be the best principal I can be and you can be assured that your students will be at the heart of everything I do.
I would like to thank everyone for my wonderful, positive welcome to Healesville Primary. It has been amazing. I would also like to encourage everyone to come up and say hello either at the office or if you see me outside. I cannot promise I will remember everyone’s name to begin with but I will learn.
Kind regards,
Tracey Robertson-Smith
From the AP’s desk…
Firstly I want to welcome Tracey to the school. The staff including myself are all very excited by the positive, collaborative and open leadership that it’s clear Tracey is bringing to the vital role of principal of our wonderful school. Her focus on ‘school pride’ is a welcome one and I really look forward to working with her to build our school and community.
This newsletter item is a new addition and will cover operational things that are happening in the school and any other tid-bits that come across my desk.
I want to acknowledge some of our grade 6 leaders. Isabelle and Emma have both more than stepped up to the role of school captain in Scarlett’s absence. Along with Bek and Mia they are changing our school in such a positive way. Waste-Free Wednesday has become a thing already and just think of the waste we have saved from landfill. The Boys have started stepping up too, the Maintenance Crew of Riley, Hayden and Tyler have made our yard so much nicer and cleaner and it is great to see the pride that they are taking in their work.
Uniform: Please make sure that your child is coming to school in full school uniform – this is a really obvious way that we can build school pride. If you need financial help, please come and see me. Long jewellery or funny nails are not allowed for safety reasons.
Pick Up / Drop Off Zone: To make this a safe area:
• Please only pickup or drop off after the pedestrian crossing
• There is no parking anywhere in that zone
While we are talking about drop off please note that the school day starts from 8:30am. Your child should not be dropped off earlier than this time. Before school care is available should you require it, see Stacey, she’s ace.
2020 Prep: It’s that time of year where we start to think about our 2020 preps. Numbers are looking are looking well up for next year and our Open Afternoon was bustling. If you have a young one of the right age, don’t forget to come along to the open afternoons and transitions. See the office for details and enrolment forms.
Elliot Krzay is doing MS Readathon and has almost raised $100! Well done Elliot! To support him visit: https://www.msreadathon.org.au/fundraisers/elliotkrizay
Friday 26 July
Ski Trip - selected students
Monday 29 July
Bookclub due back
Wednesday 31 July
Round Robin - Years 5/6
Tuesday 6 August
PACH Meeting - 9am Staffroom
Thursday 8 August
Open Afternoon for 2020 Preps 2:45 - 3:15pm
Friday 9 August
Year 5/6 - Interschool Sport - Away vs Woori Yallock
Sunday 11 August
Choir performing at the Memo Hall - 2.00pm
Monday 12 August - Tuesday 20 August
Middle School Swimming - 3K, 3/4B, 4GH & P6J
Tuesday 13 August
School Council Meeting
Friday 16 August
Year 5/6 Interschool Sport - Home vs Launching Place
Monday 19 August - Friday 23 August
Book Week
Thursday 22 August
Open Afternoon for 2020 Preps 2:45 - 3:15pm
Thursday 29th August
Fathers/Special Persons day breakfast
Thursday 5 September
Open Afternoon for 2020 Preps 2:45 - 3:15pm
Students of the Week
1F: Blake D, James A & Mason E
1/2V: Jordan M, Emmy M & Sophie A 2G: Alyssa M & Maya R
3K: Archie H & Darcy R 3/4B: Zander V & Grace S 4G: Kiah V
Rock & Water: Liam W
P6J: Kane H & Nathan H
House Tokens
Dear HPS families,
Welcome back to school for Term 3. I hope you all had a lovely holiday break although it might feel like a long time ago now. It is great to be back after my extended holiday in South America and see so many happy faces back at school ready for a great term ahead!
As many of you know, my role here is to provide support and care for the whole school community in whatever way is needed (socially, emotionally, and spiritually). I am available for coffee/tea chats with parents and staff, one on one time with students who need extra support for issues both in school and at home, practical help, running group programs and providing a listening ear. I also assist in the classroom where required. If you don’t know me yet, please come up and say hi. I would love to meet you. To let you know, my days at school have changed. I am now here on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Here are a couple of pics from Peru and Colombia. These are such amazing countries. Travelling teaches us so much about the world and about ourselves. During this term I will share some insights from my trip that I believe are valuable for our students and families as we all seek to do life well.
Have a great term.
Blessings,
Penny
(School Chaplain/Welfare)
ROCK & WATER
Term 3
This term in Rock & Water our focus is on anxiety or worry. It’s important to note that anxiety is a normal emotion, everyone experiences it and it can be a positive thing. In our class we have talked about how anxiety or nervousness can help us by motivating us, keeping us safe, warning us of the need to be careful, or helping us know what to be prepared for.
However, anxiety can become a problem if we don’t know how to handle it. Statistics from Beyond Blue say that it is now the most common mental health issue in Australia, with 1 in 4 adults experiencing difficulties related to anxiety. 1 in 14 young people (aged 4-17) will experience an anxiety disorder and it has been shown that young people are far less likely to seek help.
We have learned about what happens in our brains and in our bodies when we are anxious, so that we have a better understanding of what’s going on physically. We are now brainstorming things that can help us deal with our anxiety, with the intention that each child will have a personal “toolbox” of strategies, items and ideas they can use to help manage strong emotions. As part of this we will be making Mind Jars in class over the next 2 weeks, so please send along a clean empty screw top jar of any size with your child’s name and grade written on the lid.
Attached is a list of some ideas that you and your child may like to use at home to set up their own toolbox.
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY - COMBINED SCHOOLS CHOIR IN HEALESVILLE
Attention all lovers of singing and culture…..
Healesville Primary School has been invited to participate in a special concert to celebrate the Year of Indigenous Language and Culture.
Catherine Nolan is bringing together all the schools in Healesville as well as her own Yingi Choir to sing in a concert she has created to celebrate our local indigenous language and culture. Healesville Primary school choir is participating and we invite everyone to come along, support them and enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music.
The concert is to be held on Sunday 11 August at 2.00 – 3.00pm in Memo Hall. Tickets are free for children and $10 for adults at the door.
Students involved in singing are rehearsing on Wednesdays (and a couple of Mondays) at school during lunch time in the performing arts room in preparation for the concert. There will be a notice going home for participating students with further details.
Come along to this wonderful community event!
Canteen Menu
CAMP AUSTRALIA - BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
We are getting ready for Science week at Before and After School Care.
Recipe for Non Cooking Playdough
3/4 cup salt
2-3 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon food coloring
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup water.
You may need extra water.
Once all mixed together put it on the bench and start kneading it like bread.
Stacey & Bob, Camp Australia - where we make children smile.
If your child is unwell and unable to attend After School Care,
please call Stacey direct on 0405 440 885.
If you wish to enrol in Before and/or Afters School Care, you need to enrol via the
Camp Australia enrolment link below.
About Us
Email: healesvilleps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: www.hps.vic.gov.au
Location: Healesville Primary School, 2 View St, Healesville VIC, Australia
Phone: (03) 59624053
Facebook: facebook.com/healesvilleps