I hope you’ve had a great week and enjoyed the long weekend. Unfortunately for me, another bout of COVID has hit which has kept me at home for the week. I’ll be back on deck on Monday to gear up for the last couple of weeks of Term 1.
NAPLAN
The grade 3 and 5 students are in the middle of sitting NAPLAN testing. The teachers in these year levels have been working with the students to help them be as prepared as possible. All we can ask is that the kids give it their very best, and we will be proud of them regardless of the results. This is the second year that NAPLAN has been in March which means that we should receive results much sooner than previous years. There are a couple more tests next week and some catch up sessions organised for any child who wasn’t able to sit the test on the day.
Grade 4 Campers are back!
The recent Grade 4 Camp to Phillip Island was a great success. I’d like to thank all the students for challenging themselves over the three camp days, especially considering this was the first experience away from home for many children. Camp is a chance to develop independence, build friendships and experience activities that offer a different educational challenge than regular schooling provides.
The first night on camp is always exciting for the kids, and it often means that they like to stay up a bit later than usual. I had to put my “dad hat” on a few times to remind the boys that they needed a good sleep! Funnily enough, Tuesday night was much quieter because there were a few tired kids after two days of activities.
Our last stop before arriving back at school on Wednesday was at the Koala Conservation Reserve. By chance, one of the workers at the reserve knew one of the students and passed on some feedback to the family. She said that our school was one of the best groups they’ve ever had through the park and wished that every school group was as good as ours. I love hearing feedback like this – it just reiterates that we truly are an awesome school. My sincere thanks go to Ms O’Neill, Mrs Ascenzo, Ms Mason, Mrs Hodgkiss and parent helpers Jason Kum and Stephanie Robinson for all your amazing work.
Digital Enrolments
This year our school will use an online system for new enrolments. All primary schools in Inner East and Outer East areas of the North East Victoria Region are using this online system.
The online system will be available for parents who are applying to enrol their child in Foundation (Prep). An application form can be completed on laptops, PC’s and mobile phones. The online system will also allow you to upload documented proof of residential address.
It is important to note that the placement policy is followed by all government schools. You can view the placement policy on the Boronia Heights Primary School website. Your chances of being offered a place in the schools you apply for are not advantaged or disadvantaged by using this system.
Victorian government school enrolments for Foundation (Prep) for the 2025 school year will open from Monday 15 April 2024, the start of Term 2. Families are asked to submit enrolment applications by Friday 26 July 2024. The link to apply for a place online at this school will be available on our school website from the beginning of Term 2 (April 15), we will also email out a link to all families who have expressed an interest via the link on our website.
Three-way conferences
Thanks to the support of the school community, we are able to run the three-way conferences as planned on Tuesday 26th March. A few Compass posts have gone out to explain the booking procedure for the day. The children who are attending on-site for the day will be placed into groups and supervised by one of our specialist teachers. More details about the organisation for on-site students will be send out next week.
I’d like to thank you all for your support regarding this plan. I was keen to ensure three-way conferences remained a key part of our teacher/parent/student reporting processes, so I’m pleased that we’re able to run the day in the way it was intended.
Easter Raffle and Happy Hour Concert
I’m very much looking forward to experiencing my first Happy Hour Concert on the last day of term, Thursday 28th March. The concert begins at 11:30am on the netball courts at the front of the school. Each year level will perform a song, the Easter Raffle will be drawn, and we will present students with the new Principal’s Award for Term 1. This is going to be a wonderful way to end the term and I look forward to seeing lots of BHPS families and friends.
Kind regards,
Mat Anderton
Principal