Heights Happenings – 2023 – Term 4, Week 9

Student Leaders in 2024

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to hear from thirteen year 5 students who presented for school captain in 2024. They all did such an amazing job and I, along with the year 5 teachers, specialist teachers and APs, were extremely proud of their bravery in putting themselves forward for a leadership role. We have now finalised our process for selecting our 2024 Student Leaders. It was a very comprehensive process, and I would like to congratulate all the students who were involved. It was wonderful to see the students standing up in front of their peers, teachers and leadership delivering well-prepared and rehearsed speeches. The hard part was selecting the students for the positions as the calibre of students who applied was so high – we could easily have given school captain roles to all thirteen kids. These children are a credit to themselves, their families and the staff at our school.

It gives me great pleasure to announce that our 2024 Student Leaders are:

Weeding Bee

You may have noticed that some busy bees have been helping around the school with mulching during recess times. These kids have done an incredible job, especially on the embankment near the netball court. Whilst the gardens are looking much better, there’s still a lot of weeding to be done and we would greatly appreciate some help. If you can spare 30 minutes of your time on Monday 4^th December at 3pm to pull out a few weeds, it would go a long way to beautifying our gardens even more.

Many thanks to those of you who have already volunteered your time to help. Many hands make light work!

Colour Run

The Colour Run that took place on Wednesday last week was another special event. It was made even more special due to the efforts of a group of parent volunteers, lead by the incredible Tracey Vervoort. Tracey organised everything and we are all so thankful for her commitment to the school. We were lucky to have a lovely afternoon for the kids to have a bit of fun and a run around.

The total amount of funds raised for the event is still being calculated, but regardless of the amount, I’d like to thank the entire school community for getting behind this event and supporting our school once again.

Parking around the school

Unfortunately, I must talk about parking around the school once again. I understand that parking is problematic at drop off and pick up times. Everyone seems to want the parking spot right near the school gate, but with 500 students at the school, it’s simply not possible to get the perfect spot every time. Please be patient. I hear regularly from disgruntled neighbours and other parents about people using the disabled car park spaces on Landscape Drive, parking across driveways and using the area in front of the dumpsters on Phipps Ave. Please help me and the school by behaving sensibly – the last thing anyone wants is an accident that could have been avoided if only people had parked correctly.  Thank you.

Christmas Concert night and Raffle

Just another reminder to say that we are looking forward to welcoming our school community to our Christmas concert on the Tuesday 5^th of December. The evening will begin at 6pm and should go through to around 7:30pm.  Our very talented students will be performing on the night in grade items. You are most welcome to bring a picnic dinner on the night, however, please note that NO ALCOHOL is allowed to be brought into and consumed at the school. In the interest of keeping our school clean, we ask that all rubbish be taken home with you at the end of the night.

The Community Hub will have once again organised a Christmas Raffle, with all tickets selling for $1 each. This raffle will be drawn at our Christmas Concert night. There will be 3 major prizes. Raffle tickets will be sent home next week with your children.  This is our final fundraiser for the year, and we thank you in advance for your continued support of our school.

School Council update

As the year draws to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our School Council members for their exceptional contributions to our school community. Their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have truly made a positive impact on the school and our community.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to the school council members whose terms are expiring in 2024: James Burrows, Sarah Kiss, Serge Tolmachev, Jessica Petchell, Saascha Cargill and Lisa Baker. Their commitment and valuable insights are appreciated not only by me, but the entire council.

My final thanks go to our retiring School Council President, Sharon Walker, whose work on School Council as a parent member and President for the last seven years has been exceptional. Sharon has had a particularly busy year, considering she was part of two Principal selection panels and the school review. These aspects of the President’s role as crucial in the operations of the school, so for Sharon to volunteer many weeks of her time to undertake these tasks is admirable. From all of us at Boronia Heights Primary School, we say “Thank You”.

Have a great week,

Mat Anderton
Principal

Year 5 Art Excursion to the NGV

This term, a selected group of Year 5 students attended an art excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria: Ian Potter Centre. The students travelled by train into the city and spent the day exploring the gallery. They participated in a guided tour, engaging in discussions about various artworks. The focus was on exploring visual art elements and principles while understanding how artists convey ideas through their art. Additionally, students took part in a workshop at the gallery, applying their knowledge of these elements and principles to create their own artwork. The students also explored the graffiti alley of Hosier Lane, witnessing an artist in action. It was a fantastic day and the gallery curators were impressed with our students’ creative abilities!

Tara Henstock

Visual Arts Teacher

Yarning Circle Update

This week our Yarning Circle met together during lunch to continue their work on our School’s Acknowledgement to Country. There will be a visual display which includes the words of the Acknowledgement in our front office for all of our school community and visitors to our school to see. Vanessa Murdoch (EACH) and Angela Thurbon (Knox Council) came with wood burners for the students to complete a drawing of a symbol or image of their choice on small wooden plaques. Some of the childrens’ pictures included birds, landscapes and possums. These wooden plaques will then be incorporated into the visual display to represent each of our school community’s First Nations families. Tara Henstock has also been talking with students from all classes on the new wording of our Acknowledgement to Country, what it means as well as creating a piece of artwork with contributions from all students which will also go up in the office. I’ll keep that bit a surprise!

It’s been great seeing food drive items being placed under the Christmas tree in the foyer, ready to be handed over to CHAMPION. They have already expressed their thanks for all donations and they look forward to giving them to families in our local area. Please be mindful of how hard this time of the year can be for some families, not only financially but also other tensions and stresses, especially as we approach Christmas. Showing kindness and thoughtfulness to all who cross our path can go along way. As I tell the kids, smiles are free!

Sarah McIntosh
Student Welfare

Weeding Bees

If so, we would love to see you at our Buildings & Grounds Weeding Bees!

• Once a month on a Monday at 3.00-3.30pm
• Small, doable areas targeted.
• No gardening ability required – there will be someone to ensure that you pull out weeds, not plants.
• BYO gloves, hand trowels – the school only has children’s gloves sorry.

The next date and last for the year is Monday 4th December 3.00pm – 3.30pm

Inclusive Play Space Construction!

Our old senior playground is well and truly gone!

This is an exciting project that should be ready by the start of Term 1 next year.

Grade 5 & 6 Surfing

On the 15^th and 16^th of November the Year 5 and Year 6 students attended a Learn to Surf day held at Smith Beach Phillip Island by the Island Surf Company. The program was run by qualified surf instructors working through the Surfing Australia Program who taught our students the importance of water safety and how to surf. A big thank you to the amazing surf instructors as well as our Year 5 and 6 teachers who joined myself and the students on both days. We had two fantastic days and the surf instructors spoke very highly of our students and their behaviour on both days, so well done BHPS students!

Thank you from ME!

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all our students, staff, and parents at BHPS as I head off on Maternity leave on the 24^th of November. As I always say, the P.E. program cannot run without the support of everyone, so to anyone who has volunteered their time and dealt with my many many emails. Thank you so very much! I look forward to seeing everyone when I am back. I hope you and your families have a safe and happy Christmas and New Years!

Taylah Smith
Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

Digital Researchers in Year 4

In Year 4 we have recently learned a bit more about how the internet works. We have investigated how hyperlinks work and how the internet is like a big interconnected web. Students watched a video explaining the concept before using the internet to research information for their explanation texts in writing.

The Internet: How Search Works

We also learned about shortcuts that can be used to help narrow down or widen your search parameters.

“I never knew how the internet worked before!” – Caiden

“We tried using the different symbols to help with our searches.” – Tyler T

“I found out about the process of how basketballs are made.” – Jack H

Student of the Week

2024 Parent Payment Information

2024 Parent Payment information was recently sent out. Click here to access a digital copy. The COS portal for book pack orders is now open. Login information is found in the Parent Payment information packs.

Orders placed before 11th December will be delivered to your home by 24th December. Orders placed before 8th January will be delivered to your home prior to Term 1 commencement.

2024 CSEF

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $150 for eligible primary school. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

You can download the form here.

Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Reports via Compass

Do you have a student leaving BHPS in 2023?

Please ensure you remember to print off any reports via Compass before the last week of the school year. You will lose access to Compass on the 20th December 2023. Please refer to the below image to learn where to find all reports.

Name Your Belongings

We know you treasure your uniform and books. Please remember to label all uniform, books and belongings coming to school. Like most years, we have had an incredible amount of lost property through the year. The majority was unnamed, along with illegible tags. We would love lost items to boomerang back to your kids.

Colour Run – 22 November

Entertainment Book Offer!