Heights Happenings – 2025 – Term 2, Week 4

Education Week

Education Week is happening all next week, with lots of activities planned to celebrate the theme “Celebration of Cultures”. On Tuesday, we would love to see students bring something to school that represents their culture. Wednesday is our big day of celebration where we invite parents and friends to come for our Open Morning and Open Night. I’ll also be reading to the students at midday as part of the National Simultaneous Storytime event. This year’s book is titled “The Truck Cat” and it tells the story of a man who has immigrated to Australia and drives a truck alongside his cat, Tinka. Tinka gets lost along the way and must make it back to its owner, Yacoub.  You are most welcome to join us for this story on Wednesday at 12pm in the gym if you’re free.

Election Day Thankyou

Thanks to Leia Barrett and her group of volunteers for organising and running the election day barbeque. Special thanks to Paige in Year 4 for helping cook the sausages and spruiking sales. The community helped us raise $1734 towards the senior playground upgrade.

School Saving Bonus reminder

The Victorian Government has delivered the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

The SSB can be used for uniforms until Monday 30 June 2025. If your need to purchase uniform, you will need to go to Spartans before this date. The balance of your SSB is held in your account at school for school activities. You can contact the office at any time for your balance, if you need to use.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

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, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).

Eligible families will receive a payment of $154 per year for primary school students. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.

If you are eligible and have not yet applied for CSEF, please contact the school office and ask for an application form. Please return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Victorian State Schools Spectacular News

I was very pleased to inform the school community of the exciting news that one of our Year 6 students, Millie, has been chosen to perform in the main chorus at this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular. Millie loves performing. She is learning how to become a “triple threat” performer as part of the Young Australian Broadway Chorus. She gets her energy by being on stage – singing, dancing and acting. She auditioned for dance at VSSS as well, and could easily have joined that group too. Millies has a desire to be in a lead role at the VSSS one day. We’ve already had a past student performing at the VSSS, and Millie is well on her way to achieving this too.

Congratulations to Millie and her family on this exciting achievement.

All the best to Mrs Mason

My final message in this newsletter is to wish Mrs Emma Mason all the very best for the arrival of her first baby in a few weeks. Emma is beginning maternity leave today, and I know the students and staff can’t wait to see her and her son when he arrives.

In farewelling Emma, I’d like to welcome Mrs Michelle Lucas to the Year 5 team. Michelle is joining us from Eltham North Primary School where she has taught for many years as a classroom teacher and Learning Specialist. Please say hello and “welcome” to Michelle if you happen to meet her around the school.

Enjoy your week.

Mat Anderton
Principal

A is for Achievement

For the first week of Term 2 with my groups, I looked at our school values, CARE, with focus on the second letter, A, as this is the one the whole school looks at during Term 2. ‘A’ stands for Achievement which includes Growth, Curiosity, Participation, Goal Setting and Persistence. In our groups we talked about what each of these mean and examples of putting them into practice either at school or during our extra-curricular activities such as footy, basketball, dancing or playing an instrument. I then asked each of the students to share how they themselves could put these into practice over the coming weeks. Students shared making the goal of spending a little more time reading each night at school; participating more during class discussions; being more curious and asking questions during class; persisting with learning their times tables. And outside of school, practicing goal shooting at home or looking to score a goal each week during footy. I also shared what I might focus on, persistence with my paperwork and the administration side of my work!

As a family over a meal this weekend, or as you drive somewhere in your car, you might like to discuss our school values (CARE – Community, Achievement, Respect and Encouragement) with your child. You could even share what you might focus on this Term in regards to achievement and together spur one another on!

Sarah McIntosh
Student Welfare

Helpful Parenting Support for Families with Primary School Children

  Raising Children Network
The Raising Children Network website (www.raisingchildren.net.au) is a trusted, expert-backed resource designed to support Australian families. For parents and carers of children aged 5–12, the site offers practical advice on everything from helping with homework and supporting friendships to managing emotions and building independence. All content is tailored to the Australian context and written in a clear, easy-to-follow way.

Whether you’re looking for tips on healthy routines, ideas for encouraging good behaviour, or advice on navigating screen time and online safety, the Raising Children Network has you covered. With articles, videos, and tools developed by professionals, it’s a fantastic go-to resource for everyday parenting questions.

Triple P Parenting 

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is a free, evidence-based resource available to all Australian families, offering practical strategies to help parents confidently manage everyday challenges with children aged 5–12. Whether it’s building resilience, encouraging good behaviour, or handling tricky situations like sibling rivalry or screen time struggles, Triple P provides flexible tools that can be adapted to suit your family’s needs.

Parents can access the program online at their own pace or take part in group sessions and one-on-one support, depending on what suits them best. The courses are designed to make parenting feel more manageable and enjoyable, while strengthening family relationships. It’s a great way to build skills and confidence while knowing you’re not alone. Visit www.triplep-parenting.net.au to learn more.

Sarah Weichert
Wellbeing Leader
sarah.weichert@education.vic.gov.au

District Cross Country

Last Friday, we had 60 students represent us at the Rowville District Cross Country event. I’m really proud of the effort and preparation that was put in by our students. This resulted in a massive improvement from the previous year’s event and perhaps a reflection of the increased running participation through Active Club. With up to 80 runners in each race, points were awarded from 80 points for 1^st place right through to 1 point for 80^th position. It was wonderful to see our total score increase from 1507 points in 2024, to 2070 points at this year’s district event. Three of our students also finished in the top 12 of their race, earning them an invitation to compete at the next stage – Knox Divisional Cross Country event. Well done to Levi F 6C, Madi A 6A, and Stephanie G 3C; and good luck at the divisional event on 28^th May.

Year 3 Hoop Time

Payment for the Year 3 Hoop Time event is due to close shortly. There are less than 10 spots remaining for any students who haven’t been signed up for yet. I highly recommend it as either an introduction to Basketball, or as an extension for those students who already play for a club. Please check on Compass or pay at the Office if you do want your child involved.

*Year 4, 5, & 6 Hoop Time events will be open to families later this term.

Interschool Sports helpers

We are still on the lookout for a couple more parent helpers for the upcoming Winter Sports events on Friday 23^rd and Friday 30^th May (helpers require a WWCC and to have completed the Code of Conduct and volunteer forms this year). We are particularly looking for parent assistance with the Tee Ball, lawn bowls, soccer, and Netball events. Helpers would mainly assistance with supervising a team and helping with player rotations throughout the day. Please contact me if you are able to assist.

Prep – Year 4 swimming

Thank you to our Prep, Year 3, and Year 4 teachers and well done to our students for a successful week of swimming lessons at Knox Leisureworks.

Our Year 1 & 2 students also have their swimming week coming up, beginning on 26^th May. I’m sure their lessons will be just as successful. Don’t forget to bring thongs or crocs for the week to change into at school.

District Athletics

All High jump finals were completed at school following our Athletics Day event last term. Students who qualified have now chosen their events and I can share I final team to represent our school at the Rowville District Athletics event in term 3 on 15^th August. I’ll be holding some training sessions leading up to the event – details will be shared with the relevant families via the Compass event. Congratulations and good luck to those students!

Dates to remember in Sports 2025

Shae Warren
Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

Year 6 – Dragon Eyes

Year 6 artists explored close-up dragon eye drawings, focusing on detailed scale designs. They chose their own materials—oil pastels, watercolour paint, pencils and textas—to create their unique dragon eyes.

Year 3 – Starry Night Landscapes

Year 3 artists were inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night to create swirling night skies filled with stars, colour and movement. They used painting techniques to explore brushstrokes, layering and bold colour choices.

Year 2 – Old Joe’s Creek Walk

Year 2 students have been learning about Indigenous culture by exploring both traditional and contemporary artworks. As part of this unit, students visited Old Joe’s Creek to explore the local Wurundjeri land and learn about Indigenous plants and animals in Boronia. They discovered meaningful ways to care for Country and show respect for the environment.

Inspired by their journey, students will create their own artworks using symbols to represent the plants and animals they observed along the way.

Tara Henstock
Visual Arts Co-ordinator

CARE Ticket Winners

Care Award Winners – Term 2 – Engagement

2026 Prep Enrolments

2026 Prep enrolments are now open. To submit your enrolment, just click the link below:

https://students.educationapps.vic.gov.au/s/

URGENT – Please complete…

We are still yet to receive the Media Release and Consent Forms for many many students.  If you are unsure if you have completed these two documents, check your email inbox. When you complete the Google Form it automatically sends you a completed copy of your responses.

Please check your NewsFeed on Compass for links.

2025 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 $154 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.

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.

ROCK BOTTOM – BORONIA HEIGHTS PS 2025 PRODUCTION

Our 2025 whole school production ‘Rock Bottom’ is fast approaching. It will be on Wednesday 30th July and Thursday 31st July at the Besen Centre (Mt. Scopus Memorial College, Station St, Burwood).

Please note that all Prep – 4 students will only perform one night. All Prep – 4 siblings should be scheduled for the same night. Please let Mr. Fox know if siblings have been accidentally scheduled on different nights. All Year 5 and 6 students will perform both nights.

Last term, all families with a Prep – 4 student should have received a notice informing them which night their child is performing, the Wednesday or Thursday. If you did not receive this notice, please email Mr Fox at simon.fox@education.vic.gov.au and he will let you know your child’s performance night.

Tickets will be going on sale through Try Booking (online sales only) on Monday 26th May, at 6.00pm. We have scheduled an evening time for tickets to go on sale, so working parents are not disadvantaged. Adult tickets will be $30 and Child Tickets (under 16) will be $20. Please note that student performers do not require a ticket on their performance night. Pop this date in your diaries. Mr. Fox will post a Compass link to the Try Booking site closer to the time.

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Boronia Heights Primary School is excited to be taking part!

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 and aims to help young readers develop a lifelong love of reading.

To take part, children in grade 3 to 6 are encouraged to read 15 books with their parents and carers and those in Prep to grade 2 are encouraged to read 30 books. The challenge ends 5^th of September 2025.

After each book your child reads at home, enter the book into the Premier’s Reading Challenge website – https://vprc.eduweb.vic.gov.au/home

Sign in under school coordinator or student – VPRC login – with the username and password provided by your classroom teacher.

Click on search books – search the full title/author – click on the title of the book read – click on add book – complete the review if you would like – click finished.

Go back to the Dashboard and click on finished for all books.

These books will then be verified at school.

Your child’s dashboard provides the number of books read and when the challenge is completed.

Your child will also receive a PRC Reading log, where you may choose to fill in all the books read then you can enter them all in one go, if you prefer.

We encourage students to keep entering books into the website, even after completing the challenge! The class who read the most books right up until September 5^th, will win a pizza lunch prize and our top 10 individual readers will also receive a book and PRC badge.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement.

This year, the Challenge is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme ‘20 years of words and wonder’.

Since it began in 2005, more than 4.5 million young readers have taken part and together read more than 63 million books.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

If you have any questions please contact me @ leanne.bentley@education.vic.gov.au

Good luck to all our families and happy reading!

Leanne Bentley
Librarian

Traffic Changes Update

Election Day – Democracy Sausage!

Many thanks to Leia Barrett and our wonderful volunteers for the day and also to the community who came to buy a sausage or two! Paige from Year 4 was instrumental in ensuring that we sold out by 1pm. Great spruiking Paige! Thank you. The total raised was $1,734. Thank you also to Bakers Delight (Boronia Junction) and DirecFresh for donating bread and subsiding the sausages and onions. If you can support these business that would be great.

Mother’s Day Stall

Thank you to Mel Snibson and her merry band of volunteers! The children absolutely loved being able to chose a present for their mum/grandma/mother figure. We hope all our mothers and mother figures had a wonderful Mother’s Day last Sunday. This is not a fundraiser. The community hub does this to ensure that all children are able to afford to buy a gift for their loved one.

Update

I really want to thank the BHPS community, so far the Hubsters have raised $5,580 which will go towards expanding our Senior Playground. Plans are underway to survey the children for their wishlist. Watch this space!

Upcoming Events

Keep an eye out for information on the Chocolate Drive and Disco in Term 3! Save the Date for the great BHPS Trivia Night on Friday 17th October.

Leah Hodgson