Heights Happenings – 2025 – Term 4, Week 10

Classes in 2026

After many weeks of planning, trial and error by the teaching staff, I’m pleased to say that grade lists have now been confirmed for next year. This is a very difficult task that requires a lot of careful consideration, particularly when there are many parent requests that we try our best to factor in. Teachers also factor in friendships, academic balance, gender balance, learning support needs and historical information. The fact that we’ve only made a handful of changes mean the teachers did a great job of creating new classes.

In 2026 we will have 23 classes – 4 Prep and Year 2 classes, and 3 classes for all other year levels. Enrolment numbers are expected to decrease next year to 486 students, down from 505. This is due to 78 Year 6s leaving and 65 Preps enrolled, plus a few families moving to live in other areas. I would expect this number to stay fairly stable over the next few years.

Staffing in 2026

Sadly, each year we say goodbye to some staff members, and the teachers leaving us at the end of the year are Felicia Choo, Ruihong Lu and Michelle Ohia. We also have some members of our ES Integration team leaving us with Caleb Bergamo, Erin Prior, Emily Barr and Shae Robertson all moving on to continued study or graduate teaching positions. We have also recently said farewell to Angie Harrower who is taking up an Au Pair position in New Zealand. I’d like to thank these staff for their dedication to the children and the school.

We also recently farewelled Elise Rule who is beginning maternity leave, with her baby due very soon. Elise has been teaching one day per week in Grade 5 this year and has done an outstanding job in partnership with Michelle Lucas, Elly Turcinovic, Jake Blennerhassett and Prue Baum. We wish Mrs Rule all the best for the safe arrival of baby #3 and look forward to her returning to BHPS in the future.

Joining our teaching team next year are Shaun Daniels from Yarraman Oaks PS in Noble Park, Helen Clark from The Basin PS and Perri Wilkinson from Cranbourne East PS.

Returning to our teaching team next year is Sajani Dharmapala who will be teaching in the Year 3 team alongside Jacinta Kett and Gemma Weir.

To those staff who are leaving us, I’d like to thank them for their commitment to the students and community of Boronia Heights. I wish them all the very best as they move on to other schools or job opportunities. To those people joining our school, welcome to a fantastic learning community. We look forward to working with you.

Sharon’s retirement

The big loss for us at the end of the year is the retirement of Sharon La Morticella. She has done an incredible job in the office for many years and she will be sorely missed. She’s been the steady hand that keeps everything ticking along in the office area, and half the time she’s solved a problem before the rest of us even realise it’s a problem. The place just won’t feel quite the same without her calm presence and her gift of making even the busiest days run smoothly. Sharon plans to spend time with her family, enjoying precious moments with her grandchild. On behalf of the entire BHPS community, we wish Sharon all the very best.

Farewell to our 2024 Year 6 Students

Our Year 6 students celebrated their Graduation on Monday afternoon and it was great to see them finish their primary school journey celebrating with family and friends. Congratulations to all of them as they get ready to take on secondary school. It’s a big step, but one they’re more than ready for.

To our graduates: you’ve done a lot during your time at Boronia Heights PS. Your effort, persistence, and the way each of you brings something different to our school have made a real impact.

As you head off to secondary school, keep the friendships, the experiences, and the lessons that have helped you get to this point. You’re a capable group, and I’m confident you’ll handle the next chapter just fine.

Congratulations to the following students for winning these special awards:

• Lynne Greenless Award presented by Jackson Taylor MP – Zoe E
• Rotary Award presented by the Rotary Club of Boronia – Mackenzie S
• Tilly Aston Award presented by Mary Doyle MP – Charlotte G
• Principal’s Award presented by Mathew Anderton – Liam D

A big thank you as well to the teachers, families, and everyone who’s supported the students along the way. It really is a team effort.

A graduation ceremony like this does not come together by accident. Once again, I want to thank Mrs Vicki Cook. Her ability to envision this event months in advance, and her determination to make that vision a reality, is something our school is incredibly lucky to have. She pours an enormous amount of thought and energy into making this celebration and theme, Winter Wonderland, meaningful for each one of you. And our parent volunteers deserve a great deal of appreciation as well. They have dedicated hours of their time to creating decorations for the space that reflects the importance of this milestone. Their efforts speak to the strength of our school community. Thank you so much.

Christmas Concert

I am looking forward to another special community event on Wednesday afternoon when we get together for the end of year Christmas Concert. In preparation for the event, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mr. Fox and classroom teachers who have worked with their students. They’ve been waiting patiently for their time to shine, so I’m sure it will be a great afternoon. As the event kicks off at 4pm, the kids are most welcome to come to school dressed in Christmas attire if they choose. The concert is due to finished by 6pm.

End of year message

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for making this school the amazing educational environment that it is. I am very fortunate to be the Principal of this wonderful school.

All students will be dismissed from the front of the school on the netball court on Thursday 18th December at 2:30pm. As special assembly will be held at 2:00pm to send off the Year 6 students in style.

School will resume for students in Years 1 to 6 on Wednesday 28th January. Preps will complete assessments and interviews at the beginning of the year and will begin full time on Tuesday 3rd February.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas break. I hope you’re able to switch off for a while and enjoy some proper time with family and friends.

I’m already looking forward to 2026. We’ve got some great things planned, and it’s shaping up to be another strong year for our school. We’re very fortunate to have such a supportive community, and I want to thank you for everything you’ve contributed. Whether you’ve helped with fundraising, volunteered in classrooms or joined us on excursions, your time and effort have made a real difference. We truly appreciate it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mat Anderton
Principal

Champion Christmas Food Drive 2025

The Year 4 students, teachers and Nicole(from CHAMPION) would like to thank the Boronia Heights Community for all their contributions to the food drive this year. These generous donations will help many families in need this Christmas. Perhaps not surprising, but the Year level that brought in the most donations was Year 4 and the winning class was 4A with a total of 161 items.

Year 5 Wishing Tree

Instead of participating in a traditional Kris Kringle, the Year 5 students chose to walk down to Kmart and purchase gifts to place under the Wishing Tree so that under-privileged children would have something to open on Christmas Day. This meaningful alternative gave them the chance to think beyond themselves and make a positive contribution to the community. As they carefully selected toys, books, and other thoughtful items, the students expressed genuine excitement knowing their choices would brighten another child’s Christmas. By the end of the experience, they felt proud and fulfilled, realising how powerful and rewarding it can be to give rather than receive. This activity not only fostered empathy and generosity but also helped strengthen their understanding of compassion and community spirit.

Mrs Prue Baum
Year 5 Teacher

Junior School Council Kmart Wishing Tree

Our BHPS Junior School Council representatives proudly took part in supporting the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal this year. As a group, they discussed different ideas, shared their perspectives and worked together to choose presents that would be meaningful and suitable for all age groups

To make the donation even more special, the JSC students designed and created their own wrapping paper. Each piece featured hand-drawn pictures and Christmas messages written by the students.

Thank you again to all our representatives for the commitment and hard work they have put in this year.

Miss Casey
Junior School Council Teacher

Year 6 Artwork

Our Year 6 students have been very busy creating artwork to celebrate their time at BHPS. For graduation, they produced vibrant self-portraits inspired by Pop Art, each one reflecting their personality and unique style.

Throughout this term, Year 6s have also been working on their legacy mosaic tiles. These beautiful pieces will become a permanent reminder of their time at Boronia Heights. You can see the completed tiles installed around the outside of the Gaga Pit.

In addition to this, students painted recycled tyres with collaborative garden-themed designs. These colourful tyres are now being used around the trees near the ovals.

Artist Legacy Award

Each year, Boronia Heights selects one artwork from the Monet Hall of Fame to have a permanent place in our Legacy Gallery, inspiring future artists for years to come. This year’s recipient of the Artist Legacy Award is Georgia from Year 5 for her outstanding painting of a peacock.

You can view her beautiful artwork in the gallery near the front office.

Tara Henstock
Visual Arts Co-ordinator

Term 4 Principals Awards

Congratulations to the following students:

2026 Parent Payment Information

The 2026 Parent Payment information was sent out last week. Click here to access a digital copy. The Melbourne Office Supplies portal for student stationary orders is now open. Login information is found in the Parent Payment information packs.

The Parent Payments are a voluntary contribution that enables the school to offer:

• High quality programs & specialist classes to all students
• Maintain high quality ovals and grounds
• Upkeep our new playgrounds
• Delivery a range of current sporting equipment
• Offer effective first aid and first aid supplies for all students

The above cannot happen without the support of our families and their contributions.

2026 CSEF

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

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.

2026 Extra-Curricular Activities

The 2026 Extra-Curricular Activities payment is for activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what the school provides for free to deliver the Curriculum. These activities are provided on a user-pays basis.

The amount per student is $100.00 which covers all your child/rens excursions and incursions for the whole year.
It does NOT cover sporting activities, swimming, camps or Year 6 Big Day Out and Graduation.

Parents can choose to pay per event or via this event as a lump sum. If you have a valid Health Care Card, you may be eligible for the Government support through the Camps, Sports & Excursion Funding (CSEF). This can be used to pay for the Extra-Curricular Activities payment.

Attendance

Please remember if your child will be absent ALL day, you need to enter an absence note on COMPASS. The office will be following up all unexplained absences.

Compass will automatically generate an SMS at 10.00am if your child is not at school. Please note that if you are bringing your child in late, ignore this SMS as late arrivals get signed in on the COMPASS Kiosk at the office on your arrival.  However, if your child is going to be absent for a complete day, you must approve this absence with a ‘note’ on Compass. This will avoid you receiving additional correspondence from the office to follow up this unexplained absence.

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.

Senior Playground Expansion

The kids have been loving the Senior Playground Expansion. The impressive climbing wall and the Ninja Course are so popular.

Leah Hodgson
Assistant Principal

A Year of thanks

I’d like to thank our fabulous Hubsters for yet another great year supporting our students.

Christmas Concert

Don’t forget the Christmas Concert on Wednesday 17th December commencing at 4pm. Raffle tickets are on sale at the office and will be available for purchase on the night at $1 each. Great prizes to be won.

Colour Run Sliming

Thank you to everybody who raised funds for the school through our Colour Run event. Some children were lucky enough to be drawn out to slime a teacher. Much fun was had by all. Thank you to the staff who volunteered to be slimed!

Leah Hodgson
Boronia Heights Hubsters