Principal’s Report

End of Term 3

Now that we are at the end of Term 3, I thought it would be good to reflect on the term and highlight some memorable moments.

The major theme running throughout the term has been the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The kids have learned about the history of the Games, beginning all the way back to the origins of the Games in Ancient Greece up until the most recent Games in Paris. They’ve learned about all the different sports, countries, national flags, national anthems, legendary athletes and cities that have hosted the Games. Many of these activities have been done in multi-age groups consisting of students from all year levels. The Opening Ceremony and Mini Olympics afternoons were special highlights which I’m sure the kids will remember fondly for the rest of their lives.

Other highlights of the term were:

• Prep students celebrated 100 Days of School
• Visits by Councillor Jude Dwight and Jackson Taylor MP to speak to the Year 6 students about our systems of government
• Select students involved in the Victorian High Abilities Program (VHAP), ICAS assessments and Maths Olympiad.
• Year 2 visit to the MCG and Sports Museum
• District Athletics
• Year 6 German graduation celebration
• Book Week including dress up day, book fair and “Maybe a Miracle” performance
• Year 5 camp to Sovereign Hill Ballarat
• Year 4 Bicycle checks by Dr Cranky

Donation of plants to Indigenous Garden

Knox Environment Society Nursery have very kindly donated 35 plants for our Indigenous Garden. This area of the school, located between the main admin building and the Year 1 & 2 classrooms, is getting a well-deserved facelift with new plants, stepping stones and art work on display. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the finished product. Many thanks to Mrs Maxwell and her crew of little gardeners who are busily working on this project.

State Schools Spectacular

The State Schools Spectacular took place at John Cain Arena last Saturday, 14^th of September. Twenty kids from senior choir were involved as singers in the massed choir. The SSS involves nearly 1500 primary and secondary students from across the state. Last week was a busy one for the participating students, with two full dress rehearsal days on the Thursday and Friday, followed by two performances on the Saturday – an afternoon matinee and an evening show.

The school would like to say a huge thanks to parent Crista Lyon who assisted Mr. Fox at all rehearsals and performances.

The kids absolutely loved the experience, with many planning on auditioning to be principal vocalists in future years. One of this year’s principal vocalists, Mackenzie Ross (in Year 12 at Wantirna College), is a past student of Boronia Heights and attended State Schools Spec in the massed choir with Mr. Fox when she was in Year 6.

 Whooping cough

The following information comes from the Department of Education and Department of Health.

Whooping cough cases are continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children. Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include:

• blocked or runny nose
• tiredness
• mild fever
• severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.

Whooping cough can lead to life threatening infections in babies.

If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.

Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school.

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, they must not attend school for 21 days after the onset of the cough, or until they have received 5 days of antibiotic treatment. You must notify the school if your child is diagnosed with whooping cough. To further reduce the spread of infection to your child and the school community, the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 require that some students who were in the same classroom as a student diagnosed with whooping cough should not attend school.

Your child should not attend school for 14 days after they were last exposed to a person diagnosed with whooping cough, or until they have taken 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment if they are:

• aged less than 7 years; and
• not fully vaccinated with 3 doses of whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.

This exclusion is required by law – refer to the school exclusion table for primary schools and children’s services.

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.

Final Message

I wish the entire BHPS community a happy and safe holiday break. Looking forward to seeing you all when school resumes on Monday 7^th October.

Kind regards,

Mat Anderton
Principal