Heights Happenings – 2024 – Term 2, Week 7

Swimming

Over the last two weeks our Year Prep to 4 students have attended swimming lessons at Knox Leisureworks pool in Boronia. I went down to the pool last week to see the Year 4 kids swim and they seemed to be loving the experience. Swimming is such an important activity to learn, especially where we live because of the many beaches and pools available to us in a short distance from our homes. The swimming lessons we do at school are important in developing confidence and safe behaviours in the kids when they are around water. It’s a tiring week for the children but we always get positive feedback from Knox Leisureworks about the conduct of our kids, which is lovely to hear.

The Year 5 and 6 students will participate in an open water safety session down at Smith’s Beach, Phillip Island later this year. This is something I’m sure they’ll all be looking forward to.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Last Wednesday the children participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. I was lucky to be the guest storyteller and I absolutely loved the experience. Every year a picture storybook is chosen by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and read to students around Australia at the same time. This year’s book, “Bowerbird Blues”, written and beautifully illustrated by Aura Parker, is a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower—a mix of natural and unnatural objects—attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.

It was great to see so many children dressed in blue along with the small items of clothing such as blue hair ties, head bands, hats, beanies and socks – all things I’m sure a bowerbird would find very attractive! The children listened so intently while I was reading the story to them in the gym. It was a wonderful session and I was so pleased to be a part of it.

Many thanks to Mrs Bentley for organising this day and for decorating the library to match the Bowerbird theme. If you get a chance, please visit the library to see the amazing display.

Reconciliation Week & National Sorry Day

This week marks Reconciliation Week which is a special time when we learn about and celebrate the friendship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. During this week, we remember two important events: the 1967 vote that made things fairer for Indigenous people, and the Mabo decision that recognized their land rights. Reconciliation Week helps us understand and respect each other’s cultures and history. Through activities and discussions in classrooms, our children learn about Indigenous traditions, and work together to make things fair and equal for everyone.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024 is “Now More Than Ever” and it’s a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue.

Kind regards,

Mat Anderton
Principal

Year 5 and 6 Knox Divisional Girls AFL

Last week we had a team of Year 5 and 6 girls participate in the Knox Divisional AFL Girls competition. The team did wonderfully well in the round robin stage – winning 3 out of their 4 matches. They unfortunately lost their playoff games. Regardless, I’d like to congratulate them on their effort and teamwork on the day. A big congratulations is also extended to Isla B. for being selected as the best player in the group – well done Isla!! I’d also like to thank Ms Dunkinson for supervising and coaching the team on the day.

Year 5 and 6 Hoop Time

On Monday 54 excited Year 5 and 6 students travelled to Mullum Mullum Basketball Stadium to participate in a Hoop Time basketball event. We had seven teams spread amongst the all-stars, future stars and rookies leagues there. The competition was fierce, but our teams held their own and really developed their teamwork and basketball defensive awareness throughout the day. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the event and also committed to attending the training sessions at school. I’d like to thank our parent helpers and coaches on the day including Lyndal, Laura, Dale, Krystal, and Kristy, as well as all the other family members who came and supported the kids. Thanks to the school staff who also assisted on the day – Ms Turcinovic, Mrs Reiner, Mrs Farrell, Julie, and Erin.

Shae Warren
Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

Dizzying Spirals – Monash Technical School

Year 3-4 High Ability Incursion

On Monday 27^th May selected Year 3 and 4 students participated in a virtual incursion run by Monash Technical School.

We explored the concept of infinity, equivalent fractions and created some illustrations to help unpack these ideas. We were very excited to hear that these are the same ideas that some mathematicians are looking at in universities.

The students shared their thinking with each other and with students from other schools. We also played with hands on spirographs and a digital spirograph tool.

Feel free to have a play and create your own patterns! https://spiralator.com/

Emma Mason

High Ability Practice Leader

School Crossing Supervisor of the Year Nominations

CARE Ticket Winners

Care Award Winners – Term 2 – Achievement

Beautifying our school

The Buildings and Grounds team are working on beautifying the area in front of the senior building (near the staff carpark), a big thank you to Catherine Devlin for her design and organisation, and to Mick Holden for coming back (after his child has left BHPS)  to help us digging holes!

Leah Hodgson

Assistant Principal

Chocolate Fundraiser Opt Out by 21st June 2024

Click here to download the Opt-out Form

2025 Prep Enrolments

2025 Prep enrolments will now be digital, you can fill in your 2025 application for enrolment form via the link below:

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

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.

Look out for information re our Cadbury Chocolate Drive. Chocolates will be delivered prior to the holidays so that you can sell (or eat!!) them at your leisure. Thank you to Yvette Willison and the ladies in the office for organising the fundraiser.

Plans are well under way for our third Twilight Market which will occur on the 25^th October. Watch this space!