Our students and staff have been coping admirably with the hot, sticky weather – wearing their hats and keeping hydrated. It is a timely reminder that we are a water only school and as such expect all school community members to be only drinking water while on site. If this causes any problems, please contact me at the school to discuss how we can support your child to stay hydrated.

Parents – thank you! Our current attendance rate is sitting at 91% which evidences the concerted effort you are making to get your children to school on time, and every day. To highlight the importance of being at school every day, staff have started implementing a Random Reward on certain days to celebrate student attendance.  Although, focusing on improved attendance, please, if your child is sick, keep them home until they have recovered.

As I stated in the last newsletter, it is my intention to share our HPS Whole School Agreed Inclusive Practices with our wider school community, via our newsletter. Our 2^nd Inclusive Practice states: Students and staff check-in at the beginning of, and throughout the day.  A community circle, known as the 4Cs (Care, Concern, Compliment, Celebration) is part of every class’s daily routine. There is an effective, standardised system of self-regulation used in classrooms and external to classrooms. Students understand the size of their problem and are encouraged to self-regulate or co-regulate if needed. Students and staff presenting in escalated states are quickly identified and appropriately supported. Students identifying they feel unsafe have a voice and steps are taken to ensure their safety and address their concerns. 

In unpacking Inclusive Practice 2, the 4Cs became a whole school expectation at the beginning of this year and since its implementation we have noted a pleasing improvement in how our students compliment and care for each other. Additionally, students and staff check-in according to the Zones of Regulation (we will send more information home about this later in the term) at differing points throughout the day.  All classrooms have designated Regulation Spaces, which now include the recently purchased ‘PODS’ which students can access when needing to self-regulate. Additionally, our redevelopment has provided us with a dedicated Assisted Regulation Space that can be accessed by our students in consultation with their teacher if they require support to regulate. This is known as co-regulation. 

All DECYP schools now have a Safeguarding Lead - in our school this is Jenni Maartensz. Ms Maartensz will be working with students during the year to identify where they feel safe and unsafe at school and from this, we will take steps to make improvements.

Congratulations to all our wonderful representatives who attended the recent NWPSSA Athletics Carnivals. Mrs Byard, Kelly, Mrs McCoy and Mr L all reported our students were great ambassadors for our school, giving their best and representing our school with pride. A big thank you to all staff who attended and worked behind the scenes to make this opportunity happen for our students.

Please be aware that our Primary Progress Reports will be sent home at the end of Week 7. Our staff are looking forward to sharing how well our students have started the year. Parents wishing to discuss their child / ren’s progress are welcome to make appointments with teachers after they have received the Progress Report.