In our classrooms

Week 7 – Supporting Children Through the Mid-Term Fatigue

As we move through Week 7, many students begin to experience what can be described as the mid-term slowdown. By this point in the term, children have been working hard for several weeks, and it is common for fatigue to start showing. In fact, we talk about this week with our incoming prep parents each year. You may notice your child feeling more tired than usual, becoming easily frustrated, or needing a little more encouragement to stay focused on their learning and routines.

This is a very normal stage of the school term. With a few small supports at home, families can help children maintain their energy, confidence and engagement as we head toward the final weeks.

Ways to Support Your Child at Home

A consistent routine can make a significant difference when children are feeling tired. Ensuring children have time to unwind after school helps them recharge and maintain focus during the school day. It can also help to keep after-school schedules manageable where possible. Allowing time for quiet play, reading, or simply relaxing can support children to reset after a busy day at school. Encouragement and reassurance are equally important. Let your child know that it is normal to feel tired during a long term and acknowledge the effort they are putting into their learning. Celebrating small successes helps children maintain motivation and confidence.

Connecting With Your Child’s Learning

One of the most powerful ways parents can support learning is through simple conversations at home. Asking open-ended questions such as “What was something interesting you learned today?” or “What challenged you today?” encourages children to reflect on their learning and share their experiences.

Reading together or talking about real-life examples of maths, science or writing in everyday activities can also reinforce what children are learning at school. This year we have also put in tips for how to connect with learning at home in our newsletter. We hope these tips have been helpful. You may want to read the other grade level tips as well as they may be pertinent to your child.

Families may also wish to check the grade level newsletter sent out each term that shares current learning topics. This can provide helpful prompts for conversations at home and allow children to explain new concepts or ideas they have been exploring in class.

Working Together

Strong partnerships between school and home play an important role in supporting children’s learning and wellbeing. As we move through the end of the term, your encouragement, interest and support continue to make a meaningful difference to your child’s learning journey.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and school community. I will be on leave for the next fortnight. Mrs. Debbie McDermott will be Acting Principal. Ms Shaye Bradbury will be Acting Assistant Principal.

Maddie Witter

Principal

In Prep

Prep Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Our Prep students recently enjoyed a wonderful Teddy Bears’ Picnic!

During the day, students painted their own teddy bears using forks (which made very fluffy fur!), and we worked together to create the letter t by arranging all of our teddies into the shape of the letter. We also met up with our buddies and enjoyed a special teddy bears’ picnic together.

Our teddies also helped us with our maths learning. As part of our work on length, students sorted and organised their teddies from smallest to biggest. We practised using words like longer, shorter, taller and smaller when comparing our bears. Students also learned how to compare carefully by lining objects up at the same starting point and making sure there were no gaps when counting or measuring.

You might like to ask your child at home:

• Can you find something longer or shorter than your teddy?
• How do you line things up so you can compare them fairly?
• Can you put a collection of toys in order from smallest to biggest?

In grade one

This week in Mathematics, Grade 1 students have been exploring addition. Students have been solving addition problems using a range of strategies including Friends of 10 or 20, near doubles/doubles, number lines and part-part-whole. We have used hands-on materials such as counters, number lines and ten frames to help model and solve addition problems. Students are also learning to break numbers into parts to support their thinking when working through problems.

Each day, learners have also participated in Number Talks, where they share and discuss different ways to solve problems, helping to build flexible thinking and confidence in mathematics. It has been wonderful to see such high levels of student engagement as they explain their thinking, listen to others’ ideas and confidently share their mathematical strategies.

At home, you can link to this learning by asking questions such as

• What are all the different ways we can get to the numeral 6 (or any number)?
• What's another way?

Your learners might say they can get to the number six in a number of different ways such as "We can get to six by adding 5 +1... We can get to six by taking 14 away from 20... They might extend themselves by saying we can get to six by halving 12... There are many different ways to get to six or any number!

In grade two

Last week, the grade 2 students came together to learn about International Women’s Day and why it is celebrated around the world. We discussed how the day recognises the achievements of women and reminds us to keep working towards fairness and equal opportunities for everyone.

We also discussed inspiring women such as Bindi Irwin, Cathy Freeman and Malala Yousafzai, who have made important contributions to wildlife conservation, sport and education. Students also explored the achievements of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space, who has also been a doctor, engineer, author, dancer and teacher, showing that people can have many talents and dream big.

You might like to ask your child:

• What is a dream or goal you have for the future, and how could you work towards it like Mae Jemison did?
• Can you remember something special that Bindi Irwin, Cathy Freeman or Malala did?

In grade three

In integrated studies we have been learning about different laws and rules in our community. We are applying our knowledge by creating our own islands, each with their own unique set of laws and rules. Students have been working hard this week, naming and mapping out their islands in preparation for building them later in the term.

You might like to find out more about your child’s island.

• What laws are they considering to keep their inhabitants safe?
• What locations are there and what rules do they have?

In grade four

In Year 4, students have been developing their narrative writing through our “Stop and Pause” sessions. During Stop and Pause, we take a break from Choice Writing to focus on a specific text type and break it down into clear sections to strengthen students’ writing skills. Currently, students are writing a narrative based on the prompt “Through the Doorway.” Students have carefully planned their stories and are working to structure them with a clear orientation, problem, and resolution, while building interesting characters and creating tension in the problem.

You can support this learning at home by:

• Asking your child about the story they are writing and the characters they have created.

As part of our Integrated Studies topic on Endangered Animals, students have been creating awareness posters and writing information reports about their chosen animal. Next week, students will begin working on their dioramas, so please remember to bring in a shoebox. We are planning to host parents and students for our Endangered Animals Expo on Monday 30th March, with more details to follow.

In grade five and six

On Tuesday 10^th March, students from Grades 5 and 6 visited Melbourne Museum and IMAX, continuing to explore how Earth continues to be shaped by natural disasters. The IMAX documentary focused on the continuing impact of global warming on Earth and how it has contributed to extreme weather and natural disasters globally. Ask your child what part of the museum or documentary changed their perspective on Earth!

In Performing Arts

Our students have been getting dramatic! The junior grades have been exploring ways of using their voice and body to become different characters and creatures, while the senior grades are focusing those expressive skills to embody characters of high, medium and low status. One way to connect to their learning is to inquire about the status of characters in various media: what is their status; does their status change; why might it have changed?

Spanish Day – Thursday 26 March

We are looking forward to celebrating Spanish Day on Thursday, 26 March, with a vibrant program exploring the music, dance and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world. The day will conclude with a colourful whole-school Carnaval celebration.

Our Year 5/6 students will present their research on celebrations across Spanish-speaking countries from 2:30 –3:00 pm. Members of our community are warmly welcome to attend, but please sign in at the front office upon arrival.

Students are invited to wear the colours of a Spanish-speaking country’s flag. Please remember to sign the permission form ahead of the event.

Wellbeing and NAPLAN

We are currently in the midst of our NAPLAN assessments for students in Years 3 and 5. So far, it has been wonderful to see the positive mindsets students have brought to the experience. They have approached each session calmly, tried their best, and should be very proud of the effort they have shown.

While it’s natural for families to feel some nerves around testing, NAPLAN can provide a helpful opportunity for students to practise important lifelong skills. One key benefit is learning how to respond to questions clearly and include the information a reader is looking for. These are skills that become increasingly valuable as students grow, whether completing assignments in secondary school, applying for university, or even writing job applications later in life.

NAPLAN also gives students early exposure to formal test conditions. Experiencing this in primary school helps normalise the process so that future assessments feel more familiar and manageable.

Most importantly, we continue to remind students that their job is simply to try their best and put their best foot forward. We are very proud of the positive attitude and resilience they have shown so far.

Shaye Bradbury

In our community

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

As outlined in the Glen Iris Primary School Mobile and Wearable Device Policy, and in line with Department of Education guidelines, a change to the management of student mobile and wearable devices will begin in Term 2.

Mobile Phones and Wearable devices Policy March 2026

From the beginning of Term 2, students who bring mobile phones or wearable devices (such as smart watches) to school will be required to hand them to their classroom teacher at the start of the day. Devices will be stored securely during school hours and returned to students at the end of the school day. This approach supports students to remain focused on learning and social interaction during the school day, while also promoting student safety and wellbeing. If parents/ carers need to contact their child during the day, they are asked to do so through the school office, and a message will be passed on to the student.

We appreciate families supporting this process and encourage students who bring devices to school to hand them in promptly each morning.

Kind Regards, Debbie McDermott

Parent Information Session: Student Wellbeing at Our School

Dear Parents and Carers,

We warmly invite you to attend a Parent Information Session to learn more about the wellbeing supports and structures in place at GIPS.

Student wellbeing is a key priority for us, and during this session we will provide an overview of the programs, supports, and approaches we use to help every child feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

You will also have the opportunity to meet members of our student wellbeing team, including our Assistant Principal, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, and Student Wellbeing Officer, and learn about the ways we support students and families within our school community.

This session will be a great opportunity to hear from staff, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of how we work together to support students’ social and emotional wellbeing.

Date: Wednesday March 25^th, 2026
Time: 3pm
Location: The Lab (next to the Library)

We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards, Shaye Bradbury

Photo Day- 1 April

National Ride2School Day- 20 March

Our school is joining in National Ride2School Day on Friday 20 March 2026!

Students are encouraged to walk, ride or scoot to school. It’s a fun and healthy way to start the day, build confidence and help create a calmer, safer school gate for everyone.

Evening on the Green- Thanks for a Wonderful Night

Dear School Community,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Evening on the Green — what an incredible turnout!

It was wonderful to see families relaxing on the Green, enjoying the food, music, activities, and the strong sense of community spirit that makes our school so special.

We hope you all enjoyed the evening as much as we did.

We are delighted to share that EOTG raised approximately: $5000

A fantastic result for our school — thank you for your support!

🎉 Prize Winners

Congratulations to all our lucky prize winners!

Here are the results from our partner activities and competitions:

• TeamKids Art Supplies Pack: Cecily 2W
• Ashburton Soccer Club – Kick Off Voucher / $175 Registration Discount: Unfortunately, names weren’t written on the raffle tickets so we aren’t sure

who won 😊.

• Raf Michellin (Grade 1) – Winner of one full term of after-school Drama Academe Time classes (Wednesdays), to be redeemed by Term 3 this year. Contact front office for voucher.
• Eddie Oates (2W) – Winner of 50% off a term off Academe Time classes, also to be redeemed by Term 3 this year. Contact front office for voucher.
• Chess Club: Unfortunately no one could beat the chess masters, you'll need to try again next time
• Scorpions Basketball Prize: Jack North 2TW
• Creative Music Prize: Prize to be raffled at a later date
• Dance Club: Prize to be raffled at a later date

💛 Thank You to Our Volunteers

A huge and heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made EOTG possible:

• Those who worked on stalls, set up, packed down, cooked, cleaned, sorted and served
• Families who generously lent marquees, eskys and equipment
• Those who stepped in at the last minute
• And especially those volunteers who stayed well past their scheduled shifts to keep stations running smoothly when things got busy

Your time, effort, and willingness to help made a massive difference — we appreciate you more than you know.

💛 Thank You to Our Organisers

A huge thank‑you to our amazing organising team:

• Jane Cooper
• Jo Kirsch
• Anita Dukes

Your time, commitment, creativity, and calm coordination brought the entire event together beautifully.

🤝 Thank You to Our Partners & Supporters

We are incredibly grateful to the businesses and community partners who supported EOTG:

• Bakers Delight – Tooronga Village & Ashburton
• Coles – Chadstone, Tooronga Village & Camberwell
• Woolworths – Tooronga Village & Ashwood
• Pizza Co
• LICKt Ice Cream
• Ashwood High School Band
• All third‑party providers who ran activities and competitions

Their generosity helped make the event vibrant, memorable, and fun for all.

🏫 Thank You to Our School Staff

A special thank‑you to the school office team for their work behind the scenes.

Your support is always appreciated.

🙏 And Finally… Thank YOU

To every family who attended, volunteered, donated items or simply came along to enjoy the evening — thank you for helping make Evening on the Green such a wonderful community celebration.

We look forward to doing it all again next year!

Warm regards,

Claire & The EOTG Team

Cyber Safety Information Sessions

Dear Families,

This year, GIPS secured registry so that every family could attend a series of webinars on cyber safety.

Please see Compass for the registration link.

Harmony Day Parade

Starting March 16^th GIPS will be celebrating our cultural diversity through a range of activities in class for Cultural Diversity Week. The festivities will culminate in a Harmony Day parade, on Friday 20^th March at 9.15am on the oval. For the parade, students and staff are encouraged to wear a costume that celebrates their culture or heritage, the colours of their flag or national sports team. Perhaps you have many cultures or countries to choose from, and you can wear a combination to show your diverse background. You can always wear orange which is the colour of Harmony Day! Parents are welcome to celebrate with us during the parade.

We look forward to seeing you in all your amazing outfits!

Watson Park

The draft design for the Watson Park playground is ready! Throughout the first stage of consultation, Boroondara Council has heard from 84 people, and now they would love to hear what staff, families and children think of the draft design.

How you can have your say

• Visit our consultation website: Complete the survey to tell us what you think of the draft design, including which things are the most exciting.
• Attend the drop-in consultation session - Chat with Council Officers at the playground on Saturday 14 March, 10.30 - 11.30am

The consultation is open now and closes at 5pm on Tuesday 17 March: Watson Park playground upgrade | Your Say Boroondara

GIPS School Uniform Update

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to provide an update regarding our school uniform. Firstly, thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring students attend school in the correct uniform in line with our school policy.

As endorsed by School Council last year, we are gradually transitioning from the yellow short- and long-sleeve polo tops to our new design (shown below). This decision was made based on continuous feedback from the parents about the difficulty of keeping the tops clean. We believe the updated tops will be easier to keep clean and also look fantastic. Our Grade 6 students are proudly wearing the new tops for the first time this year.

As existing stock of the yellow polos runs out in each size, the new design will be available for purchase. Note that the yellow top prices have been reduced at PSW. Replacing all yellow tops at once would require the school to buy back all remaining stock, which is not financially possible. For this reason, the transition will occur gradually over time.

We would also like to make families aware that the new polo top is slightly more expensive than the previous yellow top (before its price was reduced to clear stock). This reflects increased manufacturing and supply costs being experienced across all school uniform suppliers. We understand that any price increase can be frustrating, which is another reason we are taking a gradual transition approach. Families are not expected to replace existing yellow tops and can continue using them until they no longer fit or need replacing.

Thank you for your continued support as we make this gradual transition. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

Kind regards,

Debbie McDermott

We have put together some frequently asked questions to help clarify what this change will look like over time.

Can students still wear the yellow polo tops?
Yes. Students can continue to wear their current yellow polo tops. There is no expectation that families replace uniforms immediately.

When will the yellow tops be phased out?
The transition will happen gradually over time as existing stock sells out. Once a size in the yellow top is no longer available, the new design will be the only option to purchase in that size. We expect this to take a few years.

Do families need to buy the new top now?
No. Families only need to purchase the new top when their child requires a new size or when their current top needs replacing.

Why is the school not replacing all tops at once?
To remove all yellow tops immediately would require the school to purchase all remaining stock, which is not financially possible. A gradual transition ensures the change is manageable and cost-effective for both families and the school.

Who will wear the new tops first?
Our Grade 6 students are wearing the new design this year. Other year levels will move to the new top as they require new sizes and as yellow stock sells out.

Will students be in trouble for wearing the yellow top?
No. Both the yellow and new polo tops are acceptable during the transition period. We ask that whichever top is worn is in line with the school uniform policy.

Where can we purchase the new tops?
Uniforms can be purchased through our uniform supplier (PSW). Details and links are available via the school office and newsletter.

Is the new top more expensive?
Yes, there is a small price increase on the new polo top due to rising manufacturing and supply costs. To minimise the impact on families, there is no requirement to purchase the new top immediately. Students can continue wearing their current yellow tops and only purchase the new design when needed.

Why is the school changing the polo top?
Over time we have received consistent feedback from families that the yellow tops were difficult to keep clean. They tended to show marks easily and became more transparent over time, whereby under garments worn by students could be seen. The updated design and fabric were selected in response to this feedback so that the tops are more durable, maintain their colour and provide better coverage for students.

Will second-hand uniforms be available?
Yes. As families move to the new design, we encourage donations of good-quality yellow tops to our second-hand uniform supply to support other families.