Attitudes to School Survey – Outstanding Results for GIPS

Each year, the Department of Education administers the Attitudes to School Survey to students across Victoria. This important survey gives students from Years 4–6 the opportunity to share their views and experiences about learning, engagement, and wellbeing at school.

The purpose of the survey is to gather valuable feedback directly from students. The data helps schools understand how students feel about their teachers, their learning environment, their relationships with peers, and their sense of belonging. This, in turn, supports schools to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and to track progress over time.

Survey results are compared at three levels: against state-wide averages, against our local network of schools, and against a group of schools with a similar student profile to ours. This benchmarking allows schools to see where they are excelling and where they might need to focus more attention.

We are extremely proud to share that Glen Iris Primary School outperformed the state, our network, and similar schools in every single question of the survey. This outstanding achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and—most importantly—the positive attitude of our students towards learning and school life.

These results are a wonderful affirmation of the strong learning culture at GIPS and will continue to guide our ongoing work to ensure every student feels supported, engaged, and inspired to do their best.

We have created a short video that details the response data in more detail for you to look at with your family.

In prep

The Preps had a wonderful time visiting Collingwood Children’s Farm. We went on a tour around the farm and got to see lots of different animals up close. The students loved learning about how the animals live and what they need to be cared for.

In grade one

In literacy this week, Grade One explored different types of poetry. Each student selected an Australian animal and worked through the writing process to draft, edit and publish their very own cinquain poem. As part of this, they had lots of fun using iPads as a tool to produce their illustrations.

In grade two

In writing, we have been learning all about the structure and purpose of friendly letters. The Grade Twos had a lot of fun writing a postcard to their classes from a special place they visited!

In grade three

Through lessons on the ‘Rights, Responsibilities and Respectful Relationships’ curriculum, Grade Three students have been focusing on inclusion and multiculturalism. These discussions highlighted the importance of tolerance in our diverse community. Below are student work samples that demonstrate ways to foster a harmonious school environment.

This week, Year Three students enjoyed a special visit from Melbourne Demons AFLW players Maeve Chaplin (Defender) and Georgia Gall (Key Forward). They discussed life as professional footballers, what motivates them, and shared statistics about their careers. Students were highly engaged, and a lucky few received souvenirs from the visit.

In grade four

On Tuesday, Year 4 students had an exciting visit to the Melbourne Museum, where they explored the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The students learned why Place and Culture are so important to Australia’s First Peoples and discovered the impact of colonisation on both people and the land. The visit helped students understand our shared history and the story of the first fleet’s impact on our nation.

Everyone had a fantastic time exploring the museum together and discovering more about Australia’s rich history!

In grades five and six

Grade 5/6 have been looking at plotting on Cartesian planes. We made some pretty cool designs.

Student voice and agency

In the last week of term, the much-anticipated teachers versus Grade 6 students handball game took place at lunchtime, drawing plenty of cheers and laughter from onlookers. The competition was fierce, with both sides playing with energy and determination, but in the end the teachers claimed victory. Despite the result, the game was filled with good sportspersonship, encouragement, and plenty of smiles. Students and staff alike enjoyed the chance to connect in a fun, engaging way, strengthening relationships and finishing the term on a positive and memorable note.- Deb McDermott

In our art room

What a fabulous night was had by all at the Art Exhibition last Friday! It was a thrill to see so many excited students sharing their artwork with friends and family. It was wonderful for students and family to see the incredible creativity across all the year levels and in many art forms. A broad range of skills were on display, from painting, collage, printing, sculpting, sewing, weaving and construction. Thank you to all the students who worked so hard to create such beautiful pieces. Many, many thanks to the families who purchased the unique and amazing class canvases on the night. The bidding was certainly fierce for some of those works! A big shout out to Maddie, Deb, Karen, Christine and Nathan for manning the sausage sizzle on the night! And heartfelt thanks to the staff, students and families who came along and celebrated the Visual Arts program at GIPS! Happy holidays!

In the performing arts room

Loud and soft, rhythms and scales – all of our students have been exploring and mastering these concepts (and more)! While the Grade 5 & 6 students were practicing and perfecting the “Bo Diddley Beat”, the Grade 2’s demonstrated their tremendous lyric writing and rhyming skills. I couldn’t ask for a better way to wrap up Term 3!

On our oval

This term, our Grade 3–6 students have been lucky to take part in AFL sessions led by expert coaches from AFL Victoria thanks to funding we received through a Sporting Schools Grant.

Students have been busy developing their kicking, handballing, and game sense through fun drills, skill-building activities, and game play. The visiting coaches have brought plenty of energy and expertise, helping students grow in both confidence and teamwork.

A special highlight for our Grade 3 students was the opportunity to meet two AFLW players in a Q+A session. They asked thoughtful questions, heard inspiring stories, and gained an exciting insight into what it takes to play at the elite level.

We are very grateful to AFL Victoria for providing such a valuable and memorable experience for our students!

District Athletics

Last week, we were proud to see 70 of our students represent GIPS at the District Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic day filled with effort, determination, and plenty of school spirit.

A big congratulations goes to the 15 students who have now qualified for the Divisional Competition. We wish them the very best of luck as they compete on Tuesday, 14th October 2025.

Well done to all of our athletes for their hard work, dedication, and achievements on the track and field!

In our staffroom

Class Requests for 2026

Considerations for 2026 class placements are now open for exceptional circumstances.

In Term 4, students will nominate six learning partners, and we guarantee that at least one partner will be honoured.

Please note:

• Parents may not request specific teachers or specific learning partners for their child

If you have an exceptional circumstance that you would like us to consider when structuring 2026 class groupings, please email the front office at glen.iris.ps@education.vic.gov.au:
Attn: Maddie Witter – Class Request

Whilst every request will be carefully considered, not all can be honoured. This is due to the complex nature of creating balanced classes that meet the academic, social, and wellbeing needs of all students.

Deadline: Friday 17 October

Writing Moderation

Each term, our teaching teams participate in a collaborative process known as writing moderation. This involves teachers reviewing and discussing student writing samples against agreed-upon criteria to ensure consistent judgments about student learning and achievement.

In our recent session, teachers spent time analysing student writing samples to identify strengths and areas for improvement with a particular focus on punctuation. Following this analysis, teachers shared strategies and insights to support student learning. This collaborative process helps ensure that all students receive the right support and that their learning progresses step by step.

RUOK?

Last week, as we marked R U OK? Day, our school community was reminded of the importance of checking in with each other, especially our children. I share with you two acrostic poems written by our Year 3 students, expressing in their own words the value of care, kindness, and looking after one another. Their reflections highlight a truth we often need to hear as adults, that our children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves.

HELPING

Help people who are hurt.

Encourage people to play with someone.

Learning how other people feel.

People should be cared for equally.

Invite people to play with you.

Notice if people are down.

Greet people in a cheerful way.

By Freddy 3TH

EMPATHY

Empathy is an amazing thing.

Make someone feel important.

Play with someone that feels alone.

Ask if they are OK.

Think about each other and be encouraging.

Help each other in hard times.

You can be a great friend!

By Brittany

Protecting Childhood in a World of Pressures and Challenges

Parenting today brings unique challenges, particularly when it comes to navigating the influence of peers, media, and the fast-paced world our children are growing up in. It can sometimes feel as though the “norms” are shifting quickly, perhaps it’s what games children are playing, what movies they are watching, or the kind of news and social issues they are suddenly exposed to. As parents, it can be hard not to feel pressure from other families or to worry that our child might be missing out, but it’s important to remember, childhood is not a race.

A very simple experience that I still clearly recall from the kinder years with my eldest child (who is now 27!) highlights the kinds of pressures we can face as parents. With my child demonstrating a somewhat anxious disposition, we came unstuck when introduced to Power Rangers. The tension between the themes of the show (fast action, conflict, and larger-than-life characters) and my child’s gentle nature created a real dilemma. On the one hand was the desire to protect them from concepts that felt too intense at that age, and on the other was the very real pull of wanting to “fit in” with what their peers were talking about and playing at school. That early experience was a reminder of how challenging it can be to hold our ground as parents, but also how important it is to trust our instincts about what is right for our child.

Children develop best when they are able to enjoy each stage of growing up at their own pace. Research reminds us that introducing age-inappropriate games, movies, or online content too early can have impacts on wellbeing, including sleep disruption, increased anxiety, and difficulty processing themes that are beyond their developmental stage. If you feel pressure from other parents to give your child access to these things, know that it is perfectly okay, and in fact protective, to say no. By setting age-appropriate boundaries, you are giving your child the gift of time to be young and safe.

Of course, no matter how careful we are, children will sometimes be unintentionally exposed to content that is troubling or beyond their years. When considering events being covered currently in the media, there is the very real possibility that children might overhear adult conversations about distressing events, listen to classmates discussing what they’ve seen online, or catch news reports covering topics like clashing protestors, violent shootings, or international war and conflict. When this happens, the most powerful strategy is to stay calm, listen carefully, and reassure your child. Encourage them to share what they’ve seen or heard, correct any misunderstandings gently, and explain events in simple, age-appropriate ways.

It can also help to:

• Switch off or limit exposure to the news when children are around, especially during coverage of distressing events.
• Use children’s questions as opportunities to teach values like kindness, empathy, and respect, even in the face of violence or disagreement.
• Reassure them of their safety, reminding them that the adults in their lives and community are there to protect them.

Most importantly, remember that children look to their parents for cues on how to process the world. When they see you prioritising calm, care, and boundaries, they learn to feel secure even when the outside world feels uncertain.

If at any time you feel unsure of how to handle these conversations, or if your child seems unsettled by something they have been exposed to, please reach out to us at the school. We are here to partner with you in protecting and nurturing your child through every stage of their primary years.

Warmest Regards,

Lisa Gough

In our community

Gardening Club

Special thank you to the parents who have been helping beautify our school with plants! If you are walking by our emerging garden near the front gates, can you please sprinkle some water on them?

GIPS Dads Night Out: Book here

We need your help

To help make this event run smoothly, we are requesting donations from now up until the event. We are seeking:

• Soft drinks
• Flat large chocolate bars for choc toss (see pic below)
• Gently used toys (for used toy stall)
• Used books- all ages (for used book stall)
• Gently used stuffed animals (gifted as prizes for toddler booths)
• Used or new nail polish (for nail polish booth)
• Wine valued at $15 or higher (for wine lucky dip)

Donations (except for wine) can be made either in the classroom in the designated tub or in the closet near the front office. Please feel free to go straight into the closet to drop off. Please drop off wine at the front office. Thank you!

This past fortnight, we have gotten a lot of donations of stuffed toys and books. Keep them coming! We haven't had many donations of nail polish, wine, toys, soft drink or chocolate. Please no donations of cookies, chips, etc. Have a look at our Fun Fair donation closet!

Students will earn 10 house points per donation. We are opening up donations early in case you see something on sale. Every donation helps.

🌼 Spring into fun with TeamKids these school holidays!

There’s something for everyone:

→ New experiences and activities every day

→ Qualified and remarkable Educators

→ Healthy and yummy snacks

→ CCS-approved care

Click on the following link to check out Glen Iris Primary's program

+ secure your spot today – https://downloads.teamkids.com.au/glen-iris-primary.pdf