In our staffroom

Welcoming Our 2027 Prep Families to GIPS

Today, we were delighted to welcome our newest members of the Glen Iris Primary School community as our 2027 Prep students and their families joined us for their first Take-Off session.

Starting school is such a significant milestone, filled with excitement, anticipation and perhaps a few butterflies for both children and parents. It was wonderful to see our future Preps beginning to explore their new school, meet our staff and make connections with the children who will become their classmates and friends.

At GIPS, our vision is “Growth through belonging, a community where every child thrives.” This vision is at the heart of everything we do, and it begins well before a child's first official day of school. We know that when children feel safe, valued, connected and that they truly belong, they are best placed to learn, grow and flourish.

Our Take-Off program is an important first step in building that sense of belonging. Through these early experiences, we aim to help children develop confidence, establish friendships and become familiar with the people and places that will soon be part of their everyday lives. Just as importantly, we want our new families to feel welcomed, supported and connected to our wonderful school community.

We also recognise the important role our current families play in creating the warm and inclusive culture that makes GIPS such a special place. We look forward to extending that same sense of community to our newest families as they begin their journey with us.

To our 2027 Prep families, welcome to Glen Iris Primary School! We are so pleased that you have chosen to join our community and look forward to watching your children learn, grow and thrive throughout their primary school years.

Aim High!

Maddie Witter

In prep

Our Preps have been busy exploring the topic ‘Watch It Grow’, learning all about gardens, plants and how things grow. We have enjoyed reading a range of non-fiction texts, sharing our knowledge and ideas during class discussions, and bringing in items for Show and Tell to help us learn more about our topic.

We also had the exciting opportunity to plant our own sunflower seeds and are looking forward to watching them grow. A big thank you to Christie for joining us in our classrooms and providing so many wonderful resources to help get our classrooms growing!

As part of our literacy learning, we have been reading lots of procedural texts and exploring how to give clear, step-by-step instructions. Last week, after planting our own seeds, the Preps put their learning into practice by having a go at writing their very own procedure on ‘How to Plant a Seed’. It was wonderful to see them using their knowledge and thinking carefully about the steps involved!

What you can do at home:

• Get growing! Look at plants and gardens together. Talk about what plants need to grow.
• Follow the steps! Involve your child in a simple everyday task and encourage them to explain the steps in order, using words such as first, next and last.

In grade one

Grade One Games Night: Our Amazing Camp Experience!

What a fantastic evening we had at our Grade One Games Night! This was our second camp experience at GIPS, and it was a wonderful opportunity for our students to build independence and confidence in a fun, supportive setting.

The children threw themselves into a range of amazing activities, including the Zorb, earth balls, giant parachute and ninja course. It was wonderful to see so much teamwork, turn taking and resilience on display and even more wonderful to see every child having a great time. We finished the evening with a delicious BBQ and an icy pole to cool down.

A huge thank you to our fantastic parent helpers, whose time and energy made this night possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Next Step Focus: Having a Go!

Following the success of Games Night, we will continue to encourage students to try new activities, even when they feel a little unsure. In the classroom, we will:

• Celebrate brave attempts and effort, not just successful results
• Use “not yet” language, such as “I can’t do it yet, but I’m learning”
• Remind each other that mistakes are part of learning and that trying something new helps our brains grow

At home, you can support this by asking your child about something new they tried this week and how it felt. Even small moments, like tasting a new food, learning a new language or giving a new activity a go, are worth celebrating!

In grade two

In Grade 2, students have been developing their writing skills through our Choice Writing sessions, where they have the opportunity to explore their ideas, use their imagination and create stories of their own. An important part of this process is sharing our writing with others and celebrating ourselves as authors!

Students have been trialling different ways to share their stories, including Author’s Chair, where students have the opportunity to read their writing aloud to the whole class. We also share our stories in smaller groups, giving everyone a chance to have their work heard and receive feedback from their peers. We use a strategy called ‘Two Stars and a Wish’, where students share two things they enjoyed about a story and one suggestion for improvement. We also encourage students to give specific feedback, such as noticing interesting adjectives used to describe a character or setting, an exciting beginning or an imaginative idea.

How you can help at home

Encourage your child to become the author at home! Set aside some time for them to share a story they have written or even make up a new one. You could take turns being the author and the audience. After listening, try giving your child Two Stars and a Wish:

• Two Stars: What are two things you really enjoyed about their story? For example, a funny character, interesting adjectives or a creative idea.
• A Wish: What is one thing they could add or change to make their story even better?

You could also ask questions such as, "What was your favourite part of your story?", "How could you describe that character in more detail?" or "What might happen next?"

In grade three

Grade 3 students have been busy becoming body system experts! We are creating our own body system fact files, exploring the fascinating ways our bodies work and discovering the important jobs different body systems do. From the amazing work of our digestive system to how our lungs help us breathe, there is so much to learn!

We are developing our research and literacy skills by using a range of reading resources to find interesting facts and important information. We are practising identifying key pieces of information, deciding what is most important and recording our learning in our own words rather than simply copying from a text.

You can support this learning by:

1. Talking about different body systems and wonder aloud about how they work.
2. Share the learning: Ask your child to explain a body system or share three interesting facts they have discovered. Can they teach you something new?

We are excited to keep discovering just how incredible the human body is!

In grade four

In Grade 4, we have been immersing ourselves in the wonderful world of poetry. So far, we have looked at the structure and success criteria of cinquain, haiku, abstract noun and If I Were poems. We have been focusing on using literary devices such as personification, similes, and metaphors to paint vivid pictures with our words. We have created our own poetry books to publish in, and the quality and effort are lovely to see. Once we finish this next week, students will be able to keep these and add their own poems based on what they have learned in our explicit lessons and workshops! A few of our poems have explored Victoria landmarks and fauna, which ties in nicely with our ‘Holiday Here this Year’ unit of topic. Next week, we are very much looking forward to our ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ excursion, learning more about sport in Victoria and visiting the MCG!

What you can do at home:

As students bring home their poetry books, we encourage them to consolidate their understanding of these poetic forms and create their own. Please ask questions about personification, similes, and metaphors, and see what brilliant ideas you can come up with!

In grade five

The grade fives started their work on chance and probability in maths this week. The students started by making a probability scale which aligned with our previous maths topic of fractions, decimals and percentages. We then attributed some probability language to the appropriate fractions, decimals and percentages. Students next week will get to conduct a chance experiment, record their findings and make estimations for further simulations.

To support your child's learning at home, you too can conduct a simple chance experiment. For instance, you could use a packet of M&Ms, Skittles or icy poles, counting how many of each colour are in the packet and then creating fractions that represent the probability of selecting one of those colours.

In grade six

A few months ago, before the Commonwealth Games, Grade Six students wrote a letter to Olivia's cousin, Alyssa Polites asking all sorts of questions you would ask a professional athlete and wishing her good luck for races in The Games! She wrote back right away after finishing races and we invited her to come visit when she returned to Australia. The Grade 6s were lucky to have Alyssa visit and chat to them about her career and life as a professional athlete. She gave an interesting presentation which included when she first started riding bikes, her challenges and advice for aspiring athletes in all sports! The students asked questions about social media, her health regime and what she eats. Of course, the best part was holding Alyssa's two Commonwealth gold medals! Thank you to Nadia Liberta for helping us organise this visit and to Alyssa for your inspirational presentation!

In physical education

Yesterday, our Year 5/6 Girls Hoop Time team travelled to Nunawading Basketball Stadium to compete in the Regional Hoop Time Competition. After two draws, one loss and a win, the girls secured their place in the qualifying state finals!

The girls put in an outstanding effort, demonstrating fantastic teamwork, communication and determination, alongside some impressive basketball skills. Their hard work paid off as they secured the most important win of the day, earning themselves a place in the State Hoop Time Championships!

A huge congratulations to all the girls on this fantastic achievement. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and wish them the best of luck at the State Championships!

In performing arts

The prep students took performing arts outside on an Instrument Safari! They encountered many percussion instruments on their adventure, listening carefully to work out which ones had high or low, loud or soft, and long or short sounds.

Hip-hop music has been introduced in grades 1 and 2. In small groups, the students worked together to write and perform their own rap lyrics that, like hip-hop, was about their best qualities and our school values.

In the senior years, students are practicing their roleplay in drama. They have focused on the difference between acting as themselves and truly embodying a role or character, as well as using body, movement, gesture, face and voice to capture and express their character.

Below are the rap lyrics written by students in 1J (Harry, Marcella, Oscar and Pallavi).

In Spanish

Our Prep students continue to develop their Spanish vocabulary through engaging short stories, repetition and playful activities. Through listening, speaking and revisiting familiar words and expressions, students are building their confidence and understanding of the Spanish language.

In our staffroom

Our Reconciliation Action Plan: A Commitment to Learning, Respect and Connection

At Glen Iris Primary School, we are committed to creating a school community where every child feels a sense of belonging, is respected and has the opportunity to thrive. As part of this commitment, we are working towards developing our school's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

A Reconciliation Action Plan provides a framework for schools to strengthen relationships, respect and opportunities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. It encourages us to reflect on our current practices, deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and identify meaningful actions that contribute to reconciliation.

Importantly, a RAP is not simply a document or a collection of activities. It is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that reconciliation is embedded in the everyday life of our school, from what we teach in our classrooms to how we build relationships and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Australia's First Nations peoples.

Our work will involve reflecting on what we already do well, identifying opportunities for growth and considering how we can strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across our curriculum and school environment. We also recognise the importance of listening, learning and building authentic connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This work aligns closely with our school vision, "Growth through belonging: a community where every child thrives," and our values of respect, honesty, gratitude, resilience and empathy. Reconciliation asks us to demonstrate these values through our actions, conversations and willingness to learn.

We look forward to sharing our progress with families as this important work continues. Reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and we are proud to be taking meaningful steps towards a more inclusive, informed and respectful future for our students and community.

Thank You for Celebrating World Teachers’ Day

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful GIPS families for the many thoughtful cards, messages and expressions of gratitude shared with our staff in celebration of World Teachers’ Day last Friday.

The kindness and appreciation shown by our school community meant a great deal to our teachers. From handwritten notes and beautiful cards to warm words of thanks, these gestures were a lovely reminder of the positive relationships that make Glen Iris Primary School such a special place.

Teaching is a profession that requires dedication, care, creativity and an unwavering commitment to helping every child succeed. Our teachers work incredibly hard each day, not only to support academic growth but also to nurture confidence, curiosity, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.

Our school vision, “Growth through belonging: a community where every child thrives,” is brought to life through the relationships our teachers build with students and families every day.

Thank you once again for taking the time to recognise and celebrate our teachers. Your kindness, encouragement and ongoing support are deeply valued, and we are fortunate to be part of such a thoughtful and appreciative school community.

GIPS Fun Fair on Saturday 21 November. 🎉

The excitement is building, and we have some important updates about volunteering, Early Bird tickets, donations and the Fun Fair Cup.

🙋‍♀️ 1. VOLUNTEERS – WE NEED YOUR HELP

A huge thank you to everyone who has already signed up. 34% of our volunteer jobs have now been filled. We still have plenty of shifts available, particularly for running our fantastic activities and stalls on the day. As we get closer to the event, we would love to see more families sign up so that every planned activity can go ahead. Most shifts are 90 minutes, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the fair with your family. Every little bit of help makes a difference.

👉 SIGN UP HERE: https://signup.com/go/SMmvtvy

🎟️ 2. EARLY BIRD SALES ARE NOW OPEN

Get organised early and skip the queues. Early Bird sales are officially open and close Sunday 15 November at midnight. https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1675003

There are three things available to purchase:

🎢 Ride Wristbands – Enjoy unlimited rides on our participating attractions throughout the day. Senior wristbands provide unlimited access to all rides (Cha Cha, Turbo Tubs, Blow Up Castle, Bungee Trampoline and Rock Wall). Please note that the Cha Cha and Rock Wall have minimum height requirements of 120 cm. Junior wristbands provide unlimited access to the Blow Up Castle, Bungee Trampoline and Turbo Tubs.

🎟️ Activity Tickets – Pre-order tickets for games, stalls, activities and food to skip the queues on the day. Tickets can be used for the wine lucky dip, mystery jars, dunk tank and much more.

🌭 Food Wristbands – A delicious package including one sausage, fairy floss, popcorn, soft drink and snow cone.

🎁 BONUS MYSTERY PRIZES – Some lucky families who purchase wristbands in advance will discover a special sticker on their wristband, entitling them to a mystery prize.

Prefer to purchase in person? We'll also be selling Early Bird tickets and wristbands on the coloured squares in the afternoon from Thursday 5 November, continuing throughout next week.

📩 How will you receive your purchases? All pre-purchased tickets and wristbands will be sent home with students in a clearly labelled envelope a couple of days before the Fun Fair. Please keep them somewhere safe and remember to bring them on the day.

🎁 3. DONATIONS – PRIORITIES THIS WEEK

Our priority donations are:

🍬 Mystery Jars – Fill a clean jar with something fun. Think lollies, small toys, stationery, hair accessories or other little surprises. Get creative. See attachment for more details.

🧺 Hamper Donations – We're collecting lovely new items to create our fantastic Fun Fair hampers. See attachment for more details. Only new items can be accepted
GIPS FUNFAIR Hampers 1

These items are our biggest donation priorities right now. If your family can contribute, we'd be very grateful. Please send donations to your child's classroom teacher. Please drop off wine at the front office.

🏆 4. FUN FAIR CUP – THE COMPETITION IS HEATING UP

The competition is getting exciting.

🥇 WEEKLY WINNER – EXTRA PLAYTIME

Congratulations to 2GJ, our Week 5 winner, for a fantastic effort collecting donations. Enjoy your extra playtime.

❤️ 5. THANK YOU, GIPS

Our Fun Fair is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together while raising funds for new school furniture. Whether you're volunteering, purchasing Early Bird tickets or donating to our stalls, thank you for making this event possible.