In our classrooms

Staying Connected to Your Child's Learning

One of the questions I get asked is, "How can I find out what my child is learning at school?" There are a number of ways families can stay informed and connected throughout the year.

Grade Level Newsletters provide an overview of the learning taking place each term. These newsletters outline the key concepts, skills, and topics students will be exploring in their classrooms. We recommend reading these newsletters with your children.

Our fortnightly school newsletters include learning updates and practical tips for extending classroom learning at home. These suggestions are designed to help families make meaningful connections between school and everyday life.

Sometimes the best way to learn about your child's progress is through a simple conversation. Classroom teachers are available for brief chats after school and are always happy to share insights about your child's learning and development.

Parent-Teacher Interviews, which will take place in Term 3, provide a dedicated opportunity to discuss your child's achievements, goals, and next steps for learning.

We also encourage families to keep an eye on important dates throughout the year. These dates were included in the paper calendar distributed at the end of last year and continue to be published in every newsletter. You can find them by clicking on the accordion at the bottom of this newsletter.

Finally, if you would like a closer look at learning in action, consider volunteering in your child's classroom. Volunteers play a valuable role in supporting students, and your classroom teacher can provide information about opportunities to become involved.

Working together helps us create the best possible learning experience for every child, and we thank our families for their ongoing partnership and support.

Maddie Witter

Principal

In prep

Last week, our grandparents and special visitors joined us at school for a wonderful morning of learning and connection. The children proudly impressed their visitors with our phonics song and reading skills. They then practised their speaking and listening skills by asking interview questions such as, “When I’m with my visitor, we like to…”. To finish our special time together, we proudly sang our school song.

After our visitors left, we reflected on the morning by reading and writing a recount. We focused on putting events in the correct order and using sequencing words such as first, then, and finally to help structure our writing.

At home:

After your child reads a story or participates in a special event, encourage them to retell what happened in order. Prompt them to use sequencing words such as first, then, next, and finally. This helps develop their oral language skills and supports their recount writing in the classroom.

In grade one

This week in Mathematics, Grade One students have been exploring division through practical equal-sharing situations, using hands-on materials (including some yummy fruit loops!). Students have modelled how a collection can be shared fairly between groups and represented their thinking using diagrams and number sentences. We have explored effective strategies, such as sharing items one at a time and checking that each group had the same amount. Through these activities, students developed their understanding that division involves making equal groups and that fair sharing means each group receives an equal quantity. Students were encouraged to explain their thinking, justify how they knew their groups were equal and represent their solutions using concrete materials, drawings and mathematical symbols.

At home:

You can support your child's understanding of division and equal sharing by trying some of these activities at home:

• Share everyday items equally between family members, such as grapes, crackers, toy cars or pencils.
• Ask your child, "How can we make sure everyone gets a fair share?" Encourage them to share one item at a time and check that each group has the same amount.
• Draw a picture to show the sharing. For example, draw 18 strawberries shared between 3 people.
• Write a matching number sentence. For example: 18 shared between 3 people = 6 each
• Challenge your child to explain their expert thinking using mathematical language such as equal groups, shared fairly, groups of and each.
• Offer your child an open-ended challenge: How many ways can 20 be shared equally?

e.g. 20 shared between 2 people is 10 each

20 shared between 4 people is 5 each

20 shared between 5 people is 4 each

20 shared between 10 people is 2 each

In grade two

This term, the Grade Twos have commenced a problem-solving program called Maths Quest. Working in mixed groups across the year level, students have been exploring new strategies to tackle tricky maths challenges, including using diagrams and visual models to represent their thinking. It has been wonderful to see their confidence and communication skills grow as they work together.

At home:

You can support your child by encouraging them to try different problem-solving approaches, explaining their thinking out loud, and talking about how working with others can help us learn in new ways.

In grade three

Our Grade 3 trip to Scienceworks was exciting and fun! We enjoyed exploring the interactive exhibits and learning through hands-on activities. We watched two presentations, one about energy and another about solids, liquids, and gases. The demonstrations helped us understand science concepts and made learning enjoyable and memorable.

At home you might like to discuss:

• The different forms of energy you use at home. Are they stored or running energy?
• Identify examples of solids, liquids, and gases around the house and discuss how they can change state.
• Share your favourite Scienceworks exhibit or presentation and explain what new fact or idea you learned from it.

In grade four

Grade 4 enjoyed their time at Camp Arrabri, taking on new learning experiences outside of the classroom! It was awesome to see students challenging themselves and working well in their groups, understanding the value of team work and having a positive attitude. We reflected on our time after camp by creating a ‘Moment in Time’ keyhole piece of writing which zoomed in on a specific camp memory and focused on detailed language (adjectives for all the things they saw and adverbs to describe everything they did) and exploring their senses. Students were engaged in this and produced some interesting snippets of their key memories.

At home:

Ask your child questions about their favourite moment from camp, finding out what adjectives and adverbs they used in their writing and what senses they used and how they felt.

In grades five and six

The last two weeks has been very busy for our Grade 5 and 6 students. As part of our Integrated topic this term on Democracy, students visited The Victorian Parliament and Old Melbourne Goal with a quick stop off at the State Library. Parliament was an interesting experience where students were given a tour that included the library and the Queen’s Hall. Students enjoyed a role play in the Lower House filling roles of Parliamentarians and voting to pass a bill on gambling. The tour of Old Melbourne Gaol was riveting, and students were fascinated by the facilities prisoners were subject to and how often prisoners ended up back in jail after they had been released.

Grade 6 have moved from fractions to measurement over the last two weeks. Student completed their fractions work with a mini project on Pizza Fractions and spent time this week investigating the measurements of their bodies and finding some interesting similarities such as wingspan being the same as height. We will continue with perimeter and area of composite shapes, triangles and circles, including converting measurement.

Grade 5 have been working on measurement conversion, practising their multiplication and division skills. They will be looking at perimeter and area of squares, rectangles and composite shapes.

Grade 5 and 6 began Sex Education sessions this week, the first of a three-part series. Students engaged in games and sorting activities, listening intently to the facts about how their bodies are beginning to and will continue to change. Students have homework that requires them talking to a trusted adult and answer questions related to their first session of learning. Please take this opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the homework and the Sex Ed sessions so far.

At home:

• Talk about democracy in everyday life Ask your child about their visit to Parliament and discuss how decisions are made in your family, community, or country. You might even hold a family vote on a fun topic and talk about how majority decisions work.
• Put measurement skills into practice Invite your child to help with measuring around the house. They could measure rooms, furniture, or family members and practise converting between millimetres, centimetres, metres, and kilometres.
• Continue practising multiplication and division facts Quick daily practice with multiplication and division facts helps students build confidence and supports their work in measurement and geometry. Card games, number challenges, and cooking activities are great ways to reinforce these skills.
• Keep the conversation going Check in with your child about what they are learning in their sex education homework. These conversations help children build confidence and understand that puberty is a normal part of growing up.

In PE

Physical Education Update

Thanks to a sporting grant received by the school, students in Prep to Grade 6 have enjoyed participating in a tennis program delivered by Futures Tennis over the past two weeks. Students have been developing key tennis skills, including forehand and backhand shots, serving, hand-eye coordination, movement, and ball control through a range of fun and engaging activities. It has been wonderful to see students building their confidence and enthusiasm for the sport.

Hooptime Volunteers Needed

On the 19^th of June, selected 5/6 students will be participating in the Senior Hooptime competition held at Nunawading Stadium. We are currently seeking 2 volunteer coaches to support our Future Stars Boys and Future Stars Girls teams, as well as 8 volunteer scorers to assist throughout the day.

If you are available to help, please contact the school office via email and direct your expression of interest to Tayla Sjogren. Your support would be greatly appreciated and will help make the day a success for our students.

In art class

In the Art room we have been using Indigenous art as our inspiration to coincide with Reconciliation Week. The Preps have been looking at the colourful artwork of Brandy Tjungurrayi to create their collage patterns. The Year 4 students have used the plants and leaves from GIPS to create beautiful prints and add their own patterned leaves. Classes also made an Acknowledgement of Country to hang in their classrooms using gum leaves from our very old gum tree.

In our staffroom

Reflections from Debbie

Recently, I was fortunate to travel to South Africia, Zimbabwe and Botswana and experience some incredible wildlife, landscapes and cultures. While seeing elephants, lions and other amazing animals was unforgettable, want I really wanted to see was how schools operate, so one of the highlights of my trip was visiting a small primary school in a remote village in Khwai in the Okavango Delta.

Whilst the school had recently been affected by flooding and was undergoing repairs, the school itself has a remarkable story. There was originally no school in the village, so a couple visiting as tourists, recognised the need and funded its establishment. Wanting the focus to remain on the children and community rather than themselves, they chose to remain anonymous.

The teachers are recruited outside the village and are provided with accommodation so they can live and work within the community. Students are predominantly taught in English and follow a structured curriculum, much like students here in Australia.

One of my favourite moments was asking our guide what a typical school day looked like. His response was, “It depends on the elephants!” He explained that when elephants wander onto the school grounds, students and staff need to remain safely inside until the animals move on. It was a reminder of how different daily life can be in other parts of the world.

The visit was both inspiring and humbling. It highlighted the resilience of the community, the dedication of the teachers, and the value that families place on education, even in the face of significant challenges. It also left me feeling incredibly grateful for our own wonderful school community and the opportunities available to our students every day.

Why Do We Complete Whole-School Timed Writing Moderation?

Each term, students across the school participate in a whole-school timed writing task. While students may see this as simply another opportunity to write, these assessments provide valuable information that helps teachers understand student progress and plan future learning.

The purpose of a timed write is to capture an authentic snapshot of each student's current writing skills. Because all students respond to the same prompt under the same conditions, teachers are able to see what students can do independently without additional support, conferencing, or editing.

Following the writing task, teachers from across the school come together to moderate the samples. During moderation, staff carefully read and assess student writing against agreed criteria and achievement standards. This collaborative process allows teachers to compare samples, discuss evidence of learning, and ensure that expectations are consistent across classrooms and year levels.

Moderation is an important part of maintaining fairness and accuracy in assessment. It helps us build a shared understanding of what achievement looks like at each stage of learning and ensures that student progress is measured consistently throughout the school.

The information gathered from these writing samples is then used to identify strengths, target areas for improvement, inform classroom teaching, and monitor growth over time. By completing a timed write each term, we are able to track student development and celebrate the progress students make throughout the year.

We are continually impressed by the effort students put into these writing tasks and look forward to seeing their growth as writers continue across the year.

Our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) Improvement Journey

At the beginning of the year, we shared our commitment to continuously improving teaching, learning, and family partnerships through our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). As we reach the midpoint of the year, we are pleased to share some of the progress we have made.

A key focus has been strengthening the consistency and quality of teaching across the school. Teachers have worked collaboratively to develop a common unit planning template, ensuring that learning is carefully sequenced and that students build knowledge and skills in a logical and supported way. Staff have also engaged in professional learning to refine learning intentions, helping students better understand what they are learning and how each lesson connects to their overall learning journey.

Another area of focus has been strengthening the use of retrieval practice. Teachers have developed their capacity to identify and revisit important knowledge and skills, particularly in Mathematics, so that students can consolidate learning and build long-term mastery and confidence.

We have also worked to strengthen collaboration among staff. Consistent team meeting structures have been introduced, and a fortnightly Team Leader meeting now provides opportunities for professional learning, shared problem-solving, and consistency across the school. Staff have further enhanced their practice through network professional learning with educational consultant Bronwyn Ryrie Jones.

Strengthening partnerships with families remains an important priority. This year we have increased opportunities for parents and carers to participate in classroom activities and school events. We have also continued to provide targeted learning prompts and guidance through newsletters and school communications, helping families better understand classroom learning and support their children at home.

These improvements are part of an ongoing journey, and we are grateful for the support of our staff, students, and families as we continue working together to provide the best possible learning opportunities for every child.

Wellbeing at GIPS: Respectful Relationships (RRRR)

This week, we’re exploring Respectful Relationships (RRRR), a program that supports students to build positive, healthy relationships.

Respectful Relationships teaches children how to:

• Show respect and kindness to others
• Understand and manage emotions
• Build positive friendships
• Resolve conflict in constructive ways

Through discussions, activities, and role-play, students learn about empathy, inclusion, and how their actions impact others.

In the classroom, this may look like:

• Exploring scenarios and discussing choices
• Learning how to communicate respectfully
• Developing strategies to solve problems with peers

At home, you can support this learning by:

• Modelling respectful communication
• Talking about friendships and challenges
• Encouraging your child to consider others’ perspectives

Building respectful relationships is a lifelong skill that supports both wellbeing and learning.

Shaye Bradbury, Leading Teacher Wellbeing and Inclusion

In our community

Junior Cross Country

Our first junior cross country event for preps to twos went fantastically! Designed by our student action leadership team, the students engaged in many fun chants and lots of running! Well done to our student leaders and runners.

Change of Date for Swimming Carnival

The Grade 3 to Grade 6 Swimming carnival date has changed from the 1^st December to now being held on the 16^th December at Ashburton Pool.

Welcome to Australia Tea for International Families

On 14 July our international families return for six or more weeks in grades 1-5. We would like to welcome our new GIPS families with a welcome to Australia morning tea. If you would like to make something for our new community members for morning tea that reminds you of Australia, please drop off in the library on 14 July before 9:00 am.

Mother's Day Lunch

We want to extend a huge thank you to the School Council Fundraising Team and Georgie and Charlotte who led a wonderful Mother's Day Lunch event in May. Thanks to your support, the GIPS community raised $4272.65, which is going towards new furniture at GIPS!

Staffing Announcement

We would like to say a fond farewell to Krista Morris, who has been a valued member of our school community as our librarian. Krista farewelled the children at the end of last year and has generously continued to support our library space this year by working with us on Fridays to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Her ongoing care and dedication to the library has been greatly appreciated by both staff and students. We are excited to share that Krista has taken up a new role closer to home, and we warmly congratulate her on this next step in her professional journey. Krista will be greatly missed by our school community, and we thank her sincerely for the time, energy, and passion she has contributed to our library and our students. We wish her all the very best for the future.

Make a Tax Deductible Donation this End of Financial Year

As we approach the end of the financial year, we would like to sincerely thank all families who have supported our school throughout 2026. Your contributions make a real difference to the opportunities, facilities and resources we provide for our students.

This week, information has been sent home with your eldest child outlining our current Parent Payments progress, along with details about making a donation to our Building Fund or Library Fund. The information also highlights recently completed projects and future improvements planned across the school. Donations to both the Building Fund and Library Fund are tax deductible and directly support enhancements to our learning environments and school grounds. If you are considering making a contribution, we encourage you to do so before 30 June to take advantage of the tax deduction for this financial year.

The easiest way to make a contribution is via the Compass Portal. Alternatively, you can visit the front office or contact the school for assistance.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community. Every contribution, regardless of size, helps us continue to improve our school for the benefit of all students.

Regards,

Joanne Hayes

Business Manager

Make and Bake Sale

The first Make & Bake Sale for 2026 is on Friday 12th June at 3.30pm on the Coloured Squares!

Grades 1, 3, 5 & 6 will be asked to make/bake some yummy treats.

Bake Packs will be sent out to those families on Tuesday 9th June.

In order for this event to run successfully, we need as many parent volunteers as possible.

Please click on the signup link below to volunteer for a shift.

https://signup.com/go/cGPwLyU

Thank you in advance & we look forward to another fun & sugar loaded Make & Bake Sale.

Nadia and School Council

Parking at Church Reminder

We kindly ask all GIPS families to please refrain from using the Church carpark for school drop-off, pick-up or parking purposes.

This is a private carpark reserved for church and kindergarten users only, and we have received ongoing concerns regarding its use by members of our school community. To maintain positive relationships with our neighbours and ensure access remains available for authorised users, we ask that all families respect this request.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping us be considerate members of the wider community.

2027 Prep Enrolments

Dear parent community,

Enrolments for Prep 2027 are closing the 31 July. To commence online enrolment: Visit https://students.educationapps... to create an account and complete the online application form. Please ensure that all documents required are attached to the application. A Quick Reference Guide to using the online system is available here.

Our school zone

Our school zone is available on findmyschool.vic.gov.au which hosts the most up-to-date information on school zones in Victoria. Students residing within our school zone are guaranteed a place at our school, which is determined based on your permanent residential address. Our school manages enrolments using the Placement Policy to ensure that students have access to their designated neighbourhood school and may enrol at another school, if there are available places.

Placement policy

Schools must manage enrolment applications by following the priority order of placement.

1. Families in the school zone are offered a place at GIPS.
2. Students with a sibling at the same permanent address who are attending the school at the same time
3. All other students in order of closeness from their permanent address to the school.
4. Walk or Wheel Fridays
   A reminder that every Friday until the end of Term 2 will be ‘Walk or Wheel (WOW) Friday’! We encourage all students to ride or walk to school. If you need to, you can drive closer to school and walk or wheel part of the way. If your child is younger, you can park your car and ride or walk with them.
   The Environment SALT will be collecting data on how many students have walked or wheeled to school and the winning class each week will be awarded the Golden Boot! There will be more prizes for term winners.
   We are looking forward to seeing everyone walk or wheel to school tomorrow.
   Remember to keep your eyes on the road!
   Grade 6 SALT (Student Action Leadership Team) Environment Team

SRC Fundraiser

The SRC are raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors. Families are invited to buy a $2 donut and proceeds will go to the charity. More information will be shared shortly.

Orders for the donuts will close 19 June at 3:30 pm.

The donut day will be 25 June. Stay tuned for a Compass newsfeed!

- SRC

Parent Evening- Save the Date

Dear Families,

We are delighted to announce that our annual Parent Evening will be held on Saturday, 29 August. This year, the focus of the event is simple: creating a relaxed space for parents to take some time out from a very busy year, unwind, and enjoy each other’s company. A small group of enthusiastic parents is helping shape the evening, which will also support the school’s fundraising efforts. Please mark your calendars. More details about the program, venue, and ticketing will be shared in late July. We are also welcoming light sponsorships or prize contributions, particularly in the areas of catering, wellbeing products, wellbeing services and others. If you or someone you know would like to support the event, please contact the school office. We look forward to offering parents across all year levels a warm, enjoyable evening to pause, reconnect, and recharge.

Warm regards,

Parent Evening Team

Walk or Wheel Fridays

A reminder that every Friday until the end of Term 2 will be ‘Walk or Wheel (WOW) Friday’! We encourage all students to ride or walk to school. If you need to, you can drive closer to school and walk or wheel part of the way. If your child is younger, you can park your car and ride or walk with them.

The Environment SALT will be collecting data on how many students have walked or wheeled to school and the winning class each week will be awarded the Golden Boot! There will be more prizes for term winners.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone walk or wheel to school tomorrow.

Remember to keep your eyes on the road!

Grade 6 SALT (Student Action Leadership Team) Environment Team

Premiers' Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and Glen Iris Primary School is excited to be taking part!

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by the 4th of September, 2026.

Children from Prep to Grade 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. All children who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former premiers.

This year’s Challenge theme is ‘Stories to discover. Stories to tell’. Stories can inspire and challenge us, and help us grow. They open our eyes to new worlds and new ways of thinking.

To learn more about the Challenge, visit Premiers' Reading Challenge | vic.gov.au

You can also contact one of our Challenge Coordinators at Mary-Anne.Jansen@education.vic.gov.au (Prep to Grade 2) or Charles.Collopy-White@education.vic.gov.au (Grade 3 to 6) with any questions.

Happy reading!

From Team Kids