Welcome back
It was wonderful to welcome students back to Term 2. I hope everyone had a great Easter break and the chance to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. A reminder that students may wear either Summer or Full School uniform (winter) for the first two weeks of term. From Monday, 5 May, all students are required to wear their full School Uniform (winter) which requires a blazer to be worn.
eSafety Commissioner
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has a national online safety hub, with tailored advice, resources and support to ensure online experiences are empowering and positive. The website can be accessed via https://www.esafety.gov.au/. Under the Key Topics tab is the eSafety guide which provides a comprehensive list and information about apps and games your child may be using and how to report abusive content for each.
It can be a difficult task keeping up with young people, technology and online safety in your household. A dedicated parent hub, https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents, provides advice for parents and carers to help children have safe, enjoyable experiences online. They offer support and material around various topics, including online safety basics, screen time, safer gaming for families, preventing child sexual abuse online, child grooming, online pornography, family tech agreements and cyberbullying. There is also a link to subscribe to the parent newsletter, so you can stay up to date with online issues.
One such impending issue is social media age restrictions. The eSafety Commissioner will continue to provide details about how the age restrictions will be enforced and which services will be affected. Further information can be found on their website: Social media age restrictions | eSafety Commissioner.
The School will also be working with our community to provide further guidance as these changes come into effect.
Early Learning Centre
A hopping good time: ELC bilby hunt
To celebrate the end of a fantastic term, ELC children took part in an exciting bilby hunt around the school grounds. With clues to follow and questions to answer, the children explored familiar areas of the School in search of the elusive Easter Bilby.
This interactive adventure encouraged problem-solving, teamwork and a sense of community as the children eagerly pieced together each clue. It was a delightful way to bring families together and create joyful memories before the term break.
Setting up a Predictable Context
As we reflect on Term 1, we are continually amazed by the growth and development of each child. Establishing predictable routines and providing a secure environment play a crucial role in supporting wellbeing, self-regulation and stress on children.
A sense of stability allows children to focus on learning, form new connections and engage confidently in daily experiences. We are attuned to how a nurturing and consistent atmosphere helps children feel safe, supported and ready to thrive.
We encourage all families to intentionally support children in following a clear and predictable plan, especially in the mornings. We know a consistent start to the day will help children settle back into Term 2 smoothly, feel secure and be ready for playful learning.
Junior School
Swimming wrap up
Over 200 students in Years 1, 2 and 4 have participated in swimming lessons as part of the PE program during Term 1. The final week had a focus on water safety with children wearing clothes over their bathers to test out their swimming skills. They also learnt how to enter and exit the water when wearing a life jacket and what to do in the case of an emergency. Prep and Year 3 students will swim in Term 4 when the weather warms up again.
Amazing artists
The Junior School art department has displayed all entries in the recent art competition outside the 1J classroom. Pieces with the theme of ‘holidays’ came in various media and artistic styles, from collages and 3-D works, to paint and pencils. Visit the gallery whilst they are still on show.
Thank you
Our HPFC ran a fabulous event for the Junior School children in the last week of school. There was an epic Easter egg hunt, family picnic, races and fun on the oval. This was a great community event that could only happen with enthusiasm and time from our parent community. If you have a skill or an idea to share, please let your class reps know.
Middle School
Courage to Care
In the final week of Term 1, our Year 8 students had an engaging, important and influential incursion. Courage to Care is an Upstander Program, that provided our Year 8 students with education on discrimination, prejudice and racism as they engaged with meaningful discussion and activities around these themes. Volunteers shared personal and family stories as they discussed these themes in depth and the skills of being an upstander to eradicate these issues when they are seen or heard. Incursions are an integral platform in educating our students, alongside our Wellbeing curriculum, as we teach and support our students with skills, information and tangible strategies as they navigate challenges and continue their development.
Term 2 Sport
As we begin Term 2, new opportunities, experiences and offerings are available to all our Middle School students. Our Years 5 and 6 students begin their new Term 2 sports, while our Years 7 and 8 students embark on their Winter Season. Throughout Term 1, our Castlefield Sport Co-ordinators, Mr Shakallis and Ms King, commended our students on their commitment to improvement, teamwork and, most importantly, playing with respect and a great attitude. Good luck to our students on all that awaits them with their new Sport.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield (HPFC)
Our HPFC Executive team would like to thank the Castlefield Community for welcoming and supporting us during Term 1. We are excited about what is to come throughout the year.
Led by the HPFC Class Representatives, the co-ordinators have set up all the WhatsApp parent groups. Please be reminded that these WhatsApp groups are to support communication between families and to assist with coordinating social events, lost property and school related activities. Please avoid using this group for personal grievances or concerns. If you have any concerns regarding your child at school, please raise them directly with the Homeroom teacher or the Head of School.
