Newsletter

No 4 20th March 2026


Harmony Week 2026

Today our school celebrated Harmony Week (Monday 16th - Sunday 22nd March 2026), a special time to recognise and celebrate the many cultures that make up our wonderful community.  Harmony Day (21st March) celebrations is an opportunity for all of us to think, talk about and recognise how our differences make Australia a great place to live.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. The message of Harmony Week is "everyone belongs". It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

On Friday, our school came together to celebrate Harmony Day, a special time to recognise and embrace the rich diversity within our community.  Throughout the week, classes took part in a range of activities to help students better understand the importance of harmony and celebrating our differences.  Students discussed their own backgrounds, shared family traditions, and explored what makes our school community so diverse and special. 

In Performing Arts, students had a fantastic time watching and learning dances from different cultures around the world.  They had a go at the movements and learned these dances to help celebrate Harmony Day and understand different cultures.

As a whole school, classes worked on creating paper chain people which will be joined together to represent people holding hands, showing that despite differences in culture, appearance, or background, we are stronger together and "everyone belongs".  The 1/2W class also made colourful wristbands and joined in with some cultural dances.  In 4/5S, students worked together to create a collaborative colouring in piece to put on display.  Our senior students in 5/6H researched their own heritage and prepared presentations to proudly share with the school at assembly.

Harmony Day was a wonderful opportunity for the students to celebrate diversity, express themselves creatively, and reflect on the importance of inclusion.



School Notice Board - 20th March 2026


Still sign up

Smile Squad are still in to complete the check-ups next week. If you haven't already provided consent, you can still fill in the details online this weekend.

How to access free dental care

We need your consent before we can provide services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian.

Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic

OR use the below QR code:

Operation Safe-Plate will be held at Bunnings Frankston
The operation is being held again on Saturday the 28th of March 2026, and police and SES  in conjunction with Bunnings Frankston, providing anti-theft screws for free that members of the community can use to attach their registration plates to their vehicles to prevent them being stolen.

There will also be information in relation to other crime prevention strategies provided from Victoria Police. Bunnings will also be available to provide anti-theft strategies, with support from partnering companies, to educate and empower the community. There will be information on Security Cameras, Video Doorbells, Motion Sensor Lights, Smart Alarms, Window and Door locks and other security products. 

The aim of this operation is to empower the community to equip themselves with the tools to keep them and their property safe.


Hello KHPS families,

If you enjoy gardening or are handy with small maintenance tasks, we would love your help from time to time around the school.

There are currently a number of jobs we are hoping to get on top of, including weeding, leaf blowing, painting, tidying and other general maintenance. Extra helping hands would make a big difference in keeping our school grounds looking great for everyone to enjoy.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Jeremy Bodley at:
jeremy.bodley@education.vic.gov.au

Current jobs that need attention: 
* Pruning back low branches in the playground that may be at eye level.
* Edging the path towards the evacuation point.

Thank you for supporting our school community.

Jeremy



Grandparents & Special Persons Open Afternoon is on Wednesday 25th March from 2:15pm - 3:15pm.

Guests are welcome to go into the playground at from 2:00 if they arrive early. 

 

Could all KHPS families please tell your friends and families to arange a school tour if they have 2027 primary school age children. We would love to eventually build to 2 full grades of preps. This aim can be achieved with your words of support to those in the community.
Tours can be requested through the school website: https://www.karingalheightsps.vic.edu.au/page/142 




Current Notices
Please keep an eye out for the dates on the following notices:

* Fruit cup special treat (Due Tuesday 24th March)




Coming Events

 
 
Please look at the events calendar for future events.
                   
Please refer to the EVENT Calendar on the website to find out information about future events. 
It is the easiest place to go to when you are unsure about what is coming up, dates and times.



Meet Our Staff!

Meet our Auslan teacher!  Helping our students learn to communicate through sign language in a fun and inclusive way.



Meet our Education Support staff member!  Supporting students every day to help them learn, grow and succeed.



Wellbeing News


Building Strong Attendance Habits

At Karingal Heights Primary School, we know that regular attendance sets the foundation for strong learning, friendships and confidence.

Attendance habits formed in primary school often continue into secondary school.

Here’s what attendance percentages mean over a year:

  • 95% attendance = around 2½ weeks absent
  • 90% attendance = around 4 weeks absent
  • 80% attendance = around 8 weeks absent (a full term)

Even explained absences add up over time.

Helpful reminders for families:

  • Book medical appointments outside school hours where possible
  • Plan family holidays during school breaks
  • Communicate early if your child is finding school tricky

Every Day Counts at Karingal Heights Primary School.

If your child is away, please call 9789 3288 on the day of the absence.

 
Wellbeing Tip of the Month: After School Reset

After a full day of learning and socialising, children often need time to unwind and reset. Fatigue can impact their mood, behaviour, and ability to regulate emotions.

Support your child with a calm transition from school to home. Allow 15–30 minutes of downtime with minimal demands, offer a healthy snack, and create a relaxed environment. Some children may prefer quiet activities, while others may benefit from movement or time outdoors.

Start with connection rather than lots of questions, and be guided by your child’s needs. A simple reset can help children feel calmer, more settled, and ready for the rest of the day.

 


Awards, Birthdays, Celebrations

Congratulations to our Students of the Week recipients from the latest assembly 
We would like to congratulate the following students for receiving an award at our last assembly.

P/1D1/2W3F4/5S
Shelby E
Charlize K
Maddie P

Hugo B
Ellie C
Bailey W

Kyrah R
Josephine C

Ewan K
Lachie P
Lyra W

5/6HART/STEMPERFORMING ARTSAUSLAN
Cian K

 Tony L







Birthdays in March

1stCian K
3rdKai R
9thPhoenix D
11thAaliyah H
12thKian L
14thMillie H
15thLeighton S
18thCooper D
27thToby L
30thKai M

 



Fundraising Committee News


Can Deposit


Icy-Pole Wednesday


Raffle Drive Thank You



Easter Colouring Competition



Community News

Karingal Bulls Junior Football Club


McClelland College
The open night would be good for current grade 5 and 6 students and Parents / Carers



Free resources for families of adolescents aged 10 to 14 years.

The Department of Education has launched an Easing into adolescence webpage for families of students aged 10 to 14 (Grade 5 to Year 8).

The webpage has information and strategies you can use to help ease your child into adolescence and secondary school. These include:

  • a guide to emotion coaching. Staff from The University of Melbourne’s Tuning in to Teens Kids program developed the guidance.
  • how to support your adolescent with their studies and more generally. Parenting expert and clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller helped develop this resource.

Subtitles for videos by The University of Melbourne on the webpage are available in 10 languages. You can select your preferred language on the translations page.

For questions about these resources, contact the Strategic Partnerships, Transitions and Student Voice team. You can email them at Secondary.School.Transition@education.vic.gov.au.

Catch the Southern Waters Ski Team on the water at Moomba.