FAQs

How many grades do you have?
At HWPS, we have 16 grades. We structure the grade levels to follow the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) as set down by the Department of Education. Each child will have two years to complete a level, except in Prep where it is only one year. Our Level structure at present is:

• Level 1 - Prep (3 grades)
• Level 2 - Grades 1 & 2 (5 grades)
• Level 3 - Grades 3 & 4 (4 grades)
• Level 4 - Grades 5 & 6 (4 grades)

Why do you have multiage classes?
We believe in treating each child as an individual. By following the VELS, this allows us to teach your child according to their stage of development rather than their age. At the begining of each year, teachers conduct a series of assessment tasks to get to know each child and their stage of development. This allows for grouping of students with 'like' ability for daily teaching groups. For students emotional and social development, teachers group students in 'mixed' ability groupings. This structure allows HWPS to cater for all students whilst teaching individuals to be cooperative and respectful members of our community.For further reading, please click on this link.

How many children in each grade?
We have an average of 24 students in each class.

What Language do you teach?
We teach Italian. Each class receives 1 hour per week.

Do you offer Outside School Care?
Yes, we have a Before School Program from 7.00am - 9.00am. The After School Program operates from 3.30 - 6.00pm

Our fees (2008) are:

What Specialist Lessons do you offer?
We have specialist lessons for the whole school in Physical Education, Art, Library / ICT, Performing Arts and Italian.

What time do you start and finish and when are your school holidays?
At 9:00am the bell sounds for children to line up in their designated assembly area. We have morning recess from 11:00am until 11:30am. Children eat their lunch in their classrooms at 1.30pm for 10 minutes and are dismissed outside to play until 2:30pm. The day ends at 3:30pm.
The term holidays for 2008 are as follows:

• Term 1 from 31-01-08 / 20-03-08
• Term 2 from 07-04-08 / 27-06-08
• Term 3 from 14-07-08 / 19-09-08
• Term 4 from 06-10-08 / 19-12-08

My child is starting Prep next year, and we both don't know what is expected of us for his first day?
At HWPS we have a Prep Transition Program, which we run in October/ November each year for our new Prep students and their parents. It consists of four 1-hour sessions over 4 weeks, where students will complete activities in the Prep room and with the specialist teachers in their rooms. They will also meet their Gr 5 buddies who will help them settle in to school. Parents will have the opportunity to hear about School Readiness and our school environment along with the opportunity to purchase the school uniform.

Do you have a Buddy Program? 
Yes, all Prep students are given a Grade 5 buddy. Their buddy is for 2 years. There are many buddy activities arranged throughout the year.

Do you have a Discipline Outline? 
Yes. We have a Student Code of Conduct the students revise each year. We follow our Conflict Resolutions procedures in conjunction with the Anti-Bullying Policy. All staff and students work together to follow the HWPS Values and the Bounce Back Program.

What do they wear to school?
Girls have the choice of:-

• Green and white check summer dress
  Green rugby top
• White or green long or short sleeve Polo Shirt
  Green Shorts (unisex)
• Green tracksuit pants or bootleg pants
  Broad brim hat

Boys:

• White or green long or short sleeve Polo Shirt
• Green shorts
• Green rugby top
• Green tracksuit pants
• Broad brim hat
  

Grade 6 students have the option to purchase a Year 6 bomber style jacket.

Do you operate a Canteen?
No. Please stay tuned for further information about Lunch Orders.

Do you have Instrumental Music Lessons at HWPS?
Yes, we have several user pays programs during school hours for piano and keyboards, violin, guitar and a band which include percussion, trumpet, saxophone, flute and trombone.

Do you have a Choir?
Yes. They rehearse once a week and perform at assemblies.

Can I help in my child's room?
Yes. We do require a lot of parent volunteers in all areas of the school, from listening to reading, helping with sport, working in the Library, selling the Uniforms, helping at working bees and of course being involved in the Parents Teachers & Friends Sub-committee who organize all the school fundraising activities from the Jackpot Jump to Fathers’ and Mothers’ Day breakfasts. They also organise the Performing Arts Interest group, Visual Arts Group and a Fathers Group, just for the Dads!

Do you have an Outdoor Education Program?
Yes, a 3-day camp for Grades 3 & 4 and a 5-day camp for 5 & 6.

Do I need to provide any books or pencils for my child?
No, all requisites are provided to your child at the beginning of the year and will last through to the end of the year. You will pay for these materials in your Pupil Requisites contributions. The cost for 2008 is $220.00 per student. This amount is tax deductible.

How much are the Family Contributions?
The Family Contribution are:

• Pupil Requisites ($220) for books, materials, art supplies and the employment of a school nurse for the year.
• The Library Tax Fund ($160) is used to purchase ICT and other resources associated with the Learning Resource Centre.
• Building Tax Fund ($60 per family) is used for the upkeep of the buildings.
  

How much is the Excursion Levy? 
For 2008, the Excursion Levy will be $110 for Grades P - 2 and $120 for Grades 3- 6.

Do you have any Religious Instruction?
Yes, each class has half an hour of Christian Religious Education per week. Educators teach the Department of Education's approved course, Religion in Life. The cost is $6.00 per student.

How can I enrol my child/ren? Please take an informative tour with our School Ambassadors and pick up an enrolment pack from the Office. Enrolments begin in May of each year during Education Week