14 March 2025

Acting Principal’s Report

It is with great excitement that I write my first newsletter as Principal of Hermit Park State School. From the moment I arrived, I have been warmly welcomed by staff, students, and families, and I am incredibly grateful for the kindness and generosity of this community.

For those who may not know me yet, I have had the privilege of working in several schools across Queensland as a Principal, Deputy Principal, and Behaviour Coach. My journey in education started in Tasmania, where I completed my teaching degree, and I still love returning each year to visit my family. Across my career, I have been passionate about fostering strong school communities and ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and support.

Since stepping into my role here, I have been incredibly impressed by the dedication of our staff and students. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting classrooms to see the rich learning experiences taking place and have enjoyed seeing the wonderful programs that make Hermit Park such a special place. Sustainability is clearly a core focus of our school, with some fantastic initiatives in place. I also had the chance to drop in on French Club – bravo, Monsieur Vandommele! – and Musical Club, which brought back fond memories of my own College theatre days!

It has also been a fantastic fortnight of learning and achievement:
🥇 Congratulations to our rugby team on their recent win! Your hard work, teamwork, and dedication have certainly paid off—well done to the players, coaches, and supporters.
🌿 A huge thank you to the Paluma Environmental Team for visiting our early years classes. Our students loved learning about the environment and the local flora and fauna, and it was wonderful to see their curiosity and engagement in action.

Our Focus for 2025: Final Year of Our Strategic Plan

At Hermit Park, we are in the final year of our 2022-2025 School Strategic Plan, which has guided our school’s improvement efforts over the past four years. This year, we are focused on strengthening our foundation in Numeracy and preparing for the next phase of our school’s growth.

Key Priorities for 2025:
✔ Numeracy Excellence – Ensuring every student has strong mathematical foundations by implementing a high-quality, authentic mathematics curriculum aligned with the latest Australian Curriculum (v9).
✔ Building Teacher Capability – Providing targeted professional development for staff, including coaching, collaborative planning, and watching others work to refine best teaching practices.
✔ Data-Driven Improvement – Using student assessment data to monitor progress and adjust teaching strategies for optimal learning outcomes.
✔ Supporting Every Learner – Enhancing differentiation practices, including interventions and extensions for students with disabilities and high-achieving students.
✔ Consistency in Teaching & Learning – Embedding school-wide expectations for mathematics instruction, ensuring a mastery-based approach across all classrooms.

Throughout the year, we will track progress against key goals, including:

Maintaining 96% of students achieving A-C in Mathematics and increasing the percentage of students achieving an A to 33%.

Improving Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results, with targeted increases in students reaching the upper two bands and exceeding state benchmarks.

This focused work ensures every student at Hermit Park is set up for success in their learning journey.

If parents would like to read the full 2025 AIP, please click on link below.

Looking to the Future: 2026-2030 Strategic Plan

In Semester Two, Hermit Park will take part in a School Review—a valuable opportunity to reflect on our progress and shape the next 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. This review will involve input from staff, students, and families, ensuring our shared vision continues to drive success for all learners.

This review will involve gathering feedback from staff, students, and families, and I look forward to working with our community to shape the future of Hermit Park together.

Let’s Connect!

I am looking forward to getting to know more of you over the coming weeks and would love the opportunity to hear your thoughts about our school. If you’d like to meet for a chat, please feel free to contact the office to arrange a time—I’d love to hear from you!

Once again, thank you all for your warm welcome. I look forward to a fantastic year ahead and to working alongside you to continue making Hermit Park an exceptional place for our students to learn and grow.

Samara Koidis
Acting Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

Hello everyone! Isn’t it hard to believe that we have just completed 7 weeks of the school term?

We have welcomed a new Principal – (welcome Mrs Koidis), several new staff, 106 new Preppies and new students in every year level. Everyone has settled beautifully and classrooms are buzzing with learning each and every day.

We have had a very action-packed term with many more exciting events to come including our P&C Big Breakfast. The Big Breakfast is kindly supported by our amazing P&C and is a great way to catch up with staff in a relaxed and delicious setting. I hope to catch up with you there.

Mobile Phones and Devices

As per our school policy ALL mobile phones and smart watches are to be handed into the office upon arrival at school each day and collected at 3pm. Under no circumstances are students allowed to take photos or video footage on school grounds. We urge you to only send phones to school if necessary.

Social Media

Whilst social media can have many advantages it certainly comes with issues that can affect young minds. Our messages around social media are quite clear in our Student Code of Conduct. Below are some important messages for students around social media:

• Be nice. Mean behaviour is not ok or necessary.
• Think twice before writing anything. Once in cyber land it is there forever.
• Follow the "WWGS?" (What Would Grandma Say?) rule.
• Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important.
• Don't "friend" strangers. If you don't know them, don't friend them.

We encourage to talk to your children around the dangers of social media and monitor their use regularly.

School Arrival and School Departure

As per our recent Facebook post students are NOT to arrive at school before 8:15am on either campus. Students in Prep and Year One must be supervised by a parent between 8:15am and 8:30am. Supervision is provided at school from 8:30am onwards. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

Please ensure you take care when collecting your child from school. In particular please only park in designated parking spots. Do not park in private drive ways, footpaths or too close to our pedestrian crossings as this can compromise the safety of our students. Police will be conducting regular patrols around our school.

Parent - Teacher Interviews

Parent teacher interviews are scheduled twice a year for all year levels at various times throughout the year, every parent is invited to attend.

We will be holding parent-teacher interviews for Year 1-6 students, including all of PY1C, on Tuesday 25 March from 3:15pm – 8:30pm in the HPSS hall. (With the exception of 5S & 5M which will be held on Thursday 27 March from 3:15pm - 8:30pm). We encourage you to attend these valuable meetings to see how your child/children are progressing.

Bookings will open on Monday 17 March with a limited number of time slots available.

Prep teachers will be conducting interviews in their classrooms in week 9 & 10 - please keep any eye out for classroom notes coming home with your child. 

School Uniform

Just a reminder around our school uniform:

• School polo shirt
• HPSS logo skort/short
• Fully enclosed school shoes or sports shoes (i.e. no slip-on shoes)
• Short, plain white or black socks
• Minimal jewellery and essential non-hazardous jewellery such as a watch, flat signet ring, small plain sleepers or stud earrings, medical alert bracelet.
• Collar length hair (or longer) is to be plaited, braided or tied back with maroon/yellow ribbons or ties

Early Years Deputy Principal’s Report

Happy week 7! As we are nearing the end of the term you might notice your child/ren becoming more tired, emotional and perhaps some school refusal. This is perfectly understandable as their little brains and bodies have been absorbing so much learning over the past weeks. Teachers have spent considerable time teaching and providing age-appropriate, purposeful tasks to consolidate student learning. Teachers are now assessing students to gain a deep understanding of skills they have gained and any areas that may need further consolidation.

What have we been learning?

Our Preps are currently learning about living and non-living things in science. They participate in a range of lessons and activities to increase their understanding of what things need to survive. Prep V are currently investigating how plants grow using different means. They are also loving their pet fish and watching him survive in his habitat.

Year Ones have been working very diligently with their handwriting in red and blue lines. Every morning 1BR start their morning routine by writing some sentences related to their phoneme & grapheme of the week. Maggie received extra acknowledgement because of her neat and precise handwriting. Well done Maggie!

Year two are learning about fractions specifically focusing on halves, quarters and eighths. 2A have been engaged in a range of age-appropriate pedagogies that allows a concrete and tactile approach to their learning.

Scientist Visits

This week our Prep and Year One classes attended an incursion provided by Paluma Education. Our presenters were educating the students about habitats, living and non-living needs and general environment conservation. The students had a great time.

Before and after school procedures

Early Years Campus (Prep/Yr 1) – A big thank you to all of our families that are respecting our before and after school procedures. It has certainly reduced crowds waiting on verandas. Just a reminder that 3:00pm is the end of the school day. Please ensure you arrive as close to that time as possible. If there are children remaining after 3:15pm they will be walked over to the school office.

Senior Campus (Yr 2) – Thank you to both students and parents for not loitering on verandas before school. Our year 2 students are showing responsibility and trustworthiness through independent morning routines. If you are dropping your child/ren off before 8:30am they MUST wait in the year 6 eating area (where the ping pong table is). They are not allowed to stay in the year 2 area unsupervised.

A reminder that there is NO playing before the 8:30am bell and after school.

Parking and school crossings

I realise that it can be frustrating with before and after school traffic but I urge you to be mindful of parking in designated areas and using our wonderful crossing supervisors to cross the roads safely. The disabled park is designed for people who have the authorisation to use it so please don’t use it as a drop and go. We have had some parents park their cars in front of residents drive-ways and on footpaths. Please be respectful of our neighbours.

The police have also been patrolling around the school perimeter due to increasing concerns about road safety (foot, bikes/scooter, vehicle). If your child rides to school please chat with them about road safety – wearing helmets, crossing at supervised crossings and respecting pedestrians on footpaths.

Toys and treasures

We don’t encourage students bringing in any toys or treasures as this can lead to heartbreak if they are lost or broken. Please don’t attach any keyrings or plush toys to school hats.

Bulletin Prep photos

On Wednesday, 19 February, the Townsville Bulletin came to our school and took photos of each prep class for their annual My First Year Prep lift out. The special edition is usually printed and published online in early April before the school holidays. Here is a sneaky peek at Prep M practicing their best “cheese” smiles.

Playgroup

This Friday, 14  March, Ms Cody and Mrs Goldburg will be holding playgroup.  They will be hosting it in the OSHC building. If you would like to attend, please phone the office to secure a spot.

Upcoming events:

• Big Breakfast, Friday 21 March 7:30am-8:45am
• Harmony Day, Friday 28 March (during school hours) non-uniform day
• Easter Bonnet Parade, Thursday 3April 9:15am-10am

More information will be sent home regarding these events.

Prep enrolments 2026

Hard to believe I am writing this already but if you have a child due to begin Prep in 2026, please see the lovely Miss Tilly in the office for an enrolment form. We are beginning our pre-prep transition very soon.

Have a wonderful week!

Jody Ross
Deputy Principal Prep – Year 2

Sport Report

Block Sport

Hermit Park SS students have the opportunity to participate in three separate block sports throughout the year – Term 2, Term 3 and Term 4. We wholly encourage students to participate in interschool sports as it allows them to try new sports in an inclusive and supportive environment, interact with children from other schools as well as develop sportsmanship and other essential life skills. Those students who do not participate in block sport are supervised back at school by teaching staff.

Block 1 choice of sports are: hockey, netball and rugby league.

Block 1 dates: Friday 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 June

There are some important details that parents/carers need to be informed of prior to their child attending block sport. These include payment, school work, training, conduct, attendance and payment of the student resource scheme fees. See the attached information

Payment: There is a payment involved to participate in Friday block sport. An upfront fee of $40 per block is required to cover bus transport to and from the grounds and the hire and use of the various sporting facilities. An invoice will be sent home for payment.

EOI: An expression of Interest has previously been sent home prior to the students indicating their choice of sports. Student preferences will now be collected at school within school time. Information and consent notes will then be sent home with the students.

Ruth Young Hockey Gala Day

On Friday 21 February, twelve Year 5 and 6 students from HPSS attended the Ruth Young Gala Day at Townsville Hockey Association with Mrs Edwards. They participated in a skills development session, played 7 games against other Townsville schools and met Brisbane Blaze and Hockeyroos player, Dayle Dolkens. Everyone enjoyed the day and the team improved each game. They demonstrated excellent team spirit, determination and behaviour throughout the entire day. Congratulation to Alice McClymont who received the “Spirit Award” for HPSS from Townsville Hockey!

HP Sluggers

A huge congratulations to our HP Sluggers teams on an incredible first season in the Townsville Softball competition! Competing on Sunday mornings, our Tee ball and Under-13 teams have shown fantastic dedication, training weekly and making remarkable progress along the way. Their hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship have truly shone throughout the season, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.

We’re excited for the next season, where we hope to expand beyond our two teams and welcome even more players into our growing softball community. This is a fantastic opportunity for kids to develop their skills, build friendships, and experience the excitement of the game in a fun and supportive environment.

Softball is a great game for the whole family - whether you're a player, parent, or supporter. We can’t wait to see you all back on the field for another amazing season!

Mrs Tracey Stanieg
PE Teacher

Music Notes

Senior Choir Choral Festival

Our Senior Choir is very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in Townsville’s Primary Schools Choral Festival with students from state schools around Townsville.  Festival workshops will be held at Hermit Park State School in Week 10 this term, at which students will learn from Brisbane-based composer, conductor and educator Will Brown.  Singers from Belgian Gardens State School, Annandale State School, Kirwan Primary School, Willows State School and Cranbrook State School will join with our Senior choir for workshops from Monday to Wednesday, with a culminating performance at Pimlico State High School Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday evening 2 April.

Permission forms have been distributed to Senior Choir students at rehearsals over the last few weeks.

This is a very special opportunity for our students to learn and sing as part of a huge choir with up to 120 students – we can’t wait to hear them!

Easter Strings Concert at St James Cathedral 

The Hermit Park String Orchestra has received an invitation from Pimlico State High School to collaborate with their String Orchestras, namely Orpheus, Pelorus, and the String Orchestra, during the Easter Strings Concert at St James Cathedral, located at 36 Cleveland Terrace, Townsville. This event presents an excellent opportunity for our young students to witness the performances of these senior ensembles in a live setting. Additionally, it allows parents, family members, and friends to enjoy a concert and experience the captivating repertoire that the Hermit Park String Orchestra has been rehearsing during Term 1, all within the remarkable acoustics of the Cathedral.

Julie Sullivan
Music Teacher

First Nation News

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.  My name is Corrina Goldburg and I am the Indigenous Education Support Teacher Aide at the school. 

 I am an Aboriginal woman from my grandmother's side from the Kuku Yalandji land and my grandfather's side from Waanji land.  My grandparents raised their family on Palm Island and later settled in Innisfail, I come from a very large extended indigenous family the Miller's and Sibley's.  My husband and I have two wonderful children Emily, in Year 10 and Lachlan, who is in Year 6.

 This year I will been supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the classroom.  This support will be specifically targeted to assist these students in Maths.  This year our schools Annual Implementation Plan is focused on building strong foundations in Mathematic to create highly competent and confident learners.

I will also be encouraging attendance for our students and working with Grade 6 Cultural Leaders with activities and events around the school.  I am very passionate about this role and working alongside our families and the students this year.  Please feel free to contact me on cgold95@eq.edu.au or 4421 2222.   

Deadly Science

We were thrilled to receive a generous donation from Deadly Science. New books to add to our Library and Lego sets for the STAR room.  The Lego sets will be used in STEM activities for our students.  Thank you, Deadly Science, for supporting our school.

Harmony Day- 28 March

Harmony Day at Hermit Park State School will be celebrated on Friday the 28^ of March.

It will be a non-uniform day, students are welcomed to wear orange or cultural attire for the day.

There will be a gold coin donation, funds raised will go towards a project suggested by our Year 6 Cultural Leaders.

Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections is happening every Tuesday in the Yarning Circle at 1:30pm, colouring in, reading books and quiet activities take place for students.

Upcoming projects and activities from our Cultural Leaders

For this year’s honey label competition, we will be asking students to enter a First Nations design for our honey label to tie in with NAIDOC Week celebrations in July.  More information to follow.

Keep an eye out for information coming out soon for our Early Years Campus Yarning Circle and First Nations EY Campus Mural projects.  Our Year 6 Cultural Leaders have been working hard on ideas for creating new spaces within our school. 

Acknowledgement of Country signage

We have worked closely with Ashley from Wulgurukaba Walkabouts to update the Acknowledgement of Country signage displayed around the school grounds.  Thank you to the P&C for helping fund our weather proof sign on the Junior Campus.  The design for the new sign was taken from our Yarning Circle mural.

Regards
Corrina

Environmental News

Schools Clean Up Australia Day

We celebrated the 35th anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day with a Schools Clean Up Day. Our Year 6 Environmental Leaders organised the Junior Campus side and helped the Prep and Grade 1’s clean up their school grounds. We had a massive turn out of students on both campuses who gave up their playtime and collected rubbish. It was the biggest turn out of students we have had. Thank you to all our students who participated and a massive congratulations to our Environmental Leaders for organising the activity.

Lunchtime activities

Garden Club and Waste Warriors have been very popular on both campuses. Students have enjoyed cleaning up the garden beds, introducing themselves to the chickens and keeping our school grounds tidy. Did you know every student who volunteers their lunchtime to help Mrs Goldburg, receives 1 point for their sporting house. At the end of each term, a list is completed of every student and what house they are in. Each student receives a “Squirt” certificate on parade and a point for their house to put towards the end of year House Cup.

Our Environmental Leaders have hit the ground running with many ideas for 2025. We will hopefully kick off Market Stall at upcoming parades, where our Leaders will sell the school honey, plants and herbs we grow here at school.

Regards
Corrina

P&C Report

We will be holding our annual Big Breakfast on Friday 21 March from 7:30am – 8:45am on the green space near the hall. Students who wish to attend must do so with a supervising adult because this is a family event. We need volunteers to help make this morning run smoothly for everyone, please sign up via the link below.

P&C Uniform Shop