Term 3 is certainly flying by, it is hard to believe it's halfway through already. Thank you to all the parents and students who have attended SSG meetings to discuss semester 2 goals, your child’s teacher will be in contact if you have not already discussed the new learning goals.

The parent survey is currently active and you should have received both a note and an email with the link and password, we strongly encourage all parents to complete the survey so your voice can be heard, this also helps inform our planning for 2024.  You will also find a link in an article further on in our newsletter.

First term of 2024 our school is undertaking the school review which happens every 4 years, this process reviews the school’s policies, procedures and operations and suggests improvements and directions for the next 4 years. This is completed with the school through an independent party.

We have been excited this term to kick off our animal therapy program with Lucy and Norman, last term Lucy and Norman underwent training and he is currently working across the school with great success.

Middle Years and Early Years camp is this term in Warrnambool with many excited students looking forward to this.

Take care,

Kylie Carter

Norman the wonder dog is making frequent appearances in the Middle Years area this semester.

All the students are very happy to interact with this amazing assistance animal.

Norman allows all students to be calm and gentle.

Thank you Lucy and Norm for visiting us once a week.

Have your say!! We want our PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS to tell us what they think!

Cobden Campus Password:    576370

Terang Campus Password:    608489

Click here to complete the survey

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents / caregivers / guardians think of our school. The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement. We encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

All families are invited to participate in the survey.

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Last year we used the survey results to plan for 2023 and how we can improve the school

Please contact Wendy at the office on 5595 1995 if you would like more information.

August 18^th – ‘Bullying No Way!’ In school activities.

August 25^th - ‘Wear it PUPLE Day.’ A casual clothes day. Students are asked to wear something purple in support of those identifying as LGBTQI. Yum purple cakes will be shared at morning tea.

August 30^th – ‘P.J. Day.’ A day to focus on the importance of Wellbeing. Relax and chill out by wearing your pyjamas to school. Enjoy a film and popcorn. Cost $2.00.

September 7^th – ‘Chocolate Appreciation Day’. A day of making all things chocolate and delicious plus enjoy watching the film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ Slices of pizza will be on sale $2.00 and cans of drink $2.00. Order forms will be sent home at a later date.

September 14^th – ‘RU OK Day?’ In school activities.

‘Footy Colours Day.’ Students are asked to wear their team’s colours to celebrate the 2023 AFL season. Hot dogs will be for sale $2.50 and cans of drinks $2.00. Order forms will be sent home at a later date.

Thank you for your support Hampden SRC.

Next week, Hampden Specialsit school is acknowledging the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA).

The NDA is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools and provides an opportunity to connect with students, staff and our school community to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The 2023 NDA theme, Growing connections, promotes the importance of school, family and community connections in building safe and supportive learning environments where all students can belong, feel accepted and respected.

Research has shown that strong school connections and positive relationships can help to prevent bullying. When students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness at school, they are more likely to enjoy school, to trust and respect their teachers, and be concerned about and help others (Australian Education Research Organisation 2023).

If you have concerns that your child is being bullied, please contact the classroom teacher in the first instance. You will be referred to the Principal if a satisfactory outcome is not achieved. If you believe the behaviour constitutes a crime, or is a serious incident of cyberbullying, please refer to the Bullying. No Way! website for information on how to report to other authorities and accessing wellbeing help.

For more information about the NDA and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying. No Way! website.