Run The Rock Follow Up
We just received this email from the organisers of Run the Rock so we thought we would share id with you.

"Just a quick note to say a big congratulations to the school and all the students who took part in the Run the Rock event this year. It’s fantastic to see so much enthusiasm, effort, and team spirit. Events like this are a great way to get involved, stay active, and support each other—and you all did an amazing job representing your school. Well done to everyone who ran, helped out, and cheered from the sidelines. You should be really proud! Looking forward to seeing you all out there again next year."

Well done again to everyone who took part!

Child Safety at Hesket
Over the next newsletter, we will be highlighting the 11 Child Safety  standards and taking the time to explain what this looks like at Hesket.

Standard 1 – A Culturally Safe Environment
Standard 2 – Child Safety is Embedded Leadership, Governance and Culture
Policies relating to Child Safety are reviewed and updated as per Ministerial Order 1359 and Department advice.
Standard 3 – Young People Feel Empowered and Know their Rights
Protect posters are displayed throughout the school and used as a stimulus in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons.
Standard 4 – Families and Communities are Informed about Child Safety
Child Safety is raised in the newsletter and Seesaw communications periodically.
Standard 5 – Equity and Diversity are Respected
Child Safety and Student Welfare are standing agenda items every week at Hesket staff meetings. Before we talk about anything else, we talk about kids and the things we can do to ensure they are happy and safe at school.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons are timetabled in every grade across the school each week. These lessons draw on the curriculum within the Respectful Relationship program.
Standard 6 – Monitoring and Suitability of People in Our School
All staff, contractors and volunteers are required to have Working With Children Checks (WWCC) as part of recruitment and induction processes. These checks are reviewed for currency on an ongoing basis.
Staff and School Council members are required to complete Child Safety training.
Standard 7 – Complaints and Concerns are Child-focused
Protecting Children - Mandatory Reporting and Other Obligations training
Standard 8 – The Whole School Community is Equipped with Child Safety Awareness and Knowledge
The purpose of this communication is to highlight Child Safety with the whole school community. In coming weeks, we will explore individual standards in more detail and outline the responsibilities we all hold.
Standard 9 – Adequate Supervision is Provided in Physical and Online Environments
Standard 10 – Regular Review of Child Safety Practices
Standard 11 - Implementation of Child Safety Policies, Procedures and Documents



Fundraising
Congratulations to everyone on raising $589.80 from out Tesselar Bulb Fundraiser.

We also raised $210 from the Easter raffle. Thank you to everyone who donated an Easter treat towards our prizes.

Neither of these fundraisers would have happened without the work of Jade Quinn. She is always such a great supporter of our school so take the time to say thank you to her next time you see her. 

Soccer With Mick
Today Mick was back at school to help us learn soccer. The sun was shining and everyone was so happy to have him back to coach us at soccer. 

It was really fun playing soccer, especially when you or your teammate kicked a goal. It is not fun though when you get hit it in the face with a flying soccer ball - Adeline.

I had the best time at soccer because we won and it put me in a good mood - Mathilde.

ANZAC Day Service 
On Saturday, two of our Student Leaders attended the Woodend ANZAC Day service, laying a wreath and reading the follow piece that they had written for  the occasion.

"Up the road from Hesket Primary School, a tiny bluestone cottage stands, built in the 1800s, four thick walls make the smallest of houses, just big enough to fit John and Mary Bowen and their ten children.

Back in 1869, before Hesket Primary School existed, the generous Bowen family, Mary and John donated an acre of land to the government to build the school now known as Hesket Primary School. The Bowen’s children all grew up on the family farm, Oakdale and attended Hesket Primary.

There were three brave soldiers in the family, Henry, the eldest son, and his two younger brothers, Walter and James.

All the brothers joined the army in 1915, Henry, first at 26 years, Walter at 21, and lastly, James at only 18 years of age with so much of his life ahead of him.

Henry was assigned to the 21st Battalion as a Private, heading for Egypt, Walter initially to the 22nd Battalion then later transferring to the 21st to be with his brother, Henry. James was assigned to the 2nd Division Signal Company and later transferred to the 5th Division.

No doubt the brothers were excited at the prospect of travel and the opportunity to serve their country.

Then comes the tragic truth of war. On the second of September 1915, just eight months after enlisting as a soldier, Henry was travelling on the boat, The Southland, across the Gallipoli Peninsula when a German submarine torpedoed their ship, making it roll over. The order was given to abandon ship. Though the ship was damaged, their spirits were not.

The Australians went on deck and sung ‘Australia Will Be There’. While getting on to the lifeboat, it tipped, making soldiers fall out. Henry was never seen again, lost at sea at just 26 years old.

His two younger brothers made it home safely and lived happy long lives. Henry was well-known as being a great gardener with the best vegie patch in the area. He never returned to his wife.

Henry’s family commemorated his life with a white wreath of flowers and a handwritten note, beautifully presented in a hand-carved display box. We feel very lucky to have this at our school.

It has been our privilege learning about the Bowen brothers. In the minute of silence today, we will be thinking of them and their sacrifice."

Our Preps are Writing Their First Persuasive Pieces
After just 49 days of school, our Preps are more confidently and independently writing. We love the way they are using their 'phonics fists' to sound out tricky words. These are their reasons why Hesket is the best school...