Dear Parents/Carers,

We are at the half way mark of Term 3 and some of the coldest mornings this winter, I am sure we are all looking forward to some welcomed sunshine!

2024 Prep Enrolments

Whilst we believe we have most of our sibling enrolments for 2024, if you are a current family of EPS and you have a child commencing school next year please complete the enrolment process as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already.

Enrolment information

Intention to Leave

Whilst talking ‘numbers’ for next year, it would be helpful if any family intending to leave our school community in 2024 for relocation or any other reason, please advise us as soon as possible via the link below. For future planning purposes, we submit an enrolment projection for 2024 to the Department of Education and Training this week, so such advice would be really helpful!

NOT RETURNING TO EPS IN 2024?

Professional Practice Days (PP Days)

Throughout Terms 3 & 4, teachers have been allocated one PP Day and classes will be covered by a CRT. This day will vary between classes with families being advised by email in advance as to their allocated day.

Happy 100 Days!

All around Victoria, five and six-year-olds (and their families) have celebrated their first 100 days of school in recent weeks and it was no different at EPS. From the first day that kids appear in the classroom, nervously clutching a family member's hand, to the confident kids of 100 days in, Prep students go through a huge change. The first 100 days of Prep are an enormous learning period. There are new faces, routines, places, and skills to take on board. Congratulations 2023 Preps!

Practice Emergency Drills

Schools have an obligation to provide a safe environment for students, staff, volunteers and visitors. Careful preparation, planning and regular practice drills are designed to equip staff and students to react quickly and calmly, to act in a coordinated and thoughtful manner and to minimise the risk of harm to all present in the event of an emergency.

A practice drill is undertaken at least once a term at EPS. Students should now know that the drill is a practice so that panic and fear is reduced in a real emergency situation.

Types of emergency procedures we practice at EPS include:

Lockdown/Lock-in e.g. a person is aggressive or violent and has not been contained by teachers, myself or the police, or an intruder is on-site and is unknown or is perceived as a risk.
On-site evacuation e.g. serious car or other accident in sight of those at or near the school, on-site major water leak, indoor flooding, electrical issue or structural damage to the building.
Off-site evacuation e.g. chemical hazard, fire, gas leak, explosion, bomb threat. Our off-site evacuation location is at Elsternwick Park.

Key things parents/carers can do to support students who are apprehensive or worried:

Let students know that feeling inconvenienced, annoyed, scared or apprehensive by evacuations or lockdowns is normal. The fear or annoyance will subside as children get to know the procedures to be adopted during various emergencies.
Provide perspective. Let children know that moving from one location to another is designed to keep everyone safe. Answer questions, or correct inaccurate information honestly, simply and age-appropriately.
Promote coping behaviours. Have children identify things they can do to help them feel better.
Focus on our school's return to normal operations once the drill (or an emergency situation) is contained or resolved.

Children can be especially vulnerable to experiencing feelings of loss of safety, fear or apprehension following exposure to such events. Those that have experienced trauma can be vulnerable in a drill situation and may show signs of agitation. The office staff can arrange for upcoming drills to be communicated to families prior to the event for students that may require additional support. To opt into these comms, please give Laura a call on 8534 6100 .

Hats

As September is a month with the letter ‘r’ all students and staff must use a combination of sun protection (hats, sunscreen, protective clothing) during all outdoor activities, recess, lunchtimes, sport and other outdoor activities. You can read our Sunsmart and Extreme Heat Policy here: http://elsternwickps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EPS-Sunsmart-and-Extreme-Heat-Policy-updated-Feb-2021.pdf

“From September to 30 April, all students must wear a school approved sun protective hat (broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket) that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or a hat will be asked to play in the shade or in a suitable area protected from the sun. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities between September to April, by parent/carer or student choice.”

Emergency Contact Numbers

From time to time we need to contact parents for a myriad of reasons including sick children or to pass on important information or to arrange a meeting. Please ensure that when you change your contact details or the emergency contact’s details, the office is informed immediately.

Have a great weekend,

Michael

Team Kids News

Camilla Xicatto - Director of Service