Principal's Message 

What a great couple of weeks at ENPS and a fabulous way to finish off the term! The past two weeks have been so much fun, however I think we are all eagerly awaiting the school holidays after another long term! 

A big shout out to all of our teaching staff from last week following a fantastic afternoon of Home and School Partnerships meetings, along with all of the parents and carers who made the time and effort to attend. We certainly value the time with you and hope you did too. 

My personal highlights this fortnight included more reading of Matilda in 3VM (and more of my inner Trunchbull!) along with the flash mob dances by our Year Fives and Sixes and getting to see our favourite groundsman, Stuart Upton, reading with the Foundation classes. 

Georgia and Ethan have also been fantastic as our office interns. Yet of course, the biggest highlight goes to our very own ENPS World Cup soccer competition, including the staff versus student soccer match on Wednesday! A 1-1 draw in a very spectacular and close game! All followed up today with the ENPS World Cup Final over recess and lunch between Team 8 (USA) and Team 3 (Germany), with USA taking out the championship! The semi final and final were thrillers, with Zayn P (6GU) scoring game clinching goals during extra time in both matches! Congratulations to all students who participated throughout the week, as well as those who brought energy and support from the sidelines. The excitement continued today as we watched the Socceroos live from our classrooms, taking on Paraguay in a match that finished in a 0-0 draw, with Australia now through to the knockout stage! 

Congratulations also to our School Wide Positive Behaviour token lunch recipients for the past two weeks too! I had a wonderful lunch last Thursday with Oli L (FTW) and Adam (1MA) who bought along their friends Sam and Shannon, and yesterday a very special lunch with Remy (3MG), Harvey (3VM) and Eliana (5JG) and their friends Riley, Charlie M and Alisa. 

Staffing Updates

With the end of term, we have a few staffing updates. As previously communicated, Jon Kent has decided to not return from his extended leave and instead finish up at ENPS to take on a new career. Ruby Mills will now join the Year Four team and has this week started to get to know 4AK and 4CG as a part of the handover. While we welcome Ruby, we wish Jon all the very best after almost twenty years at ENPS! 

Nicki Myszka, Molly Todd and Kiera Heasly are all currently on leave travelling the world, returning for the start of Term Three. In Term Three we will also see Sue Elsbury take an extended break after the holidays. 

School Attendance

At as part of last week’s Home and School Partnership meetings, we have highlighted the importance of being at school and on time every day. Teachers had been provided with attendance data for Semester One for every child and as appropriate, have followed up with families through these partnership meetings. We will continue to be closely monitoring absences, lateness and early departures next term. While we don’t want children to be at school if/when sick, if they can be at school, then they should be at school. Please understand that even being late or picked up early on a regular basis has an impact on learning. 

In some very sad news for our community, we also share that after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer, former student, Hamish Howe, has passed away this week. Thank you to everyone who supported our ‘Crazy Hair’ fundraiser earlier in the year. Our donations, along with many others, enabled Hamish to spend quality time with his family and friends, as well as tick so many exciting things off his bucket list. The family are incredibly grateful for all the support they have received from ENPS. We send our love and condolences to Jess, Anabelle and Glenn, and their extended family and friends.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holidays and look forward to a wonderful term ahead in Term Three! 

Kate Barletta

Principal