Principal's Report
Welcome Back
Welcome back to all students and staff to Term 2. I hope that everyone had a restful/relaxing break and a great Easter.
Term 2 is a long and rather busy term, and we will embrace it with determination and perseverance to achieve all that is planned.
I take this opportunity to welcome all new students and families who have only just joined our school and wish them a smooth transition into the culture and learning environment that is Eltham High School.
ANZAC Day 2025
Our ANZAC Day commemorative ceremony took place on Thursday 24 April. I congratulate all the student leaders that ran the ceremony as well as all other students who were involved, in particular, I congratulate the Choir and the Brass Section of the Symphonic Band for their amazing performance on the day singing the National Anthem.
A big thank you to our local State member of Parliament, Vicki Ward, for making the time to join us for the ceremony. Her speech to the assembly was inspiring.
Our Student Leaders represented our school at the RSL Dawn Service in Eltham as well as the Family Service later in the morning in Montmorency.
The Eltham High School Choir performed at the Eltham RSL Dawn Service held at the Eltham Cenotaph. The Choir sang “Amazing Grace” beautifully. Our students were well received at this wonderful service and gathering.
Thank you to all the organisers, in particular to Nadia Devlin and to Lynlee Williams
New School Crossing Withers Way/Susan Street
After years of negotiations with the Shire of Nillumbik, our hard work in advocating for the safety of our young people and others within our community, came to fruition.
Over the first term break, the Shire constructed the new crossing which will serve our students well.
I take this opportunity to thank our School Council, our local Member of parliament, our supporters: the Eltham Wildcats and the Eltham Leisure Centre, our staff, and the Shire for their work in making this happen.
It is a great achievement and one which will provide greater safety for our students.
Below is a photo of the first two students to use the crossing early on the morning of 22 April, the first day of Term 2.
School Review
The School Review process was completed in the last week of Term 1. This provided the school with the opportunity to reflect on its progress through the analysis of data and observations in order to identify what we are doing well as well as areas for further improvement. The outcome of the review will lead to the development of the new School Strategic Plan (SSP) for 2025-2028.
From the SSP, each year, we will develop an Annual Implementation Plan which will outline the work that we will do in that year to arrive at the improvement targets we have set for ourselves to achieve by 2028.
The process was thorough and extensive and we feel that we have a strong base
from which we can develop our Annual Implementation Plans. A summary of the Review Report will be provided through the School Website once it is approved and released by the Department of Education.
I take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the School Review: the panel comprising of the Reviewer, the Senior Education Improvement Leader, two Challenge Partners, two students, teachers and the participants in the various forums including students, parents and staff; the staff whose classes were visited by the panel. It was certainly a well planned and exceptionally well executed School Review.
The Reviewer (an independent professional) made the following comments:
“The panel identified a vibrant, student-centered culture that celebrated individuality, creativity and student voice and agency in the life of the school. Student leadership roles were authentic, with opportunities for students to work collaboratively with school leaders, staff and peers. Classroom environments were observed to be positive, safe and orderly, enabling a learning focus.”
Reminders
Staff Work Hours:
Parents/carers and students are reminded that regular work hours for staff are 8:30am - 4:30pm. Staff are not available to respond to emails outside of regular work hours.
You are at liberty to send an e-mail at your convenience, but please be aware that it will not be responded to immediately if it is outside of the regular work hours. However, your email will be responded to within 48 hours from the first workday that it is received.
Thank you for your understanding.
Should you require immediate assistance with a matter of concern, please contact these external services:
Telephone or Webchat Support for Young People:
1800 55 1800
Parents/Carers Support:
13 22 89
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service
School Drop Off and Pick Up Times:
I remind all parents and guardians, and inform new parents and carers to the school, that student safety is always the primary consideration including both drop off time and pick up times.
Whilst traffic seems to flow smoothly through the circular driveway of the school at the start of the day, there seems to be greater congestion at pick up time in the afternoon.
The circular driveway is to be used purely for drop off and pick up.
There is very little parking available within the school grounds between the following time (8:00 – 10:00am and 2:00 – 4:00pm). “No Standing Anytime” signs are located within the school, and it is important that parents/guardians adhere to these. Furthermore, double parking is illegal in the street and within the school grounds, it causes further congestion, which in turn impinges on student safety.
We will be enforcing the use of the circular driveway purely for drop off and pick up of students.
As you move into the circular driveway, if your child is not at the front of the school you will need to exit the driveway and re-enter. You may need to do this more than once. Alternatively, it is advisable that you organise with your child another location for pick up.
As always, we will continue to expect everyone to abide by road and safety laws and procedures as they move through the driveway. The same applies at the Ely Street end of the school. Staff parking on the street is now minimal and this means that there is space for drop off and pick up. Please do not park in residents’ driveways. No parents are to drive into the school driveway or park in it or across it. This is the only avenue that students have to get to and from the school buses and we must be vigilant for their safety.
Subsequently, it is imperative that everyone behaves in a lawful and safe way out in Withers Way, Susan Street, Bell Street and Ely Street. We have informed the traffic division of the Shire of Nillumbik of the school’s strategy, and it is possible that the Ranger’s office may act against people who disregard road and safety laws out in the streets. Likewise, the police will patrol the area at these peak times, and they will not hesitate to reprimand and fine if necessary.
I trust that you will understand the need for this direction, and I ask you for your continued support to ensure the safety of our kids.
If you do use the drop off and pick up zone on Withers Way, can you please direct your children to cross the road at the school crossing both on arrival and on their departure from school. We certainly do not want students crossing the road in front of oncoming cars and placing themselves at risk.
Thank you for your support with this matter.
VINCENT SICARI, Principal