Principal's Item 

Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

Well, it is another busy week at EEPS! Yesterday, on top of the normal curriculum program we had Prep and Year 1 PMP, Sally Seaweed and Year 5/6 Health and Sexuality workshops. Today is the final day of the school review, the Division Cross Country is on Thursday and the Year 2 and 3 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra excursion is on Friday.

Reconciliation Week

This week is Reconciliation Week, which was acknowledged at assembly and will be recognised in classes during the week. As a school, the central messages are recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people haven’t always been treated with respect and we all have a role to play in changing that. We continue to embed indigenous perspectives throughout the curriculum at every possibility.

All things environmental!

Following World Bee Day last Monday, Clancy a bee specialist from the University of Melbourne, visited our Year 3 and 4 students. Clancy provided the most wonderful feedback about our students: “(they)…were by far the most switched on and knowledgeable students” that he has presented to. He commented, “I can tell that the EEPS pollinator garden has a bright future as do those smart, passionate kids.” This is fantastic to hear and thank you Mrs Jackson for organising this visit.

The school has received a small grant to help purchase plants for our Level 2 planting project. This will be further developed later in the year.

The school has also signed up for the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to help raise funds for our large tree planting project. All 10c bottles and cans will be gratefully received at the office, as well as this, families can make use of the school ‘log in’. Please see attached details in the Newsletter.

Litter

Still on the topic of EEPS environment, can I please ask that families work on reducing the number of plastic wrappers that come to school?  We will continue work on educating the students around using the bins. Schools, all over the world, have a litter problem, but it is surprising that of all the challenges schools face, solving the litter problem by putting rubbish in a bin, should be reasonably simple! 

Vandalism on the weekend

You may have seen my direct Newsfeed on Monday regarding vandalism at EEPS over the weekend. I have been both appreciative of and heartened by the quick response of our parents and carers who have helped identify the offenders - thank you.

Concert

Well done to all our students who auditioned for speaking parts. Whilst there were only a small number of parts I think everyone learns a great deal through the process of auditioning - so well done everyone. 

Please look out for the newsletter items today detailing auditioning for the pre-show musical entertainment and a call for parent volunteers.

Exciting initiatives

The Year 5 and 6 students have been busy writing short speeches about subjects they have a passion for. It was certainly very inspiring to sit in on the brainstorming session last week. The students will have the option of submitting them as part of the 2024 Parliament Prize. Well done and thank you to our year 5 and 6 teaching team for fostering this project.

OSHC staff

We are on the hunt again for additional staff for our OSHC service. If you, or someone you know, is over 18 years of age and either has a certificate in childcare, or training in a child related area, please contact either Jess or Kathryn, our EEPS OSHC Coordinators on 

9431 2228 or 0419 754 939 or via email oshc.eltham.east.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Today, we conclude the final day of the 2024 school review, which has been a fulfilling and uplifting process. 

I hope everyone continues to have a productive week.