Principal's Report

Dear EHPS Parents and Carers,

The end of term is just around the corner, and it is hard to believe that we have finished eight weeks of school already in 2024. It has been a busy and exciting time for us all. Most importantly it has been a happy and great learning time for the children. They have had a range of learning experiences and they have been fully immersed in all aspects of the school program. 

I am sure that the children have talked to you about many of their engaging activities over the term. A few highlights are Year 6 Camp, successes at Inter-School Sport, our new Preps starting at EHPS, new lunchtime Coding Club, our new Science specialist classes, Year 3/4 Zoo excursion, Year 1 African Drumming, and Harmony Day. 

The last day of term is next Thursday, 28 March and it will be highlighted by Grandparents and Special Friends Day. As usual students will be dismissed at 2.30pm or if prior arrangements have been made for early pick up as per the Compass event notice that was posted earlier this week.

Harmony Day

What a sea of colour around the school yesterday for our Harmony Day celebration! This day celebrates Australian multiculturalism. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core values. The Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Our very diverse Essex Heights community was on display, and we celebrated and valued all cultures represented throughout the day. Children were involved in many activities related to culture our countries of origin. We celebrated the day with a whole school Harmony Day parade in the stadium. It was great to see so many parents attend to share in the occasion. 

Cultural celebrations

Nowruz (Iranian/Persian New Year) 

Iranian members of our school community celebrated their New Year, Nowruz, last Wednesday, 20 March. It is the festival of the Spring Equinox and we hope that all our Iranian families had a joyous celebration that wil bring hope and good fortune. Information can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz

Holi

Next Monday, 25 March, our Hindu community will celebrate the Holi festival. In the Hindu calendar, The Holi festival signals the beginning of spring and the end of winter. It is also known as the festival of colours. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu. 

We wish all our Hindu families a Holi filled with sweet moments and colourful memories.

Region Swimming

Today I was very pleased to attend the Eastern Metropolitan Region swimming carnival at Aquanation in Ringwood to support our students who had qualified to compete. Josh C (11yo boys freestyle and breastroke) and Yajwin P (12/13 boys freestyle) qualified for individual events, whilst Timothy, Deric, Connor and Liam qualified for the 11yo boys Freestyle relay. All our students participated to the best of their ability and I was very proud of their effort - Josh and Yajwin both swam PBs in their events, and the relay team won their heat and came ninth overall. 

Class Parent Representatives Afternoon Tea

It was great to meet most of the Class Parent Representatives at afternoon tea last week. We discussed how they can help to improve communication within their class group, support the teachers and to be a contact point for new families to the school. Thank you to all Class Parent Representatives for taking on this important support and liaison role this year.

School dismissal reminder

Families are reminded that students are dismissed at 3.30pm and children should be collected at that time. We understand that unexpected situations can occur delaying your arrival at school. If this occurs, we ask that you please make arrangements for your child to be collected by another family member or friend on your behalf or book them in to After School Care. Please phone the school on 9807 4944 as soon as arrangements are in place so your child can be informed of their changed pick-up arrangements and avoid potential distress. 

Please be aware that yard supervision concludes at 3.45pm each school day. Teaching staff have many responsibilities after school, including team or staff meetings as well as preparation for the next school days instruction. Likewise, the administration staff are still working and cannot supervise children that have not been picked up at the end of the day. Also for the safety and wellbeing of your children, they must not be allowed to wait/play unsupervised in the school yard until you arrive. 

If you are unable to collect your child at 3.30pm, we strongly encourage you to use our excellent After School Care program. Students are cared for in a safe and stimulating environment, receiving afternoon tea and supervised activities until you can arrive to pick them up. You must be enrolled in the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program to access care. Arranging enrolment in the OSHC program is a great option, even if you don't expect to need it often. If you are eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) through Centrelink, OSHC charges are offset. Contact the OSHC Coordinator, Paul Davis, by email on paul.davis@education.vic.gov.au to arrange enrolment. 

School Photos

Don’t forget that our annual school photos of each student, class, and group are being taken next week on Monday and Wednesday. We strongly recommend placing your online order before next Monday (late fees may apply for orders placed after next Monday); if you want a sibling photo this year your order must be finalised by tomorrow night (Saturday 23 March). If your child won’t be at school next week, their name will be recorded on the class photo. We have provided details of the catch-up option available during the school holidays if your child won’t be present on either day next week; booking is essential for this. Details are published in your Compass News Feed and on the School Photos page in this newsletter. 

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

I'm looking forward to Grandparents and Special Friends Day next Thursday, 28 March. This is a special day in the EHPS calendar, and a lovely way to end the term. We invite all families to plan for this special day. On the day, a whole school assembly with all our guests, will be conducted in the Stadium beginning at 11.30am. At that time a diverse program of music, songs and fun activities will be held.  This will be followed by classroom visitations and will conclude with an opportunity for our special visitors to have lunch with their child/children. We hope that we have a Stadium full of special friends and Grandparents. 

Refer to the Grandparents & Special Friends Day page in this newsletter for more information.

End of term reminder

As mentioned above, Term 1 comes to an end next Thursday, 28 March. Families are reminded that students will be dismissed early on this day at 2.30pm. Please remember that if your child is leaving earlier than 2.30pm with their grandparent or special friend, to please give that permission by completing the Early Dismissal on Grandparents and Special Friends Day event notice in Compass, and also enter an attendance note in Compass for the early departure. 

Term 2 commences on Monday 15 April. 

Farewell

We farewell the following students and their families from the EHPS community:

• Saira K (1WG)
• Emily A (34T)

I look forward to seeing you around the school and especially at Grandparents & Special Friends Day. 

Kindest regards,

George Perini

Principal