Sustainability

Microforest project

What is a Microforest?

Microforests are small, dense, biodiverse forests that grow fast.

What are the benefits of a Microforest?

As each microforest grows it will reduce surrounding temperatures, provide habitat and store carbon.

Microforests empower communities to make change, and at EHPS, we want a healthier, greener environment that benefits our community. Building a microforest will create a ‘carbon sink’ right here at our school! A 'carbon sink' is anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.

Think this is a great idea??!!  Well, come and help grow this vision at

EHPS's First and Last Working Bee of the Year!! Yay!

WHAT:  Working Bee

WHEN:  Wednesday 6 December 2023 from 9am to 12 noon

TASK:  Lay cardboard over existing grass, and mulch on top!

We just need some helping hands and a few wheelbarrows and stage two of our ground prep will be under way. If you have time to volunteer for the working bee, if only for an hour, please advise Ms Patel by email:  Yogini.Patel@education.vic.gov.au

Thank you for your support!

Yogi Patel

EHPS Community Roster

We are reaching out to our community to secure involvement in the following areas:

• Recycling bins rollout;
• Chicken coup carers; and 
• Orchard and raised vegie bed watering.

Read the details below and sign your family up to be part of the Essex Community. 

Email Marita.Steward@education.vic.gov.au to sign up or to ask for more information.  

Recycling Bins Rollout

The City of Monash has donated 11 yellow lid recycling bins to bolster our sustainability education program.

Families select the date/s they can collect the bins from the driveway behind the Art Room. Check the gate near the Bike Shed and if the gate is locked, please use the front entrance gate opposite our School Office. The bins need to go out on Sunday as the collection is early Monday morning. They cannot go out on the Friday or Saturday, as we may receive a fine, or worse still, they may fall over and spill rubbish onto the surrounding area. Marita is available to show you where the bins are kept and where they sit on the nature strip.

Our bins go out on the following dates:

If your family can put our recycling bins out on a date/s listed above, please contact the School Office or email Marita Steward.

Chicken Coup Carers

Every holiday period we ask to have experienced chicken carers volunteer to maintain the high standard of care for Almond, Midnight and Pom Pom. 

The parents/chicken carers often create a WhatsApp group to communicate with each other. I am always an email away to assist where needed. 

The dates listed below are suggestions; individual families create a roster to suit their availability to keep our chooks well fed and watered over the Summer holidays (21 December 2023 to 28 January 2024). 

Please email me to advise your interest and availability to be a chicken coup carer, and confirm a meeting time in the last week of school this year (week 12 - Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 December) to come and collect a key and meet the chooks. 

Summer Holidays Watering

Our fruit orchard and raised garden beds have been a long term project at EHPS, and we are looking for volunteers to water the garden beds over the Summer holiday period.

If you are happy to help, please contact Marita.Steward@education.vic.gov.au to discuss this vital role. 

Marita Steward