Principal's Report 

Dear SEPS Parents & Carers, 

It is hard to believe that there are only 8 school days left with still so much to do – Christmas concert, Yr 6 Graduation, Step-up Days, Helpers Morning Tea, School Council meeting, class parties, final assembly … and the list goes on.  

Yesterday Mrs Ralph and I had the pleasure of working at Melbourne Boys High School for our final Principal Network meeting. Such an amazing school, steeped in history and tradition. The building alone was amazing, and we were able to tour the brand-new Centre for Higher Education (CHES). CHES is a government funded co-educational academy that bridges between school and university. The principal spoke about their philosophy for cultivating open minds and exploring new territory to ensure that their students were able to raise aspirations and realise their educational goals. We at SEPS are also reviewing our philosophies and approaches to ensure that we are providing the best possible educational landscape that places our students at the centre of every decision we make. We met today for our first Curriculum Planning Day together as a new team and cannot wait to get started in 2024. Out teachers worked in their new teams to plan our Ready to Learn program for our first 2 weeks back at school. We look forward to sharing our initiatives and continued focus on teaching, learning and wellbeing throughout the coming year. 

Next week is a big week as our students all meet their new teachers and classmates during our STEP-UP days. Your child will be coming home with a letter from their new teacher on Tuesday. Class lists will be provided early in 2024 once our Parent Reps have been arranged. 

I am very keen to revamp our Parents & Friends Association (PFA) for 2024. There have been questions as to whether parent reps must be members of the PFA and at this point I don’t believe it is necessary but of course parent reps would be very welcome to join the PFA as well. I see the PFA as a committee who meet to discuss and organise community initiatives and fundraising. We will possibly have a separate list of any parents who would like to occasionally assist with PFA activities but cannot commit to regular meetings (once per month).  If you think you might like to join the new PFA in 2024, please contact the office and leave your name. It would be great to have a few contacts to get started early in the new year.  

We look forward to seeing you at one of the community events being held over the next week if you can make it. 

Wishing you all a wonderful 8 days ahead!

Kind Regards, 

Jane Briffa