Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

I hope that everyone has settled into the week, after the tiredness of ‘concert week’. Please be assured that it wasn’t our preference to have it on a Tuesday night, because we know that it makes everyone tired, but we are in the hands of Monash University. I did actually ask Mrs Joseph on Wednesday morning, ‘Is it the weekend yet?!’ That aside, it really was a magical, memorable event and we are most grateful for the emails, cards and messages from the school community showing their appreciation.

Staff update

I am pleased to let the EEPS community know that Mrs Melissa Egan, has been provisionally appointed as the next substantive (permanent) Assistant Principal- Instructional Practice at Eltham East, starting next term. Currently Mrs Egan, is a Learning Specialist with us and works with different classes and year levels throughout the school. I look forward to Melissa leading the delivery of the school’s new Strategic Plan.

I would like to thank Mr Nigel Dunne, Acting Assistant Principal, for his efforts and contributions across many different school areas over the last two terms and wish him all the best as he returns to Greenhills and continues his leadership journey.

School Savings Bonus- 2025

You may recall that the Minster and Premier announced a School Savings Bonus for all students next year of $400 per student. This can be used on excursions, camps and activities in 2025. Melissa McCarthy, our Business Manager, sent a Newsfeed to our parents last week. Please read this as action maybe required for you to make use of this one-off bonus.

School Crossing Supervisors

We have been advised by the Council that the Nillumbik school crossing supervisors will only work their normal hours on the last afternoon of every term, rather than starting earlier. They have assured schools that they will allocate additional staff to commence earlier when schools have an early finish. Let’s hope this new system works!

Extra-curricular changes

I have written before about some changes to our camping programs over the last couple of years. Today, I have a further update on Year 2. For several years we have been going to Mt Evelyn for a day camp, with the rationale of providing students with a representation of what ‘camp’ is like in preparation for Year 3. Unfortunately, a one-day camp isn’t an option any longer at Mt Evelyn. We have extensively investigated several alternative options but none of those will be possible. So, instead, we are organising a Year 2 day camp option at school, with an experienced camp provider coming to EEPS, to provide fun, interactive and engaging activities for the students at school. This will be towards the end of the year and more information will come out around this.

In addition, the school has decided not to continue with the Year 5/6 end of year excursion to Epping Leisure Centre. This excursion originated before additional sporting activities were available throughout the school year and when the school used to have ‘party days’. Over the last few years, we have also found that the quality of experience has deteriorated. The Year 6s will have a fun day at school, connected to Graduation, and the Year 5s will not have a replacement activity at this stage. I don’t think that, with the variety of opportunities throughout the year, that the Year 5s are actually missing out on much. It is also important to note that some of the other year level activities that actually occur at the end of the year are actually connected to the camping program but just coincidentally fall in the last few weeks.

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

The Department has many initiatives and programs. One that I have only become aware of is the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). To be eligible for this free scheme families must:

have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school (up to year 12 including Prep)
not have an active NBN network internet service at home (excludes mobile internet services)
live in a premises that can access the NBN network via a standard connection (NBN will confirm this)
not have had an active NBN connection during the previous 14 days.

Please let Melissa McCarthy know if you think you may be eligible for this Department initiative, and she will be able to assist with the required paperwork and advice.

Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge has finished for another year. This year, as a school, we logged a total of 17,543 books and had 394 students complete the challenge. All students who completed the challenge will receive a special certificate next term to recognise their efforts and a student from each year level will be awarded with a Premiers' Reading Challenge Champion badge for logging the most books for their year level. Well done to everyone and thank you to Miss Lapadula for organising this very worthwhile and valuable activity.

3 Way Conferences

Just a reminder that next Monday, 16th September, is the 3 Way Conference day at EEPS. On this day there are no scheduled classes, so the children only attend with parent/s for their allocated 3 Way Conference time. This is the same format at the 3 Way Conference day at the end of Term 1. Remember, that OSHC will be operating if needed and children can be collected and returned for the 3 Way conferences with teacher and parent/s.

R U Ok Day?

Tomorrow, Thursday 12th September is National R U Ok Day? As this is about the prevention of suicide this is not a topic that we directly bring up with primary school aged students, however, as adults, the message around supporting each other are important. The following is taken directly from the R U OK? Website;

R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times. R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues - to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they're in crisis.

As educators the central message is around being there for each other and being genuinely interested in how your friends are feeling.

Good luck to our Division Athletics students tomorrow!

Have a great week of ‘Learning and Growing Together’.

Mental Health and Wellbeing