Principal's Report

Dear EHPS Parents and Carers, 

What a term!

As we come to the end of Term 3 we can reflect upon a term filled with so many educational experiences for the children. A term filled with learning and lots of fun. Incursions, excursions, whole school activities as well as solid academic learning and skill building.

I hope all families can have some special time to relax, maybe get away or just enjoy each other’s company.

Term 4 commences on Monday 5 October. 

During the early weeks of term, the team from Smile Squad are visiting our school to provide a free dental check-up for students (with parent consent – refer to your Compass News Feed for information and link). Refer to the Smile Squad page in this newsletter for more details.

A few big events early in the term will be the PFC Trivia Night, Showcase and many sport finals.

Swimming Program

Our whole school swimming program has been a wonderful success, with students demonstrating great enthusiasm, improved confidence in the water, and significant skill development. The program not only enhanced water safety awareness but also fostered resilience, organisational skills, and healthy physical activity, making it a valuable experience for students. The Preps have just completed their first school swimming program, and they had a great time. Special thanks to Megan Rogers at Huntingtower Sports and Aquatic Centre and the volunteer parents that assisted throughout the term.  We look forward to returning to Huntingtower in 2027.

Parent/Carer Opinion Survey

Thank you to the 51 families that have participated in the annual Parent Opinion Survey. Unfortunately, there are still 129 families that are yet to complete the survey.

As mentioned previously, you have been selected randomly and your responses are anonymous. Completing survey should only take about 15 - 20 minutes.

I strongly encourage you to please take the time to complete the survey today. This survey provides important feedback for our school. Through your participation we can continue to make our school the best that it can be, which benefits all of our children.

The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey closes TODAY, Friday 18 September.

If you cannot find the invite, please reach out to the school by the end of the school day and we can resend the invitation.

Introduction of Parking Restrictions 

The City of Monash have informed us that following the recent consultation period, the proposed parking restrictions will be installed over the school holiday period and are expected to be in effect by the start of Term 4. The changes are the installation of a Permit Zone between 8:30am to 9:30am and 3pm to 4pm on school days along the:

• east side of Davidson Street
• west side of Visa Avenue; and
• east side of Midway Street between Essex Road and No. 10

Please be aware of these new changes if you use these locations.

A copy of the letter from the City of Monash is available from the School Office.

Footy Colours Day

Today we celebrated our annual Footy Colours Day. The children came to school in their team colours. Our parade was held at 10am and it was great to see so many families able to attend.

Year 6 students conducted activities such as the longest kick, longest handball, and soccer juggling for Prep to Year 2 at recess and Years 3 to 6 at lunch play.

Students were also able to enjoy a footy themed lunch order. Thank you to the many parent volunteers that helped Maria in the Canteen today. 

Special thanks to Sasha Lanyon and Alicia Boles for organising our marvellous Footy Colours Day this year.

Holidays or other leave during school terms

If you are planning a holiday and your child will be absent at the beginning of or during next term, parents/carers are reminded that the Department of Education school attendance guidelines require you to request my approval for your child to be absent during school term for any of the following reasons:

• Family holiday
• Religious/Cultural observance
• Leisure or social activities
• School refusal
• Other – special event or participation in elite sporting event/training

To request approval for your child to be away from school, parents/carers are required to send an email to essex.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au for my attention with the details of your child's absence (include your child’s name, child’s class, first and last dates of absence and a reason for the absence; if you have two or more children, please include details in one email). You will receive an email response with further steps. 

Planning for 2027

As advised recently, planning for the next school year is underway. Our 24 classrooms will be allocated as follows: 

In Term 4, a great deal of planning for the year ahead takes place. Our school continues to attract strong enrolment interest, with many families in the Mount Waverley area seeking exceptional educational opportunities for their children supported by our outstanding teachers, facilities and resources. We expect to have around 570 students enrolled next year, with places available only to families residing within our designated zone.

At this time of year, children are often thinking about next year and their transition into the next year level. The staff are focussed on their students, their health and wellbeing as well as the many important factors necessary for the children to have a successful transition into 2027. Creating new class groups for next year will enable children to grow their friendship group across the year level as well as to be challenged with different thinking educationally.

The process of class creation is a very complex task, as there are many factors to consider before deciding the best student combinations. The educational needs of each child must be the most important criteria so that each has the best prospect of learning to their full potential. When developing class lists, teachers ensure that each class has an equitable spread of boys and girls with a range of academic abilities. Student compatibility and behaviour is also considered, and students are placed with children with whom they work well. Children’s feedback will be sought by their classroom teacher. The allocation of classes takes many hours of consideration and planning by staff who know the children in the school context, and it is taken very seriously to ensure that each child’s learning potential is maximised.

As always, in the formation of new classes, the children’s educational needs and the maintenance of positive working groups will be important criteria used to guide placement. If you have matters that are of interest to the educational needs of your child, please put them in writing and return to me by Friday 6 November. This, of course, is an opportunity for me to gain an insight into the matters that you see as important for the educational wellbeing of your child. Our staff will consider information shared by parents/carers carefully when allocating students to classes and I can assure you that all information will be always handled confidentially.

Please note that while all requests will be carefully considered, it may not be possible to accommodate them due to the many competing and complex factors involved in this process. I would like to emphasise that the staff at EHPS are highly skilled and dedicated professionals who work in the best interests of every child. Genuine concerns will always be taken seriously, however, requests for specific teachers will not be considered. Class placements will be determined based on each student’s educational needs and the overall requirements of the school.

As parents and carers, you play a vital role in demonstrating resilience to your children. Now is a good time to consider how you might respond if your child has concerns about their class placement in the coming months. If your child raises an issue, take the opportunity to talk with them and listen to their perspective. You may choose to discuss their concerns with a staff member if needed.

It’s most important, however, to model responsible and positive behaviour. Encourage your child to see the new year as a chance to develop new friendships and working relationships, while also reminding them that there are plenty of opportunities outside of class time to stay connected with existing friends. Approaching change with optimism helps build resilience and confidence.

Also essential to our consideration in our planning and preparation is knowing if your child is in Prep to Year 5 and is leaving EHPS and not returning in 2027.

Please send an email to the school email address for my attention as soon as possible – essex.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au – if your child is leaving EHPS to advise the following details:

• Child's name and 2026 class
• Date of last day at EHPS (the last day of the 2026 school year is Friday 18 December)
• Name of the school your child is enrolled at 
• Commencement date at new school (the 2027 school year commences on Wednesday 27 January)
• The reason for leaving EHPS  
• New contact details, e.g. address, phone number, email

 Note:  not applicable for Year 6 students.

The 2027 school year commences on Wednesday 27 January. This day is a student-free day in all Victorian Government schools and our Office will open. At EHPS, Thursday 28 January will also be a student-free day as staff prepare for the new school year and term. Years 1 to 6 students’ first day at school next year is Friday 29 January. Details of Prep students’ commencement at school will be finalised and communicated with 2027 Prep families at the Information Evening in November. 

SunSmart & hats in Term 4

Families are reminded that EHPS is a SunSmart school and it is compulsory that everyone at school wears a SunSmart hat every day whenever they’re outside. There are three different SunSmart styles available from Spartan School World, our uniform supplier – legionnaire, bucket or wide brimmed.

Make sure your child’s hat comes to school every day next term and it is clearly labelled (we now have an ongoing fundraiser with Cash’s labels if you require printed labels – see the PFC page in this newsletter for details).

Children without a hat will be directed to an undercover area for their protection.

Work at the Victorian state election 

The Victorian state election will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026. 

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is looking for people to staff voting centres in paid roles.  

Roles suit a range of skills, experience and availability. Some involve several weeks of work before or after election day. Others are just for election day. 

Working at an election is a chance to: 

• earn extra income 
• gain valuable work experience 
• meet new people 
• support your community 
• play a role in Victoria's democracy.  

The VEC provides training and support. Hear more about the experience from casual staff at youtube.com/electionsvic 

Find out more and register at vec.vic.gov.au/electionwork 

To help the VEC place you at a local voting centre, please take two extra steps when you apply: 

1. write our school's name in the free-text section of your application 
2. email workingatelections@vec.vic.gov.au with our school's name to confirm you've registered. 

If you are a school staff member interested in this work, the department’s Other Employment policy and Conflict of Interest policy apply to you. This includes the requirement to declare and seek approval for employment outside the department, as well to declare and manage any conflict of interest that may be caused by this form of other employment. 

For enquiries about state election employment opportunities, contact the VEC at workingatelections@vec.vic.gov.au 

Celebrating our Diversity

We acknowledge the following significant days for some of our families: 

Yom Kippur      20 - 21 September

This holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with fasting and repentance. Many Jews will refrain from work and attend synagogue services.

Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival      25 September

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a popular East and South East Asian celebration of abundance and togetherness. The festival dates back over 3000 years. The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, which has different variations depending on the country.

Tết Trung Thu      25 September

Tết Trung Thu is a traditional Vietnamese festival. It involves watching the moon, a feast and children singing and dancing.

Tsukimi      25 September

Tsukimi is a special holiday in Japanese culture. It employs the symbolism of the full moon to celebrate togetherness and hopes for good fortune.

Chuseok      25 September

Chuseok is a special holiday in Korean culture. It is rooted in celebrating good harvest, family and the importance of the full moon as a symbol of harmony and the hope for good fortune.

Sukkot      26 September - 2 October

Sukkot is a week-long Jewish holiday that celebrates the fall harvest. This celebration is a lead up to Simchat Torah.

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti      2 October

This day commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. It is marked with a prayer for peace, ceremonies and events throughout India. The United Nations has further declared this day the International Day of Non-Violence in honour of Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa).

Simchat Torah      4 October

Simchat Torah is a celebratory Jewish holiday that marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle. Simchat Torah means ‘Rejoicing in the Law’ in Hebrew. Special attention is given to children who join the celebrations with flags and singing.

White Sunday      11 October

White Sunday is a day when childhood is celebrated in Samoan, American Samoan, Tuvaluan and Tokelauan Christian communities worldwide.

Dashain      11 - 20 October

Dashain is the most important festival for Nepalis. It is a celebration of good prevailing over evil.

Student-free Days

A reminder that School Council have approved the following student-free days next term:

• Friday 30 October (week 4) – student-free day
• Monday 2 November (week 5) – Professional Practice Day for teaching staff; students do not attend school

Care from 7am to 6pm will be available for students enrolled in our OSHC program. Booking essential when notified the booking portal is open in the Xplor Home app.

Farewell

We offer our best wishes as we farewell the following students and their family from the EHPS community:

• Tilda P (5K) & Jimmy P (3S)

I look forward to seeing you back at school refreshed and relaxed after the school holidays on Monday 5 October. Stay safe and well. 

Kindest regards,

George Perini

Principal