Lunchtime & After School Activities
Extra curricular programs at EHPS are facilitated by external organisations. Registration and any queries are with the facilitating organisations.
Sports-X Programs - Soccer & Basketball
Soccer-X on Monday
Sports-X facilitates a Soccer program for Prep to Year 6 students after school on Monday on the School Oval (or the gymnasium in the Stadium if the weather does not permit being outdoors). The program runs from 3.40pm to 4.40pm.
The nine session Term 4 program has run weekly on Monday and will finish nextMonday, 15 December (week 11/last week of term); there was no session on the Student-Free Day on Monday 3 November.
Basketball-X on Friday
Sports-X facilitates a Basketball program for Prep to Year 6 students after school on Friday from 3.40pm to 4.40pm in the Stadium gymnasium (or on the outdoor basketball courts if weather permits).
The eight session Term 4 program will finish nextFriday, 19 December (week 11/last week of term). There were no sessions on 24 October (Showcase), 31 October (no students at school; staff Professional Practice Day), and 28 November (Carnival preparation).
If your child will be attending After School Care after the soccer or basketball programs, you must advise Sports-X and Paul Davis, our OSHC Coordinator.
Contact Nick, our new Sports-X Area Manager, if you have any queries - email nickc@sports-x.com.au
Chess Club
Chess Club for Years 1 to 6 (not Prep) students is facilitated by Chess Ideas on Wednesday from 3.40pm to 4.40pm.
Chess Ideas tutors assess students and place them in the appropriate group for their skill level - Beginner (Level 1), Beginner can play (Level 2), Intermediate (Level 3), Intermediate/Lower Advanced (Level 4), or Advanced (Level 5).
The nine session Term 4 program finished on Wednesday 3 December (week 9).
Chess Tournaments
Our after school chess program which is facilitated by Chess Ideas competes in a range of tournaments throughout the year. At Essex Heights we are lucky to have supportive parents who accompany the students and mentor them at the events. Essex Heights progressed through a finals series and we recently sent a team of five and one reserve to a State final. There were 16 schools from metropolitan and rural schools from around Victoria and the schools provided a rich pool of talent.
We would like to thank Sharon Zhang for her mentoring and chaperoning the Essex Heights students throughout the series and to all the parents for their continuing support of the opportunities we offer at EHPS.
Schools competing in the Chess Ideas State Final: Ballarat and Clarendon College, Balwyn North PS, Caulfield Grammar, Essex Heights PS, Waverley Christian College Wantirna, Tulliallan PS, Girton PS, Mount Waverley North PS, Glen Waverley PS, Glendal PS, Waverley Christian College, NWP, Mount View PS, Trinity Grammar PS, Carlton Gardens PS, Balwyn PS and Whitehorse PS.
Here are some interesting comments from the Essex Heights competitors:
Playing at the Inter-School State Final was a great experience. I learned a lot and enjoyed competing with strong players from other schools. I’m very proud of our team and want to thank Marita for her support and my mum for helping as our coordinator. I hope more students join chess in the future!
Harry L - 2F
On my chess tournament day I played seven chess matches. My first match was very even in the opening and middle but then I made a critical blunder in the end and lost the match. In my second match it was also even but I blundered again at the end. The next three matches I lost with a close match. The next game was very tactical in the opening, I had a small edge in the middle game, my advantage grew into a lead and the endgame was very tactical but after that I won lots of material and won the game. Then I lost the next game with a blunder at the end.
Prabhava R – 5T
Finally the day had come. I recently played in the Interschool Chess Finals. Each member of the team played seven games, and I won all of mine. Meaning that I got seven out of seven. I had to play lots of tough opponents, but nevertheless I had lots of fun. I hope to play in this tournament again next year.
Lucas Z – 5T
It had finally begun, the moment of our lives. After years of playing non-stop chess games, I was invited to be part of a chess squad of Essex Heights P.S. to Victoria junior school finals. The EHPS team included Harry (Year 2), Lucas Z (Year 5), Jonathan (Year 6), Prabhava ( Year 4) and me (Year 5).
Though our team didn’t make it to the Nationals, we are really proud of our efforts, coming seventh in the State.
It was a great moment of recognition post tournament. Thank you to EHPS chess community and Chess Ideas including Sharon for all the support and opportunities.
Palaksh – 5T
Marita Steward
Chess Club Coordinator
Coding Club
Code Camp facilitates two eight session lunchtime Coding Clubs each term for Years 2 to 6 students. The sessions are facilitated by Code Camp tutors and run on Tuesday and Thursday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm (lunchtime) in the School Hall.
Code Camp allows kids to hone their coding skills and keep practising through weekly sessions over the term! Students will produce multiple games and apps using our exciting online platform Code Camp World! We have made Code Camp World as accessible as possible so students can truly focus on the fun aspects of coding and carry on their journey at home. Each week students will choose the features they want to build, and advance their problem-solving skills to build these features using code. They will take ownership over their projects and collaborate with their peers to make awesome apps!
The two eight session lunchtime Coding Clubs in Term 4 have now concluded:
- Tuesday: 14 October (week 2) to 9 December (week 10); there was no session on Tuesday 4 November due to the Melbourne Cup public holiday.
- Thursday: 16 October (week 2) to 4 December (week 9).
Netball
Essex Heights Netball Club is for girls and boys in Years 3 to 6 who would like to play netball on Saturday mornings at Ashwood Netball Courts.
Training is on either Tuesday or Thursdays from 3.45pm to 4.45pm, at the EHPS netball courts.
For further information please contact Angela Gillespie on 0407 980 704 or Vivian Yu on 0425 787 661, or email essexheightsnetballclub@gmail.com.