Principal's Report

Dear EHPS Community,

Farewell to 2025

As we reach the end of another year, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on everything our school has achieved together. This year has been filled with learning, laughter and growth both in and beyond the classroom. Our students have shown determination and enthusiasm across all areas of school life, from academics and the arts to sport, music and leadership. We have celebrated so many wonderful special events together including, Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day Treats and Stalls, Indonesian Day, Book Week, Showcase and Carnival. Our students and families have embraced our new school values by showing kindness, respect, resilience, curiosity and inclusiveness and we couldn’t be prouder of all they’ve accomplished.

Graduation 2025

Over the past week, our Year 6 students have joyfully celebrated the end of their primary school journey at Essex Heights. Tuesday was a truly wonderful and memorable day, beautifully organised by our amazing Graduation Committee. The luncheon and Hall setup looked spectacular with the student selected red carpet theme and the evening ceremony was both touching and inspiring.

Our Year 6 students truly shone! As they leave Essex Heights, we wish them every happiness and success in the exciting adventures ahead. We hope they always carry EHPS in their hearts and look forward to welcoming them back to visit. Thank you again to our dedicated staff and supportive parents for helping make this celebration so special for the Class of 2025.

Visit from Santa

What a magical surprise we had this week! Yesterday sleigh bells were heard across the school when Santa made a special visit to Essex Heights and stopped by to see students across all year levels. He handed over a bundle of letters that were icy cold… straight from the North Pole, of course!

The children were absolutely delighted and the excitement was contagious. What a wonderful start to the festive season and how special for our Prep and Year 1 students to receive a letter from Santa!

Final Assembly

Our final assembly was held today, led by our 2025 School Captains who each delivered end of year speeches with maturity, poise and strength of character beyond their years. Thank you to Ava, Dylan, Josephine and Jayan for their contributions to our school and their inspirational leadership.

This was an opportunity to formally farewell and thank our Graduating Class of 2025, staff and students that are leaving EHPS, as well as announcing the new School Captains. We also thanked our teachers and staff for their dedication, creativity, and care. Their commitment shapes the positive and supportive culture that defines our school. A heartfelt thank you extends to everyone who contributes across our school, from OSHC and instrumental music to the canteen, maintenance, administration and support teams. 

To our parents and families, your partnership and involvement continue to make a lasting difference. Whether you’ve helped in classrooms, joined excursions, supported fundraising events or cheered from the sidelines, your encouragement and contributions help create a truly connected school community.

Student Leaders in 2026

At today’s final Assembly we were delighted to introduce our new student captains for next year to the school community. We’re so proud of this wonderful group of young people who will bring enthusiasm and talent to their new roles. Their official badge presentation will take place at a special School Assembly on Monday 23rd February, in Term 1. You can read more about our 2026 student leaders in this newsletter.

Parent Payments 2026

Today, the 2026 Parent Payment and Voluntary Contributions letter was posted on Compass for all families. I would like to thank the Finance Committee and School Council for their time and effort in preparing this important information. Payment options will open in early 2026 and we are grateful to all families for their ongoing support and contributions to our school community.

Semester 2 reports

Your child’s Semester 2 2025 report was published on Wednesday. 

Please take the time to review your child's achievements for the year and any recommendations for the next steps in their growth.

Families are reminded to download a copy of your child’s report in the parent portal on Compass to an external source so that you have access to your child’s report after you leave EHPS; your access to the parent portal closes when your child leaves the school. This is especially important for our Year 6 students and students not returning to EHPS next year.

Student absence at the start of 2026

If your child will be absent at the beginning of Term 1 in 2026 (that is, not commencing on Thursday 29 January if they’re in Years 1 to 6 or Thursday 5 February if they are in Foundation/Prep), please ensure that you write an email to the EHPS email address – essex.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au – for the attention of Mr Perini with the details of your child’s absence that is explained by one of the categories (see below) and requesting approval to be absent. On receipt of the reply, enter an attendance note in Compass for the period of absence under the relevant category. Please also email their teacher (via the link on Compass, or school email if needed) to advise your child’s absence at the start of the 2026 school year and the date they will commence. Parent/guardians are reminded that it is a requirement of the Department of Education school attendance guidelines that parents/carers must request approval to be absent during the school term for:

• Family holiday.
• Cultural observance.
• Bereavement (such as a death of a family member, attendance at a funeral and/or related mourning activities).
• Leisure or social activities.
• School refusal.
• Other – special event or participation in elite sporting event/training.

Congratulations

Our congratulations and best wishes on the recent marriages of our Indonesian teacher Gladys Wangke to Danko and our Science teacher Eric Zhang to Lia. We wish both couples a lifetime of happiness.

Farewell & Welcome

To all those leaving our school community, all the best to you and your family, and as you start at your new school next year. A list of the students leaving EHPS this year is on the Farewell page in this newsletter.

We are expecting 77 Foundation (Prep) students and 12 Years 1 to 6 students to join EHPS at the start of the 2026 school year and we look forward to welcoming them to our school community. The Welcome Event on Friday 27 February organised by the PFC, will be a terrific start to the school year and an opportunity to begin to get to know our new families.

As we head into the Summer break, I encourage everyone to rest, enjoy time with loved ones and share kindness and gratitude. Please stay safe over the summer, whether at the beach, travelling or relaxing at home. On behalf of our school, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a joyful holiday season and a happy New Year. 

We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another great year when school begins for Years 1 to 6 students on Thursday 29th January and our Foundation (Prep) students on Thursday 5 February.

Kindest regards,

Elisha Cotterell

Acting Principal