Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

Our Assembly on Monday was a wonderful experience, not only due to the Stretto Strings performance, but because it also highlighted how amazing our school is! The student leaders always deliver strong speeches talking about all the wonderful things we have on the go. Just some of the things that were mentioned included, the Premiers Reading Challenge, a coding lunchtime activity, concert auditions, a student having her book published, World Bee Day, PMP, Sally Seaweed, swimming, Prep dinosaur incursion, Preps in Action, EEPS of Talent and choir rehearsals. The positivity is infectious.

It is also really uplifting and reaffirming when parents contact the school offering their thanks and appreciation for different things. This happened for a couple of our teachers this week, for which they are incredibly grateful.

Child Safety

This week, also at assembly, my focus was around the ‘safe’ part of our EEPS Values Framework. I explained to the students that there are two main types of safety, physical and emotional, and gave some examples for each. This then led to a reminder that if anyone says something or touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable to tell a trusted adult. The Department has updated the PROTECT posters and they will be displayed very shortly.

Reconciliation Week

Over the second half of this week and the first half of next week, it is Reconciliation Week. Starting on Wednesday 27th May, we commemorate the 1967 referendum, when Australians voted to remove discriminatory clauses regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Constitution. It ends on Wednesday 3rd June, which marks the historic 1992 High Court Mabo decision, which recognised native title and overturned the concept of terra nullius.

The Eltham East Reconciliation Action Plan working group have come up with some powerful ways that all EEPS community members can be involved. Next Monday at our 9.00 am Assembly the EEPS Choir will be singing a special song chosen for ‘Voice of Reconciliation’ initiative and families will be invited to stay behind to take part in an art project.

All members of the EEPS community are warmly invited to the Reconciliation Week assembly next Monday at 9.00 am.

Senior School

There are always lot of things going on in all parts of the school. Particularly in the senior part of the school there is a new opportunity to be part of a new Chess Tournament, and the Public Speaking competition is coming up. We always try and balance the number and types of extra opportunities students can be involved in, this can sometimes be a delicate balancing act.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Today is National Simultaneous Storytime. The special book selected this year was Luna Roo, which contains some pretty important messages. Thank you Mrs Egan who worked with our student leaders to record the book which will be played together after lunch this afternoon.

Parent Survey - Asset Management Plan

Here is a copy of a Newsfeed on Tuesday:

Recently the school welcomed the news that we are to share in some additional funding to

commence planning for an upgrade and modernisation project at the school, including the construction of a new competition-grade gymnasium and an upgrade of the school's oval.

As the next step, the school is required to complete an Asset Management Plan. This is a 5-year plan to ensure your school’s maintenance and upgrade aligns with and supports the school’s needs and vision for the future.

As a part of this input from parents is sought around the big question of, ‘What will education look like at Eltham East Primary School in 10 years' time?'.

If you could find time before next Monday 1st June, to complete the short survey that would be appreciated.

World Environment Day

In addition to Reconciliation Week next Friday, 5th June, is World Environment Day. The JSC have organised a special fundraiser for the day. Please see the separate note in the Newsletter.

Reflections on ‘My child doesn’t lie’

From time to time, the school is told by parents that ‘My child doesn’t lie’, or variations on this. I would like to offer my view based on a number of years in schools - all children can lie, and many do, from time to time. This is for a number of reasons. Primarily young people can only genuinely remember some parts of encounters and experiences, and not all, meaning that a part of the story is given. Sometimes adults are not told the truth or receive a lessened version for fear of getting into trouble/embarrassment from not meeting expectations. This is a normal part of life but is one of the reasons why we introduced responsibility’ as part of our school values. However, please know, that even the most well behaved and polite children, from very supportive families, can lie from time to time. This makes them very normal. Thank you for your support of Eltham East.

Have a great week of Learning and Growing Together.

Kind regards

Warren Lloyd

Principal

Junior School Council