Principal's Item 

Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

I hope that everyone had a nice weekend and enjoyed the sunshine yesterday. As we head into the rest of the year, from Melbourne Cup onwards it is always a busy time for schools, as I am sure it is in other industries and workplaces, in the leadup to Christmas. 

R-mazing Race

The excitement is building for our special ‘R-mazing Race’ next Thursday 14th November. The Junior School Council have been working very hard with Mrs Vescio, and ably led by Indie and Harper, on developing sets of different challenges and questions around the new school values of being Respectful, to have Resilience, and to take Responsibility. Thank you in advance for the really strong parent and carer support that is on the way, with many people signing up to help. It is sure to be a great day. Don’t forget to look out for more information on the Compass event, including details of the dress-up outline.

Parent Payment Policy - Helping to Maintain Our Programs

The 2025 plans are in full swing at EEPS. Today a separate Compass Newsfeed will be sent to all families detailing the categories and charges for parent payment contributions for 2025. The three categories are called: Curriculum Contributions, Other Contributions and Extra Items and Activities. (Further information on these categories is found in the attachments to the separate Compass Newsfeed). Once again, the staff, Leadership Team and School Council have formulated and set the suggested parent contributions to help EEPS continue to provide outstanding teaching and learning programs with very reasonable costs to parents. We are hoping for the continued strong and generous support from the EEPS’ community in this endeavour. The optional practical component of the water safety program, whilst still subsidized, will incur a charge to parents once again in 2025, as we have exhausted the COVID created credits. However, families will be able to take advantage of the Government’s $400 school savings bonus to cover a large proportion of the costs of incursions and extra excursions next year.

Prep Classroom Visits

This week, on Wednesday and Friday, we are starting the next phase of the 2025 prep transition with the classroom visits. It is a quick transition, to pardon the pun, from the orientation sessions to the classroom visits. Thank you to our current Prep team and Mrs Joseph who are working hard behind the scenes to make the experience as happy and enjoyable for everyone as possible.

Kaboom Music Performance

This Thursday, Eltham East students will be treated to a special, interactive musical performance by the Kaboom percussion group. Families who have been at the school might remember that at this time of the year we generally organise a different type of musical incursion. We have had African drumming, Torres Strait Islander music and a kazoo performance to name just a few. Please ensure that you have given consent and organised payment on Compass to allow your child to take advantage of this additional extra-curricular activity.

Remembrance Day 

Next Monday, 11th November, we will be holding our annual Remembrance Day Service. Parents and carers are very welcome to join us at 10.50am for this Service. I am very pleased that we will once again have the Choir perform a song as part of the occasion. It is also wonderful that we have some of our student leaders concurrently presenting at the Montmorency-Eltham RSL Remembrance Day Service.  

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