Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

I hope that you are having a positive start to your week. Last week I was informed that Nillumbik Council is planning to update the school crossing near the roundabout at the corner of Valonia Drive and Beard Street. This is great news. We will continue our lobbying to hopefully update the other crossings as well as other important traffic and pedestrian safety measures.

Industrial Action - Thursday

This week has been messy with a tricky timeframe for communicating to parents. I sent a separate Compass newsfeed yesterday with the final update regarding Thursday’s planned industrial strike day, which is going ahead. As the protracted industrial negotiations continue Eltham East remains focused on our well-regarded learning and wellbeing programs. Once again, thank you for your ongoing support of the school, and of the recognition that teaching is becoming increasingly more complex.

Child Safety

As a very large number of our students and families are connected to the Eltham Wildcats, I know that the developments over the weekend are disturbing. At EEPS we work tirelessly to ensure that our policies and processes are up to date; more importantly we discuss child safety at every meeting including all new developments or initiatives; we remain hypervigilant every day for anything that impacts the wellbeing and welfare of your children. We seek to provide an environment where all children feel safe, trusted and respected.

Connected to this, but organised before the weekend, Naomi Brabender, has compiled a list of child and adult support resources that are contained within the Newsletter.

Staff Update

I am very excited to let the school community know that Ms James is expecting her first child at the end of the year. I know that 4J were super excited when they heard the news on Monday.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Willow H in Year 3 for her recent acting work in the Tutu Du Monde promotion and also as an extra in the latest ‘Insidious’ adult thriller instalment. It is great that we have such committed and enthusiastic actors as well as authors at EEPS.

Assembly

This week I shone a light on the ‘aspirational’ component of the EEPS Foundations of our Framework. I talked about what aspirational means and gave some examples and challenged all students to aim for ‘Excellent’ for both behaviour and effort for the end of year reports.

Grounds Update

The school is moving onto the second stage of the planning for a new competition standard stadium and a replacement oval. Having completed Asset Management Plan 1 we are now embarking on Asset Management Plan 2 which will focus more on the exact details, but this is still a slow process.

Meanwhile, the additional landscaping projects we completed over the holidays have been very well received by the students, especially the new bank in the Prep and Year 1 space. The new rock waiting area/ jumping stones at the front of the school are also proving to be very popular.

Thank you, to the students and families of 3H and 3G who were very patient whilst we repaired the water damage in their classrooms. We have also had another, but completely unrelated, water leak impacting 4J’s classroom, but it won’t be for nearly as long this time!

Art Mural Call-out

Everyone connected to EEPS knows our famous light blue butterfly wall. Recently we considered replacing it as parts of it are damaged. However, upon reflection I think it is too significant and historic for our school to be removed. So, we would like to look at a repair project and this is where we will need your help. If members of our parent, or grandparent community, have some artistic talents or passions and have some time to help repair and restore the famous butterfly wall that would be enormously appreciated. Please let me know if you are interested!

AusAlert - National Test on Monday

Next Monday, 27th July at 2.00pm there is a national test of the new national emergency warning system. We will discuss this with the students, especially the older ones with phones however please see the following information for parents and students from the Department:

We’ve been advised that a national test of AusAlert will happen across Australia on Monday 27 July at 2 pm.

AusAlert is a new, national emergency warning system. It sends warning messages to compatible mobile devices during emergencies, to keep people informed so they can act quickly. The Australian Government plans to launch AusAlert in October 2026.

On Monday 27 July at 2 pm, all compatible mobile devices will receive a Critical Alert. Compatible mobile devices include phones, tablets, smart watches, safety watches and some vehicle devices. These will vibrate and make a loud, siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds. This will happen even if they are on silent or do not disturb. The message will clearly state that it is a test. No action is required from the test.

To minimise disruption, student phones and smart devices should always be switched off and stored securely in lockers or bags during the school day. Students who use their mobile phone as part of a documented exception can continue to do so. If appropriate, they can turn their phone off during the test.

You may also wish to let your child know that if they see or hear the alert, school staff will support them. You can learn more at AusAlert: children and teens. Information is also available in other languages.

Safe phones

AusAlert may increase risk for people experiencing violence, especially if they live with someone who uses violence. Alerts may expose safety devices.

If you or someone you know has a hidden device, the best way to stay safe during the test is to:

turn off your mobile device or put it in aeroplane mode
keep your device off or in aeroplane mode for 24 hours.

Silent mode and do not disturb will not stop the alert.

For more information, please refer to the Staying safe with AusAlert page.

Coming Up

Wednesday 29th July - National OSHC Educators Day

Have a great week of Learning and Growing Together.

Kind regards

Warren Lloyd

Principal

ICAS