Principal's Report

Dear EHPS Parents and Carers, 

Showcase 2026 - What a fabulous night!!

Last Thursday night we experienced a truly outstanding Showcase at Robert Blackwood Hall. This marvellous community event is a celebration of the talent of our students and the quality of our classroom music and instrumental music programs. The quality of the show and its diversity of performance is a beacon for many other schools. The children’s performances not only impressed our families and staff but also many visitors to the performance. Our special guests made a point of telling me how impressed they were with the standard of the show and how much they enjoyed it. Several parents have also complimented the outstanding quality of Showcase, the excellent presentation of our Music Captains and also the standard of musicianship displayed on the night. 

All the items were fantastic and the hard work that had gone into preparing the students for their item was obvious. 

Thank you to all the parents and friends who attended and supported the children in our sold out concert. Having an appreciative audience is a highlight for the children and is the major reason for their enjoyment and enthusiasm to perform. Thanks also to all the teaching and support staff for the weeks of preparation and rehearsal with the children, and for their work in supervision and carrying out key responsibilities throughout the evening.

As was mentioned on the night, special thanks must go to our amazing group of instrumental music teachers that make our program so sought after and prestigious. Coordinated by Alyssa Kennedy they are a highly skilled and professional team of musicians and teachers. We are so fortunate to have them teaching our children at Essex Heights. They are the reason we have a high-quality program at the school. In addition, thanks again to Alyssa Kennedy for outstanding coordination and planning of many parts of the Showcase program. 

A big thank you must go to Grace Cordell, our classroom music teacher, for her meticulous planning and organisation of Showcase. In addition, the overall production of the night and the wonderful performances of all choirs were a credit to her, resulting in the children living up to her high expectations. Finally, we must acknowledge the outstanding work of Blake Hansen and Olivia Rose for their preparation of various ensembles, bands and Year 5 & 6 choir respectively who all performed brilliantly. 

We are so fortunate to have such outstanding teachers and talented students at Essex Heights.

Well done to all at Essex Heights, a great community event!

Parent & Carer Forum – Digital Wellbeing

Following the successful parent forum on Resilience held in March, School Council has responded to the numerous requests from parents to hold a similar forum about the use of technology etc. 

A parent and carer only forum will be held next Tuesday, 10 November, in the School Hall beginning at 7pm sharp. We are very fortunate to have Dr Elizabeth Clancy from Deakin University as our guest speaker. Dr Clancy is a registered organisational psychologist, who studies how digital technology shapes lives and the wellbeing of young people. She explores topics such as cyberbullying, online relationships and healthy digital boundaries.

I encourage all families to save this date and come along to this very worthwhile presentation.

Please RSVP to let us know you're coming so we can prepare for the evening - link to reply is on the Parent & Carer Forum - Digital Wellbeing page in this newsletter or in your Compass News Feed.

Planning 2027

As mentioned in previous newsletters, the configuration of classes for next year will follow the current model. The table below shows the classes per year level and the coordinators for 2027.

At this time of year, children are often thinking about next year and their transition into the next year level. The staff are focussed on their students, their health and wellbeing as well as the many important factors necessary for the children to have a successful transition into 2027. Creating new class groups for next year will enable children to grow their friendship group across the year level.

The process of class creation is a very complex task, as there are many factors to consider before deciding the best student combinations. The educational needs of each child must be the most important criteria so that each has the best prospect of learning to their full potential. When developing class lists, teachers ensure that each class has an equitable spread of boys and girls with a range of academic abilities. Student compatibility and behaviour is also considered, and students are placed with children with whom they work well. This process is about placing children together who cooperate and get along in their learning. Children’s feedback will be sought by their classroom teacher. The allocation of classes takes many hours of consideration and planning by staff and it is taken very seriously to ensure that the children’s learning potential is maximised.

As parents you play an important role in modelling resilience to your children. Thought should be given now, as to how you will respond in coming months if your child has an issue with their class grouping. It is appropriate to discuss the matter with your child so that you can understand their concern and you may undertake to raise a query with a staff member. It is most important though to model responsible and proactive behaviour that encourages a child to understand that there are many opportunities outside of class time to be with friends, and this class arrangement will be an opportunity to make new friends and new working relationships.

Leaving EHPS

Also essential to our consideration in our planning and preparation is knowing if your child, currently in Prep to Year 5, is leaving EHPS and not returning in 2027. Please send an email to the school email address for my attention as soon as possible – essex.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au – if your child is leaving EHPS to advise the following details:

• Child's name and 2026 class
• Date of last day at EHPS (the last day of the 2026 school year is Friday 18 December)
• Name of the school your child is enrolled at 
• Commencement date at new school (the 2027 school year commences on Wednesday 27 January)
• The reason for leaving EHPS  
• New contact details, e.g. address, phone number, email

 Note: not required for Year 6 students.

Remembrance Day & Poppy Appeal

Next Wednesday, 11 November, is Remembrance Day.

11 November marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I. 

Every year since 1919, many nations have paused on Remembrance Day (11 November) in memory of their fallen service people.   

It’s a day for people to acknowledge the service personnel who have died while serving, including in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.    

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people in Australia and many other countries pause for a minute of silent reflection in memory of those who died while in military service.   

Whether you observe a minute’s silence at 11am, wear a poppy or attend a service, help keep the legacy of our service people alive on Remembrance Day.

At EHPS, a Remembrance Day ceremony will be conducted by our School Captains and myself at 11am next Wednesday. 

Thank you for the tremendous support of this year's Poppy Appeal on behalf of the Waverley RSL Sub Branch. We have a few remaining $10 (3) and $20 (2) badges if you'd like to support this fundraiser; please purchase at the School Office before 11 November.

Smile Squad

The Smile Squad team from Link Health & Community have completed the current program at EHPS over the last four weeks. Thanks to everyone who took the opportunity to participate in this free dental check up program provided by the State Government. There will be a follow up visit next year for the children who had consent from their parents/carer.  

Happy Diwali

Diwali (also known as Deepavali, Tihar, and the Festival of Lights) is celebrated this week on 8 November. On behalf of our whole community, I would like to wish a Happy Diwali to all the families that celebrate this special day. The festival of lights signifies peace and joy, the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness. I hope that this celebration may have even greater significance as we move out of our dark times and give thanks for our reopening as a society. Best wishes to all EHPS families celebrating, and I hope that you have the opportunity to celebrate with your families.

I look forward to seeing you around the school.

Kindest regards,

George Perini

Principal