Principal's Item 

Dear parents, carers, and friends of EEPS,

The news from our Year 4 campers at Camp Adanac was fantastic! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend, as planned yesterday, but I have heard many exciting and positive ‘good news’ stories involving children conquering their fears, challenging themselves and stepping outside of their comfort zones. Well done everyone and a special thank you to the teachers and parent volunteers for all the effort that has gone into camp.

Garden Award

It was very exciting, to hear that Eltham East Primary School has won a prize and grant in the 2024 Victorian Schools Garden award for the ‘Best Habitat School Garden’. This is a reflection of the tremendous combined work that has gone into the replanting program in Level 2 and the bee houses that are soon to be installed. A massive thank you to Mrs Jackson, Nicole J and all the Year 3 and 4 students for their enthusiasm in embracing our new subject of Biodiversity and Sustainability this year. Some of the students will have the opportunity to attend the award ceremony in a few weeks’ time. Please look out for the separate Compass Newsfeed around this. 

Caterpillar count

We are also very excited that Nillimbio will be undertaking the annual caterpillar egg count in our ECB sanctuary this week. A big thank you to them and to Nicole J for organising the count again this year.

Campfire Conversations

This year the local Nillumbik Network group of schools have helped facilitate Campfire Conversations for First Nations’ students and families once a term. The last one is scheduled for next Wednesday 6th November. If interested students or families would like to attend then please find all the relevant details attached to the Newsletter.

School Council Update

Last night was a busy meeting for School Council. As well as the regular updates from the Sub-committees and reports, we also discussed the following:

• The EEPS swimming program
• The Department’s Smile Squad program
• A draft ICT device strategy 
• The possibility of establishing a holiday care program to supplement the EEPS OSHC program
• A JSC colour run fundraiser for next year 
• Student Free dates for 2025
  • Curriculum Days
  • Tuesday 28th January (state-wide)
  • Monday 3rd November (report writing day) - Cup Monday
  • Friday 5th December (2026 planning)
  • Additional day - To be decided
  • 3 Way Conferences
  • Monday 31st March
  • Wednesday 17th September

You may like to make a note of these dates to help with your 2025 planning.

Minister’s Message

Last week the Minister for Education and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, wrote to all employees of the Department, releasing an update the Education State initiatives. Here is an excerpt from his communication: 

Over the past 10 years we have laid the foundations for an outstanding education system. Now is the time for us to build on this success and set out our aspirations for Victorian schools in the coming years. Today, I am pleased to share with you my vision for the Education State in the document I have released today:  The Education State – Excellence in Every Classroom.  It sets out aspirations and priorities for our schools informed through consultation with Victorian students, teachers, school leaders and communities. It also reflects on the achievements to date. I want to pay tribute to our dedicated teachers, leaders and all school staff who have worked so hard and bring such deep professional expertise to the work of making Victorian schools such great places for children and young people to learn and grow.

New EEPS School Website

Over the next 6 - 12 months we will be updating our school website. We will be working with an external web designer as well as a team of internal staff. If any members of our school community would like to provide feedback on our current site or offer any suggestions please feel free to do so through this link.

Government Social Media Consultation Survey

You would be familiar with the recent discussion in the media around changing ages for young people to access social media platforms. The state government is reaching out to families for different views and opinions. If you would like to participate then click on this link. It is open until this Friday.

School Uniforms

Thank you to the really strong support for wearing correct school uniform, including school hats, over the last fortnight. Wearing the school uniform correctly is important and one aspect of developing and strengthening school pride.

Road and Pedestrian Safety Reminder

I am sure that all parents are aware of the tragic event, yesterday, at Auburn South Primary School. 

EEPS parents would also be aware that we regularly include Safety reminders in the Newsletter. I had written this part of the Newsletter before Tuesday’s fatality at Auburn, but it takes on another level of importance now. Last week we very nearly had a student hit by a car reversing into the main driveway on Luck Street. So, there are a couple of things to continue to please be very mindful of. If you are picking up on Luck Street, please drive all the way to the top and turn around when it is safe to do so, even if this means waiting another moment or two. Secondly, please do not walk through the gravel staff carparks on Grove Street. We have a number of part-time staff who work irregular hours, combined with lots of deliveries and movement, the pathways are purposefully designed to allow safe pedestrian movement. 

Don’t forget that next Tuesday is Melbourne Cup day, a Public Holiday. Next Thursday we have a whole school Kaboom music incursion, so please remember to give consent as required.

Have a great week and a great weekend for those families who are having a slightly longer weekend.