A Message from the Deputy Principals

Ms Crossingham, Relieving Deputy Principal, Year 8 and 11

I am both excited and honoured to step into the role of Relieving Deputy Principal for Term 1. This opportunity allows me to work closely with our incredible students, dedicated staff, and the wider school community to continue fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.

As I take on this role, my focus remains on student growth, well being, and academic success. I am committed to ensuring that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their best. I encourage open communication and collaboration, so please feel free to reach out with any questions. Together, we can work toward creating a positive school experience. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to an exciting term ahead!

Year 7

It has been a pleasure to witness our Year 7 students settling into the school community so nicely. They have embraced their new environment and are making new friends as they engage in various lunchtime activities, including basketball, Jenga, handball, soccer, and playing Uno in the library. Additionally, they have come well-prepared for learning with their diaries, books, and pens, demonstrating their commitment to their studies. We encourage all Year 7 students to continue participating in these activities and to keep fostering friendships as they navigate this exciting transition.

Year 8

Students in Year 8 have the opportunity this year to study new subjects like the Project Innovate lessons where they focus on developing their skills in collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication. Additionally, students will be participating in a literacy and numeracy lesson as we work toward strengthening student growth in these areas.

Year 9

Our Year 9 students have settled very well into their new academic year and are already enjoying the options of their elective subjects. It has been very pleasing to visit classrooms to see students fully engaged in their learning.

Year 10

For our Year 10 students, this year is particularly important as it marks their Record of School Achievement (ROSA) year. We are dedicated to supporting them through this significant milestone. This year is also a pivotal time for students to start thinking about their future pathways. We encourage students to explore their interests and begin considering the opportunities that align with their aspirations. As we look forward to a range of celebrations, including the much-anticipated Year 10 formal, we encourage students to embrace this year with enthusiasm and dedication. The formal will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements and create lasting memories with their peers.

Year 11

Year 11 students are finalising their timetables to align with their interests and future goals. As part of their academic preparation, all students will participate in a dedicated Assessment Session, where they will explore the school's assessment policy in detail. This session will help them prepare for their first assessment period, commencing in Week 8. The comprehensive assessment booklet, which includes the assessment schedules for all subjects, is available on the school website for easy access.

Year 12

As the next assessment period for Year 12 is fast approaching and the following strategies will assist you in supporting your child in their preparation:

Effective Time Management: Encourage your child to create a study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each subject.
Utilise Available Resources: Remind your child to make use of available resources, including textbooks, study guides, and online platforms provided by the school. Additionally, encourage them to seek clarification from teachers or seek additional support if needed.
Practice Past Papers: Practicing past exam papers is an excellent way for students to familiarise themselves with the exam format, timing, and types of questions. This not only builds confidence but also enhances their understanding of key concepts and exam techniques.
Submit a draft assessment to their teacher for review.

On a lighter note, our Year 12 students have fully embraced the celebratory aspects of being in their final year with the Swimming Carnival dress up and most recently, serenading students and staff on Valentine’s Day. I am looking forward to sharing their final year of high school with them.

Support Unit

We are thrilled to welcome so many new students to the Support Unit as we embark on an exciting journey with all seven classes this year! Our dedicated staff and students have been actively getting to know one another, embracing new routines, and setting goals for 2025. In the upcoming week, we will invite families to participate in Individual Learning Planning meetings, where we will discuss our plans for the year ahead. Please keep an eye on your child’s diary for the official invitation. To support our students in navigating their daily activities, each one has been provided with personalised, colour-coded timetables. We encourage families to assist their children in becoming familiar with these routines by reviewing the timetable each night and helping them prepare for the day ahead. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a positive and enriching environment for all our students!

NAPLAN - Year 7 and 9

All students in Year 7 and Year 9 will be undertaking the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) during Weeks 7 and 8. More information regarding NAPLAN, including dates and preparation tips, will be communicated to you shortly.

EHS School Behaviour Support and Management Plan

The Department of Education’s Student Behaviour Policy requires all schools to develop a School behaviour support and management plan (SBSMP) and implement it from Term 1 2025. The plan for our school has been published on our school’s website. The plan includes information on:

whole-school approach to support all students that is referred to as the care continuum. The care continuum includes a focus on prevention, early intervention, targeted and individual interventions
student behaviour expectations, in line with the Behaviour code for students
strategies to model, explicitly teach, recognise and reinforce positive, inclusive and safe behaviours
strategies to identify, prevent and respond to disruptive student behaviours, including bullying and cyber-bullying, and behaviours of concern when they occur

Assessment Booklets

Throughout Weeks 3 and 4 the Assessment Booklets are being distributed to the Year 7 to 11 year groups. Year 12 received their copy at the beginning of Term 4 2024. The booklets provide students with valuable information to help them organise and track their assessments throughout the year. We encourage students and parents to read these booklets carefully and to discuss the expectations, rules and processes within them. We encourage students and parents to seek support from staff whenever needed. A soft copy version for each year group is available on the school’s website.

Year 6 into 7 Information Evening

On Tuesday 4th March, Elderslie High School will hold a Year 6 into 7 Information Evening for the incoming 2026 students. The evening will commence with tours of the faculty areas followed by an information session at 7pm in the hall. The first tour will start from the main quad at 5:10pm and run every 10 minutes with the last tour group departing at 5:50pm. All tours will finish by 6:45pm. We expect to have large number of prospective students and parents attend the evening. I would like to thank in advance all of the teachers who have volunteered their time to conduct faculty presentations.

As the year gets underway, we look forward to working with our families and carers to create a nurturing and empowering learning environment where every student has the opportunity to connect, succeed and thrive.

Mrs Siope - Deputy Principal Years 7 and 10

Ms Crossingham - Relieving Deputy Principal Years 8 and 11

Mrs Amos - Deputy Principal Years 9 and 12

Mrs Robinson - Deputy Principal Inclusion and Support

Week	Date	Event

5	Friday, 28th February	Zone Swimming Carnival

6	Tuesday, 4th March	Year 6 into 7 Information Evening
		Year 10 Vaccinations

7	Tuesday, 11th March	School Photo Day
	Wednesday, 12th March	NAPLAN Commences

8	Monday, 17th March	School Photo Catch Up Day
	Tuesday, 18th March	P&C Meeting 7pm

11	Friday, 11th April	Last Day of Term 1

Calendar of Events

2025 Term 1