Principal's Report

Dear EHPS Parents and Carers,

Dogs in the school yard

We understand that dogs are cherished members of many families, and we appreciate the joy and companionship they bring. However, we kindly remind our school community that dogs, even when on a lead, are discouraged on school grounds. This is not to exclude beloved pets, but to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors.

 

Health and Safety Concerns

Not all children are comfortable around dogs. Some may have allergies, others may experience significant anxiety or fear, even in the presence of a calm, well-behaved animal. In addition, while many dogs are gentle and obedient, unexpected behaviour can occur, especially in unfamiliar or busy environments like a schoolyard. Children may unintentionally provoke a dog by approaching too quickly or making sudden movements, which could lead to unintended consequences.

 

Hygiene Matters

Even with the most responsible pet owners, dogs can bring dirt, bacteria, and allergens onto school grounds. This can compromise the cleanliness of areas where children play, sit, or eat. Accidents, though rare, can also occur, and they create unpleasant and unsanitary conditions for everyone.

 

School Grounds Are for Learning and Play

Our school grounds are designed to be a safe, welcoming, and focused environment for learning and recreation. The presence of dogs, regardless of their temperament, introduces an element of unpredictability that can be distracting and potentially distressing for some students. Maintaining clear boundaries helps us foster a secure and inclusive atmosphere where all children can feel at ease.

 

Guidelines for families with dogs as pets:

  • Pet dogs are discouraged to be on school grounds.
  • Pet dogs on school grounds MUST always be on a lead and in the control of a responsible adult.
  • Pet dogs must NOT be tied up on school grounds or left unaccompanied.
  • The dog owner is responsible to clean up after their dog (and remove from school property).
  • Families that bring dogs to school that exhibit signs of aggressive behaviour, bark, or jump may be asked to leave. 
  • The Principal has the authority to prohibit certain dogs from school grounds to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and members of our school community at any time.

We ask for your cooperation in supporting the safety and wellbeing of all members of our school community. 

Year 5 Camp

I had the pleasure of attending the Year 5 Camp at Cave Hill Creek recently. The children had such a great time. The camp site is a picturesque location near Beaufort. All facilities were immaculate, and the children developed a very positive rapport with the camp staff. The camp activities included Canoeing, Possum Glider, Low ropes, Crate stacking, Archery and Orienteering just to mention a few. A huge thanks must go to the staff and our parent volunteers for making this great experience possible for the children.

I look forward to visiting the Year 3/4 Camps at Mount Evelyn this week.

The Importance of Regular Attendance and Punctuality

At Essex Heights, we are committed to supporting every child’s learning journey - and a key part of this success is consistent attendance and punctuality.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to remind our school community that regular attendance is vital for academic progress, personal development, and building strong social connections. When students are frequently absent - whether due to illness, family holidays, or other reasons, they often miss essential learning experiences that are difficult to fully recover. Even short absences can interrupt the flow of learning, cause gaps in knowledge, and impact confidence and participation in class.

 

With respect to illness, it is totally justifiable and recommended that sick children should not come to school. They should stay at home until they are well. Please note that where possible medical appointments should be made outside of school hours, however it is understandable that it is not always possible.

 

While we appreciate that family holidays can offer valuable life experiences and quality time together, we respectfully ask families to consider the timing of such breaks. Holidays taken during the school term can significantly affect children’s learning and social outcomes. Whenever possible, we strongly encourage families to plan holidays during designated school breaks to minimise disruption to students' education.

 

In addition, arriving on time each morning is just as important as regular attendance. Our school day begins promptly at 9.00am, and we ask that all students arrive by 8.50am. This allows them the necessary time to settle in, connect with classmates, and prepare for a successful start to their day. Arriving late not only affects the individual child’s readiness to learn but can also disrupt the learning of others.

 

We recognise that mornings can be busy and sometimes unpredictable. However, with your continued support and planning, we believe that together we can create a routine that sets every student up for a productive and positive day.

 

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and commitment to your child’s education. Let’s continue working together to ensure all our students have the best opportunity to thrive - every day, right from the start.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) commemorates the 1967 referendum where Australians voted overwhelmingly to remove discriminatory clauses against Indigenous peoples from the Constitution (27 May), and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision, which legally recognized native title rights for the first time (3 June) 

In Australia is a time dedicated to learning about and celebrating the shared histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples alongside other Australians. It aims to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and promote justice, equity, and unity in the country

This year’s theme for NRW is "Bridging Now to Next," encouraging Australians to look ahead and build towards a more united and respectful nation.

JSC Badge Presentation

At Monday’s assembly, Matt Fregon MP, the State Member for Ashwood, presented badges and certificates to our JSC Captains and certificates to all our JSC Vice Captains. The children were all very proud to be representing their classes and parents were very proud of the achievements of their children. Junior School Council (JSC) is another example of the leadership opportunities available to students at Essex Heights.  We thank Matt for always supporting our school.

Communication between home and school

At Essex Heights we really value the communication that exists between staff and parents. We would like to encourage you to discuss matters with your child’s classroom teacher. This can occur in many ways. The best is to contact the teacher and arrange for a meeting via telephone, online or in person. If something is very urgent then a brief chat in the morning is also possible. Staff can always be contacted through the school’s parent portal on Compass.

 

Please remember to avoid contacting staff out of hours. However, if you must email staff late at night, it is unreasonable to expect an immediate answer the next morning. We all want to encourage a good work life balance, so I strongly discourage staff to look at work related emails when they are at home. This is in line with the Department of Education’s policy regarding out of hours communication and the employees right to disconnect from work related matters. All staff will get to their emails when they have the time, outside of their classroom duties, yard duty and class preparation. If you have an urgent matter that needs clarification, then please do not hesitate to contact the School Office on 9807 4944.

Inter-School Cross Country

Earlier this month our Cross Country team came first in the District Cross Country. This was a great achievement and a testament to the regular training and persistence of the students, guided by our energetic coaches, Ms Hocking, Ms Kemp and Ms Boles.

I am pleased to announce that on Wednesday, 20 students represented the school at the next level, the Division Cross Country, and seven students (Josh C, Jayan C, Mavi A, Millie A, Marcus O, Grace C and Emily S) qualified for the Region Final on 12 June. This is our highest representation at this level. Congratulations to all the students that have represented the school so well in every cross country and we wish the seven region finalists the best of luck in two weeks time.

Parents and Friends Club

It was very encouraging to see all the marvellous donations for the Carnival Donation Day on Wednesday. Our Carnival Committee is working very hard to make this years Carnival (29 November) a huge success. Remember that all funds raised will go towards resurfacing our asphalt courts to make them more attractive and safer for the children. Please continue to support the PFC and the Carnival Committee because their contribution is vital for the school and essential to build a strong school community.

Student-Free Days & Public Holidays 

The following days in 2025, when students will not attend school, were approved by School Council at their meeting on 15 May:

  • Monday 30 June – Student-Free Day (staff training on numeracy and teaching practice).
  • Friday 31 October – Professional Practice Day for staff.
  • Monday 3 November – Student-Free Day (staff working on assessment).

Care from 7am to 6pm is available for students enrolled in our OSHC program; booking essential. 

 

In addition, the following public holidays occur during school terms this year and the school will be closed:

  • Monday 9 June – King's Birthday public holiday 
  • Tuesday 4 November – Melbourne Cup public holiday 

Please ensure you note these dates in your family calendar. 

Welcome

We welcome the following students and their families to the EHPS community:

  • Akiko (Aki) M (PH)
  • William O (1M) 
  • Veronica J (PDB) & Finley J (34L)
  • Olivia C (34M) & Benjimin (Ben) C (6B)

 

 

I look forward to seeing you around the school. 

 

Kindest regards,

George Perini

Principal