Principal's Report
Dear Essex Heights Community,
School Council Election 2026
I am pleased to advise that following the close of nominations for School Council that we received four (4) nominations for the four (4) parent vacancies and two (2) nomination for the two (2) school employee membership category. These nominations were accepted and all were duly elected.
As a result, there is no need for a School Council election. I thank our nominees for their willingness to work for our school community as members of School Council.
Congratulations to our new and returning members of School Council: Pia Ahmet, Jennifer Bittner, Susan Phu, Adam Buchta and Sue Chan in the Parent Category and Paul Davis and Kristi Lloyd in the School Employee category. The first meeting of the new School Council will be held on Thursday 26 March.
I would like to again thank the retiring parent members Andrew Cain, Caz Mott and Anthony Netkow for their dedication and contributions to our school.
Welcome Event
Congratulations to the Parents and Friends Club for conducting a marvellous Welcome Event last Friday, 27 February. It was fantastic to see so many families coming together and having a great time. There were very long queues for the delicious pizzas, the DJ had the children all hopping and the photo booth was very popular. We were blessed with good weather and the hundreds of people that attended had a wonderful time. The Essex Heights Spirit was truly evident. Well done to all the PFC organisers.
PFC AGM
Last Tuesday evening, 3 March, the Parents and Friends Club (PFC) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting was well attended with a number of new faces coming along. The main purpose of the AGM is to elect the new executive for the next 12 months.
The PFC Executive Office Bearers for 2026-2027 are:
President (joint): Elima Pozenel and Daniela Rende
Secretary: Paula Trakilovic
Treasurer: Adam Buchta
PFC Committee Members for 2026-2027 are:
Secondhand Uniform Coordinators: Rianna Wells and Sophie Beecroft
Social Media Coordinator: Davin Lee and Loveleen Sidhu
I would like to thank the new members of the executive and committee for being prepared to volunteer their time to support and grow our Essex Heights Community. In addition, I thank all parents that attended the meeting and all those that help in so many ways to create special moments for the children and to support our school.
Assembly and Student Leaders presentation
We welcomed our State Member for Ashwood, Matt Fregon MP, to our School Assembly on Monday 23 February for the presentation of badges and certificates to our student leaders for 2026. It was a very proud moment for our new student leaders and their families. I am very confident that our new leadership group will be great ambassadors in the many different areas of the school.
We look forward to welcoming Matt back to EHPS for the presentations to our newly elected Junior School Councillors from Years 3 to 6 at the final School Assembly for Term 1 on Monday 23 March. All the EHPS community are welcome to attend assembly, and we look forward to sharing this special assembly with parents/carers of our students on the JSC.
Please note that there will NOT be an assembly on Monday 30 March as students will be rehearsing for Grandparents and Special Friends Day, to be held on the last day of term.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Grandparents and Special Friends Day will be held on Thursday 2 April. We invite all families to set the date aside and plan for this special day. On the day, a whole school assembly with all our guests, will be conducted in the Stadium. At that time a series of fun activities will be held, followed by an opportunity to visit classrooms, and concluding with an opportunity for our special visitors to have lunch with their child / children. We hope that we have a Stadium full of special friends and Grandparents. More details will follow in coming weeks.
School Uniform & Sports Polo Shirt
The uniform list for our school is authorised by our School Council. A Sports Polo Shirt is currently approved for our Years 4 to 6 students only; this is clearly indicated on the Spartan School World website and supported in store by our uniform suppliers. Disappointingly, we have heard from our uniform supplier that a few families, who do not have a child in Years 4 to 6, expected to be able to purchase the sports polo. When they were told that it was not part of the school's uniform policy and that they could not purchase it, they became rude and aggressive.
This is terribly disappointing and not acceptable behaviour. Our supplier is enforcing the EHPS Uniform Policy as endorsed by School Council. It is NOT our supplier’s fault. I would hope that Essex Heights families are better than this!
School Council will review our current uniform policy and consider this issue. In the meantime, I reiterate that only students in Years 4 to 6 are permitted to wear the sports polo shirt to school, and our uniform supplier is complying with current school policy.
When Prep to Year 3 students have a House sport activity (e.g. cross country, athletics, swimming) they are encouraged to wear clothing in their House colour; a t-shirt is suitable and provides appropriate SunSmart protection. Please note singlet tops are not to be worn for sport as these do not provide protection for shoulders and upper arms and aren’t SunSmart clothing.
I will keep you informed of any change to our current policy.
Parent Payments
All families were advised early in Term 1 of the annual parents payments that our School Council has endorsed for this school year.
All families are strongly encouraged to contribute the requested contributions to ensure that the quality of the facilities and resources available for our students continue to enjoy and few schools match the numerous programs that we offer to cater for student’s needs.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our Business Manager, Barbara McCann, if you’d like to discuss a payment plan.
More information can be found on our website by following the link: EHPS Parent Payments.
School Tours
There is again a lot of interest from families seeking enrolment at Essex Heights and in particular, with a child starting Foundation (Prep) next year. I will be conducting tours every Wednesday and Friday for these interested families. It is very pleasing to see that our community believes our school to be one of excellent academic success coupled with a strong cocurricular program and a robust emphasis on the wellbeing of every child.
Applications for Foundation (Prep) 2027 open on Monday 20 April, the first day of Term 2. A digital application on the VicStudents portal is required.
Access to classrooms
At Essex Heights we value our interaction with families and will always safeguard the learning of all children. At this early stage of the school year, I think it timely to remind all families that classrooms are the learning spaces for children and the workspace of staff. Once lessons have commenced parents entering a class causes disruption to the children and interferes with their learning.
At the start of the day we would encourage parents, especially in the earlier years, to support their children to independently enter their classroom and get ready for their day. Parents entering the classroom can heighten anxiety for children at the point of leaving. We advise that parents escort their child to the classroom door, only if required, kiss and farewell them and then quickly depart. This minimises any anxious reaction. If a parent wishes to have a quick word to the teacher this can be done at the classroom door before the start of lessons at 9am. For a longer conversation, we urge you to make an appointment with the teacher.
At the end of the day, parents must wait outside of the classroom. Please avoid looking in through windows because that distracts the children. Please do not enter a classroom. When the teacher is ready, they will dismiss the class and open the classroom door so that the children can exit the room. This is also a time for a quick chat with a teacher, but appointments can be made for more detailed discussion. Please remember that staff are required at meetings at the end of the day.
In addition, all external doors will be locked after the classrooms have been vacated. If for some reason you have a need to return to the classroom, please knock at the classroom door. If there is no answer, please go to the School Office with your query and someone will assist you to re-enter the classroom.
Let us work together to reduce distractions and promote uninterrupted learning for our children. Thank you for your co-operation.
Road Safety
Please take the time to read the poster below for sound advice regarding safety at School Crossings. Families are reminded that Council parking officers attend schools in the area regularly to ensure that vehicles are parking safely and legally. Parents should be mindful that they will be present and to obey all traffic signage in the area.
NAPLAN
From Wednesday 11 to Monday 23 March, Year 3 and 5 students will take part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). It is the only national assessment all Australian students can undertake.
Why do NAPLAN?
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
Your child will do the NAPLAN tests online
Online NAPLAN tests are designed to provide precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive) which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment.
Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.
All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.
What can I do to support my child?
Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Some explanation of NAPLAN is useful to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the tests; however, it is not necessary for parents/carers to do this. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance.
ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers.
Harmony Day
Harmony Day is a day to celebrate Australian multiculturalism. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core values. The Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
At Essex Heights we have a very diverse school community, and we celebrate and value all cultures.
We will be celebrating Harmony Day on Monday 16 March. Students will be encouraged to come dressed in National Costumes or Orange. Children will be involved in many activities related to culture and countries represented in our school, across Australia and around the world. We will celebrate the day at our Assembly with a Harmony Day Parade.
National Ride2School Day
National Ride2School Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel and one of the best days on the school calendar. It is a day full of fun and colour where students, teachers and parents discover the joy of riding and kick-start healthy habits for the future. EHPS students are encouraged to walk, ride, scoot or skate to school on Friday 20 March, and earn House points on arrival at the Bike Shed.
Pink Stumps Day
Our annual Pink Stumps Day will be held on Wednesday 1 April. More details will be shared soon.
Public holiday reminder
Parent/guardians are reminded that next Monday, 9 March, is the Labour Day public holiday and the school will be closed, so students do not attend school on this day.
As there is no school on Monday, the next School Assembly will be on Monday 16 March.
Enjoy the long weekend.
Cultural Days
Let us continue to celebrate our multiculturalism!!
3-4 March Holi
Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated since ancient times to welcome spring and is seen as a new beginning. People cover each other with coloured water and bright powders.
3 March Lantern Festival
The Chinese Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Chinese New Year. It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period.
16-22 March Harmony Week
Harmony Week celebrates the cohesive and inclusive nature of our diverse nation. Schools, community groups and organisations across Australia host Harmony Week events.
17 March St Patricks Day
This day is Ireland’s National Day. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He brought Christianity to Ireland in the early days of the faith.
19-20 March Eid al Fitr
The Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, ends with the festival of Eid al Fitr. A celebratory meal breaks the fast, and good deeds have special significance during this time. Eid is also a time of forgiveness and making amends. The observance is subject to the sighting of the moon.
Farewell
We farewell the following students and their families from the EHPS community, and wish them all the best at their new schools:
- Aiden Z (1M) – moved out of area
- Aki M (1G) – moving out of area
Enjoy the long weekend and I look forward to seeing you around the school.
Kindest regards,
George Perini
Principal