Principal's report
Michael Portaro - Principal
Principal's report
Michael Portaro - Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we reach the midpoint of Term 1, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful start to the year at Elsternwick Primary School. It has been fantastic to see our students settling into their learning, our families engaging with school events, and our leadership teams—both staff and students—stepping confidently into their roles.
School Council
Thank you to our 2024 School Council members, who held their final meeting a few weeks ago.
A huge thank you to Chris, Fiona, Maddy, Meg, Neal, and Sophie for their unwavering support and contributions to the School Council as their current tenures come to an end. While there is the opportunity for them to reapply and potentially continue with us, I want to acknowledge their commitment for supporting our school and community.
Information regarding our 2025 School Council election process and call for nominations was sent to all families on 10 February via Compass.
Student Leaders
It was a great honour to present our student leaders with their 2025 badges and officially welcome them into their leadership roles for the year ahead. From the outset, our Year 6 leaders have shown great enthusiasm and initiative, embracing their responsibilities with confidence. I am excited to work alongside them throughout the year and see the positive impact they will have on our school community. Thank you to the families who joined us for this special occasion—your support makes these moments even more meaningful for our students.
Meet and Greets
Thanks to our parents/carers for your attendance at the recent Meet and Greet, your participation in these discussions is truly appreciated and plays a pivotal role in fostering a collaborative educational environment. These conversations provide invaluable insights into your child's learning journey, allowing us to work together to support their growth and development. Thanks for the open and constructive dialogue that took place during the interviews. Your thoughtful questions, insights, and feedback contribute significantly to our shared goal of providing the best possible education for your child. If you have any further questions or if there's anything you'd like to discuss in more detail, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We are here to collaborate and ensure the success and wellbeing of your child.
School Strategic Plan
The School Strategic Plan (SSP) is an essential component of the Department’s School Accountability and Improvement Framework and provides a means for the school to clearly identify and communicate how the school is working to improve outcomes for its students.
The SSP sets out the school’s goals and targets for the next four years and the strategies for achieving those goals and targets. EPS’ four year SSP can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ey70og5gq3ypl2eniric1/Elsternwick-Primary-School-2870-2021-2024-School-Strategic-Plan-1.pdf?rlkey=gldna36lvs6q7t8v4mia86quu&e=1&dl=0
In Term 2, we will undertake our scheduled school review, an important process that helps shape our school’s future direction. This review is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, assess areas for growth, and set new goals to continue improving student learning and wellbeing.
As part of the review, we will engage with students, staff, and families to gather valuable insights that will contribute to our next School Strategic Plan. Your voice is important, and we look forward to working together to ensure the best outcomes for our students. More information about how you can be involved will be shared in the coming weeks.
2025 School Goals
At EPS, we have prepared an Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) that supports the operationalisation of the four year SSP, articulating how the school will implement, monitor and evaluate progress each year. Our AIP outlines the four year goals, targets and Key Improvement Strategy (KIS) selected for focus in the coming year, the 12 month targets that will support the school to progress towards the four year targets of the SSP, and actions to support their implementation.
Our two core priorities for 2025 will include:
Goal 1: Every student achieves continuous learning growth.Key Improvement Strategy: Build the data literacy of teachers and students to evaluate the impact of teaching on learning.
Key Improvement Strategy: Continue to create an environment where students feel safe, valued and respected so they can give their best.
Our School Values
At Elsternwick Primary School, we see values education as a fundamental part of our learning community. Our core values—Respect, Responsibility, Personal Excellence, and Curiosity—are deeply embedded in our School Vision. They serve as guiding principles for both students and staff, shaping the way we learn, interact, and contribute to a positive school environment. These values provide a clear framework for expectations, fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
School Tours
A huge congratulations to our School Captains on successfully hosting their first school tour a few weeks ago, which was fully booked! They did a fantastic job representing Elsternwick Primary School, showcasing our vibrant learning environment and sharing what makes our school community so special.
Fortnightly tours will continue for the remainder of the term and well into Term 2, providing prospective families with an opportunity to experience EPS in action. If you know anyone interested in joining our school community, they can book a tour via the link below:
Well done to our captains for their leadership and enthusiasm!
Cheers,
Michael