Principal's Report

Dear EHPS Community,

Farewell to 2024

At the end of another extraordinary year, I would like to sincerely thank every member of our community for working with the staff to attain the best possible results for our children. 

This has been a very busy and exciting year with so many occasions to joining together as a whole community, e.g. Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day Treats and Stalls, Indonesian Day, Book Week, and Showcase. When you also add the comprehensive learning program, supported by targeted incursions, excursions, and camps, you can see why the children have had a very productive and marvellous year at school. 

I would like to thank our School Councillors, led by Jennifer Bittner, who contribute to the governance of the school and its strategic direction. Thanks must also go to the Parents & Friends Club, led by Sam Watson and the dedicated PFC Committee, for continuing to build the school spirit and our sense of community. 

And finally, I would like to thank our hardworking staff (Teachers, Admin, PSD staff, OSHC staff and Instrumental Music staff) who have dedicated their time to develop and support programs and processes to ensure that every child had the opportunities to maximise their learning. Their professionalism and the high level of care shown to all students was highly valued and acknowledged by our community.

Volunteers & Helpers Thank You Morning Tea

Last Monday it was our pleasure to host afternoon tea in the Library to say thank you to all those who have volunteered at school throughout the year. We can't do it without you, and your help is greatly appreciated.

A visit from Santa

On Tuesday, our Prep and Year 1 classes had a visit from Santa! We were all so surprised that he took the time to deliver individual letters to every Prep and Year 1 child. A few of the children actually “saw him”, oh so briefly, at the front of the school. The parcel of letters was found at the front of the school!! A few children saw Santa’s sleigh flying over the school The letters were so cold … they must have come from the North Pole!! The children were delighted and there was great excitement expressed! How special to receive a letter from Santa at this time of year.

Year 6 Graduation

Over this week, our Year 6 students celebrated the end of their primary education at Essex Heights. Tuesday was a unique and truly marvellous day. Once again, this year, the Graduation Committee organised a truly memorable day for the Class of 2024. The luncheon and the setup of the Hall was spectacular, and the evening ceremony and celebration was touching and inspiring. Our Year 6 students were once again the highlight of the show. As they leave Essex Heights for the last time today, we wish them every success in the future and implore them to always have EHPS close to their hearts. Finally, a huge thank you to the staff and all the parents who helped to make this such a special time for the Graduating Class of 2024.

Semester 2 Reports

We advised earlier this week that due to an unforeseen issue, publication of your child’s Semester 2 report was delayed until today at 4pm. Reports will be accessible in Compass from that time. We hope you enjoy reading all that your child has achieved this year. It is timely to remind families to ensure that you copy your child’s report to an external source so that you have access to it after you leave EHPS; this is especially important for those leaving EHPS this year. Reports will be accessible in Compass for all outgoing students until Thursday 9 January, to allow time to download and save all your child’s reports.

Student Leaders in 2025

Today at our final Assembly the new student leaders for next year were presented to the school community. We are so pleased to have such a talented group of young people to fill these important roles. A badge presentation ceremony will be held at a School Assembly on Monday 17 February in Term 1. Please refer to the Student Leaders in 2025 page in this newsletter for more information.

Leaving EHPS 

If your family circumstances change over the Summer school holiday period and your child will not be returning to EHPS in 2025, it is essential that you advise me in writing as soon as possible using the school email address – essex.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au – with the following details: 

• Child’s name and 2024 class 
• Date of last day at EHPS (e.g. last day of Term 4 and 2024 school year is today, Friday 20 December) 
• Name of the school your child is enrolled at 
• Commencement date at new school (e.g. Term 1 & 2025 school year commence on 28 January) 
• The reason for leaving EHPS  
• New contact details, e.g. address, phone number, email

Student absence at the start of 2025

If your child will be absent at the beginning of Term 1 in 2025 (that is, not commencing on Thursday 30 January if they’re in Years 1 to 6 or Thursday 6 February if they are in Foundation/Prep), please ensure that you write an email to the EHPS email address – essex.heights.ps@education.vic.gov.au – for my attention with the details of your child’s absence that is explained by one of the categories (see below) and requesting permission to be absent. On receipt of my reply, enter an attendance note in Compass for period of absence under the relevant category. Please also email their teacher (via the link on Compass, or school email if needed) to advise your child’s absence at the start of the 2025 school year and the date they will commence. Parent/guardians are reminded that it is a requirement of the Department of Education student attendance guidelines that parents/carers must request my permission to be absent during school term for:

• Family holiday.
• Cultural observance.
• Bereavement (such as a death of a family member, attendance at a funeral and/or related mourning activities).
• Leisure or social activities.
• School refusal.
• Other – special event or participation in elite sporting event/training.

2025 Staff

Congratulations

Our congratulations and best wishes on the recent marriages of Year 2 teacher Grace John to Simon, and former Prep and recent Year 3/4 teacher Lauren Davies to Josh. We wish both couples a lifetime of happiness together.

Farewell & Welcome

To all those leaving our school community, all the best to you and your family, and as you start at your new school next year. A list of the students leaving EHPS this year is on the Farewell page in this newsletter.

We are expecting 86 Foundation (Prep) students and 15 Years 1 to 6 students to join EHPS at the start of the 2025 school year, and we look forward to welcoming them to our school community. The Welcome Event on Friday 21 February being organised by the PFC will be a terrific start to the school year and an opportunity to begin to get to know our new families.

I am looking forward to my Long Service Leave in Term 1, and spending more time with my family and grandchildren and working on some garden projects. As previously advised, Elisha Cotterell is Acting Principal during my leave, and I look forward to returning to EHPS in Term 2.

On behalf of all the staff, I would like to wish all families a safe and Merry Christmas, as well as a Happy New Year. For those families that do not celebrate Christmas, I hope that your families have safe and happy holidays.

Enjoy the Summer school holidays, and return well rested to EHPS for the new school year in 2025.

Kindest regards,

George Perini

Principal