Principal's Message

Welcome to Endeavour Hills Specialist School for 2023 and our first school newsletter.

I would like to send a warm welcome back to all students and families returning for your second year and extend those same sentiments to our new students and families joining our community this year.

Staff and Student Update

There has been quite a change in our school between the months of December to January. Our student numbers have grown from 72 students in 2022, to 132 students on the first day of term 1, 2023. This has meant we have had to increase our form groups from 10 to 19 classes and, in turn, employ more staff. We now currently have 33 teachers, which includes 4 leading teachers, 1 learning specialist and 6 specialist teachers. We also have 38 Educational Support Staff which includes 2 Speech Pathologists, 3 Occupational Therapists, 1 Music Therapist, 1 Psychologist, 1 Nurse, 3 Administration staff and 1 Business Manager.

To support our staff and the school, our leadership team comprises of myself as Acting Principal, Tim Witcombe (Acting Assistant Principal), Caroline Leviston (Allied Health Team Leader), Camilo Bolivar (Business Manager), Michelle Bolivar (Enrolments coordinator and leadership coach), Emma Sutcliffe (Leading Teacher), Aidan O’Connor (Leading Teacher), Liz Rout (Leading Teacher), Melissa Kemp (Leading Teacher), and Emily Grisold (Learning Specialist). Every learning place in the school is now operational, with a leading teacher allocated to support the staff and students within each learning hub, whilst also teaching a class 2 days per week. The leading teachers for each learning hub are as follows:

Peppermint – Emma Sutcliffe

Heath – Aidan O’Connor and Melissa Kemp

Acacia – Aidan O’Connor

Banksia – Liz Rout

Bursaria – Melissa Kemp & Liz Rout

First Day Update

On Monday, we had 30 new prep students start their school journey. There was lots of excitement, nerves, a few tears from both students and parents, and plenty of exploring, playing and making of new friends. We also started our senior school this year. There are currently 26 students beginning or continuing their secondary education.

The Curriculum at EHSS

We are offering our students a rich and broad curriculum and learning opportunities with a strong focus on literacy, numeracy and personal and social capabilities. In addition to their classroom work, students will also participate in Visual Arts, PE, Performing Arts, and a Life Skills program. We also have a fantastic Therapy team, which works across the school to support our students’ therapeutic needs.

Buses

We are aware that there are some current issues with the buses. We are working with Ventura and the Student Transport Unit to resolve these as quickly as possible. Thank you to those parents that have provided feedback to us. Just to clarify the pickup/drop off times and locations are determined by the bus companies. As a school we can liaise with them on your behalf should a change be requested, but this is not always possible.

Digital Platforms at EHSS

Families should have received their login details for Compass and Seesaw. If you have not received these, could you please let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible. Also, as a reminder, please also regularly check our website. On here you will find announcements of upcoming events, links to calendars and Compass. The address is  www.ehss.vic.edu.au. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

School Information & Open Night

We are holding an Information and Open night on Tuesday, February 7th, from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. Please see the notice in this newsletter for further details. Within this event, you will have the opportunity to receive school wide information, as well as meet the staff and view the facilities of the school, and trouble shoot any problems you may have accessing the platforms listed above.

I am very excited about the journey we have started and look forward to getting to know your wonderful children.

Karen Hunt