EPS Newsletter

Principal's Message

Michael Portaro - Elsternwick PS Principal

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

Gratitude Stall for EPS carers

I just wanted to express a sincere thank you to the Parents and Carers Association (PCA) and parent/carer volunteers that supported our Gratitude stall. The gift offerings were wonderful and surely brought a smile too many mothers and carers in our community. Thank you for your time and amazing effort toward a really successful event.

 

Education Support Personnel (ESP) Week

Every day, education support staff work to keep our schools running, support our students to learn and our teachers to teach. On 16th May we celebrated the hardworking Education Support Personnel (ESP) at EPS with a special morning tea where we shared messages of appreciation.

 

Attendance

Ensuring your child comes to EVERY DAY is the most important thing you can do to support your child’s learning. Did you know that missing one day a fortnight is the same as missing four whole weeks of school a year? If this occurs every year from Prep to Year 12 that adds up to 1.5 years of school missed! Whilst there are often good reasons why a student can’t come to school it is vital that holidays are planned during school holidays where possible, and not during the term if it can be avoided. This link will provide you with some common reasons students miss school and the recommended way for you to manage this. Please contact your child’s teacher or a member of the Principal Class Team if you would like support getting your child to school EVERY DAY.

 

Updated Covid Guidelines

Albeit with less fanfare than we experienced in 2020 and 2021, we continue to operate and learn in the context of COVID-19. Many schools are experiencing significant illness in the staff and student community which is a concern of course for individuals’ welfare but also putting pressure on other staff, families and resources. 

 

I thought it would be helpful to include the updated guidance from the Department of Education around keeping our school safe and operational. The following are important points from the most recent guidelines:

  • Rapid antigen testing. It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff:
    • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
    • If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
    • If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19. 
    • The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.
    • Students (or their parents/carers) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.
    • We still have plenty of RATs available if you need any for your child or any member of your household. Please contact the office if you would like a box or 2.
  • Face masks
    • Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, and we have face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
    • The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. 
  • Management of suspected cases of COVID-19 in schools
    • A ‘suspected’ case means a person who displays any COVID-19 symptoms who has not yet tested positive for COVID-19. 
    • The staff member, student or visitor who is symptomatic should be recommended to undergo testing for COVID-19. Parents of students who are symptomatic should be asked to collect their child from school and to keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.
  • Management of confirmed cases at school
    • Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. 
    • There is no longer a requirement for principals to inform the school community of a positive case associated with the school.

A reminder that this Wednesday 31st May is a student free day. This is a Professional Practice Day for Teachers where staff are released from their scheduled duties to focus on the improved delivery of high-quality teaching and learning practices. TeamKids is operating for a full day. Please contact them directly for bookings. https://www.teamkids.com.au/venues/elsternwick-primary/

 

Save the Date – Learner Showcase at EPS on Tuesday 18th July, 3.30pm to 5pm

All parents and Carers are invited to attend ‘Learner Showcase’ Sessions on this afternoon at EPS. It will be a wonderful afternoon where students will share their learning in various ways. Stay tuned for further information in coming weeks.

 

Have a great week, Michael Portaro