EHPS Contact

Principal's Report

Dear parents and guardians, 

EHPS Financial Contributions 2023

Our School Council is proud of the quality of the facilities and resources available for our students to enjoy and few schools match the numerous programs that we offer to cater for student’s needs. At Essex Heights, the continuous improvement of student learning and the children’s continued health and wellbeing is central to everything we do. This year we look forward to another great year of teaching and learning. With this in mind, we would like to advise you of the EHPS voluntary financial contributions for 2023. Please refer to the details on the EHPS Financial Contributions 2023 page of this newsletter or the EHPS Parent Payments page on our school website. You will receive a Compass notification next week about the 2023 financial contributions, and we ask you to please act on this as soon as practicable. 

School Council Election

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within state-wide guidelines. School Council in collaboration with the school leadership sets the strategic direction for the school

 

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

 

This year nominations for parent and Department of Education representatives on school council will open next Monday 20 February 2023. Nomination forms will be available from the Office or from the school website. Nominations for the four (4) available parent positions and one (1) School Employee positions will close at 4pm on Monday 27 February 2023.

 

Later in this newsletter, please refer to the School Council page for the Notice of Election, School Council Election Timeline as well as School Council Information for Parents. 

 

I would like to thank our five retiring parent representatives, Nicole Allison, Kim Huynh, Angela Millan, Anthony Netkow and Kaye Nolan, as well as Ina Kuehlich, our School Employee representative, for their commitment to our school, their guidance, advice, and in particular for the support they have shown to me and our EHPS community over the past two years. I would like to especially thank Jennifer Bittner for her leadership of school council over the last two years and for her unwavering support for the betterment of our school.

Parent / Teacher ‘Meet and Greet’ Get to Know You’ Discussions

It was pleasing to hear that so many parents and guardians made the time to have meaningful discussions with their child’s teacher/s this week. These meetings were an opportunity for teachers to get to know more about your children, and to set the basis for an excellent partnership between home and school. If you were not able to attend a meeting this week, please contact your child’s classroom teacher to arrange a catch up. 

Please remember that if there is any issue that impacts upon your child emotionally, physically or academically, it is best to inform your child’s classroom teacher. Teachers will always be pleased to make appointments for a meeting when required.

Instrumental Music

The Essex Heights instrumental music program is the envy of most schools because of its breadth and the quality of the results achieved by the children under the guidance and tuition of our fantastic music staff. 

As a result, our program is in very high demand. Weekly lessons and ensembles combine to give students a fine start to making and enjoying music. 

Our skilled and excellent teachers offer a wide range of instruments:

  • Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium – Concert and Contemporary bands
  • Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass – String Ensembles
  • Guitar, Ukulele – Guitar Ensembles
  • Drums/Percussion – Percussion Ensembles
  • Harp – Harp Ensemble
  • Piano and Keyboard

If your child enjoys listening to music and you are interested in your child being a part of our outstanding instrumental music program, refer to the Instrumental Music Program page of this newsletter for detailed information, including the recommended year level to start learning an instrument, and our school website for access to handbooks and enrolment forms. Contact our Instrumental Music Coordinator, Alyssa Kennedy, so that you can secure a place in the program for your child. 

Prep 2023

On Tuesday our 93 Preps completed their first full day at school. The children have settled in so well and they are enjoying their time both in and out of class. They have quickly understood the routines and structure of school, learned to navigate their way around our school grounds, really enjoyed playing on their playground, as well as learning many new faces.

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to meet every Prep class and to read them a story. The book was Polar Bear, Polar Bear, what do you hear? Several children were familiar with the book, all were interested in the many animals that made up the story. We talked about the animals and some of the interesting features of a few of them. 

I look forward to my next opportunity to work with our smiling and energetic Prep students.

Student-Free Day Reminder

Families are reminded that Monday 27 February is a student-free day. Staff will be participating in professional development on this day. If your child is enrolled in the OSHC  program, and you require care between 7am and 6pm on this day, please secure your child's place by booking on your Xplor Home app when bookings open. Please note that the after school soccer program will run from 3.30pm on the school oval on this day. 

 

 

I look forward to seeing you all around the school and at the PFC Welcome Event next Friday, 24 February. 

Kindest regards,

George Perini

Principal