4 April 2025
End of Term 1
As we come to the end of Term 1, we commend our incredible students and staff for their outstanding efforts. They have truly shone, achieving so much and creating a lively, productive atmosphere in every classroom.
Staffing Update
We are happy to share that Jake Burfitt has been appointed as our Deputy Principal for 2025. This is a wonderful achievement, and we extend our congratulations to him. Jake has been a key member of our teaching and leadership team, and we are confident he will thrive in this new role. He will assume the responsibilities of Deputy Principal from Monday to Thursday, while continuing his classroom teaching on Fridays.
With this change, we are pleased to welcome Yovani Pillay to our school community. Yovani will be teaching the class from Monday to Thursday, bringing her enthusiasm and expertise to Room 8.
Acquaintance Night and Family Picnic
The Acquaintance Night and Family Picnic was a wonderful and enjoyable afternoon. It was great to see families engaging with each other, and students took great pride in showing their families their classrooms and sharing their work. A significant amount of effort and time went into organising this event, and we thank the entire team for their dedication, time and effort.
Our SRC Executives have written a thank you to the businesses for their generous donations and support for our silent auction.
KESAB Initiatives
Recently, our site participated in a KESAB Bin Materials Audit, where students sorted through a day's worth of bin materials from all collection streams. This hands-on activity offered valuable insights into waste management and sustainability. The findings were shared with both students and staff, sparking discussions on how to improve. Moving forward, we will develop and implement strategies to reduce waste, with teachers and students working together to create an action plan for improvement.
NAPLAN Assessments
Students in Years 3 and 5 have completed their NAPLAN assessments in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language, and Numeracy. Jake dedicated considerable time to planning and preparing for the smooth delivery of the testing period. Results will be available to the school and families later this year.
Duty of Care Before and After School
We kindly remind all parents that our duty of care begins at 8:30 am and concludes at 3:30 pm each day. If your child needs to be at school outside these hours they must be accompanied by a guardian or attend Out of School Hours Care (OSHC). Please ensure that your children are not left unattended before 8:30 am, as we are unable to provide supervision prior to this time. Your cooperation in taking over the care of your children promptly at 3:30 pm helps us maintain a safe and supportive environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Thank you all for your contributions throughout this term. Enjoy a fun and relaxing break with your families. We look forward to seeing our students return on Tuesday 29 April.
Kind regards,
Kellie Bowden
Harmony Day
Harmony Day is a celebration of Australia's cultural diversity. It's a day to recognize and respect the many cultures that make up Australia. It's also a day to promote inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. During Week 8, Harmony Week, classes initiated discussions and activities around traditions and cultures, reflecting on the power of diversity and demonstrating how we care for each other and our environment. On Friday, the school community showed unity by wearing orange and displaying their collaborative artwork in the Sports Art Centre.
Sport
SAPSASA Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to our SAPSASA swimmers William, Jess, Steph, Archie, Isabella, Grace and Iris, who represented Eden Hills on Friday 28 February at the Southern Heights SAPSASA Swimming Carnival at Scotch College Pool.
Our students competed against other swimmers from our district schools, for selection into the Southern Heights Swim Team. They are to be congratulated for their enthusiasm, determination and their support for each other.
Top 4 placings:
Jess (12yo age group)- 1st 50m Breaststroke, 2nd 50m Freestyle, 2nd 50m Backstroke
Iris (10yo age group) - 4th 50m Backstroke
District Representatives
Congratulations to Jess and Steph who were both selected to represent the Southern Heights District at their respective State Carnivals!
Jess was selected in the District Swimming Team (4 April)
Steph was selected in the District Softball Team (played on 26/27/28 March).
Congratulations to both of the girls! Well Done!
Reconciliation Action Plan at Eden Hills Primary School
We are pleased to announce that Eden Hills Primary School is committed to developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our RAP aims to enhance teaching and learning by building student knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and contributions. It also seeks to foster and strengthen relationships, respect, and opportunities within the classroom, throughout the school, and within the broader school community.
Developing our RAP is a long-term commitment that requires ongoing reflection and collaborative effort. Our initial focus is to upskill staff and document our current level of commitment to reconciliation within and around the school. We are building our RAP using Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program. For more information about this program, please visit: reconciliation.org.au/Narragunnawali.
Ngaityalya / Thank you
EHPS After School Sports
This is a reminder to parents of students who attend EHPS After School Sports Programs.
The Sports Policy clearly states under the Parent Code of Conduct:
‘Parents must be in attendance at all times for practices and games unless previously negotiated with the coach. Where agreement has been made, parents must ensure their child is collected at the agreed time.
Parents must administer any medication required to their own child as part of any student’s Medical Health Care Plan.’
The Sports Registration & Medical Information document is crucial for ensuring that parents are aware of and agree to these policies. It is important for parents to support volunteer coaches by ensuring their children are supervised and engaged in the activities, rather than wandering unsupervised. This also extends to siblings of students attending practices on school grounds outside of school hours.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the EHPS Sports Policy
Netball and Soccer
Netball & Soccer starts next term, if you are interested in playing and have not already registered can you please follow the link below to sign up:
Attendance Matters
Fundraising
Starlight
Entertainment
Early Departure
Reminder: the last day of Term 1, Friday 11 April is a 2.10pm Dismissal
Lost Property
Lost property is collected, and every effort is made to return items to their owners. It is helpful when items are clearly named. In particular, don’t forget to name clothing which may be removed (e.g. track tops, track pants, hats) as well as drink bottles and lunch boxes.
We have a large number of unnamed items. Please make sure you check the rack outside the Office before the last day of term.
OSHC
Newsletter
Vacation Care
Pupil Free Day
Reminder Pupil Free Day Monday 28 April (First Monday of Term 2)
To book, visit CAMP Australia
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club will start in Week 2 of Term 2
Wednesday 7 May
Play Group
Playgroup will start in Week 2 of Term 2.
Friday 9 May
High School
Dogs On School Grounds
A friendly reminder that dogs are not permitted on school grounds at any time. There has been an increasing number of unleashed dogs seen at the school particularly on weekends and after hours which goes against the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 in situ. This legislation states no dogs or cats are permitted on school grounds at any time unless they are given approval by the principal or are trained assistance animals. If you have been using the school to exercise your pets after hours, we ask that you please choose an alternate location and if you know of others using the school for this purpose, please let them know of this reminder. If you observe people using the grounds with dogs after hours you can contact the Mitcham Council on 08 8372 8888.
Also, if you are waiting at the gate at drop off and pick up with your leashed dog please give some space to children going in/out the gate. Stand back a little and be mindful of children who are more fearful of dogs.
Community Notices
