Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter

Dates to remember

Term 3 

Principal News

NAIDOC Week 

Students participated in last week’s Djalgala incursion to kick off our NAIDOC Week celebrations. Throughout this week, students have engaged in a variety of activities to deepen their understanding of this year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’, that acknowledges the enduring impact of ancestors on current and future generations. Thank you to Ms Prothero, Miss Cini-Powell, Mrs Cook and Mrs Chan for coordinating these activities. Read below for more information about the engaging NAIDOC incursion. 

Celebrating dance 

We are feeling very proud of our 3-6 Dance Group who have been selected to perform at this year’s Ryde Schools Performing Arts Festival. The judges were so impressed by the video submission that the group was not required to complete a live audition as part of the application process. Congratulations to all students involved in this achievement. We look forward to the combined schools festival in Semester 2. 

Excitingly, we also have 10 students that auditioned and have been chosen to represent the school at this year’s Schools Spectacular. This is a significant achievement, as the Schools Spectacular is a large-scale event showcasing students from across NSW. Our students will be performing as part of the primary combined dance. This is an amazing achievement and we look forward to watching this spectacular performance in Semester 2.

Mrs Cook, Miss Kelly and Ms Hull are very excited and proud to be involved in this opportunity with our students. 

Behaviour expectations 

As we reach the end of the term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of positive behaviour within our school community. Positive behaviour not only enhances the learning environment but fosters respect, cooperation and a sense of belonging among students. 

Our school is committed to upholding the department’s Behaviour Code, encouraging all students to demonstrate respect for themselves, their peers and their teachers. This code serves as a guide to help students make positive choices and understand the impact of their actions. It supports effective work between school and home, as we work together to support safe, respectful and responsible learners.  

Throughout this term, I have seen many examples of students demonstrating inclusive and safe behaviours, from helping classmates in need to showing kindness and respect in their interactions. I always feel proud to observe in action and to hear from teachers about the many positive behaviour choices or acts of kindness displayed across our school. 

As the school holidays arrive, I encourage you to discuss the Behaviour Code with your child. Reinforcing these values at home can help to create a consistent message about the importance of positive and respectful behaviour and respect.

Conduct on the bus 

It is every student’s responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and the driver, remembering that they represent our school while they are wearing our EHPS uniform. We have received several reports of students catching the bus at different stops, standing or moving around, making lots of noise and sitting in non-standing zones. If your child uses the bus, please remind them of the behaviour expectations.

Staffing updates 

Miss King is taking leave in Semester 2 to complete further studies overseas. She will be greatly missed by students and staff, and we wish her all the best. Mrs Cook (Monday-Thursday) and Mr Wahbe (Friday) will be teaching 5/6K for the remainder of the year. In addition, Mr Wahbe will be teaching our science RFF program on Monday-Wednesday. Mrs Argyle is returning to the Library in Term 3. I would like to thank Mr Shrubsole who has been our librarian for the term.  

Celebrating Mrs Galati 

Congratulations to Mrs Galati who has been awarded the prestigious Metropolitan North Operations Directorate Executive Director's award for her significant contribution to education. Mrs Galati has demonstrated outstanding service and an unwavering focus on our students throughout her role as classroom teacher. She has actively led many initiatives across sport, debating, public speaking, choirs, Wakakirri, Student Parliament and student-led community initiatives. Mrs Galati is a very deserving recipient of this award and we are grateful for the significant and lasting impact she has had on our students and staff.

Achievements outside of school 

Congratulations to Tiffany (4K) who has been awarded a gold award for her performance in the Sixth International Zhang Violin Competition. The standard was extremely high and Tiffany put in many hours of practice. Well done, Tiffany! 

Samantha (4P) has been training hard and competing in several Aussie Skate competitions, organised by the NSW Ice Skating Association. Well done to Samantha for earning three medals in her last four competitions. This is an amazing achievement!  

School tours 

I was pleased to welcome so many people to our first school tour, as part of our orientation program for Kindergarten in 2026. The session involved information about our school, an address by our student leaders, performances by our Senior Band and a walk around the school. Thank you to Mrs Sparrow for all her work put into making it such a successful event. 

School upgrades

We have some exciting school upgrades beginning over the holidays including new fencing, upgrades to the canteen and an upcoming new shade sail over the ropes course. 

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Winter school break. The first day of Term 3 for all students is Tuesday 22 July. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school then! 

James Lockwood 

Relieving Principal 

Focus on learning - Stage 1

Excursion – stepping back in time! 

This term, Stage 1 students had an exciting excursion to the Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education, where they stepped back in time to explore the rich history of education in New South Wales. The experience not only captivated their imaginations but supported their understanding of historical contexts and storytelling. Students reported to their teachers that they were grateful for how some aspects of schooling have changed! 

Creative writers 

Back at school, students have been diving into imaginative texts. They have been busy crafting their own stories and developing their writing skills, with a focus on punctuation, capitalisation and dialogue. Students have been encouraged to make their narratives more engaging by using interesting features that capture the reader's attention. It was great to see 1/2C at the publishing stage, after time spent editing and revising using feedback from the teacher, and ready to publish their own stories.  

Students in Year 2 have enjoyed exploring graphic novels and thinking critically about how images and text work together for different purposes. 

Data in action 

In mathematics, Stage 1 students have been collecting data on various topics (including bird types, eye colours and favourite foods) and presenting their data using simple graphs. They have been refining their skills in addition and subtraction through hands-on activities before representing their findings using bar graphs. This practical approach to learning has sparked curiosity and fostered a deeper understanding of data representation. 

Wellbeing News

Education Week 2025

Education Week is an annual celebration of NSW public education and the achievements of our schools, teachers and students.

Education Week provides our EHPS learning community with a fabulous opportunity to showcase our active engagement and our wonderful teaching and learning practice. The theme for Education Week 2025 is Ignite your potential.

Students will actively participate in igniting their potential by participating in various rotational activities with their peer support buddies during our Ignite-a-thon.

Students can wear clothes that reflect their career choices in the future! Students will rotate through set activities in peer support groups.

EHPS Ignite-a-thon 2025

Term 3, Week 3, Tuesday 5 August

The Ignite-a-thon. is a very important fundraiser for the school. Help us in our stellar effort in raising much needed funds that will enable the school to purchase new and innovative resources and programs that will enhance the educational and wellbeing outcomes for our students.

How to Fundraise:

• Go to: https://chuffed.org/project/ehps-ignite-a-thon-2025
• Please click 'Donate', enter the dollar amount and your details
• Make sure to select the class and the student from the list.
• Students are encouraged to seek funds for their participation in the activities. Parents, family, neighbours and friends can sponsor a student by donating any amount.
• There will be no fundraising prizes or class competitions, as the school realises the financial pressure many families are experiencing.
• Fundraising is now open and closes on Friday September 5

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disabilities in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal. Translated Fact sheet for parents, guardians and carers are located at https://www.nccd.edu.au/tools/fact-sheet-parents-guardians-and-carers

NAIDOC Week

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. 

As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors. 

The Aboriginal Education Team has worked hard to enable our school community to embrace every story shared, reflect on every act of resilience and value every cultural practice celebrated, to honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future.

Students K-6 and staff participated in a Djalgala Baya-talk Cultural Immersion Program on Thursday 26^th June. The program provided students with a calm and reflective experience grounded in Aboriginal cultural practices. Through ochre paint-up, a traditional sweeping ceremony, yarning circles, and the practice of Dadirri (deep listening), students were invited to slow down, connect with Country, and listen with respect and intention. A yarning circle is a traditional Aboriginal practice that creates a safe and respectful space for everyone to speak, listen, and be heard. It encourages open, honest conversation and promotes equality by allowing each person to share without interruption. Yarning circles are used across generations as a way to pass down knowledge, strengthen relationships, and resolve conflict. As the weather becomes warmer in Term 3, we look forward to continuing to use our yarning circle as a respectful and inclusive teaching area within our school.

Bullying No Way Week: National week of action

Bullying No Way Week is returning 11–15 August 2025.

Bullying No Way Week is Australia's key bullying prevention initiative for schools. It provides an opportunity our school to create a shared understanding about bullying behaviours and reinforce our bullying prevention policies and strategies.

Together, we can foster practical approaches to prevent bullying in Australian schools.

The theme for 2025 is 'Be bold. Be kind. Speak up.'

It takes courage to spark change.

Bullying is everyone's responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate.

Students can be bold, kind and take a stand to support others being bullied. While parents and teachers are there to support children and young people learn how to behave in a positive way.

In our community and in our school, we want a place where everyone can belong, a place that celebrates everyone, and where bullying is never accepted.

This Bullying No Way Week, we're asking students, schools, families and communities to be bold and say something, be kind and support someone, and be proud to take a stand against bullying.

Parents and carers have a key role in preventing and responding to bullying. Please go to https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-families for additional information. 

Parliament

Jordan Lane MP Visit

It was wonderful to have Jordan Lane MP For Ryde attend our lunch time parliament meeting on Tuesday 19 June. He posted  on Instagram-  a fantastic initiative that elevates student voices (which are way too underrepresented) and helps build important leadership and decision making skills ❤️ We spoke about some local road and transport challenges for the school, an update on their program of student-led activities, and life as an elected MP.
Hoping to show these future Ryde MPs around the @nswparliament soon 🙏🏛️

Parliament Sitting Term 3

As we come to the end of Term 2, we celebrate and applaud the achievements of our Student Parliament and look forward to new initiatives in Term 3! On Tuesday we had our Parliamentary Sitting for Term 2. All ministers presented their ministerial reports which highlighted their achievements and shared initiatives for Term 3.

Church Food Drive

A huge thank you to our school community for your generous support in donating food items to our Ryde Church Food Drive.

Thank you to our Student Parliament Events and Fundraising Ministers; Leena, Abhi and Jianuo and the Arts and Cultural Affairs ministers; Jayden, Charlotte and Lydia for coordinating our successful drive. Also, all the other children that assisted in collecting the items from the classrooms, throughout our 3 weeks of donating.

Our generous donations will greatly assist members of the community who are in great need for our support.  

I had the pleasure of dropping off our donations to the church group on Saturday. They were quite impressed with the amount of food we had donated and quite thankful for our support.  It was going to go a long way helping the families that need it. 

Mrs Galati

City of Ryde School Holidays

For school holiday information go to https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Events/School-Holidays

Have a safe and well-deserved break everyone! See you all in Term 3!

Ms Ljiljana Prothero

Stage 3 Assistant Principal

Student Activities

Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking  

On Tuesday 10 June, we had the pleasure of hosting the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking local final. This public speaking event not only enhances confidence but also promotes an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. Alex L. and Luca V. from Year 4 competed in the junior competition and Joanna W. and Emma O. from Year 5 competed in the senior competition.  

All the speakers demonstrated a high level of skill, and their speeches were truly impressive. Alex, Luca, Emma and Joanna delivered their speeches exceptionally well. Our junior speakers, Alex and Luca, both earned highly commended certificates for their outstanding efforts. Congratulations to Alex, Luca, Joanna, and Emma for their achievements and for representing our school with such pride. 

Ms Hull 
Public Speaking Coordinator 

Spelling Bee 

We are excited to announce that our school recently hosted its annual 3-6 Spelling Bee competition! Two students from each class in years 3 to 6 showcased their incredible spelling skills and enthusiasm for words. The participants faced challenging words and supported one another throughout the competition. 

Congratulations to all the students who took part, as their hard work and dedication were truly commendable. Special recognition goes to our top spellers Moa M. (junior) and Golden L. (senior) who demonstrated exceptional talent and perseverance. 

Golden and Moa will now be representing Eastwood Heights next term in the Regional Final of the Premier’s Spelling Bee. We wish them both every success. 

Ms Hull 
Spelling Bee Coordinator 

Literacy and Numeracy Corner

Awards

K-2 Merit awards

3-6 Merit Awards 

Congratulations to the following students on their Bronze awards 

P&C News

It’s been another exciting and productive term for the P&C, with several key milestones reached and preparations underway for our biggest event of the year. A heartfelt thank you to all our amazing parents, carers, and volunteers – your time, energy, and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact on our school community! 

✅ Canteen Refurbishment Update 

We’re thrilled to share that our canteen refurbishment project continues to progress well. Thanks to a generous grant from Bendigo Bank Epping, we have now purchased and installed a new fridge, ice cream freezer, two additional freezers, and a coffee machine. These appliances have significantly improved our food storage and service capabilities, making the canteen more efficient and better equipped to meet the needs of our students and staff.  At the special P&C meeting held on 24th June, we reviewed the renovation quotes and are pleased to announce that Build Hack was selected, with the majority of the 14 respondents selected this vendor. Thank you to everyone who provided the feedback. The renovations are scheduled to begin during the school holidays and will include several improvements, most notably the installation of a commercial dishwasher, which will help streamline canteen operations and meet hygiene standards. We’re looking forward to unveiling a more efficient and modern canteen in the new term! 

☕ Parent Social Catch-Up 

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the informal parents’ catch-up at the North Ryde RSL Sports Club on 27th June. It was a great opportunity to connect and share ideas in a relaxed setting while children having fun with their friends. Stay tuned for more informal meetups throughout the term! 

🎆 EHPS Fireworks Spectacular 23rd August  

Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming EHPS Fireworks Spectacular – one of our school’s most loved community events! Save the date — Friday, 23 August — for an evening filled with delicious food, lively entertainment, and spectacular fireworks lighting up the sky. 

A huge thank you to every class for taking on a stall this year! Your support is vital in making the event a success and raising funds that directly enhance our school programs, resources, and facilities for all students. 

There’s still plenty of ways to get involved and help make this year’s Fireworks Spectacular truly unforgettable: 

• MC Needed! 
  We’re searching for an enthusiastic Master of Ceremonies to help host the performance program. Even an hour of your time would be amazing to keep the entertainment flowing and the crowd engaged! 

• Craft Stall Donations 
  Are you crafty? We welcome handmade items or craft kits for our popular Craft Stall. Think jewellery, candles, artwork, sewing projects, or ready-to-make kits — all creative contributions are appreciated! 

• Cake Stall Contributions 
  Calling all home bakers! Our Cake Stall is always a hit, so please consider donating cupcakes, slices, biscuits, muffins, or any other homemade treats. 

• 🤝 Sponsors Wanted 
  We’re still seeking sponsors! If you own a business or know someone who does, contributions of goods, services, or donations are incredibly helpful. Sponsors enjoy great promotional exposure throughout the event. 

• Raffle Prizes Needed 
  Help us build an exciting raffle by donating gift vouchers, products, hampers, or unique experiences for prizes. 

• Volunteers on the Night 
  Many hands make light work! Whether it’s helping on a stall, setting up, packing down, or running games and activities, your support on the night is invaluable.  

👉 Stay Connected! 

If you’d like to pitch in, have ideas, or need more info, please reach out to your class parent or the organisation and executive team. Whether you’re volunteering, donating, or simply bringing your family along to enjoy the festivities, your involvement makes all the difference. Let’s come together to make this year’s Fireworks Spectacular a spectacular celebration for the whole EHPS community! 

📅 Next P&C Meeting – Tuesday, 22nd July 

Our next P&C meeting will take place on Tuesday, 22nd July at 7:00 PM in a hybrid format. Join us in person in the school staff room or online via Google Meet. We encourage all parents and carers to attend as your voice matters! 

Join with Google Meet 
https://meet.google.com/jir-mcee-qaj?hs=224 
Join by phone 
(AU) +61 3 8594 5316  
PIN: 931831505 

Agenda: 2025-07-22 Agenda - Google Docs 

We wish you and your families a safe and relaxing holiday break. We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting and continuing to work together to support our school. 

Warm regards, 
EHPS P&C Committee 

Canteen

Wishing you all a very happy and relaxing holiday.  Stay warm!

 EHPS Canteen requires volunteers to help everyday to feed our hungry students.  We have an extensive menu with gluten free, vegetarian options available.  We will be introducing a special winter item for third term which we hope you enjoy.  Please place your lunch, recess and birthday boxes through Spriggy Online.  Thank you to all volunteers for your help this term.  Please see the roster below for July & August.

 Enjoy the break and looking forward to Term 3.

Nancy Scro

Canteen Manager

EHOOSH News

Band News

All bands have had a fantastic term of music! 🎶 Musicians have been quite busy this term and are learning new music and enjoying the experience of playing together as an ensemble.

Remember to keep practising during the holidays, as practice leads to progress, and progress leads to amazing performances.

• The Intermediate band is currently learning Havana, Happy, Dragon Run
• The Senior band is working on Raiders March/ Star Wars
• The Training band is working on Beethoven Marching Madness and Rock this band

Term 3 commences Tuesday 22 July 2025 for band and tutorial classes.

Here are some important dates for the next term:

• 4th August: Senior band to perform at Education Day
• 23rd August: Fireworks event with bands performing
• 12th September: Junior band performance
• 15th August: Intermediate band performance at school

Have a wonderful holiday and keep up the great work! 🌟

Kate Habkouk

0419630511 kate@actionmusic.com.au

Community Notices