Welcome Back

Welcome back to Term 2! I have very much enjoyed meeting students, staff and parents over the last few days and have been made to feel very welcome by all. One of my favourite things to do is visit classrooms and to see and hear about learning across the school. Look out for great examples of student effort and learning in future newsletter editions.  

To help me in getting to know the school and understand our areas of strength and potential areas for further development, I have met with the recently appointed P&C President and with our 2025 Student Leaders and I am continuing to have individual conversations with staff members. There is an overwhelming sense of pride in our school for everyone that I have spoken with so far. I look forward to working together with you to support all students to continue to succeed and thrive.

Term 2 School Development Days

Last week, before students returned and as part of the School Development Days, staff participated in professional development that focused on implementation of the High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy. This covered various topics, including quality enrichment, extension and extracurricular programs, and exploring the social-emotional domain with practical ways to promote student agency.

This focus on high potential and gifted education was for all NSW public schools to ensure that every student receives the support they need to excel. Thank you to staff members on the school’s focus team who prepared and delivered a full day of high-quality learning for our staff.

In addition, staff completed annual CPR training as an important part of student safety and ensuring staff are current in their understanding of best practices for responding to emergency health situations.

Luna

We all enjoyed having Luna, our Therapuppy, at school for the first time on Monday. Luna greeted students at the gate before visiting almost all of the classrooms. Luna’s handler, Genevieve, was impressed by how our students followed the rules and respectfully interacted with Luna. Luna will be at our school every Monday and will spend time with target groups and individuals across K-6.

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School and Community Events

Since starting, I have really noticed the strong sense of community at EHPS. This has been evident throughout the various P&C events this week. This started on Saturday with the Election BBQ and cake stall, where there was a steady flow of community members enjoying the tasty offerings throughout the day.

The Mother’s Day Stall gave students the opportunity to shop for a special gift for their mothers, grandmothers and special women in their life, and it was great to see so many community members attend our Mother’s Day breakfast this morning. These events would not be possible without the hard work of our P&C volunteers. Thank you to everyone who gave up part of their week to volunteer and for making these community events possible.

You would have already received information about the next P&C meeting to be held on Tuesday 13 May at 7.00pm. Hopefully, having the option to attend face-to-face or virtually means that many of you can join. This is a good opportunity for you to be a part of formal decision-making and help make a difference to your child’s school and education. I hope to see you there.

Cross Country Carnival

There were lots of excited students ready to test their endurance at this week’s Cross Country Carnival. All students made it around to the finish line and were encouraged along the way by their highly supportive classmates, teachers and parents. I would like to thank Miss King and all staff that worked to make the event run so smoothly. Well done to all students that have progressed to the Zone Cross Country Carnival.

Voluntary Contributions

Our voluntary contributions assist the school to supplement funds provided by the Department of Education. These contributions enable the school to provide improved resources and facilities to enhance student’s learning experiences. All families will be sent the Voluntary Contributions email via School Bytes next week. We request that, where possible, payments are made by the end of Term 2, 2025. Your generous donations enable us to enrich the learning opportunities for all children attending our school. Thank you!

Student Reports

This term we will be introducing updated school reports. The new format has been developed by the NSW Department of Education in response to feedback from parents and educators to make reports easier to read and understand. Your child’s report will still show their progress across all subject areas.

Teacher comments will appear in English, mathematics and the general comment section. The general comment for Kindergarten also covers all other key learning areas including creative arts, HSIE, PDHPE, and science and technology. A new achievement scale and descriptions are included to provide a clearer picture of your child’s progress.

Details of these changes and what to expect in your child’s report will be shared through a parent information session later in the term. Student reports will be available for you to access on the School Bytes Parent Portal on Wednesday 2 July.

School Bytes App

Just a reminder if you don't already have the School Bytes parent app with push notifications enabled, it's a great way to get instant notifications of time-critical information from the school (eg. bus is running late or PSSA training has been cancelled).

Ryde Rotary Public Speaking Competition

This week, we hosted the annual Rotary Public Speaking Competition. This event includes students from both public and Catholic schools in the Ryde area. Each school had two students representing them, and this year, our representatives were Esther (5/6P) and Lily-Eve (5/6S).

The calibre of speeches was extremely high and both girls did a fantastic job with their speeches on topics chosen by Ryde Rotary – ‘My biggest concern for the future is...’ and ‘How to become a millionaire’. Congratulations to Esther and Lily-Eve for all their hard work in preparing for this speech. Both girls demonstrated confidence, projection, eye contact and considered content. A big well done to Lily-Eve who progressed to the finals! Thank you to Ms Hull and members of the Ryde Rotary who coordinated this event.

Students Achievements Outside of School

I always enjoy hearing about student achievements and endeavours outside of the school gates. This week I heard about Lily-Eve (5/6S) who recently competed in the NSW Short Walks Championships and placed 2^nd place in the age 11 girls 1000m race walk. Lily-Eve achieved a personal best with a time of just 4 minutes 54 seconds. Well done, Lily-Eve!

Please let us know of any exciting achievements by emailing the school, so that we can acknowledge and celebrate as a community.

If you speak a language other than English and need help talking with our staff, please telephone the interpreter service on 131 450. This service is free. Listen in your language or see How to contact the Telephone Interpreter Service.

Wishing all Eastwood Heights’ mothers, grandmothers and mother figures a very Happy Mother’s Day for this Sunday and thoughts go out to anyone who finds Mother's Day challenging. I hope that you are deservedly spoilt with love, cuddles and appreciation from your little (and big) ones.

James Lockwood

Relieving Principal

Student Parliament: Student Voice: Walk to School

Walk Safely to School Day in 2025 will be held on Friday 16 May. This annual event, organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia with support from NSW education, encourages primary school children to walk or actively commute to school. The aim is to promote the health, road safety, and environmental benefits of regular walking, not just on this specific day, but every day. Data shows less than 25% of NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, down from 75% 40 years ago.

Our Wellbeing and Safety Ministers will coordinate school leaders, class representatives and all ministers to great students at all gates on Friday 16 May, from 9:00am. They will have conversations with peers about ‘being a safe road user.’ They will handout tattoos 3-6 and colouring-in/ activity sheets K-2.

Primary schools can support their parents and carers with advice about:

• Walking safely to and from school
• When can I let my child travel to and from school independently
• Starting high school safely

Transport for NSW advice:

• Hold your child's hand
• Walking safely together to and from school
• Children’s and supervised crossings

Translations are available in 15 community languages

The difference between a children's crossing and a pedestrian crossing

Please read the attached City of Ryde, School Zone Road Safety News.

Free Car Seat Checks

Keep your child safe

Your primary aged child is still developing an understanding of danger and safety. While they are often keen to do things for themselves, an adult must always be responsible for your child in the traffic environment.

Read the road safety information below about how to help keep your child safe. Share the information with all of the adults who care for your child.

Also take some time to explore and talk about the Safety Town activities with your child.

Watch the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, explain the unique approach NSW takes to road safety education.

https://www.safetytown.com.au/families/

NSW Public Schools Student Survey

In Term 2, EHPS students in Years 3-6 will have the opportunity to participate in the NSW Public Schools Student Survey, which replaces the Tell Them From Me survey. The new survey will give students the chance to share their thoughts and feelings about life at school, including questions about engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school.

Hearing directly from our students will help us understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made to our school. The survey is confidential, takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and will be conducted online during school hours. Participation is voluntary, and an opt-out consent form was included in the Week 10 newsletter at the end of Term 1. 

Classroom teachers will support student understanding of the survey over the next couple of weeks. The survey will be implemented from Year3-6 from Weeks-4-8.

Mother's Day 2025

Thank you to Mrs Krystal Vaux and the P&C for our wonderful Mother’s Day Breakfast! It was absolutely delightful to witness the happiness and love being shared while enjoying a smorgasbord of delicious food and drinks! 

A huge thank you to Mrs Anjiri and our Senior Choir for their beautiful performance of ‘Stargazing.’  

Live Life Well @ School

We hope that you all have had a fun and refreshing school holiday break!

This term, we’re excited to share some great initiatives to support your family’s health and wellbeing!

Did you know there is now a Go4Fun online option?

Go4Fun online is a FREE healthy lifestyle program for primary school-aged children and their families to learn practical skills to make healthier food choices and move more at a time and location that suits their family.

The online program includes:

• 10 x online self-paced modules (around 30 minutes each).
• A personal health coach to provide weekly support tailored to the family.
• Online community access to chat to other participating families.
• Family fun activities.
• Prize reward for tokens earnt throughout program.

Register here: https://go4funonline.com.au/signup/

Screen Time Webinar for parents and carers

Screen Savvy Parents: Empowering Parents & Carers to Tackle Screen Time Impacts and Support Healthy Habits.

The Northern Sydney School Years team, along with local councils, is excited to offer a FREE webinar to primary school parents and carers on managing screen time and building healthy habits at home.

Join screen use management expert, Brad Marshall (aka The Unplugged Psychologist) for this free, online webinar to provide practical insights and strategies to help parents and carers navigate their child's screen use.

Date: Wednesday 28 May 2025

Time: 6:30-7:30pm

Where: Online via Microsoft Teams

 Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/49a9b177-d1f2-4700-8b40-2f19e7850074@a687a7bf-02db-43df-bcbb-e7a8bda611a2

Coming up in Term 2

• National Reconciliation Week - 27 May to 3 June 2025

• NAIDOC Week - 6 July to 13 July

Students at EHPS will participate in the Baya-Talk Program on Thursday 26 June 2025.

The Djalgala Baya – Talk cultural immersion program provides 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 are 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.

This 40-minute session builds students’ understanding of Aboriginal ways of communicating and offers educators practical examples to continue using yarning circles as a respectful and inclusive teaching method within the classroom.

Students and staff look forward to this wonderful cultural immersion incursion!

Ljiljana Prothero

Stage 3 Assistant Principal

K-2 Awards

3-6 Awards

YOU CAN DO IT Award

Jordyn 3K - Persistence

Luna 2M - Getting Along

Nayara KS - Organisation

Alex 3/4H - Persistence

Alex 3/4H - Getting Along

Hi Everyone

Welcome back to Term 2.  Canteen is busy serving up warm lunches to our hungry pupils.  The weather is changing and there are delicious warm choices on our menu to suit everyone’s taste buds. 

Please note the rosters for this term and if anyone has a spare morning from 9:30am to 12:30pm please come and join our happy team of volunteers to help out with lunch orders and enjoy a great cup of coffee and free lunch.  I hope to see you soon.  Please phone me at any time on 0418 418 047 if you would like to volunteer.  All help is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Nancy

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