CALENDAR DATES

Term 4, 2014 12th December Last day for Canteen for 2014 12th December Year 6 Graduation – 5.30 p.m. School Hall 16th December Reports go home 17th December Year 6 Big Day Out 19th December School Banking last session 19th December Last day School – 1.30 p.m. finish Please note earlier dismissal time Friday 19th December - 1.30 p.m. Term 1 2015

28th January Staff return 29th January Students Years 1 – 6 commence 30th January Students Prep commence 30th January School Banking starts for 2015 18th February PFA Meeting 18th February Chess Ideas classes commence

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Class/Building Allocations A great deal of thought and planning has gone into the allocation of classes to buildings for 2015. Many factors have been taken into account with the prime focus being on keeping Year Levels together in the same building, as far as possible. Consequently, there will be some changes from the structure we have had this year. The grade/building configuration will be; Eucalyptus Preps = 4 classes Yr 1 = 3 classes Banksia Yr 5 = 3 classes Yr 6 = 3 classes Violet Yr 1 = 1 class Yr 2 = 5 classes Yr 3/4 = 1 class Portables Yr 3 = 2 classes Yr 4 = 2 classes All Specialist programs will continue in spaces occupied in 2014.

Class / Specialist Structures for 2015 The following represents the major roles for teaching staff in 2015. We again have 24 grades. Prep Melanie Boyle – E2 Prep Lisa Carne – E5

Prep Prep ZP Natalie Zaibak (0.6) & Lena Papadatos ((0.4) - E1 Prep Kristi Lloyd – E6 Year 1 Carolyn Wilson – (Yr 1/2 Co-ordinator) – E3 Year 1 Jessica Chan – E7 Year 1 Marg Fitzpatrick – V1 Year 1 Glynn Campbell – E4 Year 2 Linda Fisher (0.8 Yr 2 Team Leader) & Verity Bright (0.2) – V5

Year 2 Year 2 Sarah Trebilcock – V6 Year 2 Lois Banahashemi (0.8) & Verity Bright (0.2) – V2 Year 2 Marita Steward – V7 Year 2 Kirsten Lightfoot – V3

Year 3 Year 3 Maria Capsalis – (Yr 3/4 Co-Ord (0.8) Carolyn Walker (0.2) – P2 Year 3 Year 3 Jenny Austin (0.8) & Carolyn Walker (0.2) – P1 Year 3/4 Year 3 / 4 Sonja Ludvik – V4

ISSUE 38

11th December,

2014

Year 4 Andrew Russell – P4 Year 4 Alexandra O’Connor – P3 Year 5 Janet McGinn – (Yr 5 Team Leader) – B1 Year 5 Con Papanicolaou – B2 Year 5 Brianna Hendy – B5 Year 6 Anita Dix – (Yr 5/6 Co-Ordinator) – B6 Year 6 Kelvin Tang – B4 Year 6 Renae Simpson – B3

Specialist Team Program for Students with Disabilities Kathy Halliday (0.8) – Specialist coordinator Visual Arts Anne Wootton (0.6), Carolyn Walker (0.4) Music Tanya Dolence Physical Education Ben Wooster Languages – Indonesian Alex Douros Literacy/ESL Intervention Annegret Talman (0.4), Helen Broderick (0.4), Pam Rowler (0.4) Teaching & Learning Coach Linda Fisher (0.2)

Principal Team Assistant Principal Joan Scott (0.8) Assistant Principal Ina Kuehlich Principal Andrew Crossett The allocation of our teaching staff to classes is a complex process involving considerable negotiation and arrangements. We are farewelling Lauren Braithwaite for 2015 as she is taking leave to experience teaching in Queensland. We also farewell two long standing Essex Heights teachers who have decided to retire and explore life outside of education. To Julie Millett (20 years at Essex Heights) and Anne Scerri (21 years at Essex Heights) we say thank you for all you have given to the children and families of this community. Good luck and best wishes for the exciting next stage of your life. Additionally, there are a number of our wonderful Education Support Staff who are also retiring and leaving education. Thanks and best wishes to Judy McLoughlin (14 years at EHPS) and Shirley Grondman (14 years at EHPS) who are leaving at the end of the year. Thanks and farewell to other ES Staff who, for a variety of reasons, will not be here in 2015. We appreciate greatly the contribution of Fong Poh Tai-Curteis, Chris Cavill, Lee-Ann Pascoe and Angela Davey and wish them well for the future. We also welcome three new teachers onto the team for 2015. Kelvin Tang returns to Essex Heights (after teaching Yr 6 in 2013) to a Yr 6 class; Con Papanicolaou in Yr 5; Alexandra O’Connor in Yr 4. We are really pleased to have these high quality teachers joining our staff here at Essex Heights PS. Finally, as already noted in Contact, we welcome the part-time return of Lena Papadatos two days week into the Prep program.

Student placement This complex task has been occurring over the last few weeks. Our students will have the opportunity to meet with their 2015 class teacher on Tuesday 16

th December.

Student Reports We also expect to distribute these to all parents on Tuesday, 16

th December as scheduled. If you would like to make an

appointment with our staff in relation to any matters raised, please contact your child’s class teacher.

Early Dismissal – Friday December 19th – 1:30pm A reminder to parents that school will finish on Friday, 19

th December at 1.30 pm. We will, of course, have After School

Care commencing from this time. As is traditional, we will have a final assembly at 12.45 pm and this will be conducted in the school Hall. Please note that our final newsletter will be distributed next Wednesday 19

th December.

School Return – 2015 School will resume for our students in Year 1 – 6 on Thursday 29

th Jan 2015. Our Prep students will commence on Friday

30tht

January 2015. See you around the school, Andrew Crossett

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE (B.A.S.C.) On Friday 12

th December, the program will operate out of the Library due to the Grade 6 Graduation Dinner.

On the last day of term, the 19th

December, the program will operate from 1.30 pm till 6.00 pm. On Monday 15

th December the program will have its annual Christmas Party for the children in the hall.

There are still some families whose accounts have not been paid. Can you please ensure your account is paid in full by the 17/12/14. Enrolments are now being taken for the Vacation Care Program 2015. Thank You Paul Davis

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS

When sorting through your School Uniforms over the holidays please put aside any items that may be suitable to donate to the School for the Second hand Uniform Stall. Pack them into bags labelled "Donations" and then place in one of the green Lost Property Boxes. Thanks

Berry Ciorciari

Berita Bahasa Indonesia!

Indonesian Puppets – help required please We have some wooden Indonesian puppets that are in desperate need of repair. If there is anyone who would be able to assist, it would be greatly appreciated. They are mainly missing a central wooden stand consisting of a long ‘stick’ and base. Student Workbooks Just a reminder that student workbooks will remain in the Indonesian room, to be used next year. Parents are invited at any time to come to the Indonesian room and share your child’s language learning with them by looking through the activities. Naturally Year 6 students will take theirs home, along with any other students not returning to Essex Heights in 2015 (please help your child to remember to take it home if this is the case). Terima kasih Alex ‘Bu’ Douros

Tomorrow, Friday 12th

December, is the last day for Canteen for 2014.

Thank you to all the volunteers. We could not have done it without you. Have a safe and happy Christmas and see you next year.

1.

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM With our constant efforts to improve the instrumental program at Essex Heights, we are introducing Ongoing Enrolments in 2015.

When your child is currently enrolled in a lesson or ensemble and this is to continue the following year, re-enrolment forms have been discontinued.

Should your child be commencing study on a new instrument, joining an ensemble or changing the type of lesson, a new form on the website should be completed.

To withdraw from lessons, please contact Alyssa Kennedy via email kennedy.alyssa.a@edumail.vic.gov.au.

We would appreciate you notifying the School of any changes to your enrolment by Monday, 15th December for

incorporation in our plan for 2015. Documents on the school website will be divided into two sections:

For Continuing Students: For Beginning Students: 2015 Instrumental Update

for all instruments and ensembles

Policy changes

2015 payment structure

2015 Handbooks

Instrument advice

Types of lessons

Ensemble

AMEB Exams

Hire/Purchase of instrument

What you need

Payment Structure

Enrolment form 2015 Handbooks and Instrumental Update are available on the School website.

SCHOOL BANKING DON’T FORGET - As usual school banking will be running on the last day of term Friday, 19/12/14. We will then

deliver all banking pouches directly to your children’s classrooms so they can be taken home for the Christmas holidays. I would also like to remind everybody that your child will only receive their bonus interest for the months of January if they make at least one deposit in January. We will recommence our banking program on Friday 30/01/15. Please put the date in your calendar so you don’t miss out on your bonus interest. You are able to deposit money at a branch or over the internet into your child’s account. However, the school only receives commission from the bank if your child banks through the school banking program. This year the school received over $2500 from the Commonwealth Bank in commission which is a fantastic effort. 88 new students joined the program. If you have not ordered your Reward last week, please do so tomorrow or the last day of term. The following children are eligible to order an award at the moment Kexin S., Georgette I., Stephanie B., Nathan W., Zachary A., Monique A., Cindy L., Gaurav J., Christos G., Reika Y., Raymond J., Alexander P., Orlando T., Gianfranco V., Nicholas T., Kyla W., Keat H., Kayla S., Rachel N., Camryn R., Gabriel T., Liam M., Ron X., Emily L., Dejan R., Jeet T., Eli K., Anastasia K., Malavika C., Isla P., Isabella B., Nabeeha A., Nandita C., Annabelle X., Ella S., Jake S., Yuna L., Anthony K., Maria G., Daniel H., Aarush P., Abhiraahmi K., Abby S., Jackson F., Evelyn L., Thomas F., Sarah M., Dylan Y., Kahleb N.

Award items available are:

Blue Wallet (2013 item) Dollarmites Beachball (new) Dollarmites Slap Band Ruler (new) Headphones (2013) Knuckles (2013) Pat Moneybox (2013) Projector Cup (delivery Term 1, 2015) Pru Moneybox (2013) Scented Pencils Sea Streamers Shark Keyring Spen Moneybox (2013)

Swimming Bag (delivery in Term 1, 2015) I would like to thank to all parents, teachers and staff for supporting the school banking program for 2014 with special thanks to the loyal volunteers that give up every Friday morning to help. We look forward to next year!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the school banking team.

Creative Dance Classes 2015

Essex Heights Primary School

After School Dance classes will continue to be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays in 2015 for students in Prep to Year 4 at Essex Heights Primary. Classes are conducted by Georgia Lombard from Creative Dance and Drama and will take place in the Stadium. Prep / Year 1 will be on Mondays & Years 2-4 will be on Wednesdays. Classes begin at 3.40 pm and finish at 4.25 pm. The Term 1, 2015 Dance program commences on the following dates: Prep/1 6 sessions $60 Monday 9th February (No class Monday 10th March – Labour Day) Year 2-4 7 sessions $70 Wednesday 11th February The program provides children with the opportunity to:

Learn basic warm up routines

Learn a choreographed dance routine

Create their own movements

Perform the dance for a small audience at the end of the term If you would like your child to participate please obtain a registration form from the school office or visit creativedanceanddrama.com and request your desired form via the contact page. Georgia Lombard Creative Dance and Drama 0402 024 891

ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

DECEMBER 2014

Christian RE

Service – Hall

9.30 am

Yr 3 Exc Art Gallery

Prep 2015 Trans 4

School Council

Yr 6 Orientation

Day at Sec. Scl.

Parent Helpers

Moring Tea –

11.00 am Hall

Last Canteen Day

Yr 6 Graduation

Yr 6 Big Day Out

JANUARY 2015

Staff return Students in

Yrs 1 – 6

commence

Students in

Prep commence

FEBRUARY 2015

Creative Dance

starts

Chess Ideas starts

PFA Meeting

PRODUCTS & SERVICES ADVERTISED IN ‘CONTACT’ ARE PLACED ON A PAID BASIS AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY BEING PROMOTED BY ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL