Success for All

Epping

Heights Public School

TERM 1 | WEEK 2 | 04/02/2021

128 Kent Street, Epping 2121 p: 9876 2791

e: eppinghts-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au w: eppingheights-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

NEWSLETTER IN THIS EDITION

Principal Report | Growth mindset, Kindy with buddies, Kindy Parent morning

tea, Be safe, Be respectful, Communicating with teachers, Engaged Community,

Digital safety, General School Information

Other Information| P & C Information

Classifieds

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome back to the new school year! A special welcome to our Kindergarten

students, new students and families. We look forward to a long and happy

learning journey with you all.

Children in Year 1-6 have settled quickly and are busy learning about our

school rules, safe health procedures and growth mindset.

Growth mindset is important for all learners (students, teachers and adults) as

it helps us believe in the power to change and improve. At EHPS we teach

students to have a growth mindset and face challenges.

For more information, please watch this clip so you can support growth

mindset at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday February 5

Swimming Carnival

Tuesday February 9

Be Skilled Be Fit Gym begins – Stage 3

P & C Zoom Meeting – 7:00 pm

Thursday February 11

Be Skilled Be Fit Gym begins – Stage 2

Wednesday 17 February

Kindy School Photo Day

Newsletter articles due by COB Monday

It has been lovely to see all of our students happily learning and playing. Kindergarten have been very settled in their

first week of big school. They have already shown they are becoming independent and have enjoyed having lunch and

playing with their big Year 6 buddies.

NEWSLETTER

We enjoyed being able to welcome our Kinder parents with a quick morning tea on day one. Thank you to Mrs Yeo and

the P & C mums for helping set up and being here to welcome parents and answer questions. It is this lovely, supportive

and welcoming atmosphere that EHPS are proud of. We hope the health landscape continues to strengthen so we can

return to more events onsite for parents.

NEWSLETTER

Be Safe

Please ensure you follow the health and safety guidelines as sent on enews last week. All visitors to the school

(including parents who need to pick up children early for an appointment) must go to the office and sign in using the

NSW Heath QR code AND a visitor acknowledgement form.

As the back gate is closed each day between 9:20am-2:30p.m all visitors should only use the front Kent St entry during

the day.

Parents are asked to leave school grounds immediately after school each day. Please do not stay to play on the

equipment. The playground is closed after school.

Be respectful

We have a wonderful relationship with the neighbours around our school. Please ensure you follow the road and parking

rules. This includes NOT parking across driveways. It is important people can get out of their driveways to leave incase

of an emergency or to go and pick up their own children.

For more information please visit https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/parking.html

Communicating with teachers

Children need a few weeks to settle into school and routines. For information and support to start the new year please

visit

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/practical-help-for-parents-and-carers

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/many-parents-dislike-composite-classes-but-the-evidence-does-not-support-

their-anxiety-20150413-1mk4g9.html

Teachers have access to information about student learning from last year and they also assess students to see where

they are at now. Rest assured last year’s teacher will also make a time to pass on any confidential information to this

year’s teacher where needed.

In the next few weeks we will hold our ‘Meet the teacher’ sessions. This will allow you to meet your child’s class teacher

and hear general information about our school, the grade and how the class will run. Please check the newsletter next

week for more details. Please also see attached our general information letter.

NEWSLETTER

Your child’s class teacher is the best person to speak to first about issues, concerns, changes to family structures,

health needs or other information. The Executive team including myself and Mrs Cairn (Deputy Principal) are also

available should you need to speak to us.

Early Stage One- Kindergarten- Mrs Zucconi

Stage One- Year 1 & 2- Ms Moran

Stage Two- Year 3 & 4- Miss Gerard

Stage Three- Year 5 & 6- Mr Buckman

At any time throughout the year, should you wish to contact your child’s class teacher or a member of the executive

team (including myself), the most effective way is to email the office eppingheights-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Please

write your child’s name and class and a brief summary of the question or issue. Alternatively you can just request a

confidential call or email without outlining the issue. Emails will be forwarded to the class teacher who will respond to

you as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours). Please remember teachers are on class and have playground duties,

meetings and other commitments so they may not always be available to speak to you immediately. They are also not

required on duty before 8:35a.m or after 3:05p.m or on weekends. If you email, the teacher will make a time to email or

call you. If they are unavailable or if needed, a member of the executive team will contact you.

We advise against emailing the class teacher directly for a number of reasons. Teachers must prioritise teaching their

students. They do not always get a chance to check their emails or they may have to take leave and their email may not

be attended to. By emailing though our office, we will ensure that if a teacher is absent or busy or unable to answer your

question, someone else will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please note- due to mandatory communication and professional learning meetings, staff are not available Tuesday 8:25-

9:05a.m and Wednesday 3:05-4:30p.m.

Engaged community

Connecting and engaging with our parent community is highly valued at EHPS. We hope that there are many more

opportunities to hold community events and return to some of usual ways we work with parents. Currently we are only

asking for our scripture and ethics helpers and band parent helpers. More information about processes will be sent to

those parents shortly.

A great way to become an active part of our school and share your thoughts, ask questions and give suggestions is to

attend our monthly P & C meetings. You are all warmly invited to our first meeting of the year this coming Tuesday 9 th

February at 7p.m. Meetings occur via zoom so it is easy to join us. At the coming meeting I will be sharing important

information about the development of our school vision and Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). For more information

please see the P & C section of the newsletter.

Digital safety

Students are currently learning about online safety. Thanks to the generous donations from parents and use of school

funds, each class has 1 device (laptop or ipad) between 2 students. We also have access to our fully equipped

technology centre and each classroom has an interactive whiteboard. As such, children do not need to bring their own

devices for learning.

Developed in consultation with our P & C, our Digital Device procedure states that ‘the use of digital devices and mobile

phones by EHPS students is not permitted during class, at recess and at lunch unless approved by a teacher or the

school principal for an educational purpose, where use forms part of a reasonable adjustment for student learning and

wellbeing or where an exemption has been granted for other reasons.

NEWSLETTER

Where possible digital devices and mobile phones should be left at home.

If a student brings a personal digital device (mobile phone, laptop, smart watch including space talk watches, iPad) to

school the student must:

● Turn the device off upon entering school

● Leave the device in school bag

● Not turn on the device whilst on school grounds

No responsibility for the security of digital devices (from theft or damage) is taken by the school.

If a student is required to carry a digital device or mobile phone to and from school for family reasons, they should follow

school procedures. It is advisable to label the devices with the students name and class. All contact with students who

are attending school must be made through the school office via email or phone.

If a personal digital device (mobile phone, laptop, smart watch including space talk watches, iPad) is used by a student

on school grounds, the student is breaking our school rules, be safe, be respectful and be responsible.

Consequences

• The personal digital device will be removed from the student

● Parents will be contacted

● Digital device will be returned to the student at the end of the school day’

Thank you for supporting a wonderful start to the school year. We look forward to working with you to support your

child’s learning journey.

Kind regards

Ms Megan Bridekirk

PRINCIPAL

NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents/Caregivers, We hope you find the following general school information helpful.

Supervision Learning

session 1

Recess Learning

session 2

Lunch Learning

session 3

Home

8:35am 9:05am 11:05am 11:25am 12:50pm 1:45pm 3:05pm

Note: There is NO direct supervision of children who arrive at school prior to 8.35am or after 3.05pm.

On the rare occasion you may be late, please phone the school office so your child can be given the message

and advised of your alternative arrangements.

School rules

Our school teaches Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL). Our school rules are: Be safe, be respectful and be

responsible. We aim for maximum time spent on learning and minimal time spent managing behaviour. Our vision is

for our students to be confident, resilient and creative learners who contribute positively to society. We ask that

parents work with us to model appropriate behaviour and values. Students are required to wear full school uniform

including a hat when outside. For sun safety, students not wearing a hat will be told to play or sit down in shaded

areas.

Interviews

We value home-school partnerships. If you would like to discuss questions or concerns about your child’s academic or social progress, the first person you should meet is your child’s teacher. Should you wish to speak to staff

(including class teachers, executive teachers and the Principal) you are welcome to make a time by calling the office,

emailing the school or sending a note with your child. Please remember that staff have a duty of care to students,

meetings and extra commitments. It is difficult for us to give you our full attention and best response if you try to

‘catch us’ without notice.

Please note- due to mandatory communication and professional learning meetings, staff are not available

Tuesday 8:25- 9:05a.m and Wednesday 3:05-4:30p.m. For further assistance please contact the Principal Ms

Bridekirk via the office.

Attendance

Attendance is monitored by the Department of Education Home School Liaison Officers.

Whole Day Absences When your child has been absent, please send a written note or go onto the enews app to

explain the reason for the absence. This is required within 5 days. Attendance is monitored by the Department of

Education.

Partial Absences (arriving late or leaving early) Students arriving after 9:05am must be accompanied by an adult

to the front office to explain their late arrival. Students then give their printed late slip to their classroom teacher. This

is recorded as a partial absence and is monitored. If it is necessary for you to pick up your child early, you will need to

visit the Office first. The printed slip is then given to the classroom teacher when you pick up your child.

Epping Heights Public School 128 Kent Street, Epping 2121 Phone: 98762791 Fax: 98766872

Email: eppinghts-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website: www.eppinghts-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Travelling to School

Parents are important role models in teaching children to ‘Be safe’ around roads. The school car parks are for staff

only. Children should not use the car parks to enter or exit the school. Please be aware of the bus zone, the 40km/h

speed limit around the school and the crossing in front of the school. The Kent Street ‘Kiss and Drop’ area only permits

parking for 2 minutes. When walking to school please use the footpath.

Emergencies

In case of an emergency, it is important that the office has an up-to-date list of emergency contact numbers for

each student. Please ensure you update your phone numbers and any other details as needed. If you have an

urgent message which needs to be relayed to your child during the day, please contact the school office staff on

029876 2791.

Health care

If your child’s health care needs change or if your child is diagnosed with anaphylaxis, allergies or asthma- please contact the office to organise a health care interview so we can best meet your child’s needs.

Keeping Informed

To keep informed about the exciting things happening here at Epping Heights please ensure you check our weekly

newsletter and the term calendar on our school website. The school website is the first place to access information

about the school. Permission notes for school activities, excursions or incursions are also posted. Sign up to eNews to

get the school newsletter sent directly to your device. http://www.eppinghts-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/permission-notes

Facebook allows, parents to access up-to-date videos, photos and posts regarding school and classroom

activities. Additional information regarding the cancellation or postponement of excursions or carnivals will also be

posted.

We usually host a ‘Meet the teacher’ parent session at the start of each year so you can say hello to your child’s

teacher and hear information about the class and school. Information about this event will be posted in the newsletter

and on enews.

Office

Mrs Anna Carter is our School Administrative Manager (Relieving) and she leads a wonderful team. Office hours are

8:35am to 3:15pm.

Parent Helpers

Parents and community members are valued as an integral part of Epping Heights Public School. There are numerous roles that parent and community volunteers can be involved in to support the school in its core business of improving learning outcomes for students. Parents and community members who are able to support our school must read, follow and sign our Parent and Community Helper Agreement each year and attend an induction. Information about this process is usually shared at our Meet the teacher information sessions at the start of each year. P&C

All are welcome to attend and participate in the EHPS Parents & Citizens Association (P&C). Regular meetings

are the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in the library. At times this may vary. Changed dates and times

will be advertised in the newsletter.

Uniform

The uniform shop is run by parent volunteers. Currently the uniform shop offers online orders only. https://eppinghts-

p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/e/eppinghts-p/Uniform_Shop_Online_Ordering.pdf All student

belongings must be clearly labelled with a first name and an initial for the surname. Lost property is located undercover

between the canteen and the hall. For more information about uniforms please visit https://eppinghts-

p.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-our-school/what-we-offer.html

Canteen

The school does not currently have a canteen in operation. Students must bring all food and drinks from home. Please

ensure your child has enough water for the day as bubblers are currently closed. Students can refill drink bottles from

classroom taps.

Sport Houses

There are 4 school houses for sporting and other activities: Bradman (Green), Thorpe (Blue), Freeman (Yellow) and

Laver (Red). Children are assigned a house when they enrol and will remain in the same house every year.

School Contributions

Each year the school asks each family to make a voluntary contribution. The money is used specifically for purchasing resources for the students’ use in the classroom. Detailed information about fees and contributions will be sent.

For more information about our school, please visit our website: www.eppinghts-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

We look forward to working in partnership to

support your child.

P & C REPORT

Epping Heights Public School P&C General Meeting - Tuesday 9th of February 2021 @ 7pm on Zoom

Joining the EHPS P&C is a great way to contribute to the quality of your child’s education and help to shape the

school’s future. Your contribution can be as large or as small as you can manage. It’s also a great way to meet other

parents from the school.

If you are interested in joining the EHPS P&C for 2021, the annual membership fee is just $1. The easiest and

quickest way to join is through Qkr!

Members from last year – please remember membership needs to be renewed each year and you can renew your

membership via Qkr! App.

All members of the school community are welcome to attend P&C meetings held throughout the year, however only

financial members are able to vote.

Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, meetings will be held online via Zoom.

If you are interested in joining the P&C or want to find out more, please email the EHPS P&C

at ehps.pnc@gmail.com .

Zoom link will be forwarded to those that has registered interest in joining the general meeting.

NEWSLETTER

EHPS 2021家委会诚挚邀请您的加入

加入我们的家委会，从而参与到对学校事务的决策，可以让孩子更多得感受到您对他/她学习的关注和重视。

这也同时为他们以后帮助他人和回馈社会树立了好的榜样。

家委会2021年的年费是$1.10。请通过Qkr! APP支付。 您所支付的年费可以让您在家委会的议题上拥有投票

权。 如果您没有支付年费，我们也欢迎您旁听我们的每月会议但您不能参与投票或担任家委会职位。

如果您有任何问题，欢迎email: ehps.p.n.c@gmail.com

2021年义工需求

学校家长和社区公民委员会（EHPS P&C）与学校紧密合作，为提升校园生活环境和家长与学校的良好沟通而

服务。

学校家长和社区公民委员会（EHPS P&C）在多方面为学校做出贡献：

• 在经济上支援教室设备更新；

• 组织和执行学校筹款活动；

• 统筹学校乐队活动；

• 为学校提供出售校服、购买读物、学生个人账户存款等服务。

为了这些活动可以继续得到正常运转，我们需要家长的积极参与和帮助。

我们还在努力寻找愿意做以下职位的家长义工：

• 委员会主席 – 带领会议，代表家长和社区公民委员会

• 秘书 – 记录会议和处理手续

• 筹款代表 – 组织和执行学校的筹款活动

• 校园设施维护代表 – 每学期组织一次家长来到校园内的修理服务

• 银行活动代表 – 组织学生的个人账户存款活动

以上职位是可以与他人一起分担的，并且我们会提供有力的支援。不需要任何经验，非常欢迎新的面孔加

入！如果您有兴趣或想询问更多细节，欢迎通过邮ehps.p.n.c@gmail.com来联系我们。