Hi everyone

We start December on a high after completing a successful Prep transition program for Kinder kids for 2024.  The final camp for the year ended Friday 1^st December. The year 3 Camp was held at Camp ADANAC in Yarra Junction. It is a huge organisational process to make our outdoor education program operate smoothly. Our experienced staff and great planning has been valuable in ensuring everyone had a memorable experience. We are very grateful to the parent helpers who attended and worked very hard to contribute to the students’ experience. The children loved the opportunity to go on camp and it remains a highlight of the school year for students.

Year 3 + 4 swimming program commences Monday 4^th December for eight days.We are able to offer this program due to a DET funding grant. 

Commencing Monday 5 February 2024, I have approval from Region to reduce my Principal role to a 3 day time fraction. Tandy Johnson has been appointed Acting Principal in charge of the school for the days I am not on site. As background information, in August 2023 the Department announced a new funding strategy to encourage potential leaders to experience school leadership. As part of this strategy, we have been successful in getting approval and funding from DET to engage in the strategy. We are one of the first schools in the Region to gain the funding.  Tandy Johnson will work Monday and Tuesday plus have a cross over day on Wednesday with me to share and build her experience. This additional day is funded by the Department. The net effect is the school has 1.2 Principals.  i.e. Tandy works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and David works Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  This is an advantage for the school and for Tandy who learns to build her leadership capacity.  Furthermore, while Tandy shifts into the Acting Principal for 3 days, she is back filled by Shelley Gunn who has been appointed Acting Assistant Principal for 3 days.  The same funding arrangement operates for the acting Assistant Principal role. Stephen Hayes remains part-time Assistant Principal continuing his roles and responsibilities with a focus on Student Welfare for 3 days like he has done in 2023.  

Cara Grant and Michelle Lucas continue to coordinate and lead our Curriculum Development and programs.  Janine Tucker continues in the role of Mental Health and Well being coordinator.  The overall plan provides strong leadership and depth and is very exciting for the school and our leadership and middle managers.  

Here is the latest update of classrooms for 2024:  We will operate 22 classes and we are very pleased to offer the following structure. Today, the mix of students per class and all year levels are identified below. 

Preps will have 21/22 students per class x 3 classes

Year 1will have 23/24 students per class x 3 classes 

Year 2will have 20/21 students per class x 3 classes

Year 3will have 27/28 students per class x 3 classes

Year 4will have 23/24 students per class x 3 classes

Year 5will have 21/22 students per class x 4 classes

Year 6will have 26/27 students per class x 3 classes

Our student placement process for classes has been determined. In each class we have a mix of student attributes that include academic, social and emotional considerations across each level to form even groups. Wednesday 13 December is our first transition day where students will meet their teachers and peers for2024.

A full teacher list for 2024 will be posted soon.  Student reports are being finalised.

We are offering a broad range of specialist subjects for 2024. Specialist programs will include Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Library and Auslan. 

Other great initiatives on offer will include the Tutor Learning Initiative (Tli). Our school has received funding to assign part-time teachers to lead programs tutoring students who need assistance in literacy and numeracy. This is a very successful initiative year 1 – 6 is offering a significant benefit to many children across all year levels.

Student Excellence program. This is a highly valued initiative that is funded for 2024.Student extension in literacy and numeracy is provided for middle and senior years students.

Mental Health and Well being Coordinator initiative has enabled our school to support teachers and students. With continuing funding from DET we reappoint Janine Tucker to coordinate a range of specific initiatives from the mindfulness centre. The program and support Janine provides for staff and students is excellent.

Additional Services for 2024:  We have a range of paraprofessional,teacher and aides operating. This is a talented group of staff working to offer a comprehensive and integrated support model.  This team support our class teachers and includes Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapist, Disability Inclusion manager and a co-ordinator, Visiting Teacher Service staff for hearing and vision, Support and Extension teachers, Integration and Teacher Aides.  

Our Instrumental Music program continues for 2024 with Adam Roach’s Music School.Adam Roach has been teaching guitar and drums at ENPS for 21 years and has employed staff to lead drums, guitar, keyboard and singing in small group configurations. This is an exciting opportunity to introduce your child to learning a musical instrument at school.  The program will be open to all year levels.

Upcoming events include the following

Monday 4 Dec: Start Year 3 + 4 Swimming program

Wednesday 6 Dec: Our annual Community Picnic, BBQ, singalong.

Monday 11 Dec: Year 6 Graduation Night

Tuesday 12 Dec: Year 6 go to Secondary schools for Orientation Day activities

Wednesday 13 Dec: Our first Orientation sessions for current year prep – 5 students

Thursday 14 Dec: Our second Orientation sessions for current year prep – 5 students

Monday 18 Dec: Year 2 + 3 + 4 Big Day Out events + Year 5/6 Survivor Day

Tues 19 Dec: Year 5 + 6 Big Day Out events

Wednesday 20 Dec: Last day and final assembly @ 1.00 pm Dismissal is at 1.30 pm

Future dates for 2024. Are you ready !

Monday 29Jan: Teachers only day for preparation and administration

Tuesday 30Jan: Prep Interview day and Year 1 – 6 students commence their first day.

Wednesday31 Jan: Preps commence their first day 9.00 am – 12.50 pm

Big News for 2024.  The school will celebrate our 100^th Anniversary in May.  We look forward to this significant celebration.

Thanks again to all our students, parents and staff who make up the ENPS school community.

Regards David Foley