CALENDAR DATES

Term 4 6

th October Term 4 Commences

16th

October Prep 2015 – Transition 2 16

th October Media Road Show – Year 5

16th

October School Council Meeting 19

th October Working Bee

21st

October Healesville Sanctuary exc. Year 1 22

nd October PFA Meeting – Staffroom – 7.30 pm

23rd

October Maths Tal. Quest – Award Cerem. 30

th October Music Count us In

31st

October Showcase 2014 – Robert Blackwood 13

th November Prep 2015 – Transition 3

13th

November School Council Meeting 15

th November Trivia Night – School Hall

18th

November Prep 2015 - Information Evening 4

th December Prep 2015 - Orientation Day

4th

December School Council Meeting 9

th December Yr 6 Orientation Day at Sec. School

12th

December Yr 6 Graduation Ceremony - Hall 19

th December Last day for 2014 – 1.30 p.m. finish

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome back everyone for what promises to be a very exciting Term 4 at Essex Heights PS. I trust that you were all able to enjoy a relaxing time and that the children are refreshed and ready for the learning opportunities that the teachers have planned for this Term.

Many of our children have again enjoyed a fantastic Vacation Care Program under the management of Paul Davis and his staff. This is a wonderful service to the families in our community and is a great feature of Essex Heights PS. Thanks again to Paul and team for providing a quality program for all the children.

I am really looking forward to our Essex Heights “Showcase”, the children and teachers are rehearsing and preparing to present another amazing show. Next week some important information will be sent out about the Showcase to be held at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University. There is a great deal of information to be provided and I urge you to read it carefully to ensure you are fully informed about the arrangements for the evening. Tanya Dolence, Lisa Carne, Alyssa Kennedy and Joan Scott are co-ordinating Showcase and working together with our instrumental staff, teachers and parents. We are all looking forward to the opportunity and enjoyment it will create for our students and their families. We are also looking forward to all members of our school community being involved.

This year we submitted nine entries in the ‘Science Talent Search’ conducted by the Science Teachers Association of Victoria. We were very pleased to receive notification that one child received a Bursary Prize of $35 in recognition of her project Congratulations to Zoe G who was also a special prize winner last year. Well done also to Anastasia S, Lachlan S, and Edwin N who received Certificates of Merit. Thanks to all the children and families who supported and entered this competition. Thanks also to Marita Steward who organised our participation, and to Renae Simpson who acted as a Judge for the Competition.

During the next few weeks we will be focussed on the indicative Student Resource Package (School Budget) for our school and the accompanying staffing structure this will enable to occur at Essex Heights PS next year. At this stage we expect to continue with 24 classes and this represents capacity for us. There has continued to be very strong enrolment interest for 2015 as many families in the Mt Waverley area have become aware of the outstanding educational opportunities and facilities available at Essex Heights PS.

In terms of class sizes, the Prep to Year 2 grades will continue at around 20 - 24 students whilst those at Years 3 - 6 comprise numbers between 25 - 28 students. We would also expect to continue our current commitment in the provision of our specialist and support programs.

ISSUE 29

9th October,

2014

Teaching staff are now beginning discussions regarding the placement of children in grades for 2015. This is a complex task as there are many factors to take into account to try and get the best mix for all students to learn to their utmost. When developing class lists, teachers ensure that each class has an equitable spread of boys and girls with a range of academic abilities. Student compatibility and behaviour is also taken into account and students are placed with some friends with whom they work well. This process takes many hours of consideration and planning with the main objective being to place students so that their learning potential is maximised. I would ask that if you have matters that are of interest to the educational wellbeing of your child, please complete the form that is available on the Essex Heights website and return to me by Friday 17

th October. This, of course, is not a case

of parents selecting teachers for their children, but rather an opportunity for me to gain an insight into the matters you see as important to the educational wellbeing of your child, and to consider this carefully in the allocation of students to classes. This information will be handled by me in a confidential manner at all times. Please contact me if you have any further queries in this area.

Recently we received the results from the ICAS English Competition. These National competitions see a number of children test their skills and knowledge in the area of English. I would like to congratulate all the children who participated and in particular highlight those listed below for their outstanding achievement in receiving special recognition. A terrific endorsement once again of the high quality teachers and students we have here at Essex Heights PS. Thanks to Carolyn Walker for her work in facilitating these competitions for the children.

ENGLISH RESULTS YEAR 3

CREDIT – top 20% DISTINCTION – top 10% HIGH DISTINCTION– top 1%

Kiska A Jeremy C Ruby H

Lewis C Abby S

Sophia C Jake S

Jack F

Sithusa P

Evelyn S

Kathryn X

YEAR 4

CREDIT– top 20% DISTINCTION– top 10%

Jay Syn C Orlando C

Ashley N Lynn N

Jonathan T Marvin O

Visith W Charlotte P

Sophie X Anjali S

Alex Y Daniel V

Jenny Z Lea W.C.

YEAR 5

CREDIT– top 20% DISTINCTION– top 10%

Megan C Cindy L

Minji C April L

Quynh D Petro P

Jeremy L

Edwin N

Timothy W

Leo Y

YEAR 6

CREDIT– top 20% DISTINCTION– top 10%

Paige B Oscar C

Chantel D.L.S Tej K

Jonathan G Bryan L

Phoenix H Daniel L

Viktoria M

Roan N

Sean N

Veronika P

Marg Z

Consistent with our SunSmart School Policy we expect our students to wear a hat in Terms 1 & 4 to protect against UV and the sun. This is a reasonable position and I would ask that you assist us in this area. Whilst caps might be popular, they usually give little protection, particularly for the ears. I would urge you to assist us to protect your children by purchasing an approved Essex Heights Hat from our uniform shop, PSW in Mt Waverley. See you around the school, Andrew Crossett

FROM THE HEALTH CENTRE Please be aware that Chicken pox is still around. There are a few kids over various year levels that we have been notified that are currently away with it.

Signs and symptoms - a mild fever; - feeling tired and irritable; - itching; - rash. The rash usually first appears on the chest, back or face. It then can move to other areas of the body including inside the mouth. At first, the rash looks like small pimples. These later become blisters full of fluid.

How is it spread ? Chickenpox is highly contagious, which means it is very easy to catch. It can be spread by either having direct contact with the person who has chickenpox, from coughed fluids from their chest or by touching the liquid from the blisters. Children with chickenpox are infectious from one to two days before the rash first appears until the last blisters have dried up.

Just be on the lookout…..

Key points to remember

o Chickenpox is very easy to catch. o Antibiotics will not cure chickenpox. o Treatment is usually for the symptoms, such as rash, not the infection. o The rash usually starts between 10 to 21 days after the first exposure to chickenpox. o Chickenpox is infectious for one to two days before the rash starts until the last blister has dried.

Please refer to RCH website / Kids Health Info, Chickenpox- Varicella for more information.

Julie Zuk First Aid Officer

Berita Bahasa Indonesia! Bahasa Indonesia – ‘Ikut Kami - Come and Join in’!

Just a reminder that our ‘open sessions’ will be held during Week 3 of this term. Parents/grandparents/special friends are invited to join us for an Indonesian lesson (primarily a craft making focus) during your child’s scheduled class for that week. Children are bringing home an invitation this week with the details. We look forward to you visiting Alex ‘Bu’ Douros

PARENTS & FRIENDS ‘NEWS’ Welcome back to the final term for the year, hope you all enjoyed your holidays. The Trivia night is coming up on the 15th November so get your groups together and let the fun begin…. Enjoy your weekend, Betty Ciorciari

MUSIC COUNT US IN

The children are getting very excited learning the song for Music Count Us In which will be held on Thursday 30th

October. There are more than 500,000 students who will participate nationwide as they unite to sing the same song at the same time, right across Australia. To find out more about the song go to www.musiccountusin.org.au

DON’T FORGET – Please report to Front Office to sign the Visitor’s Book and get a Visitor’s

Label before proceeding to the Canteen. FRIDAY 10th October

10.00 a.m. Anna Ascar, Karen Lam

MONDAY 12th October 11.00 a.m.

Louise Power, Rose Wang

WEDNESDAY 14th October 10.15 a.m.

Erica Baddeley, Jo O’Mara

FRIDAY 16th October 10.00 a.m.

Robyn Perkin, Polly Chiu

Find out what free

Children’s Week activities (18-26

October) are happening

across the state at

www.education.vic.gov.au/childrensweek#childrensweekvic

Prep Transition 2

Thursday 16th October, 2014 11.45 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.

Numeracy - Children will participate in fun mathematics in the

Prep Rooms. On this day we ask you to

bring your child to the School Hall again.

Children should bring a named, filled

water bottle.

Parent Session – School Readiness

Prep Transition 3

Thursday 13th November, 2014 11.45 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.

Literacy – Book your child in for fun with Literacy in the Prep

rooms. This session will be run by the Prep Teachers.

Bring your child to the School Hall to find out which classroom

your child will visit today. Children should bring a named, filled

water bottle.

Parent Session – Meet School community representatives, PFA

and School Council.

Parent Information

Evening - Prep 2015

Tuesday 18th November, 2014 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.

For parents of children ENROLLED for Essex Heights Primary

School who will be commencing Prep in 2015. This will be an

opportunity for the 2015 Prep team to inform parents about:

Start of year procedures

What your child needs to bring to school

A typical Prep day.

Child care available.

Please R.S.V.P. by 14th November, 2014

Orientation Day

Thursday 4th December, 2014 9.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

Children are to bring playlunch and lunch today as well as a

drink and hat. Session will include playtime with Year 5

buddies. Children can be dropped off ready for a 9.30 a.m.

start and parents will then collect them at 1.00 p.m. An

opportunity for last minute shopping!

Bookings are requested for ALL sessions. To register your attendance, please ring the school Office

on 9807 4944 or email the school

essex.heights.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

FATHER’S DAY STALL

SCHOOL TRANSITION SESSIONS

Essex Road, Mount Waverley. Vic. 3149 Phone: 9807 4944

Email: essex.heights.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Web: www.essexheightsps.vic.edu.au

ESSEX HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL

OCTOBER 2014

Tm 4 commences

Prep 2015 Trans 2

Media roadshow

School Council

Working Bee

Yr 1 – Exc Healesv. PFA meeting Maths Talent Quest

Ceremony

Music Count Us In Showcase 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

Prep 2015 Trans 3

School council

Trivia Night – Hall

Info Eve Prep 2015

DECEMBER 2014

Prep 2015 Trans 4

School Council

Yr 6 Orientation

Day at Sec. Scl.

Yr 6 Graduation

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

MENTAL ARITHMETIC WITH

ABACUS Program 儿童珠心算

An amazing program is now available to interested

parents with children from Prep to Year 6 where

students can learn mental and manual arithmetic

with abacus. This is a “Whole Brain Development”

program with a proven concept that can improve

arithmetic skills and also enhances the mental abilities

like concentration, observation, visualization,

imagination and memory.

Tuition Fees: $19.00 per session (1 hr 15 min per

session)

Abacus set plus 1 exercise books: $26

Venues: Time: After School Hours

Glen Waverley

Mount Waverley

Please contact Choon Lim at GCM Abacus Method:-

Mobile: 0431 616 364 After hours: 03-9758073

Email: choonbaelim@yahoo.com

FSA FREE TRIAL

> FSA Mt Waverley are launching their Term 4 program at Pinewood Primary School this weekend! > > Sat 11 Oct > 9am 5-7 years > 10am 8-9 years > 11am 10-12 years > > and >

> Sunday 12 Oct

> 10am 5-7 years > 11am 8-12 years > > Call Tim on 0434.522.038 to book your FREE TRIAL"