General Information
Environment
At Essex Heights P.S. we believe in a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environment. We recycle paper using Visy bins, catch water under drinking taps to put on our gardens and reduce our rubbish coming to school by encouraging children to bring rubbish free lunches. We have established a thriving vegetable garden, where the produce has been used to make Bolognaise sauce for pasta, toasted treats and baked potatoes all flavoured with fresh herbs from the garden. Pumpkin soup is also on the menu. Did you know our sunflowers have even appeared in the Waverley Leader newspaper??? Classrooms are responsible for cleaning, clearing and planting sections of garden around the school. Children have painted school fences with thematic based art, made tiles to decorate native and sensory gardens and used mosaic to decorate breezeways. Keep an eye out for rainwater tanks and compost bins. We believe we can make a difference and create a positive and sustainable environment to enjoy and live in.
To support the philosophy of "Schools For a Sustainable Future" Essex Heights has decided to introduce the idea of HERO monitors in every grade. The acronym stands for Helpful Energy Resource Officers. A boy and girl in each class will become responsible for turning off electrical equipment in their classroom when not in use. They could be fans, air conditioners, lights, computers etc. All the items are listed on the back of their badge. Each child holds the position for 1 week and then 2 new monitors are chosen by the teacher for each new week. This way every body gets to share the responsibility for maintaining our piece of the planet here at E.H.P.S.
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Timetable
| 1st bell to enter School |
8.50 a.m. |
| Classes start |
9.00 a.m. |
| Morning Recess |
11.00 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. |
| Children eat Lunch |
12.30 p.m. |
| Lunch Play |
12.40 p.m. -1.30 p.m. |
| School Ends |
3.30 p.m. |
Teachers supervise the playground from 8.50 a.m. onwards at all times when children are in the playground until school ends. School is dismissed at 2.30 p.m. on the last day of each term.
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Term Dates
Terms and term holidays are set by the Department of Education and Training (D.E.T.). Notification of these dates is given in advance. They are also to be found on many calendars. All State public holidays are taken (Some are included in term holidays). There are a number of student free days per year for professional development and curriculum planning. Participation by parents in the professional development is encouraged. Notification of these days is given in the school newsletter.
| 2008 Dates |
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2009 Dates |
|
2010 Dates |
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| Term 1 |
29 January to 20 March |
Term 1 |
28 January - 3 April |
Term 1 |
27 January - 26 March |
| Term 2 |
7 April to 27 June |
Term 2 |
20 April - 26 June |
Term 2 |
12 April - 25 June |
| Term 3 |
14 July to 19 September |
Term 3 |
13 July - 18 September |
Term 3 |
12 July - 17 September |
| Term 4 |
6 October to 19 December |
Term 4 |
5 October - 18 December |
Term 4 |
4 October - 17 December |
For a full list of Victorian Public Holidays visit Information Victoria
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Health Centre
Essex Heights Primary School has a modern, well-equipped Health Centre. A Registered Nurse is employed to provide care to any child who may have an accident, become ill at school or require medication to be administered during school hours.
If a child has an accident or becomes ill at school, the first action of the school is to comfort the child, give first aid and medical assistance. Every endeavour is made to contact parents or the emergency contact number.
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Program for Students with Disabilities
The Program For Students with Disabilities supports the education of students with disabilities in Victorian Government schools by providing schools with additional resources. The resources are provided to schools to assist in the education of students with disabilities, not to individual students.
Essex Heights has been enrolling students who qualify for this program since the early 1980’s. The school is recognised as a leader for its inclusive approach to education.
Essex Heights has a strong philosophy of inclusion and as such is committed to ensuring that students with special needs have access to all the school has to offer – music, sport, excursions and camps. The school personnel are able to assist parents who wish to access the services of speech pathologist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist.
Many students will require a support worker to help ensure their inclusion and safety in school activities. The support worker will provide the child with the practical help he/she needs to access the curriculum and also promote the development of the child’s self esteem and self confidence, both fundamental for optimal learning.
Essex Heights has many experienced support workers who work under the guidance of the classroom teacher to provide a comprehensive and inclusive curriculum.
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Newsletters
The weekly school newsletter "Contact" is sent home every Friday with the youngest child in the school.
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Uniforms
Children are encouraged to wear the school uniform everyday. The uniform assists children to identify with the school and aids new students in their association with their surroundings.
Essex Heights is a Sunsmart school. During Terms 1 and 4 all children must wear a hat during sport, recreational time and other curriculum activities outdoors.
Uniforms are available from the School Uniform Shop (Building 2 breezeway) on Tuesday 8.30 a.m. - 9.30 a.m. or Thursday 3.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. or may also be purchased from the retail outlet, Melbourne Uniforms/Doncaster Schoolwear, 182 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn Monday to Saturday. (Phone 9877 9188).
The uniform prices are the same at both the School and retail outlets.
Uniform price list is available here
| Boys |
Girls |
| Summer |
Green T-shirt, white or green polo shirt and board shorts. School windcheater or bomber jacket, black shoes |
Summer |
Green & tan check A-line dress, green culottes & white or green polo shirt. School windcheater or bomber jacket, black shoes |
| Winter |
White/green polo shirt or green t-shirt and green tracksuit pants or gaberdine trousers. School windcheater or bomber jacket, black shoes |
Winter |
Green tracksuit pants or green/tartan culottes. White/green skivvy, long sleeve white/green polo or white blouse. School windcheater or bomber jacket, black shoes |
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Canteen
The canteen operates 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) as a service to our children. The Canteen Manager organises volunteer parents who staff the canteen. The parents who offer their services are rostered onto a specific group and given about six or seven duties a year, which are set out at the beginning of each year. The canteen cannot operate without parents to staff it. Requests are sent home at the start of each year for helpers.
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Parents and Friends Association
Any members of the school community are most welcome to join the P.F.A. The Parents & Friends Association aims to be of service to the whole school community through social and fundraising activities with emphasis on ultimate benefits to the children. The PFA will also act as a platform for any issues that parents wish to be raised and discussed. We are affiliated with the Victorian Federation of State Schools Parents Clubs (VFSSPC).
Meetings and activities will be advised through the school newsletter. We have found our PFA works best with a large committee. The PFA comprises of office bearers, committee members and members. Office bearers are elected, the remainder of committee being co-opted. There is no limit on numbers and ideally the P.F.A. would love to see all members becoming involved. Past experience has shown new ideas as well as many willing hands make a successful club.
Activities during the year are many and varied. The projects carried out on a regular and continuing basis include Fundraising, Special Luncheon Days, Mothers’ & Fathers Day’ Stalls etc.
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Chess
Chess is an important part of our curriculum at Essex Heights Primary School. It is a game which enhances concentration, perseverance, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills. We cater for a wide range of abilities and age groups with our After School Club, Master Class, Junior & Intermediate Extension and Year 3 Coaching. Essex Heights Primary School has been the Victorian Champions for the last 10 years.
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Instrumental Program
The Music Program at Essex Heights has plenty on offer, catering for students with a diverse range of interests and abilities. We have eleven dedicated, hard-working professional musicians who visit the school every week to teach instrumental music on a user-pays system. The instruments currently taught are:
Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Keyboard, Piano, Drums and Guitar.
All lessons are undertaken either individually or in groups of two and keyboard is taught in groups of up to 8. Lessons focus on the development of technique and musicality including melodic and rhythmic reading, interpretation and aural training. Students learn pieces from a diverse spectrum of musical genres. They are encouraged to attempt AMEB practical examinations when they reach the appropriate level.
Throughout the year we hold numerous boutique concerts to encourage our students to perform as soloists and in small ensembles, such as the brass and woodwind concert, the string concert and the keyboard concert. Then towards the end of the year, the children perform in our annual music Showcase. The Showcase is highly anticipated all year and our students are given the opportunity to display their talents for their families and friends.
We also have many ensembles in which students may choose to participate. They include:
Concert Band, Chamber Strings, Junior Strings, String Quartet, String Trio, choirs at all year levels after Prep, Marimba Bands from years 4 to 6, Snare Drum Group and Contemporary Band.
Rehearsals for these groups are held at various times through the week, mainly during class time and once again are designed and aimed at covering a wide range of skill levels and abilities.
We encourage performances in the community too and have recently had a variety of our ensembles perform at the Waverley Eisteddfod, Centro The Glen and the Elizabeth Gardens Retirement Home to entertain the residents. A highlight for the children!
The School classroom music program covers a large range of thematically-based activities which are designed to engage students and develop a lifelong passion for music. The curriculum is developed around the Victorian Essential Learning Standards with a strong emphasis on the enrichment of creative thinking, personal and interpersonal skill development fine and gross motor coordination and skills in logical thinking and sensory perception and application. Children are especially encouraged to...
- sing
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listen and analyse a wide variety of styles of music
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dance and move (particularly in the junior years)
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play a variety of instruments including non-tuned and tuned percussion instruments (including marimbas and anglung.), recorder, keyboard and guitar (senior level)
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interpret and write graphic and conventional notation
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compose and record their own music
Activities exploring the fundamental elements of music and group work is highlighted. The children are encouraged to work co-operatively and discuss the steps and processes required to prepare for an audience.
Parent participation and assistance is important to the Music Department as there are so many aspects and events that need planning and supervising. The Music Parents Support Group is a great way for parents to assist the program and enjoy all that we have to offer.
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Last update: 11/11/2009