Newsletter 23 August 2024
Term 3
As we reach the midpoint of the school term, it's a perfect time to reflect on the exciting progress we've made and look ahead to the opportunities that lie before us. This term has been filled with wonderful achievements, engaging activities, and a collective effort to make our school environment as enriching as possible. In this edition of our newsletter, we are excited to share highlights from our recent accomplishments, upcoming events, and special moments that showcase the dedication of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making Eden Hills a thriving community for all.
SSO week
This week, we shine a spotlight on our amazing SSOs who make an enormous impact on the lives of both students and staff. To all of our SSOs, thank you for your dedication, compassion, and the incredible energy you bring to school each and every day. You are all greatly appreciated! A big thank you to:
Heather, Rebecca, Perdita, Jo, Melissa, Yolanda, Latisha, Aasanna, Myah, Sarina, Steve, Neil, Pamela, Ryan W, Erin, Georgia, Matisse, Ryan H and Tayah
We are so incredibly lucky to have your amazing contributions at Eden Hills Primary.
Beanie Design
Our students have asked for a school beanie, and as part of a student voice initiative last term our classes submitted a variety of designs. The ideas and themes were collated with the SRC Executive to approve the final design. The Governing Council have endorsed the addition of the beanie to the school uniform and we hope to have these available to purchase from next term for $15. We’re looking forward to seeing them keep the students warm at school in the cooler weather during term 2 or before and after school in other terms.
Warm regards,
Andrew
100 Days of School
The 100th day of school is a significant milestone because it represents the halfway point of the academic year. Celebrating this day provides a chance for students to reflect on their learning journey, recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, and set goals for the future.
This year the junior primary unit celebrated by dressing up as if they were 100 and completing fun tasks around the number 100!
We played olden days games like skipping, marbles and hop scotch. Scout
We had a tea party and we brought in a special tea cup. Eden
I dressed up as a lady that was 100. Jamie
Police Band
We were fortunate to have the Band of the South Australian Police come to perform for us in week one. This was an excellent addition to the music programme, as our students were able to become more familiar with a wide range of band instruments. Each musician introduced their woodwind instrument (piccolo, flute, clarinet and saxophone) and brass instrument (French horn, trumpet, trombone and sousaphone). Together with their percussion player, they entertained us with a range of well-known songs. In addition to music, as police officers their other important role is communicating with children about Police work and the importance of keeping ourselves and others safe. It was great to witness our students' enthusiastic response during and after the show.
School Closure
Reminder that the School Closure is Friday 6 September
What’s Happening in Nature Play?
With the beautiful weather drawing us outside, it's the perfect time to update you on some of the exciting activities happening in the EHPS Nature Play Space.
Room 4 has been making the most of the Nature Play Space on Thursday afternoons. The time spent here is unstructured, allowing children to fully immerse themselves in collaborative activities like building, digging, and cooking.
"I like to dig for underground houses." – Patrick
"I like to build Wardlis with Arabella and Oliver." – Bodhi
"I like making flower soup." – Lacey
"I like to check on the growing carrots." – Louis
"We like playing mums and dads." – Astrid
Rooms 7 and 8 have been busy with a Kitchen Garden project, focusing on planting and harvesting in the raised garden beds. Last term, as part of a “Design & Technology” unit, they researched and planted winter vegetables. Many of these have been harvested, and with the help of some brave parents, the students have cooked their produce into delicious pinwheels, cold rolls, and pastry triangles, and made refreshing soda water drinks. The classes have now cleared the beds and are preparing to plant spring seeds.
Our fantastic groundsman, Neil, has been hard at work too. He’s concreted the base of the creek bed to prevent it from becoming too muddy and slippery during water play. He’s also installed three large forked tree trunks, which are now used as supports for cubby building.
One of our dedicated volunteers, Raelene, regularly brings in seed pods, sticks, feathers, and other interesting items she finds on her walks. These are stored in large tubs and used in the space as small parts for creative play. The Green Team has been busy maintaining the large vegetable plot, with half of it gradually being transformed into an indigenous garden. Additionally, some native Hardenbergia has been planted at the base of one of the Cubby Pods, with the hope that it will grow up over the cubby, creating a natural ceiling and providing some shade.
Wellbeing Corner
Welcome back and welcome to our new families. I hope you all spent incredibly amazing holidays with your families. We were also so lucky to have some exceptionally beautiful weather throughout the holidays, which was a bonus.
Term 3 has begun, and it has been so lovely to see our new little reception students settling into their classrooms, making new friends and fitting into our school/community.
Below are some affirmations for students to empower and uplift them with a nature focus. In today's busy and challenging landscape, the wellbeing of our students is paramount. As teachers, parents and caregivers we continue to support students to build their resilience, self-worth and a positive mind set.
Positive Affirmations for kids about Nature and the environment
- The earth is my home, and I promise to take care of it
- Every tree, flower and animal is special, just like me
- Nature teaches me new things every day
- I am thankful and grateful for the clean air I breathe and the fresh water I drink
- Every time I step outside, I appreciate and feel connected to the nature around me
- I will try hard to reduce, reuse and recycle to help our planet
- The more I learn about nature, the more I love and respect it
Being in nature and caring for the environment can begin to get children to have a greater awareness of nature and themselves and others. One way to bolster our student's self-confidence and instil a growth mindset can be through using positive affirmations using nature and the environment.
Pamela
Premier’s Reading Challenge
A reminder to those students working to complete this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge – the closing date is Friday 6 September. If you need a new form or any support at all talk to your teacher or come down to the Resource Centre.
Full-year Reception and Year 1 students have all completed the Challenge through teachers reading to them. They do not need to submit a form. Mid-year Receptions will receive a special certificate for 2024 and will engage in the full Challenge in 2025.
Material and Service Fees
Material and Service Fees are now overdue.
These fees need to be paid as soon as possible.
Payments can be made via QKR, Eftpos and credit card over the phone.
If you need to make arrangement for instalments, please contact Heather in the Front Office.
Enrolments 2025
We are currently looking at class structures for 2025. If you know of anyone who is planning on enrolling in Eden Hills Primary for 2025 and has not filled in a Registration of Interest form, please encourage them to do so ASAP.
Alternatively, if you know you will not be returning to Eden Hills Primary School next year, can you also let the Office know by completing the below survey.
Thank you for helping us to plan and prepare for our 2025 school community.
Parent Survey
Parents are invited to complete the 2024 annual Public Education Parent Survey. The 2024 parent survey opened mid to late July and closes at midnight on Sunday 8 September. During the survey window, you should receive an email or SMS from the Parent Survey Team with a unique link to participate in the survey.
If you did not receive an email or SMS with your unique survey link by Friday 9 August 2024, please check your spam or junk folders. Otherwise, please contact education.ParentSurvey@sa.gov.au and include our school’s name in your email. A new survey will be sent to you.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes and will help us understand:
- what we’re doing well
- where we can improve
- what’s important to you.
It has been coordinated centrally so that added administration workload isn’t placed on the school. Your answers won’t identify you or your child. Only collated feedback will be provided to our school. Information collected will inform school improvement planning and activities at the school. The survey closes at midnight on Sunday 8 September.
OSHC
Fund Raising
People First Community Lottery
Congratulations, we raised $318 in the People First Community Lottery!
Click below for the list of winners
Entertainment Book
Helpful Reminder When Riding to School
Riding on Footpaths
Cyclists of all ages are allowed to ride on footpaths. Footpaths provide a safe and sometimes more direct alternative for cyclists.
When riding on a footpath or shared path, a cyclist must:
- keep to the left unless it is impracticable to do so
- give way to any pedestrian on the footpath or shared path
- give a warning (by bell, horn or other means) to pedestrians or others using the footpath, if it is necessary to avert danger.
It is still an offence for a cyclist to ride where a sign prohibits bicycle riding on footpaths which are considered unsuitable for shared use.
For further information follow the link below to the My Licence SA Gov website
High School
Many children will have a positive experience starting school or moving from primary to high school and despite some initial nervousness, most will settle in very quickly. However, we know some parents/carers may be very concerned about the upcoming changes e.g. buying uniforms, books or devices and that's where we can help.
What is Saver Plus: Saver Plus is a free online money skills program for people on lower incomes and matched savings program. It’s about strengthening financial skills, to build and develop (and keep) good savings habits.
Saver Plus encourages parents to save $50 a month (for 10 months). Savings are then matched - a free $500 for education costs.
Now accessible to any eligible Australian – no matter where they live.
To be eligible for Saver Plus, you must have all of the following:
- Centrelink payment*
- Hold a Health Care Card/Pensioner Concession Card
- Be in school yourself OR have a child in school (can be starting school next year)
- Have regular income from work (either yourself or your partner)* /Carers Payment / Child Support or Cash in hand.
- Be 18+ years old.
- Not have completed the program previously.
* Many types of income and Centrelink payments are eligible, see the Saver Plus terms and conditions for more information saverplus.org.au
If families would like to check their eligibility and receive a call back please include our enquiry link https://www.bsl.org.au/services/saving-and-managing-money/saver-plus/ or they’re welcome to call our national number 1300 610 355 and a local coordinator will contact them directly.
School of Languages
Community Notices
