30 May 2025
- Term 2 Update
- National Reconciliation Week
- East Waste Program- Student Forum
- Room 11 & 12 Australian Science and Math School
- National Simultaneous Storytime
- SAPSASA
- Student Project
- Volunteer Week
- Governing Council
- EHPS Sustainability Group
- Public Holiday
- Is Your Child Due to Start School in 2026?
- OSHC
- Community Notices
Term 2 Update
We have reached the halfway point of Term 2, and it has been bustling with rich learning activities and events, including SAPSASA sports, various incursions and excursions, celebrating Volunteers Week, and Reconciliation Week.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity for schools and all Australians to deepen their understanding of our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. It encourages us to reflect on how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. Our students and staff have been involved in a variety of educational activities aligned with this year’s theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” emphasising the importance of reconciliation in our community.
East Waste
Our work with East Waste continues this term. Recently, a group of our Year 4 and 5 students participated in the East Waste Student Forum, a one-day event that brought together students from various schools to address common waste management challenges. This forum provided an excellent opportunity for our students to meet peers from other participating schools, share ideas, and collaborate on innovative solutions.
During the forum, students were introduced to the importance of tackling food waste and brainstormed actionable ideas to implement change within their school and community. They engaged in discussions and activities that emphasised the significance of reducing and diverting compostable materials.
Additionally, the students had the opportunity to tour Jeffries and ERA, gaining valuable insights into professional waste management and recycling processes. This experience has empowered our students to take the lead in creating a more sustainable environment at Eden Hills Primary School, as they work towards implementing their comprehensive action plan tailored to our school’s needs.
Upcoming Open Morning
We are delighted to invite all parents and guardians to our Open Morning on Wednesday 4 June, from 9:00 to 9:30 am. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the amazing work your children are doing.
The Open Morning will be followed by a whole school assembly hosted by Room 7.
Please see below reflections and reports from our students on the exciting activities that have occurred this term.
We look forward to the continued growth and achievements of our students as we progress through the remainder of the term.
Kind regards,
Kellie Bowden
National Reconciliation Week
Yesterday the Wild Man came to our school and showed us how Aboriginal people survived before white people came. First, we danced into the SAC and then he showed us Aboriginal tools that were used. Then we got to touch all the things that he showed us, it was cool. My favourite part was making the flour with the seeds. I learnt that Aboriginal people had dingos as pets to keep them warm at night.
Ella
East Waste Program- Student Forum
On Wednesday 7 May, the cool East Waste Student Action Team went to the East Waste student forum. KESAB organised the event for 6 schools to bring 3 or 4 students to discuss waste problems at their schools.
First, they explained why we were there, and we split into mixed groups and we learned a bit more about the green bin and the composting process. We then discussed our waste problems with the other students and came up with possible solutions for uneaten food in our bins and using our different bins correctly.
We had a wonderful morning tea provided by KESAB and got on a bus to have a tour of Jeffries (a composting centre) & ERA (Electronic Recycling Australia).
At Jeffries there were big piles of food scraps, dirt and more. On some of the piles there were lots of ibises and a few pelicans, and other birds.
Did you know at ERA, they must leave TVs for 3 to 4 weeks before dismantling them, or the TV can give a shock!
Our next step is to work together on our ideas to make small changes in our school community. In this newsletter you can find a recipe for using over-ripe bananas for lunchbox treats.
Your friendly East Waste Student Action Team
Don’t know what to do with your over-ripe bananas?
We tried out this Banana Bites recipe at the East-Waste excursion to KESAB. We thought families might like to make these and kids could even help. Also, they make a perfect nude food and they’re lunchbox friendly.
Banana Bites don’t have to just be for lunchboxes…you can use them as a delicious after school snack and you can add other ingredients to change the flavour. So, try them out. We bet you’ll love them!
Your friendly East Waste Student Action Team
Room 11 & 12 Australian Science and Math School
At 8.30 on Thursday 15 May we left to go to ASMS. ASMS stands for Australian Science and Mathematics School.
There were Spheros which are mini gyro spheres about the size of a tennis ball. You had a phone with you that allowed you to control the Sphero. The phone connected to the Sphero through Bluetooth. You could change the colour of the Sphero as well. It had wheels inside and a weight to counterweight every time it tipped to the left, right, front etc.
We played VR games with quality and you could actually move. You also now had hands, and you could do stuff instead of just looking at the Eiffel tower not moving. My favourite game was the boxing game. It was quite a workout because you were constantly swinging your arms.
Overall, I think ASMS was a 4-star experience with fun games.
Josh (Room 11)
On Thursday 15 May we went down to the ASMS. We did VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality. We went inside the ASMS and got introduced to what we were doing, it was called CIC week (curiosity in community).
VR is displaying a completely different world through a pair of goggles. AR is where instead of making a completely different display it takes your surroundings and changes it.
In the VR we did beat sabre and sports. The beat sabre was best because it had better frame rate and better physics. Then we did AR and playing around with some RC spheres called Spheros. The Sphero is a little ball that drives around under the command of the phone you’re holding. Then the AR is when you could look at natural wonders, and you could also get this cube and a phone and you would hold the phone up to the cube and it would turn the cube into a maze with a ball in it.
Zapha (Room 11)
National Simultaneous Storytime
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an annual event in Australia where a children's book is read simultaneously in various locations around the country, including libraries, schools, and homes.
EHPS classes took part reading The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel, in various locations around the school and engaging in fun activities.
SAPSASA
District Athletics
On Monday 7 April we had 30 students that were selected in the Eden Hills Team for District Athletics Day. It was an absolutely fabulous day weather wise and students showed integrity, resilience and perseverance. For this event we catch the train to and from the stadium, so students are also required to walk to and from the train station. As well as showing exemplary behaviour, we also came home with quite a few ribbons/placings. Thank you very much to the parents who travelled on the train with us and helped out with supervision of students.
Knockout Netball
On Tuesday 6 May Eden Hills had a team of 10 girls that were selected for the Knockout Netball team at Netball SA Stadium. Considering that half the team are basketballers the girls gave a fantastic effort to finish the day equal first in their pool. Unfortunately, due to percentage they ended up not going through to the next round. They won 3 out of 5 of their games. Congratulations girls! Thanks to all the parents that came to support and score on the day.
State Mountain Biking
On Friday 9 May we had 6 students participate in the State Mountain Biking competition at Craigburn Farm. It was a beautiful day, which meant that students were able to give it their all. For quite a few of these students it was the first mountain bike competition. Congratulations to them all for going outside their comfort zone and representing Eden Hills so proudly. Thank you so very much to the parent helpers on the day. This event could not run without you.
District Cross Country
On Tuesday 13 May, we had 41 students from Eden Hills head off to Belair National Park to compete in the District Cross Country championships. It was quite a warm day, and it proved quite challenging for many of our runners. Congratulations to absolutely everybody that participated in the day and especially those who committed to training every Wednesday morning at running club. Congratulations to our 3 students that made it through to the State Day. Thank you very much to all the parent helpers that assisted with transport, supervision and official roles. It is hugely appreciated.
DISTRICT TEAM REPRESENTATIVES
Eden Hills has had several district team representatives selected over the past couple of months. A massive congratulations to the following people who are representing both Eden Hills Primary School and the Southern Heights District in their respective sports.
Australian Rules Football Monday 26 May – Wednesday 28 May
Louie, Henry
Cross Country Thursday 5 June
Maple, Jessica, Charlotte
Netball Wednesday 18 June – Friday 20 June
Milla, Norah, Sienna
Student Project
During Term 1, some exciting new projects have commenced across the school!
I have been working with two small teams of students, to plan new inclusive spaces. These incredibly creative students have become known as the Junior Primary and Primary Inclusion Teams.
We know that neurodivergence can impact our students’ ability to process sensory information and to regulate their responses to different stimuli in the school environment. That’s why we want to create more places in our school, where students can practice interoception skills (the ability to ‘read’ and ‘understand’ what our bodily sensations are telling us) and learn strategies to self-regulate when feeling overwhelmed by sensory input.
Junior Primary Inclusion Team – “Let’s Grow and Interoception Room”
Our plan is to create an interoception room, in the green room at the end of the Learning Street.
Primary Inclusion Team – “Let’s Grow a Sensory Walk”
All of the students have drawn a plan of what they would like the room to include. These plans will be on display in the library for all to see.
Plans on both projects will proceed throughout the 2025 school year. Both teams of students will help to create the spaces for every child at Eden Hills Primary School to enjoy. Stay tuned for updates in future newsletters and at assemblies.
Dee 😊
Volunteer Week
On behalf of Eden Hills Primary School, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Volunteers for their incredible support and dedication. Your contributions to classroom support, lunch orders, school sports, excursions, the breakfast club, the Governing Council, and various committees have been invaluable.
Your generosity with your time and effort has made a significant impact on our students and the entire school community. We are truly fortunate to have such a committed group of volunteers who continuously strive to make our school a better place.
Thank you for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our school family. We look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership.
I was fortunate to attend a morning tea hosted by the Department for Education with 2 of our wonderful volunteers, Kate Humphrey and Paul Lindner. We listened to some really interesting guest speakers and learned how different volunteer initiatives have helped students to thrive in the school environment.
Rebecca
For three years, I have been blessed to volunteer at Eden Hills Primary School in hearing reading, testing/practicing “tricky words” (that’s spelling for any grandparents, like me, who attended school many years ago) and generally providing classroom support for my grandsons’ classes. To see the children progress in their learning, skills and general development is wonderful. Essentially, I just have fun with the children! It keeps me young…….er.
It’s also good to observe the different skills, abilities and methodologies the staff use and model when teaching and interacting with the children. The positive feeling for me when arriving at school at about 8.35am and hearing “Hi Paul” from children, staff and some parents. Volunteering at EHPS is just great!
Regards,
Paul Lindner
Volunteer Application Process
We are always looking for parent volunteers to support children and classes, especially with excursions. If this is something you can help us with, can I please encourage you to start the volunteer application process so you are ready to go if needed.
Please use the link below and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, I am only too happy to help.
Rebecca
Governing Council
The Eden Hills PS Governing Council has several subcommittees, who work to connect and build our community and create opportunities for our children. If you are excited about contributing to our wonderful school community, our subcommittees would welcome your involvement. You do not have to be a member of the Governing Council to be a part of a subcommittee.
The subcommittees and contacts are:
- Parents & Friends - Heather Carter (e.carter82@gmail.com)
- Sustainability - Adey Stoker (adeystoker@hotmail.co.uk)
- Sports - David Lister (davelisterphotography@gmail.com)
- RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) - Jade Tobar (0124.info@schools.sa.edu.au)
- Finance (all subcommittee positions filled)
- OSHC - 1 position available to a parent who regularly uses OSHC, please contact Catherine Chalmers to express your interest in being involved - (catrchalmers@gmail.com)
EHPS Sustainability Group
Brrr! Winter is here! Anyone need a pre-loved school jacket?
The Eden Hills Sustainability Group is a collection of parents working to foster sustainability initiatives at our school. We collect and resell pre-loved school uniforms. Please contact Margaret Shanafield (mshanafield@yahoo.com or 0426292293) if you'd like to donate or buy a pre-loved uniform- especially a jacket!
We are always looking for additional parents to join the group.
Public Holiday
Reminder that there is a Public Holiday Monday 9 June
Is Your Child Due to Start School in 2026?
We have had a lot of inquiries about student enrolment at our school and some of our existing families have completed Registration of Interest forms already.
To support us with this process we are asking families who have a child starting school in 2026 or know of a family who lives in the community with a child starting in 2026, to complete a Registration of Interest form by the end of term 2 or alternatively book a School Tour via our school website.
Registration of Interest forms are available by clicking the link below or contacting the front office.
OSHC
Community Notices
