Dear Parents/Caregivers,
EARLY DISMISSAL THURSDAY 14th APRIL - 2:05pm
THANK YOU EVERYONE
What a long and busy COVID affected term we have had. I would like to thank all staff and students for the excellent work they have done, and for just “getting on with it” in spite of very challenging circumstances this term.
Thank you also to the school community for your support throughout. With the constant changes to restrictions and updates from the SA Health and/or the Department for Education, sometimes it appears that schools have been out of sync with what is happening in the community. We have, however, remained constantly aligned with department expectations and your support throughout this has been greatly appreciated. At this stage we have not received updates regarding what Term 2 looks like in terms of any further lifting of restrictions. I will let you know when any updates become available including during the holidays.
STAFFING CHANGES FOR TERM 2
Congratulations to Kerry Patterson who will officially retire from the start of Term 2. We thank Kerry for her 16 excellent years of service to HCEPS and acknowledge her significant contribution to the learning of many, many students over all the years of her career. We wish her the very best in her future endeavours. Ellie Burford will continue to teach 7E for the rest of this year. Kimberley Chamberlain will also continue to teach in 9E on Thursdays and Fridays and Jess Dyer will teach in 8W on Fridays.
I would also like to let the school community know that this will in all probability be my final newsletter for HCEPS. I will be taking long service leave from the start of Term 2 until the end of the year. (I will also have enough to continue leave until the end of Term 1 2023.) At this stage I am planning to retire after that, although I have not made that very final decision yet. I plan to do that in Term 4, at which time I will also come back and say a proper goodbye to students.
In the event that I do retire and that this is my final newsletter, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the school community. It has been an absolute privilege to work here for over 12 years. HCEPS is made up of fabulous students, a professional, hardworking, caring and wonderful staff and a very supportive parent community. I would particularly like to thank Andrea Hayden for her outstanding support of my work in her role as Deputy Principal over a number of years.
I will miss working with everyone, but after 43 years of working in schools in a career I have loved, feel it is the right time to do other things in my life. During my leave, my husband and I will travel to different places around Australia, (we particularly love bushwalking in national parks and great open spaces), and look forward to the safe arrival of our first grandchild.
Congratulations to Andrea Hayden who will be the Principal and Renee Fisher who will be Deputy Principal from Terms 2-4. Zac Schenkel will be the teacher in 8E behind Renee.
GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Congratulations to our new Governing Council for 2022. The new Governing Council met for the first time this week. All the office bearers and sub-committee representatives were chosen.
Congratulations and a big thank you to the following office bearers and representatives:
Chairperson – Amber Pellerin
Deputy Chairperson – Nikki Dopson
Secretary – Yvette Eglinton
Treasurer/Finance – Melissa Vlachos
Assets and Grounds – Sally Matthews
Canteen – Sally Matthews
Education – Nikki Dopson
Fundraising – Melissa Vlachos
OSHC – Nadia Hodgson
Sport – Melissa Vlachos and Nadia Hodgson
Uniform – Rachel Peake
Other reps – Leanne Craig and Jessica Chaplin.
Any items, issues or queries for Governing Council can be raised either through the front office or the school’s email address marked ATTENTION GOVERNING COUNCIL.
APPROVAL OF PUPIL FREE AND SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS FOR 2022
The Governing Council and Education Director have approved the following Pupil Free and School Closure Days:
- Tuesday June 14th – Staff working on literacy and numeracy improvement initiatives
- Monday 25th July – Teachers planning and developing new curriculum with teachers from partnership schools
- Friday 9th September – School Closure Day for the Royal Adelaide Show
- Monday 7th November – Teachers moderating curriculum in like year levels in preparation for the reports process
HIGHLIGHTS OF TERM 1 2022
Despite this term being severely impacted by COVID, our staff has continued to work at a high professional level. Highlights aside from our routine programs included:
- Student Leadership application process and commencement of roles
- Traffic Monitor training and work
- R-4 Swimming program
- Schools Clean Up Australia day
- Gymnastics
- Student Leadership assembly
- National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence and Harmony Day activities
- Footsteps Dance program – cultural focus
- Premier’s Reading and Be Active Challenges commenced
- Cross country training
AND
- AGM
- A new Governing Council elected
HATS IN TERM 2
According to our SunSmart policy, students do not need to wear hats during Term 2. I would ask however, that students still bring their hats to school for the first week or two just in case we have weather where the UV reading is above 3.
SCHOOL SECURITY IN THE HOLIDAYS
To help prevent vandalism and other crime in the school during the holidays, we seek your support to please report any suspicious behaviour you may observe in and around the school to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or direct to Police on 131 444. I thank you in advance for doing so.
…..AND FINALLY
Please stay healthy and safe during the holiday break with your children. Staff look forward to working with all students from the start of Term 2, Monday May 2nd.
PUPIL FREE DAYS
TUESDAY JUNE 14TH (DAY AFTER LONG WEEKEND IN TERM 2)
AND
MONDAY 25TH JULY (FIRST DAY OF TERM 3).
With regards
Anne Rathjen
Principal