Dear Parents/Caregivers,
ENROLMENTS AND STUDENT NUMBERS FOR 2022
We have begun the process of gathering student numbers for 2022 and determining the impacts these will have on our staffing and numbers of classes. If we were to base our class groups on what we know today, we would only be able to start with 14 classes, (we currently have16). A big part of the issue is to do with Reception enrolments. At this stage the number of enrolments we have received is nowhere near the projected numbers. So I am seeking urgent support of the school community. If you have a child at Pre-School due to start in Reception next year and have not already done so, I would please ask that you complete enrolment processes for your child asap. If you know someone who is considering schooling either for Reception or any other year level, (perhaps a family moving into our area), please encourage them to contact the school asap. While we have not been able to do enrolment tours due to COVID restrictions, these restrictions have been eased slightly so that small enrolment meetings with strict COVID practices in place can commence again. If your child is moving schools next year, (apart from current Yr 6 and Yr 7 students), regardless of the reason, could you please let me know asap.
If you are wondering why there is such urgency for this at this time of the year, it is because of the significant impact of Yr 7s moving to High School and the time it is taking to organise structures in schools, especially primary schools, a result. I thank you for your timely responses.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
As some programs that usually operate with volunteer support have recommenced since slight easing of restrictions were announced, (eg excursions/camps, school sports, canteen), we are able to begin utilising volunteers for these programs again. If you are a volunteer who has been previously asked to support a planned excursion/camp or work in the canteen you may start again but are asked to adhere to strict COVID conditions. These include: coming to the Admin gate and ringing to request someone to give you access, signing into the school through SINE at the front desk, scanning into the school QR code, maintaining social distancing and wearing of a mask. Soccer coaches and associated support personnel already have your COVID expectations in place as you started last week. (Because DfE is still expecting schools to otherwise minimise unauthorised adults onsite, we will continue to suspend other volunteering processes, eg classroom support, gardening, fundraising and school banking until further information is received. We hope that won’t be too long.)
Please note that the Canteen menu will stay with the limited menu for the time being until we are able to determine how many volunteers are able to return to support Helen.
STAFFING UPDATE
Congratulations to Jo Berry who has now won extra permanent hours in Finance/Administration. Jo has been filling in temporarily behind firstly Henny Smith until she retired, and then Imelda Jolly while she was acting in Jenny McFadyen’s position until she retired. Because Imelda has now won the Business Manager position, it left the Finance/Admin officer position vacant. We are very lucky that Jo has all the necessary skills to now continue in the role in an ongoing capacity.
Dylan Burdett our Groundsperson has taken a private job in the country so has resigned from HCEPS. We have welcomed a new Groundsperson, Richard Watson, who is working on Wednesdays for the remainder of this term. He will pick up an extra day next term until we can run a proper vacancy process. Richard currently works as a Groundsperson in 2 other schools.
Our school has many very experienced teachers who often mentor pre-service teachers. This year we have hosted a number of these. This semester we are most fortunate to also be hosting 2 pre-service Social Workers. These ladies are currently working with key Wellbeing staff and teachers to support the implementation of Wellbeing programs and processes.
GREAT NEWS ABOUT 2 NEW FACILITIES ADDITIONS FOR HCEPS!
I am sure those of you who have been associated with the school for a number of years will be very pleased to hear that the plans for the new air conditioner in the Pavilion are currently with 3 tender groups, with their quotes expected very soon. Depending on availability of materials, we are now hoping it could be approved by Governing Council and installed as early as the September holidays or some time up to the Christmas holidays.
Our Yr 4 and 5 students have also been invited to pick the winning design for the new playground to replace the blue oval playground. This has now been done and approved by Governing Council and we hope that the work will also commence on this project in the near future. To view the new playground design please click here.
ANNUAL PARENT SURVEY
The Department for Education coordinates an annual survey to better understand the things we’re doing well, where we can improve, and what’s important to you as a parent. On Monday 2 August you would have received an email or SMS from the Parent Survey Team with a unique link to participate in the survey. I encourage you to complete the survey, which takes less than 10 minutes. Your feedback will be used locally in our school improvement planning and more broadly to inform other key initiatives to improve education in South Australia. Your answers will not identify you or your child. Only collated feedback will be provided to our school. If you did not receive an email or SMS with your unique survey link, please contact education.ParentSurvey@sa.gov.au and include our school’s name in your email. For more information, visit https://education.sa.gov.au/parentsurvey.
PLEASE VIEW THE LATEST YR 7 TO HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE HERE
With regards
Anne Rathjen
Principal
COMING EVENTS
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY – FRIDAY 10th SEPTEMBER
SPORTS DAY – FRIDAY 17th SEPTEMBER