EPS Newsletter

Term 2 Week 7 2025


FROM THE PRINCIPAL - TERM 2, WEEK 7, 2025

Pasta Day

Thanks to Parents Club and all the ‘nonnas’ who made our pasta day so much fun. The students (and anyone who was at our assembly) loved the performance and enjoyed the pasta even more. Thank you for all the hard work in preparing the pasta and making the day a lot of fun.

Report Writing Day- Friday the 6th of June- this Friday

We will have a student-free day for teachers to complete reports on Friday the 6th of June. Monday the 9th is a public holiday, so please have a wonderful 4-day weekend.

 Parent Teacher Interviews- Change of Format- Thursday the 3rd of July

We are having our Parent Teacher interviews on Thursday, the 3rd of July (last Thursday of Term Two). The format for the day will be different than last year's interview format. Parents will still book an interview time via uEducateUs. The major change is that families must bring their child to school in a full school uniform. Parents will attend the parent-teacher meeting and take their child home with them.

This means your child only attends school for the duration of the parent-teacher interview and goes home with you after the interview. In terms of interview times, the booking times will be from 9AM-4:30PM.

The booking system via uEducateUs will become active today at 5PM. If you are available during school hours, please book an interview during these hours. This will allow families who need a book outside of school hours the option to book them.

Acting Principal Announcement- Term Three

On Friday afternoon, it was announced that Rhys Barri would step into the Acting Principal role while I am away for Term Three. Rhys will undergo transition days at EPS over the remainder of this term. Below is a communication from Rhys.

My name is Rhys Barri and I’m thrilled to be stepping into the role of Acting Principal at Eppalock Primary School for Term 3. I was born and raised in Strathfieldsaye and still live locally—I actually grew up just around the corner from Eppalock Primary School on Mannes Lane! I’ve been in education for just over 11 years and am currently the Assistant Principal at Eaglehawk Primary School . Outside of school, I’m a proud dad to three beautiful children aged 7, 5, and a newborn—so I understand the value of a good night’s sleep! I’m genuinely excited about this opportunity and feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful school community. I look forward to working with you all and learning from one another throughout the term.


Hobbies and Clubs

We are asking anyone in the community if they would like to take a hobbies and clubs session to please get in touch with Lydia. The dates are June 20th and 27th.

 

Gastro and Other Bugs

We have seen an increase in illnesses of all sorts. Please ensure that if your child presents with any cold or flu-like symptoms, they must stay home. If a child has gastro, they must stay home 48 hours from the last episode.

 



IMPORTANT DATES - TERM 2, WEEK 7, 2025

JUNE

Friday 6th - Curriculum Day - Report Writing Day 

Monday 9th - Kings B'day Public Holiday 


JULY

Thursday 3rd - Parent Teacher Interviews

Friday 4th - Last Day of Term 1.30pm Finish 

AWARDS - TERM 2, WEEK 7, 2025

P/1-  Zave.A - For working really hard during reading this week, trying his best while learning some new sounds.

 
2/3/4-  Cooper.H- 
  Cooper has been fantastic with reading assessments this week. 

 
4/5/6- Rhys.B -  For challenging himself to think deeply during reading sessions this week. He has been identifying and describing the importance of different symbols in texts and how the story would change if they were omitted.

        

             





                       Watjarang  161


                                  Yuliwil    177 


                                               Bunjil   184


TERM 2, WEEK 7, 2025 Parent Community News







Wellbeing

LODDON CHILD HEALTH AND WELLBEING LOCAL

INFORMATION SESSIONS BLURB

ADHD What is it and how do I help?

The ADHD brain is different to other brains.  Using video material this session will show you what ADHD is like for your child and provide lots of strategies to help you support their development.  We can also answer questions you have about your child and their behaviour.

Managing Big Feelings

Big feelings include anger, sadness, worry, and distress of any kind are hard to navigate. This session introduces you to the feelings thermometer and will help you understand your own feelings better so that you can help your child with their big feelings.

ASD, What is it and how do I help?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition that affect the social skills, communication and behaviour of a person.  Each person on the spectrum has a different range of issues.  This session will help you to understand the complexity of Autism and how you can pivot your parenting to support your child.

All about anger

Anger is common in children.  This session provides information on what happens in the body and brain when your child is angry.  We also cover triggers for anger and ideas on how to firstly ride out angry feelings, but also how to reduce angry outbursts by using settling strategies through-out the day.

Sleep issues

Sleep is so important for you and your child.  This session gives lots of information about the biology of sleep and ways to support your body as you go into sleep at nighttime.  This includes a sleep routine, exposure to light and technology and setting up a supportive space for sleep.  Ways to help your child settle and get to sleep including strategies for a child who is resisting bedtime is discussed.  It is aimed at children who are in the 2-10 age group rather than babies.

Sensory Processing

Our senses are part of how we engage with the world.  Some people are very sensitive and easily triggered by the world around them.  We can also use our senses to help ourselves calm and settle.  This session introduces you to understanding sensory triggers and using the senses to settle your feelings.

Anxiety and worry in Kids

Anxiety is very common in children.  Understanding what anxiety is and what happens in the body when your child is anxious will help you to support your child to soothe and calm when they are anxious.  This session provides strategies and involved practicing some of these strategies so you can try them at home.

 

Stop the tech

What happens when your child is on technology a lot of the time?  What affect is this having on their brain?  Technology use is changing our brains as devices are addictive.  This is causing problems for lots of families and children.  There are no simple answers but lots of ideas about what you can try in your household to reduce tech use and offer other ways to engage in life.

Family Rules and consequences

Setting up rules and having consequences can be very hard.  There are lots of reasons why we don’t do this.  Children need to know the rules and have consequences to help them learn to cope with life.  This session will help you to get started or add to your kit bag of rules and consequences.  Having these helps households to enjoy life more.

Parent Mental Health

Parenting is a challenging job.  It is often hard to take care of yourself and your family.  This session explores the challenges of parenting and day to day ways to support yourself in this role.  Having good mental health is really important meeting the demands of parenting.

Supporting Self Esteem

Liking yourself isn’t easy in the world today.  Children and parents are flooded with messages about what they need to be.  This session will help you to understand how you can support your own and your child’s positive feeling about themselves. 

Building Social Skills

The social world and the rules about how it works are hard for some children to understand.  This session will support you to have conversations with your child about healthy relationships, social contact and how to engage with other children.  You will get a chance to try some of the ideas for building up social skills with your child.

Being There

This is a simple session focussing on connecting and relationship with your child as well as helping with their mental health.

 

 

PARENT SUPPORT AND EDUCATION SESSIONS
TERM 2, 2026

                                                                                                                                                 

The Loddon Children’s Health & Wellbeing Local offers free weekly education sessions that address mental health and wellbeing. The sessions are run by a mental health or allied health clinician at the Local.

Sessions are open to any parents or carers of children aged 0-11.   

Why join in?   

  • Talk to Local staff about your child.    
  • Ask any practical questions you have about parenting now.   
  • Gain support for yourself as a parent.   

Where: The Loddon Child and Health Wellbeing Local, 19 Helm St KANGAROO FLAT 3555. Enter via the green porch at the back of the site.

Dates and topics:  Wednesdays (Face to face) 

WHEN

TIME

TOPIC

Apr 22

9.30am

ADHD What is it and How Can I Help?

Apr 29

9.30am

What Is Autism and How Can I Help?

May 6th

9.30am

Parent Wellbeing

May 13

9.30am

All about anger

May 20

9.30am

Managing Big Feelings

May 27

9.30am

Tech Troubles

Jun 3

9.30am

Anxiety in kids

Jun 10

9.30am

Family rules and consequences

Jun 17

9.30am

Sleep

 

If you have any Questions, please contact Annette Clemments on 1800 433 977 Book in via email icfhwlocals@bchs.com.au. Please state your name, your child’s name and the session you wish to attend.

 



150 Years Celebration - 10am Sunday 18th October 2026

Eppalock Primary School will be celebrating its 150 year anniversary in 2026! The date has been set… Sunday 18th October 2026!!  Put it in your diaries and spread the word!

We have formed a committee to plan a celebration. Please let us know if you would like to help! 

 
 

To register your interest in joining the organising committee please email 150yearsEPS@gmail.com.  We are seeking both current and former EPS community members for the committee.

If you have any great photos, stories, or memorabilia from Eppalock Primary School over the last 150 years we would love to hear from you.  Please email them through to 150yearsEPS@gmail.com.

We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone in 2026.



OSHC ADVENTURES - After School Care Provider

OSHC ADVENTURES is at Eppalock PS 

Contacts
O493 870 743 - Eppalock Phone Service 
Admin@oshcadventures.com.au
www.oshcadventures.com.au

At OSHC Adventures we pride ourselves on

providing children with fun, play-based learning
experiences that meet all your child's
interests and needs.

You can be confident that your child is in
safe hands with our experienced and
passionate educators.

Our operating hours
After School Care- 3:15 - 6:00


Monthly Newsletter



OSHC Adventures - How to enrol your child into after school care 
https://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/2parent_week__parent_pack.pdf


OSHC Adventures - Flyer
https://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/3eppalock_ps_oshc_adventures.pdf


OSHC Adventures - Family Handbook
https://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/family_handbook_oshc_adventures__eppalock.docx



OSHC Adventures - Eppalock Brochure
https://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/oshc_eppalock_brochure_2024.pdf




Working With Children Check


The Working with Children Check is a screening process for assessing or re-assessing people who work with or care for children in Victoria. 

At Eppalock PS we require any volunteers to have a current WWCC.

These checks are free for Volunteers.  PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR WWCC IS CURRENT AND THAT WE HAVE A COPY OF IT HERE AT THE SCHOOL.  I HAVE JUST UPDATED OUR FILES AND WE HAVE A LOT THAT ARE NO LONGER CURRENT GOING BY OUR RECORDS.

Please remember that you cannot help out with any school activities unless you have a current WWCC

Please follow this link to apply for a WWCC

https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Axe Creek Playgroup

Playgroup will be held on Friday mornings at 9.30-11am in the Old School Building.  


Scholastic BOOK CLUB

Support our local businesses

Locally owned businesses are owned by your friends and neighbours who live in this community. Local businesses generally
  • make more local purchases
  • are more invested in our community’s future
  • create jobs in your town
  • donate more per sales dollar to local nonprofits, events, and teams
       


If you would like to have your business displayed here or would like to update your business details, please call or email the school