Walk to School Day

Our Walk to School Day is happening on Friday the 24^th. More information is available via uEducateUs.

Report Writing Day- December 1^st

On Monday, December 1^st, we are having a pupil free day for Term Four student reports. All student reports will be sent home on Thursday the 18^th of December.

Bendigo Cup- Wednesday the 29^th

Just a reminder that there is a public holiday on the horizon.

Changes to Digital Devices- via the Department of Education

From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.

Under the new guidelines, schools:

• will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6
• will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.

These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria’s nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.

 Students with disability who use a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes.

You can read more about the changes on the department’s website: Digital Learning: Policy.

P-2 Stayback

The P-2 Stayback is currently being finalised and information will become available this week to families. Please keep an eye on uEducateUs for more information.

5/6 Cricket

We have a team of 5/6 cricketers heading to CMC on the 7^th of November for the day. Please keep an eye on uEducateUs for more information. There will be no assembly this Friday.

Swimming at Gurri Wanyarra

From Monday November 24^th to Friday November 28th, we are travelling to Kangaroo Flat to participate in swimming lessons. There will be a permission note made available via uEducateUs in the coming weeks with more information, please keep an eye out for this. Gurri Wanyarra have requested that families complete the survey below to ensure that children are placed into appropriate levels. Please complete this survey prior to the event.

https://forms.office.com/r/PGEY2T9ciV

After School Care

We encourage all families to enrol their children into the program (just in case) and this process can take a bit of time. Enrolments can be completed online at:

https://oshcadventures.com.au/

General Reminders

• Please ensure longer hair is tied back each day when coming to school.
• Please ensure that medical plans, asthma puffers and any special dietary restrictions that students might have should be documented and communicated with school. 
• There will be no pie warmer this term.
• Any changes to regular pick-up routines are best communicated via phone and speaking directly to a staff member so that it can be recorded in the after school pick up folder. We cannot always guarantee an email will be seen in time during the day.
• Hats are required for Term 4. Please ensure your child has the Eppalock PS broad brimmed hat ready to go.

P/1- Arlo.J - Arlo has had an amazing start to Term 4. He's been trying his best to focus, contribute to class discussions and make positive choices in the yard. 

2/3/4-  Charlie.P -  For his effort and achievment in reading. Charlie has moved up two reading levels and is now showing great awareness when words don't fit or sound right. 

 
4/5/6- Levi.M -  Levi has had a positive start to the Term, giving all learning tasks a try before asking for help. It has been great to see his confidence grow in his own abilities.

        

             

                       Watjarang  452

                                  Yuliwil    459

                                               Bunjil   491

Permission Notes
Athletics - uEducateUs - Whole school 
Cross Country - uEducateUs - 3-6 students

Both payments are to be made on My School Connect unless you plan on using SSB or CSEF. 
Please contact Nikki via email if you would like to use SSB or CSEF 



2026 Curriculum Contributions and Voluntry Contributions can be pd via MSC.  Thankyou to those that have already paid.  These contributions help to go towards the cost of implementing the programs the students use every day.   
                           

HATS 

Hats are required in TERM 1 and can be purchased via MSC anytime.  We now also have a larger size hat that can be purchased through the MSC site.  
Hats and Beanies will still be required to buy through MY SCHOOL CONNECT until we have no stock on site then we will have hats and beanies available on the new EDUTHREADS uniform store. 


NEW ONLINE UNIFORM STORE

You can now order the new uniforms through here

 https://eduthreads.com.au/collections/eppalock-primary-school 






 
                                                                     

Hi All,

The kids are well and truly settled in and ready for an exciting final term for 2025!

In wellbeing, the classrooms are diving back into Respectful Relationships, and are focusing on Positive Coping, where students develop language around coping, critically reflect on their coping and strategies and extend their repertoire of positive coping strategies.

While we have moved on from Friendology this term, we will revisit some components throughout the term, and when the need arises. We encourage families to do the same! A great one to know and to talk about is Friendship Fires: those little disagreements that can be normal in a healthy friendship (even as adults!). Grades 2-6 have explored this, and use this language often to talk about conflicts that happen in the yard.

You can read a great blog post about it here:

https://urstrong.com/resource/friendship-fire-or-mean-on-purpose/

There is also a fantastic visual that explains some strategies for Friendship Fires and Mean on Purpose:

Until next time!

Kellie

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• eppalock.ps@education.vic.gov.au
• 5439 6366