Community Night

On Friday night, we wrapped up the year with a wonderful end of year celebration for Community Night. It was lovely to have so much of our community in attendance for the evening. The students did an excellent job in all their performances, highlighting their confidence and skills developed over the course of this year. It was also great to recognise all recipients of the end of year awards, leaving families and our Grade Six students. This night couldn’t be what it was without everyone’s involvement, so thanks to all the students, staff, families, volunteers, Parents Club and businesses that made the night as amazing as it was.

Kellie Gardner News

In case anyone missed the announcement, Kel is expecting baby number two next year. We are all extremely excited for Kel and her family!

Thanks Tim and Kevin

A shout to recognise both Tim A and Kevin R who spent time working here at school on Saturday. Thank you so much for making some much needed renovations around the school, helping to ensure student safety. We appreciate it!

School Council 2026- Department of Education Update

From 2026, parents, carers and community members who would like to join the school council need a working with children (WWC) clearance to nominate. If you are considering nominating for school council, and don’t already have a WWCC, I encourage you to apply for a volunteer WWC check as soon as possible. This will allow for processing times, which are estimated to be from 3 to 12 weeks.

Please note that if you do not hold a WWC clearance, you will not be able to nominate for school council, so it is vital that you prepare in advance. Obtaining a WWC clearance is free for volunteers, and you can apply online at Service Victoria.

When applying for your volunteer WWC check, please nominate the Department of Education as the organisation you are working for.

If you already hold an employee WWC clearance, you do not need to obtain a volunteer WWC clearance to nominate for school council.

Victorian Institute of Teaching-registered teachers and school students who are interested in joining school council are not required to obtain a WWC clearance.

Current parents and community members of school council do not need to apply for a WWC check immediately. Current members only need a WWC clearance if their term ends and they wish to nominate or be co-opted again.

For more information, refer to Ministerial Order 1280 (Constitution of Government School Councils) 2020

Friday Plan

Our final Friday assembly will begin at 1:00PM here at school. We will recognise out 2026 student leaders then aim to have the traditional arch formed by 1:10 to 1:15PM. If families can make the final assembly and help form the arch, that would be great. Dismissal will be at 1:30PM.

Anne’s Assembly

Anne Hartney’s retirement assembly is this Tuesday afternoon around 2:45PM. If you’d like to come along to say goodbye to Anne as she retires from education and 30+ years at EPS, that would be great.

2026 Student Leadership Process

All students will be made aware of the outcome from student leadership positions for 2026 this Wednesday at lunchtime. They will be recognised at our final assembly on Friday.

2026 Class Structure Change

Last week, we had to reconsider 2026 classroom structures due to unforeseen enrolment changes, with an increase in numbers in Room C and a decrease in Room B. This created a significant difference in the number of students in each class. As a result, we have divided Grade Four students between Room B (Chris) and Room C (Michelle), maintaining the same class structure as this year.

Thank you to all the families that have been involved in this transition process and communication.

Student Reports

Semester Two reports will be sent home on Thursday the 18^th at 3:15 PM and will also be available via uEducateUs at this time.

Year 6 Big Day Out

This Thursday the 18^th, Michelle, Nikki and the Grade Six students are having a ‘Big Day Out’ in Bendigo. The group of students and staff are heading into town to celebrate their end of year and time at EPS. The group are going bowling, having some lunch and enjoying each other’s company before the end of year.

Student Pick Up- Duty of Care

If parents are requesting their child be taken home by another family, the school must be informed of this. Please ensure that you have rung the school and informed us of any changes of student pick up.

Lost Property

Our lost property tub is very full. Can all families please look through this tub as there are lots of items without names that may be your child’s.

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 






 
                                                                     

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• eppalock.ps@education.vic.gov.au
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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