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



All 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 


PIE WARMER WEDNESDAY's is back this Term


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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• are more invested in our community’s future
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• donate more per sales dollar to local nonprofits, events, and teams

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

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) 

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.