Mexican Feast

I would like to thank and acknowledge all the families that helped on Friday to create the amazing Mexican inspired feast for the students. The morning assembly certainly had all laughing with a great performance by Tan and Alicia to set the tone for what was a fantastic day. Whether you donated food, helped cook or were here on the day, dressed in sombreros, ponchos and wearing moustaches, thank you for providing the experience for our students.

Hobbies and Clubs

The first of our three Hobbies and Clubs programs kicked off on Friday with a bang! The activities that were on offer were marvellous, helping our students learn a new skill and enjoying learning many new skills. Thanks to all who have given up their time to support this program, it was fantastic!

Courage/Codes and Crowns- Wellbeing session for students and parents- THIS WEDNESDAY

This Wednesday, we have Megan and Matt coming to school for a wellbeing session during the day followed by a family session during the evening. The date for the parent session is Wednesday the 25^th of February from 6PM.

For females, please ensure your seats are saved for the evening session by RSVP email to Megan on: https://courageandcrowns.com/eppalock-primary-school-crowns

For the males, please save this date in your calendars and rsvp via this link: https://courageandcrowns.com/eppalock-primary-school-codes

School Council Positions- Calling for Nominations

This year, there are three positions to be nominated on our wonderful School Council, all of which are parent positions. Once School Council approves the timeline, the dates will be posted in the newsletter. We would encourage family members who are interested to self-nominate when the forms are posted. Each member brings their own valuable life skills and knowledge to the role. However, councillors may need to develop skills and acquire knowledge in areas that are unfamiliar to them. It is important to have an interest in your child’s school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school’s future.

 If you are at all interested, please contact Andrew. Nomination forms can be found at the front office with Nikki.

• Monday 23rd February 2026 - Notice of election and call for nominations
• Friday 27th February 2026 - Closing date for nominations
• Monday 2nd March 2026 - The date by which the list of candidates and nominators will be posted (if a vote is needed)
• Tuesday 3^rd March 2026 - The date by which ballot papers will be prepared and distributed (if needed)
• Monday 23rd March 2026 - Close of ballot
• Tuesday 24th March 2026 – Vote Count & Declaration of poll
• Thursday, March 26th March 2026 – AGM (6PM) to elect office bearers (the Principal will preside). This is followed by the first council meeting (6:30PM)

5 Year Grounds Plan Meeting

This Friday, after assembly, Parents Club and School Council members are invited to meet in the Old School Building after assembly to discuss the 5-year grounds plan. This plan has been a collaborative effort, taking on board survey data from last years Google Survey. The plan is driven by this data, collected from students, staff and families about the school grounds. If anyone would like to attend the meeting, please stick around after assembly and we will meet around 9:20ish.

Changes in Student Pick Up After School

If there is a late change to how your child is to be collected, please call the school to ensure that this communication is received. This will ensure that we have received the message. The phone line does get busy in the afternoon so please call the school with any changes as early as possible.

OSHC Adventures

All families should enrol your child into OSHC Adventures as a precautionary measure in case of emergency as staff duty of care finishes at 3:45PM. Students are not able to be accepted into the OSHC Adventures program without relevant paperwork being completed prior to a child attending. OSHC Adventures operates 5 days a week from 3:15 to 6PM. If families are unable to collect children by 3:30, students will be sent to the OHSC program. More information can be found on their website:

https://oshcadventures.com.au/enrol-now

AFL Tipping Competition

We are running our annual footy tipping competition through the AFL tipping interface. Below is the competition code for all those interested in joining. I was away on Long Service Leave last year so I am unsure of who won the tipping, if you happen to know, please get in touch!

Regardless, we look forward to having people involved in the tipping competition for a bit of fun and friendly banter! Go Pies!

Comp Code: GJSP29OA

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 11th March 2026 and finishes on Monday 23rd March 2026. Over the coming weeks, students will become familiar with the testing platform and features. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew directly.

P/1- Hannah.H - Hannah has consistently shown respect and kindness, coming to school with a positive attitude and ready to try her best.


2/3/4- Levi.R - Levi has been thinking deeply in class and has written a wonderful story. 


 4/5/6- Houston.P -  Houston has been persisting during math sessions and has worked hard to confidently and independently solve subtraction equations that involve the renaming of hundreds, tens and ones. Houston has shown positive growth and should be very proud of himself.  

                       Watjarang  40

                                  Yuliwil  47  

                                               Bunjil   43

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.

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