eppalock.ps@education.vic.gov.au

EPS NEWSLETTER

TERM 4, Week 2, 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - TERM 4, WEEK 2, 2026

Phone Line Still Down

Our school phone line is still down, and Optus is working to resolve the issue. In the meantime, please contact the school via email at eppalock.ps@education.vic.gov.au. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

New Staff Member

We would like to welcome Ally who is joining our Education Support Staff team from Monday this week. Ally will be working in Room B for the remainder of the year.

School Review

This Wednesday, Eppalock Primary School will undertake its Strategic Plan Four-Year School Review, providing an opportunity to reflect on our progress and plan for the future.

We are seeking parent representatives to meet with the review panel from 9:00–9:30AM on Wednesday to share their perspectives and experiences. Parent input is invaluable in helping shape our school’s future direction and ensuring our priorities reflect the needs of our students and community.

If you are available to participate, please contact the school via email: eppalock.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Working Bee Friday

A huge thank you to everyone who has already volunteered their time and resources to help prepare our school grounds for Sunday’s 150th celebrations. The support has been amazing and is appreciated!

If possible, please send your child to school with a bucket on Friday, as we will be moving some mulch with the students.

We would also welcome any additional helpers on Friday. If you can assist, please bring along leaf blowers, whipper snippers or gardening gloves to help get our grounds looking their absolute best for this special occasion. Every bit of help makes a difference!

150^th Celebrations

The big day is almost here! We are incredibly excited to celebrate 150 years of Eppalock Primary School this Sunday and look forward to welcoming as many current and past families, students and community members as possible.

The celebrations kick off at 10:00AM, with the formal proceedings commencing at 11:00AM. If you have a camping chair, please bring it along so you can relax and enjoy the festivities.

We can’t wait to celebrate this incredible milestone with our wonderful school community!

Swimming at Gurri Wanyarra

From Monday, 19 October to Friday, 23 October, students will travel to Kangaroo Flat to participate in our school swimming program at Gurri Wanyarra.

Lessons will take place each day from 12:15PM–1:00PM.

Gurri Wanyarra has also requested that families complete a survey to assist with placing students into appropriate swimming levels. Please complete the survey by the end of this week.

OSHC Booking Changes

Please ensure that if you are planning to have your child attend OSHC after school, that they are booked in the day prior. There have been changes that do not allow last minute bookings so children must be booked in the day prior.

IMPORTANT DATES - TERM 4, WEEK 2, 2026

OCTOBER

Monday 19th/Friday 23rd - Swimming week

Friday 23rd - 5/6 Cricket

Wednesday 23rd - Bendigo Cup Public Holiday

Friday 30th - Bike Hike & Wheelie fun day

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 24th - 1st Prep Transition Day 9-10am

DECEMBER

Tuesday 1st - 2nd Prep Transition Day - 9-11am

Tuesday 8th - Statewide Orientation Day - 9-11.30am

Friday 11th - Community Night

Tuesday 15th - Yr 6 Graduation Night

Thursday 17th - Yr 6 Big Day Out

Friday 18th - Last Day Term 4, 1.30pm Finish

TERM 4, WEEK 2, 2026 Parent Community News

Welcome back everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the school holidays. This term I am going to trial keeping the newsletter short and simple. Feedback always appreciated.

UPCOMING

We have lots happening at Eppalock Primary this term. Starting October 18th we have our schools 150th Anniversary Celebration. We are all really looking forward to showing off our amazing school and community. We also will have a special lunch day, our annual bike hike and our end of term community night. Please keep a close eye on the Important Dates page of the newsletter for dates and times.

FUNDRAISERS

Our annual Mango Fundraiser has offically launched! Please share the notice with your friends and family. More information and a how to guide can be found here on our website.

HELP NEEDED

With our 150 year school celebration quickly approaching we are trying to make sure that we have EPS looking its finest for the occasion. If you are able to assist with any of the jobs that Mr. King has listed in his report please reach out. Even a handful of weeds pulled at pick up time goes a long way! There is a working bee this Friday!

HELPFUL LINKS

Eppalock Primary School Website
Helpful Links including Myschool Connect and Ueducate Us
Eppalock Primary School Facebook Page
Eppalock Primary School - Parents Info Share from 2024

150 Years Celebration - Helpers Needed

150^th Celebrations!

Students Participation in the Day - Students will have a role within the official ceremony part of the day. We encourage students to wear their uniform so that they can be easily identified as current students.

Please remember that this is not an official school day, and therefore teachers are not responsible for students. Parents are to supervise their children through. The day will conclude at 3pm when we would love to helpers to also pack up.

Helpers Required!

Sign In/ Merchandise Table

We need 6 helpers for the Sign in/ Merchandise Table.

2 x 9.30am – 11am

2 x 12.30pm- 1.30pm

2 x 1.30pm – 3pm

Parking

Parking available in Reade's paddock as well as limited parking along Patons & Axe Creek Roads.

Parking is also available next to Fire Shed. Please remember to leave designated CFA parking free.

A drop off zone/Pick up Zone will available near the front gate.

2 people are required to help direct parking between 9.30-11.

REMINDERS

Permission Notes

**5/6 Cricket permission note and payment to be finalised
Mango Fundraiser orders can be placed on My School Connect - Only 5 days to go!!

*** BIKE HIKE note needs to be approved on uEducateUs

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

2026 Eppalock Primary School Mango Fundraiser - ONLY 5 DAYS TO GO!

ONLY 5 DAYS TO GO!!!

It is that time of year again....time to get your Mango orders in!!

Great value at only $30 per Tray with each tray containing 7kg of the most delicious farm fresh Queensland Mangos!

To Order:
- For Current Eppalock Primary School Families Use this Link to order through your My School Connect Account.
- For Everyone Else Order Here

Orders are now OPEN.

Deadline:

Orders CLOSE October 24th.

Pick-up:

November - Date and Time to be confirmed closer to the date - Collection will be from Eppalock Primary School.

Make sure to Follow our dedicated Eppalock Mango Fundraiser Facebook Page for more information and to stay up to date!

Please call the school on 5439 6366 if you need assistance.

Drew Thorpe Music

Drew attends Eppalock PS on Wednesday mornings to conduct private music lessons with students that have enrolled with him. Please contact Drew if you would like your child to learn a musical instrument. Payments for these sessions are made directly to him.

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/