This week we are foccussing on how we are responsible when using the school toilets. We encourage and remind students of the expectations for the us of the toilets, in particular, hand washing and looking after the rain water. Using tank water means that there are implications for water use and we need to be aware of of the effect of using the two different buttons when flushing.

                                      School Vision:

Our school’s vision is to prepare young people to become active, engaged and responsible citizens of the local and global community. 

• We will provide a safe, calm and welcoming learning environment where every child is treated as an individual.

• We will develop children who have a strong relationship to school and their community. The children will have a sense of self & understand how they learn.

• We will build and support an open, healthy and welcoming community that is visible in its practical support for the learning and wellbeing of each child. Children will be encouraged to embrace and celebrate difference and they will experience positive interactions with adults.

• We aim to foster a love of and for our natural environment and nurture a strong sense of stewardship within our students.  Eppalock PS prioritises environmental sustainability.

School Wide Positive Behaviours Feedback

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Positive Behaviour Framework, we are seeking both student and parent feedback into the matrix. This feedback will help EPS shape the matrix over the coming months as we work towards making it stronger.  This form is designed to gain a greater understanding of the current unwanted behaviours within the school and the behaviours that should be displayed as a replacement behaviour. A confidential Google Form is going to be sent to all families this week to your email addresses. It is very short, only one question and two short responses. We would appreciate it immensely if your family could take five minutes to complete the form as this will shape our future directions with the implementation with the framework.

Swimming

We had a wonderful time at swimming. The students did a brilliant job showcasing the school values and all the instructors commented on what lovely students we have at EPS. It was fantastic to see the younger students develop their knowledge and understanding of responsibility over the course of the week, with many of them becoming more independent regarding their organisation of personal belongings.

Soccer on Tuesdays

Unfortunately, we received information that the soccer coach we had two weeks ago is leaving the area and moving to Mildura. This means that soccer in no longer a going to run for four more sessions. Instead, we will have two sessions this week and use the remaining funding to purchase new soccer supplies for the school.

Athletics Training

To begin Term Two, students will be having an Athletics Carnival with Heathcote and Axedale Primary School. This will take place on Friday, April 28^th in Flora Hill. In preparation over the next 5 weeks, students will begin some athletics activities on Friday afternoons. We are looking forward to having our House Captains facilitate some of the activities and training sessions.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher interview are taking place on March 22^nd from 12:30-6:30PM. Parents can book interview times with classroom teachers through the uEducatesUs platform. If you would also like to have a meeting with Andrew King to discuss your child or would like him to attend your meeting with the classroom teacher, please call the school to arrange this.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing for Year Three and Five students begins from March 13^th and will be spread across that week. If you have any concerns regarding NAPLAN or your child undertaking NAPLAN testing, please do not hesitate to call the school.

Lots of Socks Day

On Friday the 17^th, we are celebrating Lots of Socks Day. Lots of Socks Day will encourage conversations about World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), celebrated each year on 21st March. All you need to do is choose some socks that are going to get noticed, they might be mismatched sock or colourful socks, whatever takes your fancy. We look forward to celebrating this day together.

Eppalock PS Footy Tipping

It is that time of year again! Mr O’Neill contacted me to discuss how good he thought the Pies would be this year, suggested that Cripps did not deserve the Brownlow and wanted to ensure that footy tipping was alive and well. Below is the information to join the EPS footy tipping competition for 2023.

Competition Code: XP2LRLWN

Reminders

• If your child is displaying any flu or cold-like symptoms, please keep them home.
• EPS Broad brimmed hats are to be worn at recess and lunch.
• Adults in families are reminded to download the uEducateUs app to their mobile device.
• Please ensure longer hair is tied back each day when coming to school.
• 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.
• Staff duty of care begins at 8:45am in the morning.

Fundraising opportunity for Eppalock PS

We are asking people to assist on Easter Sunday 9th April. In past years as much as $5,000 has been raised for our school, for just 1 day’s work! 

We need to have eight (8) people rostered on at the time. 

This week we spent time outside on the play equipment and at the base.

We painted on canvas.

Cooking activities this week included making sausage rolls and baked potatoes.

On Tuesday, Maggie came for our fourth session of dancing.

https://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au/source/Sunflower%20Dancers%20-%20Eppalock%20-%20Term%202%202023%20(3).pdf

It is with regret that I write to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel our School Photo Fundraiser.  

Eppalock Primary School will no longer be running the Chris Epworth Photography sessions 2023.

Unfortunately we just could not get enough bookings on either date proposed to make the event still viable. 

We have spoken with Chris Epworth, the Photographer, and he will arrange for everyone to receive their paid booking fee refunded in full. This should occur over the coming couple of weeks.

I will make contact with everyone in about 3-weeks time to make sure that you have each received your full refund money. If you have any questions though in the meantime,  please don't hesitate to email or contact me on: 0418 390 824and I'll follow up.

On behalf of the School, I want to say a HUGE thank you for supporting this fundraiser. It has been a fantastic event in planning, that branched out well into our local community, so I'm disappointed that we were not able to bring it to fruition. Thank you.

We'll stay in touch though and bring you many more wonderful Eppalock PS fundraising opportunities.

Sal Symes

School Council (SC) Update

As part of our goal to remain transparent and provide effective communication between SC and the school community, we will aim to write a short report after each SC meeting as well as any important updates that we can’t wait to tell you. If you have any feedback or would like to discuss anything with SC, please email Alicia Martin Alicia.Martin@education.vic.gov.au

Our last SC meeting was held Thursday 9^th February. It was exciting to introduce Mr Andrew King as our Acting Principal for Term 1 and welcome Lydia Fehring as the DET representative. We hope they enjoy their time on SC.

News from this meeting

• Election Timeline for 2023 approved as follows:

Monday 13th February 2023 - Notice of election and call for nominations.

This year, there are four positions to be nominated on our wonderful School Council. So, if you’re interested please complete a nomination form and hand in to school.

Monday 20^th February 2023 - Closing date for nominations

Monday 27^th February 2023 - The date by which the list of candidates and nominators will be posted.

Wednesday 1^st March 2023 - The date by which ballot papers will be prepared and distributed

Wednesday 8th March 2023 - Close of ballot

Thursday 9^th March 2023 – Vote Count

Friday 10^th March 2023 – Declaration of poll

Thursday 30th March 2023 – AGM & First council meeting to elect office bearers (the Principal will preside)

• SC are investigating the possible installation of a UV Filtration system.
• SC have renewed a contract for the photocopier, this includes a new model machine and cheaper rates per page!
• SC endorsed the plans to upgrade the sensory garden and approved the submission for a department grant to cover the costs.
• On the radar is road safety around our school. Mr King will continue the work from previous years to improve road safety for our kids. Plans to record vehicle numbers and driver speeds.

Thanks for reading, remember if you would like to get involved, grab a nomination form and submit it to the school, and/or you have any feedback or would like to discuss anything with SC, please email Alicia Martin Alicia.Martin@education.vic.gov.au

Cheers

Alicia Martin

School Council President