Principal, Ms Alex Montgomery

We are now well into Week 4 of Term 4 and heading toward the middle of the term. It’s been a busy and productive few weeks across the school, with students settling into routines and engaging deeply in their learning. Staff continue to provide rich and supportive learning experiences, and it’s wonderful to see students showing enthusiasm, resilience, and kindness in all areas of school life. As we move through the term, we encourage families to stay connected through our regular updates on School Bytes.

Voluntary Contribution

We have received some questions from families regarding the voluntary school contribution. As outlined by the NSW Department of Education, this contribution is completely voluntary. No student will be treated differently or have their access to educational opportunities affected based on whether a contribution is made.

The voluntary school contribution plays an important role in helping the school provide additional resources and improvements that enhance student learning and engagement. These funds directly benefit students through projects such as playground upgrades, new learning materials, and enhanced extracurricular activities.

This year, we have taken extra time to include student voice in the decision-making process. The Student Representative Council (SRC) gathered ideas from students across the school, with many suggestions focusing on improving play and outdoor learning spaces. Some of the most popular ideas included:

Gaga Ball Pit – a top choice, with students requesting soft bounce balls for play.
Sandpit Revitalisation – new sand, a cover, and a trolley of play equipment.
Handball Equipment – tubs of labelled handballs for easy student access.
Cubby Houses (K–2 Area) – to support imaginative play for younger students.
Sports Equipment Update – ensuring soccer balls and basketballs are regularly replaced.
Outdoor Lego Station – a mobile Lego trolley for creative play.
Repainting Games in the Infants COLA – refreshing faded playground markings.
Totem Tennis, Hoop Point Baskets, and Giant Twister – to add variety and fun during playtime.

The 2025 voluntary school contribution will be $50 per student, with a family cap of $100 for families with two or more children. Contributions will be requested in Week 5 via School Bytes.

We sincerely thank our families for their continued support. Every contribution helps us provide engaging spaces and opportunities that make a difference in our students’ school experience.

Getting on Track in Time (GOT It)

Last year, our school successfully applied for the Getting on Track in Time (GOT It) program, which is delivered in partnership with NSW Health. The GOT It program is an early intervention initiative designed to support children in Kindergarten to Year 2 who may be experiencing emerging social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties. It works with both students and their families to build positive relationships, strengthen social skills, and support emotional regulation. The program also provides teachers with professional learning and classroom strategies to promote wellbeing across the whole school. A big thank you to all the families who have already returned their Got It! Forms, we really appreciate your prompt responses and support. If you haven’t yet sent your form back, there’s still time! Please return it to your child’s teacher or the school office by Friday 7 November. If your form has been misplaced, spare copies are available from the office. Thank you for working with us to support the wellbeing of all of our students.

Out and About at EPS