Principal's Views
Clean Up EVPS Day
Last Friday the whole school community got involved in Clean Up Australia Day which involved our students cleaning up the yard. Our student leaders have also been discussing and implementing ways to keep the EVPS environment clean. You can read more about that later in this newsletter.
International Women’s Day 8th March
International Women’s Day (IWD) has been acknowledged for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. This year's theme is Balance the Scales which is a promise that every woman and girl – regardless of background or identity – should be safe, heard, and free to shape their own lives. Yet in 2026, too many across Australia and the world are still denied that fair go. Discriminatory laws, policies, and practices persist. Gender-based violence remains widespread, and structural barriers block too many from seeking or receiving justice.
These barriers are not inevitable. They are built – and they can be dismantled. Equality is not about advantage for some; it's about dignity, safety, and fairness for all.
When women and girls stand equal, families are stronger, workplaces are fairer, communities thrive, and society becomes safer for everyone.
This International Women’s Day let's Balance the Scales together.
Today at EVPS we proudly celebrated International Women’s Day. Staff added a splash of purple to their outfits and enjoyed delicious cupcakes together at morning tea.
The day provided a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible women in our school community; our staff, students and families who inspire, lead and make a meaningful contribution to the growth, strength and wellbeing of those around them.
NAPLAN
Next week, our students will sit the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) which is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.
As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum, and allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of our school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress.
SAVE THE DATE: Harmony Day Parade - Monday 23rd March
We will celebrate Harmony Day with our annual parade on Monday 23rd March.
Students can wear cultural dress or orange and join in the Parade at 9.15am – parents/carers are welcome.
School Council
On 12th February, we held our final School Council meeting with our 2025 members. On behalf of EVPS, we would like to sincerely thank all School Council members for generously volunteering their time and sharing their professional and personal expertise in support of our school’s operations and ongoing improvement.
I would like to extend a special thank you to Debbie Galati, whose term ended March 2026. Debbie has been a valued member of School Council for a number of years. Debbie’s dedication and commitment to EVPS over this time has been greatly appreciated, and her contribution has made a meaningful difference to our school community.
School Council Election Results and Successful Candidates
Nominations for election to EVPS School Council closed on 2nd March 2026. I am pleased to announce that the following members of our school community have been elected to school council.
We received:
• 4 nominations for 4 Parent member positions; Wayne Mark, Nick Brain, Maryana Khamis, Yasmin Alhasani
• 2 nominations for 2 School employee member positions; Waqas Ahmad, Catherine Manning
2026 School Council Members
Executive Officer
Rachel Griffiths - Principal
Parent Member Category
Dean Bannan - parent of students in Year 4 & Year 6
Maryana Khamis - parent of student in Year 5
Nick Brain - parent of student in Year 1
Rouba Urrutia - parent of students in Year 3 & 6
Wayne Mark - parent of student in Year 4
Yasmin Alhasani - parent of students in Year 4 & 5
School Employee Category
Angela Conversano - Assistant Principal
Catherine Manning - Prep Teacher/Team Leader
Waqas Ahmad - STEM Teacher
Community Member
Casey Gordon - EVK Assistant Manager
Personal Accident / Personal Property Insurance
The Department of Education (which includes our school) does not have personal accident insurance for students.
If a student is injured at school or while participating in a school activity (including offsite) and requires medical treatment, parents/carers are responsible for all of their child’s medical expenses. This includes transport costs such as ambulance costs (which may include an air ambulance if considered necessary).
The Department of Education (which includes our school) does not have personal property insurance for staff and/or students.
Items of personal property that are lost, stolen or damaged at school or during school excursions are not the responsibility of EVPS or the Department. Staff and students are reminded not to bring items of value to school or on school excursions.
EVPS encourages parents/carers to consider obtaining their own accident insurance for students and property of value that may be brought to school.
Department of Education Policy
Coming Up:
NAPLAN: 11th March to 23rd March – Year 3 & 5
Harmony Day Parade: Monday 23rd March 9.15am
School Photo Day: Monday 30th March
2027 Foundation (Prep) Enrolments
Enrolment applications will be open at the beginning of next term.
If you have a child (or know a child) who will turn 5 before April 30 next year, please access the enrolment documents on our web page for further information.
Please share this information to family or friends:
Open Evening Thursday 30th April 4.30 – 5.30pm Register here
School Tours Register here
Reminders:
Consent forms are due back by 27th March 2026 for Glasses for Kids: 18th May to 22nd May (available for Prep to Year 3)
HATS!
Just a reminder that students need to be wearing hats in terms 1 and 4. If students don’t have hats they need to stay undercover (in line with our School Sun Protection Policy )
Rachel Griffiths
Principal
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