School News
Term 3, 2023
Principals Message
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Book Week has arrived with lots of fun activities planned. We hope you enjoyed the Book Week Dress Up Parade and The Blurbs. Congratulations to the parents with their book week creativity, we're always amazed with what you come up with! It sure has been a bustling few weeks here at Epsom.
Brain Food
We are encouraging the provision of Brain Food so that students can have something to eat as they work at their table. This is an additional snack to their lunch box items that will help to fuel learning, maintain energy and prevent the 'hangry' from ever setting in.
Grade Prep/1 classes will continue to facilitate organised fruit breaks.
Brain Food Examples
| |
Yes | No |
Carrot sticks Cheese cubes Celery sticks Cherry tomatoes Cucumber Apple Blueberries Strawberries Peeled mandarin Snow Peas Beans Squeeze yoghurt Apricots Broccoli Zucchini sticks
(Can all be eaten with one hand and not messy) | Museli Bars Chips Biscuits Packaged snacks Sweets Processed fruit snacks Yoghurt tub (due to mess) Processed bars
(These can only be eaten during formal break times – not in the classroom)
|
Students are also encouraged to bring a non-spill drink bottle to ensure that they can hydrate as necessary during learning. Again, water should only be consumed at the table during work time and not accessed during explicit teaching time.
We have noticed that a number of students are being dropped at the front of the school and then making their way down to the shop to buy lollies and energy drinks first thing in the morning. Generous individuals are even handing the lollies around when they get to school! We are concerned that parents may not know that this is what some of the students are spending their money on. We do not want lollies or energy drinks at our school.
Ready to Learn
We have asked that all students arrive at school by 8:50 am. This is when morning routines will begin with bags put away, books changed, brain food on tables, classroom meetings etc. At 9:00 am, rolls will be marked and learning will begin. The initial Ready to Learn bell at 8:50 gives students time to adjust to the day, go to the toilet, take a last-minute drink etc.
Everyone is late sometimes. A rough morning with late kids, flat tyre or forgotten lunch box— it happens to all of us. It’s when those mornings go from occasional and unexpected to frequent and routine that being late becomes a problem.
In the mornings, teachers are in classrooms ready at 8:50 am to welcome students with routine and a sense of 'everything-in-its-place'. For students, this sense of order puts them at ease and helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
When students arrive ready for the 8:50 am bell - they have the chance to take it all in and prepare for the day. Please help us to set them up for success.
Canteen
Yes, you read that right. Epsom Primary School is gearing up to open our canteen! Planning is still in progress so watch this space...
Parent Survey
Just a reminder that the 2023 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey is live for feedback. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement.
Your insights, concerns, and suggestions help us to understand what is working well and which areas require improvement.
The survey link : https://www.orima.com.au/parent
Survey PIN: 717640
- School Name: Epsom Primary School
- Campus Name: Epsom Primary School
Your partnership is pivotal in ensuring that we continue to provide the best possible education for your child/ren, and your active involvement fuels our commitment to excellence.
NAPLAN
Please see below for communication from the Deputy Secretary of Education, David Howes:
Drop Off and Pick Up
Thank you to all the parents who have been letting children out of the car at the end of the drive-through at drop off. Students seem more aware of which gate they should be entering in the mornings, and we have had less near misses.
Thank you for your ongoing support and have a great weekend.
Julie Ladd
Principal
Policies
Our website is where you can access our policies and documents. Please head to the Policies and Documents Tab on the website to access:
- Child Safe Standards and Policies
- Health Related Polices
- Curriculum Framework and School Policies
- Administration Policies
Please call the office or use Compass to explain your child's absence. It is a Department of Education and Training requirement that all student absences are explained. As a school we will be seeking an explanation for all unexplained absences with parents and carers.