Principal's report

Dear Parents/Carers,

It is with a mix of gratitude and fondness that we bid farewell (once again) to Cheryl Clarke. Cheryl stepped out of retirement to support our school during a time of need, taking on the critical role of leading our English program. Her impact has been nothing short of extraordinary, driving the outstanding outcomes our students have achieved in Reading and Writing and inspiring a deep love of reading across the school.

We are immensely grateful for Cheryl’s willingness to return and share her expertise, and for the invaluable mentorship she has provided to Sarah Fletcher, who will take on the role of Literacy Leader from 2025 and beyond. Cheryl’s guidance and support have set a strong foundation for continued success in our literacy programs.

While we wish Cheryl all the best in this next chapter, we hold onto the hope that this won’t be the last we see of her. Thank you, Cheryl, for everything you have done for our school community—you will always have a special place at EPS!

School Captains

It is with great pleasure that I announce and congratulate our 2025 student captains: Gretel M, Evan N, Oscar R, and Rupert W. This is an incredible achievement, and I am confident they will represent our school with pride and dedication.

I would also like to acknowledge all the Year 5 students who put themselves forward by submitting applications. The quality of applications was truly outstanding, making the selection process both inspiring and challenging. 

The selection process was comprehensive and gave students the opportunity to showcase their leadership potential in various ways. It involved a group task, a series of group and individual questions, and concluded with an exciting challenge: guiding the selection panel—which included myself and our 2024 captains—through the school gymnasium as if we were prospective parents/carers. This final task allowed applicants to demonstrate not only their knowledge of our school but also their ability to think on their feet and redirect questions thoughtfully when faced with uncertainties.

Congratulations once again to our captains and to all applicants for their courage, effort, and commitment to this process.

Step Up Day

This week, students in Prep to Year Five participated in our highly anticipated Step-Up Day, which took place on Tuesday, 17th of December. The day was a fantastic success, providing students with the chance to transition into their 2025 classes, meet their new classmates, and connect with their 2025 teachers.

It was wonderful to see students embracing the experience with enthusiasm and curiosity. They engaged positively with their peers, listened attentively to their new teachers, and demonstrated a growth mindset as they stepped into an environment of new opportunities and challenges.

Step-Up Day is an important part of preparing for the year ahead. It helps to build confidence and reduce any uncertainty students may feel about transitioning to a new year level. Feedback from teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how energised and ready they feel for the coming year.

We encourage you to continue conversations at home about the day—ask your child/ren about what they enjoyed most, what they are excited about, and how they feel about their new class and teacher. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping make this transition as smooth as possible for our students.

2025 Specialist Classes 

We are excited to announce the 2025 Specialist Program for EPS students!

In 2025, students will have the opportunity to learn from five Specialist subjects: French, Performing Arts, Physical Education, STEAM, and Visual Arts.

Students from Prep to Year 6 will participate in four Specialist subjects each term. Additionally, every year level will enjoy at least one term where they engage with all five Specialist subjects.

To further enhance our Physical Education program, we will introduce some external PE activities throughout the year. These programs are designed to promote appropriate levels of activity and gross motor development, and we’re pleased to confirm they will come at no extra cost to families. You’ll hear more about these programs as they are scheduled.

We look forward to another exciting year of Specialist learning at EPS!

Departing Families

As the year comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge and farewell the families leaving Elsternwick Primary School. Thank you for your contributions to our school community during your time with us. Your involvement and support have helped make EPS the wonderful place it is today.

It has been a privilege to be part of your family's journey, and we are grateful you chose us as your school. While we will miss having you as part of our community, we wish you all the very best as you embark on your next chapter. May the future bring you new opportunities, friendships, and success.

Thank you again for being a valued part of EPS.

Volunteers Coffee Morning

A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible EPS volunteers! To the parents, carers, grandparents, and friends who have contributed in countless ways to strengthen our community and support our school, we are truly grateful. Your efforts, whether through fundraising, assisting in classrooms, or organising events, make a remarkable difference, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Principal Points

Congratulations to Delilah D in 3/4A and Gabrielle A in 4A, who earned the highest number of Principal Points this year (26) by consistently demonstrating positive behaviours and living our school values. 

The school is still filled with the lingering aroma of hot chips, which were a well-earned treat after students participated in fun games of year-level tag and dodgeball. A big thank you to Delilah and Gabrielle for their efforts in creating such a memorable day for our community.

Graduating class of 2024

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024!

I am incredibly proud of all you have achieved and the contributions you have made to our school. Throughout this year, I have been continually impressed by the growth, resilience, and dedication you have shown. I hope you can reflect on your time at EPS as a strong foundation—not only for your educational journey but also for your personal growth and character.

As you move forward to your new schools, I am confident you will approach this next chapter with enthusiasm and determination. Remember, you will always be a part of the EPS community, and we look forward to welcoming you back when you return to visit.

Best wishes for all that lies ahead—you have a bright future waiting for you!

Thank You

To our wonderful, resilient, and dedicated staff, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the vital role you have played in supporting our students throughout this year. Your unwavering commitment has been instrumental in helping our students feel valued and proud of their accomplishments. The positive impact you have made cannot be overstated.

While I may be slightly biased, I am continually amazed by the incredible talents, advanced thinking skills, and overall joyful demeanour of our students. It is through your guidance and support that they have been able to thrive, and for that, I am deeply thankful.

Have a great break,

Michael