PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

As always, it’s been a super busy end to the year – and yet, it has been wonderful finding the time to sit down with some of our Prep PAL ticket recipients this week for a well-earned afternoon tea. Congratulations to this great group of kids, I feel honoured to have spent this time with you all! Of course, I still have a couple more afternoon teas booked in for next week as well,  so stay tuned.

Now read on… there is plenty more ahead of us in the short time before the holidays begin...

HOUSE CAPTAIN SPEECHES

Today our House Captain candidates presented their speeches, and they truly did an outstanding job. It’s shaping up to be a very close ballot, and we wish every candidate the very best. Our 2026 House Captains will be announced at our first assembly next year. Regardless of the end result, I am certain we will all be in good hands!

LEVEL 3 CAMP

On Monday, our Level 3 students will head off to Cave Hill Creek for their three-day camp. We wish them all the best for a fantastic experience. The weather is looking perfect, and we can’t wait to hear all about their adventures when they return.

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Next week our End of Year Celebrations start:

• Thursday 11th Dec         Level 2 -  Gravity Shack Fun
• Monday 15th Dec           Grade 6  - Fun Activities at School
• Tuesday 16th Dec           Level 1 – Echuca Recreation Reserve Celebration
• Tuesday 16th Dec           Level 3 – Moama Pool Fun
• Tuesday 16th Dec           Level 4 – Echuca Pool Fun (with inflatables)  & Pizzas

All information should have been received via the SENTRAL parent portal. 

Parents please make sure payments have been made prior to the day – we don’t want anyone missing out. Students are expected to be in full school uniform unless specified otherwise, this also includes a broad-brimmed hat. Of course, all students attending these celebrations are expected to display our school PAL values at all times. A reminder that the 3 strike policy is in effect up until the celebrations - so it is vital that everyone is on their best behaviour each and every day.

STATE-WIDE TRANSITION DAY

Next Tuesday is State-wide Transition Day where our 2026 preps will have  their final transition session for the year, followed by our parent Prep Information session that evening. As well as our future preps stepping into a new big world, so will our grade 6 students as they head off to their selected secondary schools for the day! It is hard to believe that our grade 6's only have 2 weeks left at Primary School, most of who I enrolled back in Prep all those years ago! 

GRADE 6 GRADUATION

Our Grade 6 Graduation will be held on Monday 15th December at the Moama Bowling Club. This special event is a well-deserved opportunity to celebrate our students’ time at Echuca East and to formally acknowledge their achievements and growth throughout their primary years. We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with our Grade 6 students and their families.

REPORTS

Reports will be available via the SENTRAL parent portal by close of business on Monday 15th December. If you are having any difficulties accessing them, please contact the office.

MEET THE 2026 GRADES

Wednesday the 17th of December -  students will have the opportunity to meet their 2026 classes and teachers with our final in school transition session.  They will receive their 2026 Routines Booklet and a letter from their new teacher. Just a reminder that extensive time and careful consideration has gone into the creation of the grades and due to the many complexities, these grades are final and are unable to be changed. 

2026 Staff

Prep                    Georgia Newton & Rebecca Turner

                             ES: Kyle & Jorja

Gr 1/2s              Fleur Gilmour, Ebony Barron, Lauren Campbell &  

                             Brit Church / Serren Verhey  

                             ES: Serren, Ella, & Rachael

Gr 3/4s              Tameeka Stadon, Sarah Taylor / Tahlia Railton & 

                             Louise Holmfield 

                             ES: Tahlia,  Sienna & Eilish

Gr 5/6s              Travis Johnson, Matt Saunders & Sarah Williams / Tiff Bartram & 

                             Naomi Hamilton

                             ES: Kathy & Lisa

Specialists:       Ben Holmfield                PE / Fitness

                             Nyeri Brook                     Art 

                             Britt Saunders                STEM

                             Kristy Grant                     Technology / Intervention

                             Nicki Chalmers              Wellbeing

                Fiona Chique         Auslan

Wellbeing:        Jye Warren                       Social Worker

                             Kirstie Gebbie                Disability Inclusion

                             Nicki Chalmers              MHIPS

We are pleased to warmly welcome Georgia Newton and Ebony Barron, who will be joining our Echuca East team next year. We will also see a return from Brit Church and Caity Sim, who are returning from family leave. We also extend our best wishes to Jeff Millard, Caitlin Burgess, Mia Dixon and Mitch Hewes as they take a break from East in 2026. We thank them for their contributions and wish them all the very best for the year ahead.

LAST DAY

Friday the 19th of December will be a Casual Dress Day with a Christmas theme. There is no gold coin donation required for this day and a friendly reminder that is will be an early dismissal, of 1:25pm. 

The year sure is slipping away very quickly with Santa just around the corner! So kids, keep being the best version of yourselves… I am pretty sure you want to stay on Santa’s “nice” list! So keep being a great Eastie!

PUPIL FREE DAY

Just a reminder, that next Friday (the 12th) is a Pupil free day. Students are not required to be at school.  This day is allocated to staff for 2026 planning. It provides an opportunity for our 2026 teams to get together and prepare for the coming year

But in the meantime, wishing everyone a relaxing weekend… it might be the last one for awhile!