Principal's Item 

Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

I hope that the week has started well for you and your family. The end of last week was very busy. We had the divisional volleyball, basketball and cricket finals, our Japanese Studies Day and our movie night. Thank you to those families who have supported the school through every step of the journey last week.

Japanese Studies Day was a remarkably inspiring event. Whilst this, or Asian Studies Day, is an annual event, this year was the best yet. Those of you who were able to attend the morning performances were privileged to see an original collaboration between a very talented Japanese artist and our regular Japanese drumming group. This was a very enriching experience for us all.

Staff Update

Congratulations to Marrisa Beck, one of our OSHC Coordinators who celebrated the safe arrival of her second son, Finn, late last week. Everyone is well and Marrisa recounts that her older son is loving being a big brother.

Uniforms

Thank you to the overwhelming majority of students who are proudly wearing our school uniform. As the weather is warmer it is important to remember that the school uniform policy requires SunSmart: plain black shorts, not running shorts or bike pants. All children should be taking pride in wearing the correct uniform that does comply with the policy. School purple or gold bucket hats are also essential. 

Parent Helper - Wanted 2027 Scholastic Book Club

After many years Bianca will be finishing up coordinating the Scholastic Book Club at the end of the year, as her youngest child finishes at EEPS. Scholastic Book Club is an institution, and you may remember it from when you were at school, I certainly do. We are looking for another parent or parents who would be able to take over from next year. I am sure Bianca will provide a handover and training, but it isn’t a complicated role. This is a valued task so please let the office know if you are able to assist.

Repeat of Compass Newsfeed Regarding Walking Home Through Linear Reserve

Earlier this week I sent a direct Compass newsfeed to Prep-Year 2 parents.

Dear EEPS Prep-Year 2 parents and carers,

You may recall that I sent a newsfeed earlier in the year regarding a student who was upsetting one of our Linear Reserve neighbours. Unfortunately, this resident has written again.

It appears the problems with the little student have started again. It has happened a few times afterschool this term and I think it is the same child. We are doing our best to keep the dogs inside at 3.30 but they hear the little boy because of the way he runs and screams towards our property. Our dogs then cry and fret because they recognise him from past episodes. The student seems to be looking for our dogs and sometimes climbs onto a cut down tree to look over our fence. When he passes our property, he seems to be alone; however, I think his mother stays on the path whilst he runs off. We are truly sorry to write again and are doing our best to manage our dogs but would appreciate some help with your student.

If I could please ask, if this could possibly be your child to have a conversation around respecting our neighbours and remembering what the impact of our actions can be.

Arrival Times in the Morning

As the mornings are lighter and children may be waking up earlier, please remember that no child should be onsite in the mornings until 8.30am at the earliest. Teachers are not on duty until 8:45/8:50, and duty of care is too important to have it compromised. Children who repeatedly arrive early could be sent to our OSHC service.

Stadium Upgrade

I have been having regular meetings with the appointed architects in regard to planning a new competition standard gymnasium. Our site is very complex, so it is taking some time to work through options. Many other schools, with flat open land, decide very quickly on the location and then devote the time to the actual layout of the building. We are still in the site stage. However, I am very pleased to confirm that Vicki Ward has been able to secure additional funding for EEPS to ensure that the oval upgrade is completely funded, leaving the actual stadium construction funding for a future budget. I am also lobbying very hard that, in the interest of having a new stadium, we don’t lose any of our valuable learning spaces, with minimal loss to existing outside play space. 

Class Placement for 2027

On Tuesday, I sent a direct Compass newsfeed regarding the class placement process for 2027. It is very similar to previous years, but I included the detail for families who are new to this process. Please take a moment to read that and to help your child fill in the ‘butterfly’ by next Monday 26th October.

Coming Up

The JSC is busy organising the 2026 student discos which will be happening in Melbourne Cup Week. This was a lot of fun in 2025 and we look forward to having a blast and to raise additional funds for the school. Please look out for the Compass event for this.

Next week our Year 4 campers are off to Camp Adanac and we wish them all the best for a fun, action packed 3 days. 

Also, next week on Friday 30th October is World Teacher’s Day for 2026. I would urge as many parents as possible to express your gratitude through words to one or more of the amazing teachers at EEPS. Every teaching year is tricky but it has been a complex year in 2026 for teachers both with the media coverage about the place of schools and with the challenging debates that accompanied the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement. 

Lastly, with the sad news from regional Victoria on Monday night I pause and remind everyone that ‘Kindness matters at our school’. We all have an incredibly important role to play in shaping and instilling this virtue into the next generation and in our own interactions.

Have a good week.

Kind regards

Warren Lloyd

Principal