From the Principal's Desk

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we reach the end of Term One, I hope you enjoy the first edition of the Epsom Gazette for 2025!

Education has changed in so many ways over the years. Gone are the days of chalk and blackboards, replaced by interactive learning spaces, digital technologies, and student-led change. Yet, at its core, good teaching is still good teaching. Relationships remain the foundation of learning, and the connection between home and school continues to be one of the biggest factors in a child’s success. As we prepare our students for a future still being created, our focus remains on helping them build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive—whatever that future may look like.

This term, we have embraced the updated Victorian Curriculum 2.0, ensuring our students receive learning experiences that reflect current best practices. At the same time, we’ve deepened our work around Social Emotional Learning, helping students strengthen their ability to engage, self-regulate, and build resilience. These approaches are shaping not just what we teach, but how we support every student in their learning journey.

A real highlight of the term has been winning the Healthiest School Award at the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Awards! This is a reflection of the commitment our school community has made to sustainability, wellbeing, and healthy living. From encouraging active lifestyles to incorporating fresh produce into the canteen and prioritising hands-on learning, we have worked hard to build a culture of health and wellbeing. This award comes with a $2,000 prize, which we will reinvest into expanding these initiatives even further - continuing to create a healthier and more sustainable future for our students.

We also had reason to celebrate last week when our students competed in the Energy Breakthrough event at Calder Park, securing first and sixth place in the Junior Open Class! This was an incredible achievement, made possible by the dedication of our students, staff, and parent volunteers. Our involvement in Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) racing is more than just a competition—it’s a hands-on learning experience that fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, while giving students valuable insights into engineering, mechanics, and sustainability. The determination and spirit on display during the event made us all so proud.

Another exciting milestone this term has been the launch of our Equine-Supported Learning program. Watching the first group of students engage with this initiative has been incredibly rewarding. It is hoped that this structured program will help students to build confidence, develop emotional regulation skills, and strengthen their wellbeing. There has been strong interest from families, and we are excited to see how it evolves in the coming months.

Of course, some of the most valuable moments this term have been the ones that happen every day—watching students challenge themselves in the classroom, seeing friendships form in the playground, and celebrating small wins along the way. It’s these everyday experiences that shape our school and create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Our school captains have been busy analysing data from the Student Attitudes to School Survey and are looking forward to putting some new initiatives into place.

At the end of this term, we will also be saying farewell to our much-loved handyman, Pete, who is retiring after many years of dedicated service. Pete has been an essential part of our school, ensuring our facilities are well cared for and always lending a hand. We will certainly miss his presence, but we wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

As we reflect on Term One and look forward to the rest of the year, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for the energy, enthusiasm, and care that make Epsom Primary such a special place. Enjoy reading through this edition of the Epsom Gazette, and I look forward to sharing another wonderful term with you all.

Kind regards

Julie Ladd

Principal