From the Principal's Desk

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of Term 2! The past few weeks have been packed with wonderful learning experiences, community events, and exciting opportunities for our students and staff.

A major highlight this term was the Year 5/6 camp to Phillip Island. Our students had an incredible time exploring the local environment, participating in hands-on learning experiences, and building strong friendships. From visiting the Penguin Parade to enjoying team-building activities and games at camp, the experience was one to remember. A big thank you to our dedicated staff who made this possible. We’ve also taken on some helpful parent feedback regarding the camp payment process and will be working to improve communication and support families with earlier information and instalment options via Compass Wallet.

Another great moment was the Term 2 Epsom Football League (EFL) Grand Final, with The Kings taking the win! It’s fantastic to see the improvement in skills, confidence, and teamwork among all participants. The lunchtime competition continues to be a highlight for many students across the school.

Earlier this month, we held a Curriculum Day focused on developing clear learning objectives and success criteria—tools that empower our students to better understand their learning journey and track their progress. This work links closely with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and supports our goal of building greater consistency in teaching across all classrooms.

We are also excited to be partnering with Huntly Men’s Shed in a new project that will see students working alongside older community members on practical projects like gardening and building guinea pig enclosures. This intergenerational connection has enormous potential for supporting student wellbeing, confidence, and applied learning in literacy and numeracy.

Our Hairy Connections program continues to grow, and we’ve recently submitted a grant application to support this unique initiative. The application includes funding for a 0.2 equine therapist position and covers costs for food and equipment over the next two years. We’re hopeful for a positive outcome and excited by what’s ahead for this program.

Finally, I’d like to thank our families for the ongoing support you show our school—whether it’s cheering on your child at athletics, ensuring that they attend every day, or providing feedback that helps us improve.

I hope you enjoy reading the second edition of our Epsom Gazette for the year. It’s a wonderful snapshot of the rich learning, achievements, and events that have taken place across the school this term. From student reflections to photo highlights, it captures the spirit of our school community beautifully.

Wishing you all a safe and restful break. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for Term 3!

Warm regards,

Julie Ladd

Principal