Principal's Report 

Dear BEPS community,

During the week we held ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions which were once again well attended by our parent community. We acknowledge our staff for the organisation of these sessions and the opportunity it provides for the development of future positive communication around student support and success. We encourage parents to contribute to their child’s educational success by communicating high expectations for education and the importance and value of learning.

We also encourage parents to foster aspirations in education and articulate future educational plans. Other activities that promote the overall development of children include participating in school-based clubs and involving children in sporting and cultural activities beyond school.

It has been wonderful to see a number of families taking advantage of the playgrounds and school facilities after school this term. We do ask though that all students are closely and actively supervised by their parents once collected, as the yard is only supervised by staff until 3:45 each afternoon. We do ask that, if you are allowing your child to stay at school after 3:45, you are on the school grounds during this time.

School Attendance

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Students who are regularly absent from school are at risk of missing fundamental aspects of their educational and social development. The Victorian Governments “Everyday Counts” initiative promotes the fact that regular school attendance enables students to maximise their full potential and actively participate and engage in their learning. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age. 

Children with attendance of 80 per cent or less (that is, 40 days or more absenteeism per year) may be significantly disadvantaged in their learning. If you are having attendance issues with your child, please let your child’s teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day. Teri, Edwina or myself will contact you if there are any concerns about your child’s attendance or punctuality. Remember EVERY DAY COUNTS! 

Late Arrivals

Student punctuality is equally important. At the beginning of the day, students are informed of the day’s program, events and important instructions are often given. Students arriving late to school (after 9.00 am) also disrupt the class they are in while getting themselves organised and settled for the day. Your co-operation on this matter would be greatly appreciated. A student arriving late to school must sign in at the office, and their late arrival will be recorded on the daily attendance roll. Parents/Guardians must provide a reason for their child arriving late to school.

Care Of Toilets By Children

We need your assistance please parents. We are sometimes experiencing a sudden spate of bad toileting behaviour by some boys and girls in both the junior and senior year levels. Soiling toilets, urinating in the wrong places, failing to flush toilets, and throwing wet toilet paper on the ceiling are the main offences. Then there is blocking toilets with rolls of toilet paper and locking the toilet doors. 

Our teachers reinforce appropriate behaviour in the toilets regularly and we will continue to be as vigilant as we can in supervising the children when using toilets, but there are privacy issues which do, quite rightly, limit us. I would be very grateful if you could speak with your children about the importance of appropriate use of their school toilets, and if they are aware of any children who are not doing the right thing when using the toilets, could they please let their teacher know, in confidence.

Student birthdays, celebrations and parties

This notice is a reminder of the requirements for celebrating a student’s birthday or other milestones at school.  Some parents like to send something small to school for their child’s class to share when it is their birthday instead of having a party elsewhere.  At BEPS this is allowed; however, there are strict parameters that must be adhered to for Child Safety, including medical and equity purposes. 

Please note and ensure the following:

• Only individually pre-packaged food, where the ingredients are clearly visible, is allowed.  OR
• A very small, inexpensive, non-food party favour such as a fidget toy to take home.

Please note that any items brought to school to share must be:

• Given directly to the child’s class teacher at the beginning of the day by the parent.
• Shared with the class at the end of the day by the teacher/student.
• Taken home by each student to show their parents, who will decide when it may be eaten/played with.

Classes will often sing ‘happy birthday’ to students or teachers on their celebration day. This is a lovely way to celebrate at school.  However, if you do wish to send something for your child’s class, the above requirements must be adhered to, please.

Personal Belongings

A reminder to our school community that the Department of Education does not hold insurance for the loss or damage of personal items bought into the school. Students are encouraged to avoid bringing any items of value into the school. Parents are also strongly encouraged to clearly name all items, especially hats and jackets, as this can lead to a prompt return if lost.

Celebrating Success

Celebrating student success is at the forefront of BEPS. Last week, I received a number of emails from parents regarding some wonderful student achievement outside of school, which I would love to acknowledge and share with the community.

Kiyara, from 1M, took part in Championship Day at Knox Little Athletics Centre on the 24th February, 2024. She won the medals for the following events whilst also achieving some personal best times.

• 1st place - 70m, 100m, 200m
• 2nd place - Long jump

Han, from 6KM, was chosen as a First Prize + Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize Winner of the 2023 “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competition. Han also completed his AMEB Piano Grade 8 exam with honours last December. During his time at BEPS, Han has also been a part of numerous bands including the C-Pop band and Rock band. 

Yours in Partnership,

Darren.