Principal's Views

Principal's Views

As we come to the close of another rewarding year, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many achievements and memorable moments that have shaped 2025 at our school. This year has been marked by learning, growth and strong connections, and I am incredibly proud of all that our students, staff and families have achieved together.

The final week has been filled with excitement and celebration. It began with our end-of-year assembly, showcasing student achievements through awards and performances. 

Congratulations to the 2026 Leaders

We are excited to announce the 2026 School Leaders. Leaders were presented with their badges at  assembly on Monday. We are looking foward to working with them all in 2026.  

I would also like to sincerely thank our 2025 Student Leaders for their exceptional leadership throughout the year. They have been a pleasure to work with and have consistently demonstrated leadership, initiative and the school values. 

There has been so much to celebrate over the past two weeks. Students enthusiastically dressed up for Career Day, enjoyed class parties, and were treated to an energetic performance by Team Dream. The fun continued with our annual Colour Fun Run, highlighted by the much-loved ‘Sliming’ of Dana, Robbyn and Jess D.

Elf on the Shelf returned for more fun antics!

Year 6 Graduation - Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Graduation Speech by Rachel Griffiths, Principal

Thank you for that lovely introduction and kind words but tonight is about you and we are very grateful to have had such amazing student leaders, students, teachers and parents in the year 6 cohort to make this year such a success. 

A night like tonight doesn't happen by accident and I would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of this evening. There is a healthy rivalry that occurs from one year to the next to make each year better than the last and I know tonight will be a very successful event.

Tonight we celebrate a very special milestone for our Year 6 students. When you were born, about twelve years ago, the world looked quite different. You were born into the world as digital natives and since then technology has changed how you learn, connect, and explore the world. Not long after you started your schooling, in grade 1 and 2 you were thrown into online learning during Covid – this time tested your patience and built your resilience and whilst it was hard at the time many of us forged stronger relationships and school and home had a window into each other's worlds. During this time you built skills that would help you as you move into the next stage of your education.

But the world hasn’t just changed through technology. Over the past twelve years, you’ve also grown up in a time when people talk more openly about kindness, fairness, and human rights. You’ve seen communities come together during tough times and stand up for what they believe is right. Children the same age as you have shown us that your voice is powerful and you can use this voice to advocate for world issues such as climate change, mental health, human rights and even world peace. 

As you leave primary school, you take with you not just knowledge and skills, but our values of caring, honesty, excellence, respect and responsibility. The world will keep changing and tonight we are confident that you are ready to be part of shaping its future.

As you move on from primary school remember these values in everything you do. You can make a difference by upholding these values and striving for excellence in all aspects of your lives. 

So Year 6 graduates, take a moment to think about your years at EVPS, or even just this year … consider which value you have demonstrated the most. For some of you this will stand out straight away, for others it may be hard to pick just one. 

I’m going to ask each graduate to stand up for the value that best represents you, stay standing until you are all standing…parents, teachers and guests you might like to make a prediction of which value each student will stand for …

Honesty is about telling the truth, and also standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult. 

Responsibility means taking action for something bigger than ourselves – recently we had a number of our Year 6 students show responsibility during our Prep transition program.

Caring is showing concern and kindness towards others and their wellbeing. There are countless examples of our Year 6s demonstrating care for others – we see it in the playground and in the classroom each day. You can see it and feel it in the room tonight.

Respect is recognising the values and rights of others and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be seen, heard, and included.

Excellence is the consistent pursuit of doing something to the highest possible standard. This includes showing persistence and integrity and holding these high standards of yourself even when no one is watching.

• Honesty
• Responsibility 
• Caring 
• Respect 
• Excellence

So as you stand there, today is the next step of YOUR journey — you will carry these EVPS values with you every step of the way.

You are standing here in your own hall of fame, 

We all know that the world is going to know your name.

Congratulations on your achievements - We can’t wait to see what you achieve in your future!

I’d now like to invite Rouba Urrutia our school council president up to say a few words. Rouba is here with 2 hats on tonight as she also has her daughter graduating …  I’d like to thank her for her commitment and leadership of our EVPS school council and advocating to improve the school so the students have the best learning environment possible. 

Views to the Future Award  -  Rizwan

Rizwan exemplifies our school values in every single way. He ensures that everyone is included and goes out of his way to say good morning to everyone. He genuinely cares about how others are. 

He demonstrates a level of maturity beyond his years and shows initiative and leadership. 

In his role as SWPBS leader he has contributed to maintaining a positive school environment and supporting initiatives to improve everyone’s experience of school.

He shows the highest level of integrity and demonstrates all of these qualities even when no one is watching.

We are fortunate to have him representing EVPS.  Congratulations to Rizwan who has a very bright future.

Shop to the Top Competition 

EVPS proudly received 2nd prize in the Shop to the Top competition, prize money of $4,000 won in the category school with the highest average spend per student. The students will have the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and share their thoughts on how the prize money could be spent to benefit our school community. Congratulations to Epping Views Kinder who won 1st prize for all participating kinders.

Thank you to our wonderful school community for participating in the competition and for supporting local businesses during the Epping Road Upgrade.

School Council

A big thank you to our School Council for their ongoing support and valuable contribution to the school over the past year.

School Council have been discussing some local community issues. Included in this newsletter is a flyer regarding the proposed Wollert Incinerator, along with a link to a form for families to indicate their support. 

Staffing Update

We would like to congratulate a number of staff members who are moving on to new positions in 2026. Teachers transferring to a new school: Dana, Jesse, Maddy E, Mel E, Liz, Robbyn, Zac. Education Support Staff new positions: Branka, Maddi C and Yasmin. We also wish Bec W and Jess A all the very best for their family leave. 

Victorian Institute of Teaching 

A huge congratulations to Naomi for moving her practice from the graduate to proficient level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and providing evidence across 37 descriptors. We are very proud of Naomi and the commitment and growth she has shown in her teaching practice. Thank you to Aimee who was her mentor throughout this process. 

Looking Ahead to 2026 – Term 1

• Tuesday 27th January: Curriculum Day (no students at school)
• Wednesday 28th January: Curriculum Day (no students at school)
• Thursday 29th January: Year 1– 6 students return, Prep Assessments by appointment
• Friday 30th  January: Prep students’ first day
• Tuesday 17th February: Meet and Greet 9:50-6:50pm

2026 Classroom Teams

Please see the 2026 Classroom Teams. Details regarding Education Support Staff & Administration will be shared at the start of the year.

We look forward the 2026 year and all of the new learning and growth it will bring. There is a new resource for parents and carers to support you to support your children for the new year of learning.  A New Year of Learning 

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season filled with rest, joy and relaxation. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate – may it be a time of warmth, love and happiness. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year and all that 2026 has in store!

Rachel Griffiths

Acting Principal

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