Principal's Message

Dear Families,

This will be the last newsletter for the term. 

Friday 28th June is the last day of Term 2, with the assembly commencing at 2.00pm and a 2.30pm dismissal.  We have two student performances from the Junior and Senior EPS has got Talent finalists as well as a number of presentations scheduled for assembly.  If it is raining we will endeavour to hold the assembly in the gym with students needing to return to their classrooms at the end of assembly to collect their bags.  Please make sure you arrange to have your child/ren picked up by 2.30pm on Friday 28th June.

Your child’s Semester 1 reports will be available on your child’s Compass portal on Wednesday 26th June. Click on the link 2024- Semester One Report, on the Reports tab to access and download this report. Please refer to the “Semester 1 Reports Explained” page in this newsletter for a detailed explanation of the reports.

Term 2 was action packed starting with a series of 2025 Foundation tours for parents interested in finding out more about our school. In the second half of the term we held a Pre-school story time each Friday morning so that prospective 2025 Foundation Students became familiar with the building and the playground. The Peer Support program was again very successful, in fact so much so we have decided to continue it into Term 3. EPS has Got Talent was again a hit and attracted many contestants and onlookers. We are looking forward to showcasing our talent and the finalists at Friday’s assembly. Teams of teachers continued to participate in action research, professional learning forums and workshops around the implementation of the Berry Street Education Model, Universal Design for Learning and inclusive teaching strategies. 

Other activities over the term have included: The whole school ANZAC assembly, Year 5 and 6 Winter Interschool Sport competition, Cross Country, Inquiry excursions and incursions, Mother’s Day Stall and Friday Food Stalls. Thank you so very, very much to our parent community for your tireless work and continued support.

Term 3 is shaping up to be another busy term. 

Monday 15th July will be the first day of Term 3 for students.

Wednesday 24th July will be a Mini Olympics Incursion with sessions with different year levels during the day and a whole school assembly at 3pm

Monday 29th July Opening Ceremony for the launch of the Potato Olympics and the Athletics Day

Thursday 1st August will be 100 days of learning for our Foundation students. The Foundation team have a variety of fun activities for their students.

Friday 2nd August will be the Essendon Primary School Athletics Day.  As in previous years the Prep to Year 2 athletics events will be held at school and the Year 3 to Year 6 athletics events at the ‘Aberfeldie Athletics track in Aberfeldie.  We recognise the significant difficulties and dilemma this arrangement provides to parents with students in each of these age groups.  However, the most compelling consideration is the time required to bus over 400 students to and from Aberfeldie whilst trying to accommodate and coordinate all junior and senior events on different rotations within the time remaining.  We realise it would be a very long day for Prep to 2 students, with considerable time waiting for the next event.  This arrangement will allow us to complete all events and have sufficient time for students to get together as a whole school at the end of the day, around 3:15pm to hand out awards at a special assembly.  We apologise for the difficulty this arrangement will present to some parents, particularly those who have children at both venues but believe the moderate pace of the day’s events and the ability to get together at the end of the day as a whole school to celebrate achievements will be invaluable. 

Wednesday 7th August the Australian Mathematics Competition

National Science Week is in Week 5, Monday 12th to Friday 16th August. The 2024 schools’ theme is Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world. The Specialist PLT will have some exciting Science activities planned in their specialist classes during the week. 

Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week is in Week 6, Monday 19th to 23rd August with the book parade being held on Friday 23rd August. The theme for Book Week 2024 is Reading is Magic. Reading can take you to other worlds; Reading helps you explore new ideas; Reading helps you to understand a different person. Leadership and the Specialist PLT will be planning a variety of activities for students to participate in during the week. 

Week 9 will be our usual Planning Week for Term 4 with Wednesday 11th September, the much awaited Year 5/6 Production at the Clocktower. And then, before we all realise, it will be the end of Term 3. 

It is important to note that the Term 3 Student Progress Parent/ Teacher interviews Student Progress Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually, on Webex on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th September, 4pm -7pm, in the last week of Term 3. Appointment times will be set up on Compass and made available for families to book. More information to come.

As you can see it is going to be a very busy Term. I hope everyone has an exciting, enjoyable and safe two-week break and we look forward to seeing you on Monday 15th July for the start of Term 3.