Wellbeing & Engagement

I hope everyone is having a positive start to Term 4, it's hard to believe that we are already at the end of Week 2!

Learner Agency Showcase feedback  - thank You for Your Feedback!

Thank you to all parents and carers who participated in our recent ‘Learner Agency Showcase Feedback’ survey. The survey results revealed a 100% positive response rate to the question, ‘Do you feel the Learner Agency Showcase gave you insight into how students learn mathematics at EPS?’ Affirming our ongoing focus of empowering students to be active agents in their own learning.

We are continuing to review our current parent/carer formal communication schedule, and the comments received revealed that the Showcase is a highly regarded addition to this schedule. 

Meet and Greet

Feel free to join us for a 'Meet and Greet' with our Koorie Engagement Support Officer, Ms Stephanie Briggs.

This demonstrates our commitment to Child Safe Standard 1 -  organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Class Creation for 2025

Just a reminder that final class groupings for 2025 will be announced during our whole school Step Up Day on Tuesday, 17th December. If your child will be absent that day, the admin team will email your child’s class teacher allocation for 2025.

Social Media safety 

Parents/Carers play an important role in supporting their children to be safe online and on social media. You can help your children safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences. You can explore websites, games, apps and social media together and set some rules and boundaries. 

Your support and guidance can give your children the knowledge to make sound decisions online and confidence to ask for help when they need it. It is also important to stay informed about online safety.  

The Department of Education recognises this important issue and has developed fact sheets about supports to help keep students safe online and what to do if they are involved in an online incident. 

The fact sheets contain links to evidence-based information on supporting positive and safe online experiences, signs a child or young person might need support, what to do if something unsafe happens online, and where to reach out to for more support.  

To access the fact sheets, refer to the Safe Socials webpage. The fact sheets are available in 19 community languages.   

The government is also launching public consultation on age limits for social media. 

You and your children can share your experiences to inform proposed changes via an online survey, before 5 pm on Friday 1 November 2024. For more information on the survey and to take part, refer to Proposed changes to social media age limits on the Engage Victoria website.

If you have any queries about this information, you can contact the department by email: bullystoppers@education.vic.gov.au

Raising Body Bright Children Parent/Carer Webinar - reminder

Following a successful introduction of the Body Bright program in Term 3, we are continuing to incorporate these strength based, prevention focused lessons into our Wellbeing curriculum in Term 4.  

To help support the students' learning and share practical advice on how to support your child’s body confidence, The Butterfly Foundation will be facilitating a free online session for EPS Parents/Carers.  

Join the experts from the Butterfly Foundation where they will discuss strategies for supporting positive body image in children. The session will unpack the 6 themes of Butterfly Body Bright as well as addressing the power of positive role modelling, reducing appearance talk, healthy eating and exercise behaviour, early intervention and referral advice.  

Date: 29th October 2024

Time: 7pm – 8.15pm

Where: Online via Zoom

https://butterfly-org-au.zoom.us/j/81351358835   

Meeting ID: 813 5135 8835

We ask that microphones are kept on mute and participants use the chat function if they have a question. 

By way of a reminder this session is designed for an adult audience, and we kindly ask that children do not attend. 

Please see flyer attached for further information and contact Body Bright lead, Eliza Solly (eliza.solly@education.vic.gov.au) if you have any queries. 

Psychology, OT and speech therapy services at EPS  

Just a reminder that we have partnered once again with Domain Health and Nepean Psychology for 2024. These services have Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Psychologists operating onsite at Elsternwick Primary School several afternoons per week. 

We have had much feedback from families that sourcing private allied health professionals can present many challenges, including long waitlists, travel logistics and limited availability outside of school hours. 

For more information, please contact Leanne Williams on leanne.williams2@education.vic.gov.au 

Please note that these services are offered by private companies and are not affiliated with Elsternwick Primary School in any way. Services require payment from families and may be covered by private health in some cases.

Have a lovely weekend,

Leanne Williams

Acting Assistant Principal