Local Community News

Protecting against diphtheria

There are diphtheria outbreaks happening in some parts of Australia, especially in regional and remote areas of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.  There have been no cases identified in Victoria to date.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against getting very sick from diphtheria. Everyone should stay up to date with their vaccinations.

If your family is travelling to a higher risk area, the Department of Health recommends that you:

check your family’s diphtheria vaccinations
consider getting vaccinated if you or your family have not had a diphtheria vaccine in the past 5 years.

You can check your diphtheria vaccination records: 

on your Medicare online account through MyGov or by contacting the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 
on your personal health records, such as your childhood immunisation records 
by speaking to your GP, immunisation provider or Aboriginal Health Service.

You can also check if your family is up to date with other vaccinations before travel in Australia or overseas.

About diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious infection. It can affect the skin or the nose, throat and airways. In severe illness, it can affect the heart, kidneys and nerves.

It is spread through close contact with an infected person, through skin sores, or droplets from coughs, sneezes and saliva. Sometimes it can spread through contact with contaminated items such as towels or shared objects.

People who are not fully immunised have higher risk of severe illness. Pregnant women, children aged under 5 years and those with weakened immune systems also have higher risk.

Free diphtheria vaccinations

Vaccination is free for:

people aged less than 20 years who need a catch-up vaccination
refugees and humanitarian entrants
pregnant women
some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For more information about eligibility, refer to the Department of Health’s diphtheria booster vaccination campaign.

Vaccination is available at your GP, local pharmacist, local council or Aboriginal Health Service. Call ahead to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine.

Please note that there are no restrictions on travel to [Northern Territory/Western Australia/South Australia] based on vaccination status.

Find out more

For more information, refer to:  

Better Health Channel for information on finding your immunisation records
Department of Health for information about free booster vaccine eligibility
your GP, local pharmacist, local council or Aboriginal Health Service

Bayside Farmers' Market

What a great way to kick-start the weekend, with a visit to the 60+ market stalls featuring seasonal fresh produce direct from the farm, gourmet and artisan foods and beverages, take-away food, drinks & coffees, and live music…all at a fabulous beachside location…..…so get your family and friends together and join in this fantastic community event!

Proceeds from this Market will go to Bushfire Relief

HERE’S WHERE YOU’LL FIND US:

🗓When: Saturday, 27th June

📍Where: Trey Bit Reserve (Jetty Road), Sandringham*

⏰Time: 8am-1pm

🐶Dogs welcome on lead also

More details about the market are also available at:

Website: https://BaysideFarmersMarket.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaysideFM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baysidefarmersmarket_

Raising emotionally healthy kids talk

Across the session, Gen will explore why children experience strong emotional reactions and how parents and carers can respond supportively during challenging moments. The session will cover practical strategies for navigating anger, anxiety, frustration and overwhelm, as well as tools families can use in everyday life.

Gen is the founder of Connected Parenting, an obstetric social worker, and the author of the bestselling book Little People, Big Feelings. She connects with more than 165,000 parents across social media and is a regular parenting contributor on Today Extra. Known for her warmth, humour and practical approach, Gen aims to help parents feel more confident and supported in everyday family life.

This session is for parents and carers only.

This session is co-hosted by Caulfield Junior College, Glen Eira Youth Services and Caulfield Community Health Service.

School Holiday Drama Program

🎭 School Holiday Drama Program

📅 Tuesday 7 July 2026

⏰ 9:30am – 4:00pm

📍 Hampton Community Centre, 14 Willis Street, Hampton

👧 Ages 5–10 years

Further information and bookings can be found here:

https://immersedrama.com/product/schoolholidaydramaprogram/

Sailaway Readers

Bayside Council Winter School Holiday Activities

Winter School Holiday Activities

Join in the fun these school holidays with these exciting activities with Bayside City Council Youth Services. The activities are open to young people aged between 10 and 17 with a connection to Bayside (live, work, school, play). The exception to the age range is the VR Experience which is open to young people aged 12 and 18.

• Get Jumpin’, Bounce Keysborough, Tuesday 30 June • Robot Workshop, Peterson Youth Centre, Thursday 2 July• Hangout, Peterson Youth Centre, Friday 3 July• VR Experience, Sandringham Library, Tuesday 7 July• Cooking Workshop, Highett Community Centre, Friday 10 July• Hangout, Peterson Youth Centre, Friday 10 July

Bookings now open – https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/services/youth/school-holiday-activities

BGS & Swim Holiday Program

Brighton Auskick - Holiday Program

Glen Education Holiday Program

James an College Ormond

2027 Foundation (Prep) Enrolments Now Open

If you have a child starting primary school in 2027, Foundation (Prep) enrolments are now open. If you are enrolling a sibling of a current Elsternwick Primary School student for Foundation (Prep) in 2027, and both children will attend EPS at the same time, your child will be prioritised for a place in line with the Department of Education Placement Policy.

Online enrolment through VicStudents

From this year, Elsternwick Primary School is using the Department of Education’s secure online enrolment system, VicStudents.

VicStudents allows families to:

complete enrolment applications online
securely submit information
receive updates throughout the enrolment process

To access VicStudents, families will sign in using a Service Victoria account. If you do not already have a Service Victoria account, you will be guided through the setup process.

Key dates

Applications close: Friday 31 July 2026
Schools review applications and contact families: Monday 3 August – Friday 14 August 2026
Families accept enrolment offer by: Friday 28 August 2026

When accepting an offer, families will also be asked to provide additional personal and health information required for school enrolment.

How to apply

Visit the VicStudents portal below to complete your child’s online application:

https://students.educationapps.vic.gov.au/s/

Is VicStudents secure?

VicStudents has been assessed by the Department of Education to a high standard of security in line with the Victorian Protective Data Security Standards and complies with ISO 27001, the leading international standard for information security.

We look forward to welcoming our 2027 Preps to EPS!

Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Some areas in regional northern Victoria are experiencing a longer mosquito season this year due to recent flooding. While the overall risk is currently low, some mosquitoes may be carrying diseases that make people sick.

The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites. The free Japanese encephalitis vaccine is also available for more Victorians. 

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. It can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.

The free Japanese encephalitis vaccine is available for:

people aged 2 months or older who live or work in eligible high-risk local government areas in Victoria
until Friday 31 July 2026, people who plan to visit high-risk areas in Victoria or interstate for outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, caravaning or boating.

For more information:

refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage for a list of high-risk areas
speak to your GP or immunisation provider to check if your family is eligible for a free vaccine ahead of any planned travel during the coming months.

How to help prevent mosquito bites

To help protect against mosquito bites, families can: 

cover up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing  
apply insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when outdoors 
limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active
clean up and remove containers and items around the home that may hold water where mosquitoes may breed.

Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone Nurse-on-Call: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours).

Find out more

For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages:

Mosquitoes can carry diseases
Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, including a handy checklist to help reduce mosquito breeding sites at home and resources translated into other languages
Japanese encephalitis.

Australian Girls Choir Open Day

Australian Sports Camp

Holiday Code Camp

Winter Art Classes

Piano Lessons

Holiday Program

Spark Pathology Holiday Programs

Stay well this winter

Influenza (flu) can be serious, especially for children.

Choose to protect yourself and your loved ones with an annual flu vaccine. The earlier you and your family get vaccinated, the better your protection heading into winter.

Keeping our school community well

We encourage parents and carers and students to:

wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching your face
cough or sneeze into your elbow
stay home if unwell and consult your GP or Nurse-on-Call as needed
stay up to date with your flu vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Some people are more at risk of severe illness from flu, especially babies and toddlers. They can get a free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

You can book a flu vaccine through your GP or pharmacy, or find a flu vaccine near you.

RSV vaccinations for mothers and babies

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common virus that causes colds and ear infections. In babies, it can cause severe illness like bronchiolitis.

The RSV vaccine is available for pregnant women as part of the National Immunisation Program. In Victoria, eligible babies can also get the RSV vaccine until Wednesday 30 September 2026.

You can speak with your GP or midwife about the vaccine.

Find out more

For more information about staying well this winter, refer to:

your GP, pharmacist or midwife
the Better Health Channel – Don’t risk the flu campaign, including information about flu and other vaccines. This information is available in different languages
the Better Health Channel – RSV vaccine for mothers and infants
the Raising Children Network – influenza, COVID-19, bronchiolitis and helping your child prepare for vaccination.

Piano Teacher

Auskick Vampires Football Club

East Brighton Auskick is back at Hurlingham Park. We're running two sessions each week: Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.Starts :- Friday 1 May @ 5:00pm- Also Saturday 2 May @ 8:45am

Location: Hurlingham Park, BrightonWho: Ages 4–8 | All skill levels welcome

Elwood College Homestay

Protecting against measles

Measles cases are rising in Victoria and around the world. Returned travellers make up most cases, but local spread has also been detected.

Vaccination is the most safe and effective way to protect yourself and others against measles. People need 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccine to be fully protected.

To help protect against measles, you should check your family’s measles vaccinations today. This is particularly important if you are:

· planning any travel

· were born during or after 1966

· were born overseas.

You can check your measles vaccination records: · on your Medicare online account through MyGov or by contacting the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809

· on your personal health records, such as your childhood immunisation records

· by speaking to your GP or immunisation provider.

About measles Measles is a viral infection. It spreads easily from airborne droplets, such as from coughing or sneezing, and nose and throat secretions.

Symptoms may include:

· fever

· feeling tired or unwell

· cough or runny nose

· sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)

· diarrhoea – especially in infants.

This is usually followed by a red, blotchy, non-itchy rash that often starts on the face before spreading down the body.

Measles can cause serious illness and be life-threatening. People who are not fully immunised or have not had a previous measles infection are at increased risk.

Pregnant women, children aged under 5 years and those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe illness and complications.

If your child develops measles symptoms, you should:

· keep your child home from school and seek medical care and testing

· call the health service and wear a face mask when travelling to and attending the health service

· let our school know if your child has measles, or is being tested for measles

· keep your child at home until well and advised by a health professional.

Free measles vaccines

Anyone who does not have 2 doses of measles vaccine, or is unsure, can get a measles vaccine.

Free vaccines are available for:

· infants aged 12 months to 18 months

· children and teenagers aged under 20 years

· adult refugees and humanitarian entrants.

Free vaccines are also available for anyone with or without a Medicare card if they are:

· born during or after 1966 who have not received 2 doses or are unsure, including people born overseas

· infants from 6 months and before 11 months of age before overseas travel.

Vaccination is widely available at your GP, local pharmacist, local council or Aboriginal Health Service. Call ahead to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine.

If your child has had new or catch-up vaccines, we encourage you to give our school an updated immunisation history statement.

Find out more

For more information, refer to: · the Better Health Channel web page How to find your immunisation records

2026 Interschools Snowsport Championships

Snowsports

If any families are interested in joining the EPS Snowsports team please contact Sarah Calman sarahcalman@gmail.com

Foster Care

Key Assets Victoria is a not-for-profit foster care agency supporting children in care that operates in all areas of Melbourne and many regional areas.

There are currently 12,458 children in Victoria that need the support of a loving caring foster family.

FOSTER CARERS NEEDED

If you have thought about foster care, please get in touch and ask the questions you have always wanted to.

Ring: Key Assets 1800 932 237 or 1800 WE CARE

Email: info@keyassets.com.au

Web: canifoster.com.au or keyassets.com.au

Please call if you require any additional information and like us on Facebook and Instagram

Babysitting

Our contact information is HeidiMiles@caulfieldgs.vic.edu.au and JasmineGilbert@caulfieldgs.vic.edu.au. We are happy to babysit together or separately, thank you!!

Korean Classes

Sport Star Academy

Junior Cellists

Drama Classes - Elwood

Learn to Sail

Learn to sail these school holidays with Tackers at Albert Park lake!

Tackers is a fun introductory, games-based sailing program designed for kids aged 7-12 yrs. Participants learn how to sail small boats with the guidance and expertise of our Australian Sailing qualified instructors.

Tackers focuses on teaching sailing in a fun and engaging way where participants can sail with friends and make new friendships along the way.

Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience or club membership to participate.

Visit https://www.theboatshed.net.au/tackers for more information and/or to book a place.

French Classes

Holloway Bend Scouts

Elsternwick Park Tennis Lessons

Dance Classes

Strong Nation Brighton

Cubs &Scouts

TSR Combative Training