Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
Fete Update
After much consideration and careful deliberation, we advise that the proposed school fete will not proceed at this time.The workload involved in orchestrating such an event is substantial, despite our best efforts and the substantial groundwork that has been undertaken.
I understand the disappointment this news may bring, especially considering our anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the fete but we can collectively explore alternative ways to support our school without overburdening our community members and reconsider a fete in the coming years when we are better positioned.
EPS Picnic and Party
Thanks to everyone that joined our wonderful community to enjoy our Picnic and Party Event. Congratulations to Mr Gowans and our School Choir for their wonderful performance and to the staff for showcasing their entertaining lip-syncing skills. An extra special thanks you to Danielle Moore, Brittany Peebles, Mike Hyde, Michael DeGeorge & Danny Williams.
Volunteers Coffee Morning
Thankyou so much to our EPS Volunteers! All those parents, carers, grandparents, and friends who contribute in a myriad of ways to build community and raise funds for our wonderful school.
Year 1 Move to Brickwood Hall
Thankyou to Danielle for magically renovating 3 of our Brickwood Hall classrooms in record time for our Year 1 cohort to move in to. We are excited to have Brickwood Hall filled again and already I have had great feedback about the energy at Brickwood Hall and beautiful classroom set up. Thanks to the classroom teachers and support staff who worked so hard to get everything set up ready for step up day today!
School Captains
This year, we received an overwhelming number of applications from enthusiastic and talented students eager to take on leadership roles within our school community. The sheer volume of applications is a testament to the dedication and passion our students hold for making a positive impact. Our 2024 student captains were announced last week, and I would like to formally congratulate them on this achievement. Well done to; Charlie M, Clara W, Frankie H and Molly D.
Student Newsletter
Thanks to the newly elected School Captain, Molly D for another wonderful student newsletter. The newsletter has become an essential source of information, entertainment, and connection for our students, and this accomplishment wouldn't have been possible without Molly’s talent and efforts.
Staffing
It is with mixed emotions we say goodbye to Georgia Smart at the end of the year. Georgia started her teaching career at EPS a few years ago and has spent time in both the CAB and on the Deck, despite telling me she wanted to teach Prep (I think she was joking). We wish Georgia the very best at her new school and hope that she will continue to compete for EPS in our Basketball team, at the Teacher’s Games as we aim to get back-to-back gold medals in 2024.
Danielle Moore (EPS Business Manager) will reduce her time fraction in 2024 to two days a week. She will be capably supported by Diana Telford who will increase her time fraction and venture out of her 2023 home in the library. Congratulations to Diana on her successful appointment to the BM role.
Step Up Day
On Monday students participated in Step-Up day. They met their new classmates, classrooms and spent time learning about the year ahead with their new classroom teachers!
Transitions are a great opportunity for students to practice their growth mindset. It is important that children can acknowledge their feelings, name their thinking, and reframe unhelpful thoughts to helpful thoughts. Change can be uncomfortable but also an opportunity to practice coping strategies for working outside our comfort zone (with new experiences and in new environments). Step Up Day is designed to support students feel confident and minimise any anxiety they may feel as they make the transition to their next year level. We encourage you to discuss these sessions with your child/ren over the holidays.
Departing Families
To the families leaving EPS, I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.
Graduating class of 2023
Congratulations to the graduation class of 2023…
I am so proud of your achievements and the contributions you have made to our school. Throughout this year I continued to be impressed by the achievement and growth you have all displayed. I certainly hope that you can look back on your time at EPS as the foundation of your education journey - and fundamentally as a foundation for you as a person. I am confident that you will all embrace your new schools with eagerness, and I look forward to reuniting when you come back and visit us.
Thank you
To our wonderful, resilient, and assiduous staff I thank you for the role you have played in supporting our students this year. Your work has been critical in assisting our students to feel valued and proud of their achievements. Whilst I may have a little bias here, I am constantly astounded by the incredible talents, sophisticated thinking skills and overall happy demeanour of our students, congratulations on another productive and enjoyable year at school!
Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey
Thanks to the members in our community that responded to the 2023 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey. Our results indicate outcomes more positive than all measures except for our ‘Physical Environment’. We know if this question was asked today, our result would be much more positive as the survey was requested during our Oval and Multi Sports upgrade.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our assembly on Wednesday, 20th December at 12PM where we will send off our Year 6 graduating class of 2023 and the rest of us to a well deserved summer break!
Have a great weekend,
Michael Portaro
