Principal’s Report

Thank you to Peta Woodyard and Olivia McLeod for running our first “Family Picnic Night”! It was a great evening weather-wise and a wonderful opportunity for our EPS community to gather and enjoy each other’s company, not to mention being entertained by some excellent performances on the night! Thank you to Dan MacEoin for facilitating this. Charlotte S. impressed us with her Irish dancing, Taya T. and mum Nadia demonstrated some beautiful Thai dancing, Ella W sang some lovely songs and the EPS Ukulele Orchestra was in full swing! This was the first of our events to raise some funds for refurbishing the area around the Friendship Tree – stay tuned for more details to come.

Next Thursday is the last day of Term 1 and students will be dismissed at 2.30pm.

We will also be holding our Term 1 Values Awards Assembly at 9.15am, with the special launch of our new School Values!

Everyone is welcome to join us on Saturday 28th March, from 1pm to 3pm, for our first working bee for the year. We will be doing some grounds clean-up, weeding, fence repairs, and, of course, mulching! Come along and lend a helping hand, then enjoy a sausage sizzle to finish up!

Please be advised that on Monday 30th March (EDEC Athletic’s Sports Day) the school canteen will be closed, as Kristi will be operating the canteen at the Cockatoo Little Athletics Club. The online ordering system will also be unavailable on this day to prevent orders being placed.

We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please see attached some very important information in regards to protecting the health of a student at Emerald Primary School. Your support and co-operation is very much appreciated.

Important Letter from Monash Childrens Hospital 2026

Please be advised of the following student free days, when our staff will be completing professional learning activities or parent teacher interviews:

  1. Monday 20th April – Curriculum Day
  2. Thursday 25th June – Parent-Teacher Interviews
  3. Monday 13th July – Curriculum Day
  4. Friday 4th December – Assessment & Reporting Day

For those families using the TheirCare childcare service, they are preparing to have students on the 20th April, 25th June,13th July and 4th December dates: https://theircare.com.au/

  • March Events:
    • Thursday 26th March – School Council Meeting @ 7.15pm
    • Saturday 28th March – Working Bee with Sausage Sizzle @ 1pm – 3pm
    • Monday 30th March – EDEC Athletics (selected students)
    • Monday 30th March – Canteen Closed
    • Tuesday 31st March – School Photos
    • Tuesday 31st March – Regional Swimming (selected students)
  • April Events:
    • Thursday 2nd April – Free Dress Day – Gold Coin donation
    • Thursday 2nd April – Values Awards Assembly @ 9.15
    • Thursday 2nd April – Last Day of Term 1 – 2.30pm Finish
    • Friday 3rd April – Good Friday Public Holiday
  • Term 2 
    • Monday 20th April – Curriculum Day – No students at school
    • Tuesday 21st April – Students return to school

Emma Clark

Principal

This Week…

Star of the week!

For being so independent and trying her best all the time!

For being a heart word detective! I am so impressed with the way you are reading heart words around our room.

For always showing our school values and striving to do your best!

For always taking part in our learning and showing such resilience in all he does.

For showing her wonderful knowledge of the Australian states and territories and locating the desert regions across the country.

For setting a high standard of behaviour – you are a leader in our class!

For thoughtful actions, kind words and resilient attitude towards everything you do. You are an empathetic STAR!

For your RESILIENCE, RESPECT and KINDNESS shown on camp. You all made the most of every moment and should be so proud!

For consistently demonstrating our school values of kindness, respect and resilience. You are a fantastic role model for everyone at EPS. – you should be very proud.

For your outstanding, creative pieces as part of our Author Study on Colin Thompson. You put your heart into both Castles and Paradise Garden and the outcome was wonderful.

For working so well in class and being a fantastic learner!

For always being such a positive, happy member of our class. We love seeing your smiling face each day!

For your amazing show and tell. We loved getting to know your pet cow!

Always striving to excel and her sensational writing about what she’d take to survive in the desert.

For the beautiful presentation of her Book Review about Singenpoo. Well done Storm!

For your hard work, perseverance and positive attitude completing your first NAPLAN.

*Peer Nominated Award*

For consistently demonstrating all three of our school values, respect, resilience and kindness. You are a role model STAR!

For his increased engagement and independence with his maths work this term. AMAZING!

For being a kind, friendly & hardworking member of 6B. Your positive attitude & helpful nature make a real difference – thanks for being you.

For working hard to improve his number formation skills. I am so proud of your effort and commitment.

For always showing such respectful listening. What a wonderful example you are to your peers!

Through reading, writing, maths and more, you’ve shown kindness, respect and resilience at your core!

For your contributions to class discussions. It has been fantastic to see you sharing your great ideas and bringing a positive energy. Keep up the great efforts!

For how well you have settled in at EPS. We love having you in 3K!

For mastering new skills and developing your growth mindset. You are a ‘finger knitting’ and resilient STAR!

For approaching his learning with a positive attitude. You are a learning STAR!

For always displaying his terrific learning habits in class this term. You’re a role model in 6A.

For your amazing efforts in your fluency reading. The hard work you’ve been putting in does not go unnoticed. Keep kicking goals Sophie!

From 1 January 2026, families eligible for CSEF will see an increase in support to $400 for primary school children, up from $154. Applications for 2026 CSEF support will open from 27 January 2026 and closes on the 26 June 2026.

If you currently hold a valid Concession Card, please come into the Emerald Primary School office to collect a form and submit it along with a copy of your Concession Card. 

A downloadable version of the form is available here. You may complete this at home and bring the filled-in form, together with a copy of your Concession Card, to the school office.

For more information please visit: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund | vic.gov.au

Getting to know our Staff…..

By our Wellbeing Team

Meet your House Captains…..

Upcoming Events…

On the last day of Term 1, Emerald Primary School will be taking part in a World’s Greatest Shave event. Raising awareness and money for research into blood cancers is an important cause that is close to our hearts with this currently affecting one of our beautiful students.

We will be having a free dress day with a gold coin donation and doing coloured hairspray for $1 at the Friendship Tree at lunchtime on Thursday April 2nd.

If there are any students who want to take part by fundraising outside of school and then having their head shaved at assembly, please let Mrs Woodyard, Mrs Smart or Mrs Bathgate know.

You can join the team ‘Emerald Primary School’ with the passcode 3782 using the QR code or clicking on this poster.

Community News

The PAVED Festival kicks off on Sunday 12 April with FunFest which will be held in the carpark at Gemco and the EPS courts at the back of the school.

There are many activities for kids, but to access some of them, tickets will be required.

Get your Emerald FunFest Rides and Activities Wristband in advance and save money and time!

A wristband gives the wearer unlimited access to:

  • Turbo Tubs
  • Chair-o-Plane
  • Face Painter
  • Silent Disco
  • Hi-Strike
  • Handball
  • Donkey Rides

Buy in advance for only $30 (until 11th April).

Each individual ride and activity will cost $10 each in advance or on the day.

To purchase wristbands after 9am on Sunday 12th April, the price will be $40 each.

Come to the Railway Carriage at Gemco with your name and/or ticket from 9:00am on the day to collect your pre-purchased wristband or to buy on the day.

Here is the link that  will take you to the relevant part of the PAVED web site.

https://events.humanitix.com/funfest-rides-and-activities-pre-purchase-wrist-band

We look forward to seeing you at FunFest.

Share This Newlsetter!

Canteen News!

Friday Meal Deal 

Fish and Chips

 &

Chocolate birds nest

$8.00

Please be advised that on Monday 30th March (EDEC Athletic’s Sports Day) the school canteen will be closed, as Kristi will be operating the canteen at the Cockatoo Little Athletics Club. The online ordering system will also be unavailable on this day to prevent orders being placed.

We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you for your support.

SCHOOL EVENTS

[tribe_mini_calendar count=”2″]

Recent News