Principal’s Report

Thank you to the following families who attended to help spread multiple piles of mulch! The playgrounds look great!

  • Weir Family
  • Powell/Trevorah Family
  • Mace Family
  • Lee Family
  • Litton Family
  • Logan Family
  • Rawcliffe Family

Special thank you to Bronwyn Thomas–Smith for all of her help co-ordinating the day and cooking the sausage sizzle, to EPS Grounds Leader Julia Weir for arranging tasks on the day and to Hugh Weir and Cory Powell for the great start they made on the refurbishment of the Friendship Tree.

After almost 10 years of students at EPS using the Friendship Tree as a place of comfort and to find friends during recess and lunchtimes, it is time to refresh the area and ensure it stays a welcoming space for years to come. I have been in touch with Liam Lay, whose daughter, Serena, it is named in honour of. She was a former student who passed away nearly 10 years ago. Liam has sent a message of support and will be involved as plans evolve.

Please see below a message from Julia Weir, our School Council Grounds Committee Lead:

Ten years ago, our school lost a very special student, Serena Lay. Serena was a kind, funny, and vibrant girl who loved her friends, butterflies, and the color purple. In her memory, the Friendship Tree was dedicated as a place where any child feeling lonely could find a friend. Over the last decade, this tree has become a beacon of kindness and inclusion at our school.

To ensure it remains a welcoming space for years to come, we have begun a “refresh” of the area. During our recent Working Bee, the original purple planters and seating were removed to make way for a new surface treatment and updated seating. We are currently looking for some help with our surface treatment. If you have any experience with “pebblecrete” and are willing to help, can you please let us know.

We hope this revitalized space will continue to provide a place for all EPS students to congregate and build lasting friendships.

I would like to thank and congratulate Olivia McLeod for being re-elected to the role of Emerald Primary School Council President once again, and Jesse Collins for taking on the position of Vice President. We are looking forward to working with them and the new team for 2026.

Congratulations and well done to the following participants in the Regional Swimming competition held yesterday.

Girls Freestyle Relay:

  • Abigail B 6P
  • Poppy C 6P
  • Venice W 6P
  • Sachika K 5D

The team swam a very close race against other schools from all around the region – they came 6th out of 8 in their heat.

Nathan W of 6P swam in the Breaststroke event and achieved an excellent time – an amazing effort for all of the EPS students competing at this level!

Tomorrow 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!

Don’t forget that tomorrow is a free dress day (gold coin donation) for the World’s Greatest Shave, with $1 coloured hairspray available at lunchtime.

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/

  • 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…

Tomorrow, 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.

EDEC ATHLETICS

On Monday 30th March, our athletics team travelled to Cockatoo for the EDEC Athletics event. Congratulations to all the students who demonstrated awesome skills and sportsmanship throughout the day. At the end of the day Emerald PS were awarded the Terry Simpson Shield for the most overall points!

Students will find out next term if they have qualified for the Divisional event which will be held on Wednesday 16th September (Term 3).

Thanks to Mr Sutherland, Mr Kolb, Mrs Hayward, Mr Appleby, Gabby, Sarah, Bron and Little Aths Cockatoo for their assistance on the day!

Mr Stella

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 Music Captains…..

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 

Wishing all our families a wonderful Easter and a safe, relaxing holiday break!

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