Principal’s Report

2025 Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) – Grades 4, 5 & 6

2025 Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS) – Grades 4, 5 & 6 – A message from the Department of Education

About the survey

The AtoSS is a voluntary student survey offered by the Department of Education every year to help schools and the department understand students’ experiences of school. We will ask your child about their thoughts and feelings about their school, their learning, relationships with other students, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

ORIMA Research Pty Ltd has been contracted by the department to manage the collection of the online survey and will provide support to schools through a telephone hotline and email.

This year, the survey will be conducted at your school from 12^th May to 13^th June.

What are the benefits?

Young people enjoy having a say! This survey has been running for nearly 20 years and helps schools plan programs and activities to improve your child’s engagement with school, their wellbeing and their learning. The survey data also helps the Department of Education understand how to improve student learning.

What are the risks?

We don’t expect many risks of participation, but some students may find some questions personal or sensitive. If you agree for your child to take part, they can still skip questions or withdraw at any time whilst completing the survey if it makes them upset or uncomfortable. A teacher will be present during the survey to support students.

The questions come from validated survey instruments used in Australia and around the world. They focus on your child’s strengths and are designed for each year level group.

What will my child be asked to do?

Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool. We are not “testing” your child. Please note:

Students can choose if they want to take part, skip questions if they don’t want to answer, and can stop doing the survey at any time.
There are different versions of the survey to let all students take part.
The survey will take around 20-40 minutes to complete.

How is my child’s privacy protected?

A teacher will give your child a unique login to complete the survey. This unique student login is an assigned identifier that will be used by the department to link data for analysis and research only. Some student demographic data such as year level, gender, age, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status are provided to ORIMA research, and linked with the unique student login ID to administer the survey. This information helps to support analysis and research, to paint a clearer picture of how Victorian school students are faring.

ORIMA Research will only use student personal information for research purposes to facilitate the administration and data collection of the Attitudes to School Survey. To keep your child’s survey answers private, ORIMA Research won’t include any personally identifiable data in the survey answers file that is provided to the department.

All data is stored on servers located in Australia, and only staff who are working on the project can access it.

All information collected about your child will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Data and Protection Act 2014 (Vic), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Public Records Act 1973 (Vic), as well as the Department’s Schools’ Privacy Policy. Please note that consistent with the above legislation and our policy, there are instances where we may be required by law to share information provided by your child. For example, where there is a threat to your child’s health and safety.

How will results be reported?

The department will only use aggregated state-wide survey data to report on initiatives and this data may also be used in public discussions of issues about student engagement and wellbeing. An example of how survey data has been previously used includes reporting levels of student engagement in the Performance Summary in the Annual Report to the School Community. The department will not share any identifiable student data with any other party.

Your child’s school will only get reports about groups of students. Information about individual students and the student answers data file will not be shared with schools. If there are low numbers of student answers to a question, the report will not show results for this question to protect the privacy of those students.

Your school may share the survey report back to you.

What if I don’t want my child to do the survey?

This survey is voluntary. If you do not want your child to do the survey, please opt out by emailing your school at emerald.ps@education.vic.gov.au before the survey starts on Monday 12^th May 2025.

Student personal information will be shared with ORIMA Research to facilitate survey preparations prior to this opt out process. If you opt your child out of participating, then your school will ensure that your child is not provided with access to the survey. Student details will be deleted by ORIMA Research at the conclusion of the survey.

If your school does not receive a “Refusal of Consent” email from you before the survey begins, we will assume that you agree for your child to take part in the 2025 Attitudes to School Survey. Please remember, as noted above, the survey is voluntary: even with your consent, your child can choose to skip questions or stop doing the survey at any time.

For more information about this survey, including the questions your child will be asked to answer, please visit the department’s survey information page.

If you would like more information or have any concerns about the survey, please speak to your child’s teacher, or contact the department at school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au.

Every Day Counts - The importance of regular school attendance.

At Emerald Primary School, we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings. Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future. Last year, students at our school missed on average 25 days of school. This equates to 3.5 terms over the 7 years of primary schooling, almost 1 year.

We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships, schoolwork or exams, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour. If your child is having difficulty attending school, talk to their teacher or Bianca Appleby or Carice D’Rozario about getting support. We know that parents and carers can be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible via Compass so we can work together to support them.

Remember, Every Day Counts!

Mothers’ Day Celebration – Friday 9th May

We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to celebrate our Mums and Mother figures next Friday 9^th May at 2pm and onwards for a sausage sizzle (sponsored by TheirCare – our out-out-hours care program). Classrooms will be open and we will have an assembly at 3.10pm. Please RSVP by next Wednesday 7^th May via this link:

https://forms.gle/CBrBpBEJifbiDPV97

We are also looking for volunteers to cook on the day – please also register via the link above.

Reminder – Voluntary Curriculum Contributions 2025

All families will note on Compass that the Voluntary Curriculum Contribution amounts are accessible there for payment. We understand that 2025 has started as a challenging year for families economically, and so encourage you to make a payment plan for the year, or pay outright when you can. For last year, we were grateful to have had 50% of families pay these contribution amounts, but would really appreciate it if more families could put some money toward these this year, so that we can continue to conduct a full, rich program of learning at EPS. Please contact myself or Fiona Hogben, our Business Manager, for a chat if you would like to discuss payment options further.

Student-Free/Curriculum Days 2025

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

Thursday 3rd July – Parent-Teacher Interviews.
Monday 21st July – Curriculum Day: New Victorian Learning and Teaching Model 2.0
Friday 28^th November – Professional Practice Day

For those families using the TheirCare childcare service , they are preparing to have students on the 3rd July, 21st July and 28^th November dates: https://theircare.com.au/

Exciting Events & Must-Know Dates!

May Events:
- Friday 9th May – Mothers Day Celebrations
- Monday 12th May – EDEC Cross Country (Selected Students)
- Friday 16th May – Assembly
- Friday 16th May – Walk Safely to School Day
- Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May – Hills Ukulele Festival
- Monday 19th – Friday 23rd May – Grade 6 Camp Woorabinda
- Wednesday 21st May – National Simultaneous Storytime 2025
- Monday 26th May – National Sorry Day
- Friday 30th May – Assembly

Emma Clark

Principal

Star of the week!

Holly A – Prep B

For making such progress in her confidence and resilience at school. What a super star!

Rilee H – Prep SP

For being a kind and considerate class member with exceptional manners! What a shining star!

Audrey S – 1/2F

For creating amazing stories with such a great depth of vocabulary.

Charlie P – 1/2R

For being a caring and supportive class mate! What a star!

Charlotte C - 1/2W

For her hardworking, thoughtful and caring nature and for always completing excellent work!

Macey VB – 3H

For applying a growth mindset towards the Year 3 – 6 Cross Country event.

Rainer K – 4N

For his effort and dedication to upleveling his writing tasks. Your improved focus is shining bright.

Jack B – 4SB

For always putting in 100% effort into all learning tasks! What a STAR!

Reve M – 5F

For being an outstanding responsible person that shows dedication and kindness. Your hard work and care for others has a positive impact on our classroom and inspires those around you. You are a STAR!

Logan G – 5SA

For his powerful and descriptive writing about ANZAC Day!

Reece B – 6A

For displaying his exceptional leadership across many schooling moments; from H.P.V., Early Act, Buddies and when representing E.P.S honourably on ANZAC Day.

Finn E – 6P

For your excellent engagement with and discussion of our novel Scar Island. I was so impressed with your predictions.

Imogen RW – Prep G

For her enthusiastic class involvement during talks on our Local Community.

Imogen W – Prep SP

For taking the time to uplevel your work. The pride and dedication you’ve shown has produced excellent results! What a star!

Parker J – 1/2H

For his great effort at solving subtraction problems this week in Maths, showing his thinking clearly and accurately. You are a STAR!

Hailey D – 1/2TM

For showing resilience when learning to use her crutches.

Annie S – 1/2W

For her wonderful, enthusiastic and helpful attitude and for always striving to do her absolute amazing best!

Mikayla R – 3K

For your amazing effort and concentration on your adjectives monster!

Emily W – 4N

For approaching learning, challenges and wellbeing with a growth mindset and being a kind friend.

Mason S-C – 5D

For his highly detailed and well considered predictions about our class novel, Hatchet. His creativity and visualisation was excellent. What a STAR!

Nathan W – 5F

*STUDENT AWARD*

For your consistent effort and insightful contributions. Your thoughtful reflections, especially in bookclub, enrich our learning community and inspire deeper thinking. What a STAR!

Stevie K – 6A

*6A Peer Award*

For constantly working hard in Grade 6, and for kindly helping his peers with their learning. Top job!

Vicki M – 6B

For your moving and beautifully written comparison and contrast piece about Emerald. You used excellent language and should be very proud!

Chloe S – 6P

For your amazing snapshot writing describing how a place has changed over time. I loved your vocab choices!

Theo H – Prep G

For working very hard to complete all his work. Theo has been a terrific learner.

Leilani M – 1/2F

For her wonderful focus during all activities, always with interesting ideas and comments.

Ned W – 1/2H

For being a Maths Wizard during our daily morning Maths warm ups. You are a counting pattern SUPER STAR!

Jasper U – 1/2TM

For his excellent work on the Easter rebus writing task and for confidently sharing his work with others.

Riva M – 3H

For uplevelling her writing to include connectives and adjectives. WOW!

Pip H – 4C

For amazing me with his descriptive sentences and zooming through mathematical challenges.

Hana A – 4SB

For your constant positive attitude in class and the playground. You give everything a go and always have a big smile!

Indi M – 5D

For her willingness to help others and support them when tackling new skills, particularly when using laptops. What a STAR!

Malaika K – 5SA

For her descriptive and well structured ANZAC Day writing piece. You are a star!

Grace Y – 6A

*6A Peer Award*

For her terrific work ethic, endearing kindness and all-round positive energy! Your peers notice too!

Alyssa X – 6B

For your consistent effort and positive growth mindset when learning new things. Your dedication and perseverance are things you should be so proud of!

This week …

Let's Talk Program

Emerald Primary School was very EXCITED to launch the Let’s Talk Program https://letstalkprogram.org/

at Assembly on Friday 2^nd May 2025. We had Jetha Devapura the Founder / CEO of the Let’s TALK Program visit us at assembly for the launch.

Omela H. and Albie W. role played a scenario of how a Let’s Talk Buddy may be able to support peers in the playground.

Monday 5^th May our Let’s Talk Buddies started their roles in the playground and were there to help EPS students with any concerns to help them feel ‘Seen, Heard & Valued’.

We believe in our students and are proud to see how many children across Grades 3-6 that are keen to be peer mentors through our Let’s Talk program.

In our fortnightly Buddy Grade sessions both junior & senior school students will be learning about some topics to deepen their knowledge around social and emotional learning.

These include:

Asking for Help.
Tell when someone has a concern.
Acknowledge the concern with gratitude.
Being in the present moment
Keeping in touch.

HUF Fundrasier - 9th May 20205

Dear EPS Families.

The Paradise Valley Hotel has very generously offered to let Emerald Primary School Hills Ukulele Festival run the Hotel Meat Raffle this Friday the 9th of May as a fund raiser for the Hills Ukulele Festival. Events will be starting at 6pm.

Your family is cordially invited to join us at the Paradise.

Meals and drinks are available for purchase at the bar.

A Live Band will be performing and an amazing Meat Tray will be up for grabs to the winning Raffle Ticket.

Hope to See you There.

TheirCare Newsletter

Upcoming Events …

Japan Festival

Konnichiwa families,

It seems that sooo many people are travelling to Japan recently. But if you can’t be in Japan and still want to experience some of the unique culture, you might be interested in Japan Festival, which will be held on Sunday 25 May at Box Hill Town Hall. There will be entertainment, food vans, stalls, demonstrations and more. It’s $3 for kids 11 years and under and $5 for 12 years and over. It’s a great day out for the whole family.

For more details: https://www.jcv-au.org/japanfestival/

Do you have cans, bottles, and juice boxes laying around?

If so please bring them to the Emerald SES to be recycled. Emerald Primary School is now a registered donation partner with the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme. So your rubbish can be recycled and each empty container earns 10c. Please donate the money you collect to our school, so we can fundraise for more drink taps on the school oval.