Principal’s Report

We know that Sunday night’s horrific events at Bondi Beach may have affected some people in our community deeply. Incidents like this can be distressing for adults and children alike, and it is natural to feel unsettled, sad, or anxious after such news. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and send our care and support to anyone in our school community who may be directly impacted.

Children may respond to these events in different ways. Some may ask questions, seek extra reassurance, show changes in behaviour, or express strong emotions. These reactions are normal, and children are often guided by the responses of the trusted adults around them. We also encourage families to take care of their own wellbeing during this time. Limiting exposure to media coverage, talking with trusted people, and allowing space for rest and reflection can help support both adults and children as we process difficult events.

We wish to say to the Jewish members of our wider community, that these events strengthen our resolve to stand together and to do all we can to address and eliminate any and all forms of antisemitism, hate, and violence.

To support conversations at home, we are sharing a helpful resource from the Raising Children Network. This guide offers practical advice on talking with children about disasters and media coverage in a calm and age-appropriate way:

Media coverage of disasters: children | Raising Children Network

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/disasters-preparation-support/disaster-news-supporting-children-6-11-years

If you have concerns about your child or feel they may benefit from additional support, please reach out to our school wellbeing team:

Emma Clark, Carice D’Rozario, Hollie Boniface and Bianca Appleby. We are here to support our students and families during this time.

Over the past semester, we have been working together as a community to review and refresh our school values. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all EPS staff, students and families who shared their thoughts, ideas and perspectives throughout this process. Your feedback played an important role in shaping the values that will guide us into the future.

Our long-standing values of Friendliness, Success and Respect have served our school well for many years. As we prepare to introduce the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Framework, it became the perfect time to revisit these values and ensure they continue to reflect the aspirations of our community.

Teaching staff began by identifying the key behaviours expected in all areas of school life. This work led to a set of seven possible values, which were then shared broadly for input from families, students and staff. The thoughtful feedback we received helped us refine and prioritise what matters most for our school.

We are now very proud and excited to announce our new EPS school values:

Respect

(Responsibility & Safety)

Kindness

(Inclusion & Empathy)

Resilience

(Pride & Determination)

We will be officially launching these values in 2026, with activities and celebrations that will introduce the language, expectations and meaning of each value across the school. This will support a smooth transition into the SWPBS framework and ensure our whole community shares a common understanding.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed their voice to this important process. Your involvement ensures our values truly reflect who we are as a school—and who we aspire to be.

We will finish school for the year next Friday 19th December at 2.30pm.

The final whole school assembly will be at 2.00pm.

The first day for Grades 1 to 6 students in 2026 is Wednesday 28th January, and our new Grade Prep students join us on Thursday 29th January.

Bushfire At Risk Register for Schools – Emerald Primary School is in Category 3

School preparedness and pre-emptive actions for the bushfire season

Schools and early childhood services undertake a range of activities each year to prepare for bushfires and grassfires.

The Department of Education conducts an annual fire risk assessment of schools and early childhood services. Those at the greatest levels of risk are published on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) and Category 4 list.

Schools at the highest levels of risk (Categories 0, 1 and 2) take pre-emptive actions on elevated fire danger days in their Local Government Area according to their fire risk category to minimise the risk of being caught in a fire in these conditions.

All schools and early childhood services listed on the BARR and Category 4 list will also close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district.

As part of preparing our school for the fire season, we have updated and completed our Emergency Management Plan and conducted maintenance works that may assist in preparing for the threat of fire and cleared our school’s grounds and gutters.

What does this mean for our school?

Our school has been identified as being at risk of bushfire or grassfire and is a Category 3 school.

Our school will close on a day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in CENTRAL fire district.  

What is the department’s policy?

The department’s Bushfire and Grassfire Preparedness Policy requires all schools and early childhood services on the BARR and the Category 4 list to close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district. All school bus routes which travel in or through a district with Catastrophic fire danger must also be cancelled.

When will our school be closed due to Catastrophic fire danger?

Our school will close on a day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating CENTRAL fire district.

Closure of the school due to a forecast Catastrophic day will be confirmed on the day prior and we will provide you with advice before the end of the school day. Any information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you via a Compass message.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, regardless of improvements in the weather forecast.  This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child.  It is also important to be aware that:

  • No one will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Catastrophic day.
  • All bus routes that travel through the Catastrophic area will be cancelled.
  • School camps will be cancelled if a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast for fire weather district in which the camp is located, or if the travel involves passing through areas that have Catastrophic fire danger.

Families are encouraged to enact their Bushfire Survival Plan on Catastrophic fire danger rating days.  On such days, children should never be left at home alone or in the care of older children.

For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advises that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.

What can families and the school community do to help us prepare?

  • Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers.  Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters, checking our website www.eps.vic.edu.au  , by talking to your child’s teacher or any other member of the teaching staff about our emergency management plan.
  • Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is closed due to elevated fire danger or closed due to a Catastrophic fire danger. Further information can be found on the CFA’s website.
  • Enact your family’s bushfire survival plan if your own triggers are met. Our school community may be spread out across many areas and some families may be at higher risk than others. Your family’s safety is critical, so please let us know if you are enacting your bushfire survival plan and if your children will be absent on these days.
  • If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan.

You can find more information on emergencies, warnings and preparedness actions here:

  • VicEmergency app – that can be downloaded on your android and iOS mobile devices
  • VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226)
  • Website https://emergency.vic.gov.au
  • ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters

  • December Events:
    • Thursday 18th December – Grade 6 Graduation
    • Friday 19th December – Term 4 Ends @ 2.30pm
  • January 2026 Events: 
    • Tuesday 27th January – Uniform Shop open from 9 – 12
    • Wednesday 28th January – Grade 1 – 6 Students begin @9am
    • Thursday 29th January – Prep Students begin @ 9.30am

A Final Message for 2025

As we reach the end of another busy and rewarding year at Emerald Primary School, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect, say thank you, and look ahead to the significant moments still to come.

Tomorrow evening we look forward to celebrating our Grade 6 Graduation, a milestone event that recognises the growth, achievements and resilience of our graduating students. Graduation is always a proud and emotional occasion for students, families and staff alike, as we acknowledge not only academic learning but the friendships, leadership and personal development that our Grade 6 students have demonstrated during their time at Emerald Primary School.

On Friday at 2.00pm, we will also come together for our Grade 6 Farewell Assembly, where the whole school community will have the opportunity to formally farewell our Grade 6 2025 cohort. This assembly will also mark a special moment as we farewell Mrs Gail Fraser, who has made an enormous contribution to our school community over many years. Gail’s care, professionalism and dedication to students and colleagues has left a lasting impact, and we thank her sincerely for all she has given to Emerald Primary School. We also say thank you and goodbye for now to Mrs. Sonia Morison (Sonia Sensei), who will be on leave for 2026.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Grade 4 camp teachers, Education Support staff and parent helpers who supported our recent camp. Despite facing significant challenges, including illness and unexpected bus issues, the team worked calmly, collaboratively and with student wellbeing at the forefront of every decision. Your flexibility, problem-solving and commitment ensured that students still had a positive and memorable experience, and your efforts did not go unnoticed. Thank you Erin Nelmes, Aly Backman, Cameron Sutherland, Caitlin Donders, Bronwyn Thomas-Smith, Kerryn Riddell-Stephens, Amanda Byers, Clinton Marsh and Kate Hopley.

As we close the year, I would like to thank our entire school community — staff, students and families — for your support, partnership and trust throughout 2025. It has been a year of learning, connection and growth, and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.

I wish all families a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year.

Emma Clark

Principal

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There will be no Friday Meal Deal this week, but the canteen will still be open with limited stock.

🎄✨ Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday break! We can’t wait to see you back in 2026 ✨🎄Loren and Julie

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