Dear wonderful EBPS community,

A very warm welcome back to all of our students, families and staff as we begin our final term of the year!

As I sit here writing this newsletter, the sun is shining, the weather is beginning to warm up, and it feels absolutely wonderful to be back at school. There is something lovely about the beginning of Term 4. The days are getting longer, our gardens are coming to life, and there is a real sense of excitement as we look towards the many celebrations, learning experiences and milestones that the final term brings.

It has been wonderful to see our students returning with such enthusiasm, reconnecting with friends and settling back into their classrooms. There is certainly plenty to look forward to this term, and I am excited about all that lies ahead.

As always, I continue to feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a caring, welcoming and supportive school community.

Welcoming New Families and Students

This term we are delighted to welcome a number of new students and families to East Bentleigh Primary School.

Starting at a new school can be both exciting and a little overwhelming, particularly when everyone else already seems to know their way around! One of the things I love most about EBPS is the genuine warmth and kindness shown by our community.

If you happen to meet one of our new families, please take a moment to introduce yourself, say hello and help them feel welcome. Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest difference, and I know our community will do what it does so well — make people feel that they belong.

To our new families, we are so pleased you have joined us and look forward to getting to know you over the coming weeks.

A Busy Start to the Term

We certainly haven't wasted any time getting started this term!

Already this week, students have been involved in swimming programs, excursions and a range of wonderful learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

These opportunities are such an important part of a well-rounded education. Learning doesn't just happen at a desk — it happens through experiences, conversations, challenges, exploration and connections with the world around us.

We are also delighted to welcome two student teachers who will be joining us for the next two weeks. Supporting the next generation of teachers is something we value enormously, and we look forward to providing them with a positive and rewarding experience at EBPS.

Please make them feel welcome if you see them around the school.

Our Grade 6 Students – The Final Chapter of Primary School

Over the past week, I have found myself reflecting on the journey of our Grade 6 students, who are now entering the final stretch of their primary school education.

Our students have been busy working on their memory books, looking back over their years at EBPS and remembering the people, friendships, experiences and special moments that have shaped their time here.

I have had some lovely conversations with students as they work on these books. It is quite touching to hear them becoming nostalgic as they recall their earliest school memories, favourite teachers, friendships, camps and all the little moments that have meant so much to them.

There is something particularly special about watching children reach this stage of their journey. Many arrived at our school as little Prep students, perhaps a little nervous, holding tightly to a parent's hand. Now they are confident young people preparing to take their next big step into secondary school.

Primary school is about so much more than academic learning. It is where children discover who they are, learn to navigate friendships, develop resilience, find their strengths and begin to understand their place in the world.

Over the coming weeks, there will be many opportunities to celebrate our Grade 6 students and all they have achieved. I know there will be some emotional moments along the way, but also enormous pride in the wonderful young people they are becoming.

Looking Ahead – Our 2027 Student Leaders

We will soon begin the process of selecting our student leaders for 2027, and I would like to encourage all of our current Grade 5 students to start thinking about whether this might be an opportunity they would like to pursue.

Student leadership is something we value very highly at EBPS. Leadership is not simply about wearing a badge or having a title. It is about demonstrating kindness, responsibility, integrity, initiative and a genuine willingness to make a positive difference to the lives of others.

Some of our strongest leaders are not necessarily the loudest voices in the room. They are the students who notice when someone needs help, who include others, who demonstrate perseverance and who are prepared to stand up for what is right.

The selection process provides a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect on their strengths, consider how they might contribute to our school and develop the confidence to put themselves forward.

To our Grade 5 students — start thinking about what leadership means to you and how you might make a difference at EBPS.

Your teachers will provide further information about the process over the coming weeks.

Planning for 2027

While we have only just begun Term 4, much of my attention, like that of principals across Victoria, is already focused on planning for the 2027 school year.

There is an enormous amount of work that goes into preparing for a new school year, particularly around staffing, class structures, student needs, budgets, learning programs and the many organisational decisions that help a school operate effectively.

These are some of the most important decisions we make each year, and they require careful consideration. We need to balance the needs of individual students, the composition of classes, the expertise of our staff and the resources available to us, while always keeping the best interests of our children at the centre of our thinking.

We aim to complete as much of this planning as early as possible so that we can provide certainty for staff and families and ensure a smooth transition into the following year.

We are making good progress towards finalising our arrangements for 2027, and I look forward to sharing further information with families as our planning progresses.

Our School Review – Term 1, 2027

I also wanted to give our community an early heads-up about an important process we will be undertaking next year.

Victorian government schools participate in a formal School Review every four years as part of the Department of Education's school improvement cycle.

Our next School Review is scheduled for Term 1, 2027, and it will be an important opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements, evaluate our progress and identify the priorities that will guide our school's improvement over the following four years.

A School Review is much more than simply looking at academic results. It considers the broader work of the school, including teaching and learning, student wellbeing, inclusion, leadership, school culture and the effectiveness of the strategies we have implemented.

Importantly, it is also an opportunity to hear from the people who know our school best — our students, staff and families.

I strongly believe that meaningful school improvement happens when we listen carefully to our community, celebrate what we do well and remain open to identifying where we can continue to grow.

During this term, I will be seeking input from our families as part of our preparation for the review. Your perspectives, experiences and ideas are incredibly valuable, and I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to contribute when invited.

Please keep an eye out for communications from me over the coming weeks about how you can be involved.

These events are also included in our Compass calendar.
Please click here to download the Term 4 calendar.


*PLEASE NOTE*
We have a student free day planned for Monday 2nd November (the day before Cup Day) for staff to undertake their Professional Practice Day work.

As we begin this final term together, I want to thank all of our families for the continued trust, kindness and support you show our school.

There is so much to celebrate at EBPS, and I am continually reminded that the strength of our school lies in the relationships we build and the genuine care we have for one another.

I hope everyone has enjoyed a lovely start to the term and that the warmer weather brings plenty of opportunities to get outside, enjoy time together and make some wonderful memories.

And as always, my door is open. Whether you have a question, an idea, a concern or simply want to stop by for a chat, please know that you are always welcome. I genuinely value the conversations I have with our families and the partnership we share in supporting our children.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and a happy, positive start to Term 4. I look forward to all that we will achieve together over the coming weeks.

Warmest regards,
Sarah Spence
Principal

Dear EBPS Families,

Welcome back to Term 4! I hope you all enjoyed a safe and relaxing holiday break and were able to spend some quality time with family and friends.

The final week of Term 3 was filled with a variety of wonderful Spring celebrations across the school. It was a lovely way to finish a busy and rewarding term, and we hope our students enjoyed these special experiences.

It has also been a busy and exciting start to the new term, with several successful excursions taking place this week.

Students from 3/4R and 3/4M visited Melbourne Museum to support their inquiry projects exploring Earth and Space. The excursion provided a fantastic opportunity for students to extend their classroom learning, ask questions and gather new ideas. I look forward to seeing their finished projects!

Students from 5L and 6A also attended a special excursion at Monash University, led by current Monash performing arts students studying classical and popular music. It was wonderful to hear our students speak so enthusiastically about the experience and everything they learned.

Our Prep Swimming Program has also gone wonderfully well this week. A big thank you to our Prep parents and carers for the extra organisation required each day. Your preparation helped the program run smoothly and allowed our students to make the most of this valuable experience. Thank you also to our teachers, Education Support staff and parent helpers for your care, encouragement and assistance throughout the week.

Our Thursday Community Market at EBPS will return next week. With Peter, our Assistant Principal and resident barbecue master, currently enjoying some well-earned Long Service Leave, I will be stepping up to the BBQ plate! We would love to see families come along and enjoy the afternoon together.

Despite the inclement weather, AFL Grand Final fever and the school holidays, the Bentleigh Farmers’ Market continued to provide wonderful support to local farmers, growers and our wider community.



Please mark Saturday 24 October in your calendar for the next market. If you are able to volunteer some time on the day, please contact the school. Alternatively, simply come along, enjoy the atmosphere and stock up on some delicious fresh food and produce (and I can definitely attest to  the delicious snacks and coffee!)

It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back, and I look forward to another positive and exciting term at EBPS.

Warm regards,

Jade
Assistant Principal

The day commenced with plenty of anticipation and excitement.  Having spent term 2 investigating rocks, minerals and soils it was wonderful to give the students the experience of viewing the special exhibit, at the Melbourne Museum "Our Dynamic Earth". 
Students were thrilled to see how Earth was formed through the cinema in the round and explore the many fascinating and often stunning examples of crystal formations on display.
To top the day off there was plenty of time to view many other exhibits including 600 million years of Victorian evolution, The Dinosaur walk, Forest Gallery and Our Wonderous Planet!
An engaging and fun day was had by all.

By Penny Regan - 34R Classroom Teacher

Classroom Cuisine is available for us to order online,
every day (except Tuesdays)

MENU BELOW
Orders open until 8:30am on the day!
NEW menu for Term 4 
https://classroomcuisine.com.au/