Dear wonderful EBPS Community,

Welcome to another exciting week at East Bentleigh Primary School! On Friday, we held our first school assembly, and I must say, I was incredibly proud of the way our school captains conducted themselves. Their confidence, respect, and leadership were on full display. This year, I will be working closely with our school captains to strengthen student voice and agency, ensuring that our students have a real impact on shaping our school’s future. I look forward to seeing the positive changes they bring!

High Expectations: The Key to Success



At EBPS, we believe in the power of high expectations. Research consistently shows that when students are challenged and supported to meet high expectations, they develop resilience, motivation, and a strong work ethic. According to a study by the Education Endowment Foundation, high expectations lead to improved academic achievement and personal growth.

As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” We encourage our students to set ambitious goals, push their limits, and believe in their potential. When students take ownership of their learning and strive for excellence, the possibilities are endless!

High expectations extend beyond academics. They influence behavior, responsibility, and character development. When students understand that effort and persistence lead to success, they become more willing to embrace challenges, take constructive feedback, and persist through difficulties. This mindset not only benefits them in school but also prepares them for lifelong success.

Parents and educators play a crucial role in fostering this environment. Encouragement, clear goal-setting, and celebrating progress can help students develop confidence in their abilities. Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset emphasizes that when students believe intelligence and abilities can grow with effort, they are more likely to take on challenges and persist in the face of setbacks.

We invite families to join us in reinforcing the importance of high expectations at home. Encourage your children to set personal goals, reflect on their progress, and celebrate achievements—big or small. Together, we can create a culture where students feel empowered to excel and believe in their own potential!

NAPLAN Is Coming Soon



The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is just around the corner. Please keep an eye out for communications on Compass regarding key dates and important details.

NAPLAN assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy. It provides valuable insights into student learning and helps schools and teachers tailor support to meet student needs. The good news is that Victoria continues to perform strongly in literacy and numeracy compared to other states, which is a testament to the dedication of our educators and the hard work of our students. Let’s continue this great momentum!

School Sports in Full Swing



Sport is well underway, and on Friday, I had the privilege of watching our students compete against other schools right here at EBPS. The highlight for me was the circle ball game—it was an absolute nail-biter! I found myself completely invested in the match, cheering alongside our students. While we didn’t secure a win this time, it was an incredibly close game, and I was so impressed by the sportsmanship and determination our students displayed. Well done to all involved!

Building Improvements Underway
You may have noticed some construction and improvement works happening around the school. We appreciate your patience as certain areas may be temporarily unavailable. Our goal is to make our already wonderful school an even better place for learning and community engagement. Thank you for your understanding as we work towards these exciting upgrades!

Meet the Staff – Janette Grunfelder, Lead Teacher

Each newsletter, we feature a valued member of our team. This week, we are delighted to introduce Janette Grunfelder, our Lead Teacher.

Hello! My name is Janette Grunfelder (Ms G), and I’ve had the privilege of teaching at EBPS for the past 10 years. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, but this year, I’m excited to take on the role of Disability Inclusion Leading Teacher. In this position, I’m looking forward to supporting staff in providing our students with the programs, resources, and funding they need to ensure they get the most out of their schooling experience.

I’m also a proud mum of one, and at home, we’re joined by our cat, Peppa (yes, named after the pig). This summer, my family and I have enjoyed spending time at our local beach, paddleboarding and snorkelling—it's been a wonderful way to unwind and make the most of the sunshine.

I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and to collaborating with everyone to continue to make our school a place where all students feel supported and empowered.



We appreciate your ongoing support, and I look forward to another fantastic week at EBPS. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Fri 14th March                                  EBPS - Bushdance
Mon 17th Mar-Tue 25th Mar         Grade 1&2 Swimming Program
Wed 26th Mar-Thu 3rd Apr           Grade 3&4 Swimming Program
Wed 2nd April                                   School Photo Day 

Kindest Regards,

Sarah Spence

The countdown is on to our first PCFA event of the year! We wanted to put out some further information to answer questions about the event.

What is a Bush Dance?

Australian Bush Dance is a style of dance that is based on traditional folk dances from the UK, Ireland and central Europe. It is often performed to music played by a bush band. It became a form of social dancing that was popular in both the country and the city. Bush dances entertain people of all ages. They bring together community and family groups in an activity that they can do together.

Our entertainment on the night will be the very experienced Blackberry Jam Bush Band, you can check out their website for more information Blackberry Jam Bush Band

The band will come out to school on Tuesday 11^th March, to provide all students with a workshop on percussion, dance and drama. All students attending the dance on Friday 14^th March will be encouraged to use these newly learned skills with the whole school community.

Tickets and prices

We would love to see as many people attend the event as possible, invite your friends, family and neighbours, the more people that attend will add to the great atmosphere.

We have set ticket prices as follows

·        EBPS families – a $20 ticket for your immediate household (parents, caregivers, students and siblings)

·        Adult ticket - $10 per adult, for all your friends and family attending

·        Children ticket - $5 per child (3-17 yo), for all your friends and family that might want to bring their children!

·        Children under 3 are free

Please book your tickets through https://www.trybooking.com/CZFJB

Event information

Friday March 14^th, 5-8pm, on the basketball court.

There will be food and non-alcoholic drinks available to purchase. All dietary requirements will be covered with BBQ and pizza options available.

As the event goes for 3 hours, if you have kicked up your heels dancing too much and need a rest, we suggest bringing a chair or picnic rug.

We’ll also have an assortment of lawn games and a photo backdrop to keep everyone entertained.

What to wear?

To get in the spirit we would love to see people dress up, think flannelette shirts, jeans, wide brimmed hats. There are some photos of previous bush dances on our school website https://www.eastbentleighps.vic.edu.au/page/26/Bush-Dance

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to send them through to ebps.pcfa@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday March 14^th!

EBPS Parents, Friends and Carers Association