Hello Wonderful EBPS Community,
As we head into the second half of Term 1, students are now settling into the routines of school, and our school leaders are working hard to support and inspire our community. Last week, they ran their first assembly, and it was a fantastic success. Our assemblies are held fortnightly, and our next one will take place on Friday, 7th March, at 3:00 PM in the Performing Arts Centre. If you are available, we encourage you to attend and witness our wonderful student leaders in action.

School assemblies are an essential part of fostering a strong school culture. They provide an opportunity to celebrate achievements, reinforce our values, and create a sense of belonging for students. According to education research, regular assemblies contribute to increased student motivation and a sense of school pride. We look forward to seeing you there!

High Expectations: A Path to Success



At EBPS, we firmly believe in the power of high expectations. Studies consistently show that when students are challenged and supported to meet high standards, they develop resilience, confidence, and a strong work ethic. According to John Hattie’s research on education, high expectations have one of the most significant impacts on student achievement.

As the great philosopher Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Encouraging our students to strive for their best, take ownership of their learning, and persist through challenges ensures they develop the skills and mindset needed for lifelong success. Let’s continue to set the bar high and support our students in reaching their full potential.

NAPLAN Reminder



A quick reminder that NAPLAN is approaching. Please keep an eye on Compass for important updates regarding testing schedules and preparation.

NAPLAN provides valuable insights into students' progress in literacy and numeracy, helping schools tailor their teaching to best support student learning. Victoria continues to perform strongly in NAPLAN, reflecting the dedication of our teachers and the hard work of our students. Let’s continue this great effort and encourage our students to approach the assessments with confidence.

School Council Nominations – Now Open



We are excited to announce that nominations for School Council are now open, and we need your input to help shape the future of our school! There are two vacancies available, and we encourage interested parents and families to consider this rewarding opportunity.

Why School Council Matters:
The School Council plays a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of our school. Members contribute by:

• Setting the school’s vision and upholding its core values
• Assisting in policy development and review
• Fostering a strong school community by ensuring parent voices are heard

Term and Nominations:
Each School Council member serves a two-year term, allowing them to make a long-lasting impact. We welcome nominations from both our mainstream and Steiner families, as diverse perspectives help us create an inclusive and dynamic learning environment for all students.

Deadline:
Nominations close at 6:00 pm on 3rd March 2025. Forms are available in the Compass post and at the school office. We look forward to your involvement!

Bush Dance – A Night of Fun and Laughter!



The EBPS Bush Dance is back, and we can’t wait to see you there! Get your dancing shoes ready, grab your family and friends, and join us for an unforgettable evening of music, movement, and community spirit!

Live music by Blackberry Jam, and loads of fun!

Date: Friday 14th March 5-8pm
Venue: EBPS Basketball Court 
Tickets: $20 per EBPS family, with additional tickets available for extended family and friends. - (please see next page for tickets)

This is a family-friendly event filled with laughter, energy, and joy. A responsible adult must accompany children, as this is NOT a drop-and-go event.

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with your class rep or a PCFA member. Let’s make this a night to remember!

See you on the dance floor!

School Improvement Works Underway



You may have noticed some construction and improvement works happening around the school. These much-needed projects are part of our ongoing effort to enhance our learning environment. As a result, some areas may be temporarily out of bounds, and we appreciate your patience during this time.

We have been working tirelessly to secure financial support from the Department of Education and other sources to ensure our school continues to improve. These upgrades will help create better facilities for students and staff, reinforcing our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for your children. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work towards a better future for EBPS!

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 

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

Warm regards,

Sarah Spence
Principal, East Bentleigh Primary School

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