Hello everyone!

Hello wonderful EBPS community. As we close out week 6, we have been working hard on many exciting initiatives, including preparing for NAPLAN, improving our buildings and grounds, strengthening our student leadership, and arranging community events. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate staff here at EBPS.

Our students continue to impress me with their kindness and support for one another. As I walk through the yard at playtimes, I see acts of friendship and inclusivity that make our school a truly special place. A highlight of my week has been meeting several parents and hearing about their experiences and perspectives on our school.

Last week, I attended a regional Principal conference where we discussed best educational practices, the science of learning, and reflected on what we are doing in our schools. Many Principals were inspired by the strong growth and community spirit at EBPS and spoke with me about how they could bring that same enthusiasm into their own schools. It was a proud moment to see the recognition of what we are achieving together as a community!

Why Confidence is Important



Confidence plays a crucial role in student success, both academically and socially. Research shows that students with higher self-confidence are more likely to take on challenges, persist through difficulties, and achieve better learning outcomes. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, students with strong self-confidence perform up to 30% better in problem-solving tasks than those with lower confidence.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” Encouraging children to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth is key to building their confidence. Students can work on developing confidence by setting achievable goals, practicing self-reflection, and celebrating their successes - no matter how small. Parents can support this by reinforcing a growth mindset at home, acknowledging effort rather than just results, and providing opportunities for children to step out of their comfort zones.

Meet Our Wellbeing Dogs – Milo and Teddy!
At this week's assembly, we had the joy of introducing our school wellbeing dogs, Milo and Teddy! Having wellbeing dogs at school has been shown to reduce anxiety, increase student engagement, and improve overall well-being. Studies suggest that interacting with therapy dogs can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and boost serotonin, helping students feel more positive and focused.

Milo and Teddy will provide a calming presence in our classrooms, offering comfort to students who need a little extra support. Whether they are sitting with a child during a challenging moment, encouraging reluctant readers, or simply being a friendly face in the schoolyard, they will make a significant difference in our students' daily experiences. Thanks to Michelle and Amy who are their designated primary handlers. We are so excited to see the positive impact they will have on our school community!

  Michelle and Teddy       Amy and Milo

School Improvement Works Underway



We have been working very hard on improving our facilities, and you will see various works happening around the school over the next couple of months. Creating the best possible environment for our students is a priority, and we will continue to do everything we can to enhance our learning spaces.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as these improvements take place. The upgrades will ensure that our school remains a welcoming and functional space that supports the success and well-being of our students.

You can also help to further improve our grounds by joining our next Working Bee on Sunday 16th March - from 9am - 12noon! Please refer to the Working Bee page in this newsletter for more details.

The Science of Learning – Cognitive Load Theory



At EBPS, we incorporate the latest research into our teaching practices, including Cognitive Load Theory (CLT). This theory, developed by John Sweller, explains how our brains process and retain new information. Essentially, if students are overwhelmed with too much information at once, their ability to learn decreases. By structuring lessons in a way that optimizes working memory, we help students retain and apply knowledge more effectively.

Some simple ways families can support this at home include:

• Breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps.
• Encouraging students to focus on one activity at a time rather than multitasking.
• Using repetition and review to reinforce learning.
• Providing a quiet, distraction-free study space.

By keeping Cognitive Load Theory in mind, we can create an environment - both at school and at home - where students can thrive academically and develop strong learning habits.

Wed 12th Mar                                   NAPLAN - Yr 3+5 Writing
Thurd 13th Mar                                 NAPLAN - Yr 3+5 Reading
Fri 14th Mar                                      EBPS - Bushdance
Sun 16th Mar                                    Working Bee 9am-12noon 
Wed 19th Mar                                   NAPLAN - Yr 3+5 Language 
Thur 20th Mar                                    NAPLAN - Yr 3+5 Numeracy 
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. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My door is always 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