Dear Families, We Made It!

And what a wonderful term it has been! As we wrap up Term 1, I just want to take a moment to reflect on the many highs and celebrations we’ve shared. Our students have put in incredible effort, shown kindness, and embraced challenges with enthusiasm.

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to our staff for their dedication and hard work this term. They truly are the lifeblood of our school, making a significant difference in the lives of your children and supporting families every day.

I also want to express my gratitude to you—our amazing community. Your unwavering support, whether through volunteering at school, attending working bees, participating in the PCFA, or simply showing up to assemblies, makes such a difference. You truly help make EBPS a thriving, welcoming place for all.

Please be sure to have a well-earned rest over the break. I am looking forward to seeing our students back, feeling refreshed and ready to learn, on Tuesday, 22nd April.

Taking Time to Rest

After a busy and fulfilling term, it’s important to take time to rest and recharge. Research from the American Psychological Association highlights that breaks not only support mental well-being but also improve learning outcomes by giving the brain a chance to process and consolidate information.

As Maya Angelou wisely said, "Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future." Encourage your children to relax, spend time outdoors, and enjoy some unstructured play—it’s just as important for their development as structured learning.

Photo Day

Our students looked absolutely fabulous on Photo Day this week! They did a wonderful job listening and preparing for their portraits, showing off their best smiles. A special mention goes to our school dogs, Milo and Teddy, who even had their portraits taken—and they sat beautifully for the camera! Well done to everyone involved.

Easter Bonnet Parade

Today, I experienced my very first EBPS Easter Bonnet Parade, and I must say it was truly a highlight! The creativity, vibrancy, and joy on display were just amazing. From hats adorned with flowers to fascinators with bright, cheerful designs—one even had a windmill on top!

Thank you to all the families who came to watch, and to our dedicated staff who helped the children prepare and parade for the crowds. A special thanks to Paul, our energetic MC, who kept the event lively, and to Anna for her impressive dance moves in her pink bunny onesie! The spirit and creativity of our community truly shone through.

Easter Egg Activity with Preps and Kinders

A huge thank you to Stewart and Alison for organizing this week’s Easter Egg activity with our Preps and local Kinders. It was heartwarming to see the children engaged in dyeing eggs, sprinkling glitter, adding color, and even decorating some with little eyes! The pure joy on their faces as they proudly showed off their creations was just delightful.

A big thanks to all the staff who helped out, and to the local Kinders who attended. These moments of creativity and collaboration are so valuable in fostering connections and bringing a little extra magic to school life.

Works in Progress

Kinder
You will have noticed lots of building activity at the Kindergarten, and we are getting closer to completion. The exterior has been painted to match our Performing Arts Centre, and the interior is freshly painted and ready for fittings. We expect the work to be completed around Week 2 of Term 2, and I know the Kinder staff and students will be thrilled to return to their space after such an extended period of repairs. I’ll keep you updated as we move closer to completion.

Playground
You may have noticed that our playground behind the Basketball Court has been taped off with safety barriers. We are happy to announce that it is about to be improved. This playground has served our community well for many years, with thousands of children swinging on its flying fox, walking its boards, and sliding down its slide.

We have secured funding, and the playground will be rebuilt over Term 2. While this work takes place, we will ensure that other engaging activities are available for students during break times. Watch this exciting space!

Main Building
We have been working tirelessly over the past six months to secure funding from the Department of Education to improve our main building and grounds. It’s been a long journey, but we are committed to giving our students the best possible facilities.

We are excited to announce that significant works will begin over the term break on our main building, starting with the Bignell Rd end. Several rooms will be upgraded, along with some other parts of the building. I’ll provide more information as the scope of works is confirmed.

While we will do our best to minimize disruption, some temporary fencing will be in place at the front of the school, and parts of the area near Bignell Rd will be temporarily unavailable. Please be mindful of the signage and fencing when returning for Term 2.


Working Bee - Thank you


Written by Jane Ross

A big thank you to all the wonderful families and staff who came and helped clean up the Prep play area last Sunday. It is always great to work together to clean up and prepare areas for new things to come. We can’t get it all done without our beautiful school community.
The old saying "many hands make light work" - could not be more true. We hope to see more new faces at the next one! Thank you

As Always...

My door is always open, and I’m more than happy to have a chat. Whether it’s a suggestion, question, or just a hello, don’t hesitate to drop by.

Enjoy your term break, stay safe, and I’ll see you back for Term 2!

Warm regards,
Sarah Spence
Principal, East Bentleigh Primary School

FREE FIRST AID WORKSHOPS - GLEN EIRA

We are pleased to offer free first aid workshops designed for parents and carers in the Glen Eira region. These sessions provide essential first aid skills to help families feel more confident in responding to common emergencies, including crucial training on the prevention of family violence.

Workshop details:

• Carnegie Library and Community Centre – 4 April 10am-12.30pm
  https://events.humanitix.com/first-aid-squared-carnegie-library
• Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub – 9 April, 12-2.30pm
  https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-first-aid-squared

These practical and engaging sessions delivered by not for profits, Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) and Community First Responders Australia, will equip parents and carers with valuable life-saving skills, helping to create safer homes and communities.

Women's Health in the South East (WHISE)
E: dhetherington@whise.org.au W: www.whise.org.au