Welcome to Week 9 of Term 2

As we arrive at Week 9, there is a real sense across the school that we are beginning to gather up the threads of a very full and busy term. Classrooms are still active and purposeful, camps and special events are taking place, and our students continue to bring energy, curiosity and joy to their days.

Winter has also well and truly arrived, bringing with it crisp mornings, darker afternoons, and that familiar invitation to seek warmth and light together. At this time of year, our school community has a lovely opportunity to pause, reflect, and notice the growth that has taken place across the term — not always in loud or obvious ways, but often in the quieter moments of confidence, friendship, persistence and learning.

Mid-Winter Festival – Next Tuesday 23rd June

A reminder that our much-loved Mid-Winter Festival will take place next Tuesday, 23 June at 5:00pm - (a 4:30pm start for the Preps).

We invite all Prep to Grade Four families to join us for this celebration of light, warmth, beauty and generosity of spirit.

Our Mid-Winter Festival is held near the winter solstice to mark the longest night of the year. Here at the heart of winter, our lanterns symbolise the beginning of the return of the light — the lengthening of days, and the gradual return of warmth and light as we move toward spring. This time for reflection gives us pause to enjoy the beauty of the night and nurture our inner light through community and togetherness.

This is intended to be a reverent and reflective event, and we look forward to sharing this special evening with our families.

Using Student Data to Support Learning

As we head towards the end of the term, our teachers are continuing important work to strengthen our understanding and use of student learning data.

When schools talk about “data”, it is important to understand that we are not talking about comparing children to one another or reducing students to numbers on a spreadsheet. Rather, data helps us understand where each student is currently in their learning journey, where they need to go next, and what supports or teaching strategies may help them get there.

This information can come from many sources including classroom observations, student work samples, assessments, conversations with students, and formal testing. When used thoughtfully, it allows teachers to make informed decisions about how to best support every learner.

Our goal is always to understand each child as an individual and ensure they are receiving the right level of challenge, support, intervention, or extension to help them continue to grow and succeed.

Fire Brigade Visit

This week our Prep students were fortunate to spend time learning with members of the Fire Brigade, and it was certainly a highlight for many of our youngest learners.

The firefighters brought along their fire truck and gave students an opportunity to learn about the important work they do to keep our community safe. Students were able to explore the vehicle, learn about the equipment carried onboard, hear about fire safety, and even see the fire hose in action.

The excitement on the children’s faces said it all.

Experiences like these are incredibly valuable because they help children develop an understanding of the important services that support our community. They also provide authentic learning opportunities that connect classroom learning to the wider world while helping children build confidence and familiarity with the people who work to keep us safe.

A huge thank you to the Highett Fire Brigade members who generously gave their time to visit our school.

Year 3/4 Camp

As I write this newsletter, our Year 3/4 students are making their way home from camp, and by all reports they have had a wonderful time.

For many students, camp represents a significant milestone. Spending time away from home, sleeping overnight, trying new activities, and developing greater independence can be both exciting and challenging. These experiences help children build resilience, confidence, problem-solving skills, and stronger friendships.

Our students attended Adenac Camp in Yarra Junction, which is a fantastic venue that provides a beautiful natural environment and a wide range of engaging activities. The setting encourages students to connect with nature, work collaboratively, challenge themselves, and create lasting memories with their peers.

A huge thank you to the staff who attended and organised the camp. Camps require significant planning and commitment, and we are grateful for the dedication shown by our staff in providing these opportunities for students.

We look forward to sharing photographs and stories from the camp with our community once they become available.

Staffing Update – Welcome Pallavi

As many of our families know, our wonderful Year 5/6 teacher Andrea will shortly be commencing study to pursue her goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist.

While we will certainly be sad to see Andrea leave the classroom, we are incredibly proud of her for pursuing her dream and know that many students and families will join us in wishing her every success in this exciting next chapter.

To support a smooth transition, we will be welcoming Pallavi to East Bentleigh Primary School for the remaining six months of the year. Pallavi will spend time with Andrea during the final week of term to get to know the students, classroom routines, and wider school community before officially commencing.

Please join me in making Pallavi feel welcome when she joins EBPS. We look forward to introducing her to our students and families and know she will be warmly welcomed into our community.

These events are also included in our Compass calendar.
Please click here to download the Term 2 calendar.



As we move towards the final fortnight of the term, I would like to thank all of our families, staff, and students for another positive and productive term. There is still much to look forward to over the coming weeks, including our Mid-Winter Festival and the many learning opportunities still to come before the holidays.

Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and kindness. I continue to feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a caring and connected school community.

Warmest regards,
Sarah Spence
Principal

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

Orders open until 8:30am on the day!
Term 2 2026 menu below
https://classroomcuisine.com.au/