Dear Parents and Carers
We were treated to a wonderful assembly hosted by Room 6 and Mr Hadland this morning. The debate for the best games console debate – Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox – which is your favourite? – was settled with Nintendo the clear EVPPS favourite. Thank you to all students for your research, the entertainment and for speaking so articulately in front of an audience.
Today’s merit certificate winners are:
Merit Certificates
| ECE1 | Swahasree C |
| ECE3 | Harshaan S |
| Room 1 | Elina S |
| Room 2 | Palden S |
| Room 3 | William R |
| Room 4 | Sullivan C |
| Room 5 | Lola S |
| Room 6 | Lucy T |
| Room 7 | Yeechen P |
| Room 8 | Luna T |
| Room 9 | Cody D |
| Room 10 | Oliver A |
| Room 12 | Nichika K |
| Room 13 | Rey T |
| Room 14 | Bobbi G |
| PE Award | Yule K |
We are once again asking for your cooperation in keeping our school environment safe, inclusive and respectful for all members of our community.
The staff and Education Support car park is not for general use by Primary School families. Unless you are a parent who is using a designated disability bay, there should be no reason to enter this car park at any time.
This area exists to ensure safe and supported access for some of our most vulnerable students. When it is misused — particularly during high-traffic times like drop-off and pick-up — it puts students, staff, and families at risk.
Unfortunately, we have received reports of aggressive behaviour in the car park, including honking and verbal abuse. This is unacceptable and completely out of line with our school’s core values of care, organise, respect and engage. Our Education Support families deserve the same dignity, patience, and consideration that every family expects for their child.
We understand parking can be challenging at times, and we appreciate your continued cooperation in using designated areas only. Please be mindful that your actions directly impact the wellbeing and daily experience of others in our school.
Let’s all commit to doing the right thing — not just because it’s the rule, but because it’s the kind and respectful choice.
Organised – Be on Time
We have noticed a decline in students arriving on time for school in recent weeks.
Our first focus is to be on time for school. Classrooms open at 8:30 AM, and the first lesson begins at 8:50 AM. Students should use this time to prepare for the day by following their teacher’s morning routine.
We ask for your assistance to facilitate this by informing you of the following:
🔹 Parents are kindly asked to exit classrooms by 8:50 AM.
🔹 The school gates (near Kindy ECE 2, administration and the bike enclosure) will be locked at 8:55 AM.
🔹 Late arrivals are to report to the office for a late note before entering the school and going to their classroom via the senior courtyard door in administration.
Why Being on Time Matters:
✔ Maximises Learning Time – No missed instructions.
✔ Builds Good Habits – Teaches responsibility.
✔ Reduces Disruptions – Keeps lessons smooth.
✔ Boosts Confidence – Helps students feel prepared.
✔ Encourages Respect – Shows courtesy to teachers and classmates.
✔ Improves Academic Performance – Leads to better engagement.
✔ Strengthens Friendships – Helps students settle in and socialise.
Care and Organise – Neat & Tidy Bookwork
We are continually reinforcing the importance of clear and organised work across all year levels. Expectations will be adjusted according to the year level of the child.
Bookwork Expectations:
Write the Date & Title – Every piece of work should start with the full date and a clear title.
Use a Sharp Pencil or Pen – Write in pencil until instructed otherwise. Use only blue or black pens.
Ruler for Straight Lines – Use a ruler for underlining, diagrams, tables, and margins.
Neat Handwriting – Write clearly, using correct letter formation and spacing.
Margins Matter – Always draw a margin on the left side unless the book already has one.
No Scribbling or Graffiti – Keep work neat. Mistakes should be crossed out neatly with a single line.
Start at the Top & Work Down – Do not skip pages or start in the middle of a page unless instructed.
Glue in Worksheets Neatly – No folded or messy pages.
Keep Books in Good Condition – No torn pages, bent corners, or stains.
Store Books Properly – Keep books stacked neatly in their designated place.
Why Neat Bookwork Matters:
✔ Enhances Learning – Organised notes make review easier.
✔ Builds Good Habits – Encourages discipline and organisation.
✔ Improves Presentation – Helps teachers assess work clearly.
✔ Reduces Stress – A structured workspace boosts focus.
✔ Boosts Confidence – Well-presented work fosters pride in learning.
Thank you for your support in making EVPPS a great place to learn and grow. We look forward to continuing working with you throughout the remainder of 2025.
A Huge Shout-Out to Our Amazing Staff! 🎉
I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of our staff for their incredible dedication and hard work during our recent round of professional learning with the Shaping Minds program. Shaping Minds is a professional learning program based on the science of learning, meeting the art of teaching.
The Shaping Minds staff were absolutely glowing in their feedback. They were deeply impressed by the high level of teaching they observed and by how clearly our students understood and followed the engagement norms. They repeatedly commented on how well behaved and engaged our children were during the sessions.
I made sure they knew this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a strong PBS program and the consistent, intentional effort our staff and parent community put into teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours every single day.
Staff not only impressed our visitors — they made me incredibly proud to be their principal.
Faction Name Changes
After many months of research, consultation and student and staff voting coordination by our Student Representative Council I am thrilled to announce our new Faction names:
The name change will come into effect from the beginning of 2026. Existing faction t-shirts will still be able to be worn over the next few years, however, there will be a new shirt design coming.
Open Board Meeting
Are you interested in being a Board Member in the future? We will have several vacancies coming up in 2026.
Our Open Board meeting for this year is being held on Monday 15 September at 5:30 – 7:00pm in the school library. The agenda includes:
- Homework Policy review
- 2025 NAPLAN presentation
- Finalise Class Placement Policy
- Traffic Action Groups update
Free Parenting Seminar: Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety
Fear-Less Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
- Parents and carers of children aged 6–14 years are invited to attend a FREE seminar focused on helping children and teens manage anxiety.
- Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can affect a child’s ability to cope with everyday challenges. This practical, evidence-based session will help you:
- ✓ Understand how anxiety works
✓ Learn effective anxiety-management and coping strategies to teach your child
✓ Support your child or teen with anxious behaviours in a calm, positive way - Event Details:
Date: Wednesday 20 August 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: East Victoria Park Primary School – Library
FREE Entry – includes refreshments and a take-home tip sheet! - Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to build your confidence and support your child’s wellbeing. All welcome!
- Please see the flyer so that you can register to attend.
Staffing Update
I am delighted to announce that Mrs Janette Tuttle returns to our school from Monday 18 August as our Year 3 – 6 Deputy Principal. Mrs Tuttle will be with us until the end of the school year. Welcome back!
Enjoy your weekend
Warm regards
Kim Knowles
Student Voice – What’s Happening Around Our School
Mujtuba:
We have an exciting Taiko Drumming incursion coming up on Thursday 21 August. Taiko drumming is a traditional Japanese art form that uses large, barrel-shaped drums, often played in groups. It combines rhythm, movement, and spirit, creating both a powerful and spiritual experience. The word taiko simply means “drum” in Japanese, but it usually refers to the specific drums called wadaiko and the ensemble style of playing known as Kumi-daiko.
Johan:
We’re already halfway through our ICAS Testing, and it’s been going great! ICAS is a student academic competition made up of four tests: Science, English, Maths, and Writing. In the past few weeks, we’ve completed the Writing and English tests. On the 19 August, we’ll sit the Science test, and the Maths test will follow on the 26 August.
Lance:
The Minister’s Running Challenge is on! This challenge encourages students to exercise regularly and improve their health and fitness. Anyone can join in — students and staff alike. It started on the 21st of July and runs until the 19th of September. You can run, walk, cycle, or scooter your way to a total of 200 minutes over 9 weeks. Everyone who logs their activity goes into the draw for weekly prizes like Frank Green and Rebel gift cards, and much more. Plus, up to 4,000 people will get free entry to the Perth Running Festival’s Burswood Park 4km dash at Optus Stadium. Sign up online and get moving!
Kavithma:
Students in Years 4 to 6 have taken part in the South Australian Wellbeing Survey, which looks at student engagement with school and overall wellbeing. The results from this survey help the education system and broader community to better support students’ health and wellbeing. A big thank you to all the Years 4 to 6 students who participated!
P & C News
The Faction Carnival is just around the corner!
Come down to cheer on your children. Support our P&C with sausage sizzles available for purchase on the day along with some delicious treats from the bake sale To order a sausage sizzle for your child’s lunch and raffle tickets use this link: https://east-victoria-park-primary-schools-parents-and-citizens-associ.square.site
Volunteers are needed! Can you help?
If you can cook a sausage, cut a bun, sell a cake or help out in many other ways, we need your help on Faction Carnival Day.
Please go to the link below to sign up for a job at a specific time that suits you.
🚲 Streets Alive Afternoon Tea – What a Ride!
What an amazing afternoon we had celebrating active travel to school! Thanks to our Streets Alive Grant, families enjoyed whizzing on the blender bike, getting creative with banner designing, and brightening our paths with stencil painting.
A huge shout-out to Sparque for bringing e-bikes for parents to try (discount flyers at reception!) – such a fun, eco-friendly way to get the kids to school. We loved having the Lathlain Bike Bus join the fun too!
We were thrilled to see so much community support, including from Councillors Lindsay Miles, Peter Devereux, Skye Croeser and Zaneta Mascarenhas MP – who we will continue to work with to make our streets safer.
Massive thanks to our Safer Roads P&C Group and all the volunteers who made it happen.
Want to help keep our kids safe on their way to school? Email evppspandc@gmail.com – we’d love to have you on board!
