Frequently Asked questions

WHAT ARE THE BELL TIMES AT EPPS?

School start and finish times: 

School starts at 9.05 am and finishes at 2.55 pm 

On the first day of Kindergarten only, children start at staggered times. Your child's start time will be provided in Term 4.  

Children attend for the entire day from their first day of school.

What time is recess and lunch?

Recess eating time is 11:05 am to 11:15 am 

Recess play time is 11:15 am to 11:35 am

Lunch eating time is 1:25 pm to 1:35 pm

Lunch play time is 1:35 pm to 1:55 pm

SCHOOL UNIFORMS - ARE THERE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS? 

Children can wear whichever combination of uniform they are comfortable with, so long as it fits in with the school uniform code. 

Children can wear black joggers as everyday wear. It is important to have closed in shoes.

What does the first week of school involve?

Best Start interviews are 1:1. Your child will be withdrawn from class by a teacher for this assessment. They run for around 30 minutes. 

Once children begin their first day of school, they will attend for the entire day. They will be involved in lots of fun activities that help us all get to know each other and learn new routines.

What things do we need to get for kids i.e. school bags/stationary etc? 

Children will need to bring their own school bag with a lunch box and drink bottle each day. Please ensure all items are labelled clearly with your child's name. 

We provide the equipment students need such as: Books, pencils, crayons, scissors. They will also receive a library bag from the school to use when borrowing. We do however ask for donations of glue sticks, tissues, paper towels, soap, baby wipes and white board markers. A plastic wallet/folder will need to be supplied by you later in Term 1 to take home their readers each week. 

Please also include a spare set of clothes just in case of an accident. i.e. socks, underwear, shorts/dress.

We will send a note home with the children during the first week of Term 1.

How do we communicate with our child's teacher? 

If at anytime you would like to speak to your class teacher, please contact the school by phone, email or message your child's teacher on the Parent Sentral Portal to arrange an appointment. Appointments can be conducted in person or over the phone, depending on the reason for the meeting. 

If you need to inform your class teacher of something or have a question, again you can contact the front office by telephone, send a message through our Sentral Parent Portal, send an email to the school or give a letter to the teacher. It is a good idea to have a special spot in your child's bag to place notes for the teacher or for your child to store notes from the school.

We have goal setting meetings throughout the year, early on in Term 1 and we meet again in Semester 2. These meetings allow teachers, parents/carers and students to discuss progress and set goals for the term. We regularly check in with parents to discuss how children are settling into school and any concerns on your end. 

How can we best work with the teachers to support our children's learning?

Playing in an intentional way with your child is invaluable. Read, read and then read some more with them. Tell stories too and encourage them to tell some back. Play games and talk about everything you do, as much as is practical.

In any team, communication is key. Please contact by calling or emailing the school to discuss any concerns, celebrate successes and pass on any information that you feel we need to know about your child. Any information, where applicable, from health-care professionals, such as occupational therapists, can help us to make reasonable adjustments in the classroom for your child.

There will be meetings where we will rely on teamwork, such as the three way goal setting interviews and you are highly encouraged to attend these with your child. If you are able to spare some time to help out in the classroom or with any school events, this is a great way to engage in your child’s learning. Once we send them, practise sight words and read home readers with your child on a regular basis.

Can my child bring in cakes or lollies to share with their class for their birthday?

Please contact your child's teacher regarding any allergies or dietary requirements within the class.