Prestons Post
Term 1, Week 10
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our Week 10 newsletter. I wanted to start by thanking our amazing Mrs Lloyd for taking such great care of our school while I was on leave last week.
Communicating with our Families
Sentral Parent App
Recently our school has made the decision to change the way we communicate with our families. This app will be used for student attendance, newsletters, notes, parent teacher interview booking, school calendar and other links. We will be using this Parent Application from the start of Term 2.
We have sent home with your eldest student a note with your child’s ‘access key’ listed on it and instructions which will allow you direct access to your child’s profile.
If you have questions about using the app, or need some extra help then please browse the list of FAQs at https://info.sentral.com.au/new-app-getting-started or contact us for assistance.
SEESAW
Thank you to everyone who has signed and returned our parent consent note for Seesaw. We will be sending Seesaw codes home on Friday of Week 10. This will allow families to directly communicate with their child's teacher and also will allow your children to share their great work with you throughout the day.
Staffing Changes
We are sad to announce that for personal and family reasons, Miss Rialas will be taking leave for the remainder of the year. Miss Rialas is a wonderful and much loved member of 3/4 Seahorses, our school and executive team and will be greatly missed. After a very competitive merit selection process, Mr William Gardicotis will be our new classroom teacher for 3/4 Seahorses and our new Stage 2 Assistant Principal. Mr Gardicotis brings with him a wealth of teaching and leading experience and we are excited to have him join our Prestons team.
Student Safety
Could I please remind all of our families of the importance of student safety on the roads around our school. It is important that we keep our students safe by;
- parking in the correct and legal parking spaces (not bus zones or no standing zones)
- only allowing your child to enter the car from the footpath side of the car
- holding your child's hand when crossing the roads
- following the directions by the Crossing Supervisor on the very busy Kurrajong Road
- please remember to model respectful behaviour at all times to all members of our school community.
Thank you for your support as we work to keep all of our children safe at all times around our school.
Student Toilets
Could I please remind all parents, carers, friends and family members that our student toilets are for STUDENT use only. This is a very important child protection issue and at no time should parents, carers, friends and family members enter the student toilet blocks. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Sunrise
We are very excited to announce that Sunrise from Chanel 7 will be filming at our school on Monday morning. Make sure that you watch Sunrise on Monday to see Sam the weather man providing the weather forecast from our great school. Selected students received notes this week to invite them to be a part of this broadcast. Just a reminder that only students with signed permission notes will be permitted to be involved in the filming. These students and their families will need to be at school at 5.20am.
Passion Projects
This week we held our second passion projects sessions. Wow! we are overwhelmed with the amazing support from our families and wanted to thank our helpers who come along to assist with gardening, dancing, cultural groups, cooking, macrame, sport and much more. Together we are creating amazing opportunities for our wonderful students.
Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to ask your child what they are learning at school.
Liz Van Der Meulen
Principal
Dates To Remember
Tuesday 4th April - Easter Hat Parade
Thursday 6th April- Last day Term 1
Friday 7th April - Good Friday
Tuesday 25th April - Anzac Day (Public Holiday)
Wednesday 26th April - Students return for Term 2
Wednesday 26th April - Anzac Day Assembly
Friday 28th April - School Cross Country
Tuesday 2nd May - Parent Forum K to 2 English
Tuesday 9th May - The Rocks Museum Excursion (Year 5)
Wednesday 10th May - The Rocks Museum Excursion (Year 6)
Friday 12th May - Winter PSSA commences
Monday 15th May - Opportunity Class Applications Close
Tuesday 16th May - P&C Meeting
Tuesday 23rd May - Zone Cross Country
Thursday 25th May - School Photo Day
Monday 29th May - Friday 2nd June - Reconciliation Week
K - 2 Assemblies, Wednesday at 2.00 pm
Term 2
Week 2 - 3rd May - 1 Lions hosting
Week 4 - 17th May - 1 Tigers hosting
Parents and carers are welcome to attend in the school hall.
3 - 6 Assemblies, Tuesday at 2.00 pm
Term 2
Week 2 - 2nd May - 5 Kookaburras hosting
Week 4 - 16th May - 5 Falcons hosting
Parents and carers are welcome to attend assemblies in the school hall.
Summer PSSA
Summer PSSA has concluded for Term 1. This competition will continue Term 4.
Students in Years 3 to 6 will have the opportunity to trial for Winter PSSA, information will be sent home to parents.
Easter Celebrations - Tuesday 4th April 2023
Sentral Parent App
Recently our school has made the decision to change the way we communicate with parents.
Sentral, the schools School Management System has a Parent communications app. We will be using this Parent Application from the start of Term 2.
You will soon be able to do the following:
* receive real-time notifications and messages from the school or your child’s classroom teacher.
* view academic reports
* submit student absences
* view calendar events
* book parent/teacher interviews
* view school information and permission notes
* receive sick bay notifications
* view newsletters
In preparation, please download the Sentral for Parent App (via the App store or Google Play store) Search: Prestons Public School.
information on how to download the application is attached.
We require all families to register for the Sentral for Parents app as over time we plan to stop using the other communication apps such as Skoolbag and make Sentral for Parents a one stop shop for all communications.
Please be patient with the school staff as we work through any teething problems and adjust to the new system.
You should have received a paper notice and email with your child’s ‘access key’ listed on it which will allow you direct access to your child’s profile.
If you have questions about using the app, or need some extra help then please browse the list of FAQs at https://info.sentral.com.au/new-app-getting-started or contact us for assistance.
Opportunity Class Applications - Year 4 Students 2023
Opportunity classes are for primary school students who have high academic potential or who are intellectually gifted.
They provide an environment where students can learn and make friends with classmates of similar ability. This can benefit a student’s academic progress and also their wellbeing.
Opportunity classes are offered in Years 5 and 6, with parents/carers applying in Year 4.
Students who are successfully placed will usually have to leave their current school to enrol in a school with an opportunity class for Years 5 and 6.
Opportunity classes are just one of the ways that we cater for our high potential and gifted students.
Testing and assessment
Applications for opportunity class placement are considered on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test. Students who wish to be considered for placement are required to sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Thursday 27 July 2023.
How to apply
Parents/carers must apply online between Thursday 30 March and Monday 15 May 2023 at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/oc.
You must use your own email address and not one belonging to your child. Late applications are not usually accepted.
If you do not have internet access you can apply at a public library or at your child’s school. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Unit for assistance after 30 March 2023.
You must submit only ONE application for each student.
Anzac Day Assembly - Wednesday 26th April
On Wednesday, 26th April, Prestons Public School will be holding an Anzac Day Ceremony at
10.20 am for approximately 15 minutes.
Parents and friends are welcome to attend.
Students are encouraged to bring flowers to place under the flag poles during the assembly
Cross Country - Friday 28th April 2023
On Friday 28th April, we will be holding our annual Cross Country Carnival. The carnival will take place during school hours and will be held on the school oval. As this is part of the Physical Education curriculum, all students are expected to participate.
The Cross Country will run at various times throughout the day. Students aged 8-13 (including Year 2 students who are turning 8 this year) will compete for their entry into the next level at Zone, and K-2 students will participate in a fun run in preparation for future years.
All K-2 classes will have a normal school day apart from a fun run at 2pm.
The schedule for the day is included in the attached note.
Multicultural Public Speaking - Years 3 to 6
Students are to prepare a speech exploring multiculturism. Years 3 and 4 students will prepare a 3 minute speech and Years 5 and 6 a 4 minute speech. Notes have been sent home, the topics are listed below.
Stage 3 Excursion - The Rocks Musuem Pieces of the Past
Students in Stage 3 will be attending an excursion to The Rocks Museum.
- Tuesday 9th May, 2023 for Year 5.
- Wednesday 10th May,2023 for Year 6
Payment of $35.00 and permission slip to be sent to office by Friday 28th April 2023.
Please see attached note for all the details.
School Photos - Thursday 25th May 2023
Our school photos are scheduled for Thursday 25th May, 2023. information on how to order will be sent home shortly.
Photo packages range in prices from $28 to $50. Please refer to the attached information for package details.
Classroom Chat with K Koalas
Spotlight on Learning
Uniforms
Orders can also be made online. Simply visit www.moorebankuniformsandembroidery.com.au
Enter the Password PRESPMUE2019 to shop online.
School Crossing Supervisor Position
PPT - Good Shepherd Catholic School, Hoxton Park - Applications close Sunday 9th April.
A copy of the advertisement is attached for your reference.