Prestons Post
Term 2, Week 2
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our Week 2 newsletter. Another wonderful week of learning has taken place at Prestons.
Roary the Learner Quality Lion
Last week we had a mystery visitor who camped out on our school grounds. We were all very curious to find out just who this was and also to know why they were visiting our school. On Friday afternoon Mrs Beavis, Miss Higgins and I were walking in the playground and we found Roary the lion walking around. We quickly caught him and discovered that he was a friendly lion who was coming to Prestons to explore the learner qualities that our students need to become great learners. After some discussion, Roary the Learner Quality Lion agreed that our 7 school learner qualities were great and perfect for the students at our school. Our Prestons Learner Qualities are;
- Curious
- Brave
- Resilient
- Problem Solver
- Collaborative
- Reflective
- Determined
Roary the lion will be visiting us again to check in on how we are going with learning about our Learner Qualities. Mrs Beavis and Miss Higgins will be meeting with the Learner Quality team soon to plan lessons for our first Learner Quality focus of Curiosity. We are very excited at seeing our students become more and more curious.
Students taking leave
Over the past month, many applications for extended leave for students have come across my table. Please note that the NSW School Attendance Policy states that all students who are of school age are expected to attend school every day unless they are unwell. Parents and carers are asked to arrange family holidays during the school vacation periods. The Exemption from School Procedures states that students travelling during school terms are not to be exempt. Absences due to travel during school terms will be marked as Leave - explained but unjustified. Travel during school terms is not encouraged.
Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. There is an interesting and eye opening visual below which shows how much learning your child misses by having just 1 day per fortnight or 1 day per week.
So far this year we only have 43.2% of our students attending school more than 90% of the time. This is very concerning and is well below the state average. Look out for some new attendance initiatives as we work with our families to improve this attendance rate at Prestons. We thank all of our families for continuing to support their child's education by ensuring that their child attends school every day.
Earth Day
Thank you to Mr Wright who organised a fun and informative day on Wednesday so that our whole school could take a step towards being more environmentally friendly. It was great to see so many students and teachers wearing green mufti and we loved doing the electricity free activities during the day.
Playground fun
We have lots of fun activities running at lunch and recess times each day. Today the oval was full of maroon hats with so many soccer and oz tag games, it looked like lots of fun. The PALS area is a fun place where we have been making mud pies in the new kitchen area and our quiet sitting area was a great place to make jewellery today. It is wonderful to see our students having fun with their friends at school.
Mothers Day Breakfast
We are looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day with the special people in our lives next Thursday. Please RSVP for our Macarons for Mum breakfast. We look forward to seeing you all. The wonderful P&C are also holding a Mother's Day stall so that students can purchase something special for a loved one in their life.
Have a wonderful break and don't forget to ask your child what they are learning at school.
Liz Van Der Meulen
Principal
Dates To Remember
Tuesday 9th May - The Rocks Museum Excursion (Year 5 & 6)
Thursday 11th May - Mother's Day Breakfast
Friday 12th May - Winter PSSA commences
Monday 15th May - Opportunity Class Applications Close
Tuesday 16th May - P&C Meeting
Friday 19th May - Book Club orders close
Friday 19th May - K-2 Fire Brigade Visit
Friday 19th May - Walk Safely to School Day
Tuesday 23rd May - Zone Cross Country
Thursday 25th May - School Photo Day
Thursday 1st June - Parent Forum 3- 6 English
Monday 29th May - Friday 2nd June - Reconciliation Week
Thursday 15th June - P&C Meeting
Tuesday 25th July - Parent Forum Mathematics
Thursday 10th August - P&C Meeting
Thursday 24th August - Parent Forum Wellbeing & Learner Qualities
Tuesday 5th September - P&C Meeting
Thursday 19th October - Parent Form - Technology
Tuesday 31st October - P&C Meeting
Tuesday 14th November - Parent Forum - Transition to High School
Thursday 30th November -P &C Meeting
K - 2 Assemblies, Wednesday at 2.00 pm
Term 2
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 4 - 16th May - 5 Falcons hosting
Parents and carers are welcome to attend assemblies in the school hall.
Congratulations to Miss Muzyka and Mr Bui for completing their Teachers Accreditation
Principal Awards
Principal Awards
Tamia 3/4- Seahorses
Perta -3 Jellyfish
Raphael - 3 Jellyfish
Mariam - 3 Jellyfish
Aj - 4 Bluebottles
Winter PSSA
Winter PSSA will commence week 3, Friday 12th May, 2023 for selected students only.
Notes have gone home to students who were selected.
Payment and notes are due to the office now.
Venues will be advised via Sentral and Facebook during the week.
Year 6 - Pieces of the Past Excursion
Can you please sign updated permission slip that was sent home this week and return to the office.
Zone Cross Country - Tuesday 23rd May 2023
Cost to cover bus is $10.00
Note and payment due to the office by Thursday 18th May, 2023
Opportunity Class Applications - Applications Close Monday 15th May, 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.
Stewart House Donation Drive 2023
Students have been issued with a Stewart House Donation Drive envelope. You could win a $4000 GIFT VOUCHER/HOLIDAY by donating $2 and completing the entry details on the back of the envelope.
Stewart House is a not-for profit organisation which provides refuge for children who may need a break from their regular schooling or family circumstances.
Each year Stewart House looks after 1,800 public school children across NSW and the ACT. These children take part in a 12 day residential program at the organisation's headquarters on Sydney's northern beaches.
Stewart House relies on donations so this service can continue. Your donation towards this will help and will put you in the draw to possibly win a $4000 family holiday.
Please return the envelope, with your details completed and your $2 donation enclosed to the office by Friday 19th May, 2023
School Photos - Thursday 25th May 2023
Our school photos are scheduled for Thursday 25th May, 2023. information on how to order has been sent home.
Photo packages range in prices from $28 to $50. Please refer to the attached information for package details.
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.
Classroom Chat with 2 Monkeys
2 Monkeys have had a fantastic start coming back into Term 2! We are so excited to be back at school to learn and have fun.
We have been learning about place value in Math and doing fun hands-on activities to improve our Mathematical knowledge as well as learning to work collaboratively with our classmates.
We had a fantastic time participating in the Cross Country and the new Athletics Program on Thursdays as well.
Classroom Chat with 6 Pelicans
On Wednesday, we had Earth Hour. We took this opportunity to work in the new outdoor area and do some art. We will be learning about a variety of artists and techniques this term; hopefully we will be producing some more quality art for the front Art Gallery Fence
K-2 English Parent Forum
Cross Country
Uniforms
Orders can also be made online. Simply visit www.moorebankuniformsandembroidery.com.au
Enter the Password PRESPMUE2019 to shop online.