Five Dock PS Newsletter Term 2, Week 10, 2024
We Learn on Wangal Country
Principal's Report
It is hard to believe that we have reached the halfway point of the year. We have had a successful six months, with many student achievements to be proud of. These are not only intellectual/ academic achievements, they also include creative, social-emotional and physical achievements. The High Potential Gifted Education Policy promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every school across intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains of potential, while explicitly identifying and addressing the learning needs of high potential and gifted students. This semester we have seen students provided with the opportunity to experience opportunities across the four domains in the following ways:
Intellectual - Press Gang News Project (an update on this follows), Debating, Chess
Creative - Choir and Dance groups, Minecraft/ Coding club
Social-emotional - SRC fundraising initiatives, Gardening club
Physical - Inner West PSSA Competition, Zone and Regional carnivals for swimming, cross country and athletics
For a school our size, we are proud that we are able to offer these opportunities to students and we are proud of students' engagement and participation in these extra curricular activities as it is these opportunities that shape their schooling experiences and provide them with memories that will last a long time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teaching staff who provide students with these opportunities and who spend the time coaching, mentoring and developing their potential, skills and talent in each domain.
Student Progress Reports/ Interviews
Last Friday we distributed Student Progress Reports via Sentral. We have sent out instructions for downloading the report via Sentral, but we have included them in this newsletter below as well. If you are having trouble accessing your child's report, could you please contact the school.
How to download the report, which can then be forwarded to your email for printing/ saving.
Step 1 - Click on your child's profile picture in the top middle section.
Step 2 - Click on the three dots at the top right of the screen.
Step 3 - Open this in the browser.
Step 4 - Click on Academic Reports.
Step 4 - Click on the PDF to open the report.
Step 5 - Email the document to yourself, which can then be opened to save or print.
School Canteen
As you are aware, we recently went through the tender process to secure a permanent canteen for our school. Although we initially were successful and found a business who was willing to take on the job, they have this week made the difficult decision to pull out due to staffing issues. We are incredibly disappointed and will now start the process of finding a permanent solution once again. We are exploring organisations who support schools in this situation before advertising again. We are incredibly fortunate that Appetite will continue to support us and grateful that they could step in to help the school once again. Thank you so much to Appetite and all of the staff who will continue to make sure that we have an option for students. We have attached below a letter from Phillip and the team. Thank you, Appetite!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Earlier this week, we were excited to announce that the school had found a permanent solution for the canteen, which was set to take over in Term 3. Unfortunately, we have since been informed that the selected provider will no longer proceed with the takeover.
As a result, a new tender process will commence to find a long-term solution for the canteen. In the meantime, we will continue to manage the canteen as we have been (with a few minor changes), ensuring that services remain uninterrupted.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work towards finding a permanent solution. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Adrian & Phillip
(Appetite Cafe Five Dock)
Unjustified Absences
One of the Department of Education's focuses this year is on attendance and absence justifications. We have this term relayed the importance of attending school most of the time (at least 90% of the time). We would appreciate it if all families could follow up on any unjustified absences using the Sentral parent portal and provide a reason for any absence during the first half of the year. If you do not know how to do this, please call the school and one of our office staff will help you with this. Thank you for your support in promoting attendance at our school.
NAIDOC Week
This week we acknowledge NAIDOC week through artwork, critical discussions and a whole school assembly today organised by our NAIDOC committee. The Student Leadership Team and the Koori Kids leaders did a wonderful job hosting the assembly. The theme this year was, "Keep the fire burning, blak, loud and proud". The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Well done all of Five Dock for their respectful and proud acknowledgement of this important week, where we can share the history of First Nations peoples and make valuable decisions about reconciliation and the future.
Good News Story
Congratulations to Drew from Year 5 who had the best time and experience at the NSWPSSA state team event in Newcastle on 14 May - 17 May 2024 representing Five Dock PS within the Sydney East team. The tennis court was her classroom for that one week. She played a lot of tennis both singles and doubles and we are very proud of her participation.
We love good news stories, so if you have any to share, please let us know!
Wishing all families a wonderful Winter break. We hope you all spend quality time with family and friends. We will see you next term.
Here are some websites to explore with ideas for what to do during these school holidays!
https://www.sydney.com/things-to-do/family-holidays/school-holidays/winter
https://www.timeout.com/sydney/kids/school-holidays-in-sydney
Suzi Chosid
NAIDOC Week
Term 3 Calendar
School News Project
As you are aware, this term, some of our students have been participating in this exciting High Potential, Gifted Education program once a week with a qualified journalist. Students become reporters at work in a busy newsroom. With the support of a School News Project facilitator, Press Gang reporters are responsible for planning, interviewing, writing, editing and fact-checking. Well, they have published their newsletter and it is amazing. We are so proud of their hard work. Congratulations to them all. We have published their newspaper in this newsletter. We are excited to announce that this program will continue next term as an additional HPGE program; we look forward to what they will have in store for us next term.
Amplify and URStrong Programs Update
All classes have been implementing these two programs; Amplify is a music program that incorporates high impact teaching strategies that motivate students to learn about music in an engaging way. Students have thoroughly enjoyed this program and you can read some Stage 3 reflections below. URStrong focuses on implementing a common language around positive friendships. These programs were purchased as part of additional funding from the NSW government this year.
All schools across the state received one-off funding for extra mental health and wellbeing resources and initiatives through the Commonwealth’s Student Wellbeing Boost.
The Student Wellbeing Boost supports schools to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns on the mental health and wellbeing of their students.
Through the Student Wellbeing Boost schools can purchase new programs, services or resources or use the funds to supplement existing initiatives supporting the specific needs of their students.
I think that Amplify is an engaging program that is easy to understand how to do the activities and tasks. It is a fun and mood lifting experience. It is a fun, engaging and good experience.
I find Amplify extremely fun and it's exciting when i hear that it's on. The activities are fun, especially when we're listening to music.
Amplify is an online musical program that teaches us about music and the different parts of a song to themes. We have learnt about how different parts of a song can tell a story. We also have learnt how major and minor cords affect the mood and feel of music. We examined how hooks in a song intrigue the audience into listening to more of the song and we have learnt how to write our own lyrics in a song. We like the enthusiasm of Ricky and how he presents the information.
At least once a week we do a music program called amplify. Our class usually would rather do other things than amplify but after we start the lesson everyone has a good time. The lessons are easy to engage in because they are fun since we are usually listening to some of our favourite songs during the lesson. Usually we do Amplify at the end of the day so most people are a bit tired but how it gets us to interact with the lesson like playing a beat on our body or getting us to guess different things in a song always sends us home with a smile. By Fehoko
The Ur strong program is a journey through navigating friendship groups and learning that all friendships are unique. It helps you have a strong understanding of people's boundaries and the meaning of a true friend. Ur strong is a good resource for knowing how to be empathetic, the importance of always being kind and how to put yourself in other people's shoes or be empathetic. Since we have begun the Ur strong program we have learnt how to deny things nicely and to respect everybody. We have learnt that quality is more important than quantity and that trust and respect are the most important qualities of a friendship. We have learnt strategies to make friends and the influence of friendships on our lives. Ur strong is a good way to learn about friendships in a fun way, with fun activities to do with the class.
I liked “UR strong" because it taught us how to act in certain situations. It was also fun and informative. UR strong showed us what's right and wrong because these are situations that children typically face but have no idea how to deal with. By Naomi Seelaus
We think this program is an educational experience on how to deal with bullies and fights with some of your closest friends. It also teaches you life skills and this can also save friendships when there is a fight. This might not be the most fun thing but it is definitely serous. I think students can learn a lot from this program.
This program is fun, educational and needed program. It teaches children about when to know that a friend is a good friend, which many children need. It can teach important life skills and although it is not the best and most fun subject, it is definitely important for students to learn about. Alessia and Sian.
Stage 3
Tree Planting
A few weeks ago some of our gardening students along with Mr Sharp helped our local member for Drummoyne plant a tree. In exciting news, this had a mention in parliament by Ms Di Pasqua! This is wonderful acknowledgement for our gardening club and Mr Sharp. Congratulations to all!
Community Recognition Statements
Ms STEPHANIE DI PASQUA (Drummoyne) (16:39): I recently joined Five Dock Public School Garden Club as we planted a grevillea tree in honour of World Environment Day 2024. The gardening club at Five Dock Public meets every Friday at 8.30 a.m. before school to learn practical skills including growing and nurturing fruits, vegetables, plants, bees and greenery. They have developed a flourishing vegetable patch and flower garden which includes oranges, limes, carrots, pumpkins and even their own beehive. I recognise students Tulay S, Lachlan M, Eliana S, Zoe M, Liam C and Hamish A for their inspiring leadership and to thank them for helping to plant that tree. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the enthusiasm and the passion of the Five Dock Public School students. I also acknowledge Five Dock Public School principal Suzi Chosid and school learning support officer Mr Karl Sharp for his dedication. He has done an amazing job coordinating the garden club. I look forward to seeing the grevillea tree flourish.
Gardening Club
In the Classroom - SUK
This term SU-K have been learning about metaphor and simile, as they read Pino Fingers and Sonam and the Silence. Students had a chance to take the texts apart, and get ideas for their figurative writing, and are currently working towards publishing their work. In numeracy, the students of SU-K have worked on understudying and predicting chance, telling time on an analogue clock, and investigating the properties of 3D objects. In geography, we have investigated diverse natural and man-made environments, their features, and where people would choose to live. It has been a very exciting time using the new music program, Amplify. Our growing knowledge of music, rhythm, and beat has also supported us in all the fun we’ve been having with developing our dance and movement skills. And when it comes to movement, there is no beating the Colour Fun Run and Athletics Carnival, both of which have been exhilarating!
SUK
In the Classroom - SUP
The SU-P class have been busy using their curiosity, problem solving, teamwork and kindness super powers this term. Inside the classroom, we explored the properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects during maths lessons. We also learnt about length by ordering, comparing and measuring objects.
Outside the classroom, the SU-P class have enjoyed the winter sunshine. Outdoor sport activities with Zing Activ, along with the Athletics Carnival, have made us stronger, healthier and happier. In the garden, we have had an amazing time discovering worms, watering plants and growing dwarf peas. And of course who can forget the lovely day we had for 'The Colour Run'. SU-P had a wonderful afternoon chasing rainbows and having endless fun.
SUP
SRC Update
The Great Aussie Book Swap The SRC held the Great Book Swap last week and it was very successful. The book swap raised money for a very good cause. This cause is called the Indigenous Literacy Foundation which gives money to remote schools that don’t have books or access to libraries. The day was a huge success. Heaps of people donated books and bought books. Thank you to everyone who supported this great initiative.
Charlotte 4M
Thank you to our Semester 1 SRC representatives who have done an amazing job with their SRC responsibilities, working tirelessly to raise funds for the school and think critically about supporting meaningful organisations such as charities. We would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication to the role. Well done to all of them!
Sport Update
Soccer PSSA
PSSA is one of those times that you just can’t forget ever. It is one of those things that give you a good feeling every single day. You wake up every Friday thinking about the fun game you're about to witness. That nervous shiver that goes up your spine hoping you're going to win. Whether a win or a loss you would still go back to school with that game at the back of your head. I persist to at least try it out whether you get in, or don’t make it, it just puts a smile on your face. By Jaden Belotti
Touch Football PSSA
In touch footy this term we played 4 teams at five dock park. We think PSSA is a good way for people to connect with each other from other schools and to learn how to play a sport they haven’t played before . We have a junior, and senior boys and girls teams . It never matters if one team wins or loses, even though we or they lose, we cheer for them and congratulate them . That's what touch footy is all about. By Maisy Palmer
Netball PSSA Reflection
The netball PSSA team has developed a great sense of teamwork and fairness over the past and previous games. This includes both Junior, Senior, A and B teams. Even though we haven't won all games we had a lot of fun playing real and mini games, training and a lot lot more. Our coaches are very supportive and always help push us to our limits. Our coaches never hesitate to tell us what we need to improve. All teams played really well and always showed great sportsmanship towards other schools. By Adriana Collucio
P&C Update
Colour Fun Run
Year 3 Cake Stall
This week Year 3 organised a cake stall as part of their English unit. Year 3 read the beautiful book Wandi by Favel Parret. It is a fictional story about a real life dingo that was rescued and taken to a wildlife sanctuary. They organised a cake stall to raise funds for the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre based in Victoria (https://dingofoundation.org) where Wandi lives.
As you can see from the photos below, it was extremely successful! They raised over $400, which is fantastic. A wonderful initiative and we are so proud of this initiative. Well done, Year 3!
Cake Stall
Debating Update
The FDPS debating team continued their success in Week 9. We debated the topical subject of "The Olympic Games are a waste of money". Our negative team Isobel, Izzy, Eibhlinn and Mabel won and our affirmative team Zadie, Ethan, Alyssa and Emmy tied. The debating team work tirelessly between debates on writing their arguments, planning rebuttals and practicing their public speaking manner. They regularly work outside of school hours and attend early morning trainings. I am very proud of their efforts and can't wait for our next debate in Week 3.
Ms Rassaby
Merit Awards
Office News
We have published an expected schedule of fees for Semester 3. When you are emailed your statement, any outstanding fees will be included. If you require any financial support, please contact the school and we will be able to find a way to provide you with some support.
Code Camp
We are bringing Coding as an after school activity to Five Dock PS! Use this link to find out more information and enrol your child in this great after school activity.