Five Dock PS Newsletter, Term 3, Week 10 2023
Relieving Principal's Report
It is hard to believe that we find ourselves at the end of Term 3, with just one term left before we say goodbye to 2023. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our teachers for their outstanding dedication in ensuring that all students at our school are known, valued and cared for. We have had many extra-curricular activities going on; teachers have had to work many hours outside of their regular hours to enable these to occur and I thank them for providing students with opportunities to participate in sport, choir, debating and SRC activities.
2024 Kindergarten Enrolments
We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten in 2024. If you intend to enrol your child at Five Dock PS next year, please complete an enrolment form. It is extremely valuable for us to know how many students we are expecting as it impacts on our numbers, how many staff we are allocated and classes we are able to form. If you have any neighbours with young children about to start, please let them know that we are taking new enrolments now. The number of classes we form largely depends on our numbers for Kindergarten, so knowing how many students we will have supports us with our planning for 2024.
Student Voice
We have been collecting student voice submissions from the SRC and from students in each classroom. Students have been invited to participate in a survey and have their say about:
* A word that can describe Five Dock PS.
* What is working well at this school and what makes you happy to come to school?
* One thing we can do better at Five Dock PS.
* How can Five Dock PS help you become a better learner?
These student voice submissions are a part of our consultation phase for our new Strategic Improvement Plan. We will also have a focus group discussion with our SRC early next term.
You can see some of our submissions below.
Next term, there will be an opportunity for parents to have their say. More information will come early next term.
SAVE THE DATE!
We will be having a parent forum to discuss our new Strategic Improvement Plan. See details below in the flyer.
Lost Property
There is a mountain of lost property now that we have reached the end of the term. If you are around the school before the end of term, please take the opportunity to have a look through to see if you can find anything that belongs to your child.
RUOK? Day
Last week, OOSH and the P&C held a hot dog/ drink day to raise money for mental health care. The day was extremely successful and they raised over $1000. This is a fantastic result and we thank them for their efforts. Thank you also to our community for supporting this extremely worthwhile cause.
Winners
Winner of the guessing competition is Jemima Sheath
Winner for the lucky community prize is Alfred (Alfie) Binns
RUOK? Day
OOSH News
After an extraordinary 27 years working at Five Dock PS's OOSH, our much-loved and respected director, Marye is moving on to a new role and from all of us, we thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to the families and community of Five Dock. Marye has herself grown up in the community and has seen many students grow into adults in that time and supported many families to care for their children. She has been an integral part of the Five Dock community and we wish her all the very best in her new role; we know she will be fantastic. Our thanks and appreciation go to Marye, who has made a huge impact on so many lives.
Marye's Farewell
Cooling the Schools
Last Monday, the school was visited by a representative from the "Cooling the Schools" program.
Cooling the Schools is a free initiative that provides up to 200 plants for tree canopy cover and native habitat on school grounds. The aim is to reduce urban heat, support native pollinators, and create greener, healthier places for children to learn and explore.
We look forward to seeing more trees and native plants around the school. Thank you to Ms Koroinivalu and Mr Sharp for being part of the program.
Term 4 Invoices
This week on Sentral, we provided you with information about the costs associated with Term 4.Term 4 includes two major payments; Intensive Swimming program for K-2 which will cost $166 and Surf Education for 3-6, which will cost $50. As these are larger amounts, you may wish to plan for them coming up in Term 4. On Sentral, we have provided detailed information about these events. Below you will find a list of the inclusions for Term 4.
Performing Arts – This fee contributes to the school’s music program to enable students to receive
instruction from a professional musician.
Dance program – This fee contributes to the dance program that all stages will be participating in,
which is run by Zing Activ. Payment must be finalised in order for your child to participate.
Calmsley Hill Farm – Kindergarten will be attending this excursion, which is designed to meet
outcomes in Science and Technology.
Event Cinemas – This is part of the K-2 Fun Day to celebrate the end of the year.
Intensive Swimming Program – A 10-day intensive swimming program for K-2.
Surf Education – This excursion for students in Years 3-6 provides students with hands on
opportunities to learn about aquatic hazards, water safety strategies and emergency response
procedures in the environment as part of the PDHPE curriculum.
Amazing Me - This incursion provides students in Stage 3 with positive and empowering information
about growing up.
Year 6 Graduation Book/ Bear – To celebrate your child’s time at Five Dock PS, a graduation book has
been created as a keepsake for your child to look back on in years to come.
Ms Chan
We would like to congratulate Ms Chan on her up-coming wedding in the holiday. Ms Chan will be getting married and we wish her all the very best for her special day and for a life-time filled with happy memories.
Spring Holidays
Wishing all students and families a wonderful Spring holiday. Hope you can all get out, enjoy the weather and spend valuable time as a family together.
Here are some websites that will give you some great ideas for what to do.
School Holiday Activities in Sydney: The Best for Spring 2023 | ellaslist
Spring school holidays in NSW | Visit NSW
School holidays | Events in Sydney | City of Sydney - What’s On (nsw.gov.au)
Thanks to all of your support throughout the term. See you all on Monday 9 October for the first day back for Term 4. Remember, there is no Pupil Free Day in this term.
Suzi Chosid
Relieving Principal
In The Clasroom
Here are some photos from our classrooms in the last two weeks.
Some Stage 2 classroom photos were taken when they worked from OOSH as a result of the painting work being done at the moment. Stage 2 have been using historical inquiry skills to learn about international celebrations.
Guru, Badu and Mulgu are pictured collaborating on a few different projects.
In the Classroom
Zone Athletics Carnival
On Thursday, students went to Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre to compete in the Zone Athletics Carnival, and what an extraordinary day it turned out to be! From track to field events, our school was proudly represented in every competition, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication that exists among our students.Congratulations to all our students who not only participated but also excelled, earning coveted spots in the finals. In addition, we are thrilled to announce that a select group of our students has advanced to the regional level. Their outstanding performances have earned them the honour of representing our school on a larger stage, and we couldn't be prouder.Well done to our students, whose exemplary sportsmanship and passion showcased the true spirit of our school. They carried our school's name with pride.
Ms Alessi, Mr Johnson, Mr Sharp
Zone Athletics
Library News
The September school holidays are an excellent time for the students to KEEP READING. I remember my days as a young girl curled up with a good book during the holidays, finding joy in escaping to another place for a while.
It is also a wonderful time for the students to Spring clean their bedroom, toy room and bookshelf and locate any overdue books that may have accidently made their way to those spaces. I have been excited to receive overdue books from students in this last week that have been missing for more than a year.
The September school holidays are also an opportune time to visit your local library, where there is a wide variety of books to suit everyone’s interest. We are fortunate to live in a community where there are two libraries that your children are welcome to visit and to apply for their very own library card.
Suggested Holiday Reads
K-2- Alpacas With Maracas- Matt Cosgrove, Little Ash series- Ash Barty, Tashi series- Anna Fienberg, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus- Mo Willems, Meet Ella series, Alice Miranda series, Zac Power series
Year 3-6- Blueback – Tim Winton, Kensy and Max- Jacqueline Harvey, What about Thao? - Oliver Phommavanh, We Are Wolves, Waiting for the Storks, Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief- Katrina Nannestad, Roald Dahl- Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits
Star Student of the Week
Congratulations to Oscar Gordon from Yarang who recently visited me in the library to share his beautiful model of a castle Keep that he made. Oscar was excited to tell me all about his model and to explain what a Keep is (It is a large, fortified enclosure which was used in case of a siege or attack in medieval times.) I was so impressed by his knowledge and learnt something new. I now have that model on display in the library for everyone to enjoy.
School Holiday Activities
There are several FREE activities on offer these school holidays. See the links below for the
The Australian Museum and Art Gallery
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/?audience=kids
Books Come to Life
Julia Donaldson’s much loved stories Room on a Broom and The Gruffalo come to life live on stage these school holidays. https://www.theconcourse.com.au/genre/childrens-family-2/
Dog Man is one of the most popular series in our library and it is coming to the Opera House in January.
See the links below for some more books that are performed live.
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/kids-families/dog-man-musical
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/kids-families/nutcracker
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/kids-families/princess-pea-and-brave-escapee
Merit Award Winners
