Five Dock PS Newsletter Term 4, Week 2, 2023
Relieving Principal's Report
Welcome back to all our families to what is, unbelievably, the last term of the year. This term is extremely busy, with lots of learning experiences and fun activities planned for the students. Late last week we sent out the Statements of Account for the term, as well as the "What's on" overview relevant to the stage your child is in.
This is a big edition of the newsletter, so please read through carefully.
Strategic Improvement Plan
At the end of Term 3, we sought feedback from students in the SRC, as well as from a handful of other students in each class for our new Strategic Improvement Plan. We are currently in the process of gatherining data and evidence as part of our ituational analysis. This will inform the three strategic Directions for our new plan.A situational analysis is an assessment of our school's current state and is used to inform our impovement journey in learning, teaching and leading. There are five p[arts to developing a robust situational analysis, which include external data analysis, school self-assessment, internal data analysis and supporting research, consideration of evidence and community consultation.
Student consultation also needs to occur and last term, students were asked:
- What is one word that can describe Five Dock PS?
- What is working well at this school and what makes you happy to come to school?
- What is one thing we can do better at Five Dock PS?
- How can Five Dock PS help you become a better learner?
You are able to view these submissions in Week 10’s newsletter. The next step for the student consultation will be a forum with SRC students.
We will be holding a Parent Forum, on Monday 23 October at 5:30pm. This forum will be held in the school library. At the P&C meeting in Week 1 I presented the consultation so far prior to the forum. Following the forum, you will get an opportunity to participate in a survey using the Tell Them From Me Platform. We encourage parents and carers to attend this forum to find out more information about the consultation so far and consider contributing.
One document that the school is looking at closely is the What Works Best document. This outlines eight themes for evidence-based practice that improves student educational outcomes: High expectations, Explicit Teaching, Effective feedback, Use of Data to Inform Practice, Assessment, Classroom Management, Wellbeing and Collaboration. We have attached a PDF below in this newsletter, which will provide you with more detailed information about these eight themes.
2024 Class Planning
The school leadership team have begun the process of planning for 2024. Creating classes is an extremely rigorous process that teachers take very seriously. Our aim is to consider academic, social and emotional needs for all students. You are able to share information that is relevant for this planning process. The school will consider this, but is unable to guarantee that all requests will be considered due to the complexity of the process. Many factors are taken into account when creating classes and decisions are always made in the best interests of students. Most students have the ability to successfully transition into new classes, with new peers and a new teacher.
There are departmental guidelines when schools are forming class groups. Staffing is allocated using a formula. Students in K-2 receive a higher allocation. However, staffing is calculated on the TOTAL number of enrolments in the school, not the number of students in a particular year.
This means that schools with certain enrolment numbers will be unable toi create straight classes because the numbers simply do not allow for it.
Evidence shows that it is the quality of teaching, combined with student interest, engagement and motivation that has a greater impact on learning than class organisational structures. At Five Dock PS, and indeed at many public schools in NSW, quality teaching is supported by mentoring, instructional leadership, collaborative practices amongst teachers and professional learning. This has a much greater impact on student learning outcomes than the structure of classes. As mentioned above, the What Works Best document outlines evidence-based practices that we will be committed to implementing as part of our Strategic improvement Plan, which will ultimately have the biggest impact on student learning.
Please use this form to record any important considerations. Requests for specific teachers will not be considered as part of this process. Please complete this form by Friday 17 November.
https://forms.gle/S4e9G6KtkVXmLWbA8
Students Not Returning in 2024
If your child will not be returning in 2024 could you please complete the google link below. This information is very important because it has an impact on our class structures and staffing of the school.
https://forms.gle/HoqTpysQGNCgKzFx6
Please note: This will be sent via Sentral, along with a note that you can return if you prefer a paper method.
Ms Chan's Wedding
Congratulations to Ms Chan who had her wedding during the holidays. We have attatched some photos from the beautiful day she had. Ms Chan will be taking some leave later on during the term.
Cyber Safety
Protecting children in their digital worlds is an ever-evolving task for Australian families. Now more than ever parents are looking for guidance in how to manage screen time and navigate the world of games and social media.
We are therefore pleased to help our parent community by offering a crucial and engaging education session with ySafe, Australia’s leading provider of online safety education. This practical, strategy-rich session will cover the most important points that all families need to know about online safety, covering key information about social media and gaming, screen time recommendations and step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber safe home for children of all ages.
If you’ve ever struggled with getting your children off their games and into bed, worried about the content of the games that they are playing or felt concerned that your child was spending too much time in the digital world, this workshop is for you!
Kindergarten Enrolments/ Kindergarten Orientation
We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten in 2024. If you intend to enrol your child atFive 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.
This term we will be holding three sessions for students who are transitioning into Kindergarten. Our transition program dates are as follows:
Thursday 9 Novermber - 9:30am-10:45am
Thursday 16 November - 9:30am-10:45am
Thursday 23 November - 9:30am-10:45am
It is vital that your choild attends all three of these sessions. There will be a different program for each sessions for parents who are able to stay.
We will also be holding interviews with parents and students on Wednesday 1 November, one week prior to the first transition day. This is an opportunity for the school to learn as much about your child before they start school.
Selective High School Applications
last week we sent a message informing you that Selective High School applications for Year 7 entry in 2025 are now open Students in Year 5 who would like to apply need to follow the process, where applications close on Monday 20 November. Please find as part of this newsletter two documents:
1. Information for applicants who wish to apply
2. An "Intention to apply for Year 7 placement in a selective high school in 2025" letter. This tear-off slip should be returned to the school, but it is only notifying the school and not the application itself. The application itself needs to be completed by parents/ carers. The Selective High School Placement Test is NOT expected to be held in primary schools in 2024.
Key dates:
- Applications for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in 2025 open on 9 October 2023 and close on 20 November 2023 at the Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7 website.
- All candidates are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test on Thursday 9 May 2023.
Please visit the Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes website for updates and complete information about the placement process.
Please contact the school if you have any further questions.
World Teachers' Day 2023
Next Friday 27 October will be World Teachers' Day in Australia. This day gives the community the opportunity to celebrate teachers who are skilled professionals who educate, inspire and support Australia's 4 million students.
It is a day where we can all refelct on the incredible job they do every day and the commitment they demonstrate to ensuring that each child is known, valued and cared for. We can take time to recognise the important role they play in shaping the fabric of our society. Teachers not only implement the curriculum, but also build relationships with the communituy, support students to set learning goals and foster collaboration across the school. A student can carry a love of learning throughout their life and confidence in their abilities all because of what a teacher has instilled in them. Quality teaching is the largest in-school influence on student achievement and as such, I would like to personally acknowledge the important work they do every day.
The theme for this year is "Hats off to teachers". Let’s celebrate Australia’s teachers for their skilled work in educating, inspiring and supporting our students.
Congratulations to all students who competed at the Zone Athletics Carnival late last term. We reported about this in our Week 10 newsletter last term. However, we would like to congratulate Jonathan Howlett, who was the Junior Boys Age Champion. Well done, Jonathan!
Ms Chan's Wedding
Public Speaking News
On Tuesday four of our students represented Five Dock PS at the School Performance South Primary Schools Public Speaking Competition.
We would like to congratulate Hudson Hong (Early Stage 1), Sam Ombico (Stage 1), Millie Clark (Stage 2) and Zadie Cahill (Stage 3) for he wonderful way in which they spoke and represented our school. \
Special mention and congratulations must go to Sam who achieved a highly commeded award. Sam spoke about "Why children should learn about the periodic table" and spoke extremely well. Well done, Sam!
P&C News
Our Democracy Sausage & Bake Sale
A BIG thank you to everyone who helped make our Referendum BBQ & Bake Sale a success last Saturday. To the bakers, the cooks and the salespeople – it was a fun day where we delivered the best democracy sausage (& bacon + egg roll) in Five Dock plus a selection of sweet treats.
We also wish to thank Coles Five Dock for donating our sauces, serviettes, oils and more.
The team who made it happen on the day:
· Laura Martyn
· Kate Brandon
· Dan Brandon (thank you for stepping in at the 11th hour and getting our bacon and eggs going)
· Daniel Morgan
· Cindy Nguyen
· Heather Cox
· Dave Rimi-Cheng
· Alison Sinclair-Kydd
· Jo Moriarty
· Kristy Gaston
· Melissa Waters
· Belinda Van Winden
· Opal Boyd
· Nathan Droguett
· Riccardo Corradin
· Angus Hilton
And special shout out to these kids who helped with everything from set up to serving customers and sales (and no one could say no to these young ladies!) …
· Phoebe Brandon
· Lily Waters
· Eve Gaston
· Abbey Hilton
· Georgie Hilton
Lastly to Bek Ryburn who put her hand up to organise the BBQ – a heartfelt thank you. You delivered a great democracy sausage sizzle from getting volunteers to going above and beyond when you couldn’t source the sliced onions so you sliced 15kg of onions yourself #absolutemadness. You did a sensational job – thank you, thank you!!!!!
And now we are focussed on our Halloween Party
It’s back for the first time since 2019 and we are very excited!
Tickets are on sale via QKR now (please buy before 5pm on Thursday October 26th) – entry wristbands, token tickets plus hot dog / jelly cup vouchers will be distributed via your children from next Monday.
We are also asking for donations of baked goods and need volunteers to help with the event. If you can help on the day / night please enter your details here: https://signup.com/go/AgxYFnf
We’re raising money to transform the all-purpose court!
Our next meeting
Pop Wednesday November 8th @ 7:30pm in your diary now. We are talking about plans for 2024! All are welcome.
Any questions about the P & C please email – fdpspandc@gmail.com
P&C Referendum
SRC News
The Student representative Council have been very busy at Five Dock PS. Here is a message from two of their members:
Ice blocksIn Term 4, the SRC will be selling ice blocks every Wednesday. They will be sold for $1 from the canteen after the eating bell.
Return & EarnClink! Clink! Get your old unused bottles and cans for our still going Return and Earn! You can drop off your recyclables behind the library at the Support Unit gate. No glass, no milk products, but plastic bottles and aluminium cans are definitely welcome! Don't forget tot bring them in between before school.
City of Canada Bay Updated Parking Rules
Recently the school received an email from the City of canada bay council regarding their updated parking rules and regulations. These include the increase of parking fines (as of October) in school zones, including:
- Parking in a Bus zone – now $387 (was $362)
- Parking in driveways and on footpaths – now $387 (was $362)
- Time restricted parking – now $129 (was $120)
- Parking/Stopping near intersections – now $514 (was $481)
- Pedestrian crossings and Children’s crossings – now $514 (was $481)
Please refer to the more detailed Parking Information PDF below.
Movies Under The Stars
You’re invited to see Barbie (the movie) at Movie Under the Stars at Campbell Park Chiswick on Friday, 3 November.
This is a free family event organised by the Chiswick Community Activities Group and sponsored by the City of Canada Bay Council.
Bring a rug and picnic and find your spot from 6pm while enjoying some pre-movie entertainment. Some light refreshments will be available for purchase. Screening starts at 7.30pm.
Follow Barbie on a voyage of self-discovery from Barbie World to the real world with singing and dancing along the way.
Movies Under the Stars will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
In the Classroom
Preschool children are setting up and planting some new garden beds, as well as making and eating their own pizzas!
The support unit students have been enjoying dance lessons with Zing Activ.
Early Stage 1 have been working with their buddies.
Stage 1 are learning about mathematical terms used in a multiplication number sense, such as 'factor' and 'product'. They have also been publishing informative texts about bees.
Stage 2 have been working on Individual Learning Goals in multiplication.
Stage 3 students have been creating story books in the library and enjoying dance lessons with Zing Activ.
Support Unit
Preschool
Early Stage 1
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Library News
Welcome back to our last term in the library.
Library lessons will focus on the following themes in each stage:
ES1/ Support Unit - Fairy Tales
Stage 1 – Reading a variety of texts from the new English Syllabus
Stage 2- Poetry
Stage 3 – Collaborating in small groups to Write a Book for Kindergarten to Year 2 students.
Library lessons will continue for most classes until the end of Week 7. However, there are some modifications to student borrowing. Home borrowing will continue until Week 5. There will be a gradual decline in the number of books that students can bring home. This is to ensure that books can still be enjoyed and are returned on time. In weeks 6 and 7, each class will borrow books to be read in classrooms only. The students are also being reminded to look everywhere; at home and at school and I too am searching for outstanding books.
Overdue notices will be sent home this coming week. Can I encourage you to help your children to find any outstanding book? I will follow this up by checking my shelves in the library in case books that appear overdue on our computer system have been returned.
Stock take and library management will occur in Weeks 8 to 10.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Happy Reading
Mrs. Robyn Christopoulos
Teacher Librarian
Term 4 Parent Planner
