Principal's Update

Welcome back to DPS!

A huge welcome back to our DPS school community. In 2026, school newsletters will continue to be shared with the community in weeks 3, 6 and week 9 of each term. Feedback from the community was that there was often information that was repeated, so reducing the number of newsletters and spacing them every 3 weeks, will help to reduce this duplication.  

Students have settled into their 2026 stage classes, and the school is establishing new routines and expectations. This week, teachers have been focusing on getting to know their new students, building a positive rapport and trust, and explicitly teaching behavioural expectations both in the classroom as well as different settings around the school. 

Next week, teachers will start delivering their Term 1 Teaching and Learning programs. More information will be shared on Term 1 curriculum focus areas in the Term 1 Areas of Focus documents. 

Please read this document which outlines the teaching and learning for that term. There will be an Areas of Focus document shared at the beginning of each term.  

Staff Update 

In 2026, Mr McSeveny will continue to work at a school much closer to his home saving a minimum of 2 hours of commute time a day. Mrs Foster and Mrs Singh are continuing their maternity leave this year.  

Mr Dean has decided to take leave this year and work casually when required.  

Mrs Zalaf is continuing to work in the corporate sector for NSW DET and is sharing her wealth of knowledge and expertise while writing curriculum units of learning for the NSW Department of Education.  

Ms Edwards has returned to DPS and will be filling the APC&I role while Mrs Zalaf is working elsewhere.  

Below is an overview of the staffing structure for 2026. A reminder that the DPS website also has this and other information. 

2026 Dundas Public School staffing organisation. 

Leadership:  

Principal - Lee Shipley  

APC&I  - Sian Edwards  

Early Stage 1 - Leader Claire Green  

Stage 1 Assistant - Principal Renata Zadro  

Stage 2 Assistant - Principal Bel Chan  

Stage 3 Assistant - Principal Nick Littlejohn  

Leader Wellbeing   - Chau Luu (Tues-Fri)  

School Admin Manager - Melise Piccolo  

Admin:  

School Admin Officer - Tracey Haddock  

School Admin Officer - Carmel Impala (Mon - Thurs)  

School Admin Officer - Sieun Lee (Mon & Fri)  

General Assistant - Unfilled   

Class Organisation:  

K Babuk - Andrea Haworth  

K Warin - Claire Green  

Stage 1 Bunduluk - Emma Barnett  

Stage 1 Mariong - Josh Jones  

Stage 1 Wirriga - Anna Saviour  

Stage 1 Gudugulung - Renata Zadro 

Stage 2 Baruwaluri ** - Bel Chan  

Stage 2 Dingu - Desiree Coppini  

Stage 2 Guruwin - Kade Smith  

Stage 3 Buru  **-  Kathy Keegan  

Stage 3 Wilbung  ** - Josh Raven  

Stage 3 Malya **-  David Yu  

Stage 3 Wallu-mil  ** - Nick Littlejohn  

NB: Classes (**) will be moving into the 6 new classrooms. 

Specialist & Support Team:  

EAL/D - Sarah Lilyrose 

Jane Upton - (Mon – Wed)  

QTSS (3 day) - Grace Kim (Tues - Thurs) Stage 1 Gudugulung, Stage 2 Baruwaluri &  

Stage 3 Wallu-mil  

Science RFF - Amber Taouk (Mon – Wed)  

                          - Connie Sheaves - (Thurs) 

Library RFF - Trudie Bohan - (Mon, Tues & Thurs) 

                       - Connie Sheaves - (Wed) 

SLSO Support - Sam Besgrove (Mon - Thurs)  

SLSO Support - Tracie O’Sullivan (Thurs - Fri)  

Maths groups Stages 1-3

This year, Dundas Public School will continue to teach mathematics in groups in Stages 1-3. For some students this means they will be learning maths concepts in different groups with possibly a different teacher.  

Maths groups allow us to group students based on their current skill levels and learning needs, which enables us to tailor our teaching methods and materials to better suit each group.  

This targeted approach ensures that students receive the appropriate level of challenge and support, fostering their confidence and engagement in the subject. By learning alongside peers at similar levels, students can collaborate more effectively, share ideas, and motivate one another.  

Additionally, this approach allows teachers to focus on specific strategies and concepts that align with each group's needs, ultimately enhancing overall learning outcomes in mathematics. We believe that this approach will help your child reach their full potential and develop a strong foundation in maths.  

Maths groups will be occurring across the school at the same time, 5 days a week (Monday to Friday).  

Students will be able to move groupings if it is determined they require more support or need more challenge from mathematical content.  

Each teacher teaching a maths group will be responsible for completing the semester student reports and will meet at Parent Teacher interviews to discuss the student’s academic progress in mathematics.  

Swimming Carnival

The school swimming carnival will be held next week on Wednesday, 18th February at Parramatta Aquatic Centre. As explained at the end of last year, we are holding our swimming carnival for competitive students only as well as sharing the organisation of the day with both Telopea and Oatlands Public Schools.   

The Zone swimming carnival is being held on Monday 2nd March 2026 at Merrylands Aquatic centre.  

A big thank you to Ms Chan, Mr Littlejohn and Mr Raven for organising the day.  

Parent Goal Setting Meetings - week 6

We are pleased to invite parents and carers to meet with staff to discuss your child’s progress and set learning goals for 2026.  

Following valuable feedback from parents last year, we have increased the meeting times to 15 minutes to allow for more in-depth conversations. 

Meetings will be held at the school during Week 6.  

Parents and carers will be able to book their preferred timeslot through the School Bytes app. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to collaboratively support your child’s learning journey. 

Further details and booking instructions will be sent home soon. 

 School Bytes

Excursions and school events require a great deal of organisation. All school excursions/events will have a deadline where the event closes to the community. This deadline is selected to ensure that the school has enough time to make any changes to the event organisation, such as cancelling bus bookings and staffing organisation. 

Bus companies require at least 24 hours’ notice for any bus cancellations.  

Please be advised, we will no longer open an event once the deadline has passed. Permissions and payment must be completed before the deadline.  

 2026 Voluntary contributions

As part of our commitment to providing a high-quality and engaging education for every student, Dundas Public School invites families to contribute a voluntary school contribution of  $51 for the 2026 school year.  Parents and carers will receive this notification this week. 

What is the voluntary school contribution?  

The voluntary school contribution is a capped amount that helps the school purchase additional learning resources and fund extra activities that go beyond the standard curriculum. This contribution is entirely voluntary, and no student will be disadvantaged if families choose not to contribute.  

How will the funds be used?  

The funds collected will be carefully allocated to support a variety of educational needs, including but not limited to:  

• purchasing updated classroom resources such as art supplies, science equipment, and technology tools.  
• supporting literacy and numeracy programs to enhance student learning outcomes.  
• funding extracurricular activities, including clubs, excursions, and special events that provide valuable learning experiences outside the classroom.  
• enriching digital learning platforms and subscriptions that support individual and group learning.  
• maintaining and replacing library books and educational materials.  

Why is this contribution important?  

While the school receives funding from the Department of Education, these additional contributions enable us to enhance learning opportunities and provide a broader, richer curriculum. The voluntary contribution helps us maintain quality resources and programs that benefit all students.  

Changes to student play times

At Dundas Public School, we are always looking for ways to improve the school experience for our students, including their health, well-being, and ability to focus in the classroom. After careful consideration and feedback from both staff and students, we have made a change to the structure of our daily play breaks, effective immediately. 

What has changed? 

Previously, our students had two play breaks during the school day: an early lunch break of 40 minutes and a shorter afternoon tea break of 20 minutes. We have now adjusted this schedule so that both play breaks are 30 minutes each. 

Why have we made this change?  

There are several reasons behind this decision: 

• More Even Distribution of Play Time: The previous timing created an imbalance where students had a longer break earlier in the day and a much shorter break in the afternoon. By making both breaks equal in length, we provide a consistent rhythm to the day that helps students pace their energy and activity levels more effectively. 

• Improved Engagement and Enjoyment: Some students found the 40-minute lunch break difficult to manage, as it was a long period to stay actively engaged and entertained without becoming bored or restless. The new 30-minute breaks are more manageable, helping students to enjoy their play periods more fully and return to class feeling refreshed. 

• Supporting Well-being and Focus: Regular, evenly spaced breaks have been shown to help maintain attention, reduce fatigue, and support physical activity, all of which contribute to better learning outcomes. These changes align with our commitment to nurturing the holistic development of every child. 

What does this mean for students and families? 

• Students will have two equal play breaks each day at set times. Lunch play break will be from 11am – 11:30am, and afternoon tea will be from 1:30pm – 2pm. 

• The changes support healthier routines by encouraging consistent physical activity and social interaction across the day. 

We believe this adjustment will enhance the overall school experience for our students and support their learning, health, and well-being.  

Term 1 Trial Change: Eating Lunch After Play Break 

As part of our ongoing efforts to support our students’ well-being and learning, Dundas Public School is introducing a trial change to the lunchtime routine. For this trial period, students will eat their lunch after their 30-minute play break, rather than before it. 

Why are we trying this new approach? 

 We understand that active play is essential for children’s physical health, social skills, and overall happiness during the school day. However, coming back inside from an energetic play break and quickly settling down for lessons can sometimes be challenging for students. By allowing students to play first and then eat their lunch, we hope to observe whether this sequence helps them calm and settle more quickly after expending energy outdoors. 

What are we aiming to achieve? 

• Better Calm and Focus After Play: Eating after play may help students to transition more smoothly from active time to classroom activities by providing a calming period during lunch. 

• Increased Enjoyment and Appetite: Some research suggests that children may appreciate their meal more and eat better after physical activity. 

• Improved Classroom Readiness: Our goal is to support students in returning to class refreshed, nourished, and ready to engage in afternoon lessons. 

What will happen during the trial? 

• Students will have their ‘crunch’n’sip in the morning session before their play break at 11am. 

• Students will have their 30-minute play break first, followed immediately by lunch time. 

• Staff will observe how well students settle after play and how this routine affects their concentration and behaviour in the afternoon. 

The Importance of Wearing Full School Uniform every day 

At Dundas Public School, we take great pride in our school community, and wearing the full school uniform plays an important role in building a sense of belonging and school spirit among our students. 

Why is wearing the full school uniform important? 

• Promotes Equality and Belonging: School uniform helps to create a level playing field where all students feel included and equal, reducing distractions and peer pressure related to clothing choices. 

• Fosters School Identity and Pride: Wearing our uniform proudly reflects our connection to Dundas Public School and encourages students to represent themselves and our school with respect and confidence. 

• Supports Safety and Recognition: Uniforms make it easy for staff to identify students both on and off the school grounds, contributing to a safer school environment. 

• Prepares Students for Future Success: Following uniform guidelines helps develop a sense of responsibility and discipline — important skills for life beyond school. 

We ask all families to ensure their children come to school each day wearing the full school uniform, including appropriate footwear and accessories such as the school hat and school jacket.  

Sports uniform is for both girls and boys and should be worn on sports days only. 

Appropriate earrings include studs or sleepers. Long earrings are not suitable to be worn to school. More information can be located here on our school website. 

This consistency helps create a positive and respectful learning environment for everyone. 

If you require any support with uniform items or have questions about uniform expectations, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office. 

Regular Uniform Shop Opening Hours: 

• Tuesday morning 8:30am - 9:30am. 

Items can be purchased using both cash and card. 

 2026 NAPLAN dates (Years 3 & 5)

This term, your child will undertake the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN provides schools with valuable information about your child’s/children’s learning progress in literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN is one way we assess student learning in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. 

The NAPLAN 2026 test window will take place from Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March. 

Teachers will ensure students are ready for NAPLAN and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Students will become familiar with the types of questions in the tests and the online testing platform. In addition to school preparation, I want to share with you some information on how you can further support your child/children for NAPLAN. 

Preparation for NAPLAN 

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. Excessive preparation or the use of coaching providers is not recommended. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program. If you or your child/children would like to know more about the NAPLAN online platform you can go to the public demonstration site. Some past NAPLAN papers are also available online. 

Participation in NAPLAN 

Adjustments are available for students who have diverse functional abilities and needs. On a case-by-case basis, reasonable adjustments for individual students can be made so they can complete NAPLAN. Speak to your child’s teacher to discuss the adjustments available or find out more about disability adjustments for NAPLAN. 

Supporting your child 

You can support your child by reminding them to simply do their best on the day. You can also encourage: 

• a healthy diet 
• drinking enough water 
• getting enough sleep 
• exercise. 

Further information for parents and carers is also available on the NESA website. 

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher. 

Student requests to call home 

We would like to clarify our school’s procedures regarding communication between students and parents or carers during the school day.  

Please understand that the school office is not able to make phone calls to parents or carers simply at the request of a student. This policy helps us maintain a structured environment and ensures that calls home are made for appropriate and important reasons.  

If a student is genuinely unwell or experiencing a medical concern, the school administration team will promptly assess the situation and contact parents or carers directly. Our goal is to inform you as soon as possible and arrange for your child to be picked up or receive necessary care without delay. 

This approach supports our commitment to student wellbeing by ensuring that assistance is provided when truly needed, while also encouraging students to develop resilience and problem-solving skills in managing everyday challenges. We believe it is important for students to learn how to navigate minor issues independently, seek appropriate help from staff when necessary, and build confidence in their ability to resolve problems. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to promote both the safety and personal growth of our students. 

Exciting School Improvements over the Christmas Break

We are pleased to share some important upgrades and improvements made to Dundas Public School during the Christmas holiday break. These enhancements help us provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for our students, staff, and families. 

Safety Railing Installation 

To increase safety around the school, a new safety railing has been installed around the library stairs and landing area. This addition ensures that students can move safely and confidently in this high-traffic area. 

Shade Sail Over Play Equipment 

Understanding the importance of outdoor play in all weather conditions, we have installed a new shade sail over the play equipment. This shaded area provides protection from the sun, allowing students to enjoy playtime comfortably while staying safe from harmful UV rays. 

Improved Signage on Calder Road and Kissing Point Road 

To enhance safety and accessibility for all families, new and improved signage has been installed on Calder Road and Kissing Point Road. These signs are designed to ensure that visitors and guests to Dundas Public School can locate the school easily.  

Selective High School and Opportunity Classes applications

Applications are now open for  selective high school  and  opportunity class  entry in  2026.  

Applications close Friday 20 February 2026. 

A friendly reminder that parents and carers will first need to register your online application account. Once you register, you will receive an email link to verify your registration. 

You will now be able to log in to the application website using the email address and password you provided. 

Ensure you keep your email and password on-hand as you will need these details throughout the application process. 

To apply online, select here. 

Term 1 Sport 

There will not be PSSA sport in Term 1 this year. At the end of 2024, schools in the Merrylands Parramatta PSSA competition made the decision to have school sport in Term 1.  

Weekly winter PSSA competitions will be held in Terms 2 and 3.  A summer gala day will be held in Term 4 for selected sports. 

More information will be shared with the community later in the term. 

This term, students will participate in a weekly school sport program each Friday. Students are to wear their sports uniform on Fridays.  

School events on DPS website

All events and excursions organised for 2026 will be added to the ‘Events’ page on the DPS school website in the coming weeks. 

The ‘Events’ page can be accessed here.  

Homework participation

Homework is designed to consolidate and reinforce learning. For older students, it helps develop good study habits, time management, concentration and self-discipline. We cannot emphasis enough the importance of your child reading and being read to every day.  

Parents are invited to select one option from the following: 

• Yes, I do want my child to participate in the Homework Program, including Readers Club 

• I would like my child to participate in Readers Club ONLY. 

• No, I do not want my child to participate in the Homework Program or Readers Club. 

A friendly reminder that class teachers require all students to have returned their ‘Student Participation in Homework K-6’ note. 

School Dismissal

Please ensure that your children know where they are to meet you at 3pm, if they need to go to the Camp Australia service or if they have band or languages school.  

The school office closes at 3:15pm. Students still on school grounds after 3pm will be collected and taken to the school office where parents will be contacted.  

Stay Connected: follow our School Facebook Page!

We encourage all families to follow the Dundas Public School Facebook page to stay up-to-date with all the exciting happenings in our school community. Our Facebook page is a vibrant space where we regularly post updates, celebrate student achievements, and share important information. 

What you’ll find on our Facebook page: 

• Weekly Celebrations: Each week, we highlight school events and student achievements, showcasing the wonderful talents, efforts, and successes of our students. 

• Class Spotlights: Every class is rostered twice a year to feature learning activities and projects, giving you a glimpse into the fantastic work happening in your child’s classroom. 

• Weekly Planner: Our weekly planner page is posted every week and provides important details about upcoming events and activities, so you can plan ahead and stay informed. 

Following our Facebook page is an easy and convenient way to stay connected and engaged with your child’s education and the wider school community.  

If you haven’t already, please search for Dundas Public School on Facebook and join us! 

Communication protocols

A reminder to our parents and carers that the class teacher is the first point of contact if you have a concern you would like to discuss. On occasion, matters may need to include the Assistant Principal that is supervising that specific stage. Below is an overview of 2026 Assistant Principal/Leadership structure. 

Kindergarten - Mrs Green 

Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) – Ms Zadro 

Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) – Ms Chan 

Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) – Mr Littlejohn 

Parking in Kissing Point Rd driveway 

We kindly ask for your full cooperation in not parking in the Kissing Point Road driveway at any time. This driveway serves as a critical access point for Department of Education staff who need to enter and exit the school grounds throughout the day. Unfortunately, there have been multiple incidents where parents and carers have parked their vehicles in this driveway while picking up or dropping off children attending the Camp Australia Out of School Hours (OOSH) program. This has resulted in staff members becoming temporarily trapped inside the school, unable to leave or attend to their duties efficiently. 

It is important to understand that the Kissing Point Road driveway is not a designated parking or waiting area and must remain completely clear at all times, even during the school holiday break.  

Blocking this driveway not only disrupts the daily operations of the school but also poses potential safety risks in case of emergencies when quick access is essential. The smooth movement of staff vehicles depends on this access, and any obstruction can lead to delays and unnecessary frustrations for both staff and families. 

To ensure everyone’s safety and to help maintain an orderly flow of traffic, we ask that all parents and carers use the appropriate designated parking zones and drop-off areas for Camp Australia OOSH. Your support in respecting these rules is vital in helping us provide a safe and efficient environment for both our staff and students. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.