Message from the Principal
Cecilia Parada
Dear families
This week we start NAPLAN assessments for Year 3 and 5. I want to assure you that our students are well prepared and supported during this important assessment period. NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, provides valuable insights into our students' learning progress and helps us identify areas for improvement in our teaching practices.
What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in the key areas of reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy. The assessments are designed to measure student proficiency and are conducted annually in Term 1.
How can you help your child? (Whether they are sitting the test this year or not)
- Encourage regular reading: Reading at home can significantly enhance your child's literacy skills. Consider setting aside time each evening for family reading.
- Practice numeracy skills: Engage your child in everyday maths activities, such as cooking, shopping, or playing games that involve counting and problem-solving.
- Stay informed: Please keep an eye on our school communications for updates about NAPLAN and ways you can support your child.
- Promote a positive mindset: Encourage your child to view NAPLAN as an opportunity to showcase their learning rather than a source of stress.
Support at School:
Our dedicated teaching staff has provided targeted support in the lead-up to NAPLAN. This includes tailored lessons focusing on the skills assessed in the tests and additional resources for students who may need extra help.
As we start NAPLAN 2026, we appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we can ensure that our students feel confident and ready to do their best.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding NAPLAN, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher.
Attendance and absences
Attending school every day allows your child to get the most out of their learning and improve their career and life options.
This includes attending school on rainy days, sports carnivals, first day and last day of terms.Regular school attendance can help expand your child’s learning and create positive relationships with their peers.
Let us know if your child is absent.
The wellbeing of our students is extremely important to us. One way we protect the wellbeing of your child is by fulfilling our responsibilities as both parents/carers and school staff by reporting and monitoring student absences.
Please remember to let the school know through School Bytes. This is best done early in the morning if your child is going to be away or late for school so your child’s absence can be recorded correctly and we can provide appropriate support for you and your family.
If you require support in getting your child ready and motivated for school, please reach out to us.
Read more about the benefits of regular attendance on the department website.
Recognising Holi in Our School Community
This week, we acknowledge and celebrate Holi, the joyous Festival of Colours, with many families in our school community. Holi is a time for sharing happiness, reconnecting with loved ones, and celebrating new beginnings. We wish all our families who are marking this vibrant occasion a happy Holi, filled with colour, laughter, and togetherness.
Ryde Zone Swimming Carnival
Today, our top swimmers represented our school with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship at the Ryde Zone Swimming Carnival! It was fantastic to see their dedication and effort as they competed against some of the best swimmers in the region. We are proud of every competitor’s hard work and determination. We will be sharing the results and highlights from the carnival very soon. Stay tuned for updates and join us in congratulating all our swimmers on a job well done!
Parent Feedback Survey – We want to hear from you!
Thank you to everyone who has submitted their feedback. We have had an amazing response. The survey will remain open until Friday 13 March – please take 5 minutes to complete if you haven’t already:
Your thoughts and ideas help us make the school better for your child and your family. This survey asks about topics such as how the school communicates with you, how we support children during important times, and the activities your child participates in.
We also want your feedback on our Meet the Teacher sessions and how we can make these as informative and valuable to you as possible.
Your answers will be kept private and will help us improve the school. By sharing your opinions, you help us understand what is going well and what we can do better.
Thank you for taking the time to help us improve our school!
P&C Save the Date
The next P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 7:30pm, and all parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.
This meeting will include discussion about events and activities for the year ahead, and we’d love to hear from parents and carers about ideas or topics you’d like the P&C to discuss in 2026.
P&C meetings are a great opportunity to stay informed about what’s happening at the school, share your ideas, and help shape initiatives that benefit our kids and the wider school community.
Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time. We hope to see you there!