Relieving Principal's Message
What a busy and exciting take-off to Term 4 we have enjoyed at Granville East.
Preschool Opening
One of the most inspiring events has been the opening of the Granville East Public Preschool. The preschool opened its doors to 28 students on 26 October, and I am delighted to say that our newest and youngest students have been settling into preschool life beautifully. Our preschool is operating one class on Monday and Tuesday and two classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Since we opened, we have received another round of expressions of interest, so over the next few weeks these numbers will grow.
A highlight was the official opening and ribbon cutting event held on Friday 30 October. We were pleased to invite Ms Julia Finn, MP, Member for Granville and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and for the Arts. Along with Ms Finn, visitors included our Relieving Director, Educational Leadership for the Auburn network, Mr Andrew Williamson, and members of the Early Learning team from the NSW Department of Education. The opening was also attended by our P&C President, Ms Janet Pritchard, student leaders and representatives of our preschool families.
One of the most significant aspects of this preschool is that it plays such an important role in offering a new pathway to families and children in our community. We can now offer high-quality early childhood education opportunities and a smooth transition into primary education in Kindergarten and beyond. We are excited and grateful to have this opportunity to connect with even greater effect with the Granville East community and provide the early foundations for success and achievement for our students.
I would like to thank Ms Reynolds, along with the incredible preschool staff: Assistant Principal Mrs Delvecchio, teachers Mrs Callaghan and Mrs Karatas, SLSOs Mrs Fatima Hashmi and Mrs Farzana Bagum, and administration officer Ms Tania Otten, who have worked so hard to bring this beautiful preschool to life. I also deeply appreciate and thank the preschool families who are trusting us with their children's early learning.
I have been very proud of our K–6 students who have also been part of this special event. All classes have visited the preschool, and many students wrote letters or made posters to welcome our preschool students.
We will continue our celebrations this Wednesday 11 November with a Smoking Ceremony and Didgeridoo performance. Please see the invitation included in this newsletter.
Preschool Expressions of Interest for 2027
Expressions of Interest for the preschool in 2027 are now open. Children can attend a NSW public preschool during the year prior to when they start school – so if your child will start school in 2028, they may be eligible to enrol. You can collect an Expression of Interest form from the school office or online: https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/policy-library/public/implementation-documents/pd-2002-0006-05-02.pdf
Please contact the school for information about 2027 enrolment patterns.
Kindergarten 2027
It is also time to ensure that you enrol your Kindergarten child if you are planning to send them to school in 2027. Children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year, and children must be enrolled in school by their 6th birthday. You can enrol your child in the following ways:
- Download a Kindergarten enrolment form: https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/media/documents/enrol-k12.pdf
- Complete an online enrolment: https://ehub.enrol.education.nsw.gov.au/
- Visit the school office for a form.
If you have family, friends or neighbours with school-aged children, please help to pass on this news to them too.
Kindergarten transition and information sessions will start soon – so please get those enrolments into the school as quickly as you can.
Art and Sports Programs – Specialised Learning Programs at Granville East
I have been pleased to see our K–2 students engaged in the Raw Art program over the past few weeks. This program is a mobile art incursion, with art specialists and teachers visiting classrooms and running hands-on art workshops for our students, who have engaged in the joy of creativity.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 have participated in specialised sports lessons this term. Fit Futures has provided a gymnastics program to students in K–2, while Years 3–6 have enjoyed NFL clinics thanks to a grant from the Australian Sports Commission. When those programs finish in Week 5, Future Fit will continue a multi-sports program for all K–6 students until Week 9.
Learning Conversations
I know that many students have been sharing their achievements with their families during Learning Conversations over the last few weeks. I love to talk to students afterwards and hear the pride in their voices as they tell me what they were able to share and show their families. Congratulations to all the students who have been part of these important conversations this term.
GEPS Fest Awards and Gold Badge Assembly
Every week during our GEPS Fest, we celebrate the achievements of many students. Last Monday, I was privileged to award a Universe award to Sophia C – an extraordinary achievement. And today, we celebrated the Gold Badge Assembly, where 24 students received their Gold Badges for upholding the GEPS values of being Proud, Respectful and Courageous learners. Well done and congratulations to all our award winners.
Breakfast Club
Term 4 has also seen the introduction of our Breakfast Club. Sponsored by Foodbank, breakfast is provided to students and families on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The Breakfast Club was the brainchild of our Wellbeing Officer, Ms Fran, and is supported by a number of staff and some of our senior students who are helping to serve delicious and healthy breakfasts to all comers. I hope many of our families will continue to take advantage of this wonderful addition to our school programs.
Mrs McNamara
Relieving Principal