Principal's Report

Hi DPS Parents and Friends,

As I write this newsletter we are almost at the end of week seven which means there are only three weeks of term to go!

I must say students are working very well and I am pleased by what I observe when walking through classrooms. We regularly have school tours, particularly for new enrolments and when we visit classrooms and show off our fantastic school I feel a great sense of pride. Visitors frequently comments on how happy our students are.

Term four is commonly known as the silly season as there is so much happening and students do feel changes in the air which can make them restless! For that reason we plan strategically to keep them very busy, because busy hands are happy hands and when the hands of a child are occupied, they are almost always happy. Happy and content and fully engaged in activity!

In the last two weeks we have enjoyed many activities during Science week, PJ day and Book week dress up day. Junior School Council and our teachers learned about CUST - Cultural Understanding and Safety training. This relates to a deeper understanding of indigenous culture in Australia. Our staff found it informative and enlightening.

In recent weeks we have had three vacancies at DPS. We advertised two education support staff vacancies, and I am pleased to announced the successful applicants are Keyla Gleciano and Ally Wei who will be working closely with our Prep and Grade one teachers focussing on Literacy and Numeracy (English and Maths). Our Prep and Grade one students are beginning to really fly especially with their reading. We have decided to make a super effort,  to do everything we can to ensure every student develops skills in these areas of the curriculum and, give them the best start ever at school. A strong foundation in the early years is vital and prepares students to learn and grow well into the future. 

As well as advertising for education support staff we have advertised for a Performing Arts teacher. This process is well under way and by the end of term we should be in a position to announce the successful applicant. The reason for a Performing Arts teacher is so we can give students a greater opportunity to develop their creative side. Performing Arts also develops confidence, communication, leadership and a lot of fun while singing and performing. Performing Arts also helps develop literacy/English as there will be lots of singing. 

Well done and thankyou to all our parents for your time creating costumes for the Book Week dress up day. Students really enjoyed the parade and showing off their costumes some of which were AMAZING! Throughout the week children are learning about books and how much fun they can be. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page where you will see some photos Mrs. Foster has posted from the Library and the green screen.

 It's go go go around DPS! Lots of learning cleverly disguised as fun and games!

LOST PROPERTY

As the end of Term 3 approaches the weather will continue to change. This means jackets, hats, jumpers come off during playtime and they invariably end up in our lost property bins.

Our lost property is rapidly turning into a mountain of clothes. Please come and go through the “pile” if you have any missing items. Very few are named, so we can’t return them to their owner.

Some dates to watch out for between now and the end of term include, but are not restricted to;

Athletics Day – August 28th 

Fathers Day Stall - September 1st 

Common Planning Day - Student free – September 4th  

School council meeting – September 5th 

School discos – September 8th  

Subway lunch - September 15th

Last day of Term 3 -  September 15th (2.15pm Dismissal)

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First day of Term 4 – Monday October 2nd

Art exhibition – Wednesday October 4th (4 - 6 pm)

Some Information from Parents Group...........

*Father's Day Stall - Friday 1st September.  

*Father's Day Stall - Volunteers - If you can spare an hour or two to help with the stall (1st September), please let me know ASAP.  Volunteers also needed Thursday 31st from 2:30 to assist with moving boxes.  If you can spare some time, please let me know.

*Lunch Day at DPS - 'My School Lunch' Subway Meal Day has been booked for last day of term, 15th September.  Two volunteers required to sort orders  on the date 12pm (This should only take about 20 mins) If you are available, please let me know.  

*Pancake Parlour Fundraiser - This fundraiser is underway, communicated to DPS community via newsletter and Compass, we are currently ranking 5th with 503 points. 

Next Parents Group meeting - Term 4 Monday 30th October 2023

Please regularly check Compass, Facebook and our website for updates. There are a number of ways you can be involved in your school. If you have any questions, queries or would like to drop in, please let me know. DPS is “your” school and are doing our best for our students, your children, but together we are better.

Regards

Jim Hill

Principal