Dear Parents, Carers and Community,

Final 2 Weeks

As we enter the final 2 weeks of school, things certainly aren’t slowing down. I encourage everyone to keep up to date with communications through School Bytes, Facebook, newsletters and your child’s class platform (i.e. Class Dojo or Seesaw). Next week we have basketball clinics for Stage 2 and 3, Jamberoo excursion for Year 6, PLP breakfast for our Aboriginal students and their families, our P&C discos and reports going home.

Student Transitions

We know that coming to the end of the school year can bring about different emotions for our students. Some students finish the year with great excitement, ready for the holidays, for others it brings about uncertainty. Next week our students in Kindergarten will have some time visiting the Stage 1 classrooms and playing in the Stage 1 playground, while our Year 2 students will get to know the 3-6 area of our school. If your child is feeling worried about the end of the year or start of a new one, please make sure you speak with your child’s teacher, so they can offer support and reassurance.

Class Structures for 2024

Teachers have begun to look at class structures and groupings for 2024. The configuration of classes is mostly due to the number of students enrolled in each grade, however within the constraints of class ratios, we can make decisions that best meet our students’ needs. A lot of time and thought goes into creating class groups that will best meet the needs of all students. Next year will see us creating more stage-based classes (e.g. 1/2 or 3/4), rather than year based (e.g. straight Year 3). Creating stage-based classes allows us to be more flexible in meeting the social, emotional and wellbeing needs of our students with various combinations. We know students’ learning can be heavily impacted by both positive and challenging peer relationships, which can impact on learning. We also know our teachers are skilled at what they do and can competently meet the learning needs of stage-based classes and differentiate the learning needs for all. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher.

BYOD Parent Information

Thank you to Mr McGee and the parents who were able to join us for the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) parent information session last week. Students moving from Year 2 to Year 3 next year will have the opportunity to bring their own device to support their learning within their class. If you are unsure of the device you may need, please contact Mr McGee who will be able to offer guidance.

AECG

The next AECG meeting will be held at Dapto High School on Thursday 30 November, starting at 4:00pm.

PLP Celebration Breakfast

Parents and carers of our Aboriginal students are invited to our Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) Celebration Breakfast on Wednesday 6 December 2023, from 8:00am in the library. Families are invited to join us for breakfast, have a yarn and celebrate a successful year of school.

Please RSVP by this Friday, 1 December 2023 via telephone or email, or by completing the slip from the invitation sent home.

Presentation Assembly

Our annual Presentation Assembly will be held in the Primary COLA on Monday 11 December, commencing at 9:30am. This is a time when teachers present class awards and some very special individual awards. Student leaders for 2024 will also be announced. Please come along and join us as we celebrate some of the wonderful student and school achievements of this year.

P&C Discos

Our wonderful P&C have again planned to host our Term 4 discos. Thank you to our P&C who work hard to provide fabulous experiences for our students.

Kinder - Year 2 – Tuesday 5 December

Year 3 – Year 6 – Thursday 7 December

Farewell Mrs Anderson

It is with mixed emotions that we will farewell Mrs Kay Anderson at the end of this year. Mrs Anderson will be taking leave next year, leading into retirement, after more than 20 years of service to Oak Flats PS community. Mrs Anderson has most recently been in a learning and support role, providing students with additional support, and has taught many, many current and past students right across our school (including some current parents!). She has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will certainly be missed and often goes about behind the scenes, taking on many additional roles and responsibilities. We wish Mrs Anderson the very best as she moves into this next chapter of her life.

On Wednesday 13 December, at 10:30am, we will hold a short assembly in the school hall, to farewell and thank Mrs Anderson. Parents and carers are welcome to join us.

Last Day for 2023

The last day for students this year is Friday 15 December. Our staff will be at school the morning of Monday 18 December completing some professional learning but will then finish early, having completed the professional learning hours during twilight sessions after school.

Kind regards

Jodi Niedermayer

Community News