Relieving Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Carers, Students, and Staff,
P & C Welcome Event for New Families
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Carlingford West Public School P & C for organising a wonderful morning tea last Friday to warmly welcome our new families to the school community.
It was lovely to see such a great turnout, with many families coming together to connect and enjoy the occasion. A special highlight of the morning was the beautiful performance by our Senior Choir, which added a wonderful touch to the event.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed to making the welcome morning tea such a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Serious complaint today from a neighbour
We wish to inform our school community that a neighbour on James St, Carlingford has raised a serious concern regarding the behaviour of a small group of three female students in Carlingford West Public School uniforms.
It has been reported that, on two occasions this week, the girls were seen going through mailboxes in the neighbourhood, removing mail and packages, inspecting the contents, and then discarding the mail onto the ground.
The neighbour estimated that the three girls ranged in age from approximately Year 2 to Year 5 or 6.
This behaviour is totally unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our school, ‘Showing Respect’ and ‘Being Kind’.
We urge all parents and carers to speak with their children about respecting the property and privacy of our neighbours.
The school will be addressing this matter with students, and we ask for your support in ensuring our school community maintains positive relationships with our neighbours.
Year 6 to Year 7 Transition
Expression of Interest for Year 6 to Year 7 transition is now available on the Carlingford West Public Sch website.
To enrol your child in Year 7 for 2027, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest for Year 6 to Year 7 transition. The Expression of Interest (EOI) lets you indicate which school(s) you would like your child to attend in Year 7.
The EOI process is now available on our school website. You will need to click on the Enrolment now tab, then scroll down to the Moving to High School part.
It is imperative that you enter the correct address that you are currently residing in, as it will be checked against the records we currently have here at the school. If you enter an address that is not recorded with the school, your application will be rejected, which will then delay your application. If your address has changed, you will need to supply the school with your change of address and supply the required evidence. Your child’s classroom teacher has copies of this form.
The online process will guide you through your options and collect the information required to make the process as smooth as possible.
For more information about moving to high school, visit the Department of Education site at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school
If you are choosing not to send your child to a public school, you still need to indicate that on the EOI form, by entering 'Placement not Required'.
Removal of Old Demountables
We have been informed that the removal of demountables from the turning circle has been delayed. The removal is now starting Wednesday this week (18th March) and will be completed early the following week.
The removal will take place daily from 9:45am until 2:00pm and will continue until all structures are fully removed. Please be aware that this process will involve the use of large trucks and a crane, which will be positioned at the front of the school in the turning circle.
We have carefully negotiated this specific time window (9:45am - 2pm) to minimise the impact on the school. Morning drop off and afternoon pick up arrangements in the turning circle will remain unchanged.
However, it is essential that all parents and carers using the turning circle remain aware of the potential for additional traffic, follow the instructions of staff and exercise caution while on-site.
Canteen Reminder: Spending Limits and Safe Food Practices
We would like to remind all families about important guidelines for the school canteen.
Maximum Money Allowed.
Students are only permitted to bring a maximum of $10 to school for use at the canteen each day. Recently, we have seen students bringing $20, $50, and even $100 notes to school, which is very concerning. Please ensure your child only brings up to $10 for their canteen purchases.
Responsibility for Money.
The school takes no responsibility for money that may get lost during the school day. Please help your child to look after their money carefully.
Food Sharing and Buying for Others.
We have noticed students using their canteen money to buy items for friends, as well as sharing their food with others. This is a safety concern, especially for students who have food allergies or intolerances. Eating the wrong foods can make children very sick, so we do not allow students to buy or share food for or with others.
Multiple canteen visits in a day.
We kindly remind families that students should not need to visit the school canteen multiple times throughout the school day. To encourage healthy eating habits and support students in managing their time, we ask that students organise their orders and purchases during the recess or lunch break, rather than returning to the canteen repeatedly. This helps minimise disruptions to learning and ensures all students have a smooth and positive experience.
If your child requires special arrangements due to specific needs, please contact the school to discuss how we can best support them.
Remembering to be respectful while using the canteen facility.
We would like to remind families to encourage their children to use good manners when purchasing items at the school canteen. Respectful behaviour, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” waiting patiently in line, and being courteous to both staff and fellow students, helps create a positive and welcoming environment for everyone.
Teaching and practising these social skills help support our school community and models the values we aim to uphold. Thank you for your continued support in fostering respectful behaviour at the canteen.
Safety Comes First.
To keep all students safe, please remind your child:
- not to share their canteen food with other students,
- not to use their money to buy items for friends,
to only consume foods that are safe for them.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe and healthy.
Year 5 overnight excursion to Katoomba, Bathurst and Hill End
Dear Year 5 Parents and Carers,
We are excited to remind you about the Year 5 overnight excursion to Bathurst and Hill End. To secure a place for your child on this wonderful learning experience, please ensure that permission forms and a $100 deposit are submitted by Thursday, 26th March.
Final student numbers must be confirmed with the organising tour company by Friday, 27th March, so we encourage you to complete these requirements promptly to avoid disappointment. This excursion promises to be an enriching and memorable opportunity for our students, and we look forward to your support in making it a success.
This wonderful learning opportunity focuses on giving students a hands-on experience of life in early colonial Australia. Students will interact with personalities from the past and get their hands dirty building mudbricks, damper cooking, operating old machinery and panning for gold. Students will operate original machinery used on the goldfields and explore the contribution early migrants made to Bathurst and other colonial settlements.
The excursion has been designed around the new NSW Curriculum with a focus on identifying change, the struggles of various groups including early migrants, first contact with Aboriginal Australians and Bathurst’s social and economic development. New stations are included in this tour consisting of crime and punishment, a replica bush cemetery and life in a colonial settlement.
2026 Carlingford West Public School Community Snapshot survey.
The 2026 Carlingford West Public School Community Snapshot survey closes this Friday at 3:25pm.
We strongly encourage all parents and carers who haven’t yet participated to get involved, so that your experiences and suggestions can help guide our decisions moving forward.
Your voice matters and plays an essential role in ensuring our school continues to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for every student. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in the life of our school community.
The link to complete the community snapshot survey can be found here.
Lee Shipley,
Relieving Principal.
Road Safety - Safety around schools
Respecting Our Neighbours in School and at Home
We kindly remind all students to be respectful of neighbours both when travelling to and from school and in their own local communities. This means keeping noise levels down, disposing of litter responsibly, and being considerate of others' property and privacy.
Showing kindness and respect helps build positive relationships and a safe, welcoming environment for everyone.
Let’s all do our part to support a caring community wherever we live!
Changes to School App
We have closed our existing App account with ENews and have moved to the School Bytes Parent App to send time critical notifications.
Please download the School Bytes App and turn on notifications to receive our alerts and important time critical information. The attached document contains instructions and links to download the app to apple or android phones. If you would like instructions for changing the notification settings on your iPhone / Google or Samsung phone please click on the link below.
The changes will not affect how we communicate with you about excursions, permission notes, school accounts, attendance or reports. These functions are already managed within School Bytes.
The school newsletter will be sent as a notification via the School Bytes Parent App on a Tuesday.
School Uniform
Please remind your child/ren to always wear their school uniform. We are noticing some many varied and colourful items being worn to school that are not part of our official school uniform.
Many students are not wearing their hats – we are a ‘sun safe school’ and we should be protecting our heads and faces from the sun by wearing the school hat.
Children without school hats will be asked to keep sun safe and play in the shade.
Black socks and long knee high socks are not part of our school uniform.
School Tours
Prospective enrolments can email our school office at carlingfow-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and attention the email to Mrs Adams, our Enrolment Officer who will arrange a school tour.
School Absence and Notifications
Thank you to our families who are using School Bytes to notify the school of absence and upload medical certificates. If your child is marked absent on our roll at school and there is no notification you will be sent a notification through the App.
If we have not received absence notifications for 3 school days classroom teachers will attempt to phone and email parents.
If families need to apply for extended leave (over 5 days) please either; email the school with the child's name and class or create a planned absence through School Bytes and a link to the "Application for Extended Leave Form" will be emailed via the School Bytes Parent Portal.
Safety Information
Turning Circle
If using our Turning Circle, please review these procedures. These procedures are to keep everyone safe.
Students
- Wait behind the yellow line.
- Stand quietly facing the microphone.
- No devices, no food, no sports equipment.
- Listen for name and car bay.
- Wait until the car has fully stopped.
- Move sensibly to car.
- Get in on the curb side.
- Students who can not follow these rules and keep safe will not be able to use turning circle.
Parents/Drivers
- Wait in car line.
- Enter the gate at a slow speed.
- Have student name displayed clearly- (large, black font). Names need to be visible for staff standing behind barriers.
- Follow instructions from School Executive.
- Stay in the vehicle.
- Do not overtake.
- Allow extra time and drive cautiously in wet weather.
- Turning Circle is only for Carlingford West Public School students pick up due to congestion.
Pedestrian Safety
May I please ask that you ensure you drop off your child safely and park appropriately. If you are walking, please use the footpaths rather than walking on or across the road dangerously. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our students are safe.
School Pick Up
The school day concludes at 3:25 pm. Parents are expected to collect their children promptly at this time from their prearranged pick-up point or the turning circle (Years 1-6).
Students using the turning circle must be collected no later than 3:50 pm. Any students not collected by 3:50 pm will be taken to OSHC, and a fee will be charged by OSHC.
If there is an unexpected circumstance or emergency and you are unable to pick up your child, you need to contact the OSHC number (1300 009 679) before 2:30pm to arrange a casual enrolment and advise the school office.
We understand that occasionally families will experience emergencies. Please ensure family contacts including emergency contacts are up to date on our records.
It is unacceptable to expect that children are supervised without notice past 3:25 pm.
Instructions for Using the Turning Circle
· Join the queue along Felton Road and do not jump the queue.
· Vehicles will be directed into Turning Circle by staff when they open the gate. Do not double park or push into the line.
· All vehicles should have your child's name prominently displayed.
· Enter the Turning Circle at a slow speed and stop behind the vehicle in front at the next available bay.
· Passing and overtaking vehicles is prohibited in the Turning Circle. Drivers must follow the line of traffic.
· Drivers must always remain seated in their vehicle. Vehicles must remain stationary in park while children exit and enter.
· Ensure students exit and enter the vehicle on the footpath side. Students are not permitted to walk in front or behind vehicles to enter on the other side, if baby seats are installed on the left-hand vehicle side.
· When all passengers are safely in or out of the vehicle, drivers should follow the vehicle in front and exit the Turning Circle at a slow speed.
· Vehicles will not be able to pull over and wait for children who are late to Turning Circle. Vehicles will need to exit and re-join the queue as directed by staff.
· Turning Circle is not a parking or waiting zone at any time.
· Before and After School vehicle pick up and drop off is in Hilar Ave.
· Video surveillance is installed for the safety and security of students and staff. Police and Council rangers regularly patrol the school zone and the Turning Circle.
Allergy Awareness
A reminder to our parent community that we have a number of students at our school with severe or life-threatening allergies to foods such as peanuts, tree nuts and nut products such as Nutella. To help minimise the risk of allergic reactions at school we encourage families preparing food for school lunches to be allergy aware.
How can we help keep each other safe?
By not bringing common allergen foods to school, for example: Peanuts, Tree Nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews) or Nut spreads such as Nutella.
Clearly labelling your child’s lunch box with their name.
Reminding your children NOT to share food at lunch or recess.