Dear Parents,

Today we have celebrated Harmony Day, 'Everybody Belongs'. It has was lovely to see so many children dressed in traditional cultural dress and the orange. Well done, everyone. Thank you to the many parents who attended to spend part or all of the afternoon with us on the playground and in classrooms celebrating Harmony Day.

The staff had a wonderful afternoon on Tuesday welcoming our Aboriginal families to our Personalised Learning Pathways afternoon. Children and parents shared afternoon tea with the staff, wrote plans and decorated some totem poles. Thank you to all of the parents for attending. It was terrific catching up with everyone and sharing your vision for your child's education and future.

Last night we held our P&C AGM and March meeting. Thank you to our outgoing committee for the work they have done in the past 12 months. You have all worked tirelessly for our entire school community. The new P&C committee was elected last night and consists of;

President - Sally Hegvold

Vice President - Unfilled

Vice President - Unfilled

Secretary - Sarah Carter

Treasurer - Alisha Muldoon

Reminders

Our K-2 Easter Hat Parade will occur on Thursday, 28th March from 12.00noon under the COLA. Our donations of Easter Eggs is growing. Thank you, everyone. Please keep bringing in Easter Egg donations to make our Monster Easter Egg Raffle the biggest yet. All K-6 children can donate eggs. Children who donate Easter Eggs will be acknowledged at a daily stage assembly. A reminder that our K-2 children will require an Easter Hat for the parade which they make at home. We can't wait for this exciting event.

Our first School Disco for the year will be held on Friday, 5th April. The K-2 Disco will be held from 5pm-6.30pm and the 3-6 Disco from 6.30pm-8pm in the McMullen Hall. Entry is $2 and a Sausage Sizzle and treats will be available for purchase. BYO drink bottle as water stations will be available for refills. More information will be sent home closer to the date.

Extra-Curricular

*Congratulations to our Band children who attended Bathurst High Campus on Wednesday to take part in the Serious Fun Band day. The children who attended were Sidney Shoemark, Mia Walker, Nikki Allen, Jack Simpson, Tate Solomon, Adeline Hunter and Nicholas Pearson.

*School Netball Team- Netball has trialed over the past two weeks with Miss Reedy. Congratulations to over 40 children who attended the trials. The team has been selected and consists of Beau Francis, Luca Jessett, Lachlan Abbott, Sarah O'Brien, Aurora Davis, Harvey Glasgow, Elena Noonan, Adelaide Fulthorpe, Clara Wood and Cindy Ngo.

*School Cricket Team - our school cricket team play their first game of the PSSA Knockout Competition next Wednesday, 27th March against West Bathurst PS. We wish the team and Mr Thackray the best of luck.

*Our Schools Spec dance audition will be videoed in the next 2 weeks and submitted. Well done to the children and Mrs McClements who have been spending many break times practicing the routine.

*In 2024 we will audition children for the D'Arts Schools Spec ensemble. The D’Arts ensemble is for students with a disability in Years 3 to 12 from NSW public schools. Students participate within their school group and play a significant role in showcasing their abilities in the performing arts to a wider audience. Students will work with industry professionals and support staff to create a work that develops their skills and understanding through performance.

Attendance Celebration

Congratulations to 3-6B for 100% attendance last week, and well done, 1G, 1C, KD and 2/3F with no unexplained absences!

Our attendance rate continues to climb, although there has been a slight downward shift in the percentage of students attending >=90%.

The evidence is clear that consistent attendance is the essential first step for your child to have a positive experience at school.

Every day matters for your child’s learning. In recent years, we’ve seen too many students miss a day of school here and there. Missing school for students means missing time with friends, a crucial maths lesson or getting picked for a sports team. With days missed, years are lost.

Students must attend school every day, whether on the first or last day of the term, Mondays, Fridays or days dedicated to sports carnivals, school excursions and incursions.

Help us ensure your child achieves their best and stays ahead in their learning with regular school attendance. The more time your child attends school, the greater their opportunity to learn, make new friends and improve their wellbeing. Together, let’s build positive attendance habits for a lifetime.

If your child is absent from school, please let us know why through the Sentral Parent app as soon as possible, even if it’s just a few minutes at the start or end of the school day. Of course, there will be times when your child is unable to be at school (like when they are unwell).

If your child is feeling anxious about coming to school and you need support, please reach out to your child’s teacher or me directly.

Our staff are here to work with you and your child to help them attend school each and every day. There are also helpful resources for parents and carers on the Every Day Matters website.

Thank you again for working with our teachers and support staff to make sure your child is at school, on time, every day. We all want to see our students learn, grow and belong in our equitable and outstanding education system.

If any parent has any concerns regarding any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kate White

Principal