Dear families

Welcome to our new look newsletter. This Naavi iNewsletter will serve as a vital communication tool, keeping our community informed about important events, achievements, and opportunities within our school. It is an easy platform to translate into over 100 languages. Each edition will feature highlights from classrooms, news from staff, and updates on upcoming events. We encourage all families to engage with the newsletter and provide feedback on what content you would like to see in future editions.

School Excellence Plan 2025 – 2028

Thank you to our parents, staff and students who all contributed to our new School Excellence Plan. Our plan is now available for you to view on the school’s website.

Our School Vision: Meadowbank Public School is an inclusive and collaborative community that empowers students to be engaged, resilient and successful lifelong learners. We create an environment where students are supported to grow intellectually, ethically and creatively.

Improved reading outcomes: There is a whole school focus on demonstrating growth in reading to improve the achievement levels of all students.

Achieve by year 2027: To achieve an uplift of 20 points in year 5 NAPLAN reading mean scaled score by 2027.

Improved numeracy outcomes: There is a whole school focus on demonstrating growth in numeracy to improve the achievement levels of all students.

Achieve by year 2027: To achieve an uplift of 20 points in year 5 NAPLAN numeracy mean scaled score by 2027.  

Attendance: There is a whole school focus on improving attendance to strengthen student sense of belonging, engagement and outcomes.

Achieve by year 2027: Achieve an increase of 1.1% in the attendance rate, from 92.4% in 2023 to 93.5% in 2027.

We will be reporting on progress towards these in the school’s Annual Report which is published in Term 1 each year.

National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day on May 26 marks the day that the landmark ‘Bringing them Home’ report was tabled in federal Parliament in 1997.

It is a time to remember the past policies of forced child removal and reflect on the sad and painful stories of the Stolen Generations. It is a time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power of saying Sorry.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The Week runs from 27 May to 3 June every year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

Reconciliation Week is a significant time for reflection, education, and action within our community. We started with a special visit from Wiradjuri man Joshua Toomey. Students listened to stories about Aboriginal culture and the importance of reconciliation, then painted rocks with meaningful symbols. One painted rock from each class will be added to our whole-school reconciliation display, symbolising our shared commitment to learning and respect. Here are some photos from the event:

New Arrivals Programs and morning tea: Supporting our diverse learners and their families

At our school, we are proud to offer the New Arrivals Program designed to support students who are new to Australia and may be transitioning into a new educational system. These programs provide essential resources and tailored assistance to help students acclimate to their new environment, both academically and socially.

Our New Arrivals Program focuses on enhancing English language skills, cultural integration, and fostering a sense of belonging within our school community. We understand that moving to a new country can be challenging, and our dedicated staff works closely with students to ensure they feel supported and empowered in their learning journey.

Through a combination of language support and engagement in cultural activities, our programs aim to build confidence and encourage participation in all aspects of school life. We also invite families to be involved in this process, as your insights and experiences are invaluable in helping us create a welcoming environment for your children.

This week we invite parents of our NAP students to come and enjoy a morning tea, meet our NAP teachers and make connections with other parents. Together, we can make the transition to a new school and country a positive and enriching experience for all our students and their families.

Staffing

I am excited to announce some important staffing changes.

Stage 1 Assistant Principal: Ms J Coluccio

Congratulations to Ms Coluccio who is our new relieving Stage 1 Assistant Principal. Ms Coluccio brings a wealth of experience in primary education and a strong commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Ms Coluccio has been a member of our school and part of our broader executive team for many years now. She is dedicated to supporting students, parents and staff as we continue to strive for excellence in teaching and learning.

New Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction (APCI): Mr M Fenech

Mr Fenech is now our relieving Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction as Mrs Houghton is on maternity leave. Mr Fenech has a proven track record in curriculum development and instructional leadership being an Assistant Principal at our school for many years. His expertise will be invaluable as we work to implement the new curriculum and effective strategies that enhance student learning outcomes across the school.

New Teachers in our Support Unit

We are also excited to welcome Miss J Fagan to our Support Unit. Miss Fagan takes on the role of RFF teacher as Mrs L Buckley (former RFF teacher) takes on the role of the K/6B class teacher. These teachers are passionate about providing tailored support for our students with diverse learning needs. Their commitment to inclusive education will play a vital role in ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive.

P&C Meetings: Your voice matters!

The P&C meetings are a vital opportunity for families to come together and discuss important issues affecting our school community. We believe that every parent and guardian has valuable insights, and your participation is essential in shaping the direction of our school. By joining us at our meetings, whether online or face-to-face, you can contribute to discussions on key topics such as school funding, event planning, and initiatives that support our students' wellbeing and education.

Your voice matters! Engaging in these meetings not only allows you to stay informed but also empowers you to influence decisions that impact your child’s learning environment. We encourage all families to attend, share your thoughts, and collaborate with the P&C executive, other parents and staff. Together, we can create a stronger, more supportive community for our students. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on 17 June 2025.

Attendance Matters

When your child misses school they miss important opportunities learn, make friends and build skills through fun. When your child misses just 1 day per fortnight, they miss 4 weeks per year which means over 1 year missed over their school life.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

year of schooling
category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.

Acknowledgement of Country

Meadowbank Public School bayala budyari Wallamadagal Yurayin Dharug ngurrayin

Bayala gulbanga ganunigang yura gurugal yagu barrabugu

Bayala gulbanga yura yagu

Ngarala concretela asphaltla diyi ngurang Dharug ngurra.

Meadowbank Public School speaks well of the snapper fish people of Dharug country.

We pay respect to their elders past, present and emerging.

We extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present.

We must always remember that under the concrete and asphalt, this land is Dharug Country.