Dear Parents

I was extremely fortunate to attend the Schools Spectacular last Friday night, and what a truly spectacular event it was. Our choir and dance children were sensational. It was not only an amazing opportunity for the children to be involved in a world-class event, but the experiences they were involved in over a number of days were incredible. Thank you to the parents for supporting the children attending Schools Spectacular. A huge thank you to Mrs McClements, Miss Solinas and Mrs Cafe for their work before and at Schools Spectacular. Their support of the children and ensuring each child had an amazing time filled with lots of new opportunities was outstanding. Thank you, all.

Our School Swimming Program is in full swing.We have seen improvement in all children in four days, which is terrific. A reminder that there is no swimming on Monday 4th and Tuesday, 5th December. Swimming recommences on Wednesday, 6th December.If your child is involved with School Swimming, please ensure they bring a towel, swimmers, goggles, swimming cap (only if they use one) and a change of underwear in a separate bag to their school bag (plastic bag or old backpack) . Please ensure all items have your child's name clearly labelled. 

Our Year 6 children had their final transition to high school day on Wednesday. We know our children are well-prepared for high school and are looking forward to this next phase of their education. I am extremely proud of the way our children have embraced and participated in the High School Transition Days in 2023. Well done, Year 6.

Presentation Day will be held next Tuesday, 5th December, at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre commencing at 10 am. This is a whole school celebration of our school year. Notes have been sent out via the Parent Portal and emailed to parents. Please ensure you have given your child permission to attend this event either via the Parent Portal or by contacting the office at school. Many children will receive awards on Presentation Day. Letters have been sent home to parents of children receiving awards through Australia Post last Tuesday. All parents have also been emailed to ensure the information reaches them, and an SMS reminder will be sent out tomorrow.

Our Year 5 children, who will be in Year 6 in 2024, were sized for their Year 6 jumper this week. Children took notes home with all the information about purchasing a jumper and the size jumper we thought was appropriate listed on it. If parents would like to come and check jumper sizing, samples will remain at the school until Wednesday, 6/12/23. A reminder that orders and payments are due by Wednesday, 13th December.

Our Year 6 Farewell is quickly approaching. The Year 6 Farewell and celebrations will be held on Tuesday 12th December at Bathurst Panthers commencing at 6.00 pm. Parents are reminded to make the payment of $45.00, which covers the meal, disco, photos, venue hire, decorations and cake by Friday, 8th December.

On Thursday, 14th December (2nd last day of school), we will hold our Year 6 Assembly under the COLA. This is a whole school event, and all children will need to be in school uniform. Year 6 children will be presented with their grad certificates and bears at the assembly.

At 12.00 noon on Thursday, 14th December, all children K-6 will attend Metro Cinemas to watch a movie as part of our end-of-year celebrations. K- 2 children will watch Trolls. Years 3-6 children will watch Wonka. We will leave school at about 11.30 to get into the theatres on time. This is a school-funded event and is in lieu of class Christmas parties that the school has funded in the past few years; therefore, there is no cost to parents. We have been fortunate to receive some well-being money, and we will use some of this to pay for the movies. The rest will be used to support breakfast and lunch club in Term 1, 2024. A note has been placed on Sentral today requesting permission for children to attend this event.

Our school is transitioning to Sentral Finance on Wednesday, 13th December. This will be a wonderful asset to our school and how we support families. After the 13th of December, parents can give permission for events on the Parent Portal and pay for events on the same system. It will absolutely streamline permission and payments parents are asked to make to the school. To allow a smooth transition to the new system, no payments can be made via POP on our school website or EFTPOS at the school between Tuesday, 5th December and Wednesday, 13th December. We will be able to accept cash payments at school. Year 5 and 6 parents who still need to pay for Year 5 jumpers for 2024 and the Year 6 Farewell and who wish to pay by EFTPOS or POP will need to do so by Tuesday, 5th December, please.

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

Kate White 

Principal