Principal's Update

Mrs Shipley is currently working at Carlingford West Public School until the end of Term 1. This is a wonderful opportunity for her to share her leadership and expertise with another school community, and we wish her all the very best during this time. 

While Mrs Shipley is there, I, Ms Edwards, have been given the opportunity to relieve in the role at Dundas Public School. I am very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to work alongside our wonderful students, staff and families. It is a privilege to support our school community and partner with you in your children’s learning. 

Meet the Teacher Week 

This week we have enjoyed welcoming many of our parents and carers to school for our Meet the Teacher meetings. These conversations provide a valuable opportunity for families to share insights about their child and work together with teachers to set learning goals for 2026. 

The feedback from both teachers and parents has been extremely positive. Teachers have appreciated the helpful information shared about students, while parents have expressed how meaningful it is to feel involved and valued as partners in their child’s learning journey. 

The Learning Goal sheets have also been a helpful resource in guiding these conversations. If you have not yet returned your child’s Learning Goals sheet for 2026, please send it in as soon as possible so teachers can incorporate this information into their planning. 

I would also like to sincerely thank our dedicated teachers who have made themselves available across week 6 to meet with families. Your commitment to building strong partnerships with our community is greatly appreciated. 

2026 Voluntary School Contribution 

Earlier this term, families received information regarding the 2026 voluntary school contribution of $51 per student. These contributions support opportunities and resources that enrich learning experiences for our students.  

School Bytes 

To stay up to date with important information, please also ensure notifications are turned on in your phone settings for the School Bytes app, so you receive the latest updates and reminders from the school. 

Thank you for your support in helping us organise these events smoothly for our students. 

NAPLAN 2026 

This year, NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday 11 March to Thursday 19 March 2026. Students in Years 3 and 5 will participate in four assessments that measure key literacy and numeracy skills: 

• Writing 
• Reading 
• Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) 
• Numeracy 

All schools in NSW complete NAPLAN online, with the exception of the Year 3 writing test, which is completed on paper. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the format and types of questions before the testing window begins. 

Supporting Your Child 

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning as part of their everyday classroom programs. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not a pass or fail test. Instead, it provides information about your child’s learning progress. 

The best way to support your child is to encourage them to do their best and approach the tests with confidence. Excessive preparation or the use of coaching programs is not recommended.

Students’ Digital Skills 

The digital skills required to complete NAPLAN are the same skills students regularly use in their classroom learning. Students do not need to be able to touch type, as the assessments are not designed to test keyboarding ability. 

NAPLAN Demonstration Site 

Families can explore the NAPLAN public demonstration site, which provides examples of the types of questions, tools and functions students will see during the tests. This can be a helpful way for students and parents to become familiar with the online format. 

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance. 

DPS Website 

Parents and carers are encouraged to regularly check the Dundas Public School website to stay up to date with upcoming events and important dates. 

All excursions and school events are listed on the ‘Events’ page, which is updated regularly throughout the year as new activities and opportunities are organised for our students. 

You can access the Events page here to keep informed about what’s coming up at our school.  

P&C Update 

This week we held our first P&C meeting for 2026 on Tuesday 3rd March. Our P&C continues to do a fantastic job supporting our school community and providing valuable opportunities for our students through their fundraising and involvement in school events. 

We warmly encourage parents and carers to consider joining the P&C committee. It is a great way to be involved in the school, share ideas and contribute to the continued growth of our community. 

Stay tuned for exciting updates on upcoming events and future P&C meetings throughout the year on the Facebook page.  

Communication Protocols 

We value strong partnerships between home and school and encourage open communication with our families. If you have a question or concern you would like to discuss, the first point of contact is always your child’s classroom teacher, as they know your child and their learning best. 

If needed, the matter may then be discussed with the Assistant Principal responsible for that stage. Our Assistant Principal structure for 2026 is outlined below: 

• Kindergarten – Mrs Green 
• Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) – Miss Zadro 
• Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) – Ms Chan 
• Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) – Mr Littlejohn 

Thank you for continuing to work with us to support the learning and wellbeing of all students at Dundas Public School. 

Looking Ahead at Dundas Public School 

As we move further into term 1, it has been wonderful to see our students settling into their classes, building friendships and engaging so positively in their learning. Our school community is a special one, and the strong partnerships between our students, staff and families play a significant role in creating a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone.  

We are also very excited to see our new building nearing completion. This project will provide wonderful new learning spaces for our students and is something our whole community can look forward to enjoying. Please keep an eye out for more information soon, as we look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone together with a grand opening soon. 

Thank you for your continued support of Dundas Public School. Together we look forward to a year filled with learning, growth and many wonderful opportunities for our students.

Ms Edwards

Relieving Principal