Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Carers, Students, and Staff,
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our dedicated teachers for their hard work and commitment during the "Meet the Teacher" information afternoons that have already taken place, as well as those that are coming up soon. These sessions are invaluable in fostering strong communication between parents and staff, helping us work together to support each student’s learning and wellbeing.
To our parents, thank you for your ongoing partnership with the school. Your involvement and support are vital to our shared goal of providing the best possible educational experience for every child.
In addition, we would like to extend a special thank you to our sports team for their outstanding organisation and enthusiasm during the swimming carnival last week. It was a fantastic event that showcased our students’ spirit and talent.
As we continue to work closely together, we encourage parents to approach the school with any questions or concerns. Our policy is to maintain open, respectful, and constructive communication to best support our students. For your convenience and reference, please find below the link to the Department of Education’s guidelines on approaching schools and effective communication:
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and engagement. Together, we can ensure a successful and positive year for our school community.
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!
Selective High School for 2027
Selective high schools are one of the ways that the Department of Education supports students with high academic potential. Selective high schools help these students learn by grouping them with students of similar ability, and by using specialised teaching methods.
From November 6, parents of Year 5 students will be invited to apply for their child to be considered for a selective high school placement in 2027. After the application, students will undertake a placement test in May 2026 and qualify for a place based on their results.
If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2027, you need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student’s email address).
Information on selective high schools and a link to the online application form can be found on the selective high schools and opportunity classes Year 7 website:
Detailed instructions and a step-by-step guide to the application process can be found on this website:
https://shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au/
Important Information
Applications for selective high schools open on 6 November 2025 and close on 20 February 2026. Parents and carers must apply before the closing date.
Parents and carers must submit only ONE application for each student.
The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on 1st and 2nd May 2026.
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.
Andrew Williamson,
Principal.