International Women's Day

International Women's Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for advancing gender equality.

In 2026, IWD marks an extraordinary milestone: 115 years of collective action, advocacy, and progress toward gender equality. For more than a century, IWD has helped drive transformative change. Each generation has built on the courage of those before it, pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible.

“ Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”

The Importance of Play and Imagination

The newest members of our schools are settling into Term 1 beautifully. They are enjoying their play breaks and meeting new friends in different classes.

Play is central to children’s learning and development at school especially on our playgrounds. Play helps children;

build confidence
feel connected and safe
understand more about how the world works
develop social skills, language and communication
learn about caring for others and the environment
develop physical skills.

K-2 Assembly

Thank you to 2 Blue and Ms Woo for hosting our Assembly on Friday. The students spoke clearly and confidently. It was lovely to welcome our Kindy students, who came to their first assembly.This was their first time visiting our assembly hall, listening and singing.

Congratulations to our award recipients. Keep up the excellent work!

Community Language classes

Thank you to all families for providing preferences for community language classes.

All classes have now been finalised and no more class changes will take place.

NAPLAN

Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit NAPLAN on the following dates:

SUBJECT	DATE	DAY	WEEK
Writing	11 March	Wednesday	Week 7
Reading	12 March	Thursday	Week 7
Final day for Year 3 Writing catch up	16 March	Monday	Week 8
Conventions of Language	16 March	Monday	Week 8
Numeracy	17 March	Tuesday	Week 8
Final day for catch-ups for all other assessments	20 March	Friday	Week 8

Students in Year 3 will complete the writing assessment on paper and all other assessments on an iPad with the locked-down browser for 2026.

Students in Year 5 will complete all assessments on an iPad with the locked-down browser for 2026.

Headphones/Earphones

All students who are sitting for NAPLAN will require headphones or earphones that connect to their iPad, as they will have the option for the assessment system to read some questions or words aloud during the test. This is mainly applicable to Conventions of Language and Numeracy.

It is important to note that if your child's iPad has a headphone jack, you will need to ensure that the headphones are compatible with it.

If your child will be using Bluetooth headphones, please ensure that they are paired and connected to the iPad. This will ensure that your child is able to complete the assessments without any disruptions.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Kind regards,

Sonia Durney,

Deputy Principal, Years 3,4,5

Expression of Interest for Year 6 to Year 7 transition is now available on the Carlingford West Public School website.

To enrol your child in Year 7 for 2027, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest for Year 6 to Year 7 transition. The Expression of Interest (EOI) lets you indicate which school(s) you would like your child to attend in Year 7.

The EOI process is now available on our school website. You will need to click on the Enrolment Now tab, then scroll down to the Moving to High School section.

After you submit an EOI and it has been assessed, your child will be offered a place at a high school.

It is imperative that you enter the correct address that you are currently residing in, as it will be checked against the records we currently have here at the school. If you enter an address that is not recorded with the school, your application will be rejected, which will then delay your application. If your address has changed, you will need to supply the school with your change of address and supply the required evidence. Your child’s classroom teacher has copies of this form.

The online process will guide you through your options and collect the information required to make the process as smooth as possible.

For more information about moving to high school, visit the Department of Education site at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school

Serena Wright

Relieving Deputy Principal (Year 6)

Learning Conferences Years 6, 2,1 and Kindergarten

On Monday 16th March at 9.30 am Learning Conference bookings will open for Years K, 1, 2 and 6. Bookings will close on Friday 20th March at 3.30 pm. Please follow the email instructions you will be sent through School Bytes to book a Learning Conference with your child’s teacher. You will be able to select a time within the weeks beginning 23rd March and 30th March that is suitable for you. You will be able to select a phone call or face to face meeting.

Please note Learning Conferences for Years 3, 4 and 5 will be early in Term 2.

As always if you would like to speak with classroom teachers outside these times please email the teacher.

Up to Date Contact Details

It is imperative that we are able to contact families. Please ensure that the school has up to date phone numbers, address and emergency contact details.

If you have changed your address, please complete the attached Change of Contact Information sheet and email to the school with all the relevant documents attached.

Kindergarten and New Family Welcome Morning Tea

If you have recently joined Carlingford West please join us for morning tea hosted by our P & C.

Where: School Hall

Time: 10.00am -11.00 am

When: Friday 13 March

You will get to meet new families, enjoy student performances and hear from the P & C.

Save The Date - K-2 Hat Parades and Family Picnic

Our families are invited to join us on the last day of term (Thursday 2 April) for our traditional End of Term Hat Parade and Picnic (weather permitting).

Venue - School Hall

Date - Thursday 2 April

Kindergarten - 9.30 am

Year 1 - 10.10 am

Year 2 - 10.50 am

Family Picnic - 11.25am - 12.25 pm

School Photos 2026

School photos for 2026 will take place on 6 different days, 5 days in Term 1 and 1 day in Term 3.

Students will be photographed in their class/activity groups and individually for portrait photos. Parents may also choose their child/ren to be photographed with their siblings who also attend the school.

Photos will be available for purchase in various packs.

Please take note of the dates for various photos.

WHEN			WHICH GROUP	WHAT TO WEAR
Day 3	Term 1 Week 8	Wednesday 18 March	K-2 class photos and portraits	Summer uniform
Day 4	Term 1 Week 8	Thursday 19 March	Sibling photos	Summer uniform
Day 5	Term 1 Week 10	Tuesday 31 March	Staff and Year 6 group photos Catch up portraits and sibling photos	Summer uniform
Day 6	Term 3 Week 6	Thursday 27 August	Group photo Day Band/sport/choir etc	Sport: PSSA uniform Other group photos: Winter uniform

How to order:

Photos can be ordered online on www.theschoolphotographer.com.au using the code G8ZXW3KA.

Please note that orders are ONLINE ONLY. The school will not be accepting cash.

We encourage you to place your orders by Friday 20 February.

School Uniform - reminder

Carlingford West Public School uniform is always ankle socks. Boys school uniform is grey ankle socks and white socks with their sport uniform. Girls are white ankle for both uniforms.

Students are beginning to wear knee high socks – these are not part of our uniform. Black socks are also not part of our school uniform.

‘Out of uniform’ emails are being sent home to parents when students are in the incorrect uniform.

School hats need to be worn every day.

Returning to School After Injury

When students return to school after an injury the school requires the following:

A medical clearance letter
A meeting with the school

Injuries may include broken limbs, concussions, abrasions, medical episodes, time in hospital, etc. If unsure please email the school office.

These requirements ensure that arrangements can be in place to safely support the student.

Student Safety Awareness

As we celebrate the importance of community and culture, it is also essential to prioritise the safety of our students. Recently, we received concerning reports regarding students wearing Carlingford West school uniforms riding scooters and skateboards on Baker Street. These students were observed riding downhill at excessive speeds without any protective equipment, posing risks not only to themselves but also to other road users.

We urge parents, guardians, and students to be vigilant and prioritise safety when engaging in recreational activities. Wearing appropriate protective gear, such as helmets and pads, is crucial in preventing injuries. Additionally, we encourage students to adhere to road safety regulations and be mindful of their surroundings when riding in public spaces.

Carpet allergies

We have noticed many students letting teachers know they have an allergy to carpet. Unfortunately, for many of these students we do not have a record of this allergy or a health care plan. We want to ensure the health and safety of all our students.

If your child has an allergy to carpet, it is essential that we have a current health care plan on file. This plan will help us take the necessary precautions to manage their allergy effectively.

Please contact the school office if your child has this allergy and we will guide you through the process of creating a health care plan. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in helping us maintain a safe environment for all students.

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.

Carlingford West Public School Beanies are allowed but hats still need to be worn at all times in the playground and outside.

Gate Entry

Please note that both Felton Road pedestrian gates are open from 7 am to 9.40 am, then 3.10 pm to 6.15 pm in the afternoon Monday to Friday.

Before and After School Care (the "Y") entry is through Hilar Ave. This gate is open from 6.45 am to 9.40 am in the morning and from 3.10 pm until 6.15 pm in the afternoon Monday to Friday.

Please do not enter our primary school through the vehicle access at Cumberland High School.

Rubbish Concerns

Unfortunately, we have had concerns raised by our neighbours regarding the rubbish accumulating outside the school gates in Hilar Avenue and Felton Road and along the road.

Could you please consider our neighbours and our environment and take care not to drop used face masks, sandwich bags, paper wrappers, empty packets etc. outside the school gates where they attract pests and pollute waterways when they wash into the stormwater drains. Please take your rubbish home and dispose of it responsibly. Thank you.

Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone or iPad

With Screen Time, you can turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions to manage content, apps and settings on your child’s device. You can also restrict explicit content, purchases and downloads, and changes to privacy settings.

Apple’s parental controls are important tools that allow parents to choose how — and how often — their children can use their devices. Parental controls are built right into each iPhone, iPad and Mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/105121#:~:text=Follow%20these%20steps%3A-,Go%20to%20Settings%20and%20tap%20Screen%20Time.,Adult%20Websites%20or%20Allowed%20Websites

Medical Needs

Please ensure the school is aware of any medical needs your child may have. It is the responsibility of parents/carers to provide updated Health Care Plans, Action Plans and medications to the school. Students are not permitted to carry medication in their own bags. If your child requires medication at any point during the school day, it must be kept in the office and administered under supervision.

Thank you to parents/carers who have already replied and visited the office with an updated Health Care Plan, Action Plan and medication this year. Action Plans are medical documents completed and signed by the treating doctor, not a parent. Please be advised that Action Plans do not expire, and therefore the plan is still valid beyond the recommended review date, which is a guide for patients to see their doctor.

However, the school strongly recommends that parents/carers visit the doctor to ensure their child/ren's health condition is up to date.

When you get an Action Plan from your doctor, be sure to get a coloured one. Please look at the latest version of Action Plans as your reference.

Use of Digital Devices

We recognise that families may need students to carry a mobile device before or after school for various reasons. If students have a mobile device they need to complete the 'Use of Digital Devices Agreement'. Please see attached form and sign and return to your child's class teacher.

Mobile devices need to be switched off once the students are on the school grounds. The school office remains the appropriate point of contact should you need to communicate a message to your children.

Children who wear SMART watches must have them disconnected to Wifi during the day. They are not permitted to phone or message parents during the day. If they wear them to walk to and from school, they must disconnect them as soon as they enter the school.

Please refer to the ‘Use of Digital Devices’ if you would like further information.

Turning Circle Drop Off

We have an increasing number of students being dropped in the Turning Circle after the bell. Please allow extra time in the morning for drop off as there is high traffic. Please follow the usual Turning Circle procedures during morning drop off.

Students are to get out of vehicles on the curb side.
There is to be no overtaking.
Stop at the next available stopping bay.
If the gate is closed. Drop off will need to be outside the gate.

School times and supervision

School supervision commences at 8:55am each day. Students should not be at school before this time unless they are enrolled into OSHC.

Please see OSHC News section in this Newsletter for contact and booking information.

If you need to leave for work before 8:55am please book your child into OSHC.

School finishes at 3:25pm and you need to collect your child/ren then or have them booked into OSHC.

Before and After School Care (OSHC - TASK) Pick up and Drop Off

Please remember that the turning circle is not to be used for OSHC pick up or drop off. Parents have been blocking the carpark exit and entry which makes it extremely difficult for staff to leave or arrive.

When using the turning circle you are not permitted to leave your vehicle.

Pick up and drop off for OSHC is Hilar Avenue.

Late Arrivals

This is a reminder that school learning begins at 9.25 am sharp. The new curriculum has a robust morning session of English requirements. We still have too many students who are regularly late to school in the morning. If students are late, they are missing valuable learning time. Please ensure students are at school on time. This may mean that family routines have to change, and children need to be in bed earlier at night in order to wake up earlier in the morning. Frequent, unexplained late arrival at school is recorded on our absence system.

Please find attached an Australian government website about the importance of family routines.

Routines for families: how & why they work | Raising Children Network

Videoing or Photographing on School Grounds

We are also reminding parents that we are not able to video or photograph students on our school grounds. This is because other students may be inadvertently in the photo or video and permission has not been obtained from their parents.

Thank you as always for assisting us to help our students learn optimally and safely.

Alexis King Deputy Principal (K - 2)

Sonia Durney Deputy Principal (Yrs 3 - 5)

Serena Wright Relieving Deputy Principal (Yrs 6 & Admin)

Yvette Ek-Moller Network EAL/D Education Leader

ARCO News