Relieving Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Carers, Students, and Staff,
Thank you to the Carlingford West Public School Community for the warm welcome.
My name is Lee Shipley, and I am delighted to join your school as Relieving Principal for the next three weeks. I currently serve as the Principal of Dundas Public School, a role I have held for the past five years. Prior to that, I had the privilege of working in a number of schools across metropolitan Sydney including Deputy Principal and Relieving Principal at North Rocks Public School.
With over 35 years of experience as an educator in NSW Public Schools, I am passionate about supporting students, staff, and families to create a positive and enriching learning environment. I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to Carlingford West Public School and look forward to working collaboratively with the entire school community.
Please feel free to reach out if there is any way I can assist during my time here. I am eager to help and support the school in any way I can.
Thank you for welcoming me to your community.
We are asking Carlingford West parents to complete the ‘2026 CWPS Community Snapshot Survey’
Our school community at Carlingford West has undergone significant changes over the past few years, including new programs, evolving teaching methods, and adjustments to meet the diverse needs of our students and families.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment, the school leadership team recognises the importance of listening to the voices of our community. To support this, we are launching a Community Snapshot Survey designed to gather your valuable feedback.
This survey provides an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on what aspects of the school you feel are working well, as well as identify any areas where we can improve. Understanding your experiences and perspectives as parents and carers is essential for us to ensure that CWPS remains a welcoming, inclusive, and effective place for all students and families.
Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping our future plans, as it will help us to better understand the diverse needs and expectations within our community. By reflecting on your input, we can make informed decisions about where to focus our efforts and resources, whether that means enhancing communication, supporting student wellbeing, improving facilities, or developing new initiatives.
We strongly encourage every parent and carer to take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your honest and thoughtful responses are invaluable as we continue our journey of growth and improvement. Together, we can ensure CWPS remains a school that fosters learning, belonging, and success for all members of our community.
The survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete.
There are 34 multiple choice questions and 3 open-ended questions.
Areas the school would like feedback on include:
- school culture,
- communication and responsiveness,
- family engagement,
- leadership,
- learning and academic support,
- facilities and resources,
- wellbeing and
behaviour support.
The 2026 CWPS Community Snapshot Survey will be open from today and will close in 2 weeks on Tuesday 17 March at 3:25pm.
The link to complete the community snapshot survey can be found here.
Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library
The Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library is a unique initiative of the NSW Department of Education and the Jill Sherlock Memorial Trust. Located at Oatlands Public School, the library provides families with access to a wide range of evidence-based learning resources to support children from preschool to Year 12, particularly those with additional learning and support needs.
What is on offer:
- Decodable readers and high-interest books
- Educational games and hands-on kits
- Resources to boost literacy, numeracy, and engagement
- eBooks and audiobooks for easy home access
How to join: Membership is free for NSW parents and carers.
To register, visit theJill Sherlock Library websiteand click Register at the top right of the page.
You can borrow resources in person or online, with items posted directly to your home and a reply-paid return label included.
Need help choosing? Contact the library team for personalised recommendations tailored to your child’s learning needs.
Focus areas include: Inclusive education, neurodiversity, behaviour support, literacy and numeracy, wellbeing and social communication
For more information, visit the library website or contact: 📞 02 9630 8684 | ✉️ jsherlock.library@det.nsw.edu.au
Lee Shipley,
Relieving Principal.
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!
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.