Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to another edition of the Oak Flats Public School Newsletter. I would like to acknowledge and extend my sincere thanks to all our families for your support. The beginning of the school year has been smooth, positive, and productive. I have been so impressed with the way students have settled into their new classes and I would also like to thank the teaching staff for their outstanding preparation, efforts and time.

Here at Oak Flats PS we are having a very busy start to the year and there are many activities already planned for the term, including Oak Flats High School visit to our school, Life Education, school photos, gymnastics for K-2, COS Gala Day for Years 3-6, NAPLAN, Aboriginal Homework group and PLP Breakfast. Please keep an eye out for relevant permission notes and information about these events, including dates advertised in the school newsletter. A reminder that many of our notes are sent home digitally, for convenience, an initiative parents and carers have indicated they appreciate.

Thank you to the parents and carers who attended our parent information afternoons this week. These are a valuable opportunity for families to meet teachers and discuss class programs and organisation. If you were unable to attend please see the classroom teacher who will issue you a class note outlining everything that was discussed. Once again, I would like to remind parents that if you would like to discuss any aspect of school with your child’s teacher or myself, please do not hesitate to call the office. Parent Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 10 of this term for all classes in Years K-6. Students in Kindergarten will receive their Best Start reports in Week 5.

CONGRATULATIONS

Last Saturday many Primary school students on the South Coast attended an audition for a position in the Southern Stars Primary Dance Company. They participated in a 3-hour workshop showcasing their talents to the audition panel, in extreme heat. I am pleased to announce that three students from our school were successful in gaining placement in the Primary Dance Company. Congratulations to: Betsy H – Year 4, Polly H – Year 5 and Aliyn P – Year 5. What a wonderful achievement and we look forward to seeing these girls and our school perform at Southern Stars in 2023.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Save the date: Tuesday, 7 March 2023. MSP Photography will be at our school taking photos. Full school summer uniform is to be worn. Mrs Chatterton will have further information regarding this in her Relieving Deputy Principal's report.

LIFE EDUCATION

During Term 1, Weeks 7 and 8 this term, our school will be receiving a visit from ‘Healthy Harold’ and the Life Education Van. Each child from Pre-School to Year 6 will attend a Life Education session, which addresses outcomes from the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Students will also receive a booklet to reinforce what they have learnt and a sticker to remind them of their visit. The programs for each Stage are listed below.

Pre-School – Harold’s Big Feelings

Early Stage 1 – Harold’s Friendship

Stage 1 – Growing Good Friends

Stage 2 – Cyberwise

Stage 3 – Decisions

We look forward to welcoming ‘Healthy Harold’ to our school! It is always a fun and exciting way for our students to learn and gain important information.

Life Education is a not for profit, registered charity. The sale of Harold merchandise to the students during each school visit supports Life Education within each local area. A copy of the merchandise form has been provided. All orders should be placed in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name, class and order written on the outside. The envelopes should then be placed in the special box at the front office from the Wednesday, 8 - Friday, 17 March.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

What a day it was for our annual Swimming Carnival! We couldn’t have been luckier with the weather. All of our competing students put in an amazing effort and it was lovely to see so many encouraging, supportive, enthusiastic students cheering on their peers and showing excellent sportsmanship. Our parents who attended were supportive and cooperative. A huge thank you to Natasha Ford and her team, which consisted of Emily Chatterton, Blake Herzog, Stacey Cotterill, Tasha Ross, Shannon Bachelor and Jodie Earl from the office for a highly successful Swimming Carnival. Once again, we were very fortunate to have the expert assistance and support from Boris Baraldi and Kim McCrudden and the parents who volunteered to time keep.

Notes have already gone out to successful swimmers who made it to the District Swimming Carnival which is being held tomorrow Friday, 17 February. We wish our competitors from Oak Flats all the best.

SPORTS LEADERS

Last week students in year 2-6 voted for Sports House Captains for 2022. I would like to congratulate Mrs Blazic for her outstanding organisation which was conducted virtually. Congratulations to the following students:

Banksia 

House Captains:  Linkin R, Pippa H

Vice Captains: Riley C, Chelsea L

Boronia

House Captains:  Jacob K, Lilly M

Vice Captains:  Chace G, Layla P 

Waratah 

House Captains:  Noah H, Tanami B

Vice Captains: Dante D, Gabriella N

Wattle

House Captains:  Jacob S, Sienna R

Vice Captains: David C, India W

OFHS VISIT TO YEAR 6

Oak Flats High School Deputy Principal, Mr Jenkins and Mrs Tolly visited our Year 6 students on Wednesday, 15 February about high school for Year 7 2024.

Students were given an OFHS Pack which contained important information about Transition Dates, School Expo 2023, BYOD, the Year 7 Enrichment Program and the Year 7 2024 Scholarship Program.

INCLUSIVE, ENGAGING AND RESPECTFUL SCHOOLS

The new Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful schools package includes three new policies that helps schools manage the diverse spectrum of student needs to improve outcomes for all students in every public school across New South Wales. Based on international and Australian best-practice, the policies have been developed with the input of teachers, principals, parents, carers and leading educational experts.

The new policies, framework and procedures aim to strengthen the engagement and participation of all students, including those with disability, complex and challenging behaviours and additional needs. They provide more support to teachers and also ensure all students, teachers and staff are safe in school.

Students may need different types of intervention or support to best meet their needs. This may also include the use of restrictive practices, however, when this is discussed and a plan is agreed in advance, the rights, safety and freedom of students is protected, as well as the safety of staff and other students. The implications of this for Oak Flats Public School students is that we will be reviewing some student's support plans and may need to consult with families and seek advice and documentation from medical professionals before specific supports can be implemented by teachers or the school.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN results allow parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards. This year the NAPLAN assessments will take place between Wednesday 15 - Monday 27 March.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of:

Reading

Writing

Conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)

Numeracy.

A note was issued via School Enews to all Year 3 and 5 parents about NAPLAN 2023 on Tuesday 14 February.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING

We expect all our students at Oak Flats Public School to demonstrate the four PBL expectations every day in and out of the classroom. Students have begun to engage in lessons about the key values to support their understanding of behaviour expectations at Oak Flats Public School.

SCHOOL ENTRY AND EXIT

To avoid congestion during the morning drop off and conclusion of the school day the following procedures have been put in place. In the morning, students can enter the Preschool, Wentworth and or Griffiths Street gates. Just a reminder to all parents and carers the earliest students can enter the school grounds is 8:30am. Upon entering the school, they are asked to go to their designated area.

At the conclusion of the day students can leave the school grounds through one of four gates, which include Wentworth Street, Griffiths Street or the Preschool gate. It is asked that parents organise with their child a gate they are to exit at the end of the day, to avoid confusion and anxiety for students, especially our little people.

DRIVING AND PARKING NEAR OUR SCHOOL

The beginning and end of the school day are busy times for pedestrians and vehicles outside schools. Parking signs are planned with your child's safety in mind. It is helpful for everyone if you park safely, even if you have to walk further to the school gate.

This is a good time to model positive road safety behaviour and physical activity for your child. Slow down near any crossings around the school. At a supervised crossing, follow the directions of the school crossing supervisor. Crossing supervisors manage traffic to help primary school children use the crossings on roads near and outside of schools.

It is asked that parents and carers always:

park legally
avoid dangerous manoeuvres such as U-turns and three-point turns
give way to pedestrians, particularly when entering or exiting driveways
avoid using the school car park or driveway
avoid parking in the school bus bay
make sure your child uses the Safety Door (rear kerb-side door) to get in and out of the car
avoid driving dangerously in a school zone.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

P&C MEETING

The Oak Flats Public School P&C Association will be hosting the Annual General P&C Meeting on Wednesday, 22 February in the library at 6:30pm. We extend an invitation to our parents and caregivers to join us on this night.

LABELLING PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Please ensure that all school hats, jackets, uniforms, lunch boxes, drink bottles etc. are clearly labelled, with your child’s first and last name and class. A lost property box is located outside the staffroom for any items that students may misplace.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact the office and update any contact details or changes in medical conditions for your children. We need to be able to reach you in case of an emergency. This is for the safety of your children. If your child has asthma or anaphylactic reactions, it is your responsibility to update your child’s medical plan and medications. Staff train to keep our children safe. All teachers are trained in CPR and have their skills updated each year. This is part of our ongoing commitment to keeping students safe. Our staff have also updated their emergency care training.

A number of our students have allergies which require them to have EpiPen’s in case of contact with certain substances. To keep our entire school safe, we ask that no nut products are brought to school. This includes items such as muesli bars, peanut butter etc.

Could you please ensure these changes are communicated to the ladies in the front office. A ‘change of details’ form is available through the E-News app. Thank you in anticipation to your assistance in this matter.

Stewart House

Each year 1,600 public school children in need come to Stewart House from many parts of NSW and the ACT. During their stay, children are provided with optometric, dental and medical treatment as well as emotional support.

Stewart House is committed to:

Providing a safe environment where every person has the right to be treated with respect and is safe and protected from harm
Creating and maintaining a safe learning environment and safeguarding the emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing of children in its care.

During Stewart House Program, children:

Develop self-care, social and conflict resolution skills
Learn to relax and overcome anxiety
Develop a broader outlook on life
Establish friendships and routines in a safe community
Increase their self-esteem
Feel more emotionally supported

Whilst in residence, children are provided with:

Optometric, audiometric, dental and general health screening
Essential treatment, including tooth extraction and prescription glasses
Accommodation, meals, laundry services, transport and excursions
Medication and basic needs such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, new shoes and appropriate clothing

Back to School Vouchers

The Back to School NSW Voucher Program provides 3 x $50 vouchers, totaling $150 for each eligible student.

The vouchers can be used:

towards the cost of school uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks and stationery
at registered businesses
before 30 June 2023.

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers

NEWSLETTER COMMUNICATION IN 2023

This year the school newsletter will continue to be published fortnightly. There are many ways other than the newsletter that parents can access information about our school, including notes sent home, Facebook, the School ENews App, and the school website. There are also a number of ways to receive our School Newsletter:

SUBSCRIBE FOR EMAIL UPDATES AND NEWSLETTERS

You can also subscribe through the school website for the newsletter and updates to be sent to your email account. Simply go to the school website and click on the tab ‘Newsletters and Notes’ and follow the simple steps to subscribe.

Kind regards,

Alice Wigny

Relieving Principal

SRC