Relieving Deputy Principal's 

Report

Dear Parents and Carers

I can’t believe we are halfway through the final term of 2022! It has continued to be a very busy and productive time at Oak Flats Public School. Teachers and students are working hard in classrooms and learning spaces and completing assessments for reports. Over the past two weeks:

• Stage 2 and 3 students have started an AFL skills program where they have enjoyed learning kicking, passing and punting skills. 
• Year 5 students had a wonderful time on the Child Re-Wild leadership excursion at Killalea State Park where they worked together in cooperative games and challenges and developed their leadership skills. 
• Stage 2 students were outstanding during the Community of Schools soccer Gala Day at Oak Flats High School where they played with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
• Year 5 High Potential and Gifted students showcased their year of learning during the HPaG Expo at Albion Park Rail Public School. 
• The school leaders ran a solemn and respectful Remembrance Day Ceremony which children observed in classrooms.
• Our very successful Challenge2bfit ended after 5 fun and fit weeks!
• We hosted the incredibly high energy and entertaining Performing Ensemble.
• Parents had the opportunity to learn about our ‘Bring Your Own Device Program’ at the BYOD Information Session run by Mr McGee.
• Year 6 students participated in transition to school programs in our local public and private high schools.
• Our Bilima and Gurawara preschool groups had lots of fun during our kindergarten transition program.

P&C GALA DAY CANTEEN 

A huge thank you to our wonderful P&C who worked tirelessly last week running the canteen at the Stage 2 CoS Gala Day. The students and staff of Oak Flats, Albion Park Rail and Balarang Public Schools enjoyed their sausage sandwiches, cold drinks, apple slinkys and iceblocks in between their soccer games. We especially appreciate our canteen manager, Mrs Blaker, who organised the menu with only a week’s notice! It was a fantastic day.

CHALLENGE2BFIT

The Challenge2bfit program concluded last Friday. Thank you to our parents and carers who supported this fun new program in our school. It was an absolute hit with all students from K-6. Each week they looked forward to new and exciting fitness challenges, so much so that they forgot it was also hard work! We hope this is a program we can welcome back to Oak Flats Public School in the future.

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Next year, the NSW Department of Education and National Education Standards of Australia are introducing new English and Mathematics Syllabuses for K-2. Oak Flats Public School have been busily preparing for this implementation over the past year by trialling new syllabus outcomes and activities. This term, teachers have been participating in professional learning in online modules run by Miss Connor. I have led one day workshops on the Mathematics Syllabus with all teachers P-6 and English Syllabus workshops are planned for Week 8. We also have a group of dedicated teachers working after school in a Curriculum Committee. Oak Flats Public School is definitely on track for 2023!

TELL THEM FROM ME PARENT SURVEY

Thank you to our parents and carers who took the time to complete the Tell Them From Me survey. The survey is now closed, and we are pleased to share that we received 32 responses. The school executive will now use the information from the survey to identify strengths and successes, as well as areas to target for improvement of our students. 

ATTENDANCE

Did you know if your child misses 1 day of school per fortnight this equals 4 weeks in a school year. This adds up to 1 year of absences over a child’s schooling. If the absence is 1 day per week this equates to 8 weeks in one school year and 2 and half years over a school career!

It is important that students attend school every day. Justified reasons for student absences may include:

• being sick or having an infectious disease
• having an unavoidable medical appointment
• being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
• exceptional or urgent family circumstances.

Please remember that following an absence, parents and carers are required to explain the absence within 7 days of the first day of a student’s absence. Absences can be explained via email, phone, replying to SMS notifications, or via a letter on return to school. After three days absence, a medical certificate is required.

Have a fantastic fortnight!

Warm Regards

Emily Chatterton