News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:07:18 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:32:00 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:53:37 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:17:46 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:05:13 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:38:42 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:25:12 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:45:41 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:10:43 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:40:43 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:26:11 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:19:39 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:12:35 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:23:18 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:33:55 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:03:14 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:26:18 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:01:59 AEST

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:01:28 AEST

Education Week kicks off on Monday, August 6, with a simultaneous launch at Parramatta and Kiama public schools livestreamed on youtube so all government schools and their communities can join in.

This year's theme, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the Education Week launch will be hosted by primary school students and will feature a dancing robot, student performances and a film highlighting how schools are working with their communities to solve real-world problems.

A highlight of the week is the Game Changer Challenge, in which 16 teams of students from schools across NSW will compete in a three-day design program, working alongside leading industry professionals to create the school of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today's students were learning at a time of great change.

"From the far west to our metropolitan hubs and everywhere in between, our state's schools will celebrate not only what we've achieved, but the future we are creating," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We are living in a time when the traditional walls of the classroom are opening up to new worlds of learning, paving the way for students to connect and collaborate with their peers regionally and globally."

Education Minister Rob Stokes said there had never been a more exciting time to be involved in schools with technology reshaping the way students learn and billions of dollars being invested in new school infrastructure.

"The NSW Department of Education is continually striving for improvement and innovation so that the young people in our care learn in a world-class education system," Mr Stokes said.

"The NSW Government is supporting that vision through a record $6 billion in funding to build the classrooms and schools of the future."

The Secretary of the Department of Education Mark Scott said ensuring today's students had the skills they would need to "not just survive, but thrive" in the future underpinned the department's evidence-based approach to learning.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovative teaching and learning that is being done across our State's public schools to ensure that every student can perform to their full potential," Mr Scott said.

"We don't know what the future will hold, but we do know that we are focused on equipping today's students with the skills and knowledge they will need to lead fulfilling lives in the future."

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:01:44 AEST

A new uniform policy has been introduced for NSW public schools, which for the first time include the option for girls to wear shorts and pants.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116.83KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

Skoolbag App

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:59 AEST

Our school now has its own Skoolbag Iphone and Android App to help us communicate more effectively with our community. We are asking parents to install our App. To install it just search for our school name Woongarrah Public School in either the Apple App store or Google Play Store.

For windows users search for Skoolbag in the Windows Store and install the app and then find your school. Please note it must be a Windows 8.1 or 10 device.

Parent Instruction (pdf 3458 KB)

Class Newsletters Available

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Class newsletters for term 1 will be provided at the Meet the Teacher mornings over the coming weeks. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can also find them on the Class News page.

Back to School Dates

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

We're looking forward to welcoming our Years 1-6 students on Wednesday 29 January and our Kindergarten students on Friday 31 January. The office is open on Tuesday 28 January for new enrolments.

Students will spend the first day in 2013 classes and should line up in 2013 class lines when the bell rings on Day 1. We're sure everyone will be ready to learn after a great school holiday.

If you need to know anything about preparing for school you'll find it here School A to Z

Student Leaders Announced

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:59 AEST

Our Ministers for 2013 were announced at Presentation Day.

Special congratulations to our Prime Minister, Aiden Collins and Deputy Prime Minister Olivia Clarkson.

They will be joined by six Ministers - Sarah, Rylee, Presley, Bailey, Luke and Annie, to form our student leadership cabinet for 2013. We are fortunate to have such a fine group of young leaders to represent our students.

Presentation Day Awards 2012

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

Our Presentation Day assemblies last week were an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements and successes of 2012 and to acknowledge the improvement made by each and every student at Woongarrah.

Class awards were presented. There are 4 awards per class – one for academic achievement, one for citizenship, one for excellence in a selected subject area and one free choice award.

Particular congratulations to our major school awards winners, including:

Dux of school – Jai Hupton

School Citizenship Award – Sophie Noble and Victoria Beasley

Sporting Blue – Rhys Barwick

Premier's Sporting Challenge Medal – Sarah Kirk

Lifelong Learning Award – Jessica Kilgour

100% NAPLAN awards - Olivia Clarkson, Aiden Collins, Anna Chenda

Sydney North PSSA Representatives - Isabelle Taylor, Rhys Barwick, Jai Hupton

Olympic Day a success! Even with the rain.

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

The Olympics came early to Woongarrah Public School with events held for all students in K-6 who were representing one of 16 nominated country groups.

We had great fun at the Olympic Day. We started with a march past in our country groups and a torch relay.

This was followed by Olympic activities for all K-2 and 3-6 students and a memorable closing ceremony.

In the process, we learnt a little more about what it's like to be an Olympian. Maybe one day someone from our school might represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

In the meantime, we can't wait for the 2012 Olympics to start in London!

SEA FM Live

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

SEA FM broadcast live from Woongarrah Public School.

Paddy and Dan from Central Coast's SEA FM broadcast live from our school! In what turned out to be a great "back to school" morning, students, family and friends had the opportunity to see a few animals from the Wildlife Park, have a BBQ breakfast, listen to the SEA FM team broadcast live and hear our school choir sing.

Thanks to the Greater Building Society too for their $1000 donation! The money will be used to purchase a new garden shed with some extra money going to a nominated charity.

What a success!

See our PHOTO ALBUM for even more great photos.

Woongarrah keeping you informed!

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:59 AEST

Parents are invited to a parent-teacher interview in the last 2 weeks of term. Here at Woongarrah Public School, we have the interviews early in the year so that we are able to share information with you about how children have settled into class, to discuss progress and achievements and to exchange information to best meet the needs of your child.

Each teacher has different times available. These will be shown on the notes. Please return the slips as soon as possible. The class teacher will send home a return slip with the time, date and location for your interview. Please come along and help us make learning come alive!

Flashing Lights Coming Our Way

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Great news - the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority have advised that our school has been included as one of the next 124 school zone sites to receive flashing lights. This project aims to alert motorists of the speed restriction around schools to improve safety for school children. We can expect that the rollout will be completed by June 2011. Remember to always be safe around our school and obey the 40km speed limit in place.

Getting ready for Kindy 2011

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Our Kindergarten Orientation transition to school program for students beginning school in 2011 will occur on Wednesday 3, 10 and 17 November. Notes have been mailed home to families providing further details.

If you have not yet enrolled for Kindy, you need to do so now so that you don't miss out on this important transition program. Contact our friendly office staff on 43927493 for further information.

Thank you to Mrs Buhr for all your work in coordinating this program.

Learn to Swim Program

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Arrangements have been made to include a learn to swim program in our school curriculum again this year. The DET School Swimming Scheme is an intensive learn to swim program, which develops water confidence and provides students with basic skills in water safety and survival. The Scheme is conducted over ten days. Each daily lesson is 45 minutes at Toukley pool.

Students who have not reached a satisfactory standard of water safety and survival skills, and are unable to swim 25m confidently unaided in deep water, are eligible to participate in the School Swimming Scheme. The Scheme focuses on weak swimmers in Year 2 and 3 but provides for weak swimmers in Years 4 to 6 as well as students with special needs such as new arrivals in Australia and students with disabilities.

The Scheme will continue daily for two weeks from 8 November 2010 to 19 November 2010. There will be no charge for instruction. Transport will cost $3 per day. Pool entry will cost $2.10 per day. The total cost for the 10 day scheme is $ 51.

Notes have been provided to all students in Years 2-4. Students in Years 5 and 6 may request a note from the office.

Swim Scheme Permission Note (doc, 39 KB)

P&C Receives Award

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

The Woongarrah PS P&C Association received an award at the Central Coast Public Education Awards of Appreciation ceremony held during Education Week. The citation reads:

The P&C grows from strength to strength each year. Thank you for the work you do to support our students, school and community.

The recent Father's Day breakfast and school disco are fine examples of such great work.

Reading Challenge Success

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

214 students in our school participated in the Premier's Reading Challenge this year. 170 of them successfully completed the challenge, with a success rate of 79%. The following results were achieved:

Kindy - 23/30 students finished

Year 1 - 30/36 students finished

Year 2 - 23/30 students finished

Year 3 - 53/56 students finished

Year 4 - 18/26 students finished

Year 5 - 14/21 students finished

Year 6 - 9/15 students finished

Students will receive their certificates towards the end of term 4.

24 students will receive gold certificates for completing the challenge for four consecutive years.

16 students have completed the challenge more than 4 times.

Thank you to Mrs Gilbert for coordinating this terrific program for our students. Well done to all the boys and girls who finished the challenge.

Book Fair Bargains

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

To celebrate Education Week 2010 we will be having a Book Fair and Book Parade next week - from Monday 2 August.

The Book Fair will be held in the library before and after school Monday until Thursday. There will be a wide range of books available to purchase. Prices will vary from $2 - $20.

We will also have a selection of books which may be purchased for the school library. All books donated to the library will have the family name recorded on a special label inside the book.

Next Wednesday we will also be having our first Book Parade commencing at 2pm. Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character. All students participating will have their names placed in a class draw to win a book prize. There will be one winner from each class.

At 2pm parents/caregivers are welcome to come and watch our parade under and around the COLA. Each class will have the opportunity to display their costumes to the audience.

We hope you can join in celebrating public education in NSW.

A journey through Space!

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Woongarrah takes a journey through the Solar System

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to travel into outer space? Well, with the assistance of QUESTACON- The National Science and Technology Centre, one lucky group of stage two students did exactly that! Our students prepared for a virtual trip to space. We chose what to pack, and what to explore in our Solar System. For our journey, we were joined by Mudgee PS. Topics covered during the expedition into outer space included: comparing planets; gravity; space vehicles; the sun as a source of energy; atmospheric conditions and even the size of the universe!

The moon may have no atmosphere but this experience certainly did. Thanks to QUESTACON and Distance and Rural Technology Unit (DART) for making this experience possible.

Just Arrived- more new resources

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Student Parliament requested more portable soccer goals as a result of a recent parliament meeting. Six new goals arrived this week. This will allow us to set up all 8 goals in the playground for students to use at recess and lunchtime.

Six new camcorders are providing even more great technology for our students to use. Stage 3 students are already busy videoing as part of their COGs unit. We used some of our voluntary school contributions towards the goals and cameras.

We also purchased 6 new art drying racks for our classrooms. All classes K-5 now have their own drying rack that is most useful for visual arts lessons.

New class starts next term

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Schools are staffed and classes formed based on the number of students who are enrolled at the school. We have new students arriving all the time and, as such, our 20th class will begin next term. This change will affect several classes and students in K-4.

The new class structure is as follows:

Class	Teacher	Now	New
KD	Mrs Downey	23	20
KP	Miss Patterson	23	20
KZ	Mrs Zakaria	22	20
KB	Mrs Guest, Ms Kelly	23	20
K1S	Mrs Buhr, Mrs Sadler		10K+ 12Y1
S1G	Ms Giovanni	19	21
S1L	Mrs Peters	No change
S1D	Mrs Dyga	No change
S1B	Ms Wigney, Mrs Blake	14 Y1 10 Y2	22 Y2
S1P	Mrs Pierpoint	No change
S1W	Ms White	No change
S12C	Ms Chivas (now S2C)	12Y2 18Y3	22 Y3 + 6Y4
S2A	Mr Demir	30	28
S2D	Mrs Dezius	31	29
S2T	Mr Thompson	32	28
S2K	Mrs Kempys	30	28
S3D	Mrs Dale	No change
S3H	Mr Mills	No change
S3B	Mr Booth	No change
S3S	Mr Smith	No change

Our Talented Writers

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

Congratulations to Georgia, Jessica, Brandy and Jaime-Lee who were selected for the Wadalba Schools Learning Community Writing Enrichment Program. This activity is one in a series of enrichment activities that we offer for our talented students in Year 6 in collaboration with our partner schools. The program provides our students with an extra opportunity to develop and nurture their talent and interests.

We look forward to reading the finished work.

World's Biggest Morning Tea

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:59 AEST

Our staff raised $251 for the Cancer Council at the World's Biggest Morning Tea held recently.

Thank you to Mrs Pyle for organising this charitable event for us and to all of the staff who made donations on the day.

Saving water at Woongarrah

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

The rain is falling and the tanks are full! Our stormwater harvesting system is in full swing and our two new water tanks are overflowing.

2010 is the Department of Education and Training Year of Learning for Sustainability. When we speak of 'sustainability' we mean, among other things, planning and managing ways to:

- reduce our consumption of energy

- reduce our consumption of water

- minimise waste

- use efficient transport

- improve purchasing choices

- improve grounds and the built environment.

Our water tanks, "Supported by the NSW Government Climate Change Fund", and massive support from Wyong Council, have provided one more way for us to care for the environment at Woongarrah Public School.

Mufti Day - 2 July

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

One of the important actions by student parliament each year is to decide which charities to support as a student body. We ask each class to nominate up to two charities and the Student Representative Council (SRC) members present the nominations to Parliament. The student parliament then makes the final decision. In this way, all students and classes have had a chance to contribute.

This year, students have chosen to support Jeans for Genes, the cancer Council and the RSPCA. (We also support Stewart House every year by purchasing dolphins for our Super Gold prizes).

A mufti day is planned for 2 July – the last day of term 2 – to raise funds two of the charities. Students are invited to wear jeans (Jeans for Genes) and / or something pink (Cancer Council) for the cost of a gold coin donation.

All funds raised will be shared between the charities.

Paul Kelly Cup Success

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:58 AEST

28 boys and girls proudly represented our school for the first time in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup at Northlakes Oval, San Remo.

The girls were naturals at Australian Rules football and really worked very well together as a team. They listened well to the rules and technique of the game. The girls won their division and qualified for semi final where they were beaten by a goal.

The boy's team improved after each game and this was evident through their kicking skills and general game play. All the boys were fantastic competitors and great sports. They really did have a good time and were unlucky to not to win a game.

Congratulations to both teams for their excellent behaviour and effort in training and on the day.

Thank you to all the mums and dads for your help on the day. These carnivals run much more smoothly because of your help and support.

Cross Country Runners Shine

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

Well done to all of the boys and girls who participated in the Cross Country carnival recently. Congratulations to the Platypus house who finished in first place with 181 points, followed by Kangaroos with 155, Dolphins with 150 and Goannas with 138 points.

Age Champions:

8/9 years boys	Joshua O
8/9 years girls	Anna A
10 years boys	Liam S
10 years girls	Maddison B
11 years boys	Michael M
11 years girls	Ashlee V
12/13 years boys	Scott C
12/13 years girls	Taylah A

Miss Patterson is the Wyong Zone cross country convenor. Good luck to the top 6 competitors from each event who will be representing our school at the zone carnival on Friday 28 May.

What's the weather like?

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:59 AEST

S3D enjoying a presentation from a participating school.

Woongarrah Public School are once again part of a state-wide Connected Learning activity entitled the "Weather and Temperature" Report. (WAT Report)

Last term Mrs Hearne's class responded with enthusiasm, thrilling a number of different schools across the Hunter / Central Coast region with weekly weather reports.

Quality WAT reports have continued this term with Mrs. Dale's class being very creative at showcasing Woongarrah to different schools across the state.

For a bit of fun today, not only did S3D present their WAT report on the SMART BOARD, they also created and shared a movie showing the class playing "Roller Hockey". This presentation was well received by the other schools in the video conference.

Mr. Thompson's class are eagerly awaiting their opportunity to be involved in Connected Learning too. S3T have been creating a Double Jeopardy Quiz and will host and participate in the Jeopardy connected learning initiative early next term.

Connected Learning gets the thumbs up!

Are you up for the challenge?

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

	All our students from K-6 have been enthusiastically participating in the NSW Premier's Primary School Sport Challenge. The aim of the challenge is to have more students, more active more often! and the challenge is certainly having the desired effect at Woongarrah Public School. The school challenge facilitator, Mr Clemson noted "It's just absolutely fantastic to see all 422 students at Woongarrah striving to increase the amount of time they spend on regular, daily physical activity."
As part of the challenge, students record each 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity that they undertake daily.
	The picture above shows some of our eager students recording their physical activity.

LMG Sport a Success

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:22:57 AEST

News just in. The LMG sports initiative was a raging success! Over the past six weeks we have been enthusiastically participating in mixed Soccer (football) and AFL competitions. It has been wonderful to see the development in both individual and team skills during the course of the competition.

Congratulations to everyone involved this term.

We are now looking forward to term three when we will be able to once again demonstrate our skills and expertise in touch football and t-ball.