Term 4 Week 4
Principal's Report
Celebrating School Counsellor and School Psychologist Recognition Day
On Thursday, we will celebrate School Counsellor and School Psychologist Recognition Day. This day recognises and celebrates the unique role our counsellor, Natasha Francis, plays in supporting students, families and schools.
This year’s theme, 'Together, We Grow', celebrates the role of school counsellors and psychologists in creating the conditions for growth—within students, school communities, and the profession itself.
I am sure you would agree that Ms Francis epitomises these roles perfectly, supporting our kids, our families and the staff... every day with a warm smile and a seemingly endless bucket of empathetic professionalism.
We are certainly lucky to have such a capable, insightful and caring counsellor at Vardys Road Public School ready to guide, support and inspire.
Enjoy your special day Natasha!
School Band - Are you up to the challenge? - Reminder
On November 20, we will be holding a special Band Demonstration assembly.
This will be an opportunity for students to see the band in action, hear about the various instruments and find out how to join.
The band provides a simple way for your child to learn a musical instrument while also giving them an opportunity to perform and work as a team.
More information will be sent home after that assembly, but start the conversation with your child now... it could be the beginning of a life-long passion.
Not Returning to Vardys Road Public School in 2026?
The accurate number of students attending Vardys Road Public School next year is a critical factor in our planning and organisation of classes for 2026. To ensure that we have a smooth start to the new year, we need to know exactly how many students will be at Vardys Road Public School. This affects the number of classes and teachers allocated to the school by the Department of Education.
It is essential that we have written advice:
- if your family is moving, please advise what school your child/children will attend in 2026
- if your child/children will be starting school later than the first day in 2026
- if your family will not be at school for the start of 2026 please submit a letter explaining the absence and clearly state your intended return date. Without this we are not able to include your child/children in class formations and this greatly impacts on the start of classes for next year.
We kindly ask families with students currently in Kindergarten to Year 5 (2025) who already know they will not be returning to Vardys Road Public School in 2026 to complete the online form via the School Bytes Parent Portal.
To do this, please go to the Forms tab, then select Parent, and complete the relevant form.
Class Placement
It is at this time of the year that schools start to plan for their next year’s classes and programs.
To assist us in our planning, families who are considering enrolling a child in our school are asked to contact us as soon as possible.
We also encourage parents/carers who would like to discuss an issue that may affect class placement for next year, to contact the office staff to make an appointment to see me.
Parents/Carers obviously know their children the best out of the many people who teach and support their children at school each day. It is therefore crucial that social, emotional, behavioural and educational issues are discussed early so the outcomes of these discussions can be made part of the class placement process later in the year.
This information will be used by the teachers to best place your children in the most appropriate class next year.
The teachers will also be looking at friendship groupings. This often involves students nominating students who they work well with in class. Please note that this information is combined with parent/carer input, academic needs, behavioural data, student groupings and many other considerations and as such student nominations are not always congruent with the students’ greater needs.
We will be discussing this with the kids later in the term and parents/carers are asked to do the same.
While social connections are an important consideration in forming classes, often this information is counter-balanced by other crucial factors.
Preschool Screening
Our aim this year is to have every preschooler starting at Vardys Road Public School in 2026, screened by an Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist before starting in Kindergarten.
These screening sessions are going to be conducted as part of the Playgroup sessions on the mornings of Tuesday 11th November, 18th November and 25th November.
Parents/Carers of preschoolers are asked to register their attendance here.
Combined School Musical
Following the success of Shrek the Musical JR in 2025, The Department of Education’s Arts Unit is inviting schools and individual familes to participate in the 2026 Combined Schools Musical production of Mary Poppins JR.
The program offers students, with a specific Creative and Performing Arts talent to perform in a high-quality staged musical experience.
Individual students may apply to be part of the Lead Cast, engaging in a number of intensive Saturday rehearsals at The Arts Unit, Lewisham, in the lead-up to performances. This provides an engaging High Potential and Gifted Education opportunity, allowing students to extend their skills in singing, acting and dancing while working and connecting with other like-minded students from across the state.
For more details and to apply, please visit The Arts Unit website or click on the link below.
Parking
Every school has limited parking in neighbouring streets, with the only feasible solution being arriving early or parking a little way away from the school and walking the short distance to school.
While it is tempting to use the school’s carpark, neighbours’ driveways, our preschool carparks or an illegal space as a solution to finding a spot in our crowded streets, this also dramatically increases the chances of a child being hit by a car.
Please ensure that you park your cars safely. It will protect our children from an avoidable tragedy as well as supporting our neighbours and local businesses.
Congratulation Zayn
Zayn has been successful in being selected for a Soccer Tournament in Spain in December.
Congratulations Zayn… what an honour!
Wishing you all a great fortnight ahead!
Ian Short
Principal
Kindergarten Public Speaking
Our youngest students have had a chance to start their public speaking journey through reading their favourite picture book to their class. We could tell they had rehearsed at home because many presentations were filled with exactly what we were looking for - appropriate volume, fluency and expression! Thank you, parents and carers, for assisting your child with their readings!
Each class had a winner and highly commended award:
- K Buttercup: Hudson
- K Daisy: Milla and Alaya
The overall Early Stage 1 Highly Commended winner was Alaya!
Don’t they all look proud!
Congratulations everyone!
Miss Anderson
Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal
School Spec 2025
Over the past few weeks, we have been proud to have 15 outstanding students actively participating in the rehearsal process for this year’s Schools Spectacular production, titled ‘Remarkable’. These dedicated students have been working diligently to learn approximately 22 songs, complete with choreography and movement, demonstrating great enthusiasm and commitment throughout every rehearsal session.
The culmination of their hard work will be showcased in a spectacular live performance scheduled for the end of November at the prestigious Qudos Bank Arena. This event promises to be a memorable celebration of talent and teamwork, featuring students from all across the state.
If you would like to support our students and experience this incredible show firsthand, tickets are available for purchase through the following link. We warmly encourage you to attend and celebrate the remarkable efforts of our students as they take to the big stage.
4 Waratah & Their Pen Licenses
4 Waratah students are diligently practising their handwriting as they work towards earning their pen license. They are focused on improving their letter formation, spacing and overall neatness. Their focus and effort are bringing them closer to achieving their goal.
Year 6 Games Day
What an incredible day it was for our Year 6 Games Day 2025! The sun was shining, the energy was high, and Vardys Road Public School was filled with laughter, teamwork, and school spirit.
Students from all grades took part in a range of fun and exciting activities, cheering each other on and showing great sportsmanship. A special mention goes to our Kindergarten students, who joined in their very first Games Day with huge smiles and boundless enthusiasm!
A big thank you to our amazing Year 6 students for their hard work in organising such a memorable event — your leadership and effort truly made the day a success.
It was a wonderful celebration of community, fun, and friendship and a day we will all remember!
From the Office
A friendly reminder that if your child is absent, please submit all absences through the School Bytes parent portal.
For absences longer than 10 days e.g. travel, please remember to submit an Application for Extended Leave via the School Bytes parent portal. You’ll find the form under ‘Forms’ and then ‘Attendance’.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Mrs Catalanotto, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Alonso, Mrs Burns and Miss Costa
K–6 Assembly
It’s been a joy to watch our students shine in their class assembly items this year, delivering some truly spectacular performances. We’re excited to continue showcasing our final class presentation for the year at our Term 4 K–6 Assembly
This assembly will take place at 2:10pm on Mondays in Week 6.
Our Term 4 Program:
Week 6 - Monday 17th November - Lavender, Iris, Violet and 3 Cherry
Save the Date!
Verve will be held at Seven Hills High School on Thursday, 4th December at 6:00 pm.
Tickets are $6 each.
Kindergarten 2026
If your child coming to 'big' school in 2026?
Enrol now so you don't miss out on our Orientation Sessions. Information will be sent directly to enrolled families.
SESSION 1: Monday 10th November 2025- From 9:30AM - 11:00AM
SESSION 2: Monday 17th November 2025 - From 9:30AM - 11:00AM
Do you know someone eligible for Kindergarten in 2026?
Apply on-line now (through our website) for 2026!
Amazing Kindy 2026 Opportunity!
Come and join the fun with our Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist!
They’ll be running awesome activities, sharing tips, and helping your little one get ready for Kindy in a fun, relaxed way.
👧🧒 Who: Children aged 0–5 years with their parents or carers
🎶 What’s happening: Songs • Craft • Story time • Learning through play
🍎 Bring along: A yummy snack for your child to enjoy
🗓️ When:
11th November – Speech fun
18th November – More Speech fun
25th November – OT & Speech together!
💬 RSVP: Scan the QR code or fill out the form below 👇
🔗 Click here to RSVP!
📧 If you have any questions please email Rebecca Anderson at rebecca.anderson41@det.nsw.edu.au
P&C News
Uniform Shop:
This term, the shop will be open during the following days and times:
- Mondays: 8:30am - 9:30am
- Wednesdays: 2:15pm - 3:00pm
- Thursdays: 9:00am - 10:00am
- Fridays: 2:20pm - 3:20pm
As we head into the warmer months, if you have any winter school uniforms that are piling up in your wardrobes feel free to drop them to the uniform shops' secondhand item pool.
Online ordering is always available, and orders should be delivered to your child’s classroom within the next day or two (be sure to include your child’s name and class in the Notes section at checkout):
https://www.vrpspc.org.au/s/shop
P&C Meetings
The P&C met this week on Monday 3rd November. Thank you to all who attended in person or online.
At the meeting we discussed:
- Request for expressions of interest in a number of roles that will be vacated by current members, who will have completed their 3 year term at the Term 1 Week 8 AGM in 2026.
- How amazing the Twilight Markets were last term, and how grateful we are to the sub-committee members who organised it and the community who turned out in great numbers to be a part of the magical atmosphere.
- The Disco and BBQ from the end of Term 3 – this event was again pulled off in collaboration between the school staff and P&C. It was fantastic to see everyone in their Hero and Villain costumes and having fun!
- Mr Short gave updates about what has been happening at the school and what is coming up.
- Questions and issues discussed included the planned updates to the School Excellence Plan, and an upcoming parent survey.
P&C Meetings
All members of our school community are welcome to attend our upcoming P&C Meeting.Our next meeting will be:
Date: Monday 1st December 2025
Time: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Place: Library and online via Microsoft Teams.
This meeting link will also be available on the P&C Facebook page and website.
Agenda Items: If you’d like to include an item on our agenda, please email team@vrpspc.org.au
by Monday 24th November 2025
We love welcoming new members, or welcoming back old ones, so if you’ve been meaning to join or rejoin we’d love to have you! Send through your membership form or get in touch with any questions via email: team@vrpspc.org.au , or check out our website: https://www.vrpspc.org.au for further information.
Recipe of the Week
Mini cheese and bacon 'sausage' rolls
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 200g short cut bacon rashers, finely chopped
- 500g fresh ricotta, drained (see note)
- 125g (1 cup) pre-grated 4 cheese melt blend
- 1 egg, lightly whisked
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, just thawed
- 2 egg yolks, strained
Method
Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan forced. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, combine ricotta, cheese blend and egg in a large bowl. Season. Add bacon and stir until combined.
Halve pastry sheets. Divide ricotta mixture among pastry halves. Mould ricotta mixture into log shape along 1 long side of pastry half, leaving 3cm border. Brush the opposite edge with beaten egg. Roll up to enclose filling. Cut into 6 pieces and arrange, seam side down, on prepared trays. Repeat with remaining filling and pastry.
Brush with egg yolk. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool slightly before serving.
Thought of the Week
