Term 2 Week 4
Principal's Report
National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme 'Connecting Communities'.
There has never been a time when this message has been more important.
At a time when communities are often divided for political gain, communities connecting with each other to reach a common goal, often act as the guiding light on how shoulder to shoulder, collective problem solving should work.
The saying that 'it takes a village to raise a child' demonstrates that point and at Vardys we have plenty of examples of how that can work in practise.
The Election BBQ and the Easter Raffle were two cases in point, where our committed and hard-working P&C spent many hours preparing and managing these two programs while being ably supported by community helpers throwing their support in any way they could; from donating an hour on the BBQ to donating a cake, our community worked together for the good of our kids and to build community spirit.
Many thanks to you all... the way we find ways to contribute certainly makes a difference and many thanks to our P&C who are often the conduit for this community spirit...
Happy Volunteer Week!
Playground Games
Talking about working together!
The Student Representative Council, the P&C and the Positive Behaviour for Learning Committee have all been working together to purchase some more games for the playground. From games in the playground cupboards, to new garden pathways, these groups have worked together to collectively decide on what is needed and are now starting to purchase these items... together we belong and together we can do some great things.
Wellbeing Groups
A few new initiatives (and some old favourites) have started over the last few weeks.
The Drum Beat Program, which helps kids work as a team to regulate emotions is making a return to Vardys as well as our Gardening Program, both masterfully led by Mr Stanek and Ben Sterland, our new Community Wellbeing Officer.
Mrs Kelly in the library has also started up a Book Club, which has been immensely popular.
These programs play an essential role in ensuring our kids belong in our beautiful school.
Wellbeing Focus
To tie in with our UR Strong Program this term, our new PBL focus is Talk-It-Out.
The purpose of making this our focus is to discuss with our students the importance of using their words rather than becoming aggressive when a negative situation occurs with their peers.
We are also building the capacity of students to deal with friendship fires before minor disagreements escalate... probably a good message for all of us!
Thanks to Mrs Christian and Mrs Sachdev for guiding these discussions so well.
School Photos
The school photos are just weeks away with our photographers at Stage 6 of the following flow chart.
Many thanks for your patience and a shout to MSP for working with the P&C to streamline this process.
Cross Country
Many thanks to Mr McDonald and Mr Bromhead who managed the Zone Cross Country team last week... and what a successful day!
Congratulations to the team for coming 6th out of 21 schools... once again punching above our weight... and congratulations to Hudson, Zayn, Nathan and Charli (Reserve) for making the regional carnival; a huge achievement!
Enjoy your families,
Ian Short
Principal
Athletics Carnival
On Tuesday 6th May, students in Year 2 (those turning 8 this year) to Year 6 took part in our annual Athletics Carnival at Charlie Bali Reserve, Doonside. It was a fantastic day filled with sunshine, enthusiasm, and great sporting spirit. It was wonderful to see so many students enjoying the events and giving their best.
A special thank you to our parent/carer helpers, and the students from Seven Hills High School for their invaluable support on the day. The carnival could not have run so smoothly without them.
Several students will be invited to represent Vardys Road at the upcoming Zone Carnival. In line with Zone regulations, the top two performers in each event qualify, except for the 100m sprint, where the top three are selected. While many students met qualifying standards, we are limited to sending two participants per event.
Event groupings are as follows:
100m sprint: individual age groups (8–13 years)
All other events:
- Juniors: 8, 9 & 10-year-olds
- 11 Years
- 12 & 13 Years
We are proud of all students who participated and thank our school community for your ongoing support. Our selection process aligns with guidelines set by Seven Hills Zone, Sydney West Region, and State/National athletics bodies.
Well done, Vardys Road Public School !
Mrs Miller & Mr McDonald
Carnival Organisers
Zone Cross Country
On Friday 16th May, around 40 of our students proudly represented Vardys Road at the annual Wentworthville/Seven Hills Zone Cross Country. Our students gave their best, showing both strong competitiveness and great sportsmanship. Well done to everyone who took part!
A special thank you to Mr Bromhead for his excellent leadership as team manager.
Congratulations to the following four students who have qualified for the Sydney West Regional Cross Country on Thursday June 26th: Tye, Hudson, Zayn, Nathan and Charli (Reserve)
We look forward to seeing your continued achievements!
Mr McDonald
Zone Cross Country Coordinator
Mum's Help Us Bloom
On the morning of Friday, May 9th, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming our amazing Mums and cherished Mother-Figures for a special celebration in their honour. It was a joyful event filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt appreciation.
We hope that everyone who attended enjoyed a relaxing morning sharing muffins and spending quality time with their children. One of the highlights was watching everyone get creative while making beautiful flower bouquets.
We’re also proud to share that, thanks to your generosity, we raised $415 for the Breast Cancer Foundation. Your support will help make a difference in the lives of many women and families affected by breast cancer.
We hope you all felt truly celebrated and left with full hearts (and full hands!).
Thank you for everything you do—your love, care, and strength inspire us all.
From The Office
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Enroll now for 2026!
Mrs Kelly's News
Book of the Week:
This week is National Simultaneous Story Time, where schools all around Australia read the same book. The Truck Cat shares the life of Yacoub and his quest to connect with others. During the week our students will be reading the story and completing various activities.
Fun in the Library:
The library is not only a great place to read books, but it is also a place where students learn and play.
Archie, Dakshi and Jaxx were all taking turns while playing Snakes and Ladders in the library.
Chapter Champs Book Club:
Last Friday students came to the library at recess to join in the first meeting of the Chapter Champs Book Club. Students got the chance to talk to each other about their favourite books. This helps create friendships and helps students learn about books that may be different to what they usually read.
Term 2 K-6 Assemblies and Class Items
Term 2 marked the exciting return of class assembly items, with standout performances.
We’re thrilled to continue these class presentations during our K-6 Assemblies in Term 2.
Assemblies will be held at 2:10pm on Mondays in Weeks 6, and 9.
Participating in a class item helps students build self-confidence, fosters a strong sense of belonging, and gives them the opportunity to showcase a glimpse of their learning to peers and family members.
Our Term 2 Program:
- Week 6 – 6 Turquoise
- Week 9 – 1/2 Apple and 5 Aqua
Have Your Details Changed?
Have you changed any of your contact details?
If the answer is yes, then it is very important that you notify the school office so we can amend our records.
Details can simply be updated by visiting the School Bytes Parent Portal and completing the 'Change of Details Form' located in forms.
Extended Leave
Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays.
If travel during school term is necessary, an 'Application for Extended Leave' is needed to be completed. Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and, therefore, contribute to your child's total absences for the year.
To apply for leave, you should complete the Application for extended leave travel form (10 schools day or more) located in School Bytes under 'Forms' in the Parent Portal.
Please note you will be required to attach relevant travel documentation such as an e-ticket or itinerary.
P&C News
Uniform Shop Updates:
This term, the shop will be open during the following days and times:
- Mondays: 8:30am - 9:30am
- Tuesdays: 2:15pm - 3:15pm
- Thursdays: 9:00am - 10:00am
- Fridays: 2:20pm - 3:20pm
Online ordering is always available!
Orders typically arrive in your child’s classroom within one to two days. Just be sure to add your child's name and class in the Notes section during checkout: Order here
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 16th June 2025
Time: 7:30pm
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 9th June 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.
P&C Role Vacancies
Following the Term 1 Week 8 AGM, we now have a couple of role vacancies, so please consider whether you'd be able to take on one of these important volunteer roles. See the Roles & Responsibilities document for more details, but here's a summary of what's involved:
- Secretary – are you highly organised (e.g. love ticking tasks off lists!)? - this could be the role for you!! Responsible for the day to day organisation of the P&C, including checking the Team email account, following the meeting papers schedule for requesting agenda items, preparing meeting papers, and recording the minutes, maintaining the member register and volunteer register, and assisting other P&C roles with documentation if needed, e.g. to notify our insurance company in preparation for P&C events.
- Planning & Projects Coordinator - this role works closely with the President and has a longer-term focus, coordinating the planning process with the P&C Executive, and is involved in running any major projects that come out of the planning process.
Please contact team@vrpspc.org.au to express interest or to ask questions.
Recipe of the Week
Ricotta Pikelets with Strawberries
Ingredients
- 2 cups sifted self-raising flour
- 2/3 cup caster sugar
- 2 lightly beaten eggs
- 60g melted butter
- ground cinnamon
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 125g crumbled low-fat ricotta
- Fresh strawberries, to serve
- Maple syrup, to serve
Method
Place flour and caster sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs, butter, a pinch of cinnamon and milk, whisk lightly until fully combined. Stir through ricotta.
Heat a lightly greased non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Drop tablespoonfuls of mixture into the pan and cook for two minutes or until bubbles appear on pikelets. Turn carefully and cook other side for a further 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan and keep pikelets warm as you cook remaining batter.
Serve pikelets stacked with fresh strawberries and drizzled with maple syrup.
Thought of the Week
