Term 2 Week 6

Principal's Report

Third Party Software

The main role of the school is to prepare our children to become successful and productive members of our community, providing them with essential literacy and numeracy skills, teaching them how to regulate their emotions, maintain relationships, behave in socially appropriate ways and solve problems.

Our role is also to teach the students how to use the tools necessary to function in a modern society. Technology serves as one of those tools.

Vardys Road Public School is committed to providing a learning environment where all students have ready access to quality technology, when they need it to enhance their learning.

In the same way that third party software has become a normal part of our everyday lives, the school accesses web-based online educational resources involving cloud based storage.

In most instances, students are required to register before accessing the software, by entering the usual details such as name, school year and their educational email address.

The school and the department takes the storage of this data very seriously by only using reliable and trustworthy software providers and ensuring the school has transparency around the web-based software being used.

In the next week, in the interest of such transparency a note will be emailed to seek your consent for your student to access these essential programs that are fundamental to their learning.

Please respond as appropriate and feel free to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns.

Student Reports

If you think that our teachers have been looking a little weary lately... you are probably right!

Over the past few weeks, all the teachers have been working hard preparing the Semester 1 Reports.

These reports give parents and carers a summary of the skills acquired over the past 20 weeks of learning, how their children are progressing academically, behaviourally and socially, as well as current and future areas for development.

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, this year’s reports will be following some changed guidelines and formats.

The new format has been developed by the NSW Department of Education in response to feedback from parents and educators to make reports easier to read and understand.

Your child’s report will still show their progress across all subject areas.

Teacher comments will appear in English, Mathematics and the General Comment section, in line with department policy, while the General Comment for Kindergarten will also cover all other Key Learning Areas including, Creative Arts, HSIE, PDHPE, and Science and Technology.

You may also notice that there has been a change in the achievement scales . Where a child may have in previous reports received a C - 'Sound', the terminology has been changed to 'Expected'.

This language sends the clearer message that a C grade describes a student’s learning as being at an expected grade level, a welcome change for parents/carers and teachers alike.

When the reports are sent home in Week 10, please take the time to sit down with your kids and read through the comments and grades... there is nothing more powerful than an engaged parent/carer, working shoulder to shoulder with their child on the next steps in their child’s learning journey!

Out of School Student Achievements

A month ago we mentioned that our very own Lexie had been chosen in the National BMX team.

The results are now in...Lexie’s team won the test team trophy and the Mighty 11 memorial (all 11 year old boys and girls racing together) award.

Lexie finished 16th out of 32, finishing as the 4^th fastest girl in the group... a huge achievement!

Well done Lexie!

And from August 26th to August 28th Ella will be competing in 2025 NSWPSSA FOOTBALL BOYS & GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP.

GO ELLA!

Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics ( SRE/SEE)

The school currently offers, through a team of tireless volunteers, a variety of SRE/SEE programs, including Protestant, Catholic and Hindu scripture (currently on hold) and ethics classes.

Periodically the school communicates information to the community about these programs so parents and carers can make informed decisions about which programs would best suit their child’s needs.

In this vein, please find later in this newsletter, some information about our Ethics classes.

Enjoy your families,

Ian Short 
Principal

Swim Scheme

This term, 25 of our Year 2 students have been making waves — literally! As part of our school’s Swim Scheme, children begin their swimming lessons directly in the water. This approach helps them build water confidence from day one, and it’s been wonderful to watch them grow in both skill and enthusiasm this week.

Rather than starting with poolside instructions, students are gently introduced to the water in a calm, supportive environment. With the help of trained instructors, they learn how to float, glide, kick, and breathe correctly — all through fun games and structured activities designed just for their age group.

Water safety is a big focus too. Children are taught how to enter and exit the pool safely, stay calm in the water, and understand what to do in case of difficulty. These essential skills help lay the foundation for a lifetime of safe swimming.

We’ve already seen huge progress — from the first nervous steps into the shallow end, to confident glides and happy splashes! Every achievement is celebrated, no matter how small, and it’s clear how much the children enjoy their time in the pool.

Parents/Carers can support their child’s swimming journey by visiting local pools outside of school hours, helping to reinforce the skills they’re learning.

We’re so proud of our young swimmers and look forward to seeing even more progress as the term continues. Keep it up, Year 2 — you’re doing brilliantly!

4 Waratah

4 Waratah has been very active in the classroom, showing great enthusiasm for learning.

Throughout the day, you can observe them diligently engaging in English and Mathematics, participating in daily reviews and interactive experiences with manipulatives, as they explore various methods of learning.

MC Iris

Our peer support teams are doing fantastic work this year!

They are helping other students to resolve conflicts, develop positive communication, and build trust among themselves. Through this work, students have the opportunity to grow personally and learn important social skills in a supportive and friendly environment.

This program is of great benefit to the students in our our MC classes.

K-6 Assembly

At our K–6 assembly, on Monday 2nd June, we  celebrated the talent, teamwork, and the joy of music. The highlight of the event was the performance by our school band, featuring students from Year 3 through to Year 6. They captivated the audience, showcasing the dedication and hard work of our young musicians.

It's Getting Cold

 Brrr...

The weather is getting chilly and with temperatures dropping, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the cold days ahead.

Don't forget to pack or have your child wear a jumper or jacket.

To prevent mix-ups and ensure belongings make their way back home, please clearly label all items with your child's name.

This includes jackets, hats, and any other personal items. Using labels on the inside tags of clothing is highly effective.

Mrs Kelly's News

Book of the Week:

Graphic Novels and Japanese Manga are very popular with older students. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a Japanese Manga is age appropriate. However, a new series that has been made by Disney in Japan called, Twisted Wonderland, has been recently released and is very age appropriate for students in Years 4-6.

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.                            

Non fiction section:

Mr Johnson picked up some new shelves for the library last week.

They look great in the non fiction section and are the perfect height for our students who are enjoying seeing the front covers of the books.

A quote from a Year 3 student when they saw the shelves for the first time: “That looks amazing! I love the library!”

Scholastic Book Club:

Orders are due Thursday 19th June.

From The Office

We hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable long weekend! 

We look forward to seeing you all back at school for another week of learning on Tuesday 10th June 2025.

Mrs Catalanotto, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Alonso and Miss Costa

Do you know someone eligible for Kindergarten in 2026?

Apply on-line now (through our website) for 2026!

Compulsory School Attendance

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

What are my Legal responsibilities?
Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age of 17 years. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or, are registered with the NSW Education and Standards Authority for home schooling.
Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.

The Importance of arriving on time
Arriving at school and class on time:

• Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day
• Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine
• Give students time to greet their friends before class
• Reduces classroom disruption

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.

What if my child has to be away from school?
On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. 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 circumstance (e.g. attending a funeral)
  

Following an absence from school you must ensure that within 7 days you provide your child’s school with written explanation for the absence. However, if the school has not received an explanation from you within 2 days, the school may contact you to discuss the absence.

Principals may decline to accept an explanation that you have provided if they do not believe the absence is in the best interest of your child. In these circumstances your child’s absence would be recorded as unjustified. When this happens the principal will discuss their decision with you and the reasons why.

Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when frequent or long term absences are explained as being due to illness. Principals may also seek parental permission to speak with medical specialists to obtain information to collaboratively develop a health care plan to support your child. If the request is denied, the principal can record the absences as unjustified.

Travel
Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays. If travel during school term is necessary, discuss this with your child’s school principal. An Application for Extended Leave may need 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.

In some circumstances students may be eligible to enrol in distance education for travel periods over 50 school days. This should be discussed with your child’s school principal.

My child won’t go to school what should I do?
You should contact the principal as soon as possible to discuss the issue and ask for help. Strategies to help improve attendance may include a referral to the school’s learning and support team or linking your child with appropriate support networks. The principal may seek further support from the Home School Liaison Program to develop an Attendance Improvement Plan.

What might happen if my child continues to have unacceptable absences?

It is important to understand that the Department of Education may be required to take further action where children of compulsory school age have recurring numbers of unexplained or unjustified absences from school.

Some of the following actions may be undertaken:

• Compulsory Schooling Conferences
  

You may be asked, along with your child, to attend a Compulsory Schooling Conference. The conference will help to identify the supports your child may need to have in place so they attend school regularly. The school, parents and agencies will work together to develop an agreed plan (known as Undertakings) to support your child’s attendance at school.

• Application to the Children’s Court – Compulsory Schooling Order
  

If your child’s attendance at school remains unsatisfactory the Department may apply to the Children’s Court for a Compulsory Schooling Order. The Children’s Court magistrate may order a Compulsory Schooling Conference to be convened.

• Prosecution in the Local Court

School and Department staff remain committed to working in partnership with you to address the issues which are preventing your child’s full participation at school. In circumstances where a breach of compulsory schooling orders occurs further action may be taken against a parent in the Local Court. The result of court action can be the imposition of a community service order or a fine.

What age can my child leave school?
All New South Wales students must complete Year 10 or its equivalent. After Year 10, and up until they reach 17 years of age, there are a range of flexible options for students to complete their schooling.

Working in Partnership

The NSW Department of Education recognises that working collaboratively with students and their families is the best way to support the regular attendance of students at school.
We look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child to fulfil their life opportunities.

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 3, 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 9 – 1/2 Apple and 5 Aqua 

Extended Leave (10 schools day or more)

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

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. 

Ethics Update - June 2025

For parents of children attending Ethics during the SRE/SEE (Religion/Ethics) timeslot on Thursday mornings, you can find out more about the topics being discussed in class by subscribing to the Ethics @Home email bulletin. @Home is issued each term by Primary Ethics, who are the approved provider of Ethics classes in NSW, conduct all volunteer teacher training, and provide volunteer teachers with their scripted lesson materials.

The Term 2 @Home email bulletin was distributed by Primary Ethics in May, and can also be found at the following link: https://primaryethics.com.au/home-bulletin-term-2-2025/. To subscribe to future @Home bulletins, please use the link within the bulletin article.

If you missed out on the Term 1 bulletin, it can be found here: https://primaryethics.com.au/home-bulletin-term-1-2025/. The content from Term 1 will be relevant to Kindy now, as they have just started their SRE/SEE classes this term.

For anyone interested in seeing an excerpt of an Ethics class, the Insight program on SBS-TV visited a Sydney public school in 2023 and filmed a Stage 2 ethics class on Empathy. It’s just a snippet of a 30 minute lesson, but a good example of an Ethics ‘community of inquiry’ in action. Watch the excerpt here: https://primaryethics.com.au/empathy-insight-sbs-tv/

The Ethics program at Vardys Road continues to offer at least one class for each Stage (2 classes each for Stage 1 and Stage 3 this year), thanks to our fabulous team of volunteer teachers, made up of parents, grandparents and community members. Each of our classes still have a few places available, giving us the flexibility to accept additional students throughout the year.

If you are interested in joining our volunteer team (no prior teaching experience required), please feel free to register for one of the monthly Primary Ethics information sessions – the next is Monday 16^th June, 12:30-1:30pm: https://primaryethics.com.au/empowering-young-minds-webinars/.

For further information about the Ethics program at Vardys Road, please don’t hesitate to contact our school’s volunteer Ethics Coordinator, Karen Biernat, at: ethicsatvardysroad@outlook.com.

Recipe of the Week

Healthy 3-ingredient banana mini muffins

Ingredients

• 2 medium bananas, mashed
• 180g (2/3 cup) thick and creamy vanilla yoghurt
• 150g (1 cup) self-raising flour
  

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced. Grease a 24-hole mini muffin pan.

Step 2

Combine yoghurt and banana in a large bowl. Gradually stir in flour until just combined.

Step 3

Spoon mixture into muffin holes. Bake for 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.  Set aside in the pan for 2 minutes to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Thought of the Week