The Brief | Term 4 Week 8

Principal Message

Semester 2 Academic Reports

Floraville Public School is committed to keeping you updated on your child's academic development. Semester 2 Reports will be released on Friday, December 13. This report offers a comprehensive summary of your child's progress during the second semester.

How will you receive your child’s report?

Reports will be distributed via School Bytes. You will receive an email notification regarding your child’s report.

If you ever want to review your child’s report, or view past reports, this can easily be done via the School Bytes Parent App.

1. Log in to the School Bytes Parent App
2. Click on Resources
3. Reports will be sitting under ‘Students documents’, Academic Report.

Understanding your child’s report

To keep everyone informed, we will again be providing a list of key terms and phrases that you might encounter in your child’s Semester 2 Academic Report. Our goal is to communicate clearly in straightforward language; however, there may be instances where educational terminology is necessary. The glossaries we share are designed to assist you! They could even lead to engaging conversations at the dinner table as you and your child delve into these terms together. We encourage you to use the glossaries as a starting point to discuss your child's learning experiences and celebrate their successes!

Updates for 2025

We would like to take a moment to update our families on an important process we are currently undertaking—forming classes for the 2025 school year. This is a significant endeavour that involves considerable thought, care, and collaboration among our staff. We are committed to creating balanced classes that promote a positive learning environment and support the diverse needs of all our students.

As we navigate this challenging process, we appreciate your understanding and support. It is important for us to ensure that every child is placed in a setting where they can thrive academically and socially.

For the 2025 school year, we will be forming the following classes: 

While we strive to maintain these plans, unforeseen circumstances such as staffing changes or enrolment fluctuations may necessitate adjustments.

We encourage you to reach out if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to provide the best educational experience for your children.

Deputy Principal position

As previously raised and discussed with our P&C, the Deputy Principal position at our school has been officially disestablished. This decision follows a three-year review process, where it was determined that the role no longer meets the current requirements set by the Department of Education. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these changes together.

Term 4 Events - updates

Christmas Picnic on the Flat – Tuesday 10 December
In the event of inclement weather - this event will be cancelled. Additionally, Gate 9 - Imperial Close - will be open to support families attending the Christmas Picnic on the Flat.
Presentation Day – Thursday 12 December
Families will be notified if children are going to be recognised for an achievement at Presentation Day. Please be advised that email notifications were sent out to families on Tuesday 26 November.
Party Day – Monday 16 December
All Party Day notes have been sent out via School Bytes. Reminders were sent home earlier today, and we will continue to send regular reminders as we recognise this is a very busy time of the year!
Year 6 Farewell – Tuesday 17 December
Year 6 Clap Out – Wednesday 18 December
This will commence at approximately 2:30pm under the Infants COLA.
Last day for students – Wednesday 18 December

Kirstie Yeo
Principal

Awabakal Word of the Week

Early Stage 1

English 

Over the next two weeks, Kindergarten will complete a DoE English Unit 18. Students will consider characters' actions, thoughts, and feelings and explore how these can be represented through intentional language choices. They will innovate from mentor and supporting texts to compose literary descriptions of real or imagined characters. 

In class, we have been working hard to develop our writing stamina and focusing on adding details to our writing using compound sentences. Check out some of our awesome work! 

Mathematics

In mathematics the next two-week unit develops student knowledge, understanding and skills of combining, separating, comparing and forming groups with quantities. Students are provided opportunities to:

• combine and separate quantities to identify the smaller parts that are found within a total quantity
• compare quantities and identify the difference between quantities or equal groups
• distribute items from a collection into smaller groups and recognise whether the groups are equal or not.

Physical Education (PE)

In PE this term, lessons have been focused on the key inquiry questions: How can we solve problems when moving? Students have explored how our bodies move by developing a variety of movement skills and sequences. They engaged in activities focused on locomotor and object control skills, enhancing their ability to move in different directions and interact safely with objects. Through collaborative games and challenges, students learned to solve problems while moving, gaining a deeper understanding of how their bodies relate to space, time, and effort. These lessons not only foster students’ physical development but also promote teamwork and critical thinking skills.

Kindergarten Carols Song

Kindergarten will be performing 'Go Santa, Go' at the Carols next Tuesday. If your child would like to practice our song and dance, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWGJGzpXceQ 

Miss Gee
Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 1

We are still hard at work! Attendance is important and we love teaching and learning right up until the break. This is a busy time for families, and at school. Be sure to check the calendar on School Bytes to stay up to date.

English

Each class has chosen focuses that support their student at their point of need.

Mathematics

The next “big idea” we are exploring in mathematics is;

“Problems can be solved and represented in different ways”.

This two-week unit develops student knowledge, understanding and skills to solve problems using critical and strategic thinking. Students are provided opportunities to: 

• solve modelled problems concretely, pictorially, and symbolically to help develop fluency
• count and order a collection of items
• place numbers accurately on a number line
• use symbols to represent a story
• investigate time and duration problems using calendars and clocks 
• solve addition and subtraction problems using objects, diagrams, images and models 
• record answers to multiplication and division problems (including those with remainders) using drawings, words and numerals.
  

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

As you set up your diary and calendar for 2025, involve your child. Discuss what day of the week events fall on. How far is it between people’s birthdays? Which season is each birthday? Do you notice any patterns?

Challenge #1

You will need:

• items such as lego blocks, lima beans, rice or pasta
• pencils or markers
• paper

Instructions

• Take a handful of lego (or lima beans or pasta or rice).
• Hold the objects in your hand and imagine how many you have
• Record your estimate
• Describe what that collection might look like by visualising and imagining
• Organise your collection so that someone can determine how many items there are by looking and thinking

Discuss

• How many do you have altogether?
• How have you organised your collection?
• Did you have more or less than your estimation?
• Can you organise them differently?
• How many ways can you arrange your collection so that you can see how many there are by looking and thinking?

Challenge #2

Build understanding of place value by forming and ordering three-digit numbers in a sequence.

1. Explain that the aim of the game is to position three-digit numbers in a sequence on a gameboard.
2. Children roll the dice and create a three-digit number. For example, 6, 2 and 9 could be recorded as 629, 692, 296, 269, 962 or 926. Players record their chosen number in the most appropriate position between 100 and 1000 (see Figure 1)
   

Figure 1 – Place value gameboard

       3. If numbers cannot be placed, students miss their turn. Play continues until all boxes are filled.

Living Safely with Pets Program

The Living Safely with Pets Program will take place at school on Wednesday 11 December. This free program is offered to primary schools across NSW and is designed for students in K to 2. It teaches children about being responsible pet owners and how to interact safely with dogs. Pet educators, along with their specially trained dogs, will visit our school to present the program. The presentations will be engaging and informative, using multimedia tools, role play, songs, and storytelling to capture the students' attention.

Physical Education

Our Stage 1 students are enjoying their sports rotations. It has been wonderful to see teamwork developing between the small groups. Students have been sharing turns, encouraging each other to do their best and celebrating achievements. Below you can see some photos of 1/2K playing “Newcombe ball”.

Nginuwa!

Miss Katen
Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 2

Mixing It Up

This week, Stage 2 students enjoyed a dynamic and engaging activity that encouraged collaboration and creativity. Students were mixed into diverse friendship groups and rotated through various activities led by different teachers. The two-hour session was filled with fun and learning as students tackled STEM challenges, crafted intricate snowflakes, played engaging board games, and explored the art of weaving. By visiting different classrooms and participating in new experiences, students had the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, make new friends, and develop important social skills. 

Practice Makes Perfect!

Students have also been hard at work preparing for the upcoming Christmas picnic. They have been diligently practising their singing skills, particularly focusing on "The 12 Days of Christmas" in Awabakal language. This performance promises to be something truly special. Additionally, students are preparing for their grade item, which is getting everyone into the Christmas spirit.  We hope to see you all on Tuesday 10 December. 

Learning About Culture

I had the pleasure of visiting 3B this week when Mrs Morley-Davis taught the students about the significance of a possum skin cloak. The possum skin cloak holds significance in Aboriginal culture, serving as a vital symbol of identity, heritage, and connection to the land. Traditionally crafted from the skins of possums, it not only provides warmth and protection but also includes the stories and traditions of the wearer and is often decorated with intricate designs. 

Party Day

Payment for the Stage 2 Party Day is now overdue. Thank you to the families that have indicated that their child will be attending the event on Monday 16 December. The popcorn and drinks need to be pre-ordered by this Friday so if you have not already responded via School Bytes, please make it a priority. Students will not be permitted to make purchases on the day.  

 The calendar is full of exciting activities and the students are looking forward to a busy end of term. 

Mr O'Shannessy
Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Stage 3

Mathematics

Stage 3 continue to develop the big idea that our number system extends infinitely to very large and very small numbers.

Year 5 will focus on:

• recognising that negative whole numbers can result from subtraction
• making connections between benchmark fractions, decimals and percentages
• selecting and applying appropriate strategies to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems.

Year 6 will focus on:

• determining benchmark percentage discounts
• connecting decimals, percentages and fractions
• exploring the use of brackets and the order of operations.

Year 6 2025 Shirt

Orders for the Year 6 2025 shirt are due by the end of this week, Friday 6 December. Please ensure your order has been placed. 

End of Year Activities 

The following end of year celebrations are fast approaching and students are very excited! Please ensure permissions and payments have been made by the due dates. 

Fun Day- permission and payment due 9/12/2024

Year 5 Party Day- Ninja Park - Waiver is required to be filled out and payment made by 9/12/24 

Year 6 Party Day- The Forum Sports & Aquatic Centre - permission and payment due 11/12/24

Year 6 Farewell- Swansea RSL- payment due 9/12/2024

Mrs Martinez
Stage 3 Assistant Principal

School News

Year 6 Fun Day

Christmas Picnic on the Flat

School Opal Card

From The Office

Lost Property

As we approach the end of the term, we would like to remind you to check our lost property collection for any missing items, including clothing, drink bottles, and lunch boxes. All unclaimed items will be available for collection until the end of the school day on Wednesday, 18 December. After this date, any remaining drink bottles and lunch boxes will unfortunately be discarded.

We encourage you to come by and have a look before the holiday break – we’d love to reunite lost items with their owners!

Beat the Bite

As part of this initiative, our school has been provided with RID Tropical Antiseptic Bite Protection 100ml pump spray bottles that are available for families to purchase at a discounted cost of $5 (RRP $9.50).  These can be purchased from the office with cash or EFTPOS, or you can log into your School Bytes parent portal, go to the ‘Payments’ tab, select the ‘Add other item’ tab, and from there you can complete your purchase.

For all online purchases, office staff will send these home with students, or email the school if you would prefer to collect your order from the office.

Sports News

Hunter PSSA Recognition

Congratulations to Zahra who was acknowledged with a Sporting Excellence Award at the Hunter PSSA Annual Sports Awards at Murrook Educational Centre on Wednesday 4 December. 

The Excellence Awards are presented to students who have continually performed with outstanding merit in 3 or more sports in a Hunter team attending NSWPSSA Championships. Zahra represented the Hunter PSSA for Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming.

2025 Cricket Trials

In Term 4, we had the pleasure of having five Year 5 students—three boys and two girls—trial for the 2025 PSSA Cricket Teams. While none of the boys were selected this time, they showcased commendable confidence and resilience throughout the trial process. As for the girls, we are still awaiting updates regarding their trial results.

Sport for 2025

Last year we trialed sending out a form to families from Years 3 to 6, to sit with their child and decide on the sporting opportunities in which they would like to be considered for in the following year. We found this information valuable in supporting our students and we will again be sending information to families in the coming week. We ask for this to be filled out by the end of the year.  

We will continue to ask for student interest again in the lead-up to events, but we are aiming to have a good idea of who is interested before events, so that no interested student is overlooked. 

To assist families there are 3 levels of Sport: 

1. School Based Teams

These are teams that the school MAY have depending on the opportunities that are available in 2025. 
Most of these sporting opportunities are focused on participation and not competition-based. 
We do intend on participating in inter-school competitions again in Term 2 and 3 in 2025 (these sports have a cost associated with them - last year the cost was approx $80 per term)
Other teams may be one-off teams to play on gala days or challenge cups (these sports usually have a small cost associated).

2. PSSA Knockouts

These are competitive knockout competitions and a school team will be trialed and selected to represent the school – preference will be towards Stage 3 students, however Stage 2 students may be invited to trial.
Please be aware that there may be a short turnaround and notification of games at different venues and times depending on the state draw. All knockout matches require private transport.

3. PSSA Trials

The Eastlakes Zone PSSA hold trial days for representative teams and individual sports – students are invited to attend that excel in their chosen sport. It would be expected that students play these sports outside of school and have demonstrated talent in their sport/s. 
Depending on the popularity of the sport we may run trials at school to select students to attend Eastlakes trials. These trials are open to students from Years 3-6; however, students in Year 3 and 4 would need to be exceptional in the chosen sport as they would represent against mainly Year 5 and 6 students, with the exception of Rugby League who have an Open team (U12/13) and a U11 team.
We have a limited number of students which we can send to each trial. 
Students who are selected in these sports would then be invited to play in a representative carnival for further selection at the regional, State or National level. 

Information on the Eastlakes PSSA can be found on the Eastlakes Zone PSSA Website: https://eastlakemacquarie.primarysport.com.au/ 

U/12 Girls Rebecca Young Challenge

Last Thursday, our senior girls had the exciting opportunity to participate in the NRL U/12 Girls Rebecca Young Challenge, 7 a-side gala day at Lakeside Sporting Complex in Raymond Terrace. This event marked a significant milestone for our school as it was the first time our U/12 girls took part in this non-competitive gala day designed to promote girls' participation in rugby league.

Despite the hot weather, the nine girls who represented Floraville Public School showed outstanding resilience and determination throughout the day. Each player demonstrated great skill and teamwork. They faced off against teams that had much more experience, but remained focused and competitive, showcasing their enjoyment of the sporting opportunity.

Many thanks to the parents who helped with transport and attended the event, making it a memorable day for the girls. We look forward to seeing the girls participation in future events!

Mr Cox

Important Sports Carnival Dates for 2025

P&C Community News

Christmas Picnic on the Flat

The P&C will be having a small stall at the Christmas Picnic on Tuesday 10th December. We will be selling ice blocks, cold drinks, and fun Christmas accessories for the kids (priced from $1 - $3). Cash and EFTPOS sales available. We need a few more helpers on the night as many of the P&C team are unavailable. We appreciate everyone is there to spend time with family and friends, so are keeping the event as simple as possible, and are asking people to lend a helping hand for just 20-30 minutes. Please head to the sign-up list and add your name to a timeslot if you can assist. https://www.signupgenius.com/.../60B0F4DA4AD29A4FE3... Thank you for those who have already signed up.

Baker’s Delight Christmas Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser. Items will be available for collection from the school office on Thursday 12 December. We are still tallying up some late orders and the Bakers Delight team will announce the winner of the free bread competition in the coming weeks.

Second hand uniform shop

It has been wonderful to see some donations coming in already for the second-hand uniform shop! The purpose of the second-hand uniform shop is to give families a place to donate uniforms that their children have outgrown, to work towards goals for sustainability preventing quality items from becoming landfill, as well as allowing families to purchase second-hand items at an affordable cost. This is also a small revenue raising opportunity for the P&C, raising money to go back into school resources. For the second-hand uniform shop to get off the ground, we require lots more uniform donations! There is a uniform donation tub set up in the school office. We ask that all items are washed prior to donation and are in a condition that other people can wear. Thank you for your support.      

Canteen

Christmas lunch bags are available from now until the end of the year. The bags include a meal item, drink, Quelch ice block and a Christmas surprise – we have chosen a variety of Christmas themed surprises suitable for all age groups.

The last day of canteen will be Friday 13 December. Please note that some lunch items may be unavailable as we run down stock in preparation for the end of the year.

NPA Sports Equipment Fundraiser 

Christmas is nearly here!!! NPA sports offer personalised sporting equipment, and these make the best Christmas gifts – the kids will love them! Our affiliation with NPA finishes at the end of the year so we’d love to add some extra sales before the promotion ends. Families are invited to purchase anything from the NPA website using our unique link and 20% of sales go back to the P&C, which then go back to our school. Items can be personalised with your child’s name or team/club name, so this means no more lost equipment! Items are sent quickly and posted directly to your home. For our school to receive the funds, orders need to be made using the following unique link: https://npaevents.com.au/?sca_ref=5593459.I2Qxx5OoE9.

P&C Communication

Please follow the official P&C Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest P&C information and events. Our page is www.facebook.com/p.c.floraville. If you need to get in touch with the P&C, you can send us a message on our Facebook page, or send an email to fpspresident@gmail.com. 

Amanda Bailey
P&C Committee

CUBBY OOSH - Summer 2024/25 Vacation Care

Community Newsletter

Please see December Community Newsletter for community events and news.