Newsletter | Term 1 Week 6

Principal Message

External Validation

The School Excellence Cycle is a process designed by the NSW Department of Education to help schools continually improve and provide the best education for students. It involves several key steps:

1. Planning: Our school devises improvement measures and creates plans to improve student learning outcomes.
2. Self-Assessment: Our school regularly reviews our performance to see how we are tracking, identifying areas for growth.
3. External Validation: Every four years, schools engage in External Validation. This is where Floraville Public School is right now! 

The External Validation (EV) process will help our school further improve by using real evidence to guide our efforts. During this process, we will receive valuable feedback and insights about how we are doing, which will help us to identify areas where we can improve. This feedback will be used to create a new School Excellence Plan (SEP) that focuses on the right goals and strategies for the future, ensuring our plans are relevant and effective for our school community. The school excellence cycle helps ensure that we’re always working towards excellence in education. By actively participating in this process, we aim to provide our students with the best learning experiences possible. 

NSW Public Schools Student Survey

In Term 2, we will be offering our students the opportunity to participate in the NSW Public Schools Student Survey, which replaces the Tell Them From Me survey. The new survey will give students the chance to share their thoughts and feelings about life at school, including questions about engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school.

Hearing directly from our students will help us understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made to our school. The survey is confidential, takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and will be conducted online during school hours. Participation is voluntary. Over the coming weeks, we will provide an opt-out consent form.

Want to know more about the survey? Check out further information below. 

Parent-Teacher Interviews

We are excited to announce that Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held towards the end of this term, providing a valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to collaborate in supporting our students’ learning and development.

These interviews are scheduled for Weeks 8, 9, and 10, with flexible options available to accommodate your busy schedules. You can choose to attend either face-to-face or over the phone, ensuring that every parent can participate in a way that works best for them.

Teachers will have varying availabilities during this period, and all interview bookings will be managed through the School Bytes Parent app. While bookings are not open just yet, keep an eye out for the Interviews icon which will appear in the School Bytes Parent Portal on Monday 10 March at 11am. 

Engaging in Parent-Teacher interviews offers several key benefits, including the opportunity to receive insights into your child’s progress and areas for growth, fostering a positive connection between home and school, which can enhance your child’s educational experience, and sharing your observations and perspectives with teachers, creating a collaborative atmosphere for discussing your child’s needs.

We encourage all parents to take part in this opportunity to connect with our dedicated teaching staff. Your involvement is invaluable in supporting your child’s learning journey

Detailed instructions on how to book your interview are available below.

The next four editions of our newsletter will be experty crafted by Mr Nick Garner whilst I embark on a family road trip for four weeks, beginning Monday, March 10.

I look forward to returning and reconnecting with our school community on Monday, April 7.

Ms Yeo
Principal

Celebrating Success: Yarn Up

Last week we held our Yarn Up, a key event aimed at celebrating our Aboriginal students, education and culture. Our Yarn Up was well attended, demonstrating the importance of the event.

A key focus of the Yarn Up was the introduction and promotion of Personalised Learning Pathways (PLPs), particularly in relation to Aboriginal culture and education. PLPs are tailored educational plans that consider the individual strengths, interests, and cultural backgrounds of our students. By incorporating Aboriginal perspectives and knowledge into our pathways, we enable students to connect their learning with their cultural identity, fostering pride and a deeper understanding of their heritage.

One shining example of the success of this initiative is exemplified by Cohen from 2N. Following the Yarn Up, Cohen demonstrated remarkable engagement in his geography lessons, particularly when exploring Aboriginal symbols. His enthusiasm for the subject matter has been infectious; he actively participated in class discussions and even expressed a desire to start his independent task early, eager to delve deeper into what he had learned. Cohen’s excitement personifies the positive impact of culturally relevant education and the importance of creating pathways that resonate with our students.

Mr Garner
Deputy Principal

Awabakal Word of the Week

Early Stage 1

As students are becoming more independent, we encourage families to drop their children off at the gate, say a quick goodbye, and let them hang up their own bags. The COLA and verandahs are bustling areas in the morning and can quickly become congested, affecting access for students and teachers. If your child finds this challenging, please talk to their class teacher.

Students can be picked up from the Front Grass area at 3 pm. Ensure all your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their name.

Organisation

Our students are learning about Organisation. At Floraville Public School, this means students are expected to:

• Be in the right place at the right time.
• Be ready to learn.
• Follow instructions.

What Are We Learning in Kindergarten?

Literacy

Here are the sounds we know and the sounds we will be learning over the next two weeks:

• Week 5: “s” as in snake, “a” as in apple
• Week 6: “t” as in tennis, “i” as in igloo
• Week 7: “p” as in pencil, “n” as in nose

We encourage families to review these sounds with flashcards at home. Remember, we are focusing on the sound the letter makes, not its name. Listen out for the sounds at the beginning, ending and even the middle of words!

Numeracy

In mathematics, we are learning about teen numbers and the concept of ten ones. Teen numbers are always ten and some more. We are also learning to create and continue simple patterns and discussing how patterns always repeat. You can play with patterns at home using found objects. Parents are encouraged to ask their child, “What comes next?” and “How do you know?”

Can you subitise? This means recognise a small group of items without counting by ones. Try these out at home. Where might you see patterns like this?

PDHPE

Students are developing Fundamental Movement Skills, including skipping, jumping, and balancing. Once these skills are mastered, we will use them in games and relays!

We were delighted to see so many families at our Meet the Teacher afternoon. Keep an eye out for information about Parent-Teacher Interviews coming soon.

Nginuwa! (See you later!)

Miss Katen
Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 1

Stage one is buzzing with enthusiasm about their learning. They have settled nicely into routines and are progressing well.

English phonic focus

Home Reading

Just a reminder to enjoy some home reading with your child every night. Don’t forget to record what has been read on the blue card and bring the books to school to swap once they are finished. Any books you have at home can be read including books borrowed from the library. Happy reading!

Mathematics

Year 1
Students are learning that smaller numbers can be found hiding in bigger numbers – develop student knowledge, understanding, and skills of combinations of numbers that add up to a given number. 

Students will be provided opportunities to:

• Count on from the largest number to find the total of 2 numbers
• Recognise and recall different combinations of 2 numbers that add up to a given number
• Identify patterns to find all combinations for a given number
• Develop their understanding of a range of strategies to manipulate numbers

Year 2 
Students will develop their knowledge, understanding and skills of place value and how smaller numbers can be found hiding in bigger numbers. 

Students will be provided opportunities to:

• visualise, estimate, and investigate the structure of groups of 10
• sort, create, recognise, and represent numbers and collections up to 100 in different ways
• ask questions, represent ideas, and record thinking using objects and drawings

Geography

In geography, students are learning all about their environment and mapping. They have mapped the school from a bird’s eye view and discussed the different environments within the school. They will continue to explore the natural environments around them and discuss how spaces can be utilised in different ways. If your child would like to continue to explore mapping, they can do so by drawing a map of their room, house or neighbourhood - don’t forget the key!

Mrs Martinez
Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 2

Stage 2 is off and racing with their learning.

Students in 4L created some impressive self-portraits that combine an image of themselves that includes some of their hobbies and interests.

In 2/3K there are some very well presented books, as the class is learning practising their handwriting skills. Learning how to write neat is important because it enhances communication and ensures that written work is clear and easy to read, fostering effective expression of ideas.

In mathematics, students have been learning how to add numbers together. One strategy we are using is ‘regrouping’.

When two numbers are added, we often break them down into smaller parts. For example, if we want to add 33 and 19, we first look at the ones place (the last digit) and the tens place (the second digit).

1. Add the ones place: For 33, the ones digit is 3, and for 19, it’s 9. When we add 3 and 9, we get 12. Since 12 is more than 10, we can’t just write 12 down. Instead, we write down 2 in the ones place and carry over the 10 to the tens place.
2. Add the tens place: Now we look at the tens digits. For 33, it’s 3, and for 19, it’s 1. We also add the 10 we carried over. So, we add 3 + 1 + 1, which equals 5 (30 + 10 + 10 = 50, because we're in the tens column!)
3. Put it together: Finally, we combine what we have 52.

If you are looking to practise adding two-digit numbers, try this online activity: 2 digit addition

Mr O’Shannessy
Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Stage 3

Yr 6 Canberra Excursion

Plans are coming together nicely for our annual excursion to Canberra, departing on Wednesday, 12 March. Attending students should be at the school COLA by 6:10am for roll call. The bus will be departing at 6:15 am sharp. As outlined in the information note, a reminder that students should have two bags: a school-sized backpack (daypack) and their overnight bag, which will be placed under the bus. A final reminder will be sent to families before the day of the excursion. We’re looking forward to an exciting trip!

6N

In 6N, our students have been diving into the fascinating world of mathematics by exploring rounding large numbers, including populations that reach into the billions! They've been working hard to convert these figures into decimals, enhancing their numerical skills in engaging ways. Additionally, we've incorporated a unique approach to understanding decimals in time, as students timed their peers during physical activities, recording the results as decimals. This hands-on experience has made learning both fun and practical! 

In personal development and health, 6N students have been reflecting on their identities and the importance of building positive relationships. A highlight of our learning was the 'tea party' questioning exercise, where students practised respectful listening and engaged in meaningful conversations with their partners about how to foster respect in relationships. 

6C

During geography lessons, Stage 3 has been participating in Project Firestorm, a program that combines science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts. It explores themes like resilience, social justice, and community care. Students are learning about the role of fire in Aboriginal culture and studying the work of the Rural Fire Service, focusing on safety and regulations in hazardous environments. This project encourages students to think critically and develop creative solutions to minimise the risks of bushfires and other emergencies.
Stage 3 students have also been learning about Earth’s place in the solar system in science. Students are exploring how light helps us observe the sun, moon, and planets, and comparing key features of the planets. They will also research how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use the night sky for practical and cultural purposes.

5/6F

5/6F has started the year by displaying all of our school values and working hard to challenge themselves in all areas. In mathematics, they have been learning to use efficient strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems. They have applied their knowledge to determine the ‘best buy’ when purchasing Taylor Swift tickets and packages, as well as planning a luxury holiday!

5A

So far this term, 5A has delved into the captivating world of 'The Wild Robot' by Peter Brown. Through engaging discussions and activities, students have been analysing the narrative structure and exploring the intricacies of characterisation. They've examined the traits of key characters, uncovering how their unique qualities contribute meaning to the plot. By focusing on the narrative voice, students have gained a deeper understanding of how characters drive the story forward and enrich the overall narrative. This exploration has not only enhanced their analytical skills but also fostered a love for storytelling. Great work 5A!

4/5D

In 4/5D, we have been working tirelessly to improve our phonemic awareness, which is our knowledge of the smallest individual sounds that make up each word. We have refreshed our understanding of digraphs, trigraphs, quadgraphs, and split digraphs in order to successfully code our spelling words. We are learning this so that we can better apply our knowledge when spelling new and unfamiliar words. We have also been learning to sort our words based on the role of different phonemes. For example, soft 'c' and hard 'c.' The word "licence" has a soft 'c' (which acts like the 's' sound), while in the word "cruel," it has a hard 'c' (which acts like a 'k' sound). Finally, we are learning to find all the different ways a particular phoneme can be spelled. We've been getting some sweaty brains in 4/5D!

Mr Cox
Stage 3 Assistant Principal

School News

NAPLAN

NAPLAN, or the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is an annual assessment that measures the skills of students in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across Australia. These assessments evaluate students in reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy, providing insights into their academic progress.

In 2025, the NAPLAN test window will take place from March 12 to March 24. During this time, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned, and the results will help our school identify areas where we can continue to support and enhance student learning.

Harmony Day

Stewart House

Envelopes are due back to school by Friday, 14 March.

You can learn more at Stewart House - assisting NSW children since 1931.

We have 3 payment options:

1. Cash via the payment envelope 
2. Scan the QR code on the payment envelope to make an online payment
3. Via the School Bytes parent payment portal, and selecting ‘add other item’

Library News

Book Club

This is a friendly reminder that all book purchases for our upcoming Book Club Issue 2 are due by 14 March. If you're interested in purchasing a book, please visit the link: Book Club LOOP  or the LOOP app.

Book Fair

Book Fair will run in Week 9 from 24/03/2025 until 28/03/2025. More specific information regarding opening times and class visits will be communicated in the lead up to the event.

Mr Tassell
Library Teacher

Sport News

School Swimming Results

The Primary Swimming Carnival Presentation will be held in the school hall on Monday, 17 March, at 2pm. At the assembly we'll announce the Age Champions, the winning house, and present ribbons to the top three overall swimmers in each stroke and age group. Below are the results:

Eastlake PSSA Swimming Carnival

Last Friday, students who qualified for the Eastlake PSSA Swimming Carnival represented Floraville Public School at the Charlestown Swim Centre. It was a fantastic day filled with excitement and camaraderie, showcasing the outstanding efforts of our swimmers who gave their all in the pool. We were thrilled to see so many parents and supporters cheering on our team, creating an encouraging atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a memorable experience for our students!

Congratulations to Maya F, Joe F, Rylan H, Mason K, Aurora P, Shannon A and Kyle U who will all represent Eastlakes at the Hunter PSSA Swimming Carnival at the Newcastle University Forum on Monday, 10 March.

Eastlake Rugby League Trials 

Using the information collected in the survey seeking interest from students and families (Years 3-6) for sporting opportunities in 2024, Mr Cox will be asking for names for the Eastlake PSSA Rugby League Trials. He will also hold a meeting during a lunch break to discuss the opportunity with students. The school can only nominate a maximum of 4 players for each age group (11yrs and 12yrs). The Sports Committee will use student experience outside of school and knowledge of the students in school teams to make final decisions.

PSSA AFL trials

We wish Rylan H, Mack S, Phoenix A, Jaxon K, Oscar M, Sonny S and Archer S the best of luck at the AFL PSSA trials at Dudley today!

Primary Winter Sport

Permission notes for walking to Marks Oval and for Winter Sport team trials (soccer, netball, and league) have been sent to families via School Bytes this week. Please note that some sports may involve costs or require private travel. We encourage families to discuss these opportunities with their children and indicate if they would like to trial for a chance to be part of one of the representative sport teams for 2025. Trials will take place during school time, both onsite and at Marks Oval, in Weeks 8 and 9. Further details will be announced soon. 

PSSA Cricket Knockout

Yesterday, our school cricket team played in Round 1 of the PSSA Cricket Knockout against Marks Point PS. It was a quality game played in great spirits, with sportsmanship, persistence, and resilience all on display. Floraville batted first and was bowled out in the final over of the innings for 81 runs. Sonny top-scored with 25, and his partnership with Archie B was impressive.

When it came to Marks Point's batting, it started very well for Floraville PS, who took 2 wickets in the first over. Unfortunately, Marks Point reached 82 runs with 1 over remaining. Congratulations to Kyle U, who took his first, second, and third wickets ever!

This means Floraville PS is now knocked out of the PSSA competition; however, it was a great effort and a quality game played in good spirits.

PSSA Tennis

We wish Audrey K all the very best at the Hunter PSSA tennis trials at District Park Tennis Centre today.

P&C News

🌈 Harmony Day Tie-Dye Orders Closing Soon! 🎉

A big thank you to everyone who has already placed their orders for our vibrant Harmony Day tie-dye shirts! 💖 We're excited to see a sea of orange on March 21st as we come together to celebrate Harmony Day. 🧡

For those who haven't ordered yet, we will keep the orders open on our website while supplies last. Don't miss your chance to grab one of these colourful shirts! 🌟

Once all orders are finalised, we aim to send them home at the end of next week. 📦

Place your orders here: Harmony Day 2025 | Floraville P S P&C Association

Let’s make this Harmony Day a colourful and memorable celebration! 🎊

👕 Second-Hand Uniform Shop 🛍️

The 2nd hand uniform shop will be open on Monday, 10/3/25 from 2:45-3:15pm! 🕒

We are still accepting donations – please take them to the donation tub located in the foyer of the front office during school hours. Thank you for your support! 🙏

🤝 Becoming a P&C Member 🌟

Anyone can become a P&C member, anytime! You don’t need to attend meetings or take on extra jobs to join. What are the benefits? 🤔

As a member, you will receive the P&C meeting agenda, minutes, and reports, as well as the Principal's reports each month. If something important comes up, you’ll have the opportunity to cast a vote at a meeting! 🗳️

Joining is a fantastic way to stay up-to-date with what’s happening at school. The more people we have involved, the more successful our P&C is at representing our whole school community. 🌍 It costs just $1 to join the P&C each year! 💵

If you would like to join, head to our website:  About us | Floraville P S P&C Association

📣 P&C Annual General Meeting 🏫

Are you looking for a meaningful way to contribute to Floraville Public School? The P&C is your chance to make a real difference! 💪 We play an essential role in connecting families and creating unforgettable experiences for our children. From running the canteen to coordinating fun events and managing the second-hand uniform shop, our P&C helps enrich the school community. 🎉

Why Join Us?

✨ Be a Part of the Fun: Help organise exciting events that your kids will love!
📚 Support Our School: Your involvement directly benefits student education and resources.
🤝 Meet Other Parents: Connect with other families and make new friends in our community.

We’re calling on all parents to step up and support our P&C! Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday, 11 March, and we need fresh faces to join our team. 🌟 All P&C positions will be open for nominations, including:

• 🎤 President
• 🎉 Vice Presidents (Fundraising and Canteen Coordinators)
• 📝 Secretary
• 💰 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
• 🧸 OOSH Parent Representative
• 🎶 Band Parent Representative
• 💖 Fundraising Sub-Committee (5 positions)
• 🍽️ Canteen Sub-Committee (5 positions)
• 👕 Uniform Coordinator

No Experience? No Problem! You don’t need to attend the meeting to nominate for a position, and we welcome all levels of experience. If you’re unsure about what the roles involve, reach out! We’re here to help you find the right fit. 🙌

Together, we can continue to make Floraville Public School a vibrant and supportive community for our kids. 🌈 To nominate for a position, log in to your School Bytes account, select “Forms,” and find the “P&C Nomination Form.” 🖥️

Let’s work together to create amazing memories for our children—join us in making a difference! ❤️

P&C Communication

Stay up to date with the latest P&C information and events.

📨Email us: fpspresident@gmail.com
🌍Visit our website: https://floravillepublicschoolpc.square.site/
📘 Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/p.c.floraville

Amanda Bailey
P&C President on behalf of the P&C Committee

Community Newsletter

Please see Community Newsletter - Term 1 for community events and news.