Newsletter | Term 1 Week 11

Principal Message

As we conclude Term 1, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey our students have undertaken, supported by our dedicated teaching and support staff. This term has been rich with opportunities for growth across various domains, and we are particularly proud of how our students have engaged in their learning and development. One of the Department of Education's priorities is High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE). As teachers will be immersed in professional development around the HPGE Policy during the School Development Days at the beginning of Term 2, I have grouped our Term 1 wrap-up into the four domains of potential.

Intellectual Domain

In the intellectual domain, we saw an increase in High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) groups, fostering critical thinking and creativity. Our students also demonstrated their academic abilities through the completion of NAPLAN tests in Years 3 and 5, and we are proud of their hard work and perseverance. The Year 6 Canberra excursion provided a unique learning experience, allowing students to engage with Australia’s history and governance firsthand.

Each and every day, our classrooms are focused on supporting the intellectual domain and fostering academic growth for each student at their own level.

Social-Emotional Domain

This term, we further fostered the social-emotional development of our students. The newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC) and elected school captains have taken on leadership roles, representing their peers and contributing to our school community. Events like Harmony Day and the Out of Uniform Day, which raised $420.20 for the Salvation Army, encouraged our students to engage with and support their community.

Physical Domain

This term, our students showcased their sporting talents and teamwork through numerous events. We had the Eastlake Macquarie PSSA Trials for Tennis, Basketball, Rugby League, AFL, and Netball, as well as the U10, U12, and girls Knights 9’s Gala Days. Our Cross Country Carnival provided an excellent platform for students to challenge themselves, while the School, Zone, and Regional Swimming Carnivals highlighted our students' dedication to excellence in the pool. Additionally, our school teams participated in PSSA Cricket knockout games, showcasing their competitive spirit. The Aerobics team trials and training were a fantastic way for students to stay active and express themselves physically, with Aerobics Competition Events to come.

Creative Domain

Creativity flourished this term with our engaging events. Our Band program, running each Monday for Majors and Tuesday for Minis, continued to enrich our students' musical skills, while the BCoS Choir and Ensemble Extravaganza highlights the incredible talent within our school. Star Struck auditions and acceptance will provide creative opportunities for over 65 students from Floraville to showcase their creativity on a grand stage next term.

Other Events of Term 1

Tomorrow, we have our Easter Hat Parade and the Easter Raffle. The ongoing SPinS – Speech sessions every Thursday supported our students in developing their communication skills and confidence. We also held Parent Teacher interviews, with over 380 interviews booked, demonstrating our commitment to fostering strong partnerships between home and school.

As we reflect on the total 51 days of learning this term, it is amazing to witness the growth of all our students, especially our new Kindergarten cohort, who have successfully completed their first term at school. Their enthusiasm and curiosity have been truly inspiring.

I want to thank all parents and caregivers for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, we are nurturing a generation of learners who are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and creatively inclined.

Wishing you all a wonderful break, and I look forward to seeing everyone back for an exciting Term 1. Please stay safe!

Term 2 Return

Our staff return and we will be able to be contacted on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April. Please note that our staff are in and out of professional development.

Students return on Wednesday, 30 April.

Nick Garner
Principal Rel.

Celebrating Success – Year 6 Science

Year 6 has been exploring Earth and the planets of the solar system. I had the opportunity to listen to students present the culmination of the work they had completed. Students were assessed on content understanding, poster presentation, engagement and delivery, and collaboration within their teams. It is amazing to see the strengths of the two teams pictured below:

• Marshall, Daniel, and Taj – Their strength was in collaboration and content understanding, which was clearly evident in their poster about Mercury.
• Sophie, Georgie, Ava, and Ella – Their strengths were primarily in poster presentation, clearly demonstrating their creative flair in their poster about Mars.
  

Mr Garner
Principal Rel.

Band News

Hard at work already, our school bands have begun the year in spectacular fashion. Our Majors band has been focusing on creating a balanced sound with the new group being formed from the continuing Majors band members and last year’s Mini Minors. We have spent Term 1 learning a range of new pieces to suit the 2025 group. Our first performance took place on Wednesday night at the Belmont 16fts as part of the BCoS Ensemble Extravaganza. Students spent the day workshopping music with other students from the Belmont Community of Schools, including a massed band made up of all 5 schools, concluding with a concert performance for families in the evening.

We welcome our new Mini Minors for 2025 to the program. Rehearsals have begun and students are learning to play together as a band, while learning how to play their individual instrument.

We look forward to a fun year of music making ahead.

Mrs Blake and Ms Thacker

Year 6 and Kindergarten buddies

Our Year 6 and Kindergarten buddies had a fantastic afternoon working side by side to create colourful Easter hats for the upcoming Hat Parade. The older students supported their younger friends with kindness and creativity, helping bring each unique design to life. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect, collaborate, and celebrate together. We can’t wait to see these amazing hats in the parade! 🐰🎨

School News

Belmont Community of Schools Ensemble Extravaganza

A wonderful opportunity and experience was had by all students from the vocal group and Majors band who participated in a series of music workshops and an evening concert at the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club on Wednesday.

Our school band and vocal group performed wonderfully a series of individual songs, and then joined together with other Belmont Community of Schools band and choirs to perform as a mass group. The sound was amazing and a great concert was enjoyed by all.

 Belmont Community ANZAC Day March

Miss Huish, Mrs Newton and Mr Cox will meet our students for the March. 

Easter Hat Parade

Hop on Down to the Easter Hat Parade!

Get ready to celebrate Easter in style at Floraville Public School!

When: Friday, April 11 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
What: Annual Easter Hat Parade
Where: Under the Cola

K-2 students will be busy crafting their fabulous Easter hats in the classroom. We can't wait to see the imaginative designs that spring from their creativity! Remember, it’s a day to shine.

3-6 students are encouraged to sport their wackiest hairstyles—think bunny ears, spiky hair, or anything that says “crazy”!

We invite all parents and carers to come along and cheer for your children as they show off their creations in the parade. After the festivities, be sure to stop by the hall for the P&C Easter Raffle, where you could win some egg-citing prizes!

All students are invited to come dressed out of uniform.

We look forward to seeing everyone’s festive spirit and creativity on display! 🐰🎉🥚

Star Struck 

Star Struck ticket information

Tickets will be on sale Tuesday, 29 April at 10am through Ticketek.

Please ensure you read the information below to purchase tickets for the correct performance for your child’s group. Tickets will not be refunded for purchases made for the incorrect show.

Floraville students in the Massed Choir will be sitting in section 1, so we suggest purchasing tickets on the opposite side of the venue in sections 25 - 30 in order to see your child.

Sport News

Cross Country Carnival Recap

Last Friday, Marks Oval was filled with excitement and energy as we held our annual Cross Country Carnival. It was a wonderful day, showcasing high student participation and plenty of smiles all around! A thank you goes out to all the parents who volunteered at the safety checkpoints; your support was invaluable and crucial in ensuring a successful and safe event.

We are also pleased to announce that notes will be emailed to students who qualified for the Eastlake PSSA Cross Country Carnival, taking place on May 8 at Windale. Schools may enter a maximum of 4 competitors in each race.

Results will be published in our Term 2 Week 1 Newsletter.  

All ribbons and Age Champions will be presented at the combined Cross Country and Athletics assembly Term 2, Monday, Week 5.

NSWPSSA Swimming Championship

We are thrilled to announce that two of our exceptional swimmers, M. Forbes and J. Fuller, are representing our school and the Hunter region at the NSWPSSA Championship! This prestigious event is taking place in the iconic Olympic Pool in Sydney.

Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. This is a fantastic opportunity for M. Forbes and J. Fuller to showcase their talents and compete at a high level among some of the best young athletes in the state.

U12's Rugby League Gala Day

Well done to the U12's Rugby League Gala Day Team. The boys had a great day and played with great sportsmanship. The talent, skills, and effort of the boys were all on display on Tuesday, April 8, at Windale. The boys drew their first game and won their other games, ending the day undefeated. They even pitched in to help Cardiff, who were short of players. Floraville PS is proud of all of you! 

Mr McSweeny

Hunter Rugby Union 7's Team

Well done to the girls who trialled on Thursday, April 3 at Southern Beaches Rugby Union’s Home Ground. All of the girls trialled well and gave their best effort. A special congratulations to Sophie M and Claudia M, who gained selection in the Hunter Rugby Union 7's Team!

Floraville PS is so proud of all of you!

Mr McSweeny

PSSA Hunter Rugby League Trials Update

On Monday, our school proudly participated in the PSSA Hunter Rugby League Trials held at Valentine Rugby League Ovals. Despite the hot and steamy conditions, our students Taj H, Rylan H, Isaiah L, Oscar M, and Mack S gave their all in what was a highly competitive and fiercely contested trial.

Congratulations to all the boys for their outstanding performance and sportsmanship throughout the day! A special shout-out goes to Taj H, who was selected to represent the Hunter 12’s side at the upcoming State Carnival in Sydney. We are incredibly proud of you and wish you the best of luck in the competition!

Hunter AFL

Congratulations to the five Floraville PS students who went from the Eastlake Macquarie PSSA AFL team to trial for the Hunter PSSA team. Congratulations to Mack S and Sonny S, who were selected into the Hunter Team, who will now compete at the NSW Competition from Wednesday, 4 June, to Friday, 6 June 2025 in Sydney. This is an outstanding achievement.

Girls PSSA Soccer Knockout Gala Day

Congratulations to the senior girl's soccer team, who played 3 tightly fought games on Tuesday. First up was against Jewells PS, who we eventually beat 5-1, which meant we went through to round 2 to play Kahibah PS. This team had a strong defensive wall, and although the girls tried hard, they came away with a 5-0 loss. The final game was against Valentine PS. We played valiantly, through injuries and exhaustion, finally losing 7-1. The girls should be very proud of their effort, persistence, and sportsmanship, especially considering a lot of the team have never played a formal game of soccer before!

Boys PSSA Soccer Knockout Gala Day

Congratulations to the senior boys' soccer team, who tried hard during their 3 games in fairly hot conditions! First up was against Jewells PS, who came out of the gates quickly, eventually beating us 5-3. This means that we were out of the competition but still got to play 2 other friendly games. Next up, we played Belmont PS, where we had a 4-4 draw after clawing back from 3-0 down. We won the game due to us having more corners. The final game was against Caves Beach PS. We played valiantly, finally losing 5-2. The boys should be very proud of their effort, persistence, and sportsmanship displayed on the day.

Primary Athletics Carnival

P&C News

🎉 P&C Meeting Update

Hello Floraville Families! We recently held an energising P&C meeting, and it was fantastic to welcome some new faces alongside our new Executive Committee! 🙌 We’re thrilled to share that we’ve crafted an exciting fundraising and events plan for the entire year, and we can’t wait to unveil it to you soon! Get ready for a fantastic journey ahead. There are some fun and memorable events coming your way! 🎈

🐰 P&C Easter Raffle Extravaganza

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the P&C Easter Raffle Extravaganza this year! Your incredible generosity in donations and ticket sales has truly blown us away! 💖 We’ve switched to an online raffle option this year, making it easier for everyone to participate and streamlining the organisation for our P&C committee.

As we gear up for the big Easter Extravaganza event tomorrow, we’ll be sending out a quick survey at the start of next term to gather your feedback on the raffle. We want to ensure it continues to be a highlight of our school calendar! 🎊

We’ll reveal the raffle winners on our P&C Facebook page in the coming days, and each winner will also receive an email notification. While we know not every child can win a prize, we’re excited to announce that the Easter Bunny 🐇 will be joining us at the event! He may even leave a special surprise for each student on behalf of the P&C, so everyone gets to feel the joy! 🎁 After the event, we’ll share photos and celebrate our fundraising successes together!

Additionally, we’d like to give a huge shoutout to Kayla from Mynt Nails at Belmont for generously donating a bundle of Easter goodies and two $25 vouchers for our prizes! 🎉 As a special treat, Mynt Nails is offering 20% off to all Floraville parents who book their first appointment before the end of April. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to pamper yourself! 💅

🌳 Enrichment Tree Launch

We are beyond excited to introduce our first Enrichment Tree for Floraville Public School! 🌟 This initiative is all about coming together as a community to enrich our children’s education. You might have noticed that the school isn’t asking for voluntary contribution fees this year, and many families have been asking how they can make a meaningful impact. The Enrichment Tree allows you to contribute directly to specific items that will benefit your child’s classroom this year!

How does it work?

Step 1: Classroom Wish Lists 📋
Each teacher has crafted a personalised wish list filled with essential resources and supplies tailored to the needs of their students for the 2025 school year.

Step 2: Collective Goal Setting 🎯
Parents and families can help us reach our goals by contributing funds for classroom items. You can explore available items on our website: Enrichment Tree 2025 | Floraville P S P&C Association. Simply select your child’s year group, choose your items, and contribute whatever amount you feel comfortable with! There’s something for everyone, from small contributions to larger items.

For the pricier items, we’ve broken them down into smaller payment options—if you prefer, you can choose to fund a portion while other families chip in! Your participation will help create a vibrant learning environment in our classrooms. 📚

Important Note
When selecting items, you’ll need to choose a “pickup location”—please select “Enrichment Tree” to complete your purchase. After you finalise your order, you’ll receive an email confirmation, and we’ll handle the shopping and delivery straight to school! 📦

Step 3
If you’re unsure of what to choose, you can make a general funding donation for the Enrichment Tree here: [P&C General Donation Enrichment Tree 2025 | Floraville P S P&C Association](insert link).

Step 4
Spread the word! Share the link with family and friends to rally our community behind supporting our students! 🤝

This initiative allows you to see exactly where your contributions go and empowers you to fund items that matter most in your child’s education. Remember, you won’t be asked to pay any other voluntary school fees this year. This model has worked wonders in other schools, and we’re hopeful it will thrive at Floraville too! 🌈

For Businesses
If you’re part of a business that wants to contribute to the Enrichment Tree, please connect with the P&C at fpspresident@gmail.com. We’re happy to assist in arranging a donation and can provide a certificate of appreciation. 🎖️ We may also acknowledge your business on our Facebook page and website, as long as it aligns with our school community guidelines. Floraville P&C Association is a registered charity under the ACNC. While donations are not tax-deductible at this time, your support will help foster a positive school environment for our children. ❤️

🌷 Mother’s Day Stall

Mark your calendars! The annual P&C Mother’s Day stall will be held on Friday, 9 May throughout the day. We’ll be looking for enthusiastic helpers to wrap gifts and volunteers for the stall on the day. Stay tuned by following our Facebook page for updates and the volunteer sign-up link! More information will be shared in week 1 of next term.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holidays over the Easter break. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and connection with students, families, and the school from term 2!

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

CUBBY OOSH - Autumn Vacation Care

 The CubbyOOSH Vacation Care timetable is available and bookings are open. Days are filling up, so if you need a particular date, consider booking this soon. Please also take note of the cancellation policy on the Cubby OOSH website prior to booking Floraville-CubbyOOSH.

Community Newsletter

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