Newsletter | Term 2 Week 2

Principal Message

What a week!

Celebrating Our Students' Achievements

We are delighted to announce that we are back in full swing at school, and Week 2 has been truly remarkable. Our students have showcased their talents and hard work through a variety of activities this week, and we couldn't be prouder.

Choralfest Achievements
Our talented choirs made a strong impression at Choralfest, with the Belmont Community of Schools Choir and our Senior Choir securing 1st place and the Junior Choir achieving an impressive 2nd place finish. Congratulations to all our choir members for their dedication and outstanding performances.

Sports Success
In sports, our students excelled in the PSSA Netball Knockout, advancing to Round 3 with a fantastic 1st place finish in Rounds 1 and 2. Additionally, six of our Floraville PS students qualified for the Hunter Primary Cross Country Championships during the Zone Cross Country event. Well done to all our athletes for their hard work and determination.

Creative Endeavours
Our Primary Dance Group is diligently rehearsing for Star Struck 2025, and we look forward to seeing their creativity come to life on stage. And, our Kindergarten students have begun their Gymnastics program, building confidence and skills in a fun environment.

Mathematics Competitions
Our HPGE mathematics groups participated in the Maths Olympiad and Maths Explorer Challenges, demonstrating their problem-solving skills. Their commitment to learning and excellence is commendable.

Community Engagement
We also enjoyed a wonderful open afternoon for Mother's Day, where our students showcased their creativity and appreciation for their mothers. Thank you to everyone who supported our P&C Mother's Day stall today. The tireless efforts of our P&C and volunteers make events like this possible.

I would like to extend my appreciation to our dedicated teachers who give their time and effort to coach and support our students in a variety of activities. Their commitment makes a significant difference in our students' lives and helps nurture their talents.

Staff Update

We are excited to welcome Dara Mitchell to the dynamic Floraville Public School team. Miss Mitchell will be joining us from Monday 12 May, stepping into the role of Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction, while Ms Jo Connolly is on leave.

Dara brings a wealth of experience in educational practice and a strong commitment to enhancing student learning outcomes. We are confident that her expertise will be invaluable during this time, and we look forward to the positive contributions she will make to our school community.

Please join us in welcoming Dara to Floraville Public School.

Kirstie Yeo
Principal

Celebrating Success

In 1S with Mrs McSweeny, the students are demonstrating mathematical success. They have been exploring numbers and how they relate to each other, focusing on pairs of numbers that are the same distance apart, such as 7 and 4 or 8 and 5. The class has been discovering fun and engaging ways to add and subtract numbers.

One of the many outstanding students in 1S, Jesse, has demonstrated incredible skills in his mathematical thinking! Jesse has not only solved problems but he has also shared his thought processes in various ways. This helps him explain his thinking and ensures his understanding of concepts and answers are correct.

The hard work and creativity that all the students are showing in mathematics is truly commendable. Keep it up, 1S! They are celebrating their success in learning together!

Mr Garner
Deputy Principal

Early Stage 1

Communication

Thank you for joining us in the Mother’s Day celebrations last week. It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with our mothers and special guests in the classrooms.

What are we learning in Kindergarten?

English

Keep practising with your cards at home! We know so many phonemes (sounds) and graphemes (written letters) now. We are learning to substitute a sound. What is the new word when you start with the word ‘but’ and change the u to i? Can you change the t to s?

Playing word games helps us to learn to read.

We have begun our new unit called "Growing Things." Beginning with a ‘An Enormous Turnip” by  Alexei Tolstoy, we will revisit story elements such as characters, settings, problem and resolution. Non-fiction texts are then used to broaden our knowledge around what plants need and how plants move as they grow. Student’s response to text incorporates their developing knowledge of nouns (naming words) and verbs (doing words) and the role they play within a simple sentence.

At home you can play Simon Says and talk about the verbs.

Numeracy

In mathematics, our students are building an understanding of equivalence in mass and whole numbers. They will use hefting to compare object masses and explore different ways to represent numbers. For example, 10 can be represented as 2 and 8 or 4 and 6.
We loved “10 or bust” and it is an easy game to play at home! Click here for a video on how to play.

Science

This term, students are learning about the characteristics and needs of living things. Can you identify all the parts of a plant? We can! Next time you're in the garden or out for a walk, see if you can find the stem, flower, leaves, and maybe even the seeds.

Miss Katen
Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 1

Curriculum 

Literacy 

In Literacy sessions, Stage 1 teachers will continue to deliver The Literacy Collective program.  

The theme for this term is ‘Wild Things’. Students will be learning about animals in their homes, animal coverings and Aesop’s fables. They will explore aspects of informative texts, narratives and recounts.   

In Year 2, the theme is ‘We are Wildlife Warriors’. Students will explore ways in which we can protect our wildlife and their homes. Explanations, persuasive and narrative writing techniques will be the writing focus.    

Some of the quality texts Stage 1 are exploring include;  

• Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett
• The Wind and the Sun – Aesop’s Fables
• The Very Ordinary Caterpillar by Garry Fleming
• Searching for Cicadas by Lesley Gibbes
• The ten Little Ostriches A story from Kenya
• Follow The Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau/Deborah Hopkinson  

Home Reading  

Home Reading will continue this term. If your child has completed their blue reading register, another card will be issued. Please continue with the Premier’s Reading Challenge, which exposes students to a broad range of quality literature. Students are encouraged to ready daily and are welcome to read any book of interest whether it be from home or school.  

Mathematics 

In mathematics lessons, Stage 1 will be further developing their knowledge, skills, and understanding of numbers. Students will explore the big idea 'equal means equivalent'.

Year 1
Students are provided with opportunities to: 

• Use balance to explore equivalence
• Combine numbers that bond to form 20
• Identify the equal sign and its purpose.

Year 2

• Use balance to explore equivalence
• Combine and separate quantities.

PD/H/PE 

Personal Development and Health 

This term, students are learning about the changes happening in their world and how it changes them. Students will explore social and physical changes that occur in their lives as they grow older. 

Physical Education 

Students will be exploring how tactics can be used successfully in territory games. They will test and apply various tactics and strategies involving movement, space, time, equipment and rules to improve their chance of success in territory games. They will perform and combine movement skills and sequences to solve game-based problems.

Science 

In science, students will explore the features of the sky, the role of the Sun and Moon, and the cultural significance. Students will engage in hands-on activities and observations to deepen their understanding of the natural world and its connections to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures 

Geography 

This term, students will continue to investigate the natural and human features of places. They will learn about how people describe the weather and seasons of places through an investigation of Kakadu National Park. Students examine how different cultural groups, including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, describe weather, seasons, or seasonal calendars 

Creative Arts 

In creative arts this term, students will participate in music and dance lessons. In music lessons, students will play a variety of instruments and develop an understanding of pitch and tone colour. In dance, students will develop an understanding of dance as a distinct form of human movement that uses the body to communicate ideas. 

Weekly Organisation 

There has been some changes to class Library and PE times this term.

Mrs Martinez
Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 2

Stage 2 Curriculum Overview Term 2

English

This term, classes will be studying a number of texts in English. 2/3K and 3A will be reading Wandi and Piano Fingers. In the text "Wandi," students will examine how an argument can be presented or defended. The distinction between authorship and authority will be explored, as well as how they can strengthen a presented argument. Students will create texts using language choices to achieve persuasive effects.

In "Piano Fingers", students will analyse how authors employ imagery and symbols in literature, and they will identify how figurative language can impact meaning.

Students in 3/4O and 4L will explore the concept of ‘argument and authority’ and ‘genre’ by studying the text Ned Kelly and the Green Sash. They will develop a deeper understanding of rhetorical devices used to strengthen an argument to persuade an audience.

Students  will explore the concept of ‘imagery, symbol and connotation’ and ‘characterisation’ through the use of the text, Bindi by Kirli Saunders. They will develop skills to use language purposefully by applying their understanding of the textual concepts to produce writing that evokes feelings or creates images, while engaging the reader.

Through study of the text Deadly Science Wild Weather and Cyclone by Jackie French, students in 4/5D will apply their understanding of genre to analyse texts and identify their purpose, subject matter, form, structure and language choices.

All students will plan a spoken presentation this term and participate in the Premier’s Spelling Bee competition.

Mathematics

Concepts covered in Stage 2 classes this term include:

• Questions can be asked and answered by collecting and interpreting data
• The number system extends infinitely to very large and very small numbers
• Multiplicative thinking involves flexible use of multiplication and division concepts, strategies and representations
• Visual representations help to understand aspects of the world (chance and position)

Other Curriculum Areas

Special Events

Week 7 – Star Struck
Week 8 – Premier’s Spelling Bee Final
Week 9 – Year 3 Excursion to the Reptile Park Gosford (TBC)
Week 10 – NAIDOC Week

Weekly Organisation

Mr O'Shannessy
Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Stage 3

Stage 3 Curriculum Overview Term 2  

Stage 3 students have settled into the new term with great enthusiasm and a positive attitude towards their learning. We warmly welcome our new students, who have quickly become part of our classroom community. It’s also wonderful to see everyone wearing the correct school uniform, which helps foster a sense of pride and belonging as we demonstrate teamwork and creativity in our class activities, setting a strong foundation for a successful term ahead.

English 

This term, year 6 classes will be studying the novel "Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief" by Katrina Nannestad. The story takes place during World War II and follows a young girl named Rabbit, who faces many challenges in a world affected by war. The book encourages students to think about bravery and the strength of the human spirit. Our class discussions have helped the students understand the history of war and the feelings of those who lived through it.

5/6F students will be reading the enchanting novel "Leila and the Blue Fox" by Kiran Millwood Hargave. The story follows a young girl named Leila who lives in a beautiful but challenging environment. She embarks on an adventure to find a rare blue fox that has been seen in her area. As Leila journeys through her surroundings, she learns about the importance of nature, friendship, and the connections between humans and wildlife. The story beautifully illustrates how our actions can impact the world around us and encourages students to think about their role in protecting the environment.

Year 5 students will be reading the beautiful picture book "One Small Island" by Alison Lester. The story is about a small island called Macquarie Island, located in the Southern Ocean. It explores the unique wildlife and amazing environment of the island through the eyes of different animals and the changing seasons. As the students read, they discover how the island is home to various creatures, such as penguins, seals, and seabirds, and learn about their lives and the challenges they face in their natural habitat. The book highlights the importance of caring for our environment and the impact of human activity on wildlife.

All students will plan a spoken presentation this term and participate in the Premier’s Spelling Bee competition.  

Mathematics 

Concepts covered in Stage 3 classes this term include:  

• Multiplicative thinking involves flexible use of multiplication and division concepts, strategies and representations 
• Visual representations help to understand aspects of the world (chance and position) 
• What needs to be measured determines the unit of measurement 
• Angles are the primary structural component of many shapes 

Other Curriculum Areas 

Special Events 

Week 6 – Year 5 Camp Sydney
Week 7 – Star Struck   
Week 8 – Premier’s Spelling Bee Final  
Week 10 – NAIDOC Week 

Weekly Organisation 

Mr Cox
Stage 3 Assistant Principal

School News

ANZAC Day Assemby

At Floraville Public School, we held our ANZAC assembly on Friday 2 May. Students were respectful towards those who served our country and should be congratulated. Thank you to the leaders, poppy representatives from each class, and Junior Choir for taking on additional roles and responsibilities during the assembly. Classes completed ANZAC activities and had meaningful discussions. Thank you to all who made this such a success.

Library News

Book Club Issue 3 is currently out. Please click on Issue 3 for the catalogue. Items can be purchased through the Scholastic online portal

Orders are due Friday, 16 May. 

Mr Tassell
Library Teacher

Premier's Spelling Bee - Get ready! Save the date!

Professional Experience

Please join us in welcoming Mrs Mallon from the University of Newcastle. Mrs Mallon will be teaching and learning with KD and Miss Dorman during her final placement.

We look forward to welcoming more Teacher Education Students towards the end of the term.

Miss Katen
Professional Experience Coordinator

LOWES

Sport News

Good luck to our Aerobics Teams

This weekend, our talented Aerobics Teams will be competing in the FISAF Australia Super Series competition. This event not only allows our students to showcase their skills but also provides valuable written feedback from judges to help them prepare for the upcoming State Championships.

We wish our dedicated students the best of luck as they take on this challenge. Go teams!

Primary Pre-choreographed Teams Year 5: Radio Rebels

• Estelle B
• Danielle W
• Lilliannah W
• Marlee B
• Elsie C
• Nina W

Primary Advanced Team Yr 5 - 6 : Aftershock

• Ava C
• Adelyn K
• Jessie B
• Mia F
• Audrey K

Primary Pre-choreographed Teams Phase 2 Yr 1 - 2: Crazy Crew

• Marlie D
• Olive R
• Staziya U
• Tess W
• Lacey D

Primary Pre-choreographed Teams Phase 1 Yr 1 - 2: Hyped Up

• Ayla C
• Ivy P
• Ivy B
• Cali D
• Lilly P
• Sahara W

Primary Pre-choreographed Teams Phase 1 Yr 3: Party People

• Lenni O
• Hannah L
• River G
• Indi C
• Charlotte W
• Joy S
• Evie N

Primary Small Teams Prep - Yr 2: Super Girls

• Stella A
• Milla M
• Madison H
• Maisie H

Primary Large Team Yr 3 - 4: Fierce and Fabulous

• Koa H
• Emerson K
• Willow S
• Sophie G
• Sienna F
• Billie S
• Piper C
• Maddyn R

Calling all volunteers for Netball Umpiring

The Macquarie Cup netball competition relies on the support of our community, and we need three volunteer umpires each week to help make it a success. If you can spare just one hour on a Friday to umpire a netball game for Floraville PS, we would greatly appreciate your assistance! Whether you can help out once or regularly, your contribution would mean a lot to our teams.

If you're interested, please reach out to the school. Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our students and the sport.

Interest Groups and Sport

This term, students in Years 3 to 6 who are not involved in representative sport, are participating in ‘Interest Groups’ each Friday afternoon during the middle session. These sessions provide students with the opportunity to engage in a variety of enjoyable and enriching activities, including drama, art, movie-making, using the Canva program, as well as board and card games.

Prior to the program beginning, students completed a survey to share their interests, and the top five activities were selected based on student responses. This program aims to encourage student voice and choice while allowing them to explore new skills and hobbies in a fun and relaxed setting.

Similarly, students voted on their top five preferences for sport, and the students remaining at school on Friday afternoons will participate in a range of activities, including soccer, volleyball, and touch football.

P&C News

🌳 Enrichment Tree: Make a Meaningful Impact! 🌟

This year, the school is not asking for voluntary contribution fees, and many families have been wondering how they can still make a meaningful impact. Look no further! The P&C has created the Enrichment Tree, which allows you to contribute directly to specific items that will benefit your child’s classroom this year! 🎉

This initiative empowers you to see exactly where your contributions go and fund items that matter most in your child’s education. There’s something for everyone, whether you can contribute a little or a lot! 💖

Head to our website for more information and to make your contribution: Enrichment Tree 2025 | Floraville P S P&C Association.

We’re thrilled to share that we are currently at around 10% of our goal, and we’d love to keep the momentum going! If you encounter any technical issues, please let us know.

It's also a fantastic idea to share the link for your child's year group with family and friends to help rally our whole community in support of our students! A heartfelt thank you to those families who have already made wonderful contributions! 🙏

🌟 Volunteer of the Month! 🌟

This year, the P&C is excited to acknowledge our incredible volunteers who make such a difference at our school. Every month, we will have a Volunteer of the Month award! 🏆

At the end of each month, we invite you, the parents, to nominate a volunteer who deserves recognition and celebration. With thanks from Zarraffa’s Coffee, our Volunteer of the Month will receive a delightful coffee voucher! ☕️ This month, we are seeking nominations for both March and April.

Please email us or send a message to our P&C page with your nominations, so we can shine a beautiful light on our extraordinary volunteers! 🌟

📅 P&C Meeting:

Our first meeting for Term 2 is coming up next week on Tuesday, 13 May. We’ll see you in the library at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend, and we’d love to see you there! 🗣️

🍽️ Canteen Helpers Needed!

The canteen team is on the lookout for a few more helpers during Term 2. If you have a few hours to spare Tuesday through Friday, please get in touch with the canteen team. We always welcome new faces, and there’s no need to be nervous! 😊 We will provide you with orientation and answer any questions you may have. Plus, the customers are sweet and love to see parents and carers there! 🎈

🗓️ Important P&C Dates for Your Calendar!

Mark these exciting events coming up this year:

🌷 P&C Mother’s Day Stall: Friday, 9 May.

📅 Term 2 P&C Meetings: Tuesday, 13 May and 10 June.

🪩P&C Disco: Thursday, 12 June.

🍷 Tamburlaine Wine Fundraiser: Starting Sunday, 22 June.

📅 Term 3 P&C Meetings: Tuesday, 12 August and 9 September.

👨‍👧 P&C Father’s Day Stall: Friday, 29 August.

🏃‍♀️ Colour Run: Thursday, 25 September.

📅 Term 4 P&C Meetings: Tuesday, 14 October and 11 November.

We have an exciting year ahead, and we can’t wait to see you at these events! Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making our school community vibrant and engaging! 🎉

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 2 for community events and news.