Newsletter | Term 2 Week 3
Principal Message
Enrolling now
Can you believe it's that time of the year already? It's time to start thinking about the future for your little ones—enrol at Floraville Public School for Kindergarten 2026 now! This is an exciting milestone, and we’re thrilled to begin this journey with you and your child. Share the news with friends and family so they can also prepare for this important step. Let’s work together to ensure a smooth and successful start to your child's education.
Podcasting
At Floraville Public School, we are committed to fostering the social-emotional development of our learners through engaging and innovative opportunities. One such initiative making a significant impact is podcasting, led by the enthusiastic Mr Tassell, complemented by our use of the NSW Department of Education STEM share kits.
Eli, one of our dedicated young podcasters, is fully embracing this creative medium and is preparing for an exciting interview with Patrick Naden, an ice hockey player for the Newcastle Northstars, this Monday. He was captured during break time today undertaking a vital sound and equipment check before Monday. Eli’s journey into podcasting is not just about honing technical skills; it is also an opportunity for him to explore emotions, build connections, and express himself.
The podcasting platform allows students like Eli to share thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment. This process fosters emotional intelligence, helping navigate emotions and those of others. As Eli engages in conversations—both with guests and listeners—he develops essential skills in empathy and self-awareness, which are crucial for personal growth.
Our use of the NSW DoE STEM share kits further enhances this experience by encouraging collaboration and hands-on learning. These kits provide students with the tools to engage in creative projects that develop technical skills while promoting teamwork and communication.
We wish Eli all the best for his upcoming interview. Stay tuned!
Ms Kirstie Yeo
Principal
Celebrating Success
Stage 3 Writing – Arya Imaginative writing
Stage 3 classes have explored the exciting world of imaginative writing. To help students demonstrate their understanding and creativity, they were given a prompt that encouraged them to write freely. Arya from class 5/6F stood out with his fantastic story that included elements of Greek mythology.
Arya's writing was impressive and engaging for the readers and highlighted his wonderful skills in several important areas:
Engaging the Audience: Arya used thoughtful language choices and techniques to engage readers in and kept them entertained. His ability to select an interesting topic and use words effectively made his story enjoyable to read.
Creating Memorable Characters: Arya paid close attention to detail, especially in his portrayal of Achilles. The unique traits he gave his character made him relatable and added depth to his story.
Setting the Scene: With his descriptive language, Arya painted a vivid picture of the setting in his story. He included details that not only established a strong sense of place but also created an engaging atmosphere.
Sentence Structure: Arya showcased a great variety in his sentences, making his writing clear and enhancing the overall meaning of his story. This skillful use of language contributed to the smooth flow of his narrative, making it a joy to read.
Arya’s improvement in imaginative writing is commendable. Well done Arya.
Mr Garner
Deputy Principal
Learning and Support Team Update
Who are the Learning Support Team?
L-R: Nick Garner, Carly Eric, Dominique Gee, Gabrielle Thacker, Phoebe Burchill (School Counsellor)
What does the LST do?
Every school has its own Learning and Support Team (LST), which may differ in its makeup. At Floraville Public School, our LST consists of the staff members shown above, including our school counsellor, Phoebe Burchill, who is based at our school for five days per fortnight. This team collects information and offers recommendations to teachers for students who require adjustments to engage with the curriculum and meet their educational goals. The team is integral in addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities and those requiring additional learning and support. Our Learning Support Team fosters collaboration with parents, carers, caseworkers, preschool settings, and external agencies.
LST teaching focus areas for Term 2
In Term 2, the majority of our learning support allocation is used for small-group or individual intervention. Parents will be notified via School Bytes if their child is receiving targeted learning support.
- Kindergarten: Classroom-based support
- Year 1 & 2: Literacy and Numeracy Support; ‘Seasons for Growth’ program (details below)
- Year 3 & 4: Literacy and Numeracy support
- Year 5 & 6: Literacy and Numeracy support
Student Wellbeing
‘Life Skills GO’ is an online wellbeing platform built for K-12 students. Students use this platform to ‘check-in’ each day and recognise how they are feeling at that point in time. The aim is to provide another method for students to voice their wellbeing needs through technology, which is then visible to their class teacher. The platform provides real-time wellbeing data, insights, and reports for schools. This enables our teachers to make informed decisions regarding student wellbeing and follow up with students who have identified that they might need some support or someone to check-in with them. We aim for all students to feel seen, heard and supported and this online check-in platform is another tool we can use to support this goal.
What is the ‘Seasons for Growth’ program?
Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports children aged 6-18 years to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief. Seasons for Growth supports connection with others, fostering emotional literacy and resilience as a pathway to improved social and emotional wellbeing. The Seasons for Growth program resumed this term with a group of nominated Stage 1 (Years 1-2) students (with parent permission received). Other grades will have this opportunity in Terms 3 and 4. Please contact the school via email or call Ms Thacker or Ms Yeo if you think this program may benefit your child. Further information can be found at https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/programs/seasons-for-growth-children-and-young-people/
Helping your child with literacy and numeracy at home
The Department of Education (DoE) has created resources for parents, carers and families of children in the early years of their school education. The activities support the important learning that happens at home. They are designed for you to have fun with your child and to help them have a great start to school. Visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/literacy-and-numeracy/resources-for-parents-and-carers/helping-your-child-with-literacy-and-numeracy-at-home or alternatively, you can visit the DoE Primary learning packages to access grade-based learning activities.
Contact us
If you would like more information regarding our learning support processes, please contact the school:
Email: floraville-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au | Phone: (02) 49454845
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE)
Over the past term, our students have participated in a diverse range of enriching experiences that challenge their thinking and nurture their talents within our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) groups.
Stage 2 English HPGE group
Year 3 and 4 students studied the quality text "Fox" by Margaret Wild, exploring rich vocabulary and character descriptions to enhance their understanding of the narrative and the emotions conveyed through the characters' actions. This term, they are focusing on the hybrid text "Phasmid: Saving the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect," which combines narrative elements with factual information. Students are studying vocabulary and using a Frayer model to deepen their understanding of key terms and themes, enriching their learning experience.
Stage 3 English HPGE group
Year 5 and 6 students have been immersing themselves in the art of Haiku poetry. Each student selected an element of nature to inspire their writing and created a detailed artwork to accompany their poem. These beautiful pieces will be showcased in a digital exhibition at the Write Here Festival and the MAP mima arts space in Speers Point Park.
Stage 1 mathematics HPGE group
Year 1 and 2 students have been extending their problem-solving skills by tackling open-ended mathematics problems. This practice helps them break down complex problems systematically, enhancing their ability to think critically and apply mathematical concepts effectively. Through these activities, students are gaining confidence in their mathematical reasoning
Stage 2 & 3 mathematics HPGE group
This term, Year 3 and 4 students are participating in the Maths Explorer program, where they explore mathematics through problem-solving and collaborate with their peers to make decisions about how to approach various problems.
Year 5 and 6 students are taking part in the Junior Division Olympiad competition, which aims to enhance creativity and flexibility in problem-solving and mathematical reasoning, while also stimulating enthusiasm for and enjoyment of mathematics. This program provides students with an opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities.
Stage 2 and 3 students completed their first competition at school on Wednesday, 7th May. In our weekly groups, students will be actively working on problem-solving strategies as they prepare for the next paper, scheduled for Wednesday, 11th June!
Years 1 to 6 visual arts HPGE group
This term, students in the visual arts groups will be creating artworks to submit for the Hunter iF Festival's “Energy of the Future” Tee Short Art Prize for Primary Schools! This art competition theme encourages students to think about sustainable energy sources, innovative technologies and the greener future for our planet. We cannot wait to share what our students create!
HPGE Game Changer Challenge
The Game Changer Challenge encourages students to develop innovative solutions to complex problems, with a focus on sustainability and global challenges. By focusing on real-world issues, the challenge provides a platform for students to apply their skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. Our inspired team of Year 6 girls; Hailey, Lily, Emily, Grace and Sophie, is currently gathering primary data related to waste management, understanding, behaviours and attitudes within our school. They will then develop and submit a design portfolio outlining their findings and proposed solutions that can promote a more sustainable future within our school, wider community and the world.
Mr Tassell and Miss Gee
School News
Choralfest
Congratulations to the primary vocal group who performed at Choralfest, a choir competition at Warners Bay Performing Arts Centre last Wednesday. Not only did they sing and perform brilliantly, they came away with a win in the category of ‘Primary Choir, any number – harmony’, against some very confident competition in Charlestown South and Hamilton South Public Schools. Well done!
Congratulations to the Junior Choir who also performed last Wednesday at Choralfest. They performed later in the afternoon and sang beautifully, impressing the audience with their pronunciation of some challenging words. They received a Highly Commended in the K-2 choirs any number. Well done!
Responsible Pet Program
The Infants attended the Responsible Pets Incursion on Wednesday morning. Students enjoyed watching videos, participating in role play, and engaging in storytelling to teach them about dog behaviour, safety, and appropriate interactions between children and dogs.
NAIDOC Week Ceremony
Premier's Spelling Bee - Get ready! Save the date!
Sport News
Zone Cross Country Carnival
The Zone Cross Country event started under a beautiful sunny sky, offering a promising beginning to the day. However, as the races commenced, conditions quickly changed as heavy rain swept through the area. The downpour transformed the course into a soggy and muddy challenge, testing the endurance of all participants.
Despite these conditions, our students showed remarkable resilience and determination. They navigated the slippery terrain with commitment, ensuring that every one of them finished their race with pride.
We are thrilled to announce that the following students will progress to the Hunter PSSA Cross Country Carnival: Billie S, Zahra B, Remi A, Archie N, Phoenix A and Jeremy W.
We look forward to supporting them in the next stage of their competition. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts!
Mrs Newton
NSW Schools Mountain Bike Series
Last Friday was an exciting day at the Awaba Mountain Bike Park as two of our talented students, Lucas and Brody Street, participated in Round 2 of the NSW Schools Mountain Bike Series. Despite the wet conditions, the event was filled with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
Brody demonstrated impressive skill, finishing 14th out of 24 competitors in the Under 9s category. Meanwhile, Lucas showcased his talent, securing 21st place out of 61 in the Under 11s category.
Congratulations to both Lucas and Brody for their outstanding performances!
ELMPSSA Football Trials
Last Monday, our school sent seven talented students to the ELMPSSA Football (soccer) trials for both boys and girls. It was an exciting event that gathered a large pool of aspiring athletes from across the East Lake Macquarie network.
Our students gave their all during the trials, showcasing their skills. Although they faced tough competition and were ultimately unsuccessful in securing a place in the team, their effort and sportsmanship were commendable.
PSSA Netball Knockout Competition
Last Tuesday, our PSSA knockout netball team displayed incredible talent and teamwork as they competed in rounds 1 and 2 of the state netball competition.
In their first match against Belmont Public School, our team showcased their skills and determination, securing a victory with a score of 23-2. The players demonstrated excellent teamwork and strategy, setting the tone for a successful day.
Their second game was equally impressive, as they faced off against Caves Beach Public School. Once again, the Floraville team emerged victorious, winning the match with an impressive score of 44-17.
With these outstanding performances, Floraville has now advanced to round three of the competition! They will be playing the winners of the match between Redhead Public School and Valentine Public School.
Congratulations to our netball team for their fantastic achievements so far!
AFL Paul Kelly Cup
AFL is rapidly gaining popularity among students in our area, and we are thrilled to announce that next Tuesday, our school will be participating in the competition for the very first time!
The AFL NSW/ACT Paul Kelly Cup is an excellent initiative aimed at engaging and introducing primary school students to the exciting game of Australian Rules Football. As the premier pathway competition for primary schools, it offers students a fantastic opportunity to learn about the sport while enjoying themselves in a supportive and fun environment.
Our team, made up of Year 5 and 6 students, will compete in a 12-a-side format with a squad of 16 players. We are participating in our local Waratah competition, and we're eager to showcase our skills and teamwork. The winning teams will have the exciting chance to progress to regional and state final competitions.
This another opportunity for Floraville Public School students to showcase teamwork and their skills.
Aerobics - Newcastle Super Series
This past weekend, our aerobics teams showcased their incredible talent and dedication at the recent competition.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the achievements of every participant.
Every team represented Floraville Public School with unwavering commitment and determination. Each student who took part in the competition contributed to the success of our school and is celebrated for their hard work and commitment.
While many of our teams were fortunate to secure medals, some teams competed in categories where they faced no competition. It’s essential to acknowledge the hard work of all our athletes, including those who competed against larger groups and did not have the same assurance of success. Their dedication and teamwork were commendable and exemplified the true spirit of competition.
To all our aerobics teams: thank you for your perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly proud of each of you. Let us continue to support one another and celebrate our successes.
Results from the weekend:
- Super Girls 1st
- Aftershock 1st
- Fierce and Fabulous 1st
- Radio Rebels 3rd
- Crazy Crew 2nd
- Hyped Up 6th
- Party People 3rd
Congratulations to all our athletes! Check them out below!
P&C News
🌷 Mother’s Day Stall Wrap-Up: What a Success!
Our 2025 Mother’s Day stall was a sparkly, colourful, music-filled Mum-Chella festival of fun! 🎉 A huge thank you goes out to our fundraising committee and our amazing mum volunteers who helped bring this event to life both in the lead-up and on the day. Special thanks to Amanda, Cheryl, Katie, Kate, Emma, Carly, Allira, Renae, Jayde, Ebony, Michelle, Terrie, Kylie, Nicole, and Ashlee. 🙌 Your hard work and dedication made all the difference! It takes months of planning behind the scenes to make these events happen, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.
We absolutely loved seeing the students excitedly choosing something special for their mums, grandmothers, aunties, and carers. Thank you for allowing your kids to make purchases at our stall! We hope everyone loved their special gifts and had a wonderful Mother’s Day filled with joy and love! 💖
🌳 Enrichment Tree Update: Supporting Our Students in 2025!
Our Enrichment Tree is well underway for 2025! 🌟 This initiative replaces the previous voluntary contribution fees requested by the school, allowing you to see exactly where your contributions go and empowering you to 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 still have plenty of items available across all year groups. Currently, Year 1 has the most items sold, so let’s see if the other year groups can catch up! 🎉 It’s 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. Your support truly makes a difference! 🙏
🌟 Volunteer of the Month Announcement!
This year, the P&C is excited to acknowledge our wonderful volunteers who contribute so much to our school community. Every month, we will be celebrating a Volunteer of the Month! 🎉
At the recent P&C meeting, we announced the recipients for March and April:
Sally Kable for her incredible efforts as our rockstar Easter Bunny over the last 4 years, as well as her support in the canteen and other volunteering opportunities within the school. 🐰 Thank you, Sally, for bringing joy and enthusiasm to our community!
Amanda Bailey for her outstanding contributions to the P&C, her involvement in events, and her commitment to nearly every volunteering opportunity we have at school. 🌟 (Please note, Amanda was not present during the voting or decision-making process.)
Congratulations to both Sally and Amanda for their exceptional dedication! 👏 We are grateful for all our volunteers and look forward to celebrating many more in the future. If you know someone who deserves recognition, keep an eye out for the nomination call at the end of each month!
With thanks from Zarraffa’s Coffee and Cake Cake Baby, our Volunteers of the Month will receive a delightful coffee voucher and some delicious cupcakes! ☕🧁 It’s our way of saying thank you for their incredible contributions to our school community!
If you have a nomination for the month of May, we want to hear from you! Please send us a message on our Facebook page or email us at fpsfundraising1@gmail.com. Let’s continue to shine a light on our extraordinary volunteers who make a difference every day! 🌈
🗓️ Important P&C Dates for Your Calendar!
Mark these exciting events coming up this year:
📅 Term 2 P&C Meetings: Tuesday 13 May and 10 June
🪩P&C Disco: Thursday, 3 July - change of date
🍷 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
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
P&C Committee
Community Newsletter
Please see Community Newsletter - Term 2 for community events and news.