Newsletter | Term 3 Week 1

Principal Message

Public Education - Ignite your potential

Public Education Week is just around the corner! Officially celebrated in Week 3 of Term 3, we take this opportunity to recognise the incredible impact of public education in our lives. However, our commitment to celebrating public education extends beyond just one week—we honour it every day.

Want to know how you can join us in celebrating all things public education? Do you want to know some of the opportunities that we provide students as part of their public education? We have some exciting events planned, and we invite you to join us for many of these. For the latest updates and detailed information about our activities, be sure to check out the School Bytes Parent Calendar.

Let’s come together as a community to celebrate the vital role public education plays in shaping our future.

Week 1
NAIDOC assembly - Friday 25 July
Week 2
Infants Assembly - showcasing Junior Star Struck Dance - Monday 28 July 2:30pm
Jeans for Genes Day Assembly - Tuesday 29 July - 11:45am
Kindergarten - 100 days of school celebration - Wednesday 30 July
Stage 1 League Tag Day - Thursday 31 July
Week 3
Primary Assembly - showcasing Senior Star Struck Dance and Choir, and Majors Band - Monday 4 August 2pm
Jeans for Genes Day - Thursday 7 August
Week 4
Public Speaking Finals - Tuesday 12 August
P&C Meeting - Tuesday 12 August 6:30pm
Week 5
Book Fair and Book Week Parade
Week 6
Father's Day Celebrations - Thursday 28 August
Father's Day Stall - Friday 29 August
Week 7
Year 4 are off to the Great Aussie Bush Camp
Year 1 and Year 2 are off to the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park
Zone Public Speaking Finals
Week 8
P&C Meeting - Tuesday 9 September 6:30pm
Week 9
Infants Sports Carnival
Week 10
Infants Assembly - Infants Junior Choir - Monday 22 September 2:30pm
P&C Colour Run - Thursday 25 September

Amelia - Jeans for Genes - We're wearing Double Denim!

Let's get behind our very own Amelia on Tuesday 29 July. A team from Jeans for Genes will be visiting for an assembly in the hall starting from 11:50am. All families are welcome to attend. During this assembly, a scientist will talk to students about DNA, and our school will learn more about what Jeans for Genes is all about. After the assembly, the team will be heading into Amelia's class, 2N, to further explore DNA through coloured water pipetting.

Everyone is encouraged to wear their jeans on Tuesday 29 July. Students are encouraged to bring their gold coins, which will be donated to Amelia's Jeans for Genes page. You can also donate directly via our Floraville Public School Team Amelia page.

https://fundraise.jeansforgenes.org.au/fundraisers/FloravillePublicSchool1/wear-your-jeans-2025 

And the double denim happens when all students are invited to wear their jeans to school again on Thursday 7 August, the official 'Jeans for Genes' day.

Kindergarten 2026 - Get Ready!

We are excited to invite families to our Kindergarten 2026 - Parent Information Evening. We hope you will be able to join us for an engaging and informative evening. Our dedicated team will discuss everything Kindergarten, the curriculum, daily routines, and more. You'll have the opportunity to meet fellow parents, ask questions, and get to know our school community. If you have a little one starting Kindergarten next year, there is still time to enrol at the link below. Don’t forget to spread the word to friends and family who may also be interested in joining our school community.

Child Protection Education

This term, all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will participate in Child Protection Education. This important component of our curriculum is mandated for all stages of learning from Kindergarten through Year 10, as outlined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) in the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) K-10 Syllabus.

The goal of this education is to empower our students by helping them to:

• Recognise and respond to unsafe situations
• Seek help effectively
• Build and maintain respectful and equitable relationships
• Develop positive attitudes and values related to respect, responsibility, and equality

Curriculum across Stages

Here’s a brief overview of the key topics covered at each stage:

Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

• Understanding feelings and body reactions
• Building relationships with others
• Learning about caring behaviours
• Identifying private and non-private body parts
• Recognising safe and unsafe situations
• Exploring family structures and rights
• Strategies for making safe decisions

Stage 1 (Years 1-2)

• Emotions and body reactions
• Relationships and how we care for one another
• Understanding bullying and group dynamics
• Strategies for seeking help and staying safe
• Communication and cooperation in respectful ways

Stage 2 (Years 3-4)

• Rights and responsibilities in various contexts
• Recognising emotions and warning signs
• Understanding power dynamics in relationships
• Identifying types of abuse and bullying
• Promoting positive support networks and respectful communication

Stage 3 (Years 5-6)

• Emphasising rights and responsibilities in relationships
• Identifying and managing unsafe emotions
• Exploring different types of relationships and their changes
• Understanding abuse of power and types of abuse
• Building strategies for safety and inclusion of others

For more information on the significance of child protection education, you can visit The importance of child protection education

Kirstie Yeo
Principal

Celebrating Success: Year 5 students make a difference!

At our school, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. Recently, our Student Representative Council (SRC) demonstrated this by raising funds for the Mark Hughes Foundation, an organisation dedicated to vital cancer research and support. We are thrilled to share a heartwarming story from the holidays that showcases the incredible initiative of three of our Year 5 students: Sofia, Rose, and Myla.

During their break, these girls decided to host a bake sale in their neighbourhood to further support the Mark Hughes Foundation. With determination and creativity, they planned every detail of their event, from shopping for ingredients to creating eye-catching flyers and price lists.

Their hard work paid off when they baked a delicious array of treats that delighted their community. At the end of the day, they proudly raised an impressive $126 for the Mark Hughes Foundation!

We are so proud of Sofia, Rose, and Myla for their initiative and commitment to making a positive impact. Their efforts truly embody the community spirit we cherish at our school.

Nick Garner

Library

Book Club Issue 5

Book Club Issue 5 is out now!

All orders are due via the Loop app or through the office by 3pm Friday, 8 August 2025 (Term 3 Week 3).

Book Week 2025

Book Week 2025 will be held in Week 5 this term. This year’s theme is Book an Adventure!

We will have lots of exciting things happening in classrooms and around the school during Book Week and are very excited to welcome parents and carers to our annual Book Parade on Wednesday, 20 August 2025. Further details to be shared closer to the event.

Term 3 Scholastic Book Fair

As part of Book Week 2025, we will be hosting our second and final Scholastic Book Fair for the year in Week 5.

A percentage of sales from the fair is put back into the library, which assists us in ensuring our students have access to the latest titles. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Book Fair opening dates and times:

8.15 – 9am: Monday 18 August – Thursday 21 August

11.45am – 1.18pm Wednesday 20 August (middle session after the Book Parade)

Location: School library

Timetabled class visits will be communicated in the lead up to the fair.

Please note: Similar to our last Book Fair, students will not complete wish lists prior to, or during visits to the fair, as there is ample opportunity to visit the fair throughout the week and make purchases during a visit. This avoids having students complete wish lists during a class visit, then finding their desired book is out of stock when they return to make a purchase.

Cash and card payments are accepted.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the Book Fair!

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is open to students until the new, extended deadline of Friday, 19 September 2025.

To log student reading records, please follow the link below, select ‘Logon’ from the left-hand menu, and log in using student school credentials when redirected to the login screen. If you require any support in accessing and logging reading records online, please see Mr Tassell in the library.

https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/home.html

If you plan to submit a hard copy log sheet to Mr Tassell so that he can assist with logging books read during the Premier’s Reading Challenge, please ensure that you allow time for this and have reading log sheets in to Mr Tassell prior to the student deadline.

Sam Tassell
Library Teacher

School News

Social Media

Have you checked your child's devices recently?

As technology becomes an integral part of our children's lives, it's essential for parents to take an active role in ensuring their online safety. With the vast array of content available and the potential risks associated with online interactions, if parents choose to allow their children to have access to technology, there is a need to be vigilant about what children are doing and who they are speaking with on their devices.

One effective way to enhance your child's online safety is by using parental controls. These tools can help prevent access to harmful content, manage the time your child spends online, and limit who they can communicate with. For parental controls to be most effective, they should be set up on all devices your child accesses, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. Remember to review and update these controls regularly, especially for devices your child may use while in the care of others, such as family members or friends.

While parental controls are a valuable resource, they work best when combined with active supervision and other online safety strategies. Engaging in open conversations with your child about their online activities, encouraging them to share their experiences, and discussing the importance of online privacy can significantly contribute to their safety.

Additionally, it's important to be aware of upcoming legal changes regarding online safety. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will introduce a mandatory minimum age of 16 for accounts on certain social media platforms, coming into effect in December 2025. This change aims to create a safer online environment for younger users, and we encourage you to stay informed about these developments.

For further information on how to keep your child safe online, please visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website at eSafety.gov.au/parents.

Subscribe to eSafety news | eSafety Commissioner

How can I help my child?

If your child is affected by cyberbullying or misuse of technology, encourage them to tell you as the trusted adult or the school.

The Department of Education has a Suspension and Expulsion Policy, which includes guidelines about the appropriate use of social media, mobile devices, and other technology.

This policy addresses that student behaviour includes: when using social media, mobile devices, and/or other technology involving another student or staff member, where there is a clear and close connection between the school and students’ conduct.

You can access the policy document Suspension and Expulsion.

By working together, we can create a safer online environment for our children. Thank you for your commitment to their safety and wellbeing.

NAIDOC Celebrations

Floraville Public School proudly celebrates NAIDOC. At the end of Term 2, all students and staff came together to recreate the 2025 'Ancestral Lines' poster by Jeremy Morgan Worrall. As Jeremy explains, 'Ancestral Lines is a visual representation of the lines and ties that follow a generation and the songs that come with it.' We embody this meaning with our students, with our oldest cohort in Year 6 leading the way for those who follow, all the way down to our youngest learners in Kindergarten.

Keep an eye on next week’s newsletter for Part 2 of our NAIDOC celebrations.

Public Speaking

Students have been busy planning, writing and practising their speeches as part of our public speaking program. This valuable learning experience helps students build confidence, develop their oral language skills, and learn to express their ideas clearly.

Students will be presenting their speeches in class during the first three weeks of Term 3. Following the class presentations, representatives from each class will be selected to present at the school finals, which will be held in Week 4, Tuesday 12 August.

We encourage all families to support their child by listening to their speech at home and offering positive feedback as they rehearse. We look forward to seeing our students shine as they develop and showcase their public speaking skills. Please see below the criteria utilised for public speaking.

K-2 Simplified Logon Changes

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 students have transitioned to a shortened username format. Over the winter school holidays, the usernames of students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 were set to the department’s new shortened format. 

Some frequently asked questions:

Is the new username format case-sensitive?
No - both uppercase and lowercase letters will work.

What happens when K-2 students move into Stage 2 and beyond?
Once students have transitioned to the new shortened username, they will retain it for the duration of their educational journey with the department.

An email will be sent home shortly with your child's new logon details.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. The NCCD is a collection that counts:

• The number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
• The level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. All schools must collect and submit information each year for the NCCD. This is detailed in the Australian Education Regulation 2013. For more information, please refer to the following infographic and email the school if you require any further clarification.

Matter of Seconds Water Safety

We were thrilled to see our Kindergarten, Year 3 and Year 6 students participate in an engaging water safety presentation as part of the Lake Macquarie City Council’s Matter of Seconds Water Safety Program. This initiative aims to equip students with essential water safety knowledge and basic emergency care skills.

During the interactive sessions, our students learned valuable lessons from local surf lifesavers, who shared their expertise and real-life experiences. The program is designed for students in Kindergarten, Year 3, and Year 6, ensuring that our children receive age-appropriate education on how to stay safe around water.

We believe that this program not only enhances our students' understanding of water safety but also empowers them to make informed decisions when enjoying aquatic activities. We encourage you to discuss what they learned at home and reinforce these important messages.

Kindergarten 100 Days of School

Sports News

K-2 Athletics Carnival - Save the Date

P&C News

🌟 Welcome to Term 3 with the P&C 🌟

What’s on for this term? Here are some important dates for your calendar:

• 📅Term 3 P&C Meetings:
  • Tuesday, 12 August (SRC will be presenting to the P&C)
  • Tuesday, 9 September
• 👨‍👧Father’s Day Stall: Friday, 29 August 
• 🏃‍♀️Colour Run: Thursday, 25 September 

🏃Colour Run is Coming

We are excited to announce this year's Monty’s Monstar Colour Run at our school! Information will be sent home with students on how to sign up in the portal, and you can share with family and friends to sponsor your child! There will be incentives for the 3 highest fundraising classes:

• 1st Place: Opportunity to slime Ms Yeo & their class teacher and enjoy a class pizza party lunch! 🍕
• 2nd Place: Get to slime Mr Garner & their class teacher, plus enjoy some yummy cupcakes for the class! 🧁
• 3rd Place: Get to slime their class teacher and have ice blocks for the class! 🍦

Do you or someone you know own a business and would like to sponsor our P&C for this event? There are a couple of ways you can help out. For information regarding sponsorship, please reach out to our Vice President (Fundraising), Cheryl, via email: fpsfundraising1@gmail.com.

🌈🏃 Colour Run Volunteers Needed!

We need your help again! The Colour Run is being held on Thursday, 25 September, so why not book in a roster day or annual leave day and come have some fun with the kids at the end of another fantastic term!

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to an exciting Term 3!

🎉 Disco Wrap Up 🎉

What a fabulous, high-energy way to end Term 2! Everyone brought their best disco behaviour, fun, and friendship to the event. The positive feedback we received from the kids made all the effort worthwhile.

With 320 kids, 40+ volunteers, 540 lolly bags, and over 1300 glow sticks, it was a night filled with fun and friendship. While this event was intended as a "fun-raiser" more than a fundraiser, we are pleased to announce that we raised approximately $1700 from the evening.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteers who helped keep the night running smoothly. Special thanks to all parents for your patience with the sign-in process. As this was our first disco event at a new location, we acknowledge that there are things we can try differently to streamline the process if we host another disco in the future.

Congratulations to the 16 winners of our disco lucky door prizes, who won canteen vouchers donated by our school canteen. The prizes were drawn randomly on the night and awarded to: Ruby J, Mel A, Arkyn, Charlie F, Jakrii, Quinn, Charlotte, Ashton, Phoenix R, Lilly D, Hannah L, Ella R, Lucas S, Grayson, Alexis, and Adrian B.

Finally, a huge shoutout to our hardworking fundraising committee, Cheryl, Amanda, Katie, and Kate, who made it all happen with many hours of work behind the scenes. We know some families missed out on tickets due to the pre-sale requirement, but it was essential for safety and planning. We shared this information widely and encourage you to turn on Facebook notifications, read the newsletters, and grab tickets early for future events, as we know life gets busy and these small things can be easily forgotten.

We will continue to work hard to bring more fun events for the kids this year! Head to our Facebook page to see some video highlights of the evening. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16hU4gFfu2/ 

🌳 Enrichment Tree Update 🌳

We are so grateful to have received contributions of almost $5000 towards the Enrichment Tree classroom items. This is a fantastic effort from our Floraville families! 🎉

The P&C has added an additional $1200 so far towards the Enrichment Tree and will continue to raise money for the higher-priced technology items this year. We have started the shopping during the holidays, and items have begun arriving in the classrooms this week, which is very exciting! 📦✨

We will share some photos of your contributions in action very soon!

Thank you for your continued support in enhancing our students' learning experiences!

🍽️ Canteen Update

We have some exciting canteen plans for Term 3, including new Book Week-inspired ideas. We will share this information with you in the coming newsletters, so stay tuned!

Unfortunately, our canteen volunteer roster is looking a little sparse this term. We have several days without sufficient volunteers, and unless these vacancies are filled, we will need to close. If you can spare a few hours in the morning, your help would be greatly appreciated. Here are the dates where extra helpers are needed:

• Tuesdays: 12 August, 26 August, 9 September, 23 September
• Thursdays: 7 August, 14 August, 21 August, 11 September, 18 September
• Fridays: 1 August, 8 August, 29 August, 5 September, 26 September

👕 2nd Hand Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will be open on Monday, 28 July from 2:45-3:15 PM. Pop in to see us and pick up some great second-hand bargains ready for the next school season! If the kids have grown out of any uniforms over the holidays, we are also accepting donations of items in good condition. There is a donation tub in the office available every day.

Thank you for your support and involvement in our school community!

🗓️ Upcoming P&C Dates for Your Calendar! 📅

📅Term 3 P&C Meetings: 12 August (SRC attending) and 9 September

👨‍👧Father’s Day Stall: Friday, 29 August 

🏃‍♀️Colour Run: Thursday, 25 September 

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

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details on these exciting events! 🎊

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 3 for upcoming holiday and vacation care information, and other community news and events.