Newsletter | Term 3 Week 6

Principal Message

Father’s Day in the sunshine

We were delighted to welcome so many special people from our students’ lives during yesterday’s Father’s Day celebrations. After weeks of rainy weather, the sunshine made it possible for everyone to enjoy outdoor activities together.

Visitors included dads, pops, granddads, grandmas, mums and many more cherished family members, all coming together to share the day.

Also a huge thanks to the P&C who were supported by a number of volunteers for the Father's Day stall at school today. 

Literacy and Numeracy Week

Literacy and Numeracy Week, 29 August to 4 September, is an annual event to encourage and celebrate literacy and numeracy. Floraville Public School will join schools across the state in celebrating Literacy and Numeracy Week, an important annual event that highlights the essential skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. 

We encourage families to support their children’s learning by sharing stories together, exploring numbers in everyday life, and celebrating progress in literacy and numeracy. Developing these skills not only supports academic success but also empowers students with the tools they need for lifelong learning.

The Department of Education has updated literacy and numeracy resources for parents, carers and families of child in the early years, primary and high school. Check these out at Resources for parents, carers and families.

Change is coming: Kiss and Ride

Changes are on the way for our Kiss and Ride area. Lake Macquarie Council has approved proposed adjustments, initially communicated last year, aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion during busy drop-off and pick-up times.

The new design aims to reduce the impact on the bus zone and pedestrian crossing, while relocating the zone away from the steep verge adjacent to the current Kiss and Ride. These improvements will hopefully create a safer and more efficient space for students, families, and the community.

Once implemented, the existing Kiss and Ride area will be converted into parking. The new Kiss and Ride zone will extend approximately 70 metres from Gate 2 (the service delivery driveway) down towards the roundabout at the corner of Park Royal Drive.

While the exact date for these changes has not yet been confirmed, families will be notified as soon as details are available. We will also do our best to support our students and families in adjusting to these changes.

E-Bikes

School Admin Support Staff (SASS) Recognition Week 

Next week is SASS recognition week!

At Floraville PS we have a large and hardworking team of SASS staff. These are the staff who greet our school visitors, manage school finances, complete the large amount of administration tasks, show great care and compassion in sick bay, maintain school grounds and support students with additional needs. These staff are the vital for our school community, please if you see any of our SASS staff around the school in the coming week, reach out and say 'thank you'. 

Nick Garner
Rel. Principal 

Celebrating Success: Isaac from 6N

We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Isaac from class 6N, a proud Aboriginal student who recently made a remarkable contribution to our community of schools. Isaac had the honour of presenting an Acknowledgement of Country to a gathering of teachers participating in professional learning, Connecting to Country.

Isaac’s thoughtful and respectful acknowledgement highlighted the importance of recognising and respecting the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn and grow. He also played the role of Karabung in our school’s recent NAIDOC Assembly.

We are proud of Isaac’s leadership and the positive example he sets for his peers.

Nick Garner

Early Stage 1

Friendly reminder

A reminder to families to keep valuables at home. The best place for toys and special belongings is at home. This keeps them safe.

What are we learning in Kindergarten?

Literacy

In literacy, we are exploring our five senses. Can you name them all?

When is a time when you use only one sense? When is a time when you use all five? Play a game of “Secret Sound” and really think about what it could be.

We are busy learning about nouns (naming words), verbs (doing words), and adjectives (describing words). At home, you can play a game of “Simon Says” or “I Spy” and talk about the nouns, verbs, and adjectives you use. Can you play charades with nouns and verbs?

Over the next week, we are exploring Jane Goodall by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Beatrice Cerocchi. Some new words for our vocabulary are generous, discovery, and disappear. Can you use those words in a sentence? You can watch it at home here.

In Week 7, we are reading Bush Tracks by Ros Moriarty. Some new words for us are horizon, wade, and coastal. Can you explain what they mean?  You can watch a read aloud here.

Numeracy

We are learning all about patterns for the next two weeks.

We can:

• copy, continue, and create patterns in a variety of forms
• identify part-whole relationships in numbers up to 10
• Use visual representation to assist in combing and separating quantities.

Ask your child about AB patterns, ABC patterns, and growing and shrinking patterns. Do you notice any patterns at home?

We are busy at school and are looking forward to Father’s Day, our excursion to Newcastle Museum, and the upcoming Sports Carnival. Check School Bytes for more information.

Nhunda kumba kumba,

Kirrilly Katen
Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 1

English Phonic Focus     

Mathematics 

In mathematics, Stage 1 students will be exploring measurement.

Year 1

Year 1 students will be introduced to measurement using uniform informal units. Students are provided opportunities to:

• compare, order and match using informal units of measurement
• estimate whether a measurement is reasonable
• consider how selection of measuring unit affects accuracy
• explore conservation of length, area, volume and mass.

Year 2

In Year 2, students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills of measurement. Students are provided opportunities to:

• measure, record, compare and estimate a variety of attributes including length, area, volume and mass using informal units
• explore and connect mathematical measurement concepts
• apply mathematical measurement techniques to solve investigations and communicate their thinking.

Stage 1 Science – Exploring Materials

In Stage 1, students have been learning about materials as a scientific term, meaning “matter or substance from which an object is made.” They have been investigating how different materials can be changed, manipulated and combined in a variety of ways.

Recently, students carried out hands-on experiments to observe what happens when materials are heated and cooled, including freezing and melting. These activities encouraged students to make predictions, record observations and reflect on the changes they could see.

In the coming weeks, students will continue to deepen their understanding by exploring how Aboriginal people used natural materials from the land in sustainable and practical ways. They will also have the opportunity to experiment with paper making, giving them a creative and meaningful experience in transforming materials into something new.

Stage 1 students are enjoying discovering the many ways science connects to the world around them.

Thank you to our P&C

We would like to sincerely thank our P&C for purchasing new resources for our students. Through the Wishing Tree initiative, Stage 1 students are now enjoying a range of exciting new resources that are enriching their learning and supporting their classroom experiences. Your commitment to our school community is greatly appreciated and is making a difference in the learning journey of our students.

Elleina Martinez
Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 2

Students in Year 3 and 4 have had a fantastic time using some of the resources provided by the P&C Enrichment Tree. Class 2/3K were quick to get the paint pens and coloured markers out to create some new pieces of art. The timing was perfect for 3/4O as they used the painting mats when recreating their own interpretation of Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly series. 

Class 3A have been learning about arrays. An array is a visual arrangement of objects, numbers, or symbols in rows and columns. It helps students understand multiplication by showing how equal groups can be organised and counted efficiently. For example, an array with 3 rows and 4 columns represents 3 groups of 4, making it easy to see that 3 × 4 equals 12. Using arrays supports students in grasping multiplication as repeated addition and builds a strong foundation for later mathematical concepts.

Last week, the students of 4L participated in a creative and engaging art activity to celebrate Book Week. This year’s theme, ‘Book Yourself An Adventure,’ inspired the class to imagine exciting journeys through the power of reading and creativity. Each student drew and decorated their own hot air balloon, imagining it as the vessel that would take them on a unique adventure.

The activity encouraged students to think about their dream destinations and explore the possibilities that books can open up. Jai chose to travel to the iconic Uluru, captivated by its rich cultural significance and stunning natural beauty. Amelia and Cadence imagined themselves soaring over the tropical paradise of Hawaii, excited by the vibrant landscapes and island adventures. Miller’s balloon is set to take him to the beautiful beaches and lush surroundings of Bali, promising an exciting and exotic trip.

This art project not only allowed the students to express their artistic talents but also sparked their imaginations and fostered a love for exploring new places and stories through reading. We can't wait t see their finished products!

Class 4/5D have been developing their writing skills by learning to visualise their ideas before putting them on paper. They have been using the "stretch to sketch" technique, which encourages them to create quick drawings to explore and organise their thoughts. This approach helps students plan their writing more clearly and creatively. By visualising first, they are becoming more confident and effective writers.

Year 4 are getting excited about the school camp next week. We will be leaving shortly after 9am on Monday morning. Each student should have brought home their packing list. A copy of the list and a social story was also sent out via the School Bytes app. The weather forecast indicates there will be good times ahead.

Adam O’Shannessy
Stage 2 Assistant Principal

Stage 3

6N have been enthusiastically engaged in publishing their creative writing for Book Week, inspired by this year’s captivating theme, ‘Adventure’. Throughout the process, they have demonstrated dedication and perseverance by revising their narratives and honing their writing skills. Utilising digital tools such as Google Docs and Google Classroom, the students have collaboratively drafted, edited, and polished their stories, culminating in a collection of imaginative and well-crafted adventures. Their efforts in revising and editing demonstrate both their creativity and growing confidence in using technology to support their learning.

6C students have been using the computer program Essential Assessment throughout the year to complete pre- and post-tests for each mathematics unit. This online tool allows teachers to track student progress and provides timely feedback on their growth and areas for improvement. By regularly using Essential Assessment, students gain a clearer understanding of their strengths and where they can focus their efforts to improve. Additionally, 6C has completed two sections of the Check-in Assessment, an online test developed by the NSW Department of Education. This assessment gives a quick snapshot of student progress in key skills, helping teachers tailor support to each learner’s needs.

5A students are also preparing to enter the Hunter Young Writers Competition 2025, open to all NSW students. Rose, Caitlin, Elsa, and Ally have been recognised for their outstanding entries, which feature imaginative storylines and excellent use of figurative language. Their writing captures fresh and exciting adventures, reflecting strong creativity and storytelling skills.

5/6F students have been exploring the powerful themes in Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Through an in-depth study of characterisation, they have examined the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of different characters. Students have been experimenting with a variety of writing formats—including diary entries, letters, reflections, and blog posts—to creatively express their understanding. Our focus has also included mastering diverse sentence types and literary techniques, such as dialogue, narrative voice, and rhetorical questions, to enhance their writing skills. It has been an engaging journey of empathy, creativity, and language development.

Ryan Cox
Stage 3 Assistant Principal

Library

Book Club Issue 6

Book Club Issue 6 is out now!

All orders are due via the Loop app, online, or through the office by 3pm Friday, 12^th September 2025 (Term 3 Week 8).

By popular demand, the new Anh Do book, 25 Weirdo Weird Star! is available in Book Club Issue 6.

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 log sheets in to Mr Tassell prior to the student deadline.

Sam Tassell
Librarian Teacher

Sports News

PSSA Rugby League Knockout Update

The first three rounds of the PSSA Rugby League Knockout Gala Day were played at Cessnock on a beautiful, sunny day with dry field conditions, much to the relief and excitement of our boys. After several postponements due to rain and field closures, the team was eager to play and showcase their skill.

In their first match, our boys won convincingly against Kahibah Public School, 24-0. Although they got off to a slower start in the second game against Jewells Primary School, they found their rhythm and secured a strong 24-6 win. The final match against Valentine Public School was a tough, physical battle, but the team showed great determination and resilience to come away with a close 16-12 win.

With these impressive results, our team now progresses to the PSSA Hunter Semi Finals, an achievement Floraville PS has not reached in many years. This is a fantastic milestone for our players and school.

A big thank you to all the wonderful supporters who assisted with travel arrangements and boosted team morale with lollies and drinks. Your support made a real difference!

National School Aerobics

Our talented Aerobics teams will be competing at the National Championships this Saturday on the Gold Coast.

This week, there were no training sessions as our teams dedicated coaches had already travelled to Queensland to support the teams. Some of our school students also participated in the club competition, which commenced Tuesday 26 August, showcasing their hard work and commitment.

Our students had their final training session last weekend at The Ultimate Beat Sports Aerobics Studio, where they put the finishing touches on their routines. 

We look forward to sharing updates, results, and photographs from the competition. Good luck to all of the girls and teams as they represent Floraville Public School on the national stage.

K-2 Athletics Carnival - Save the Date

P&C News

🌈 Colour Run – Thursday, 25 September! Only 4 Weeks to Go!

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to register your child for the Colour Run! Register now at www.myprofilepage.com.au and share your fundraising page with family and friends. The more participants and funds raised, the closer we get to our goal, and the closer the kids get to sliming their teachers and winning a huge range of prizes! So far, 25% of our students have created a fundraising profile, and we would love to see 100% participation.

The SRC has requested $15,000 to update library furniture and resources to create a more comfortable space for lessons and break times. Our Colour Run efforts aim to raise this amount (and more!) to benefit all students from Kindergarten through to Year 6.

🏢 Business Owners 

Want to sponsor this event or one of our Colour Run obstacles? Contact Cheryl, VP (Fundraising), at fpsfundraising1@gmail.com for more information.

🙋 Volunteers 

Take a roster or leave day and join the fun! Our last Colour Run in 2022 was a blast for students, teachers, and helpers alike. Don’t miss it!

Canteen Volunteers Needed

We require volunteers in our canteen on the following dates:

If you can help, please send us a message on our Facebook page or email floravillecanteen@yahoo.com.au. No experience is needed, orientation will be provided, it’s a great time, and lunch is included!
On busy days, we can have over 150 lunch orders, which is too much for just 2 or 3 people to handle. Many hands make light work. If you use the canteen, please try to sign up for at least one day per term.

👕 2nd Hand Uniform Shop

Next open

On Monday, 8 September, from 2:45-3:15pm, we will be open next. School Bytes is updated with our uniform shop opening dates, so remember to check here if you want to see when we are next open.

Survey

We are asking our school community to complete a survey about our 2nd-hand uniform shop. Even if you haven’t utilised the uniform shop, we’d still like to hear your thoughts! It takes less than 2 minutes to complete: 2nd Hand Uniform Shop Survey.

🗓️ Upcoming P&C Dates for Your Calendar! 📅

📅Term 3 P&C Meeting: 9 September

🏃‍♀️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

LOWES

Community Newsletter

Please see Community Newsletter - Term 3 for upcoming holiday and vacation care information, and other community news and events.