TERM 2 WEEK 1/2 NEWSLETTER 2025
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY
I want to start the newsletter by thanking the P&C and all the staff who assisted with the Mothers' Day stall on Thursday. Your hard work is greatly appreciated, and I know many people will be grateful for the gifts they receive on Mothers' Day.
I hope all the mums, grandmothers, and significant others who fill this important role in our community have a wonderful day!
ANZAC MARCH
During the holidays, we had a group of approximately 70 students and staff members take part in the Orange ANZAC Day march and commemorations. Congratulations to all of these students for proudly marching and representing our school on this important occasion, and thank you to all of the parents, carers, and staff members who supported students to attend.
I would also like to congratulate Alexis Wynne, who had the special honour of reciting a poem at this year's Dawn Service. I was lucky enough to watch Alexis at the service, and she did an amazing job, representing our school with pride.
TERM 1 PBL AWARDS
Thank you to everyone who attended our Term 1 PBL Awards assemblies. Your presence and support mean a lot to our students.
It was great to see the efforts of those students who received awards for their self-regulation and positive attitudes towards school. These qualities are essential in our school community.
I encourage all students to keep working towards these goals as we head into Term 2. Let’s aim for even more achievements at the next awards ceremony.
2026 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS
As we make our way through Term 2, we begin to make plans around our incoming 2026 Kindergarten students and in particular our school transition processes. If you intend to enrol a kindergarten student for next year, or know of someone that will be, please ensure enrolments are placed via the school office as soon as possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REMINDERS
Congratulations to:
- Our Stage 2 and 3 students who participated in the Rugby League Star Gala Day on Tuesday.
- Our Boys' and Girls' PSSA Touch Teams for their Round 1 match against Bowen PS on Wednesday. Both teams played well, with the boys advancing to Round 2 after a strong win.
- Our Boys' and Girls' PSSA Soccer Teams for their Round 1 match against Glenroi Heights PS yesterday. Both teams enjoyed a win and will advance to Round 2 of the competition.
Best of luck to the following groups:
- Our School Chess teams participating in the Interschool Chess Tournament at Orange Ex-Services Club on Monday, 12th May.
- Primary students presenting their CWA Public Speeches in Week 3. This is the first round, with one student from each grade selected to advance to the next stage of the competition against other schools.
- Our PSSA Netball Team as they play their Round 1 match against Bowen PS on Wednesday, 14th May.
- The OEPS Athletics Team competing in the Orange District PSSA Carnival on Friday, 16th May at Waratah's Sports Fields.
- The OEPS Cross Country Team taking part in the District Carnival on Monday, 19th May at Gosling Creek Reserve.
- The OEPS Debating Team (B) who will face Molong CS in Molong on Wednesday, 21st May.
We have a wealth of enriching experiences ahead for our talented students! A heartfelt thank you to the staff and parents/caregivers who are coordinating and supporting these activities. Wishing all our students the best of luck in their upcoming events!
OFFICE VISITORS
SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Please note that our school photos will be held on Thursday, 15th May (Week 3). All students will have their photo taken. MSP Photographer envelopes were sent home with students last term. Family envelopes are available on request from the school office.
Students are required to wear full winter uniform for the photos.
NSW PUBLIC SCHOOL SURVEY (YR 3-6)
In Term 2, all students in Years 3-6 will participate in the NSW Public Schools Student Survey. This survey allows students to share their thoughts about their school experience, including their engagement, learning, and wellbeing.
Hearing from our students will help us understand what’s going well and where we can improve. The survey is confidential, takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and will be conducted online during school hours.
If you do not want your child to participate, please complete the attached opt-out consent form and return it to their class teacher by Monday, 19th May. You can also send the form directly to alison.croker@det.nsw.edu.au. More information about the survey is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/npss.
WINTER SCHOOL UNIFORM
As the cold weather arrives, this is a reminder that we switch to Winter Uniform for Terms 2 and 3. While the school hat is not required during these terms, students can choose to purchase a school beanie.
Winter uniform items can be ordered through the QuickCliq (canteen) app or at the school office. Good quality used items are also available at the school clothing pool.
Please remember that we expect all students to wear the correct uniform. Wearing the uniform supports our students' self-esteem and helps promote our school as a proud part of the community. Below is a table outlining the uniform requirements for Terms 2 and 3 to assist parents and caregivers.
CLOTHING POOL
The Clothing Pool is open every Wednesday morning from 8:40 to 9:10 AM. Afternoons are available by appointment only. A reminder that the Clothing Pool has moved to the former General Assistant/Cleaner's Shed, located next to the disabled toilet.
Due to high demand for sizes 8, 10, and 12, there is currently very limited availability of second-hand items.
We kindly remind all parents to label their child's uniform items with their name. This will help ensure that lost items are returned quickly.
The Clothing Pool also welcomes donations of clothing. Please drop off items at the office or Clothing Pool on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Thank you for your support!
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND STUDENT ABSENCES
We are committed to working with you to offer support and remove any barriers that may be preventing your child from regularly attending school.
Please remember that the NSW Education Act requires that all student absences must be explained within 7 days of the first day of them being away from school. Please contact us promptly whenever your child is absent and let us know the reason for them being away. This allows us to provide the right support and make sure your child's absences are recorded correctly. Absences can be explained via the School Bytes App or Parent Portal, email, note, phone call or in person.
In the event your child has repeated or ongoing unexplained absences, we will continue to try to contact you about each absence to provide appropriate support for you and your family.
We know that for our students every day of school matters.
Missing a day here or there may not seem like much, but absences add up and can negatively impact your child's learning and wellbeing. When your child misses one day a week, that's 40 days of school and 8 weeks of learning in one year. Over an entire school journey this adds up to 2.5 years of lost learning.
If you have any questions or if you need support with your child’s attendance, please contact our School Attendance Monitor, Miss Croker - 6362 7464 or alison.croker@det.nsw.edu.au.
CURRENT FORMS/PERMISSION NOTES
| WHAT | COST | WHEN/WHERE | WHO | DUE WHEN |
| Interschool Chess Challenge | $10 | Monday 12 May Orange Ex-Services Club | School Chess Team | Friday 9 May |
| Orange District Athletics Carnival | NIL | Friday 16 May Waratah Sports Fields | School Athletics Team | Wednesday 14 May |
| Orange District Cross Country | NIL | Monday 19 May Gosling Creek Reserve | School Cross-Country Team | Monday 12 May |
| Eco Warriors Waste Facility Excursion | NIL | Tuesday 20 May Orange & Molong Waste Facilities | Eco-Warriors Students | Sunday 18 May |
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Orange District Cross Country
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM |
|
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Eco Warriors Waste Facility Excursion
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM |
|
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Kerri Parkes Western Debating – Round #2 - OEPS (Team A) vs Calare PS
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
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FRIDAY ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY INFORMATION
In 2025 we will continue with our regular alternating Friday Assembly with parents and carers invited to attend. The assembly commences at 2pm on Friday in the School Hall. Each week the assembly will alternate between Primary (Yr 3-6) and Infants (K-2).
On Friday mornings from 8:40am, either Infants or Primary students (corresponding with the assembly weeks listed below) are invited to bring their lots of 10 Blue Merit Awards to the office for stamping. During the day, we will also process Principal Awards and Homereading Awards. These awards and the Safe Respectful Learner Awards will be presented at the assembly after lunch.
Parents will receive a notification early in the week via the School Bytes app if your child is receiving a Principal’s Award.
Photos of the award recipients will continue be included in the newsletter the following week.
Please note the roster below:
Term 2
- Week 2 – Friday, 9th May (Infants, K-2)
- Week 3 – Friday, 16th May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 4 – Friday, 23rd May (Infants, K-2)
- Week 5 – Friday, 30th May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 6 – Friday, 6th June (Infants, K-2)
- Week 7 – Friday, 13th June (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 8 – Friday, 20th June (Infants, K-2)
- Week 9 – Friday, 27th June (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 10 – Friday, 4th July PBL Assemblies (TBC)
WEEK 10 INFANTS ASSEMBLY
WEEK 1 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY
KINDERGARTEN TERM 1 PBL AWARDS
STAGE 1 TERM 1 PBL AWARDS
STAGE 2 TERM 1 PBL AWARDS
STAGE 3 TERM 1 PBL AWARDS
ATHLETICS RIBBON RECIPIENTS
A MOMENT WITH...
HARLAN LEAHEY - 2 KOALA
If you could rename your parents, what would their new names be?
- Michael Jackson and Mumma Cita because they’re some pretty funny names
What is the weirdest thing adults do?
- They sometimes do kids’ stuff. Like they sometimes play games when they’re 21.
What's the best way to make a new friend
- Show some kindness and respect to them. Say if they fall over you can help them up.
If you were Principal for a day, what would you change at school?
- I would make all the kids stay in class and me and my friends would go outside and play footy.
What three words would you use to describe you?
- Fast, strong and I learn things real quick.
What's the best thing about being a kid?
- That you can play around and play with dogs and yeah.
What's something that makes you really happy and why?
- I like watching my dog Wookie run with her tail in the air, it makes me feel happy. It’s funny.
What's the most important job in the world and why do you think it's important?
- One thing I’ve learnt is taking out the compost, being an eco warrior because I can help the environment and help save animals.
VIOLET BUDDEN – 3/4 PARROT
What’s the best way to make a new friend?
- If anyone is alone, you can try to play with them. You can say, “Do you want to play with me?”
What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
- A hairdresser because I love styling my sister’s hair.
What’s one thing you’d really love to learn how to do?
- Probably planting flowers. I would like to plant sunflowers because I like their colour.
What’s something you’ve learned lately?
- I’ve learnt how to do a 5 second handstand. It’s really hard!
What’s the weirdest things that adults do?
- Probably saying no to eating the foods that they really like!
WONDERFUL STUDENT WORK
2 KOALA
These amazing sunset water colours were inspired by the book Mallee Sky. Students have been discussing the illustrations in the text and identifying how creative visual features are often used to expand meaning.
FEATURE CLASS
3/4 KOOKABURRA
P&C NEWS
P&C MEETINGS 2025
Term 2 Meetings
- Week 3 - Tuesday, 13th May @ 6:30pm
- Week 8 - Tuesday, 17th June @ 6:30pm
Meetings are held between 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Staffroom with access from the Spring Street entrance (see map below). Meeting length is strictly limited to one hour or less if possible! New members are warmly welcomed. Do not hesitate to contact the school office if you would like further information.
Parents and carers can also opt to join via Zoom Meeting:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/8018279751?pwd=fZEKBn6L7hE4yZUuhsMNHKPPJzMRTH.1&omn=81359200690
Meeting ID: 801 827 9751
Passcode: OEPS
JOINING THE P&C OR VOLUNTEERING
We love parent involvement at Orange East. You can volunteer in the classroom, working bees, help cook at BBQ's, share your professional or special interest skills, join a committee and more. Please complete this online form to register your interest and the P&C will email you details of upcoming events and P&C meetings for your calendar.