TERM 2 WEEK 1/2 NEWSLETTER 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL PRODUCTION - SAVE THE DATE REMINDER
It has been a whirlwind start to the term with performance practices occurring throughout every day already! Next Thursday our dance groups will perform at the Orange Eisteddfod. In Week 6 our Choir groups will also perform at the Eisteddfod with our Primary group on Thursday, 29th August followed by our Infants group on Friday, 30th August. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the Eisteddfod which is held at the Orange Function Centre. Entry costs $5 - a reminder they only accept cash payment.
And then later in Week 7 we will hold our whole School Production, the first since before Covid! Orange East Presents.... will involve all students Kindergarten to Year 6 showcasing a variety of performances from every class as well as our dance groups, choirs and a whole school finale.
Make sure to mark in your calendar the date of our performances, Wednesday, 4th September, which will be held at Orange Civic Theatre. Excitingly this year, we have decided to run two shows to give our community the best possible chance to see the show. Both shows will run on Wednesday, 4th September with a day performance at 11am and an evening performance at 7pm.
Tickets will only be available via the Ticketek website. We anticipate that ticket sales will commence in the week beginning, Monday, 12th August. We will communicate specific details over the coming week. Tickets tend to sell quickly, so please ensure that you watch for School Bytes alerts, emails and/or Facebook posts.
PLOVER WATCH
Exciting news as our three newest enrolments hatched Wednesday/Thursday this week. Moe, Larry and Curly are doing well, already foraging around the 'scrape' as their nest is known. Mum and Dad are a little moody but as all parents know, raising kids can be tough and they haven't gone out much lately!
My research suggests that they are known as a Masked Lapwing (species of Plover) but I'm happy to be corrected if someone in the community has more knowledge on the subject. I've attached some information about the birds for anyone interested. Apparently, over the next few weeks, the parents will cheer up a bit as the chicks become more independent and eventually take flight.
Masked lapwings are native birds protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is illegal to chase, harass or kill a masked lapwing.
STAGE 2 SWIMMING
Our Stage 2 swimming lesson program has started wonderfully, with a very successful first session at the Aquatic Centre on Tuesday.
This is an amazing opportunity that literally fell in our lap. The Aquatic Centre has received a very significant donation to support local schools to implement learn-to-swim programs for Stage 2 children. The funding covers the cost of lessons and pool entry for every student, once per week for three terms! This equates to around $160 per child per term!
For this round, the managing staff selected Orange East. By combining this funding with our Term 4 Department-funded Learn to Swim program we will be able to run these lessons for four terms targeting Stage 2 students in 2024/25. Through school subsidy, we have managed to get the cost to $20 per term for the bus. At $20 a term, you will not get better value swimming lessons!
A very big thank you to Mrs Maclean for her meticulous work organising the program as well as Orange East and Orange Aquatic Centre staff for their work supporting the program. Also a massive thank you on behalf the OEPS community to the amazing anonymous donor who has made this opportunity possible!
REMINDERS
Running swimming lessons over the next 12 months, once per week x90 students is a huge undertaking for staff. Please help us by remembering the following points:
- Students to wear swimmers under their sports clothes
- Pack a towel, a plastic bag, goggles and a spare pair of underwear
- Pack extra snacks
- Students eat their lunch at recess time
LABEL EVERYTHING!!!
Socks, underwear, swimmers, towel, goggles, jumper, t-shirt, pants, shoes.
ANIMAL KIN ART EXHIBITION
Over the next 11 weeks, Orange Regional Gallery will host the Animal Kin Exhibition. Featuring work by local public primary school students, the ‘herd’ includes more than 2500 collage animals that were made as part of an in-school creative and environmental education project carried out in Term 2, 2024.
Animal Kin is a collaborative project developed by Orange Regional Museum, Orange Regional Gallery and the SPARKE network of local public primary schools. Kinder Kangaroo, Kinder Bilby, 1 Quokka and 1/2 Panda took part in this initiative with all students' artworks displayed as part of the exhibition. Make sure you make time to see the exhibition which opens tonight and runs to the 20th of October.
STAFF UPDATES FOR SEMESTER TWO
Some updates to staffing commencing this term:
- Welcome back Mrs Gibson (nee Cheney). Mrs Gibson will be working Monday - Wednesday delivering Yr 3-6 learning support as well as Stage 2 RFF.
- Mrs Maddison continues in the role of librarian and learning support as well 3/4 Parrot on Fridays while Mrs Kable is on leave.
- Mrs Elliot takes on Stage 3 RFF for Term 3 as well as continuing to job share with Miss Croker on 5/6 Wombat.
- Ms Iskric will be on leave for Term 3. While the Kitchen-Garden program will not operate this term, Breakfast Club will continue Tuesday-Thursday.
SCHOOL NEWS
OEPS GREEN & GOLD DAY
To celebrate our amazing Australian Olympic Team we will be holding a Green & Gold Day next Friday, 9th August. Students are invited to come dressed in anything green and/or gold! We are asking for a gold coin donation for the day with money raised going to the Paralympics Australia organisation.
P&C MOVIE NIGHT – WEDNESDAY, 14TH AUGUST
The P&C movie night for students will be held next Wednesday, 14th August between 6-8pm (Week 4 this term). There will be a K-2 movie and a Year 3-6 movie. Both movie sessions will be supervised by school staff.
Students are invited to come in their pyjamas, oodies and/or even bring a sleeping bag/pillow/bean bag. The cost will be $5 which will include movie entry, chips and a poppa (gluten free options available).
The K-2 movie will be screened in the 4/5 Crocodile classroom. The movie being screened will be ‘Migration’ which is rated PG with a Common Sense Media rating of age 6+. Further information about the movie can be found by going to: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/migration
The Year 3-6 movie will be screened in the 5/6 Galah/Wombat double classroom. The movie being screened will be ‘Wonka’ which is rated PG with a Common Sense Media rating of age 8+. Further information about the movie can be found by going to: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/wonka
Please note that it is the responsibility of parents and carers to assess and decide on the suitability of the movies for their children.
We ask that parents and carers escort their child/children to the relevant room at around 5:40pm so that we can commence the movies at 6pm sharp.
The movie night will finish at 8pm, with Parents/carers asked to wait outside of the relevant classroom area where school staff will bring children out. No children will be allowed to leave without a parent/carer or designated responsible adult. Please ensure that you are ready to pick-up your child/children no later than 8pm.
We have included the school map below to assist parents and carers.
100 DAYS OF KINDERGARTEN - 16TH AUGUST
Kinder Bilby and Kinder Kangaroo are celebrating reaching 100 days of school with a dress-up day. On Friday 16th August, kindergarten children are invited to come dressed as someone who is 100. Their dress-up might be something as simple as a bow tie, pretend glasses, an old cardi, a walking stick or any other accessories you have at home. We look forward to a fun day celebrating this big achievement!
The Orange East P&C have also kindly donated a book for each student to mark this special occasion, which will be presented during the day.
SCHOOL OPEN CLASSROOM/CHARACTER PARADE
SAVE THE DATE!
Our School Open Day (open classrooms) and Book Character Parade will be held in Week 9 on Thursday, 19th September. As per previous years, students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character. The Book Week theme this year is ‘Reading is Magic’. The format for the day will be Open Classrooms from 11:40am - 12:25pm, Book Character Parade at 12:30pm followed by a BBQ at 1:10pm. All parents/caregivers and wider family are welcome to attend.
2025 KINDER - LAST CHANCE!
As we move towards the half way point for the year we begin to make plans around our incoming 2025 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.
SUMMARY OF KEY DATES (specific information in the PDF , link below)
- OEPS Enrolment Applications Due – Friday, 2nd August
- Notification of Enrolment Acceptance (Non-zoned Applications) – Tuesday, 6th August
- OEPS Supported Transition Playgroup – Commences Mid-Term 3
- Kinder Parent Information Evening – Wednesday, 11th September
- Kinder Transition Sessions – Commence Early Term 4
USEFUL WEBSITES
In-Zone Enrolment Application Website for Orange East Public School
https://ehub.enrol.education.nsw.gov.au/schoolenrolment/?schoolCode=2811
Out-of-Zone Enrolment Application Website for Orange East Public School
https://ooa.enrol.education.nsw.gov.au/?schoolCode=2811
Orange East Public School Website – Kindergarten Transition Tab
https://orangeeast-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/kindergarten-transition.html
Preparing for Primary School – NSW Department of Education Website
CLOTHING POOL
The Clothing Pool is open every Wednesday and Friday morning from 8:40 - 9:10am. Afternoons are by appointment only. A reminder that the Clothing Pool has moved to what was formerly the General Assistant/Cleaner's Shed - next to the disabled toilet.
The Clothing Pool also welcomes donations of any clothing. Please drop items off at the office or clothing pool on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
CURRENT FORMS/PERMISSION NOTES
| WHAT | COST | WHEN/WHERE | WHO | DUE WHEN |
| Inclusive Ten Pin Bowling | NIL | Thur 15th Aug Orange Ten Pin | Inclusive Ten Pin Team | Mon 5th Aug |
| Orange Eisteddfod - Dance 2024 | NIL | Thur 8th Aug Orange Function Centre | Dance Groups | Wed 7th Aug |
| Stage 2 Wambangalang Excursion | $80 | 26-27 Sept Wambangalang | Year 3/4 Students | Fri 23rd Aug |
| Stage 3 Sydney Excursion | $350 | 30th Oct - 1st Nov Sydney | Year 5/6 Students | *Full payment by 1st November |
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Year 6 High School Transition CRTHS
8:45 AM - 3:00 PM |
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RDA volunteering
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
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FINAL Infants (K-2) Assembly
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
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Debating Grand Final
8:40 AM - 3:00 PM |
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Stage 2 - Learn to Swim
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
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RDA volunteering
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
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FINAL Primary (Yr 3-6) Assembly
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
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Canobolas High Enrichment Day
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
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Stage 2 - Learn to Swim
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
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RDA volunteering
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
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PBL Award Assemblies
9:20 AM - 11:00 AM |
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Yr 6 Farewell Dinner/Disco
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
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Presentation Day
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
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Last Day of School for Students
18 Dec 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 |
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Yr 6 Graduation Assembly + Clap-Out
2:30 PM - 3:10 PM |
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FRIDAY ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY INFORMATION
In 2024 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 3
- Week 3 - Friday, 9th August (Infants, K-2)
- Week 4 - Friday, 16th August (Primary, 3-6)
- Week 5 - CANCELLED
- Week 6 - CANCELLED
- Week 7 - Friday, 6th September (Infants, K-2)
- Week 8 - Friday, 13th September (Primary, 3-6)
- Week 9 - Friday, 20th September (Infants, K-2)
- Week 10 - Friday, 27th September PBL (TBC)
WEEK 9 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY AWARDS
KINDER TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
YEAR 1 TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
YEAR 2 TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
YEAR 3 TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
YEAR 4 TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
YEAR 5 TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
YEAR 6 TERM 2 PBL AWARDS
CLASS OF THE WEEK
TERM 2 WEEK 7 - 3/4 PARROT
TERM 2 WEEK 8 - 2 KOALA
TERM 2 WEEK 9 - KINDER KANGAROO
GOT IT! PROGRAM UPDATE
GOT IT! CARE2KIDS – WEEK 1
We are so excited to be delivering the Gotit! program in your school. Week 1 was our first week of the CARE2Kids targeted group program. Each week Hey Did You Know will be posted in your school’s newsletter where we will share with you some information and resources from the program.
GOT IT! CARE2KIDS – WEEK 2
In Got It! this week we talked about how we can help children to talk about their feelings.
P&C NEWS
P&C MEETINGS 2024
Term 3 Meetings
- Week 3 - Tuesday, 6th August @ 6:30pm
- Week 8 - Tuesday, 10th September @ 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. Zoom participants will need to create a registered account and use the details below:
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/63652201858?pwd=ZUVKSFdidzErNkZ0OWVMT2hQM3NMUT09
Meeting ID: 636 5220 1858
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.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
