TERM 3 WEEK 3/4 NEWSLETTER 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL PRODUCTION UPDATE
Things are really starting to move along in preparation for our School Production on the 4th of September with both indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) rehearsals taking place across every session of the day.
Tickets went on sale this week and are selling quickly! Approximately three quarters of the evening performance tickets have sold and around a third of the matinee performance. Tickets are available through the Civic Theatre or Ticketek. See attached link for Ticketek: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/.
A reminder:
This year there will be 2 performances - an 11am matinee and a night show at 7pm on Wednesday 4th September. Ticket prices will be:
- Adults $25
- Concession $23
- Children (age 3-16) - $15.
A reminder that our OEPS students DO NOT need a ticket as they will be backstage for the whole show.
ALL our students will be in at least their class item with other students being in multiple items (dancers, choir etc). The estimated show length is approximately 90 minutes.
Don't Forget:
A reminder that the Week 5 and Week 6 Friday assemblies have been cancelled to support staff to focus all of our energy on delivering the best possible show.
SCHOOL DANCE TROUPES
Well done to our very clever dance troupes who performed at the Orange Eisteddfod last Thursday. I would like to acknowledge the work of Mr McGregor, Miss Wyatt, Mrs McLennan, Mrs Hiney, Mrs Maclean, Ms Carthew, Miss Croker, Mrs Sweeting and Mrs McNabb. I would also like to acknowledge the students from Canobolas Rural Technology High School CHPA Dance Troupe for their work with Stage 3 and dance students from Orange High School for their work with Stage 2.
Excitingly, our Kinder, Stage 1 and Stage 2 groups all achieved a Highly Commended, and our Stage 3 group placed 3rd in their section! We are so proud of all our OEPS dancers!
GOOD LUCK CHOIRS!
Best of luck to our Choir groups who 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.
SCHOOL NEWS
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.
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.
KINDERGARTEN 2025 UPDATE
Last week the Kindergarten Enrolment Panel met to discuss and process our Kindergarten Enrolment Applications for 2025. This is always an exciting time as we prepare for and transition our newest members into the school. Enrolment acceptance emails have been sent and all families have been contacted and notified of their child’s enrolment status.
Parent/Carer Information Evening
Parents/carers of our 2025 Kinder students are invited to an information evening on Wednesday, 11th September between 6-7pm in the Kindergarten classrooms (entrance through the lower gate on March Street). On the night, you will receive an information pack, meet a number of staff involved in supporting your child’s start at school, meet other parents and P&C representatives and have the opportunity to ask those important questions you may have at this stage. To get the most out of this information session, we suggest where possible, that parents/carers arrange care for their children.
Supported Transition Playgroup
This is an optional activity for parents/carers to bring pre-school age children to Orange East. During supported playgroup they will meet other children and staff and take part in simple activities to build familiarity with the school. It is also a great opportunity for parents to meet each other and various members of the school community.
The supported playgroup is free to attend and will be guided by an Orange East teacher and support staff. Sessions will run on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 am in the second half of Term 3 and you can attend as many/little as you wish. Younger siblings are also welcome to attend. Children attending must be accompanied by a parent/carer for these sessions. The Playgroup will be held in the demountable classroom with entry via the lower March St gate (shown on the map below). Dates for these sessions are listed below:
- Tues, 20th Aug
- Tues, 27th Aug
- Tues, 10th Sept
- Tues, 17th Sept
- Tues, 24th Sept
Independent Transition Sessions Information
Our independent transition sessions commence in Term 4. The sessions are designed for children to experience various aspects of the school day. They will meet a variety of staff, build familiarity with the school environment and take part in activities similar to those at school.
The sessions are a valuable opportunity for children and parents to build readiness for school and for our teachers to get to know and build an understanding of our newest students.
We ask that students attend as many of the transition sessions as possible. For the transition program, students are divided into two groups – Possums and Koalas. Each transition session runs for 2 hours with the Possums group running between 9:00 – 11:00am and the Koalas group running between 12:00 – 2:00pm. The OEPS Kindergarten Transition Update email sent out this week will explain which group your child/children have been placed in. Children are to attend sessions unaccompanied. There are five transition sessions in total. The Independent Transition Sessions will be held in the demountable classroom with students first being dropped-off at the school hall. The transition program dates are listed below:
- Tues, 22nd Oct
- Tues, 29th Oct
- Tues, 5th Nov
- Tues, 12th Nov
- Tues, 19th Nov
Further details will be communicated about drop-off, pick-up, location, requirements etc at the information evening and via our app as the transition sessions draw closer.
Some parents may find these session times difficult due to various other commitments. If this is the case, please contact the school office as soon as possible and we will endeavour to change your child’s session time.
Required Documents
- Enrolment Forms: To assist the office with gathering and completing enrolment information please ensure you have completed an Enrolment Form by Friday, 6th September. The form can be completed online or alternatively hard copy forms are available from the school office (entry via Spring St). If you have already submitted an enrolment form in hard copy or online, you do not need to submit another one. We also ask that you supply a copy of your child’s Immunisation Record and Birth Certificate.
- Learning Support or Health Needs: Please let the school know as soon as possible if your child has complex health care or learning support requirements so we can commence planning any required adjustments.
Before and After School/Vacation Care
Orange East is fortunate to have an Outside of School Hours (OOSH) and Vacation Care service. Our service provider, Gowrie NSW, operates OOSH services across NSW with several in the Orange area. If you are interested in this service, we suggest making contact as soon as possible as it is heavily utilised, particularly for the afternoon sessions. The service can be contacted by phone on 02 8571 9700 or by email at oshc.orangeeast@gowriensw.com.au.
Useful Resources
As part of the school webpage, we have worked hard to develop a very detailed Kindergarten Transition tab that contains highly useful information about Orange East transition processes, preparing for Kindergarten as well as more general school information. The Kindergarten Transition landing page can be found at: https://orangeeast-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/kindergarten-transition.html
Another useful resource developed by the Department of education is the Getting Ready for Primary School booklet accessible at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/going-to-school/getting-ready-for-school/starting-primary-school/getting-ready-for-primary-school-guide
We look forward to you coming along to the Kindergarten Information Evening to find out about some of the wonderful things your child will be learning about in 2025!
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 |
| Every Step Count Workshops | NIL | Tues 20th Aug OEPS | Year 5/6 Students | Mon 19th Aug |
| Primary Choir Eisteddfod | NIL | Thur 29th Aug Orange Function Centre | Primary Choir | Mon 26th Aug |
| Infants Choir Eisteddfod | NIL | Fri 30th Aug Orange Function Centre | Infants Choir | Mon 26th Aug |
| Whole School Production | NIL | 3rd-4th Sept Orange Civic Theatre | Whole School | Mon 2nd Sept |
| 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 5 - CANCELLED (Fri, 23rd Aug)
- Week 6 - CANCELLED (Fri, 30th Aug)
- 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 1 INFANTS ASSEMBLY AWARDS
WEEK 2 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY AWARDS
WEEK 3 INFANTS ASSEMBLY AWARDS
CLASS OF THE WEEK
TERM 2 WEEK 10 - KINDER BILBY
TERM 3 WEEK 1 - 1/2 PANDA
TERM 3 WEEK 2 - 3/4 KOOKABURRA
GOT IT! PROGRAM UPDATE
GOT IT! CARE2KIDS – WEEK 3
We are so excited to be delivering the Gotit! program in your school. This week in Got It! we talked about comfortable and uncomfortable feelings and flipping our lids.
GOT IT! CARE2KIDS – WEEK 4
This week in Got It! we talked to the parents about meta-emotions- how we feel and think about emotions.
P&C NEWS
P&C MEETINGS 2024
Term 3 Meetings
- 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
