TERM 1 WEEK 5/6 NEWSLETTER 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone able to come along last Wednesday to our family Meet & Greet. This event was an important opportunity for the Orange East community to come together – parents/carers, staff and students – to meet each other, exchange useful information and enjoy a relaxed afternoon.

I would like to acknowledge the P&C and volunteers for their work in providing the BBQ, free of charge as well as school staff for making themselves available for this event.

STUDENT MOBILE DEVICES

A reminder that students with mobile devices are to hand these devices into the school office upon arrival at school. These devices include phones, smart phones, iPods, smart watches (including those that can be switched into silent/off-line mode)  or any device used to send/receive messages or record still or video images. At the end of the school day, students are able to collect their device prior to leaving school grounds. Whilst in school care, we assume responsibility for any loss, theft or damage to a device. However before/after school or if a device is not handed in—the school will accept no responsibility. 

There are several reasons for this rule including restricting interruptions to learning environments, privacy restrictions, student safety and security of devices. This school rule is consistent with the NSW Department of Education policy. Please follow the link below for a full copy of the school's Digital Devices and Online Services Policy.

Please note that for exceptional circumstances, a student may be permitted to carry a mobile device. An example of an exceptional circumstance would be a diabetic student who requires the device to monitor blood glucose levels. Cases of exceptional circumstances need to be discussed and agreed upon with the School Learning & Support Team prior to a student bringing the device.

As always, parents/students are able to make contact via the school office should urgent communication be required.

Thank you in anticipation of your continued support of this school rule. Please contact me should you wish to discuss further.

INFORMATION FOR KINDER PARENTS

What a pleasure it has been getting to know our newest students and watching them grow in confidence at school. It has been impressive to see their enthusiasm as they experience various aspects of school life.

A reminder at home time that we ask parents/carers to wait outside the March St building for children to be escorted out. Parents are still welcome to wait inside the school site under the shaded area near the classrooms. All K-2 students are supervised in this area by multiple staff until they are picked up or escorted by an older sibling as per parent arrangements.

Upcoming for Kinder

Please note that our Kindergarten students’ second Infants Assembly will be this Friday, 7th March starting at 2pm. At these assemblies, for each class we award; three Blue Merits for Safe, Respectful Learners; a Principal’s Award (an email notification is sent to parents/carers early in the week if your child is receiving this award), any students who have achieved a sticker on their Achievement Certificate, Homereading Awards as well as birthday students. This can all be a bit confusing for first time families so please talk to your child’s class teacher or contact the office if you would like further information.

Another event that will occur in Week 10 and 11 this term is Kinder Parent/Teacher Interviews. These allow parents and teachers to discuss how the children have settled into school and also how they are progressing. We will also give you information about the Best Start assessment that took place before school commenced.

Over the coming weeks we will send a notification out to Kinder parents/carers explaining how to book an interview. 

As in previous years, Parent/Teacher Interviews for students in Years 1-6 will take place towards the end of Term 2.

NAPLAN 2025 PARENT AND CARER INFORMATION

Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The test window for all schools to complete NAPLAN 2025 runs from  Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March.

Orange East PS Test Schedule

• Wednesday, 12^th March – Year 3 & 5 Writing
• Thursday, 13^th March – Year 3 & 5 Reading
• Monday, 17^th March – Year 3 & 5 – Language Conventions
• Tuesday, 18^th March – Year 3 & 5 Numeracy

For students who have missed one or more tests, we will work to administer catch-up tests where possible before the closing of the test window on the 24^th March.

NAPLAN is just one part of our school learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school.

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.

The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available to see the types of questions, tools and functions used in the NAPLAN tests.

Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/naplan/parent-information).

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact:

• Year 3 – Mrs Maclean - toni.ross@det.nsw.edu.au
• Year 5 - Miss Croker - alison.croker@det.nsw.edu.au

As always, we will work across this period to support our students undertaking these tests.

NAPLAN BREAKFAST

As has become a tradition at our school, we will be running a free NAPLAN Breakfast for our Year 3 & 5 students across each test day listed above. This has been a really successful strategy to support our students and give them an extra bounce as they tackle the various assessments.

The breakfast is usually run through a combination of staff and volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to assist with the running of the breakfasts please email: glen.bourke@det.nsw.edu.au

OFFICE VISITORS

SCHOOL NEWS

SUPERVISION HOURS

A reminder that student supervision hours commence at 8:40am until 3:10pm, with only afternoon bus students staying beyond this time until the final bus arrives. It is a parental responsibility to ensure that children arrive at school at the correct time. Students should not arrive at school prior to 8:40am unless on an early bus and there is no other bus available. Staff require this time to prepare & organise materials for the day. Some students have been arriving in excess of 30 minutes prior to this time at which point there is no supervision and a limited amount of staff in the area. We ask for your support in ensuring the safety of our students.

CLASS NEWSLETTERS

Over the past fortnight, you should have received a notification/email on the School Bytes app with a link to your child's Class Newsletter. As per last year, we have used an online format utilising Microsoft Sway.

The newsletters contain a variety of information about your child's class including teaching and SLSO staff, curriculum, rosters/timetables, class routines and various weekly activities like homework, homereading, sport and library. We hope you find the information useful in supporting your child at school.

A copy of the newsletter links can be found below in case you missed the notification.

SUMMER UNIFORM

As we continue through the warmer weather of summer, a reminder that during Term 1 it is compulsory for students to wear their maroon school bucket hat while playing in the playground, as well as during PE and Sport. Students not wearing the correct hat will be restricted to playing under the COLA/central lunch area.

Also, a reminder that we have a high expectation for all students to be in the correct uniform. Wearing the uniform is not only important for the self-esteem of our students but promotes the school as a positive and proud part of the community. I have included the following table with the uniform requirements for Term 1 to assist parents/caregivers.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 1

• Week 6 - Friday, 7^th March (Infants, K-2)
• Week 7 - Friday, 14^th March (Primary, Yr 3-6)
• Week 8 - Friday, 21^st March (Infants, K-2)
• Week 9 - Friday, 28^th March (Primary, Yr 3-6)
• Week 10 – Friday, 4^th April (Infants, K-2)
• Week 11 – Friday, 11^th April PBL (TBC)

WEEK 3 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY

WEEK 4 INFANTS ASSEMBLY

FEATURE CLASS

5/6 WOMBAT

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P&C NEWS

P&C MEETINGS 2025

Term 1 Meetings

• Week 8 - Tuesday, 18th March @ 6:30pm (AGM & General Meeting)

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.

Expressions of Interest - OEPS P&C (google.com)

COMMUNITY NOTICES