TERM 2 WEEK 3/4 NEWSLETTER 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

RECONCILIATION WEEK

Over the next week, students across the school will be learning about Reconciliation Week and the importance of reconciliation in Australia.

The day before this special week marks National Sorry Day, this year on Monday 26^th May. National Sorry Day is an Australia-wide observance held on May 26 each year. This day gives people the chance to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities. Stolen Generations refers to Indigenous Australians who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June – is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week is Bridging Now to Next. The theme reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Over Reconciliation week, OEPS students will learn about reconciliation, our shared history and reflect on the theme Bridging Now to Next. A culminating activity will be a shared artwork forming a large mural to be displayed in the demountable classroom. The artwork will reflect our students' understanding of the theme and their hopes for bridging to the future. Once complete we will invite community to view the work.

Thank you to our stronger Smarter Team for their work in supporting Reconciliation Week across the school. 

SEMESTER ONE REPORTS AND INTERVIEWS CHANGE

As we approach the halfway point of term, teachers are busy completing assessments and writing mid-year reports. At this point, I would like to advise parents and carers of a couple of changes from our normal procedures.

The Department of Education has recently released updated requirements around student reports. These changes are aimed at producing informative reports for parents/carers and ensuring that teachers are able to do this effectively and efficiently.

In summary:

• In general, the reports are still very similar, with gradings included for all Key Learning Areas (KLA) as well as effort indicators for each KLA.
• Checklists of content in each KLA have been removed, replaced with one overall grade.
• In Semesters 1 and 2, there will be a slightly longer English and Maths comment explaining progress and achievement. This will be in paragraph format as opposed to the previous dot points.
• There will be a General comment for both semesters.
• There will be a simple comment for History/Geography, Science, Creative & Practical Arts, Physical Education/Personal Development/Health - explaining work undertaken in these subjects.

Due to these changes, we have decided to update our normal timeframe for reports and interviews. This change has been implemented in order to support teachers in transitioning to the new format. Please note the updated timeframes below:

• Reports will be distributed in Week 10 this term.
• Parent/Teacher Interviews will take place early Term 3 during Week 2 & 3.

2 KOALA

Please note, due to planned leave in Term 3 for Mrs Press, 2 Koala will have a slightly different timeframe for reports/interviews. Reports for 2 Koala will be distributed toward the end of Week 8 this term, with parent/teacher interviews taking place in Weeks 9 & 10. Interview bookings will open next week for this class, with all parents being sent an email with booking instructions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REMINDERS

Congratulations to:

• Congratulations to our Chess team, who placed second overall at the Sydney Academy Chess Competition held at the Exservices Club last week. In particular, congratulations to Eli Pustak and Albie Maclean, who were awarded third and fourth place, respectively for their individual performances.
• I was very proud watching our school netball team as they competed with determination against Bowen PS last week. Though they didn't get the win, they represented our school extremely well.
• Congratulations to both our school Athletics and Cross Country teams for their efforts at the District carnivals held over the last week. There were some great efforts, including a number of personal bests. Good luck to Jack Lawry and Oliver Costello, who move through to the Regional Athletics Carnival later this year.
• Congratulations to our Team A and B Debating teams, both securing impressive wins in the second round of the Kerri Parkes Debating Competition, remaining undefeated. Good luck in Round 3!
• Well done to our Eco-Warriors who work so hard promoting sustainability and looking after our environment. This week, they represented our school at the Waste Management excursion, learning new ideas to help our school.
• Well done to our Kitchen Garden Program for their Orange Show submissions last week - two firsts and a second! Congratulations also to our K-2 students who received a third place in the K-2 Schools Display section for 'A Snapshot of our School'.

Best of luck to the following groups:

• Congratulations to Lyric, Florence, Benji, Fletcher, Finnley, Runa and Zhane, who are our public speaking finalists this year. Best of luck at the CWA Public Competition to be held next week at the CWA centre at Roberston Park.
  
• Good luck to the Boys Touch Football team competing in their rescheduled game next week.
• Good luck to our school Softball team for their first game next week.

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

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.

SUMMARY OF KEY DATES

• OEPS Enrolment Applications Due – Tuesday, 24^th June
• Notification of Enrolment Acceptance (Non-zoned Applications) – Thursday, 26^th June
• OEPS Supported Transition Playgroup – Commences Mid-Term 3 (Thursday, 28^th August)
• Kinder Parent Information Evening – Wednesday, 3^rd September
• Kinder Transition Sessions – Commence Early Term 4 (Thursday, 23^rd October)

Please see the attachment below for more information about our 2026 Kinder enrolment process and Transition to School Program.

SRC FOOD DRIVE

Our 2025 SRC is running a Food Drive to support FoodCare Orange - a local organisation that’s been helping people in our community since 2013 by providing food to those doing it tough.

We’re collecting easy, ready-to-eat foods that don’t need refrigeration, such as:

• 2-minute noodle cups
• Baked beans, tinned tuna or chicken
• Muesli bars, trail mix, cheese & cracker snack packs

You might even like to check your pantry - we’re happy to accept any non-perishable, shelf-stable food that could help someone in need.

Donations will be collected over the next few weeks - even one item can make a difference. Students can bring donations directly to their classroom teacher.

Thank you for supporting this important cause. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in our community.

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

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 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 1 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY

WEEK 2 INFANTS ASSEMBLY

A MOMENT WITH...

KOBY O’NEIL – 3/4 PARROT

If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

• Happy, excited and loved.

What does being kind mean to you?

• You’ve got to care for people and not be mean. You can say, “That’s alright” to them.

What’s one thing you wish grown-ups understood about kids?

• That we have really, really good imaginations.

What do you think your teacher does for fun after school?

• Have teacher parties to learn more about teaching.

What’s your talent?

• Footy because I’ve been playing it for three years now!

XAVIER ROWLEY  – 3/4 KOOKABURRA

If you could talk to animals, which one would you choose and what would you say to it?

• A cat. I would ask it how it climbs trees!

If you could give yourself a new name, what would it be and why?

• Jeffrey because it sounds cool.

If you could give advice to a grown-up, what would you say?

• Save your money. Grown-ups always spend money.

How do you know when someone loves you?

• By their emotions and their face. They will look happy, and they will cuddle you.

If you were principal for a day, what would you change about the school?

• Children would be allowed to play ALL day. They wouldn’t have to clean or learn. There’d be no rules at school!

FEATURE CLASS

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P&C NEWS

P&C MEETINGS 2025

Term 2 Meetings

• 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.

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

COMMUNITY NOTICES