TERM 1 WEEK 10/11 NEWSLETTER 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
OEPS ANZAC CEREMONY
School Ceremony
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our school Anzac Ceremony on Tuesday. Even though the weather turned against us this year, it was still a very special occasion. Thank you in particular to our special guests and the school Anzac Committee, Mr McGregor, Miss Carthew, Mrs Elliot and Mrs Papich, for their work preparing the ceremony. I would also like to congratulate our student leaders on a wonderful job leading the ceremony and our Year 3-6 students for being a very respectful audience.
Town March
The official Orange ANZAC Day March will be held on Thursday, 25th April (the second week of the holidays). The assembly point is as usual along Sale Street, starting near the Summer Street intersection and running back past Newey’s Dry Cleaners - OEPS should be around or just back from Neweys. Students and staff should be at the assembly point by 10:10am prepared for the march to step-off at around 10:25am.
We encourage as many students as possible to be involved in the march. Students are asked to come dressed in full winter school uniform. The march will conclude by turning up McNamara Street, with the school waiting in the area about halfway along the street. We ask parents to pick students up promptly at the end of the march.
SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL
Congratulations to all students who participated in the School Cross Country Carnival in Week 9. It was a great day and we saw some fantastic efforts across all ages. Many thanks to Mrs Sweeting who coordinated this event along with the assistance of attending staff.
Students who placed in the first six for their age division qualified for the Orange District Carnival. We wish them the best of luck at the Orange District PSSA Cross Country Carnival, which will be held on Wednesday, 1st May at Gosling Creek Reserve, Orange.
Please note the ribbons for the carnival will be handed out at the following Friday Assemblies:
- Week 1: Primary (Yr 3-6) Friday Assembly (3rd May) – Any primary students who placed (1st – 3rd)
- Week 2: Infants (K-2) Friday Assembly (10th May) – Any turning 8+ infants students who placed (1st – 3rd)
at the carnival held at Elephant Park (the sub-junior carnival does not have ribbons)
SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
We had another great day last Thursday out at Waratahs with the whole school taking part in the Athletics Carnival. I really enjoyed watching some amazing student results but was also impressed by the determination I saw with so many students pushing themselves to take part across multiple events. Many thanks to Mr Neal who coordinated this event along with the assistance of attending staff.
Information will be distributed early next term about the Orange District PSSA Carnival, which will be held on Monday, 27th May.
Please note the ribbons for the carnival will be handed out at the following Friday Assemblies:
- Week 1: Primary (Yr 3-6) Friday Assembly (3rd May) – Any primary students who placed (1st – 3rd)
- Week 2: Infants (K-2) Friday Assembly (10th May) – Any infants students who placed (1st – 3rd)
PBL AWARD ASSEMBLIES
We will hold our special Term 1 PBL Award Assemblies this Friday, 12th April. The K-2 Assembly will commence at 9:20am and the Year 3-6 Assembly will commence at 9:50am.
As per previous years, we are continuing our acknowledgement level system which recognises when students reach certain milestone amounts of ‘Yetis/Dojos’.
The reward assemblies will be held in the school hall with parents/carers or family members of students receiving an award invited to attend. Parents and carers of students receiving an award were sent email invites last week.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND REMINDERS
- Congratulations to both our girls' and boys' soccer teams who both achieved convincing wins in their first round of the PSSA Knockout. Thank you to Mr Meares and Miss Wyatt for their work coaching the teams.
- Don't forget the Life Education Van, which will be visiting our school in the first week of next term with all classes scheduled to take part in the program. The cost has been subsidised by half with the charge only coming to $6 per student. Please see the School Bytes App/Portal under 'Activities' to provide permission and make payment - due by Monday, 29th April.
- I would like to wish all Orange East families a safe, enjoyable holiday break. School resumes for students on Tuesday, 30th April. Should you have concerns during the holiday period, School Security can be contacted on 1300 880 021.
Have a great week.
Glen Bourke
SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Please note that our school photos will be held on Thursday, 16th May (Week 3). All students will have their photo taken. MSP Photographer envelopes were sent home with students on the last Friday of term.
Students are required to wear full winter uniform for the photos.
GETTING ON TRACK IN TIME – GOT IT! Program
Got It! is an early intervention program run by NSW Health along with NSW Department of Education. Your school has been offered a place in this exciting program.
The Got It! team will be running a 9-week program for children in Kindergarten to Year 2, aged 5-8 years and their parents, who are having problems with challenging and disruptive behaviour – at home or at school. The program will give families the opportunity to be part of a fun and supportive group that can improve child behaviour and family relationships and help parents deal with difficult behaviours.
Challenging and disruptive behaviour often causes problems in many areas of a child’s life. It can also be stressful for their family, friends and community. Sadly, these children can often be seen as ‘naughty’, rather than as children who are struggling with organising their thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Got It! aims to give support and practical help to children and their families, and also to support the school community to help children get the most out of the opportunities available to them.
Early next term, all families will be asked to complete a questionnaire for each child in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. Once you have received the questionnaire, please help us by returning it ASAP.
Got It! will be holding information sessions about the program at Orange East PS on:
Wednesday 8th of May - 9am, 12pm and 3pm
If you have any questions please contact the school for further information.
CLOTHING POOL
The Clothing Pool is open every Monday, 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.
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 | WHERE | WHO | DUE WHEN |
| Life Education Van | $6 | School Bytes - Forms | K-6 Students | Mon, 29th April |
| Stage 3 Sydney Excursion | $350 | School Bytes - Forms | Year 5/6 Students | *$70 deposit 2nd May *Full payment by 1st November |
| District Cross Country | $5 | School Bytes - Forms | Selected students | Fri, 12th April |
KITCHEN/GARDEN NEWS
EASTER CHOCOLATE SLAB
During the Easter period in the Kitchen, we made this super easy, super delicious Chocolate Slab.
EDIBLE TRAIL ECO WARRIORS
A big shout out to the Eco Warriors and their families who volunteered in our first-ever Edible Garden Trail. We welcomed over 70 visitors on the day, sharing garden stories and the joy of growing edibles.
OTHER KITCHEN/GARDEN NEWS
OEPS Cooking Class
A great time was had on Tuesday, with our first cooking class with professional chef, Ruben Mesa. It was fantastic to share the experience of harvesting produce, cooking and eating the amazing meals. Thank you to Ruben for this wonderful opportunity. We hope to hold more in the future.
Anzac Biscuits
This week students have also been learning to cook that old classic, Anzac biscuits. Staff and guests at our school who attended the Anzac service, rated the finished product very highly!
Nile Street Cafe
Thank you to Nile Street Cafe for your ongoing support of our student kitchen and the community.
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 1
- Week 11 – Friday, 12th April (PBL Assemblies)
Term 2
- Week 1 - Friday, 3rd May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 2 - Friday, 10th May (Infants, K-2)
- Week 3 - Friday, 17th May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 4 - Friday, 24th May (Infants, K-2)
- Week 5 - Friday, 31st May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 6 - Friday, 7th June (Infants, K-2)
- Week 7 - Friday, 14th June (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 8 - Friday, 21st June (Infants, K-2)
- Week 9 - Friday, 28th June (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 10 - Friday 5th July PBL (TBC)
WEEK 8 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY AWARDS
WEEK 10 INFANTS ASSEMBLY AWARDS
CLASS OF THE WEEK
WEEK 8 - 5/6 GALAH
WEEK 9 - KINDER BILBY
P&C NEWS
P&C MOTHERS' DAY STALL
As in previous years, the P&C will be running a Mothers' Day Stall on Thursday, 9th May. All gifts will be $5 with students able to order multiple gifts. To order a gift/s, parents need to use the QuickCliq (Canteen) app. All orders must be placed through the app by 12pm Monday 6th May - no late orders or cash orders will be available.
Students will visit the stall on the 9th May to select their gift/s.
P&C MEETINGS 2024
Term 2
- Week 3 - Tuesday, 14th May @ 6:30pm
- Week 8 - Tuesday, 18th 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. 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
DIGITAL CHILD SAFETY HANDBOOK
We are pleased to advise that a new edition of this valuable safety resource is now available online with updated safety content. The “NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook” is a comprehensive and free resource to assist parents, carers as well as teachers on a range of topics essential to child safety.
The updated digital edition (link below) includes important content updates from: Fire and Rescue NSW (home fire safety), Transport NSW (school bus and seat belt safety), NSW Department of Communities and Justice (keeping children safe), eSafety Commissioner and NSW Rural Fire.
Please click on the cover below to view the digital handbook: We encourage all parents and carers to download this latest edition and discuss the safety content with your children.