TERM 2 WEEK 7/8 NEWSLETTER 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL EXCURSION PROCESS REVIEW

Recently, we have undertaken a review of our excursion procedures and documentation. The aim has been to ensure the school has up-to-date, efficient, comprehensive and safe operating procedures for all excursions. While it has taken some time and energy, we hope that the updated procedures assist students, staff and parents to get the most out of these important experiences.

Private Transport

One area that some parents will notice a change in is requirements for excursions where transport is via private car. As per the most recent Department of Education guidelines, all parents providing private transport for a school excursion must:

• Have a current driver's license and vehicle registration sighted by the school.
• The driver must comply with peer passenger requirements as per their licence level.
• The number of passengers cannot exceed the number of seatbelts in the vehicle.

Additionally, parents or close relative volunteers who take students other than their own children to school activities need to have at least an unpaid volunteer Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance (also to be checked by the school).

While this last point may unfortunately limit some parents from assisting with the transport of other children, it is an important policy requirement. For any parents interested in applying for a volunteer WWCC, it is free and requires two steps:

• Completion of an online application
• Visit a Service NSW Centre to present your original identity documents

To apply or find further information: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check

CONGRATULATIONS

• Congratulations is extended to Freya Scott, Isla Lanser and Isabel Mesa Urquhart who successfully made it into the Western Region Girls Softball Team, which will compete at Cronulla later this year.
• Also congratulations to Sebastian Hewitt who successfully made it into the Western Region Boys Softball Team (second year), which will compete at Penrith later this year.

Best of luck and well done!

OFFICE VISITORS

SCHOOL NEWS

2025 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS

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, 2^nd August
• Notification of Enrolment Acceptance (Non-zoned Applications) – Tuesday, 6^th August
• OEPS Supported Transition Playgroup – Commences Mid-Term 3
• Kinder Parent Information Evening – Wednesday, 11^th 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 

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

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.

CANTEEN

Reminders and updates:

• A reminder to parents that the canteen is now running Wednesday and Fridays only.
• Tempura chicken nuggets are back!
• When sending money for recess/lunch snacks, nothing larger than a $5 note, please. Larger notes are difficult to change and also pose a risk for children to lose.
• 'Canteen Week' will be week 10. Over the course of the week, Mrs Roxburgh will be running a guessing competition for 20c, a colour-in competition, meal specials and a lucky order prize. More details to come!

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

All schools are expected to implement rigorous attendance policies. This includes monitoring whole day and partial school absences as well as patterns of non-attendance. The policy requires that parents ensure a high level of school attendance by their children and that all student absences are explained either verbally via phone call, or via a written explanation or through the School Bytes app, on the day of absence or as soon as possible following. As a school we must comply with this policy but most importantly our goal is to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for each and every student. As always, the key to this success is a great partnership between home and school.

Students with significant absences or patterns of non-attendance without explanation may be contacted to attend a formal school meeting, and if attendance continues to be of concern, by the Home School Liaison Office. Class teachers will also make phone calls home regarding unexplained absences.

Attendance Reports

Later this week, we will be sending out our mid-year academic reports. Included in the envelope will also be your child's Attendance Report. The report will simply show your child’s percentage attendance for each of the last four terms and the overall percentage for the 12 month period. We understand that unavoidable sickness or occasional family commitments can have an impact on attendance however the report is being provided so that parents are easily able to see a broad overview of attendance. We hope that this information provides a useful opportunity to discuss and potentially set goals for the future with children if required. Our aim for students is an overall attendance rate of at least 95%. While this may seem a high number, it still allows for up to 10 days of leave per year and is currently being achieved by almost half of the students at Orange East.

Overall Orange East has an excellent attendance rate which is highly beneficial in the progress and learning of our students. Thank you to all parents who support these procedures and ensure their children are attending school regularly. 

If you would like further clarification or support in improving your child/ren’s attendance please do not hesitate to contact Miss Croker (Attendance Monitor) or your child’s class teacher.

KITCHEN/GARDEN NEWS

FUNDING GRANT SUCCESS

Recently the Eco Warrior team submitted a successful application to the Edible Gardens Grants program. We will be purchasing netting and frames to protect our garden beds. 

APPLE SLINKY MACHINES

The school recently purchased six Apple Slinky machines thanks to the Return and Earn Program. The students aim to collect enough bottles to purchase another five machines - so each class has one.

CURRENT FORMS/PERMISSION NOTES

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 2

• 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 5 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY AWARDS

WEEK 6 INFANTS ASSEMBLY AWARDS

CLASS OF THE WEEK

WEEK 5 - 5/6 WOMBAT

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P&C NEWS

P&C MEETINGS 2024

Term 2

• MEETING MOVED - Week 9 - Tuesday, 25th 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.

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

COMMUNITY NOTICES

HOLIDAY SWIMMING INTENSIVE PROGRAM

JULY HOLIDAY INTENSIVES – NOW OPEN!

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have now opened bookings for July Holiday Intensive Swimming! Please see information below:

DATES: Monday 8th July - Friday 12th July (first week of school holidays)

PRICE: $87.50 for 5 days

CLASSES:

PRESCHOOL 1 & 2, LEVELS 1, 2, 3, 4: Run for 30 minutes.  

BREASTSTROKE MASTERCLASS (Wed/Thurs ONLY) - Run for 30 minutes, available to level 4, minimum 2 day booking.

PRIVATE CLASSES - Limited availability, please request via email (addtional fees and criteria apply). 

TIMES:

All lessons will take place between 9am-12:30pm.

BOOKING:

When you book, you must book and pay for the whole week.

To ensure we can process your booking in a timely manner please include the following information when emailing through your request.

Preferred time:
Child/children’s Names:
Child/children’s Current Level:

Please be aware, all outstanding Term 2 fees must be paid in full before holiday bookings will be accepted.

Payment for Intensives is due 2 weeks in advance. Any cancellations must be made in writing 2 weeks prior to the start date. Cancellation Policy will apply as per our Terms and Conditions. 

If you book & do not attend, you will still be charged the full fee for holding the booking.

**Please be advised we can only take bookings via email, not in person or over the phone. Due to a high volume of correspondence, reply times may take longer than usual.

Kind regards,

The LTS Team

Orange Aquatic Centre