TERM 1 WEEK 10/11 NEWSLETTER 2025
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
OEPS ANZAC CEREMONY
School Ceremony
We will be holding our school Anzac Ceremony in Newman Park at 11.45am on Thursday, 10th April. Anzac Day is a very symbolic moment for the Orange East PS community with the ceremony in front of the memorial row of trees planted to represent 17 ex-students who lost their lives in World War 1. This year's service will be particularly special, as the RSL Sub-Branch have organised to have the memorial consecrated by Reverend Andy Martin. Orange Mayor, Tony Mileto and RSL Sub-Branch President Chris Colvin will also attend this special event.
Following the service, guests are welcome to enjoy a ‘cuppa’ and some Anzac biscuits at the memorial.
Please come along and support the school at this special event.
Town March
The official Orange ANZAC Day March will be held on Friday, 25th April (second week of the school 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 10:15am prepared for the march to step-off at around 10:30am. At the conclusion of the march, children will be available for collection approximately halfway up McNamara Lane.
We encourage as many students as possible to be involved in the march. Students are asked to come dressed in full winter school uniform.
PBL AWARD ASSEMBLIES
We will hold our special Term 1 PBL Award Assemblies next Friday, 11th 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. Email invitations will be sent to parents and carers of students receiving an award later this week.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND REMINDERS
School Athletics
Congratulations to all students who took part in our School Athletics Carnival last week. Many thanks to Mr Neal who coordinated this event along with the assistance of attending staff and parent volunteers.
Please note the ribbons for the carnival will be handed out at the following Friday Assemblies next term:
- Week 1: Primary (Yr 3-6) Friday Assembly (2nd May) – Any primary students who placed (1st – 3rd)
- Week 2: Infants (K-2) Friday Assembly (9th May) – Any infants students who placed (1st – 3rd)
Yeti's Birthday
Happy birthday to our school therapy dog and all-round superhero, Yeti!
Yeti turned 4 on the 21st March and the whole school celebrated this special occasion on the following Monday recess assembly by singing him happy birthday and watching him devour his birthday cup cakes. He was pretty happy with his special day (pictures below)!
NAPLAN Congratulations
Congratulations to all Year 3 and 5 students for your great effort and perseverance in completing this year’s NAPLAN assessment. Thank you in particular to Mr Neal, Mrs Maclean and Miss Croker for coordinating the assessment program and various staff who assisted in the completion of the tests. Finally, a thank you to Ms Iskric and Mr McGregor for coordinating the NAPLAN Yr 3 & 5 breakfasts as well as staff and parent volunteers.
OFFICE VISITORS
SCHOOL NEWS
EASTER HAT PARADE
On Wednesday, 9th April Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two children will participate in an Easter Hat Parade starting at 12:00pm. We invite all parents and carers to attend this event! The parade will be held on the asphalt area in front of the Stage 3 classrooms (near the big 100 Chart).
The children are asked to make their own hats at home. We suggest they may like to decorate an old hat from home with Easter pictures and/or eggs etc.
This will be an exciting event for our infant students with each class parading their hats. Stage 2/3 students will also come out to enjoy the parade.
After the parade, the school P&C will be providing a BBQ lunch. Lunch costs and purchasing details will come out over the coming weeks. Parents and carers are welcome to stay/order lunch.
P&C BBQ
Please note that BBQ preorders opened on Tuesday via the QuickCliq canteen app and will close at 12pm, Monday 7th April. There is a link below for instructions on how to order. A reminder, when ordering, it is important that you select the event date: Wednesday, 9th April.
Cash sales will still be available at the BBQ, though we do encourage people to bring change/smaller denominations where possible.
- Sausage sandwich - $3.50
- Water/cans of drink - $2
- Poppas - $1.50
VOLUNTEERING
We love parent involvement at Orange East. If you would like to assist with the Easter Hat BBQ, please contact the P&C to put your name forward: orangeeastpandc@gmail.com
Easter Raffle
Stage 2 are organising an Easter raffle for which they are asking for donations of Easter eggs, rabbits, bilbies or any other item that could be given as prizes, as well as small baskets. These items can be left at the school office.
Tickets for the Easter raffle will be $1.00 each and sold under the COLA before school, at recess and before the parade starts. Tickets are also available to purchase through School Bytes. The raffle will be drawn after the Easter Hat Parade.
Proceeds from the raffle will be used to subsidise the cost of the Stage 2 excursion later this year.
SCHOOL DANCE AND CHOIR PROGRAMS - UPDATE
Dance
Dance programs have filled quickly with Stage 1 and 3 full and Stage 2 having one remaining place. It will be great to see the groups get underway this week as they prepare their various routines.
Our informal Kinder dance/choir program has also commenced, with students enjoying the sessions.
School Choir
Our School Choir will be a selective program with Mrs McLennan running auditions throughout Week 10 for students in Years 1-6. She has indicated that she is looking to form a choir of between 30-50 students.
Once the choir has been selected, the school will send out notification letters to parents/carers of successful students (hopefully throughout Week 11). The cost for the choir will be $15 which covers lessons, entry to eisteddfods/performances and bus costs.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Please note that our school photos will be held on Thursday, 15th May (Week 3 next term). All students will have their photo taken. MSP Photographer envelopes were sent home with students last week. Family envelopes are available on request from the school office.
Students are required to wear full winter uniform for the photos.
OUR HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM
This year we are excited to be partnering with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) in delivering The Live, Longer, Stronger – Our Healthy Kids Program (OHK). This free program is a health and well-being focused initiative and covers 8 key areas of the PDHPE curriculum. It is designed for all primary-aged children in Stages 1, 2 and 3.
All students (Yr 1-6) will participate in educational lessons focused on health and well-being. The lessons will be delivered by a staff member from the Live, Longer, Stronger Program as well as the class teacher. Lessons will be held in the classroom and on the playground for physical activities.
Each week the program covers each of these topics: | |
Nutrition | Friends (Bullying & Social Media Safety) |
Physical Activity | Healthy Hygiene Practices |
Thoughts & Feelings (Mental Health) | Keeping Safe (Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships) |
Healthy Habits (Years 1-2) Vaping and Smoking (Years 3-6) | |
The program will operate across all stages throughout the year, with weekly lessons (8 lessons per term). Each lesson is 90 minutes long with 45 minutes allocated to the topic of the week and 45 minutes for a fun and engaging physical activity.
The program will run across the following stages/terms:
- Term 2 - Stage 3 (5/6 Wombat, 5/6 Galah, 5/6 Crocodile)
- Term 3 - Stage 2 (4/5 Wallaby, 3/4 Kookaburra, 3/4 Parrot)
- Term 4 - Stage 1 (1 Quokka, 1/2 Panda, 2 Koala)
At the end of the program, all students will receive a graduation pack filled with fun, healthy lifestyle items to celebrate their achievements and encourage ongoing healthy habits.
If you would like further information, please contact the school.
IMPORTANT - if you WOULD NOT like your child/children to participate in this program, please contact the school as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made.
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 |
| Easter Egg Raffle Tickets | $5 for 5 tickets | Raffles to be drawn at the OEPS Easter Hat Parade | Everyone | Online purchases close on Tues, 8th April |
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Term 2 - First Day Back ALL Students K-6
30 Apr 2025 - 01 May 2025 |
|
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School Photos
15 May 2025 - 16 May 2025 |
|
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 10 – Friday, 4th April (Infants, K-2)
- Week 11 – Friday, 11th April PBL Assemblies
Term 2
- Week 1 – Friday, 2nd May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 2 – Friday, 9th May (Infants, K-2)
- Week 3 – Friday, 16th May (Primary, Yr 3-6)
- Week 4 – Friday, 23rd May (Infants, K-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 7 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY
WEEK 8 INFANTS ASSEMBLY
WEEK 9 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY
A MOMENT WITH...
JAXTON HYDE – 5/6 CROCODILE
What do you want to be when you grow up?
- A zoologist, because I love animals and want to help them. I want to specialise in otters.
If you were principal for a day, what would you do?
- I would make a fun day where everyone could wear their pyjamas. It would be fun to express yourself and show your individuality.
What is your favourite memory of OEPS?
- The Sydney camp last year was my favourite memory because I got to spend a few days with my friends and we did a lot of fun activities.
If your parents were superheroes, what would their powers be?
- They would have insane strength and resilience because they are good at whatever they do.
What’s your talent?
- My talent is drawing. I have a really good imagination. I love to draw animals as well as my own characters.
WONDERFUL STUDENT WORK
In Stage 2, we have been learning about the Solar System for our Literacy Unit. Here are a few examples of some wonderful writing from 3/4Kookaburra on the planet Jupiter.
FEATURE CLASS
2 KOALA
P&C NEWS
P&C MOTHERS' DAY STALL
The P&C are holding the Mothers' Day Stall for our students on Thursday, 8th May. Orders have already opened through the QuickCliq Canteen app.
Cut-off for all orders is 10.04.2025 at 6.00pm. Due to the time required to purchase gifts, no late orders can be accepted after this date.
Orders can be placed via the Quicklcliq Canteen app by entering the date 10.04.2025. All gifts are $5.00 each.
Instructions on how to order can be found by clicking the link below. Please contact the office should you require any assistance.
P&C MEETINGS 2025
Term 2 Meetings
- Week 3 - Tuesday, 13th May @ 6:30pm
- 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.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
