Welcome back to school!

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable summer break.

It’s been lovely to see all our returning students settling back into the routines of school and reconnecting with friends and teachers.

A particularly warm welcome to our new students and families.

This week, Kindergarten are participating in Best Start – Literacy and Numeracy and we’re excited about rolling out our Kindergarten buddy programme during the term. The teachers look forward to developing strong educational partnerships with all our new parents & carers… if you have any questions, just ask.

I look forward to seeing all our students doing their best, making the most of opportunities and embracing challenge as the year develops.

Well done to everyone for launching themselves into the new school year and for making such a positive start to Term 1.

Staffing/Class Arrangements

The staffing/class arrangements for 2025:

• Mrs Kaloudis and Miss Dugdale – Kindergarten
• Miss Madden and Miss O’Brien – Year 1
• Mrs Jreige and Mrs Harris (English & Mathematics) – Year 2
• Mrs Vieira and Miss O’Donnell – Year 3
• Mr Whittaker (AP) – Year 4
• Miss Knowles – Year 5
• Mrs Russell – Year 5/6
• Mrs Harris – Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction
• Mrs Pennesi – Learning Support Teacher/Coordinator
• Mrs Morrell – Learning Support and High Potential & Gifted
• Mr Singh – Library & STEM
• Mrs Carroll – Creative Arts
• Mr Spiteri (AP) – STEM

Meet the Teacher

Meet the Teacher is being held next Wednesday 19 February at 1.35pm.

Year 1 parents & carers will meet in the library.

Year 3 parents & carers will meet in 3V (room 13).

Parents and carers of all other classes can go directly to their classrooms.

We look forward to seeing you.

School Communication

I understand that there may seem to be an avalanche of notes distributed at the start of any school year. In saying this, please look out for them on the SZapp or in hardcopy in your child’s bag.

In particular, please look out for the Third Party Provider note as parent & carer consent is required.

Your support returning notes is greatly appreciated and if you have any questions, please contact Colleen, Angela and Renee in the office.

School Bytes

Our school administration systems are delivered through School Bytes.

You may use the parent portal for various things, including student reports, attendance and payments, which can be accessed via a secure link.

If you haven’t already registered with School Bytes, please open the parent portal link - https://portal.schoolbytes.education/auth/login or scan the QR code:

To ensure that the registration process works smoothly, make sure you also use the same email address that you have provided to the school.

Colleen, Angela and Renee are always available if you would like any assistance creating an account.

Class Parent Representatives

Class parent representatives provide a pivotal link between home and school and assist in the development of school community.

The role is a wonderful opportunity to become actively involved in school life and includes:

• Ongoing communication with the class teacher to help advertise and facilitate class initiatives and events;
• Assisting in the communication of class news to parents/carers;
• Helping to organise class volunteers i.e. morning reading;
• Welcoming new families to the school community;
• Organising out of school social activities for the class/families; and
• Liaising with other class representatives and P&C as a coordinated approach to whole school activities.

Please contact your child’s teacher if you are able to act as the parent representative for 2025.

2025 Student Health Care Plans, Dietary Requirements and Medication

Student Health Care Plans are currently being updated for 2025. As part of this process, please contact the office if there are any adjustments to your child’s health care and/or dietary needs.

Health Care Support at School

All students with health conditions requiring management at school must have the “Request for Support at School of a Student’s Health Condition and Prescribed Medication” form completed and signed by a parent or carer. This includes students who require prescribed medications, either short or long term, while at school.

These forms are available at the school office.

Administering of Medication

To administer medication at school, the office staff will need parent authorisation, which can be provided by completing the “Request for Support at School of a Student’s Health Condition and Prescribed Medication” form. Please include the following details:

• Medication Name
• Dose and how it should be administered
• Specific times and dates to administer
• Any special storage instructions for the medication

Parent/Carer Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to provide all required medication (and replacements) within their expiry dates. This includes “over the counter” medications such a paracetamol. Please note, “over the counter” medication needs to be in its original packaging.

Blister Pack Requirements

Recent guidance from the department requires that all prescribed medication be provided in a blister pack (Webster-Pak). This ensures accurate dosing, proper hygiene and correct storage. You can arrange for this at your pharmacy when filling your prescription.

Individual Health Plans, ASCIA Action Plans & Asthma Action Plans

Health care needs and long-term prescribed medication should be outlined by parents and medical practitioners in the Individual Health Care Plan, ASCIA Action Plan or Asthma Action Plan, along with the “Request for Support at School of a Student’s Health Condition and Prescribed Medication” form.

In consultation with parents, students and medical practitioners, these plans are reviewed and updated annually or whenever a student’s health care needs change.

Special Arrangements for Long Term Health Needs

Specific arrangements can be made for students with long term health needs, such as those requiring Epipens/Anapens or students with diabetes. These students may be permitted to carry their medication with them as necessary.

Excursions

If your child requires any medication for a current medical issue or as a preventative or precautionary measure, please ensure it is handed to your child’s teacher on the day of the excursion with a completed “Request for Support at School of a Students Health Condition and Prescribed Medications” form. This includes PSSA Sport.

School Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact the office, your child’s teacher or Mrs Pennesi.

Food Products

As with any school, we have children with severe allergies and a range of health care needs.

To keep all of our students safe and healthy, I ask that you:

• do not send nuts or nut products to school with your child;
• remind your child not to share food at school; and
• contact your child’s teacher in advance if you are thinking about bringing in food for the class i.e. birthday celebrations (this will allow your child’s teacher to put provisions in place that support the wellbeing of all our students).

As a reminder, the teachers are unable to distribute food that contains even the slightest trace of nut products. We have noticed that some commercial products have ingredients lists in the most obscure places… please check ingredients. Birthday ice blocks are a potential option but even still, please talk to the teacher first as even these have to be considered in a number of our classes.

Thank you for your understanding.

If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher and/or Mrs Pennesi.

P&C

Involvement in the P&C is encouraged and is a fabulous way to become actively involved in our school.

The first P&C meeting of the year will be held in the library on Thursday 13 February, 5:30-6:30.

New P&C members are always welcome.

As a reminder, the P&C AGM is Thursday 6 March, 5.30pm.

The AGM agenda will include elections for the executive members of the P&C for 2025. Under the P&C constitution, nominations and voting are restricted to financial members.

The yellow P&C recycling bins for drink cans and plastics bottles are located on the OOSH Verandah. As there is an onsite collection, please no glass bottles.

The CPS P&C can be contacted at chifleypcinfo@gmail.com.      

Online Safety

The Cybermarvel program brings on-time sessions for school communities in NSW in collaboration with the Australian eSafety Commissioner.

The eSafety Commissioner has upcoming parent webinars that can help us stay current and assist in navigating online platforms and cyber safety.

• 25 February 2025: Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school
• 19 March 2025: Algorithms and adolescents: rewards and risks of recommender systems

Holiday Reading

It is extremely important that children see reading as something that needs to happen at home and that it is not just a school based activity. Well done to all the children who completed their holiday reading contract over the summer break.

At Chifley PS, we pride ourselves on being a community focussed school. Relationships and open communication channels are extremely important to us.

As Principal of Chifley PS, I believe in strong educational partnerships. My office door is always open if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s education.

I look forward to a productive and rewarding 2025 school year.

David North

Principal, Chifley Public School

Library lessons have commenced for 2025 with an exciting new librarian in town! Students can now borrow books for home and for use in the classroom. If you have any overdue Chifley Public School library books at home, please send them back to school with your child.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge begins Monday 24th of February. Students in K-2 will be completing the challenge in class with their teachers. Students in 3-6 will be completing their independent challenge during library lessons. For more information visit https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html.

Scholastic Book Club Issue 1 has been handed out. Payments are online only at https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx

Borrowing

Your child's class has been allocated a library time during the week in which they will have the opportunity to borrow books both for class use and at home. This is a great asset for the school, and I highly recommend encouraging your child to borrow a book a week.

Please ensure students have their library bag on their allocated day to borrow a book. This ensures our books are kept safe and clean.

This term, assemblies will be held on Friday at 1pm in the hall, unless otherwise specified.

Term 1 co curricular groups for Years 1- 6 will commence on Monday 17 February and conclude Friday 4 April.

To support a smooth transition to school, Kindergarten students will be able to participate in Term 1 co curricular groups from Week 6, Monday 10 March.

Welcome 2025

Welcome back to school from Year 1 & 2!

Sport

Stage 1 enjoying their Friday PE.

Year 5 & 6 having fun playing Templin Bowling at sport.

Congratulations to Skylar, Tyrell, David and former student Leeton for their incredible sporting accomplishments during the holidays!

As a reminder, our WHIN Nurse, Nicole Simpson, is on site every Tuesday and always contactable through the school office.

Nicole’s role is to help:

• support all our families in addressing health needs;
• coordinate appropriate assessments;
• assist with referrals to any medical/social service; and
• follow up any treatment.

This is a fabulous resource for our school community so please make the most of Nicole’s expertise.

Nicole would be delighted to talk to you if you need any advice about a health issue.

Applications for 2026 entry into an opportunity class (OC) or selective high school (SHS) are currently open.
 
The online application link for parents & carers of students in Year 4 and Year 6 (this year) is available at Selective high schools and opportunity classes until 21 February 2025.