We are looking forward to an exciting end of term with lots happening, including a coding club for Year 3.

Please join us to help celebrate the visual arts and the Ben Chifley Art Exhibition next Wednesday, 25 June at 9:15.

The Athletics Carnival (track events) is the following Wednesday, starting at 9:15am.

Students 8 years (this year) and older can register qualifying times/places for the Zone Athletics Carnival in Term 3.

K-2 students always enjoy being part of the carnival and get a taste of the day through modified activities, including 50m races.

Students will need to wear their runners and sports uniform or house colours.

Please note, field events have been scheduled for the start of Term 3.

Student Reports

This term we’re introducing updated school reports developed by the NSW Department of Education.

The new format is planned to make the reports easier to read and understand.

Your child’s report will still show their progress across all subject areas.

Teacher comments will appear in English, Mathematics and the general comment section.

A new achievement scale and descriptions are included to provide a clearer picture of your child’s progress.

Parent/teacher interviews remain an important way to discuss your child’s progress and achievement in more detail.

The Semester 1 reports will be available on the School Bytes parent portal, Wednesday 2 July from 3pm.

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.

Parents & carers can certainly request a hardcopy of the report by contacting your child’s teacher.

Author of the Term

Seven Steps to Writing provides a whole school approach to writing and the explicit teaching of key writing skills.

The teachers would be delighted to talk to you about the programme and “chunking” the writing process to produce full, rich texts.

Congratulations to our Authors of the Term (see photo gallery below).

Representative Pathways

Congratulations to Mila P and Mason C who competed in the SEPSSA Cross Country Championships last week. A wonderful achievement.

Our debating teams thoroughly enjoyed hosting Maroubra Junction PS yesterday in what were highly competitive debates. Congratulations to both our green and gold teams.

We wish Giovany, Kai O, Eli and Ruslana all the best in the local finals of the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition next week. Also, Sophie who has been invited to attend the Sydney East Girls Football trials.

As you are aware, YMCA is finishing at the end of term.

Please make sure you have registered for CommunityOSH if you require before or after school care from the start of Term 3.

Wheelchair Basketball

Year 2 had the opportunity to participate in a sports session of wheelchair basketball. We got to meet Hailey, learn the rules then played a game. Everyone loved playing and were excited to score some goals for their team. A big thank you to Mrs Pennesi and Mr North for organising the game for us.

Debating

We were delighted to welcome back past students Zoe M (Year 10) and Charlotte N (Year 7) to speak with and help train our Stage 3 debating teams. Both Zoe and Charlotte began their debating journey when they were in Stage 3 at Chifley PS and have continued debating through their high school years. What wonderful role models for our Chifley students!

Yesterday, we were delighted to host Maroubra Junction PS for Round 2 of the Premier's Debating Challenge.

In the first debate, the Chifley Gold team debated the topic 'That kids under 12 should have to earn any screen time they get by helping around the house'. They were the negative side and were successful in winning their debate.

The second debate saw our Green team debating the topic 'That Years 5 and 6 kids should do all their schoolwork on a screen instead of using textbooks and paper'. They were also the negative team and were the winners in what was a close debate.

Our debaters spoke confidently, worked well as a team to construct their team's case, and were wonderful representatives of our school in this competition.

Science Enrichment Group

The Chifley scientists explored macroscopic and microscopic life in their latest session in the lab. Students used microscopes with 4X, 10X & 40X zoom to examine specimens such as aphids & fleas. They then created their own slide using onion epidermis (outer skin) and were able to look closely at it using the microscope. Students were highly engaged when observing the macroscopic specimens in jars.

Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition

Well done to all the students from Stage 2 and Stage 3 who participated in the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition this term.

Congratulations to our Stage finalists who did an outstanding job presenting their prepared speech and impromptu speech during Week 7.

Stage 2 Finalists: Giovany F, Kai O, Eloise F, Max B, Kai J and Jaxon R

Stage 3 Finalists: Eli M, Maya M, Jai P, Zente K, Ruslana C and Sophie D

A special congratulations to the two stage winners who will now progress to the Botany Bay Network Primary Schools Local Final at Eastlakes Public School on Wednesday 25 June:

Stage 2 Winners: Giovany F (Sport brings people together)

Kai O (When does a migrant become an Australian?)

Stage 3 Winners: Ruslana C (Peace and Trust)

Eli M (Diversity and Inclusion)

SEPSSA Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to Mila P and Mason C who competed in the Regional Cross Country Carnival. We are very proud of you!

The Quest

Victoria C, Maya M, Eli M & Abigail K are among 60 students from 15 local schools who are embarking on a writing adventure called The Quest. These students are passionate about writing and literature and will have the opportunity to explore ideas, experiment with words in all their forms & collaborate with other like-minded, passionate story tellers. Let the journey begin!