News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:49:05 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:52:17 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:05:34 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

Warmer Weather and Extraordinary Experiences!

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 08:44:27 AEDT

What a year it has been in S3H, however Term 4 has put the icing on the cake.

Week 7 in S2L

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 12:14:23 AEDT

S2L have had a wonderful and busy week. The start of the week saw us joining in the Colour Run. We all had such a wonderful time being active and getting colourful of course!

Dancing with S3T

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:24:03 AEDT

This term S3T have been enjoying weekly dance lessons for Creative Arts and PDHPE. We have been practicing movement skills and performing fun dances like 5 6 7 8, Macarena, Nutbush, Heel Toe Polka, and the Barn Dance, but our favourite dance is Waka Waka. Wednesday afternoons are a highlight of our week!

Stage 2 STEM Showcase

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:00:05 AEDT

Last week students in Stage Two were involved in their STEM Showcase which gave them an opportunity to share their learning journey and experiences with teachers, parents and carers.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:34:16 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

S1D Build a Bridge

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 11:21:46 AEDT

During History the children of S1D had been exploring a range of man-made features in Sydney’s Harbour and water ways.

KS - Paddock to Plate

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 10:57:30 AEDT

Last term during Science lessons Kindergarten engaged in a unit of work called “Paddock to Plate” where they learned all about where food comes from and the process it goes through to go from the farm to their houses.

SCM exploring Antarctica

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 10:51:40 AEDT

SCM really enjoyed our incursion on a journey to Antarctica at the end of term 3. It was a great way to consolidate everything we had learnt throughout the term on Antarctica.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:04:02 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

S1C learning about Sydney

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:56:05 AEDT

Over the past few weeks S1C has been enjoying learning about the Sydney Harbour Bridge and other famous landmarks in the lead up to our excursion.

S2P are making Maths fun!

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 16:00:05 AEDT

In S2P we love making Maths fun! This year we have been experimenting using ICT in the classroom to enhance our learning.

Our University Experience

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 12:20:19 AEST

This week S3N were lucky enough to be involved with the First Foot Forward Program which consisted of us going to Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus. This program aims to support schools and students by providing students in Years 5 and 6 with an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of higher education options. The program provides primary school students with opportunities to increase awareness of higher education and help raise their educational and career aspirations. On the day we spent time in three different sections of the university learning and even got to spend time in one of the lecture rooms. We learnt about career opportunities in the field of nursing and design as well as coding and robotics which was our favourite activity of the day. It was a very fun learning experience.

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:32:10 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

S3C being dramatic

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 11:54:42 AEST

This term, S3C have been engaging in weekly Drama lessons. In these lessons we work cooperatively with our class peers, participating in a variety of activities which help us develop confidence and learn about the elements of drama.

We participated in an activity called the human knot. After joining hands with different students across a circle, we had to untangle ourselves without breaking the chain of hands. It was a lot trickier than we first thought. However, after several attempts we were successful. S3C enjoyed this activity and had lots of laughs along the way.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:19:01 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

Week of Tastes in S2S!

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 09:55:52 AEST

In S2S we have been learning about the five basic tastes of food as part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden program. The five tastes are sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami. During our weekly kitchen lessons we have been cooking a variety of tasty food. Last week we cooked samosas filled with vegetables grown in the school garden.

S2S also participated in the Week of Tastes which included a guessing activity where we were blindfolded and tasted different unknown foods. We were even lucky enough to learn from a professional chef who shared his secrets to making the best brownies. We decorated the brownies with chocolate frosting, Oreo pieces and dried raspberry. Yum!

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:36:22 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

S1K are crazy about Science!

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 11:42:27 AEST

S1K have loved learning and investigating how digital systems operate.

We have been learning all about computers this term from the basics of turning them on and off to navigating through programs such as word and paint. Students have loved having the opportunity to learn about something they all have an interest in.

Press the any key “Where’s the any key?” – Unknown

S2E - Science Week

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 08:22:16 AEST

This week S2E have been celebrating Science Week. The theme for 2019 is Destination Moon and students were engaged in activities relating to the 50^th anniversary of the Moon landing.

Technology in S1N

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 08:25:19 AEST

This term, S1N have been studying a Science unit called Digital Technologies so we have been learning all about technology.

KM is Farmtastic!

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 12:16:05 AEST

This term KM will be learning about farm animals through our Literacy unit.

SCT - Learning about Cold Environments

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 12:55:57 AEST

In English for term 3 we are learning about Cold Environments. All students in SCT have to complete a presentation about Antarctica on their iPads using Google slides. Each students has to research facts such as Antarctica location on a map, the weather, if people live there and what animals are located in the Antarctic. Students will then need to show their classmates what they have added into their presentation in front of the class.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:58:21 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Aboriginal Cultural lessons in S3S

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:42:34 AEST

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:31:37 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

Busy Bees in KH

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 16:33:05 AEST

KH learning about bees

S1H learning about Earth and Space

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 16:38:45 AEST

S1H investigating their shadows

Literacy groups in S3G

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:25:10 AEST

S3G in their literacy groups

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:18:11 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Welcome to S1B

Fri, 24 May 2019 09:17:13 AEST

Kindergarten - learning about Minibeasts

Mon, 13 May 2019 11:15:11 AEST

This term Kindergarten is learning about minibeasts.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:01:09 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Swimming Lessons for our Support Classes

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 14:07:48 AEST

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:05:44 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:08:10 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:12:46 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Launch of the Pride Ship

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 13:38:52 AEDT

Thank you to all students and staff who dressed up last Friday for our pirate ship launch. This exciting space will be used as a creative outdoor learning environment to inspire collaborative inquiry based learning across the school

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:49:53 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:20:22 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

S1B class news

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 08:57:45 AEST

Fun at Heber Park

We spent some time playing and having fun at Heber Park. We had collected 100 hebo dollars for being safe respectful learners in the playground and we had all decided on going to Heber Park as our reward.

Life education visit

A visit to the life education centre at colyton was a learning experience for S1B. We spoke about healthy eating, staying safe, making good choices and being a good friend. We meet Janet and of course healthy Harold!

Maths session

We have many hands-on experiences in our maths rotations each day. We work together to solve problems and learn new concepts.

KV class news

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 13:03:11 AEST

We have been at school now for over 12 weeks. We have been working hard to learn the rules and routines of our classroom. As their teacher I am so proud of how well they have all settled in, made friends with one another and simply taken everything in their stride. We have all worked together to create a classroom that ensures everyone has a voice, it’s inclusive of others thoughts and beliefs, everyone is respected and finally we are all brave. We have already had so many exciting things happen in KV:

Books in homes assembly – each student in Kindergarten was gifted 3 brand new books to take home and enjoy with their families
Life education – we went on our first excursion to life education where we meet Healthy Harold the giraffe and learnt all about healthy lifestyles.
Harmony day – students celebrated harmony day as a whole school and they learnt about tolerance and cultural acceptance.
Meet the teacher barbecue – KV parents came and spent the afternoon with the Kindergarten teachers by having a chat and barbecue.

We have another busy term coming up and are all looking forward to what the rest of the year brings us.

SCH class news

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 13:07:00 AEST

This week in SCH we made avocado dip and wheat tortillas. We really enjoy cooking.