News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:57:03 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 13:09:55 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 16:24:27 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.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:50:54 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.

School Travel - Term 4 2019

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 12:00:03 AEDT

School Travel - Term 4 2019

2020 school travel applications now open

Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019.

Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 no longer need to re-apply if they:

· are continuing at the same school

· are residing at the same address

· have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.

Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.

Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:18:16 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

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:35:04 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.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:21:43 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.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:40:35 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.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:03:47 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

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:35:41 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.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:22:18 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.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:09:18 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

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:08:27 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 14:29:38 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.

What's Happening in 5D

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 07:50:49 AEDT

What's Happening in 3/4W?

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 07:17:03 AEDT

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:17:12 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.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:55:49 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 16:22:41 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.

Father's Day Breakfast

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:17:07 AEST

Last Friday we held a Father's Day breakfast, and what a fabulous turn out we had.

A huge thank you to our P&C President, Mr Nick Berman, and his wonderful team who cooked bacon and egg rolls and sausage sandwiches from 7:45 until 9:10am! Mornings like these strengthen our sense of community and belonging.

The Father's Day Stall was also a huge success, with so many excited students given the opportunity to select a special little something for their dad!

We wish all of our fathers, grandfathers, uncles and special friends a wonderful Father's Day this Sunday!

Kindergarten 2019

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:17:09 AEST

Is your child ready for Kindergarten in 2019?

We are currently taking enrolments for our Kindergarten class of 2019.

For more information please go to the page titled 'School Years' 'Kindergarten' and then 'Kindergarten 2019.' Or alternatively please make contact with one of our friendly office staff who will be able to assist you during this process.

We have an exciting transition program scheduled for early next term and look forward to meeting you soon!

Multicultural Public Speaking Competition

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:17:07 AEST

We are so proud of you Leah!

A huge congratulations to Leah, one of our School Captains, for her recent performance in the regional final of the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition.

Leah was awarded first place for her heart felt and moving speech and now moves forward to the state final!

For 23 years now the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition has been encouraging primary school students to explore ideas of multiculturalism in Australia, as well as giving them a place to practice their public speaking skills and improve their confidence.

With over 2000 entrants state wide we are so proud of you Leah and wish you the best of luck for the state final in November!

SCHOOL PHOTOS - Tuesday 19th June

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:17:09 AEST

We will be holding our class photos on Tuesday 19th of June. Please ensure your child is dressed in their full winter uniform, including correct socks/tights and polished black school shoes.

We look forward to seeing our students wearing their best smiles on Tuesday!

Harmony Day 2018

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:17:07 AEST

The weather couldn't stop the Waitara school community from celebrating our many cultures! Unfortunately we had to reshuffle our parade to cater for the rain. Our hall was full to capacity with parents, friends and extended family members all keen to celebrate diversity. The children walked around with such pride and parents and family members clapped along! a breath taking morning!

After the students paraded around our school hall they then went back to their classrooms for traditional food tastings and cultural activities. A huge thank you to our parents for supporting this very special day, the costumes, the food tastings and for making the time to come in to celebrate as a whole school community is priceless.

Harmony Day

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:17:07 AEST

We are looking forward to celebrating Harmony Day, 21st of March 2018!

Please ensure your child is dressed in national costume, the colours of the approbate flag or orange the colour of Harmony Day.

We will begin our day with our traditional flag parade at 9:30am. This will be followed up by sharing traditional delicacies in student classrooms. We hope to see you there to celebrate the many cultures that make our school community so special!

Easter Hat Parade

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:15 AEDT

We are holding our Annual Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 29th March.

Students are bringing in the materials needed to make their spectacular hat at school with their buddies!

We hope you can join us.

Where: Waitara Public School, Top Green

When: Thursday 29th of March

Time: 9:30am

Harmony Day

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:15 AEDT

We are looking forward to celebrating Harmony Day, 21st of March 2018!

Please ensure your child is dressed in national costume, the colours of the approbate flag or orange the colour of Harmony Day.

Three Way Conferences

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:16 AEDT

Please make sure you have booked in a time to visit your child's classroom teacher for our Term 1 Three Way Conferences. Bookings close on Friday 16th of March at 9:00am. For more details please click this link Parent Instructions (pdf 210 KB)

Zone Swimming

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:18 AEDT

Good luck to our swimmers heading to the Zone Swimming Carnival on Thursday 8th of March!

Schoolzine

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 10:39:00 AEST

Our Schoolzine app is one of the key planks of our communication platform between the school and home. Please ensure you have downloaded the app on to your chosen device and have

1) selected your students stage to ensure you are receiving the most relevant information.

2) enabled push notifications to alert you to new information.

From this app you can

access notifications
read the newsletters, current and past editions
send in absences
contact the school
visit our website

Please use the following file to assist you in the downloading and setting up of the app.

Schoolzine (pdf 363 KB)

Kindergarten 2018

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:15 AEDT

Our transition to school program is starting soon. Please read the attached file carefully for our Kindergarten 2018 students.

On our Transition Days the Uniform Shop will be opened from 9-10am. We recommend you use this time to purchase uniforms.

Kindergarten 2018 (pdf 306 KB)

Tell Them From Me Parent Survey

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:16 AEDT

‘Tell Them From Me' Parent Survey

This term we are taking part in the Tell Them From Me parent survey which will help clarify and strengthen the important relationship between our parents and our school. The parent survey focuses on student wellbeing, engagement, effective teaching practices and communication The data collected is anonymous and is used to monitor, support, and enhance future planning of our school.

Please use the following link to access the survey:

https://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/waitara

To ensure all parents have the opportunity to complete the parent survey the Computer Lab will be open

Wednesday 13^th – Friday 15^th of September from 2:30-3:30pm

Waitara turns 90!

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:16 AEDT

This year Waitara Public School celebrates 90 years of providing exceptional education to our local community.

Please take some time to read through the wonderful resource attached that outlines the history of our great school.

WPS History (pdf 6695 KB)

Seesaw app Download instructions

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:16 AEDT

Here are the instructions for how to download your child's work from their Seesaw Journal. Many classes spent time this year sharing work on this platform. If your child hasn't they have the opportunity to in 2017.

Seesaw download instruction (pdf 452 KB)

We have a National Songwriting winner!

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:17 AEDT

Elizabeth in Year 6 is the proud winner of the Year 5/6 competition of the 2016 Australian Children's Music Foundation's National Songwriting.

Her winning song is titled Strong Girl. The lyrics can be found at Strong Girl lyrics

Congratulations Elizabeth!

School Stream APP

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:15 AEDT

Waitara Public Schools - Bicycle and Scooter Policy

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:16 AEDT

Please find attached Waitara Public Schools, Bicycle and Scooter Policy.

If your child wishes to ride to school it is essential that both parents and children read and sign the policy.

Also attached is a guide to bicycle maintenance.

Bicycle and Scooter Policy (pdf 223 KB)

Permission Note (pdf 122 KB)

School Photo Day

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 02:52:15 AEDT

School Photo Day will be held on Monday September 5. Students should bring their payment envelopes ON THE DAY and give them to the school photographer. Photos may be ordered online at www.theschoolphotographer.com.au