Deputy Principal's Report

Kindergarten Happenings - KE

Kindergarten students have been working hard over the past few weeks, practicing their sounds and developing their writing skills. It’s been exciting to see many of them beginning to use their sounds to write two- and even three-letter words!

KE has also been exploring measurement through hands-on learning. In the playground, they investigated length, and during a special lesson in the staffroom, they measured and compared the capacity of different containers.

It’s been wonderful to see how much they have grown, settled into classroom routines, and formed great friendships with their peers. We can’t wait to hear all about their holiday adventures when they return and to see all the amazing learning ahead in the coming weeks!

Stage 1 Happenings - 1H

This week in 1H, we expanded our mathematician brains by exploring measurement with arm-balance scales and discovering different addition combinations using dominoes! We also strengthened our teamwork skills to create unique, collaborative and imaginative projects.

Stage 2 Happenings - 3B

3B students have enjoyed learning about abstract art in Visual Arts lessons. They have used chalk pastels to draw cubist still lifes, inspired by the artworks of Ben Nicholson, and used line, colours and shapes to create artworks inspired by Wassily Kandinsky. 3B is excited to attend the excursion to the Art Gallery of NSW next week to see well-known artworks in person.

Stage 3 Happenings - 5DB

This term 5DB read The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. We explored the concept of ‘narrative’ through a deep analysis of characterisation. The students challenged themselves to write an additional scene between two of the characters. It was great to see the students use the marking criteria as a checklist when composing their texts. We also used skills of directed drawing and tonal shading to create a camouflaged robot.

SRC Update

On Tuesday 8th of April (Week 11), the SRC will be holding a fundraiser for two separate charities; The Smith Family and the Starlight Foundation.

We ask that students bring as many gold coins as they can to school where they can donate those coins to the charities as they see fit. There will be a collection jar in each classroom.

The class in each stage with the most value of gold coins will receive an Eastwood Key and an ice-block. The overall winning class will have a pizza lunch provided!

We thank you for your support!

Ms Saito & Mrs Lau (SRC Coordinators)

K-6 Easter Hat Parade

Parenting Program Update

Online Safety

We would like to remind you of the importance of ensuring that children under the required age do not access the platform Discord. Discord has an age restriction of 13 years and above in accordance with its Terms of Service and Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Online Safety Act 2021.

Allowing children under this age to access Discord is not only against the platform’s rules but may also pose significant online safety risks, including:

* Exposure to inappropriate content – Many Discord servers are unmoderated and may contain unsuitable discussions, images, or videos.

* Interaction with strangers – Discord allows direct messaging and voice communication, which can put young users at risk of contact with unknown individuals.

* Data privacy concerns – The platform collects user data, and underage children are not legally permitted to provide consent.

In Australia, it is illegal for children under 13 to create an account on Discord. The eSafety Commissioner strongly advises that young users only engage with age-appropriate online spaces.

We encourage parents to actively monitor their child’s online activity and discuss the importance of safe internet use. If you have any concerns or need advice on supporting your child’s digital safety, please do not hesitate to reach out. Please refer to the link below:

Online Safety

Lost Property

Please collect lost items from the Lost Property tubs in A Building.

All items that are not part of the school uniform will be donated to charity or thrown away on Thursday 10 April.

Important Dates

Sport

PSSA

Our Summer PSSA competition has finished up for this semester and will reconvene at the beginning of Term 4.

We have had some amazing results so far from all our teams. Special mention to our Senior Newcombe ball team who are currently in first position!

Ryde Zone Swimming

Clara K (year 6) and Logan K (year 2) represented the Ryde Zone for swimming events on the 2^nd of April at the Sydney North Primary Swimming Competition.

We are extremely proud of both our students.

Clara

200m - IM - 2nd place

50m freestyle - 3rd place

50m breaststroke - 2nd place

50m butterfly - 2nd place

Logan

50m freestyle - 2nd place

Due to their amazing performances, both Clara and Logan have now qualified for the PSSA STATE Championship, which will be held on April 10th and 11th. Congratulations Clara and Logan and all the best at this next carnival!

Languages - Mandarin

Our Kindy Mandarin students have been settling into their lessons with enthusiasm, impressing teachers with their rapid progress. They have been learning greetings in Mandarin and practicing basic Chinese strokes and characters through songs, rhymes, and games.

Our Year 1 students kicked off Term 1 by immersing themselves in the Chinese New Year story and participating in hands-on activities, before transitioning to the topic of "My Family." They’ve been eagerly engaging in learning words and expressions through a variety of methods, including singing, speaking, reading, role-playing, and games. Attached is a photo of students enjoying the "Swat a Fly" game, which helps them practise reading Chinese characters within sentences.

Our Year 2 Mandarin Students have been enthusiastically exploring the topic of weather, enhancing their vocabulary related to family members, and delving into the rich culture of Chinese New Year. They have engaged in these subjects through songs, rhymes, stories and hands-on activities, fostering a dynamic and immersive learning environment.

Our Year 4 Mandarin students are thoroughly enjoying their new unit, "Family Trip to China." They are approaching the intermediate-level Mandarin skills by learning travel-related vocabulary, grammar, and writing techniques. Additionally, students are exploring Chinese lanterns, gaining insight into traditional craft art.

Students from grades 3-6 have been actively auditioning for the Chinese Waist Drum and Fan Dance groups, demonstrating both enthusiasm and dedication in performing traditional Chinese cultural items.

Our Year 5 and 6 students have been confidently challenging themselves to practise unfamiliar words and expressions within the topic 'Welcome to My Home.' They actively shared their ideas during group and class discussions and enthusiastically participated in various learning activities to achieve their personal learning goals. Attached is a photo of students playing levelled card games, competing in groups to read Chinese words related to the topic.

Music

🎶 Junior Piano – 2 Spots Left!
We have two remaining spots for Junior Piano next term.

🎶 Concert Band – We need members who can play saxophone, clarinet and flute.

👉 If you are interested, please complete the form below, and we will reach out with further details:

Expression of Interest Form

🎼 2025 Performance Schedule

📅 Term 1:

• Wednesday, 21 March (9:00 AM) – SSP Workshop (Malcolm - piano, Minchan- Trumpet, Chamber Orchestra)
• Sunday, 13 April (2:30 PM) – The Vegetable Plot Performance (Chamber Orchestra)

📅 Term 2:

• Monday, 16 June (9:00 AM) – Sydney Eisteddfod (String Orchestra)
• Tuesday, 17 June – Mid-Year Concert (All Ensembles)
• Thursday, 26 June (9:30 AM - 1:30 PM) – FOIM Rehearsal (Chamber Orchestra)

📅 Term 3:

• Monday, 28 July (TBC) – Ryde Eisteddfod (Junior Piano)
• Tuesday, 28 July (TBC) – Ryde Eisteddfod (Senior Piano)
• Tuesday, 12 August (TBC) – Ryde Eisteddfod (String Orchestra)
• Tuesday, 26 August (All Day) – FOIM – Banksia Concert (Chamber Orchestra)

📅 Term 4:

• October (TBC) – Granny Smith Festival (Chamber Orchestra)
• 3-4 November – Music Camp (2 Days & 1 Night) (All Ensembles)
• Tuesday, 25 November – End-of-Year Concert (All Ensembles)
• December (TBC) – KU Performance (String Orchestra)

🎻 2025 Ensemble Groups & Rehearsal Schedule

• Senior Piano: Monday, 7:45 - 8:45 AM
• Concert Band: Tuesday, 7:50 - 8:50 AM
• String Orchestra: Thursday, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
• Chamber Orchestra: Thursday, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
• Junior Piano: Friday, 7:45 - 8:45 AM

🤝 Get Involved with Us!

To keep fees low, we rely on parent volunteers to help coordinate and support our music program. If you're interested in assisting, please reach out at music.eastwoodps@gmail.com.

📌 Note: All parent volunteers must have a valid Working with Children Check, which can be obtained via the Service NSW website. Thank you for your support!

Any other information: 🔗 EPS Instrumental Music Program Website

Thank you for supporting our young musicians! 🎶✨

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Merit Awards

Principal's Report

As Term 1 draws to a close at Eastwood Public School, it’s hard to believe how quickly the weeks have flown by! So much has happened across the term, and as I reflect on the busy days behind us, I am incredibly proud of what our school community has achieved together.

I want to take a moment to recognise and thank our amazing staff. Whether it’s coaching our PSSA teams on Friday mornings, giving up their time to support students during lunchtime clubs, or going the extra mile every day in classrooms, their commitment and care never go unnoticed. It’s this dedication that helps shape a positive and supportive learning environment for our students.

I’d also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful school community. Your ongoing support—whether through the P&C, helping out in the canteen, volunteering at events, or simply staying engaged with school life—plays an important part in everything we do. Eastwood Public School is the vibrant and welcoming place it is because of the partnership between home and school.

A special thank you to our Learning Support Team and our hardworking School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs). Their efforts in classrooms, working alongside teachers and supporting students every day, make an enormous difference. Their patience, care and dedication to our students’ learning and wellbeing is deeply appreciated.

Of course, a huge thank you also goes to our incredible front office team. They are the friendly faces and calm problem-solvers behind the scenes, keeping the school running smoothly and always ready to support students, families and staff.

And at the heart of it all—our students. Their energy, curiosity, and love of learning make Eastwood Public School the special place that it is. Watching them grow, achieve and challenge themselves over the term has been a privilege.

As we head into the school holidays, I hope everyone in our school community has the chance to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends. I look forward to welcoming you all back, refreshed and ready for another great term of learning and opportunity in Term 2.

🚶‍♂️🎉 Each Can Step – Eastwood Public School Walk-a-thon 🎉🚶‍♀️

Lace up those sneakers and get ready to hit the track - the Eastwood Public School Walk-a-thon is back! Our Each Can Step Walk-a-thon will be held on Tuesday, 1 July, and it promises to be a day full of fun, fresh air and community spirit. 🌞👟

This year, we’re walking with a purpose! The funds raised will go directly towards installing brand new fixed play equipment for our students — something that will provide hours of fun, physical activity and social connection during break times. Think climbing, swinging, balancing and sliding — all the things kids love, while building strength, coordination and confidence. 🛝✨

And that's not all… if we reach our fundraising goal (or even exceed it!) we’re also aiming to create a Sensory Room — a calm, welcoming space designed to support the wellbeing of students who may need a quiet place to self-regulate and recharge during the busy school day. 🌈🧩

We’ll have a sponsorship website up and running at the start of Term 2 to make it super easy for family, friends and neighbours to get behind our students and support this wonderful cause. 💻📱

Let’s get ready to step out, have some fun and make a real difference together! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️❤️

If you would like to donate to our prize pool, please read the letter below.

Fixed Equipment

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our Eastwood Public School community — we are planning to install brand new fixed play equipment in Term 3. 🎊

If we can reach our fundraising target through this year’s Each Can Step Walk-a-thon, our students will soon be enjoying a fantastic new play space located right in front of our brand-new E Block building. This will be a wonderful addition to our playground, providing a safe and engaging space for students to climb, swing, balance and play with their friends.

Play is such an important part of every child’s school day. Not only is it fun (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good climb or slide?! 😄), but it also helps develop strength, coordination, social skills and creativity. This new equipment will give our students even more opportunities to stay active, connect with others and enjoy their break times.

We’re incredibly excited about this project and can’t wait to see our students enjoying this new space. Of course, we can only make this happen with the support of our amazing school community. Every step taken in the Walk-a-thon and every dollar raised will help us bring this play area to life.

Together, we can make a lasting difference for our students — and we can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces when the new equipment is ready to use.

Parent - Teacher Interviews

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who made time to attend our recent Parent-Teacher Interviews. These conversations are such an important part of the learning journey, providing an opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress, discuss their goals, and strengthen the connection between home and school. Your ongoing support, involvement, and partnership play a vital role in helping every student thrive. We are grateful for the positive relationships we share with our families and appreciate the time you invested in these valuable discussions.

Staff Development Days

Term 2 will begin with two Staff Development Days (SDD) on Monday 28 April and Tuesday 29 April. These days provide our teachers with dedicated time to engage in professional learning and preparation to ensure a successful and productive term ahead.

On Day 1, our staff will participate in professional learning focused on High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE). This professional learning is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of high expectations and supporting every student to achieve their personal best. Teachers will deepen their understanding of how to identify and cater for students’ high potential across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical domains. This learning is aligned with the Department of Education’s HPGE Policy and will further strengthen our school’s approach to differentiated teaching, enrichment opportunities, and evidence-informed practice.

On Day 2, our teachers will be provided with valuable time to plan and program for another busy and exciting term of learning. This dedicated planning time is essential to ensure that learning programs are well-structured, targeted, and engaging, setting our students up for success.

Students will return to school on Wednesday 30 April, ready to launch into Term 2. We are looking forward to another term filled with rich learning, growth, and achievement.

Facebook

Eastwood Public School has a lot to be proud of and celebrate, so to showcase all the great talents of our students we post many photos and descriptions on the Eastwood Public School Facebook page. This is a celebration site where we highlight different aspects of the school, be it classroom work, sporting events or special occasions. It will not be a vehicle to communicate the day-to-day happenings of the school or to disseminate notes etc but designed to display the achievements of students at Eastwood Public School.

Please have a look:

 Eastwood Public School Facebook Page

Easter Hat Parade

We’re excited to invite our school community to join us for the Eastwood Public School Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 10 April, starting at 9:30am. This much-loved tradition is a highlight of Term 1, bringing plenty of colour, creativity, and fun to our school. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 have been busy crafting and decorating their wonderful Easter hats and posters and are looking forward to parading them in front of their families and friends.

It’s always a joyful way to finish the term, and we encourage parents, carers and extended family members to come along and share in the festive atmosphere. We can’t wait to see the sea of smiling faces and imaginative hats on display.

ANZAC Day Ceremony

On Friday 11 April, Eastwood Public School will hold our annual ANZAC Day Ceremony. This important event provides our school community with the opportunity to pause, reflect and honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, past and present. It is a time for our students and staff to come together in remembrance and gratitude, acknowledging the enduring impact of the ANZAC legacy on our nation.

The ceremony is a valued tradition at Eastwood Public School and plays an important role in helping our students develop an understanding of the significance of ANZAC Day and the values of courage, resilience, and mateship. 

Through this act of remembrance, we encourage students to reflect on the importance of peace and the sacrifices made by others in the pursuit of a better future.

You Can Do It

The 5 Keys that Unlock Children’s Potential

Confidence

Confidence requires that young people not be overly concerned with what others think if they make a mistake. Confidence is revealed when young people are not afraid to fail and are happy to meet someone new. Confidence involves young people having trust in themselves and believing that they will probably be successful in the end. Confident young people stand up straight, look people in the eye, and speak clearly and with a firm tone of voice.

Persistence

Persistence is revealed when young people try hard when doing schoolwork, they find frustrating and do not feel like doing and finish their work on time. Young people who keep trying to complete an assignment rather than becoming distracted, and those who elect to play after they’ve done their work, demonstrate motivation and can be described as being persistent.

Organisation

Organisation is revealed when young people keep track of their assignments, schedule their time effectively, and set goals for how well they want to do in specific areas of their schoolwork and in other endeavours. Organisation also means having all your supplies ready to do schoolwork and having all your supplies ready a system for storing previously learned material.

Getting Along

Getting Along is revealed when young people work cooperatively with each other, resolve conflicts by discussion rather than fights, manage their anger, show tolerance, and follow class rules, including making responsible choices so that everyone’s rights are protected. Getting Along also involves young people making positive contributions to helping others and to making the school, home, and community safer, healthier, and good places to live and learn.

Resilience

Resilience is shown when young people are able to stop themselves from getting frustrated, down, or worried when faced with challenging events and difficult situations and people. Resilience means being able to control your behaviour when very upset without fighting or withdrawing for too long. It also means being able to calm down after having been upset and bouncing back to work and being with other people.

If you would like to know more about You Can Do It, please follow the link below.

You Can Do It

Thank you

Michael Kammerer, Principal 

Student Travel

Community News

Sport

2025 Swimming Carnival

What a start to 2025 for sporting events at EPS.

Our swimming carnival was held in week two. The swimming talent was amazing, and it was great seeing the cheering and team spirit from those on the sideline watching.

The top 24 swimmers at our school carnival will be representing the school at our Ryde Zone Swimming carnival this coming Tuesday. Goodluck to those swimmers!

PSSA

PSSA has commenced for our Summer competition and we have been lucky with the weather so far to be able to play all games.

Nel Hoekstra & Pia Stutchbury, PSSA coordinators

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Merit Awards

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Important dates

From the Principal

Welcome

The start of the school year has been filled with energy, excitement, and a wonderful sense of community at Eastwood Public School! It has been wonderful to see our students settle so well into their new classes, forming friendships, embracing new routines, and diving into their learning with enthusiasm.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible staff for their dedication and hard work in ensuring a smooth and supportive transition for every student. Their commitment to creating warm, engaging, and structured learning environments has truly set the tone for a fantastic year ahead.

One of the best parts of my role is getting to spend time with our wonderful students, and I’m looking forward to popping into classrooms over the coming weeks for a chat and to see their learning in action. It’s always a joy to hear their thoughts, celebrate their successes, and be part of their school journey.

Students being pick up late or unsupervised before other classes

We are increasingly concerned about the growing number of students arriving at school too early in the morning and those who are not being picked up until quite late in the afternoon.

For the safety and wellbeing of all students, we ask that children arrive at school from 8:40am onwards and are collected no later than 3:10pm. In the mornings, there are no staff members on duty before 8:40am, meaning that if an incident were to occur, there would be no supervision, which could lead to serious consequences.

We also want to remind families that students who are waiting for an after-school class that begins at 3:30pm must be supervised at all times. We have noticed that some students, following parent instructions, are hiding or entering classrooms to wait for their class to begin. This is not permitted, as students must be supervised and are not allowed to wait inside classrooms without a teacher present. If we find students unsupervised after school, they will be signed into After School Care, where a fee will be charged.

We understand that delays can happen from time to time, and if you find yourself running late, we kindly ask that you contact the school or make appropriate arrangements for your child/ren to be collected, on time. However, we are noticing that some students are being picked up as late as 3:50pm on a regular basis, which is not sustainable.

To support families who require additional care outside of school hours, we encourage you to consider our wonderful before and after school care service, which provides a safe and supervised environment for students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping all of our students safe.

Swimming Carnival

What an incredible day! Our students and staff had a fantastic time at the Ryde Aquatic Centre for Eastwood’s annual swimming carnival. The energy was high, with students competing with enthusiasm and cheering loudly—the war cries could be heard from every corner of the grandstand!

Students from Years 2-6 gave their best, whether racing in the pool or cheering from the sidelines. It was great to see such strong participation, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the day.

A big thank you to Mr Leslie, Ms Lau, Mrs Vaux, and Miss Hoekstra for their efforts in planning and running such a well-organized event. We also appreciate all the teachers who played a role in making the day a success.

Our swimmers will continue to shine at the Ryde Zone Swimming Carnival on March 11, delivering some fantastic performances. Well done to all our competitors—we are proud of you.

School Uniform - still an issue

As we begin a new school year, we want to thank you for your continued support in ensuring our students take pride in their school and their appearance. A consistent and well-presented uniform sets a strong foundation for a positive learning environment and helps students feel a sense of belonging.

Recently, we’ve noticed a variety of attire being worn, with some students not adhering to the designated school uniform. As we set expectations for the year ahead, we remind all families that students are required to wear their full school uniform, including black shoes (except on designated Sport Days) and the official school hat.

The Parent-Teacher Association (P&C) fully supports this expectation, as a consistent uniform promotes school pride, respect, and unity. We have also observed different hats being worn, and we’d like to remind families that only the school-endorsed hat is approved by both the P&C and school administration. Moving forward, the school will communicate with parents regarding any ongoing instances of incorrect uniform, including non-compliant hats.

Why the School Hat Matters

Unlike sporting hats, which come in different styles, the official school hat ensures a consistent and identifiable look for all students. It reinforces school spirit, respect for traditions, and a sense of unity, while also maintaining a focused and structured learning environment.

Need Support? We’re Here to Help

We understand that obtaining a full uniform can sometimes be a challenge. If you require financial assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the school. All requests will be handled with complete confidentiality.

Uniform Shop Information

For details on purchasing school uniforms, including school hats, please visit the Uniform Shop.

By reinforcing these expectations from the beginning of the year, we can ensure a strong, respectful, and unified school community. Thank you for your support in helping our students start the year with confidence and pride.

Uniform Shop

Please refer to the school’s website for more information:

https://eastwood-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-citizens--association/uniform-shop.html

Absences

If your child is absent from school for any reason, please provide a note stating the date and reason for the absence. This is a legal requirement monitored by the Department, and an explanation must be provided within seven days. If the school has not received a reason within this timeframe, a reminder letter will be sent home.

For long-term absences, such as a holiday during the school term, you must notify the front office and complete a Certificate of Extended Leave – Holiday. Supporting documentation, such as travel details, an itinerary, or flight bookings, is required to issue the certificate.

SMS Absences – Continuing in 2025

Eastwood Public School continues to use SMS notifications to enhance student safety and streamline absence reporting. Parents of absent students receive an SMS at 10:30 am each day, ensuring all students are accounted for.

If your child is present, no message is sent. However, if your child is absent, the SMS allows you to provide an explanation within 12 hours.

This system ensures timely communication between parents and the school, improving efficiency and reinforcing student safety. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a secure and well-managed school environment.

NAPLAN 2025

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Each year students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Results are returned to schools which help support teachers to understand the learning needs of their students and plan accordingly. NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended. In preparation for NAPLAN 2025, our school will undertake activities to help students to become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Students and parents can access the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/onlineassessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Resources include a link to the NESA NAPLAN website, a parent/carer support page and a video that explains tailored testing If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.

Facebook

Eastwood Public School has a lot to be proud of and celebrate, so to showcase all the great talents of our students we post many photos and descriptions on the Eastwood Public School Facebook page. This is a celebration site where we highlight different aspects of the school, be it classroom work, sporting events or special occasions. It will not be a vehicle to communicate the day-to-day happenings of the school or to disseminate notes etc but designed to display the achievements of students at Eastwood Public School.

Please have a look:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064733392222

Music Committee

Is your child interested in starting a new instrument or joining an ensemble?

We would love to hear from you! For all information about our Instrumental Music Program please visit our website:

 https://epsinstrumentalmusicprogram.weebly.com/

2025 Ensemble group and rehearsals schedule

1. Concert Band: Tuesday from 7:50 - 8:50 am
2. Mini Strings: Tuesday from 8:00 - 9:00am
3. String Orchestra: Thursday from 8:00 - 9:00 am
4. Chamber Orchestra: Thursday from 8:00 - 9:00 am
5. Junior Piano: Friday from 7:45 - 8:45 am
6. Senior Piano: Monday from 7:45 - 8:45 am

The Mini String program has now been changed to a Technical Improvement Workshop. If we receive enough applications, we will reopen Mini String.

If you're interested, please express your interest here:

Expression of interest: EPS Music Ensemble and Instrument choices

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming music event, where our talented students will showcase their hard work and passion for music. We warmly welcome all parents to join us and celebrate their wonderful performances! 

Getting Involved with us

In order to keep fees low, we need more parent volunteers to help and coordinate. If you are interested in helping us, please feel free to contact us at music.eastwoodps@gmail.com.

*All parent volunteers must have a valid Working With Children Check that can be obtained at the Service NSW website, thank you for your support in advance!

Enquiries

Please direct all your queries to the following email addresses:

music.info@eastwoodpnc.onmicrosoft.com

Note: Please add the above email addresses to your address book to prevent email communication from the committee being sent to your spam/junk folder. Music Website Homepage: https://epsinstrumentalmusicprogram.weebly.com/

SRC

On Tuesday 8th of April (Week 11), the SRC will be holding a fundraiser for two separate charities; The Smith Family and the Starlight Foundation.

We ask that students bring as many gold coins as they can to school where they can donate those coins to the charities as they see fit. There will be a collection jar in each classroom.

The class in each stage with the most coins will receive an Eastwood Key and an ice-block. The overall winning class will have a pizza lunch provided! We thank you for your support!

Ms Saito & Mrs Lau. (SRC Coordinators) .

Library

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025 – Now Open!

The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge is now open and Eastwood Public School is excited to be participating!! We encourage all students to take part in this fantastic initiative that promotes a love of reading.

Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 will complete the challenge at school with their library teachers, while students in Years 3 to 6 will be responsible for reading and logging their books themselves. The challenge closes on 22 August 2025, so be sure to keep track of your reading!

Happy reading, and good luck with the challenge! 

What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge?

The PRC is a statewide Challenge that encourages students to develop a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and enables them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition, but a challenge to encourage each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely.

All students who complete the challenge and have their reading record validated by the school’s PRC coordinator will receive a certificate signed by the Premier of NSW.

How many books do students need to read?

Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are challenged to read or experience 30 books. 20 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books. Books can be read with a parent, carer, teacher or another student. 

Students in Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books.

If a book is from an approved PRC series, students can enter up to 5 books as Challenge books, and can read up to 10 other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. More information on the rules of the Challenge can be found on the PRC website.

Books must be added to a student’s online reading record by Friday 22 August 2025 in order for their reading record to be validated and receive a certificate.

How do students log their reading?

Students can access the PRC’s Student Experience site using their DoE username and password, or can log into the site via the Student Portal. A video guide explaining how to use the Student Experience site can be found here.

How can students find books on the NSW PRC challenge lists?

Our library collection has PRC books are clearly labelled to make them easy to find. Red PRC stickers for K-2 challenge books, green PRC stickers for 3-4 challenge books and yellow PRC stickers for 5-6 challenge books. Don’t forget to check them out and discover some fantastic new reads!

Lydia Hahn and Pilar Doval

PRC Coordinators at Eastwood Public School

A quick guide for logging books:

1. Log into the Student experience site using your DoE student username and password.
2. Use the blue search bar to search for books you have read.
   

2a. If the title appears, click “Add to Reading Log” to add it as a PRC book.

2b. If the title does not appear, you will need to enter it as a personal choice book.

To enter a personal choice book:

1. Click on the icon in the top right hand corner:
   

      2.   Click on “My reading log”

      3.  Fill in the book details under the “Add a Personal Choice book” field and click “add”

If you have any issues with logging books, please speak to Miss Hahn or Mrs Doval.

Deputy Principal's Report

NAPLAN 2025

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN results allow parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of:

• reading
• writing
• conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• Numeracy.

National testing dates are from 12 till 24 March, which is Weeks 7 and 8

Year 6 to Year 7 High School Application Process

The process for students transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7 in 2026 commences on 3 March and closes on 28 March. Applications are to be completed online. Go to: Enrolment - Eastwood Public School and click on the link for ‘Moving to high school.

Kindergarten Happenings - KHO

KHO have been exploring measurement this week. We started by seeing whose arms might be long enough to stretch down the ‘hole’ to reach ‘Alexander’ the duck from our mentor text, Alexander’s Outing. We discovered that we needed someone with the longest arm to rescue ‘Alexander’ from the hole!

This led us into exploring length. In KHO, we love to learn through play including building towers with Lego, making playdough snakes and creating towers with interconnecting cubes. We compared the lengths of different objects and can order from shortest to longest all while using comparative language. In these lessons, not only did we learn about mathematics, we also showed our Gabby Get Along and Oscar Organisation skills. Well done, KHO!

Stage 1 Happenings

What a busy few weeks we have had in 1T! We have been learning about narratives and retelling them in order of events. We have also been learning to use nouns, verbs and adjectives in our writing

In mathematics, we have been learning about 2-dimensional shapes, and patterns we can find and create using shapes and the patterns we find in numbers.

Field of Mars excursion

Last week we had our first Stage 1 excursion to the Field of Mars as part of our science unit, Living Things. Even though it was raining in the morning, we didn’t let the weather ruin our day! We started with a bush walk to find different plants, animals and insects. At lunch, we meet Kooky the Kookaburra who watched us carefully while we ate! 

Part of our day also involved looking for bugs and inspecting their features under microscopes. Ms Tang and Mrs Perrott did not enjoy helping us catch the bugs at all! 

We have done so much already and it is only halfway through Term 1!

We can’t wait to find out what the rest of the year have in store for us….

Stage 2 Happenings

It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 6! It’s been so good to see how well our Years 3 and 4 students have settled into the year. Walking around the classrooms and playgrounds, it’s been a great sight to see students in action—whether they’re deep into a good book during reading session, working through maths challenges, playing sport, getting creative with some fantastic portrait drawing or enjoying music and some fun games with friends.

Across the stage, students are showing great habits—not just in their learning, but also in looking after themselves and each other. We’ve been reminding everyone to wear their hat during playtime and make sure they’re eating in the right areas. It’s been great to see these routines becoming part of everyday school life.

We’re proud of how Year 3 and 4 have started the year and we’re looking forward to all the exciting things still to come this term!

Mrs Cuasay and Mr Perrett, Stage 2 Assistant Principals

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Stage 3 - 5L

5L had an exciting incursion visit from Keep Australia Beautiful NSW, the state’s premier organisation for litter reduction and environmental sustainability. 

Students in 5L were motivated to participate in simple and practical ways to improve and protect their local environment.

The environmental incursion was dynamic and interactive, bringing real-world sustainability issues and curriculum aligned content to 5L students using hands-on activities, kinaesthetic learning, movement, and games.

Introducing Life Skills GO at Eastwood Public School

At Eastwood Public School, we are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all our students. To strengthen this commitment, we are excited to introduce Life Skills GO, an evidence-based online platform developed by Life Skills Group. This program is designed to support the social, emotional, and physical development of our students, equipping them with essential skills to thrive both in school and beyond.

Through Life Skills GO, students will regularly check in with their teachers using a digital tool that helps track their emotional well-being. This initiative aligns with trauma-informed practices, aiming to enhance student engagement, improve classroom behavior, and support learning achievement. By integrating this program into our daily routines, we hope to create a positive and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Our goal is not just to see immediate benefits but to build a resilient and thriving school community where all students can reach their full potential. As we gradually implement Life Skills GO into our school routines, we appreciate your support and partnership in this important initiative.

Mandarin and Korean Language Classes at Eastwood Public School

We are excited to share that our Mandarin and Korean language classes have commenced this term! Our dedicated language teachers, Mrs. Lishan Liu, Mrs. Yang, and Mrs. Zheng, will be leading the Mandarin program, while Mrs. Yeom will be teaching Korean.

This year, we will be implementing the new Modern Languages curriculum, ensuring that students engage in meaningful and interactive language learning experiences. Our lessons are designed to develop students' communication skills while making learning enjoyable and enriching.

The language timetable is currently being finalised as we carefully organise classes to minimise disruption to regular learning.

Safety Around the School - Important Reminder for Parents

At Eastwood Public School, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. We kindly ask all parents and carers to support us in ensuring a safe and secure environment by following these important reminders:

🔹 Please do not approach the school fence to speak with students during school hours. Teachers on duty may not know who you are, and this can pose a safety concern for all students.

🔹 If you need to pass a message to your child during the school day, please call the office, and we will ensure it reaches them.

🔹 If you need to see your child in person, please come to the front office first and sign in before going onto school grounds.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school community safe and secure for all students.

Senior Choir

Over the next couple of weeks, Mrs Forster and Mrs Bennett and I will be listening to each individual student in the Senior Choir briefly. This is not an audition. Everyone who would like to be a part of the choir and are willing to commit to coming each week, are most welcome. It is helpful for us to determine the placement of sopranos and altos, as they need to be split for a good balance.

• Wednesday, 12 March, Year 6 Senior Choir students need to arrive at the Hall by 8:10. Year 5 can arrive at 8:30.
• Wednesday, 19 March, Year 5 Senior Choir students need to arrive at the Hall by 8:10. Year 6 can arrive at 8:30.
• Wednesday, 26th March Choir resumes at 8:10 for everyone. 

Thank you for supporting your child to attend these rehearsals. 

Harmony Day

Wear Orange for Harmony Day: Thursday 20^th March

Harmony Day is a special time to celebrate our diverse community and promote inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all. At Eastwood Public School, we recognise the importance of embracing different cultures and valuing the rich traditions that make our school so unique.

On Thursday 20th March, we invite all students to take part in our Harmony Day celebrations "Everyone Belongs" by wearing traditional cultural attire or something orange. We are excited to see everyone proudly representing their heritage and coming together to celebrate diversity in our school.

Let’s make this day a vibrant and joyful reflection of unity and respect! 🌏🧡

Community News

Important Dates

Deputy Principal's Report

NAPLAN 2025

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN results allow parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards. 

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of:

• reading
• writing
• conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• Numeracy.

National testing dates are from 12 till 24 March, which is Weeks 7 and 8.

Year 6 to Year 7 High School Application Process

The process for students transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7 in 2026 commences on 3 March and closes on 28 March. Applications are to be completed online, with further information to follow.

Exciting New Language Learning Opportunities at Eastwood Public School!

At Eastwood Public School, we are excited to expand our language learning opportunities in 2025! This year, we are considering starting a Beginner’s Korean Class for students from a non-Korean background, in addition to our existing K-6 Korean language program. The start of this class will depend on the number of interested students, so we encourage families to express their interest.

Additionally, for the first time, students in Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to continue their Mandarin studies. In previous years, Mandarin has only been offered up to Year 4, but with the introduction of the new Modern Languages Curriculum, we are expanding the program to support students who wish to continue developing their language skills into high school.

If your child is interested in continuing their Mandarin studies in Years 5 and 6, or joining the Beginner’s Korean Class, please complete the Google Form linked below.

📌https://forms.gle/KWut1PxQUxHHe4uH9

We look forward to supporting our students in their language learning journey and helping them develop skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Best Start Kindergarten Assessments Begin Monday

Welcome to all our new Kindergarten families! As your child settles into school, we will begin administering the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment from Monday. This assessment is designed to help teachers understand the literacy and numeracy skills your child brings with them at the beginning of Kindergarten.

The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment has been conducted in NSW public schools since 2010. It is a one-on-one, informal assessment with your child’s classroom teacher, ensuring they feel comfortable and at ease. The assessment takes about 20 minutes for each section (literacy and numeracy) and helps teachers plan effective learning programs tailored to each student’s needs.

During the literacy component, students may be asked to:

✅ Recognise letters, words, and sounds
✅ Show early writing abilities
✅ Retell storylines from books read to them

During the numeracy component, students may be asked to:

✅ Recognise and count numbers
✅ Demonstrate early addition and subtraction skills
✅ Identify repeating patterns

There is no need for your child to prepare or study for the assessment. It is simply a way for teachers to gain insight into what your child knows so they can support their learning in the best possible way.

Once the assessment is complete, parents will receive information about how their child went, including ways to support literacy and numeracy development at home. Teachers may also arrange a follow-up meeting to discuss your child’s learning progress.

For more information and ideas on supporting your child’s learning at home, visit the NSW Department of Education website at education.nsw.gov.au

Compulsory School Attendance

What are my Legal responsibilities?

Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age of 17 years. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or, are registered with the NSW Education and Standards Authority for home schooling. Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.

The Importance of arriving on time Arriving at school and class on time:  

*Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day 

*Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine 

*Give students time to greet their friends before class 

* Reduces classroom disruption. Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents

What if my child has to be away from school? 

On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:  being sick, or having an infectious disease, having an unavoidable medical appointment, being required to attend a recognised religious holiday and exceptional or urgent family circumstance (e.g. attending a funeral). 

Following an absence from school you must ensure that within 7 days you provide your child’s school with a verbal or written explanation for the absence. However, if the school has not received an explanation from you within 2 days, the school may contact you to discuss the absence. 

Principals may decline to accept an explanation that you have provided if they do not believe the absence is in the best interest of your child. In these circumstances your child’s absence would be recorded as unjustified. When this happens the principal will discuss their decision with you and the reasons why. 

Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when frequent or long term absences are explained as being due to illness. Principals may also seek parental permission to speak with medical specialists to obtain information to collaboratively develop a health care plan to support your child. If the request is denied, the principal can record the absences as unjustified.

Selective School Applications

Just a reminder that applications for selective school 2026 close on 21 February. This only applies to students who have just moved into Year 6 and did not complete an application at the end of 2024.

Staying safe online

Age Appropriate Apps

With the amount of time children now spend online, it is important for parents to regularly check their child’s/children’s accounts and monitor the content accessed online in a safe environment. The following is a list of ages that students can access different apps and platforms, provided by the eSafety Commissioner. This list is not conclusive but are some of the main platforms primary aged students may sign up for. We strongly suggest parents check their children’s accounts, to ensure they are not using any of these apps.

13+

TikTok

Threads

Snapchat

Instagram

Facebook

Slay

Fortnite

Discord

15+

Call of Duty

18+

Addchat

Introducing Life Skills GO at Eastwood Public School

At Eastwood Public School, we are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all our students. To strengthen this commitment, we are excited to introduce Life Skills GO, an evidence-based online platform developed by Life Skills Group. This program is designed to support the social, emotional, and physical development of our students, equipping them with essential skills to thrive both in school and beyond.

Through Life Skills GO, students will regularly check in with their teachers using a digital tool that helps track their emotional well-being. This initiative aligns with trauma-informed practices, aiming to enhance student engagement, improve classroom behavior, and support learning achievement. By integrating this program into our daily routines, we hope to create a positive and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Our goal is not just to see immediate benefits but to build a resilient and thriving school community where all students can reach their full potential. As we gradually implement Life Skills GO into our school routines, we appreciate your support and partnership in this important initiative.

Back to School 2025

Sport Tryouts

First week of Kindergarten - Featuring KA

Year 1 settling into their new classes - featuring 1H

Year 2 Back into the swing of things - featuring 2BJ and 2B

Stage 3 - Great Start to the Year - Featuring 5L and 6N