News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:11:33 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.

Welcome to 2020

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:01:45 AEDT

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:41:05 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 17:10:49 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 17:25:25 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.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 17:23:32 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 13:40:17 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 11:26:34 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 11:48:06 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 14:13:38 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 11:42:43 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.

Newfangled Old News about News from Year 4

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 17:38:50 AEST

The Newfangled Newsflash

By Rory and William

The 2019 Newfangled Newsflash, Newmea, New Caledonia.

This morning, somebody did something very newfangled. This somebody was Jeffrey Stonework, and he was the newest member of the Stonework family. They just called him Newbie Stonework. Jeffrey was also a very new newsman who built laneways. He wrote a newsworthy newsletter on the newsstand on News Avenew. Jeffrey had renewed a book about newts from the new News Avenew local library, but he had forgotten that the librarian had told him that it was not renewable.

Immediately, he returned the book about newts that was not renewable back to the new News Avenew local library. The librarian (who was also new) gave him a telling off as it was:

1. an extremely new newfangled book, and

2. the new librarian’s favourite book.

We interrupt this Newfangled Newsflash with some new news. Someone had been recording some things with a newsreel. This someone had caught two newcomers fighting near one of Jeffrey Stonework’s laneways. One of them had punched the other person, thanks to his sinewy muscles. We have him here now to talk with us.

“Hi, I’m Newy Newsome from Newtown, Newfangled Island. I have extremely new muscles, which helped me to punch that guy in self-defence,” he explains.

“Are you aware that you are going to the new newcomer jail?” asks Jeffrey (Newbie) Stonework.

“Yes I am definitely or otherwise they wouldn't have sent me this letter, ” says Newy Newsome. He indeed held aloft a new piece of paper.

The next new day Newy Newsome packed away his new punching equipment and went on his way to the newest new jail in Newmea, after being proven guilty in the new Newmea court.

“Well that’s all for today, but remember, we have new news every new day, on the New Newfangled Newsstand of Newmea. ”

By Jasmine & Maya

On March the 17th, I renewed a book. I read it under a pinewood tree in the laneway. In the story there was a newsflash about a newt. The story was very boring so I decided to get a newspaper from the newsagency. During the walk to the newsagency I saw a statue. I thought it was interesting but still a little boring. After only walking for 5 minutes, I arrived at the newsagency. While there, I met a newborn baby and joined newsgroup in a discussion about the newest news to go in the newspaper.

In the shop, I saw a stonework sculpture. I liked it so much that the man working in the newsagency let me keep it. It was more interesting than the statue that I had seen in the park in the park because the statue was only a man on a horse. The man who let me keep the sculpture was a newcomer to the agency.

He said, “It was a newsettler in the shop”. Then another newsman came out and said “Hello young customer. Have you got what you desired?”

“Yes, thank you, I have. This man helped me.”

“Oh…. I knew that”, said the newsman. “He is very trustworthy.”

I bounded home with my newest newsletter and stonework sculpture of a newish building in New Caledonia. The moment I leapt through the door mum said, “I had a newsletter from school”. It said I had been doing well in school work but in French I was a nuisance. After I read the newsletter mum exclaimed from upstairs, “Open the caneware I brought home.”

I turned on the news and there was a story about a break in and a stolen stonework sculpture and it looked just like the one I got for free .Then they showed a picture of the witness oh no I thought for a second it might be me. I know that face! It’s me! I had stolen a stonework sculpture but I thought it was for free.

The Newest Newspaper

By Keely & Maya

Breaking news!

A lost and lonely newt has gotten off track during a new moon night and is on the run! If seen, please report to the tall, handsome newsman, today or next week. He will be carrying a newborn lion cub. The person to report this friendless and absent newt will be on the front cover of the newest newspaper in New-Zealand, New-York or Papua-New-Guinea. The newbie in town is the one who lost the newt. He lives on 165 Newton Avenew, which is the neighbouring house to the majorly overweight laneway man’s screeching newborn Greater Bulldog Bat.

…(:Anyway let’s get onto our next story:)

There is a criminal on the run whose name is anonymous. The anonymous lady has been seen in a yellow striped top, a pair of brown or black sunnies and the newest, top of the line, red boots. The lady has robbed the newest store in Pinewoods Cove. All we know is that she stole the newish non renewable newsworthy newel in the mayor's house.

By Vienna

Down the laneway, the newspaper boy flung the newish newspaper onto the garden of 18 Cherry Tree Lane of the family home of five soon to be six! Apparently the newspaper was a newsbreaker but they didn’t need the news because they were moving to the Gold Coast, somewhere new. The Pinewood family had already packed every single item in boxes. The removalist truck came and loaded the non-new furniture and luggage into the newly designed moving truck. The family got into the car and drove off, excited about their new journey!

It’s already 9:00 pm and they were still waiting at the airport for their 8:30 pm flight! Ms Michelle Pinewood was getting extremely stressed and restless, and the baby was kicking furiously in her tummy. Mr Justin Pinewood is trying to calm Ms Pinewood down but she just started shouting and Mr Pinewood and he was getting very flustered. There were no seats left for Ms Pinewood to sit down. Finally, a family left and the Pinewoods could sit down. The youngest child, Lilly who was two and a half years old, sat down and grabbed her pillow and put her teddy under her arm. Instantly she fell into a deep sleep. Ms Pinewood wrapped a newly washed blanket around Lilly.

Destiny who is 14 years old, sat down next to Stacey, who has just turned 5, Stacey got up and sat on Destiny’s lap. Destiny put her arms around Stacey, She finally fell asleep 10 minutes after Lilly did. Then all of a sudden, out of the blue, there was a newest announcement on the speaker, it said: The Pinewoods family please come down: Jackson, Owen, Max, Kisa

The New News

By Manu & Owen

The new newcomer made a newsflash about someone doing stonework on the newspaper. The newsagency came to put the stonework on the news.

They said they were going to move the stonework to New Caledonia. But not just to the laneways, but to the pinewoods.

The stonework person was excited about taking it to New Caledonia in the pinewoods! His name was Newy. Newy said, ‘It would be a pleasure to take the stonework to New Caledonia and to be on the New News.’ However, they said they would bring the stonework after the New Year . The stonework tradesperson asked if it would be newsworthy.

The newsagency said that it would be way more interesting than the new laneway that was being newly built.

‘Woo hoo!’ shouted the newcomer that made the stonework. He made a speech about his stonework which was not that new anymore. He went on and on about how long it took him to make the beautiful stonework. At the end of his speech, which had seemed like a long story, everyone was pretty bored. After all, now it was not that new anymore.

Although it was not the best speech, people did talk about it a bit. ‘New Caledonia is a nice place to put stonework in,’ the stonework tradesperson thought.

Shortly after, the stone got shipped to New Caledonia. To find out more about this newfangled news, go to our new website and watch the new video about Newy’s magnificent stonework.

Old News about News from Year 3

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 17:29:22 AEST

The Newt

By Calypso & Olive

There was a slimy newt on the carpet. The newt jumped onto my dad’s newspaper.

The newt was very vicious! It tried to bite the newsboy! It was very scary but the newt ran under the newspaper.

Just then, my mum came down to give us breakfast but dropped the breakfast. She screamed when she saw the newt. I thought the newt was cute because it had been reading the newspaper the whole time. I sneakily picked up the newt and dropped it on my newborn brother. My newborn brother Jacob screamed. I got in lots of trouble. I quickly picked up the newt. I thought I was going to have fun with this newt.

Today when I went to school we were learning about newts. That was funny because I brought the newt with me.

After school, the newsboy came to give the newspaper. When my dad opened it the whole thing was about a newt running loose in town. If it was found the reward would be $1000 because the newt is very dangerous. I would not hand in the newt. It was my pet! Why would I hand the newt in?

I thought, “What should I do?” Just then my parents came in. Would they find the newt? Please don’t find the newt, please. Lucky me! My parents didn't see the newt. Sigh of relief! But what would they do with the newt if it was handed in? But for now I had a pet newt. I thought I would show my friends at school. Hmmm… maybe not. They would probably steal the newt and hand it in. I definitely did not want that to happen.

Then I remembered newsday. Newsday was when people from the news come to our school and we can be on the news. It was my turn to be on the news. I would say I have absolutely no idea where the dangerous newt was. Yes, that would be a perfect thing to say. Just then the news truck pulled up outside the school, everybody started running to the gate, they were so excited. Especially me because I was chosen to say the line.

I would be on the news! When reporters came to the hall they called everyone who was on the list to come to the stage. After about 7 people it was finally my turn to say my very newsworthy paragraph about the new laneway that was opened today. I said my line and then sat back on the couch.

When I got home I decided I should probably hand in the newt. I asked my mum to go to the news office with me, so she took me. I went inside and held up the newt. When they saw it they instantly gave me $1000 dollars.

But they didn't take the newt. I was confused but also very happy, why did they not take the newt? Then I saw them with a portable cage out and said, “Put the newt in here. We'll take it to the police.”

“No. I will never give this newt to you. Your new policeman is going to kill it, I know it! Your silly policeman. I am going now.” I cannot believe I just made that big scene in front of the whole school. I mean they are silly.

When I got home I decided to make a newt cage out of a new newt newspaper. Yes, that would be a good idea. I started working. Oh no! It is time to go to school. I was so embarrassed at school. Everyone was pointing at me and whispering. In class I got a red card for embarrassing our school in front of the government. In fact I got expelled from the school.

My parents said, “It is not your fault and you are right but they were going to kill the newt which is cruel. You got a reward from the Against Animal Cruelty Club. We are going there tomorrow. Any ways, you should get to bed.” For now I had a pet newt but I hope I don’t need to go through that again!

The School with a Water Park

By Jemima & Skye

The new newsletter from Killarney Heights Public School was very interesting.

The new newsboy went to have a look. When he read the newsletter he saw that they were going to install a water park into the school.

He read it out to the whole school. When the school heard the news everyone started shouting, “There's going to be a water park in our school!”

It was going to be a great day for the children.

Soon the day came and there was so much screaming because there was going to be a water park in the school! By the end of lunch everyone was so thrilled! Everyone was wondering why there was going to be a water park in the school and when it would be ready to go in.

It took a while for it to get set up for everyone to try it but everyone was so excited. After 15 minutes, of waiting, the builder finally said that the water park was ready for everyone to go in! When they saw how big the water park was they rushed back into the classroom to get their towels and swimmers. Then the whole school started to play in the water park.

Soon it started to rain and everyone got out. Only five kids stayed in the water park when everyone else went back to class. Soon enough it started to thunder and lightning and they were told to go back to class. When they got back to class, they played with Lego. After about fifteen minutes of playing the sun came back out again and everyone went back in the water park where they spent the whole day. When everyone's parents came to pick them up they were amazed to see a water park in the school. They even got in it!

Then they all spent the rest of the school's day until it got dark.

News Story

By Sophia

One day my mum asked me to go to the newsagent and get a newspaper. On the front cover there was a baby who got bitten by a newt. On the other newspaper there was a newsboy who found a new jewel that could fly. After that day I watched the news and the newsboy was on the news! On channel 7 there was going to have a new laneway that will be near our house. After there was a giant newt that was as big as a classroom! Then I went to bed. I was really tired from watching all that TV!!!

The next day my mum was going to have a newborn baby. It was going to be so exciting. My mum didn’t know if it was going to be a boy or a girl [It was going to be a girl!!] Everyone came to see. We named it Zoe. My mum asked me to go to the shops and get something nice.

So I got some chocolate that was new. It was called perfect chocolate. I tasted it and it was delicious!

YUM YUM!!!

The best

The story of the newborn

by Saphira

A newborn was on the newspaper sent by the newsboys on New Year. The newborn was no ordinary newborn. It was related to newts because of its poisonous bite. Inside the newborn was a newt seeing whatever the newborn could see.

The news group was preparing an important emergency to warn about the newborn, but just then, they received an important message from the secret detective that discovered that every day, the newborn was becoming dangerous. Because the newt inside was also a newborn so it had a deadly bite that is very poisonous to become as poisonous as the bite of a newt. But, how did the the newt get inside the newborn? That is what I will explain next.

After the black and purple hole disappeared, the spies came in the house, took the newborn, and delivered it to the house of the inventor. After the inventor saw the newborn, the newborn was adopted after a long decision and argument. So they removed the newborn newt inside the body and the newborn came a member of the family.

So that is how I got my baby brother.

The New Newt

By Emma

Please Help! In the newspaper, there was a new newt. Some newsboys wanted to catch it so they could put it in a new museum. The newsboys ran onto the laneway and into the woods. The newsboys knew that it would be hard to find the new newt. The newsboys trampled through the woods and finally found it. The newsboys tried to catch it, but it had new special powers. It had camouflage and they could see it one minute but could not see it the next. The newt climbed up their legs and the newsboys knew that they couldn’t catch it. The newt went into one of the newsboys’ mouths! He spat it out and it fell on to the floor. One of the newsboys pounced on it and caught it. They walked back down the laneway and there was a newborn baby in a pram and a lady was pushing the pram along the laneway.

“Urgh! What is that?” asked the lady.

“It’s a newt!”shouted one of the newsboys proudly.

“Newt, newt” cried the baby.

The baby grabbed the newt but it wriggled out of her hands. It scrambled away back into the forest and it was never seen by the newsboys again.

“Well, that was a waste of time,” sighed one of the newsboys.

The newt was safe and the town never thought to put the newt in the museum again.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:27:33 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 15:23:48 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

Q & A with a Brush Turkey

Sun, 05 May 2019 19:23:46 AEST

An interview with a brush turkey

by Ava & Tabi

Did you know that, funnily enough, brush turkeys only live in eastern parts of Australia, and nowhere else in the entire world?!

We decided to interview a brush turkey because they are part of our school’s community, and we want people to recognise that.

But first, here is some history:

The birds were nearly wiped out during the 1930s because they were so easy to hunt. They’ve been around for 30 million years, and that’s longer than most species of animal. Brush turkeys were once eaten by the indigenous aboriginal people.

Here is some helpful info on brush turkeys:

They are also called scrub turkeys, brush turkeys or alectura lathami (their scientific name). Brush turkeys’ nests and mounds can be as BIG as cars, and up to 4 metres wide and 2 metres tall!

Sadly, the chance of a brush turkey surviving to see adulthood is as little as 1 in 2000. Brush turkeys are a very quiet species of bird. They come from the mound building family of Megapodiidae.

Brush turkeys really REALLY like our school, KHPS!

Now onto our interview:

Q-What do you think of your home, KHPS?

A-(Peck peck peck), It is absolutely impossible to find any food scraps round here, because unfortunately it is kept very clean.

Q-What are some eventful moments of your life here?

A-Only yesterday, I figured out how to open the BIG smelly blue thingamabobs (aka bins). It is the sacred goal of all brush turkeys.

Q-What is your name? Do you go by Mr Brush Turkey?

A- No! I go by Pecky. I have no idea why I was named that, I wonder??? (Peck peck peck).

Q-What do you think of our popcorn?

A-It has a peculiar taste, but crunchy. I like it!

Q-What do you eat on a daily basis?

A-I eat whatever I can get. Preferably insects, seeds and fallen fruits. Occasionally Ii may feast myself to a rotten log. Popcorn’s good though.

Q-How do you feel about the argument on whether it is Brush or Bush Turkey?

A-(Flap flap flap). It is brush turkey, not bush turkey. I will not hear of it! Runs sassily away.

Q-Have you always lived at KHPS?

A-Don't know! Don't remember!

Q-Are you lonely or do you have friends?

A-I don’t have friends, I’ve got a friend. His name is Larry. But I’m not his friend.

We have to say, that it was a very interesting interview. With quite a few ups and downs. BUT remember, respect the brush turkeys and their habitats. Just because they do not have a significant importance doesn’t mean that they are not a significant part of our community. They need OUR help!

Sport, sport and more sport

Mon, 06 May 2019 11:47:40 AEST

By Jared and Toby

Have you ever wondered why everyone gets to play outside, when you’re stuck inside?

Inside doing inside stuff? Like maths, reading and literacy? Well, kids in Year 4, 5 and 6 (on Friday mornings) are doing a sort of activity called P.S.S.A (Primary School Sports Association). In P.S.S.A. you can do a wide variety of sports.

P.S.S.A. SPORTS

PSSA = Primary School Sports Association!

Cricket, the sport with the three sticks in the ground (A.K.A the wickets). There are two batters, one on each end of the pitch which they run to either side. The batters, they hold the responsibility to hit the ball with their bat as far as they can so they can get runs (like points) for the team. The ball is red, pink or white, with a seam that looks like stitching but isn’t. It gets thrown at the batters and they then have to hit the ball as hard and as accurately as they can. Cricket is a naturally exciting, engaging and, fun sport.

T-ball, the one that you hit the (soft) ball with what looks like a baseball bat but is completely different from baseball in the way you hit the ball and how you hit the ball off a tee (which is kind of like a stand). It’s not someone pegging it at your face (trust me), so you can take your time. It has four bases to run to, including home base, first base, second base and third base (pretty easy to remember, I think). If the fielder throws it and the person at the base catches it before the batsman makes it to the base, the batsman is out and everyone starts booing and saying ‘you suck’. Nah just kidding, they pat you on the back and say things like, ‘Well done mate, but unlucky!’, like a complete Aussie. You have to run around to all of the bases to get a home run for your team. It is a fun and supporting game.

Eagle Tag/Oztag, this game’s aim is very similar to rugby, except you have tags waist height, and when you get the ball and your tag falls off or gets pulled off, you play the ball under your legs like rugby. (also, a pretty tiring work out!).

Netball, the sport where there is a net (like basketball) and a ball (also like basketball). However, it is very different to basketball because once you get the ball, you can’t dribble, you have to stay in the same spot. Also there are no positions, unlike basketball.

Softball, pretty much the same as T-ball but there is a person in the middle who underarms the ball at the batter (which is slightly harder, no respect for the name) who either swings the bat at the ball or leaves it. Like T-ball, there are four bases and all that stuff.

User- pay sports

First up, Tennis. Tennis is a sport that consists of strategy, accuracy and positioning. In the program you play doubles and singles, partner or no partner. In this programme you can learn how to position yourself and become a god at Tennis.

Next, Lawn Bowls. Although some may think it is boring, it consists of some very fun things, like strategy, scoring and precision. Also, one side of the ball has a sticker that is smaller than the one on the other side, and the ball sort of drifts to the side of the small sticker.

Finally, Swimming. Ahh, the classic, swimming. Everyone knows about swimming. It is a life skill. Let us list all the benefits it gives: can save your life, beach water is mean and it is a naturally fun sport.

School Sport

Hey! What about School Sport? ‘What do you mean, we would never forget school sport *cough cough thanks Toby cough cough*. School sport is a fun way to enjoy school, because, it’s free and very ‘breathtaking’. As you all know, school can be a boring sort of wake up to (just joking), so you’re like, ”Oh dang, it’s school today.” But then you realise that it’s school sport. “YEAH TODAY IS THE DAY I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!”. In School Sport you can do all kinds of activities like, doing activities with a medicine ball, running up and down stairs, doing different patterns on a stepping ladder, etc.

[Editor’s note: Clearly, the authors are not particularly well acquainted with the School Sports program because Miss Mersky was setting up for Volleyball and Skipping amongst other things. Maybe she was getting the medicine ball out for Volleyball?)

You have to pay for User-pays (hence the name) and P.S.S.A. Your teacher will give you a permission note. Your teacher will ask what sport you would like to play and you can choose any of the sports included above. Your teacher will inform you whether or not the sport is for boys or girls. You don’t have to do a trial to get into User-pays sports or School Sport (however you will have to pay for user pay sports).

Warning: You may not make it into a P.S.S.A team, and if you don’t and there are any spots for user pay sports left, you may join. If not, don’t worry, you can still do school sport which, as we stated earlier, it’s amazingly fun like the other sports.

Thoughts from Kindergarten

Mon, 06 May 2019 12:14:55 AEST

By Madeleine & Gabriella

As we went into a kindergarten class called Clare, the children all stared at us blankly as if they had no idea what we were doing there. Their teacher, Miss Crosby, chose three students for us to interview about what they think of this school.

We asked them about Miss Crosby. Most of them said that she is polite and makes them feel safe. Another thing that they said was that she makes school even more fun than usual.

Next, we asked them what they thought about the school. All of them really like making new friends and learning about lots of interesting things. They have really enjoyed the school year so far.

After that, we asked them what they like about the school. They especially love playing with all of their kind friends and learning all the new things that they didn’t know before. One of them stated that they really love the school canteen food.

Later, we asked them to tell us about their buddy. They gladly answered with, “My buddy is very fun and nice to play with. She also helped me around the school. She is very kind. I like going around the school with her. She likes playing Hide-and-Seek.”

Soon after, we asked them what their favorite subject was. All three of them told us their favourite subject is Art and crafts.

Then we asked them how could we make the school even better for them. After what seemed like hours, they finally told us we can make the canteen food a bit more cheaper, to and have some more toys to play with during free time, and to make sure everyone picks up all the rubbish.

We asked them what they are looking forward to this year. They fiddled with their fingers, appearing to be very bored, and told us, making even more friends and doing even more craft and especially going on excursions.

With very little time left, we asked them what they were not looking forward to. They told us they were not looking forward to getting hurt on concrete and doing speeches.

In the very last minute, we asked them what their favorite memory in school was so far. They told us coming to school and hanging out with friends was their favorite memory.

New Principal: What does she think?

Fri, 10 May 2019 15:44:49 AEST

By Abigail

I wanted to interview our new principal, Mrs Tegg, to see how she was going with her new job. She answered with effort and enthusiasm which I thought was really lovely. I also noticed how she was telling the honest truth because she took her time before answering the questions and put a lot of meaning into her answers. I really enjoyed interviewing her.

Firstly, I started off with asking her what the best thing was about being a Principal. She told me a short but sweet answer which was, “Helping students learn.”

I think that’s one of the key features of a great principal and an important one.

The second question I asked was how she would help to improve our school. She answered by saying that she was going to improve all aspects of the school such as; programs, systems and environment (natural and classroom). She really wants to find out from the students, teachers and community what they thought would help the students in their learning and well being, to connect, succeed and thrive.

I asked her what she thought were her strengths. She replied by saying that she thought that she was a very good listener, thinks carefully before acting or making decisions, considers perspectives and empathises with them, is a good talker and sees the positive in difficult situations. She also told me that she was always learning and loved to learn new things everyday,”I am a lifelong Learner!”

She mentioned that she liked to socialise with people, had a good sense of humour and always looked on the bright side of life.

The next thing that I wanted to know was what was her journey to becoming a principal. She responded by starting off at the very beginning. When she was in school, like us kids, she worked extremely hard throughout school. This helped her get into a university and from there she did the same thing. This helped her a great deal for she then got a teacher masters in education. She also notified me that, throughout all of this, she always listened to wise people and looked for inspiring people to improve her teaching and being able to lead. Most importantly, she took many risks but they all turned out to be wonderful! Then, after university, she went to lots of different schools and each school taught her many different things. She said that she thought that if you go to many different schools, then you get more experience and more opportunities to help the next school.

After that, I was wondering if she had a favourite childhood memory. She said that she had so many that she didn’t know which one to say! Finally, she decided on a few that she really loved. One of them was when she was twelve and went overseas to Europe visiting many different countries such as; England, Austria, Scotland and Wales. She commented on how enjoyable this experience was at that age. Another one of her childhood memories was when she always used to visit her Grandma’s house in Griffith where she loved to ride her bike. She stated that she absolutely loved primary school, every second of it. One of her school memories was sewing a dress in year six in class to wear to their formal. Some other things that she did in primary school was swimming and playing flute in the band where she got a trophy!

The sixth question was whether she was excited about teaching at a bilingual school and improving her french and why. She really liked that question because this was one of the reasons why she came here. She was delighted, so much so, that she actually answered some of the question in French! What an amazing principal! She said, “J’aime la France. Je suis allée à la France en 2012 et je suis allée en vacances dans une petit bateau pour voir les flamants rose.”

She said that it was very important to communicate and to experience and understand another culture. She explained how it stretches your brain and she likes that. “It is good to be able to speak to all students including the ones who can only speak French for it helps their learning.”

Soon after that, I asked her if she had any places that she wished to travel to. She came up with so many paces that I could hardly write them all down! She said that she had ancestors in Morocco, she had friends in New Caledonia, and her friends lived all around the world. She wanted to visit the United States of America, Switzerland, South America and Africa. She has already been to Europe, Hawaii, China and South Korea!

I wanted to know if there were any languages that she already spoke. She answered by saying that at her previous schools, she learned greetings and phrases in Mandarin, Korean, Arabic and Turkish but mainly French.

Mrs Tegg’s goals for 2019 include getting to know everyone in the school community and learning as many names as possible. Her biggest goal is to keep moving the school forward as much as she can.

When I was finished, she told me how wonderful this school is and how she is really looking forward to being our principal.

Killarney Cockatoos

Mon, 06 May 2019 12:02:35 AEST

By Holly

You all know cockatoos, squawking in the trees or flying above the playground at school. Cockatoos are smart. They even seem cheeky all the time. Yet today I am not going to go on about why they are so crazy, I am going to explain some facts about cockatoos and how they act at school.

Foods they can and cannot eat

At recess and lunch, you possibly may not spot as many cockatoos as you see during class time, late after school or early in the morning. This is because after you have left the playground, mostly after recess and lunch, you may have left your lunch box open or some food scraps. This one of cockatoos most fortunate timing. They go down down to wherever you left your lunch, among with many other birds, and eat what was left in your lunch box..

BUT!

While they eat your food scraps, they are unaware that some foods are very poisonous to them. These are only some of them that can cause great harm to them:

Avocado (Yes, they can get VERY sick from eating them)
Chocolate
Fruit pits/Apple seeds
Salty foods

DO NOT, under any circumstances, let them eat those foods or leave your lunch box outside so they are able to access them.

Cockatoo can safely eat an assortment of these foods:

Fruits (Remember, no fruit pits)
Nuts
Berries
Some eat certain insects and their larvae
Seeds (not apple ones)
Blossoms
Roots
Vegetation/leaf buds

While cockatoos are allowed to eat these foods, it would be best if you don’t feed them at all!

Behaviour

Cockatoos are mostly seen flying around the trees or squawking noisily with their friends. You may think they are a crazy bunch of birds (which they sort of are), but they are actually an intelligent type of bird. They have a relatively large sized brain, about the same size as their head. It is quite small but they are pretty smart.

Rainbow Lorikeets: The issue of Bread

Mon, 06 May 2019 12:08:49 AEST

Protect our birdlife!

By Evie & Jess

Lorikeets are a palm sized bird, around 32 cm, with multi-coloured feathers all over their bodies. They are very agile birds and are most commonly found in the north of Queensland to South Australia. Rainforest, coastal bush and woodland are their preferred habitats.

The Issue of bread

Lorikeets cannot eat processed foods such as biscuits or bread. They have a sweet tooth. However, their digestive system cannot cope with artificially refined sugar. They have delicate beaks that can be damaged by eating grains or bread. Sadly, leftover bread is commonly found on the ground and refined seeds and sugar are found in all varieties of bread, especially in whole grain bread. This means that lorikeets have an abundant source of harmful food.

Many lorikeets that eat bread starve to death. Their beak gets damaged and then they cannot eat. They need your help!!!

What YOU can do to help

Remember to bring your lunchbox back to class with you.
Put your leftovers in the bin.
DO NOT leave out bread or seeds for the lorikeets.
DO NOT leave sandwiches out in lunch boxes.
Never feed lorikeets processed foods, like bread.
Don’t ever feed lorikeets grains.
ONLY feed lorikeets healthy food scraps.

Heatlhy food scraps

A variety of fresh, seasonal fruit should also be made available. For example, apple, melon, grapes, citrus, pawpaw, banana, mango, lychee, stone fruit.
Some vegetables can be offered, however, the lorikeets will tend to overfeed on sweet corn, so don't overdo it.
Fresh water is essential and must be provided, the more the better as they need to dip their tongue in water after dipping it in the dry nectar.

Fun facts

The Rainbow Lorikeet, a medium sized member of the parrot family grows to about 32 cm long.
They spend most of their time in trees eating pollen, nectar, fruit, seeds and insects.
In the wild, rainbow lorikeets usually live about 10 years, however, lorikeets that are pets can live up to 25 years old.
Their tongue has a feathery tip.
Sometimes lorikeets are known to hang upside down, duck and weave to reach hard to reach places for food, comfort or safety.
Rainbow lorikeets always travel in groups of two or more so one can look out for predators while the other feeds.

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:14:39 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

'My space, my place at school' by Year 2 writers

Mon, 06 May 2019 12:19:34 AEST

During Term 1, for a few weeks, Year 2 GATS writers met for a short session to work on their writing. Their brief was to create news for the school, and to share with you their favourite places around the school.

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:27:03 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.

New News for News Page

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 12:29:39 AEST

Stage 2 investigated words with 'new' in them. Their brief was to write creatively and cohesively using as many 'new' words as they could. Here is the first of the stories to be published on our 'news' page.

The story of the newborn

by Saphira

So that is how I got my baby brother.

Year 1 writes about 'My space, my place at school'

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 19:41:25 AEST

When asked to write about their favourite place in the school, these Year 1 writers found it hard to choose just one place!

Thomas says, "I like the canteen so much. I think the canteen is the greatest place in the school. The canteen makes the best food in the whole school. I have to say it is a great place."

According to Chloe, "My classroom is my favourite place in the school. It is wonderful. I feel safe, smart and intelligent. It sounds like teachers talking, calling out, and I hear the fans. When I look in my classroom, I see tables, chairs and paper."

Sam says, "I love the oval because you can play cops and robbers. It is just like soccer, except there are no goals. There is a special hook that grabs the robbers!"

Emma's favourite place is the oval. "The oval is my favourite place in the school. It is fresh and it feels free. You can hear screaming. It looks green and brown. It is a very big place there. It can be hot and it can be cold. when it rains, there can be big puddles on the oval and you have to go somewhere else."

Anais says, "I love the assembly. At the assembly you can hear lots of singing. At the assembly there are little stairs. There are also people holding Principal Awards. I feel proud, good and happy when I get an award."

What's new in 2019?

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 13:13:59 AEDT

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:42:00 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 15:06:13 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

Welcome to Killarney Heights Public School 2019!

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 20:58:35 AEDT

2019 school budget allocations

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 11:00:17 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.