Welcome to the 2025 school year! I hope you all had a wonderful summer break, enjoying time to relax and reconnect with loved ones. A special welcome to our newest families, including our Kindergarten cohort and other new students joining Jesmond PS. We are excited about the opportunities this year brings and look forward to making 2025 our best year yet!

This year we have 10 classes at our school. This includes nine mainstream classes and one regional Support Class. Each student has been allocated a class to maximise their learning and personal growth and development for the year.

Our teaching staff for 2025 is as follows:

This term we are holding trials for competitive swimmers. On Wednesday 19th February, students turning 8 this year or older who are competitive swimmers and can swim 50m close to the Zone qualifying times below are invited to attend our school’s swimming trials at Wallsend Pool under the supervision of staff members. This change to our swimming carnival is taking place to ensure that safety, engagement and participation are forefront on the day.

Our school values school sport carnivals and the role it can play in supporting the wellbeing of students and their connection to school. During term 4, we will be hosting an event where all students will have the opportunity to participate and engage in fun, structured water events.

This year, we continue to enhance student learning by providing co-teaching in mainstream classes four mornings a week. This approach reduces student-teacher ratios, allows for more individualized learning, and strengthens social-emotional support. Co-teaching fosters a collaborative learning culture and enhances teamwork among staff.

Join us for our Parent Information Night on Wednesday, 26 February! Enjoy a free Halal BBQ from 5:00pm and meet the staff supporting your child in 2025. Classroom sessions will provide insights into school expectations, learning programs, and communication channels.

K-2 classes 5:30pm – 6:00pm

3-6 classes 6:00pm – 6:30pm

One of the aspects of our school that makes it such a special place is the positive, cooperative relationships that we share with our community. Jesmond Public School is a positive environment for students, staff and the entire school community that focuses on student learning. As a school we ensure that every student is known, valued and cared for.

Our families and community members play an important role in our positive school community. The school community charter highlights the positive ways that our community engages with our school.

Families and community members can expect:

• A welcoming school environment that values partnerships in student learning
• Timely, polite, and solutions-focused communication from staff
• Professional relationships based on transparency, honesty, and respect
• Fair treatment, with a focus on tolerance, understanding, and inclusivity.

Our staff are committed to open communication and will respond to your inquiries as soon as they are available. Please remember that while our staff are in class or dealing with other matters, they may not be available to answer your questions immediately.

To contact your class teacher, please phone or email the school with any questions and they will return to your matter when appropriate.

Our school will make sure that written communication is appropriate, fair and easy to read. We encourage you to use email and our Facebook page appropriately to connect with our school and stay up to date with up-coming events in the school community.

Jesmond Public School uses various methods of communication to support engagement with the school.

• Seesaw is used by teachers to share classroom updates and photos.
• Facebook is where we share upcoming events and celebrate the great things that happen at our school.
• This Newsletter is shared three times per term. It is a formal communication tool, sharing updates and celebrations of school success.
• The school will email families with important information at times. Emails are sent weekly to students with unexplained absences.
• Text Messages are sent to families when students are absent, and sparingly at other times. Families can respond to the texts to explain their child/s absence.

Please read this notification and be aware that it implies and serves as informed permission.

Our school values sport and physical activity and the essential role it plays in contributing to overall wellbeing for all students.

School sport is co-curricular and is a mandatory part of the school week for all students.

This year, sport and physical activity will be organised and overseen by our school staff and take place on the school site.

Accident Insurance Information

In the event of injury, no accident or medical insurance cover is provided by the NSW Government Treasury Managed Fund for students participating in school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school endorsed activity, unless there is a breach of duty of care by department or school staff. The NSW Department of Education is insured to meet the financial impact of any legal liabilities arising from its activities. It does not provide, nor has it ever provided, accident or medical insurance for students enrolled in government schools.

Concussion Management

When a student enrolled in a government school is diagnosed with concussion, the principal must be advised in writing as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. Students may only return to sport and physical activity once a medical clearance has been provided to the school and, if at a school sport event, to the supervising teacher.

Any student that experiences a suspected concussion during a school-endorsed activity, will be removed from the activity and parents/carers will be advised that a medical follow-up is required.

If medical clearance is not provided, the student cannot participate in vigorous or competitive school sport or physical activities for 21 days from the concussion date.

Please call the school on 49572605 if you have any questions or concerns.

Every parent wants the best for their child. Research clearly shows that students who have higher levels of attendance achieve higher academic results, have better social and emotional wellbeing and establish positive friendships. This research also tells us students with an attendance rate below 90% are educationally at risk. 90% attendance is missing 1 day a fortnight which equals 4 weeks of missed school each year. Research shows that students with an attendance rate below 90% are educationally at risk. Every day counts!

Parents and carers can support a positive school attendance culture by:

• Reinforcing the importance of attending school every day with their children
• Supporting students to arrive on time every day and be prepared for learning
• Allowing students to stay home only when genuinely sick
• Working in partnership with the school to address any concerns or obstacles

If you are finding getting your child to see school difficult, please reach out to your child’s teacher in the first instance to see how the school can support your family.

Students in Years 3 and 5 will take part in NAPLAN assessments in Weeks 7–9 this term. These online assessments cover numeracy, writing, reading, and language conventions. Early testing allows teachers to use results for planning and student support. Please click on the link to review important information about NAPLAN. Translation is also available on this website.

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers

Our school has a “no hat today, in the shade you play” policy. Children must wear a black school hat at all times when they are in the playground in terms one and four. Students without a hat must sit or play in the designated areas. In Terms 2 and 3, alternative sun safety measures are in place.

Putting ourselves in the shoes of others so we feel what they are feeling. We practise empathy by being kind and compassionate towards other people.

Students currently in Year 4 and in Year 6, can now apply for the Opportunity Class and Selective High Schools for 2026. The application period for 2026 entry is from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025.

Parents can apply during the application period online at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au.

Opportunity Classes

• Parents apply when their child is at the beginning of Year 4 in 2025.

Selective High Schools

• Parents apply when their child is at the beginning of Year 6 in 2025.

Please refer to the links below for further information.

February

Friday 14 Feb - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Tuesday 18 Feb - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Wednesday 19 Feb - Swimming Carnival

Selected students will attend the swimming carnival.

Thursday 20 Feb - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Friday 21 Feb - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Tuesday 25 Feb - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Tuesday 25 Feb - Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Wednesday 26 Feb - Family BBQ and Parent Information Sessions

Thursday 27 Feb - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Friday 28 Feb - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Friday 28 Feb - Monday 31 March - Ramadan

March

Tuesday 4 Mar - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Tuesday 4 Mar - Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Thursday 6 Mar - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Friday 7 Mar - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Tuesday 11 Mar - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Tuesday 11 Mar - Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Wednesday 12 March - Monday 24 March - NAPLAN Testing for Year 3 and 5

Thursday 13 Mar - Sporting School Soccer Program

Students from K-6 will participate in a whole school Soccer Program.

Friday 14 Mar - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Tuesday 18 Mar - Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Friday 21 Mar - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Tuesday 25 Mar - Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Friday 28 Mar - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

April

Tuesday 1 April - Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Wednesday 2 April - Cross Country

Students from Years 3-6 and Year 2 students turning 8 in 2025 will be participating in the annual Cross Country Carnival. This event will take place at Jesmond Park.

Friday 4 April - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

Tuesday 8 April- Stage 2 Maroba Nursing Home Visits

Selected Stage 2 will participate in Maroba Nursing Home.

Friday 11 April - Parent Group

Parents will meet in the library from 1.15pm-2.15pm

At Jesmond OOSH, we are committed to enriching the lives of children and families within our community. Our new service is designed to offer a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children can grow, connect, and thrive.

Address and Contact Details

Email: jesmondoosh@iccnewcastle.com.au

Phone: 0424 982 492

Email: jesmond-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: jesmond-p.school.nsw.edu.au
Location: 16 Ralph Street, Jesmond NSW, Australia
Phone: 02 4957 2605
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JesmondPS