Dear Families, and Jesmond Public School Community,

As we reach the end of 2024, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable year for our school.

Throughout the term, our students have shown exceptional behaviour, demonstrating respect, kindness, and pride in our school. This was especially evident during our Presentation Day, where every student upheld the highest standard of conduct, making it a memorable and dignified occasion.

We have enjoyed many wonderful celebrations over the past few weeks, including vibrant class parties, the much-anticipated Year 6 Celebration Dinner, and our Presentation Day. These events provided us with the chance to reflect on and commemorate an incredible year, filled with achievements, friendships, and growth.

Academically, our school has continued to excel, with students achieving impressive results across key areas. Their hard work and dedication to learning, combined with the unwavering support of our staff and families, have made 2024 another successful year for Jesmond Public School.

A particular highlight of the year was our success at External Validation, which underscored the outstanding teaching and learning practices at our school. This acknowledgment is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our staff, as well as the enthusiasm and commitment of our students and community.

As the year draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some special staff members who are leaving Jesmond Public School. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours:

• Ms Kara Bull
• Mr Tom Kelly
• Miss Stella Capill
• Ms Sakineh Tashakori
• Ms Rebecca Edge
• Ms Sarah Ritchie
• Miss Casey Ballard

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the following families who will be ending their learning partnership with Jesmond Public School this year: the Afghani, Ahmadi, Al Rakeb, Anwar, Ba, Begley, Cerron, Chen, Cotten, Coulton, Ezaz, Ha, Horgan, Karnaghan, Kelada, Nadeem, Olatunji, Presland, Robson, Stevenson, Taylor and Tiopira families. Your contributions to our school community over the years have been deeply appreciated, and we wish you all the very best for the future.

To all our families, thank you for being an integral part of our school community. I wish you a safe, happy, and restful holiday season. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2025, ready for another exciting year of learning and growth.

As announced earlier last month, there will be additional School Development Days in next years calendar. School development days are used by schools to build on the knowledge and skills of our teachers, school leaders and school administrative support staff through a targeted professional learning program. The following days have been gazetted as School Development Days in 2025:

• Term 1: Friday 31 January to Wednesday 5 February
• Term 2: Monday 28 April and Tuesday 29 April
• Term 3: Monday 21 July
• Term 4: Monday 13 October

The first day of school for all students is Thursday 6 February. Years 1 - 6 9:00am start.

As the holiday season approaches, we understand that some families may face challenges or require additional support. Below is a list of key services and emergency contact numbers that may be helpful during this time. Please keep these handy and share them with anyone who might benefit:

• Anti-Discrimination NSW: 1800 670 812
• Child Protection Helpline: 13 21 11
• Disaster Welfare Assistance Line: 1800 018 444
• Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463
• Jury Service Enquiries: 1300 722 574
• Law Access NSW Line: 1300 888 529
• Link2Home Homelessness: 1800 152 152
• NSW Victims Access Line: 1800 633 063

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and restful holiday break. Remember, help is always available for those who need it. 💙

As you may be aware, our current out of school hours (OOSH) provider, C3 Church Victory Inc, trading as Victory OOSH Jesmond has advised that they will cease operations at our school at the end of term 4 this year.

To ensure continuation of care, the department has selected Waratah OOSH to commence the after-school care service at our school from Term 1 Day 1 2025. You can find out more about Waratah OOSH on their website here. Please contact Waratah OOSH directly to enrol your children from next year.

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.

Congratulations Jesmond Public School for an outstanding 2024. This was reflected on the amazing way you presented Jesmond Public School to the parents, special guests and our Jesmond community on Wednesday 4 December at our Presentation Day. Congratulations to the students who received an award on this momentus occassion.

Please clink the link below to our Facebook Page for a video of our Year 6 Farewell.

Students currently in Year 3 and in Year 5, 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 near the end of Year 3 in 2024 or at the beginning of Year 4 in 2025.

Selective High Schools

• Parents apply when their child is near the end of Year 5 in 2024 or at the beginning of Year 6 in 2025.

Please refer to the links below for further information.

K-6O

Merit Awards

Hatem, Konco, Thomas

KM

Merit Awards

Affan, Alleah, Joudi, Zenat, Suhail, Arwa, Hania, Sodais, Shehreen, Shaghla, Maryam

K/1S

Merit Awards

Marwa, Liliana, Isaac, Olivia, Linfeng, Ryan, Milla, Sumah, Sulaiman, Hiviar

Reading Awards

Isaac, Milla, Liliana

Gold Awards

Milla, Sumah

1/2A

Merit Awards

Harlen, Liam, Aira, Hamza, Nate, Arthur, Ibrahim, Alireza, Daniella, Nahideh, Emily, Ali, Osman, Asra, Keisha

Reading Awards

Arthur, Eshan, Aira

Gold Award

Arthur

1/2L

Merit Awards

Arifah, Daniel, Sina, Abi, Bafrin, Salam, Fatima, Hadia, Aya, Shakiba, Ali, Abul Hassan, Mohammad

Reading Awards

Shakiba, Abi, Fatima, Sina, Moriah, Hadia, Conor

Gold Awards

Jimi, Aya

3/4MG

Merit Awards

Maseer, Christian, Lenore, Ronin, Sahel, Isobel, Maryam, Safa, Zaryan, Emersyn, Khadijeh

Reading Awards

Elinde, KJ

Gold Award

Christian

3/4O

Merit Awards

Ali H, Hafsa, Gursharan, Connor, Asghar, Hewaad, Iqra, Violet

Reading Awards

James G, Gursharan, Eman, Solange

Gold Awards

Mahdis, Hewaad, Violet, Solange, Ali, Gursharan, Mujtaba, Eman, Zuher

3/4P

Merit Awards

Laili, Nedhi, Havannah, Arsh, Ansil, Ismail, Nayyara, Maddie, Neza, Zahra

Reading Awards

Pari, Nayyara, Alesha,

Gold Awards

Alesha, Enayatullah, Nayyara

Superstar Award

Nayyara

5/6D

Merit Awards

Ali, Talal, Laila, Helal, Husna, Sadel, Helal, Mariea, Zamir, Inioluwa, Rocky, Elyas, Bahar

Reading Award

Madina

Gold Awards

Hasanat, Madina, Helal, Mariea, Mitchell

Superstar Award

Helal

5/6R

Merit Awards

Maya, Estella, Elite, Ali Sabiri, Murad Ali, James F, Ibrahim, Ayesheh, Daniel, Naser, Mitchell, Vienna

Reading Awards

Maya, Zinat, Ibrahim, James K

Gold Awards

Vienna, Ayeshah, James K, Zainab K

Superstar Award

James K, Zainab K

January 2025

Friday 31 Jan - Staff Development Day

February

Monday 3 Feb - Staff Development Day

Tuesday 4 Feb - Staff Development Day

Wednesday 5 Feb - Staff Development Day

Thursday 6 Feb - Kinder to 6 First Day of Term 1

Wednesday 19 Feb - Swimming Carnival

Students from Years 3-6 and Year 2 students turning 8 in 2025 will be participating in the annual Swimming Carnival. This year, we will be attending Wallsend Swimming Centre for our Carnival.

Friday 28 Feb - Monday 31 March - Ramadan

March

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

April

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.

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