Heaton Hotline Week 5 Term 4: 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

At last Friday's assembly, we proudly announced our six student leaders for 2025! Congratulations to Anikah, Joel, Kim, Namgyel, Ruqayyah and Tausifullah on earning these positions – a fantastic achievement! All our candidates displayed admirable dedication and passion for making a positive difference at our school and each one demonstrated true leadership qualities. We look forward to celebrating their contributions throughout the coming year. At Presentation Day, we’ll have the honour of announcing the two students chosen to serve as our school captains. And for those who missed out this time, more leadership opportunities will be available in 2025. We are excited to see our students shine as they step up, show their skills, and work together to make our school even better.

With so much happening, we want to make it easy for you to stay informed. Please keep an eye on our school’s Facebook page and the Sentral Parent Calendar for real-time updates and event reminders so you have everything you need to participate and support our events.

Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire community for the incredible support and kindness you have shown me since I stepped into the relieving principal role following Andrew’s departure. Your warmth and encouragement have made this journey truly rewarding and I am deeply appreciative of the trust and connection we continue to build together. I am excited to continue fostering this positive environment and look forward to collaborating closely with Mrs Holly Foot as she leads the school forward. Her expertise and dedication are sure to enrich our community even further. Once again thank you for your support, I am genuinely grateful to be part of such a wonderful community.

Warm regards,

Mr Chris Taylor.

Due to some adjustments in the school’s structure for the day, our Week 6 Whole School Assembly has been cancelled. We’ll be back on deck in Week 8, Friday, with our regular assembly.

Thank you for your understanding.

Understanding Opportunity Classes

Opportunity classes are specialised settings for high-potential and gifted students in Years 5 and 6. They provide a unique learning environment where students can thrive alongside peers with similar abilities, enjoying tailored teaching that allows for a faster pace and deeper exploration of subjects.

Key Points about Opportunity Classes:

• Application Period: Applications open annually from November to February. Parents can apply for Year 5 placement when their child is at the end of Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4.
• Academic and Social Benefits: Opportunity classes offer an environment where students can challenge themselves academically and socially. They enjoy learning with others who share their curiosity, love of complex ideas, and interest in deep learning.
• Extracurricular Opportunities: These classes also provide access to a wide range of co-curricular activities, including sports, music, creative arts, and special interest clubs.

Is an Opportunity Class Right for Your Child?

If your child shows signs of high academic potential, such as an intense curiosity, creativity, or focus on areas of passion, an opportunity class might be a good fit. Not all high-potential learners display every trait, as factors like opportunity and background can impact expression.

Accessing More Resources

To explore further, visit the Student Resource Hub for opportunity classes. Here, your child can find information on selective education, interactive quizzes, example test questions, and more to see if this pathway aligns with their strengths and interests.

For additional details and support, you can also refer to the department's High Potential and Gifted Education Policy.

Selective high schools and opportunity classes

Key dates – applying for entry in 2026

• 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025 – parents and carers apply for opportunity class entry in 2026.
• 2-4 May 2025 – students sit the selective opportunity class placement test for entry in 2026.
• 19 May 2025 – make up test date (approved illness/misadventure requests)
• Term 3, 2025 – placement outcomes and offers released to parents and carers
• Term 1, 2026 – students who gain entry begin attending their opportunity class or selective high school

WEEK 6

NAP Excursion Stockton Park

Date: Thursday, Nov 21

Time: All Day

WEEK 7

Cultural Excursion with Jesmond P.S

Date: Wednesday, Nov 27

Time: All Day

WEEK 8

Swim School -Stage 2

Dates: 2.12.24 to 6.12.24

Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm

WEEK 9

Presentation Day

Date: Tuesday, Dec 10

Time: 9:30am - 11:00am

Location: Jesmond Senior Campus School Hall

Year 6 Farewell

Date: Wednesday, Dec 11

Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Volunteers Morning Tea

Date: Friday, Dec 13

Time: 9:30am - 10:30am

WEEK 10

Mini Fete

Date: Tuesday, Dec 17

Time: TBA

K/1A have been working on Mindfulness activities from the Resilience Project on Fridays. We’ve been focussing on using strategies to help calm ourselves. This involves breathing activities; forms of meditation and we usually follow this with a visual art activity.

In K/1F, we have been focusing on mindfulness and learning different ways that can help us be calm in our mind and body, especially after a very hot and sweaty lunch break. It can be very tricky for our little ones to re-focus after playing with friends and being in the sun. In K/1F, we make sure that after every break, we have a moment to calm our minds and bodies, whether it be laying down and listening to soft and gentle music, colouring- in, art and craft, being outside in nature, doing breathing techniques and meditation. This allows students to help them focus on their thoughts and feelings and promotes self-awareness of their emotions and surroundings, and it also helps them to re-focus and be ready to learn.

This information is for those parents and carers who registered their child for Term 4 swimming lessons! We’re excited for your child to take part in the ‘Swim to Survive’ program, which focuses on vital swimming and water safety skills in line with PDHPE learning goals.

Event Details:

When: Week 8, Term 4

Time: Depart school at 10:15am, return at 1:20pm

Transport: Bus

What to Wear:

School uniform with swimmer's underneath

What to Bring:

- Swimmers

- Towel

- Goggles

- Recess and lunch

- Drink bottle

- Plastic bag

When: Wednesday, November 20.

Time: 3-4pm

Where: School Hall

Come along, share your ideas, and help us make these events memorable for our kids! Snacks will be provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and let's create something special together.

We look forward to seeing you there!

If you haven't already, now is the time to enrol your child at our school.

Children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year. By law, all children must be in compulsory schooling by their 6th birthday.

Deciding when your child should start school is a personal choice. It can be helpful to discuss this with your child's preschool teacher, carer, doctor, or your local primary school. Our teachers are trained to support your child regardless of their age or level of development.

Children develop at different rates and acquire skills in unique ways. Our school tailors its approach to meet the needs, learning styles, and progress rates of individual students. We also plan learning experiences based on the skills students bring with them to school.

I'm thrilled to share that these students have achieved their attendance goal for the first 4 weeks of school this term and I couldn’t be prouder. Each student has shown dedication and commitment, working hard to reach this milestone together. It’s been inspiring to watch their efforts pay off and see them enjoy this well-earned moment of celebration, complete with delicious strawberry and caramel milkshakes. Well done to each of you!!!

Just a reminder to please use the parent app and make sure your notifications are switched on. I've checked into the issue some people were having with notifications, but the company assures me it's not a problem for any other school. If you have any problems, please see the office. All notes and finance will now go through this system, and you can address your absences and permissions during this time.

Please click the document below for support around using the app for accepting activities and for paying for excursions. Sentral Finance Parent FAQs

Ice blocks are sold every Wednesday by the Year 6 Fundraising Committee.

Ice blocks are 50c each.

This money raised supports the end of year activities for all students.

If anyone has any spare second hand uniforms that don't fit, the office would love to accept these as spares if you are happy to donate.

Our parent group has established a parent Facebook page. Please click the link to join if you want to be updated with events or volunteer at school community events as a parent. These include events such as the Mother's Day Stall and Harmony Day.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/943647789995949

If you would like to volunteer in the canteen on a Friday. Please scan the QR code to join the Heaton canteen committee. Alternatively, there is a link to the page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/941195910389103

Please ensure your child has the correct change for the canteen.

Upcoming events can be seen in the calendar section of the Sentral parent app at any time.

We nurture and inspire every child to dream big.

Learning together with Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion.

Email: heaton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: https://heaton-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Location: Janet St, Jesmond NSW, Australia
Phone: 02 49526022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatonPublicSchool/?rf=193922817306711