COLEDALE NEWSLETTER

We have had another very busy few weeks and thanks to our Connecting Threads and Kitchen Garden program we have been on Studio 10, had interviews on ABC Illawarra and had 2 films made! Take a look at our facebook page if you have missed any of these broadcasts. A big thank you to Mrs Chilton, Colleen and Amy and all the students and teachers who have made this wonderful program a success.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/illawarra-drive/connecting-threads/102996340

https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/clubs--community/new-textile-upcycling-program-connecting-threads-makes-the-cut-at-coledale-public-school

Our playground equipment is on its way and will be installed in the January school holidays, hopefully ready for the start of school next year. The Gratitude Mural has transformed the front our school and names of anyone who has donated on the fundraiser website will be added under the stairs by the Admin office.

Our school recently completed an external validation process at the end of Term 3. The DET asks schools to assess themselves using the School Excellence Framework (SEF) every year. Every 4 years schools must submit their assessments and evidence of this to an external panel. They also visit the school and give us their own judgements based on our evidence and submission. We are very proud of our results and more information will be published in the Annual Schol Report. The next steps are to write a new school plan for 2024-2027 in consultation with the whole school community.

We are planning for next year as much as possible so please let us know if you will not be returning to Coledale or if you know anyone who will be enroling at the school next year. We are still taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2024, enrolment forms can be found on our website.

Bernadette Stephens

Principal

As we head into the end of the school year, it remains important that your child attends school every single day. Being at school is the best place for students to learn as well as to keep social connections and build life-long skills.

We understand that families are eager to see and reconnect with loved ones and take a well-deserved break, but please remember that planned travel should only be taken during scheduled school holidays.

Students should be at school every day during school terms, including until the end of term, unless they are sick or are absent for a justified reason.

Missing a day here or there may not seem like much, but absences add up and can negatively impact your child's learning and wellbeing. When your child misses one day a week, that’s 40 days of school and 8 weeks of learning in one year. Over an entire school journey this adds up to 2.5 years of lost learning.

We want to do everything we can to help all students be at school every single day, because every day counts. If you have any concerns or questions please talk to me, the front office staff or your class teacher.

We have enjoyed meeting our 2024 Kindergarten students over the past few weeks. This week we will have a final Teddy Bears picnic and then we will see the children next year for their Best Start assessments with Mr Kent.

Connecting Threads

Our uniform and textile waste recycling program has been so successful that we have featured on television and the Department has made a film about the project.

Video link https://vimeo.com/880001945?share=copy

We have signed up with Playgroup NSW and would like to invite all families to our playgroup for 0-5 year olds every Monday morning from 9.15am to 10.45 am. We are also looking for a parent who would like to help run the playgroup so that we can plan activities for the children each week.

Being part of a playgroup is a wonderful opportunity to meet other people in a similar situation. It gives parents the chance to make new friends, learn from one another and develop a supportive local network for you and your family.

At playgroups parents and carers get together with their young children to connect, learn through play and most importantly, have fun. Playgroup is for babies, toddlers and pre-school aged children. They can be accompanied by mothers, fathers, grandparents, nannies or other carers.

Join us on the beautiful school grounds of Coledale Public School in our Kitchen Garden room ‘Garawa’. Bring a plate to share, and we will provide tea and coffee. Activities will include, playdough, painting, mobilo, playing outside and visiting the garden and chickens, a visit to Kindergarten and reading with older students.

Please contact the school if you would like to get involved!

We are very excited to be showing off our school veggie patch at the Illawarra’s first Edible Garden Trail happening on the 11/12 November. The Illawarra Edible Garden Trail will open edible gardens, of all shapes and sizes, between Helensburgh and Woonona.18 gardens in total. It’s an opportunity for you to come and check out what we’re growing, how we’re growing and ask us some questions about what has worked for us! The weekend is about connecting budding gardeners, well-rooted growers and sticky-beakers to share the growing tricks and tips for different environments.

Our school garden will be open on Saturday 11th November, Time:10am- 3pm, so please join us for the trail!

It would be great if a few interested students or parents could come along on the day and help Mrs Chilton show people around our wonderful garden. If you are interested in helping, please see Mrs Chilton. You can come along for as long as you are available.

https://tinyurl.com/gardentrailtix #edibleillawarra

We are holding a Handball & Hotdogs night for Kids and their Dad's/favourite Bloke!

Please join us with your Dad, Uncle, Grandad or family friend for a fun night of handball and hotdogs!

Father figures, play a vital role in children’s lives. The evidence demonstrating fathers’ potential to positively influence their children’s health and mental health, social success and academic achievements is indisputable, and compelling.

Where: Coledale Public School

When: 530 - 7.00pm Tuesday 28 November

$10 entry fee covers a hot dog for you and the kids!

In Week 10 Coledale PS will be holding a Talent Show!

Auditions will be held at lunchtime throughout Week 6.

As we come to the end of the year, we would appreciate you having a look around your homes for any books or resources that belong to the library or the school and return them.

Book club is great for Christmas gifts and more. Click here to order - Book Club | Scholastic Australia

Tea towel fundraiser - Christmas presents!

Our last fundraiser for the year is our personally decorated tea towels.

Every child in the school has drawn a self-portrait and will be on the Coledale PS tea towel.

Order with the QR code or at www.crazycamel.com.au/15462

Orders close Wednesday November 15

Fundraising Below is the link for gofundme playground

https://www.gofundme.com/f/coledale-pc?qid=de67ac0900f21d68b056b83da0ede781

Uniforms can be ordered through Quickcliq.Welcome to QuickCliq

The P&C are always happy to welcome any new faces to come along and be part of the community. If you are interested joining up, please feel free to make contact with any questions or ideas via email coledale.pc.secretary@gmail.com or the school office can pass on any enquiries.

Week 5

Thursday 9 November - 3/4 Royal Nation Park Excursion.

- 9:15am Kindy Transition

Friday 10 November - Mufti Day for Colour run (donate decorations)

Week 6

Monday -Friday -Talent Show try outs at lunchtime

Week 8
Tuesday 28 November - Bulli High Orientation 9 am - 3pm

Tuesday evening - Handball and Hotdogs -5:30pm - 7pm

Wednesday 29 November - Year 6 Jamberoo

Week 9

Monday 4 December -Wednesday 6 December - Year 5/6 Camp

Friday 8 December - Presentation Day - band and whole school performance.

Week 10

Monday 11 December - Year 6 Farewell Masquerade Ball at the Coledale RSL

Tuesday 12 December -Talent Show

Friday 15 December - Colour Run - last day of term!

Students will return to school Thursday 1 February 2024

Email: coledale-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: https://coledale-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/
Location: 699 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale NSW, Australia
Phone: 4267 1885
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColedalePS