Dear Parents and Carers,

As we wrap up Term 3, it’s hard to believe there is only one term left in the 2025 school year. It has been a busy term for students and staff alike, and I know everyone is looking forward to a well-deserved school holiday break.

I’m pleased to share that our school upgrade is progressing at great speed. H Block has now been fully refurbished and is home to 1 Wirambi, who are thoroughly enjoying their new and improved learning space. G Block is almost complete, with a new double classroom and a transformed office and kitchen where the old nurse’s office once stood. OSH will move into this space on Friday, with brand new, fit-for-purpose furniture arriving early in Term 4. I am confident that families who use our OSH services will be impressed with this bright and modern new environment.

Two weeks ago, the new portable demountable building was delivered and is now being fitted out to become our temporary administration block and staffroom. Over the holidays, the current administration block will be decanted into this temporary facility so that we can begin using it from Day 1, Term 4. Please note that from Term 4 onwards, the new temporary front entry to the school will be via the Webb Street gate.

When we return, you will notice some significant changes around the school. Hoarding will be in place around the areas scheduled for demolition (Blocks C, D, E, and F) where construction of the new building will begin. During this time, we will lose access to a portion of our hard-surfaced play areas, the front grass play area, and part of the back oval. To help ease congestion and ensure students continue to enjoy their breaks, many of our staff have generously volunteered to run a variety of lunchtime interest groups. These will continue through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.

I would like to thank our staff, students, and families for their flexibility and support as we move through this exciting period of change and growth.

The safety of our students is always our highest priority, and I would like to take this opportunity to remind our community of some important expectations when dropping off and picking up children.

Firstly, bikes, scooters, and e-scooters must not be ridden anywhere on school grounds under any circumstances, even if you are accompanying your child. These items should be walked once you reach the school gate. I also ask that families be especially mindful when riding outside the school, particularly during the busy drop-off and pick-up periods when footpaths are congested with students and carers.

Unfortunately, last week we had an incident just outside the school grounds where one of our Kindergarten students was knocked over by someone riding an e-scooter on the pathway. The rider did not stop to check on the child, instead yelling at her before riding away. While the student was not seriously hurt, this highlights the very real risks posed when these rules are not followed. We ask for everyone’s cooperation to keep all children safe.

In addition, please remember that dogs are not permitted on the school site—on a lead or otherwise. If you are bringing your dog with you to drop-off or pick-up, they must remain outside the school grounds. This rule is in place to ensure both student safety and hygiene. Recently, we experienced an incident where a dog had defecated on the school grass, and this was unknowingly walked into one of our classrooms and the administration block by a staff member.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in both of these matters, and thank you for helping us to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment for all.

Wishing all our families a safe, happy, and restful holiday break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready for Term 4.

This year we have decided to do sports & extra-curricular photos as composite photos rather than group photos. This means all students who have participated in a team sport or group activity they will have their individual photos (taken in Term 1) used to make up a group photo (composite photo).

If your child/children have participated in the inter school sport teams, choir, dance groups, band, zone carnivals and debating they will have the opportunity to purchase a group photo. 

During Term 4 parents will be provided with a code to purchase photos online if you wish to do so.

Time is flying by and we are almost done with Term 3! This term, K Bunmarra designed their own layout of an analogue clock. Students have been learning to read the time on analogue and digital clocks. The class had lots of fun taking turns describing the position of the hour and minute hands on an analogue clock when reading the time. These activities were helpful in building students’ confidence in reading the time. It has been wonderful to see the students' enthusiasm as they connect these skills to their everyday routines!

It has been another busy term in 1 Gula. For our Writing program, we have been learning about characterisation and using descriptive language to enhance meaning. 1 Gula had to make up their own character, describe their inside and outside characteristics and write about an adventure without forgetting about problems along the way. They did a fantastic job and were able to use their typing skills to publish them. In Maths, we have been learning about Volume and Capacity and learning how to make appropriate estimations then measuring using cups of sand, our hands and interlocking cubes. Our Science lessons have been interesting learning all about where food and materials comes from. Students learnt lots about milk, cotton and wool production. Our Friday afternoons have consisted of learning a range of dance moves and following a routine. Students have loved listening to the music and then choosing their own songs to follow the dance routine too.

This term in 5 Goolagong has been full of creativity, learning, and collaboration. One of the highlights was reading the novel Once, which all students thoroughly enjoyed. The story sparked thoughtful discussions, strengthened comprehension skills, and encouraged many children to reflect on themes of resilience and hope. In Drama, students enthusiastically role-played different scenarios, building confidence in performance and learning how to express themselves clearly in front of their peers. In Mathematics, the class brought together their learning in a fractions project where they designed paddocks for a farmer and calculated the fencing needed, applying their skills to a real-world context. In writing, they produced engaging articles on the dangers of artificial intelligence, which showcased not only their research and persuasive writing skills but also their ability to think critically about modern issues.