Holbrook Public School

Education Week

At our recent Education Week Open Day, held last Thursday, we showcased learning at Holbrook Public School. Our students were very excited to share their learning with families and friends. The spotlight was firmly cast on literacy and numeracy, with families actively participating in classroom activities that showed genuine enthusiasm for learning.

Book Week

Anticipation is building for the upcoming Book Week, scheduled for 21 to 25 August 2023. This year's theme, "Read, Grow, Inspire", is a call to embrace the world of reading no matter your age. Mark your calendars for Thursday, 24 August, when the school grounds will come alive with the much-awaited Book Character Parade. The parade promises to be a feast for the eyes and imagination, commencing at 10:00 a.m. We extend a warm welcome to all families to join this celebration. Our students will revel in daily "read around" sessions throughout the week as our teachers share their cherished stories and beloved authors. Our focus is to foster a love of reading among our students.

Sport

While we eagerly await the rescheduled Hockey Gala Day, we also look forward to the Bernie O'Connor AFL and Netball Day at Yerong Creek on Friday, 1 September. Our Year 3 and 4 students are gearing up for the Trent Barrett Shield Rugby League Gala Day on Tuesday, 5 September 2023.

I enjoyed accompanying our tenpin bowling team (Blade M, Preston F, Ethan F and Harrison F) to the Inclusive Schools Sport Riverina Competition last Friday. Our team performed exceptionally well, placing 3rd in the Riverina Competition and showing great teamwork and sportsmanship while representing our school. We are awaiting information about further competitions.

Whole School Performance

Stay tuned for details on costume and prop requests for each class. We are thrilled to announce that ticket sales are now OPEN at the front office. Get in early to secure a seat at this spectacular event showcasing the creative talents of students and staff.

NAPLAN

Shifting the focus to academic achievements, the recent release of NAPLAN results for Years 3 and 5 offers a glimpse into the academic accomplishments of our school. While comparing these results with previous years is difficult due to new reporting bands, our initial analysis highlights some remarkable achievements. Our Year 3 students have shone in numeracy, with 58% placing in the ‘Strong’ band. Similarly, our Year 5 cohort has demonstrated outstanding achievement in numeracy, with 70% also placing in the ‘Strong’ band. Notable accolades go to Year 5, whose reading results showed 76% in the ‘Strong’ band and 17% in the ‘Exceeding‘ band. While we celebrate these accomplishments, we are committed to continuous growth. An area of focus for Year 3 is reading, where we see the potential for improvement. We encourage parents and carers to approach these results with a constructive perspective, embracing the positives and potential avenues for growth. We extend gratitude to those parents who have engaged in insightful discussions with our class teachers regarding these results.

Digital Devices - Mobile Phones

Between 9:15 a.m. and 3:20 p.m., students can only use personal digital devices (e.g. mobile phones, tablets, iPads and smartwatches) if a teacher directs them.

Students who bring personal digital devices to school must hand them into the front office, switched off. They will be stored in a secure location and can be collected at 3:20 p.m.

If a student breaches this by using their device during school hours, it will be confiscated until the end of the day. Inappropriate behaviour and use of personal digital devices may also include loss of playtime, in-school reflection, restrictions on accessing school digital devices, follow-up meetings with parents and/or suspension.

We appreciate your help with this matter.

P&C Fundraising

Our Parent and Citizens Association (P&C) have several fundraising events on the horizon. We call upon our school community to support the P&C with requests for helpers. By contributing time, your support directly impacts every child's learning opportunities at Holbrook Public School.

Kindergarten 2024

Our doors are open for Kindergarten 2024 enrolments. If you know of families with kindergarten-aged children, we ask you to share the information regarding enrolments and transition programs or direct them to the front office for a tour.

Regards

Louise Purss-Semple
Principal

Following the Matildas’ triumphant win over France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-final match, the NSW Department of Education is getting behind the team in the lead-up to the semi-final round against England on Wednesday, 16 August 2023.

All students are encouraged to wear green and gold for the upcoming event. A gold coin donation won't be necessary.

Our Year 5 students can look forward to engaging in Buddy Reading at the Greater Hume Children Services (GHCS) this term. Yesterday, Bree, Geordie, Jonty and Asher had a wonderful time reading special books about kindness and friendship to the children at the centre—many thanks to Kimberly and the Team at GHCS for allowing us this opportunity. Our students enjoyed meeting the children and answering the many insightful and curious questions that they were asked. We look forward to continued collaboration with GHCS as we welcome some of their beautiful children to our school next year.

Amelia White
Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction

Please collect your 10-cent recyclable bottles, cans and fruit boxes and bring them to school for collection in our newly delivered big green drums.  

Please ensure that these items are clean and free of food, liquid or other contaminates. This is a simple, easy way to help raise more funds for our students.  

With our Google Translation integration, your community can access your newsletter in ANY language. Simply scroll to the bottom of the newsletter preview to give it a try.