ZIG ZAG Public School

Dear Zig Zag Families,

Today I held a special school assembly to inform the students that I have made the very difficult decision to transition to retirement at the beginning of Term 2 this year.

This means I will not be returning after the Easter holidays.

This has been a very difficult decision, as I truly love being the Principal of Zig Zag Public School. My only regret is that I did not move to Zig Zag earlier than 2012.

It has often been said that ZZPS is the best kept secret in Lithgow, and I can honestly say that it is. I often tell the students that they are the luckiest kids to have such a beautiful playground to enjoy — grass to run on, magnificent trees providing shade, and nature all around us: the creek, the cliffs and the peaceful surroundings. I will miss looking out from the staffroom window and thinking, how lucky are we?

It is a place where kids can truly be kids.

Our beautiful building is also something very special. Visitors often comment on the welcoming sense of belonging they feel when they walk through the doors. The school is adorned with history and memories from past to present, and I feel the same deep connection to this place as the Oakey Park community did many years ago.

It is truly a very special place.

Over the years, the teachers and I have worked together as a team to create a learning environment that is the best it has ever been. When I first began at ZZPS, teaching looked very different - I had many dreams for what our school could become, and together we have achieved so much. As I leave, I know that our whole-school practices will continue to grow and improve this wonderful place of learning.

One of my proudest achievements is our school enrolment. When I started in 2012, we had 47 students. Last year we reached 120 students. I am incredibly proud of this, as it reflects the success of the school and our commitment to supporting every child and making a real difference in their lives.

I would also like to reassure families that I am not unwell.

I have simply decided that this is the right time to begin the next phase of my life and see what retirement brings.

Life after Zig Zag Public School will be very different, because when you are the Principal of ZZPS, it truly becomes your life. I hope you will be able to join me for a farewell afternoon tea on Tuesday 31 March. (Details will be sent home soon.) It will be a chance for me to say thank you to our wonderful community and, no doubt, shed a few more tears before I say goodbye.

Warm regards,

Vicki Gillmore

Principal

Exciting Final Weeks of Term 1, 2026

We have a very busy and exciting final three weeks of the term ahead!Week 8

• NAPLAN continues on Monday and Tuesday as our students complete the final components of the assessment period.
• On the 18th March, our HPGE students will enjoy a special Talent Quest Day, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their unique skills and talents. 

• Tuesday 24th March, our school leaders will travel to Sydney to attend the Halogen National Young Leaders Conference, an inspiring day focused on leadership, responsibility and making a positive difference.
• Later in the week on Thursday 26th March, the whole school will enjoy a local excursion to Secret Creek, providing a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with nature and learn about our local environment.

In the final week of term we will come together for two special occasions.

• Our Easter Hat Parade on 2nd April,  will bring plenty of colour and creativity to the school as students proudly showcase their hats.
• On Tuesday 31st March, we will also hold a farewell gathering for Mrs Gillmore. There is an open invitation to the school community to attend.

From garden to show entry!

Our students planted the tomatoes, carefully nurtured them as they grew, harvested the crop and then worked together to turn them into delicious homemade chutney.

Now the final step — our very own Zig Zag tomato chutney has been proudly entered in the Lithgow Show this weekend!

What a wonderful example of paddock-to-plate learning and student teamwork.

At our school, creating a safe and supportive learning environment is everyone’s responsibility.

We are proud to proactively build strong, collaborative relationships among students and families to develop a shared understanding of how we can best support student learning, safety and wellbeing.

Have you spotted our new entry pencils?

These bright reminders showcase our school-wide expectations for ALL students and help set a positive tone as everyone enters our learning spaces each day.

They are a simple but powerful way to reinforce respect, responsibility, resilience and readiness to learn.

Together, through strong partnerships and clear expectations, we continue to nurture a school where every student feels safe, valued and ready to succeed.

Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students have been busy exploring 2D shapes as part of the Mathematics K–10 Syllabus from the NSW Education Standards Authority.

With curious eyes, they searched the playground to find circles, squares, rectangles and triangles in the world around them — discovering that maths is everywhere! We love seeing our students so engaged and excited about their learning!

In PE, K/1 students have been learning to play fair, follow rules and show awareness of personal space during games and activities.

It’s fantastic to see teamwork, respect and safe play in action!

Here are our 4/5 students refining their underarm throwing skills while playing the target game Finska!

Originating in Finland, the game challenged students to aim carefully, work as a team and use positive interpersonal skills as they tried to reach exactly 50 points.

Lots of strategy, encouragement and teamwork on display!

Our 5/6 class have been exploring the new music syllabus.

They have had lots of fun composing and performing rhythm patterns and polyrhythms with their friends— using clap sticks and drums; inspired by African Drumming.

We are proud to have been a part of World Read Aloud Day (WRAD).

WRAD is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February, it is a global event founded by LitWorld to promote literacy and the joy of reading. It encourages communities worldwide to gather, read aloud and share stories to build confidence and connection.

Our students gathered in our playground to read aloud to each other in full Zig Zag whole school spirit.

Easter Raffle tickiets have gone home this week.

Easter Egg donations can be left at the office.

If you would like extra tickets books please ring the office and they will be sent home with your child.

Please return all tickets sold or unsold by Wednesday 1st April.

To view more photos from our activities at Zig Zag please visit our facebook page on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/zzpublicschool/