Drummoyne Public School

Dear Drummoyne PS Community,

Welcome Back

Welcome back to a new school year at Drummoyne Public School! A special welcome to our new Kindergarten families - we’re so glad to have you join our wonderful school community. Our teachers have been hard at work in the four days (and also the holidays!) leading up to your children’s return, planning engaging events and activities, preparing resources and decorating classrooms to set the stage for another exciting year of learning. I’m especially excited to be starting my second year at Drummoyne - it seems like only yesterday that I was walking through the gates for the first time and getting lost in the corridors! 

Class Formation

Class formation is a complex process that takes into account many factors, including academic needs, social dynamics, student numbers and individual student development. While change can sometimes be challenging, I have been pleased to see our students adapt to their new classes with positivity, resilience and a growth mindset. These qualities are essential for lifelong learning and personal growth and it’s wonderful to see them already on display as we begin the school year.

Morning Drop-off and Supervision

A reminder that, in keeping with our school supervision policy, the school formally accepts students at 8:50am each day. We are NOT able to provide teacher supervision for students any earlier than half-an-hour before classes commence at 9:20am. To ensure the safety of all of our students before school, we ask that you please ensure that your child/ren did not arrive at school prior to 8:50am, unless they are enrolled in before-school care at Gowrie or are engaged in a before-school activity such as band practice.

The South Street gate is currently being opened for Kindergarten drop off. This practice will continue next week but, from Week 4 onwards, the only entry in the morning will be through the Rawson Avenue entrance.

Who to Contact

At Drummoyne Public School, we value open communication and encourage parents to reach out if they have any questions or concerns. To ensure your queries are directed to the right person, please refer to the following:

• Classroom, Behaviour or Learning Concerns – Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact for any questions about learning, progress, or well-being. They know your child best and can provide guidance or support.

• Stage-Related or Ongoing Issues – If you need further support beyond the classroom teacher, please contact the relevant Assistant Principal for your child's stage:

• Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten): Gaby Walsh

• Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2): Koula Mavrakis

• Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4): Kathy Xenos

• Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6): Leigh Russ

• Well-being & Additional Support – For concerns about student well-being, behavior or additional learning needs, you can access our Learning & Support Team via your child’s teacher or the Assistant Principal.

• Administrative & Enrolment Queries – For questions about enrolments, school fees, absences or general school operations, our office team (Evelyn, Nina, Kirsty & Gemma) are happy to help.

• P&C and  School Community Matters – For queries related to parent involvement, fundraising or events, you can connect with our P&C Association via  president@drummoynepublicschool.com.au

• Larger School Concerns – If your concern is broader or remains unresolved, please contact me directly. I am always happy to discuss ways we can best support your child.

If you’re unsure who to contact, please reach out to the school office (drummoyne-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au) and they will direct your query to the appropriate person. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to working together for another great year!

Regards,

John Nguyen​

Principal

E: john.nguyen34@det.n​sw.edu.au 

On Tuesday 11 February, K-6 will be participating in an AFL clinic at different times throughout the day. 

We are lucky enough to have some Sydney Swans players attending. They'll be staying until 4pm and will be happy to pose for photos and give signatures after school. 

I'll have my hand knitted red and white scarf ready to go!! 

Amanda Champion

Sports Coordinator

A quick rundown of borrowing rules here at Drummoyne P.S. for our new families and a reminder for our returning families.

All students visit the library once a week for a library lesson (these will start next week!). On their library day (teachers will let you know), students from Kindy to year 4 need to bring a library bag with them. Library bags help to protect our books from water bottles and squishy bananas.

Students also need to bring back any books they borrowed the week before, even if they haven’t finished reading them. Books can be renewed, but they need to be scanned again for them to be renewed!

Students in Kindy and Stage 1 can borrow up to 2 books per week.

Students in Stage 2 can borrow up to 4 books per week.

Students in Stage 3 can borrow up to 5 books per week.

These numbers are more a guideline than a rule!

Students are encouraged to borrow books that are age and reading level appropriate.

If students forget to bring their library bags (K – 4) and or forget to return all their previously borrowed books, they can only borrow 1 book. If students end up with 4 overdue books, they will not be allowed to borrow at all until their overdue books are returned.

Students from Kindy to year 6 are responsible for looking after their library books. Accidents happen and books can get lost. That’s ok. If something happens to the library books, please let me know, either through a short note or an email and encourage your child to let me know in library. That way we can resolve things quickly and your child will be back to borrowing in no time.

The library is open at 2nd half of lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for all students to enjoy. We have a range of great board games to play, puzzles to do and books to read. Unfortunately, students cannot borrow books at lunch times.

It can get busy in the library at lunch times and students are encouraged to have fun, but to keep things a little quieter. Sometimes we need a break from the hustle and bustle of the playground!

Please talk to your child about the books they borrow each week from the library and help them to remember to bring their books back to library. Share a story or two with them during the week or talk about what they are reading, both in class and at home for pleasure.

I look forward to a year full of books for our students!

Happy reading,

Mr Neufeld

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Thank you!

Angela Farrell

P&C President

From Term 1 the uniform shop will be open for face to face sales on Monday mornings from 9am - 10am.

All uniform shop orders are now to be placed on Flexischools.

If you need to contact the uniform shop volunteers please email:

A warm welcome to all new students and their parents joining the  Drummoyne Public School community.  A warm welcome to our returning students and parents as well. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and ready to start 2025.

A quick message to our new parents - Monty’s Munch canteen is a P&C operated service. It is a not-for-profit  service so any profit made is used for canteen maintenance or donated to the school to help with programmes eg. Playground upgrades, new school digital whiteboard upgrades, sports equipment etc. We do rely on parent volunteers for our very busy days eg. Monday, Thursday and Fridays. The help we receive is invaluable and helps keep the cost of menu items at very reasonable prices. If you can spare 30 mins, an hour a week , once a month or once a year…..it all helps!!

When volunteering in the canteen your child will receive a free lunch (main item only) or a canteen item of your child’s choice. This is a small token of our appreciation. Please wear enclosed shoes, long hair should be tied back and any cuts/abrasions are to be covered. You will need to fill in a Working with Children Form the first time you volunteer. (Please ask for a form at the Front Office)

Volunteering at the canteen really is very easy, friendly and fun. It is a chance to meet other parents, to chat and your child gets a big kick seeing you in the canteen helping. They feel very special and often bring their friends too. 

As the canteen becomes busier, we will be asking for volunteers so stay tuned! If you would like to keep in touch re volunteers and any emergency call out for help please join the DPS Canteen Volunteer WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LtMJO6wyljMEabjafi7fhL

To register to volunteer:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0B4FA5AA2EA7FBC52-47648005-dpscanteen

Lunch and recess are all on line. We use FLEXISCHOOLS: www.flexischools.com.au. There is also a Flexischool app you can download on your phone. We have over the counter service too where students can bring as little as $0.50 to buy that little extra something. Over the counter item prices from $0.50 to $3.50.

If by chance a lunch is forgotten, dropped or eaten by the birds (yes it does happen occasionally), we are here to save the day. We always have food on hand to provide lunch. We will email you to let you know with instructions on how to pay.

Canteen and P&C extend a warm welcome to our new canteen staff member, Anna. She is replacing Catherine for the short term. This is until we recruit someone longer term. Anna made some lovely Pineapple cupcakes yesterday. There is only a slight hint of pineapple and tastes delicious. Some students took part in a tasting and said they were very good! They are on the menu along with Banana cupcakes also made yesterday in the canteen. 

• Pasta and sausage Sizzle will return next week.
• Sushi will be available as a pre-order for the first Tuesday of the month. Our first being Tuesday 4th March. Orders cut off two days before.
• Butter Chicken will not be available until we have a long term replacement for Catherine.
• Frozen Fruit Juice Cups will be discontinued once they are all sold. This is to cut down on plastic and lessen sugary ice pops.
• Quelch sticks, frozen yoghurts and milo cups are all available. 

CANTEEN CLOSURE:  The canteen will be closed on Monday 10th February. An email was sent re closure.

Kind regards,Canteen and P&C Committee

To book Gowrie NSW - enrolment forms can be found on the Gowrie website:

https://www.gowriensw.com.au/out-of-hours-care/drummoyne-and-stmarks

Contact Rekkha for more information on 0436 616 744.

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