Drummoyne Public School

Dear Drummoyne PS Community,

This week our DPS Buddy Bench received a beautiful makeover with a new sign reading “Gumal”, which means friendship in the language of the Gadigal people of the Sydney Basin. The Gumal Buddy Bench is a special reminder of the importance of kindness, connection and inclusion in our playground. Students know that when they see someone sitting there, it’s their cue to come over for a chat or invite them to play - a simple act that helps everyone feel welcome and included.

We’ve recently had a few incidents of students texting each other and home during the school day - and in some cases, parents texting students as well. We ask for your cooperation in supporting our no-use-of-devices expectation at school, as per NSW Department of Education policy on device use at school: Student use of mobile phones in schools.

Students are expected to turn off their phones or devices on arrival and keep them in their school bags until the end of the day. Smart watches or bands with communication capabilities should also not be used during school hours. Devices may be used again after school, once students have left the school grounds (with the exception of those waiting for buses, who may contact parents as needed).

We’ve always relied on a trust-based system with our students and families, rather than enforcing a formal ban. However, if students continue to disregard these expectations, we may need to consider a more formal process where devices are collected at the beginning of the day and returned at the end.

If your child needs to contact you during the day, they can do so through their teacher or the school office, and we ask that parents and carers also refrain from contacting children directly during school hours. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to reinforce these expectations and supporting the responsible use of technology at school.

Regards,

John Nguyen​

Principal 

E: john.nguyen34@det.n​sw.edu.au

On Wednesday 19th November, the Student Government has organised a gold coin donation Mufti Day fundraiser, all funds raised will go towards purchasing silicone cups for the canteen.

Come to school dressed as something that starts with the letter 'S'!

Please join us for the November P&C meeting on Tuesday 18 November from 7.30pm in the school library.

Respect awards - Rawson says congratulations to:

• Sam M - KB
• Aria V - KB
• Ted M - KP
• Yewon S - KP
• Emma J - K/1W
• Rastin A - 1/2A
• Elka C - 1/2P
• Connor E-N - 1/2W
• Dominic T - 1/2W
• Max C - 3/4A
• Oscar M - 3/4D
• Lola W - 5/6H
• Hamilton B - 5/6O

Responsibility awards - Monty says congratulations to:

• Maeve D - KB
• Monique N - KB
• Mya W - 1/2J
• Zia T-R - 1/2M
• Dominic T - 1/2W
• Charlotte M - 5/6C
• Piper M - 5/6O
• Marco T - 5/6P

Resilience awards - Bretty says congratulations to:

• Emilia D - KP
• Sam S - 1/2P
• Ebony O - 1/2W
• Patrick R - 3/4C
• Yuna S - 3/4D
• William W - 3/4X
• Ruby D-S - 5/6C
• Evelyn J - 5/6C

Mr Nguyen says congratulations to:

• Charlie W - 3/4R - Respect
• Rastin A - 1/2A - Responsibility
• Mya W - 1/2J - Responsibility
• Lola W - 5/6H - Responsibility
• Marco T - 5/6P - Responsibility

With the weather warming up, we are noticing lots of jumpers and hats being taken off and left about the school. To ensure items can be returned, please ensure your child’s name is permanently and clearly labelled on belongings such as school hats, jackets, lunch boxes, drink bottles and school bags.

Please use a permanent laundry marker to label clothes, hats and shoes, or sew or iron on personalised labels, go through your child’s bag with them regularly and check that labels haven’t faded with washing.

Regular school attendance is important for your child’s learning and social development. If your child is absent from school, you must ensure that you provide the school with a written explanation.

The School Bytes Parent App allows you to quickly and easily submit an absence notification to the school, or respond to an absence that has been recorded but not yet explained. This is especially helpful for future planned absences, such as a scheduled medical appointment.

Late arrival or early departure

Parents must come to the office and sign their child/ren in or out of school when arriving late or leaving early. This ensures student attendance is correctly recorded. Phoning ahead 10 minutes before you arrive when picking up early allows time to bring the student to the office.

Extended leave

Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays. If travel during school term is necessary, you can only submit up to 9 days leave on the School Bytes Parent App.

If travelling for 10 days or more, you will need to complete an Application to leave - travel This form is now electronic and can be completed within the forms section of School Bytes.

For more information, visit the School Bytes website and check out the "Parent Guides" for helpful FAQs and tutorials.

How to guides

Downloading the App provides real time school updates, access to online forms, upcoming event dates, payments and permissions on the go, students reports and plans, as well as being able to submit absences quickly. 

Download today:

App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/school-bytes/id6463097826  

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=education.schoolbytes

Can't download the App? The parent portal can also be accessed on a web browser:

https://portal.schoolbytes.education/auth/login

If you experience any difficulties registering or using the app, please contact our admin team at drummoyne-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.

Tapping on and off provides better data to plan better bus services.

How can you help? Please remind your child to tap on and off and ensure your child has a valid Opal card (either a School or Child/Youth Opal card) and remind them to tap on and tap off on every trip.

To apply for a school Opal card, visit https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply.  Students may see onboard bus posters and Busways Community Relation Officers at afternoon loadings.  Together let’s get students into good habits of tapping on and tapping off with their Opal card. 

Hello everyone! 

It has been kind of steady at the canteen, we are managing to navigate through the lunch orders and getting lots of support from some of the wonderful P&C members who are spending tireless hours to get us equipped to run the canteen.

A special thank you to Christine also Steve Heidi Sylvia Mariam Sandra and Evonne for their valuable time. 

Our canteen menu is going through an upgrade on flexischools - same items, new format - check it out, and let us know if you see any issues.

Kind regards,

Sivine, Anna & the Canteen Committee

The P&C will be hosting a FINAL second hand uniform sale for 2025 on Friday 28th November from 8.15am.

This is a great opportunity to clean out the cupboards and donate any items you no longer need.

Kindy 2026 parents and friends will be invited along also so they can start preparing to join us next year! There will be an opportunity to try and buy NEW uniforms at the upcoming Kindy transition morning next week, along with being about to order online via Flexischools. 

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