Dudley Public School Newsletter

Welcome back to school for what is set to be a wonderful and fast paced term of learning. Term 4 is always an exciting term as we begin our orientation processes for next year’s Kindergarten students, whilst we begin our transition for Year 6 students moving on to highschool. Assessment and reporting will be a key focus for staff alongside preparing for the end of year celebratory events to wrap up 2023. Please ensure you keep up to date with the latest news from school via our newsletter, Audiri app and Sentral Parent Portal.  

The new School Bytes software is now live across our school. We are using School Bytes for student finance and permission notes at this point in time. We will move across to School Bytes for attendance and academic reports next year. There is also now a smart phone app which is now live and can be downloaded from your app store. We will provide more details on how best to set up the app in our next newsletter, particularly around enabling notifications. Many thanks for your support and cooperation as we transition to this new system.  

It's that time of the year when our staff are commencing the complicated process of creating possible class models for next year, based on anticipated enrolment numbers for 2024. The number of classroom groupings we can offer at Dudley Public School each year is entirely dependent on student enrolments. Enrolment numbers in each grade fluctuate from year to year and this has a significant impact on class groupings.  Our teachers consider the individual academic and social-emotional needs of all students throughout this process, maintaining a focus on achieving the best possible learning outcomes for all of our students. We offer parents and carers the opportunity to provide specific information which you would like our teachers to consider in the process of class formation in 2024. All information provided by parents and carers will be considered but should not be viewed as guaranteed. If you have any information considered pertinent to your child’s class placement next year, including social, emotional, physical or academic factors, please email the school with any information that may be required to ensure success for 2024 by the end of Week 4 of this term. 

If you know your child will not be returning to Dudley PS in 2024, could you please notify the office via email at your earliest possible convenience.

The weather has begun to brighten up with average temperatures climbing from week to week. This is a timely reminder around our school expectations on wearing a hat. The NSW Department of Education has a sun safety policy which we enforce here at school. Research indicates that skin damage which can lead to cancer in adults is most often from sunburn in the first 15 years of a person’s life. Our Uniform policy outlines that each child should wear a black wide brimmed school hat during playtimes and sport activities when outside in the elements. Please ensure that your child has the correct hat each day for school; no caps or recreational hats please.

We had the privilege today of welcoming some of our new Kindergarten 2024 students and their families into our school today for a school tour. It was a great opportunity to meet new faces and become a bit more familiar with the school grounds. The Kindergarten 2024 orientation program continues over the next 3 Wednesdays with students visiting the classroom and becoming confident in preparation for their move to ‘Big School’ next year.  

Have a wonderful week, 

Kind Regards, 

Chad Tsakissiris 

Principal 

Every year the P&C contributes thousands of dollars to the school to help fund learning resources and equipment. This year we have already contributed over $20,000 and the P&C has pre- approved the spending of more funds to go on exciting projects such as new lighting for the hall, the school band, and a new solar panel system! This is why our fundraising is so important. Many of the luxuries that our students get to enjoy at DPS wouldn’t be possible without our fundraising and your support.

We are always keen to hear from anyone who is interested in getting involved or has suggestions and ideas. Please get in touch:

General business: dudleyschoolpandc@gmail.com

Canteen: dudley.canteen@gmail.com

Uniform shop: dudley.uniformshop@gmail.com

Fundraising: dudley.fundraising@gmail.com

Keep up to date via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DudleyPandC

The best way to find out what’s happening at the school and within the P&C is to become a member (you’ll receive meeting agendas and minutes via email) and/or come along to a meeting held at 7pm on Mondays in weeks 3 and 7 of each term in the library and via zoom.

To join, simply bring $2 to a meeting or transfer $2 to the account below and email dudleyschoolpandc@gmail.com to advise of payment and provide contact details.

Name: Dudley P&C

BSB: 032-513

ACC: 338 433

Ref: First and Last Name.

Towards the end of last term, the garden club planted out some indoor plants. It was nice to have everyone take a little plant to love at home. Most of these plants were small cuttings and will grow in just water. They will eventually grow roots and be ready for a pot. Plants are magical!

On the last Wednesday of Term 3, Eight Stage 3 students went to Pelican Foreshore for a Grime Scene Investigation day. We tested all the components of the foreshore that could have grime. First, we tested the pH and the cleanliness of the water. We discovered that the sea water was dirtier than the drain water. Next, we tried to build ways to stop erosion. It wasn't easy, but we found a way. Finally, we found microplastics in the sand. We had a really great time and discovered a lot about the foreshore.

Written by Piper