News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:08:41 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:34:53 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:58:34 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:20:14 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:55:27 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:39:11 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:25:39 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:46:22 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:11:39 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:41:22 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:26:38 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:20:59 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:13:16 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:24:32 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:37:39 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:04:13 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:26:50 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Annual School Self-Evaluation Survey

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:16:03 AEDT

As part of a comprehensive school evaluation of what is working well at Mount Terry PS and how we can do things even better, we are asking parents to complete an online survey that should take no longer than 10-15 minutes to complete.

As a thank you for completing the survey, your children will receive a free ice-block at school and your family will go into the draw for an $80 dinner voucher at Nardi’s Italian Restaurant. All you need to do is print off the last page of the survey, write your child’s/children’s name(s) on the page and send it to the school office. Please don’t print off any of your question responses – only the final page is required.

The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9F5S7ZD

Live links are available in our school newsletter, on the school app and on the school’s website. For those who would prefer, we will have laptops set up and available when you drop off and pick up your children from the P&C Disco next Tuesday 30^th October. You could simply complete the survey while you are there. Survey will be open until Friday 2nd November.

Transition to Kindergarten Information Evening

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:41:00 AEST

Next Tuesday evening 22 May at 6:30pm, we will be holding a Transition to Kindergarten Information Session for any parent who will be sending a child to Kindergarten in 2019. This session is not school specific so it's open to all parents, no matter which school their child will be attending next year. Come along to find out about school readiness and what you should know about enrolling in primary school. You will also hear about ways you can help prepare your child for 'Big School' and have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about transition to school.

There is no cost to attend and the session will go for approximately 1hr with tea and coffee available at the end for those who would like to stay back for a chat or to ask specific questions about their child.

We look forward to seeing many parents next Tuesday evening in the Kindergarten classrooms at Mount Terry Public School. Click on the link below for the flyer:

Transition Info Session (pdf 321 KB)

Staff Vs Student Annual Kingball

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:41:00 AEST

Staff Verses Student Kingball Competition

The staff team, once again captained by 'Fancy Feet Fownes', starred some newly recruited members: Cannonball O'Connor, Mean MacLean, Hammerhead Huppatz and Wipeout Wall, to name a few. The student team, as previously mentioned, consisted of both the first and second place teams from the student competition - many of which defeated the staff team in the 2016 competition.

The students began strongly, easily defeating the teachers Game 1. This was a learning time for some of the new players, Eg Mr O'Connor who was repeatedly in trouble with the ref. Game 2 was more evenly matched and went down to King on King, with the teachers finally scoring a win. That brought us to one all, but who would win? It all came down to the final game which proved to be very competitive indeed, as neither team was willing to give an inch. Finally, there was a break through of possession and the teachers were able to whittle away at the remaining student defenders to take the final game and the championship for 2017. The running score now from 2010 - 2017 Staff Verses Student games is: Staff 5, Students 3.

Congratulations to all staff and students who participated.

Well Done Ruby

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:41:01 AEST

It's wonderful to see and hear about the genuine caring students we have here at Mount Terry PS. Ruby, one of our Year 1 students, has donated her hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign. This campaigne uses the donated hair to make wigs for woman affected by cancer. Ruby was inspired to donate her hair after she was visiting the Sydney Children's Hospital and saw a little boy with no hair in a wheel chair and wanted to know why. After an explanation from her parents, Ruby thought she ‘could cut off her own hair for the kids with no hair'. She has also raised $1300 for the Kids with Cancer project because she wanted to help children as well. Our community is very lucky to have such caring students!

Below is the link for Ruby's donation page if you would also like to support Ruby in supporting the project.

https://charityfundraiser.everydayhero.com/au/ruby-s-hair-donation/wizard/share

K-2 Athletics Carnival

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:58 AEST

On Tuesday the 5th August the K-2 children participated in their very own Athletics Carnival. We were blessed with exceptionally warm weather and wonderful crowds to cheer on our elite athletes, (AKA parents and carers!).

All students ran races and participated in fun tabloid activities. We would like to congratulate all children on their enthusiastic participation on the day. A special mention must go to the year 6 House Captains whose assistance on the day was invaluable.

Mrs M Kirk

ISER Performing Ensemble

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:57 AEST

The ISER Performing Ensemble entertained all classes K-6 and staff. They are an amazingly talented group of students from local high schools who sing, dance and play musical instruments. We were particularly thrilled to see one of our own ex students, Caitlin, in the ensemble.

Mr Fownes also showed us he has some pretty smooth dance moves.

More information about the ISER Performing Ensemble can be found at http://www.southernarts.det.nsw.edu.au/home

2M Design and Make Toys

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:56 AEST

As part of our science unit, 2M designed and made our own toys. We look at how they moved. Can you're see which toys need pushing and which ones need pulling? We just LOVED making our toys!

Mel Kirk

Kindergarten "P" Party

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:58 AEST

This week Kindergarten came together to celebrate one of the letters that they have been learning about by having a "P" party.
The children participated in a parade in the playground and shared pizzas and poppers! Everyone was involved - even the teachers.
Mount Terry Public School had never seen so many students (and staff) in their pyjamas mixing with princess' and pirates. There were
policemen, pop-stars, pink and purple people, a present and even a member of a pit-crew!!
All the Kindergarten children had a fantastic day and enjoyed many learning and sharing experiences throughout the day. You can see more photos on the Gallery page.

Natalie Russell

Design and Make in Year 2 Science

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:57 AEST

Design and Make in Year 2 Science

Year 2 has been studying the ‘Toy World' unit this term in Science. The unit requires students to consider the ways in which toys move and why. For example toys may move by push/pull, spin or wind up. Students in 2HL worked hard over two weeks to produce a toy showcasing their knowledge in what makes toys move and the logistics behind it. Students engaged with the task and worked collaboratively with peers. Well done 2HL students, your toys look wonderful!

Mrs. Mackay

Soul Drummers

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:59 AEST

In week 2 of term 2 2014, Mount Terry PS were lucky to have the Soul Drummers come to our school to teach us about African drumming, dancing and culture.

Saul, Lucky and Phil demonstrated how to play an African djembe and let some students play the djembe as well.

Lucky taught the children about his country Ghana and showed us how to do some dancing.

The performance of Soul Drumming, dance and culture meets many of the learning outcomes found in Creative Arts, HSIE, Fitness and English Key Learning Areas.

Jason Brett

Year 2 Killalea Excursion

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:41:01 AEST

On Monday 5th May Yr 2 went to Killalea State Park as part of our HSIE Wet and Dry Environment unit of work.

We had an AWESOME day there. We investigated the old farm, the beach, the rainforest and the lagoon. We participated in activities such as mapping, sand modelling, insect identifying and collecting and even camouflage bird watching.

The staff at the Sate Park shared so much interesting information with us. We would also like to thank Mrs Hellmund for her excellent organising to get us there.

Photos from the excursion can be found on our Gallery page

Mrs M Kirk

Sadako & the thousand paper cranes 6B

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:59 AEST

6B has been studying 'Sadako & the thousand paper cranes' in an English unit about stories from other cultures. We have jointly prepared the attached poem and information report as a part of our writing. We focused on creating pictures with words so that you, the reader, are able to create a mental image from our descriptions.

Jean Boyd

Responsible Pet Program

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:58 AEST

On Thursday the 20^th of February 2014, all K-2 classes attended the ‘Responsible Pet Program.' The program aimed to educate students about many different kinds of safety in specific relation to ‘dogs'. Students learned of different scenarios that could be dangerous if and when approaching a dog (e.g. when eating, sleeping or starring in its eyes) as well as the steps needed to approach an unknown dog (with the owners permission). Some students were selected to hold up prompting signs, whilst others got to pat ‘Millie' our special visitor for the day. Students enjoyed the educational experience and were taught valuable lessons relating to everyday life.

Mrs Mackay

Swimming Carnival Report by Aliya and Gabby

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:41:00 AEST

On the 10th of February, Mount Terry students went to Albion Park swimming pool competing against each other at the swimming carnival. Students were there for the entire day competing in 100m and 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and the medley.

The new sports captains were cheering and chanting for their house and were also teaching their team a new song. Everyone that came did very well and gained confidence while a few lucky people made it to district.

By Aliya and Gabby Year 6

Welcome back

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:40:58 AEST

A big welcome back to all our families for the 2014 school year. There will be lots of exciting things happening throughout the year and plenty of opportunities for parents to be involved. I would like to welcome all of our new parents and hope that you are able to become an active member of our school learning community.

The school would like to welcome all our new Kindergarten students and their parents to Mount Terry's Learning community for the 2014 school year. It was great to see all those children who had been involved in last year's orientation sessions arrive for their "Best Start" this week in preparation to start school on Monday. We have enough new Kindergarten enrolments this year to form five full classes. This is the biggest Kinder group we have ever had to start a school year. Kindergarten parents are encouraged to join this journey and play an active role in your child's education for the next 12 years. Research shows that children are more successful at school if their families are engaged in their learning and schooling.

Paul Murray

Principal

Swimming Carnival

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:41:00 AEST

The School will hold its annual swimming carnival on Monday 10th February at Albion Park pool. The carnival has been designed to cater for all students including those who are not strong swimmers. This will be done by the introduction of some 25m races. We strongly encourage all students to attend and "HAVE A GO", especially those students who developed their skills at the swimming school last year. Every child who attends and swims is a winner. They have beaten peer pressure that influences many and they have beaten their own doubts and performed at their personal best. We ask parents to support their child/children by encouraging their participation.