News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:57:12 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 13:10:16 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 16:24:50 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 16:51:12 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

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:18:34 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 13:35:08 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 11:21:47 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 11:40:40 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 14:03:55 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 11:35:47 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 12:22:21 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 15:09:30 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 15:08:30 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 14:29:58 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 13:17:18 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.

P and C News

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:30:43 AEDT

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:55:57 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 16:22:45 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.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:02:06 AEST

Kiama and Parramatta public schools hosted the launch of Education Week today.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, with (from left): Education Minister Rob Stokes; State Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee; Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott; student performers and comperes, and the Principal of Parramatta Public School, Gail Charlier (far right).

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

Education Week 2018 - Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:17:38 AEST

The future of education will be showcased in NSW public schools from August 6 – 10 as students, teachers and parents across the state celebrate Education Week 2018.

Education Week kicks off on Monday, August 6, with a simultaneous launch at Parramatta and Kiama public schools livestreamed on YouTube so all government schools and their communities can join in.

This year's theme, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the Education Week launch will be hosted by primary school students and will feature a dancing robot, student performances and a film highlighting how schools are working with their communities to solve real-world problems.

A highlight of the week is the Game Changer Challenge, in which 16 teams of students from schools across NSW will compete in a three-day design program, working alongside leading industry professionals to create the school of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today's students were learning at a time of great change.

"From the far west to our metropolitan hubs and everywhere in between, our state's schools will celebrate not only what we've achieved, but the future we are creating," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We are living in a time when the traditional walls of the classroom are opening up to new worlds of learning, paving the way for students to connect and collaborate with their peers regionally and globally."

Education Minister Rob Stokes said there had never been a more exciting time to be involved in schools with technology reshaping the way students learn and billions of dollars being invested in new school infrastructure.

"The NSW Department of Education is continually striving for improvement and innovation so that the young people in our care learn in a world-class education system," Mr Stokes said.

"The NSW Government is supporting that vision through a record $6 billion in funding to build the classrooms and schools of the future."

The Secretary of the Department of Education Mark Scott said ensuring today's students had the skills they would need to "not just survive, but thrive" in the future underpinned the department's evidence-based approach to learning.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovative teaching and learning that is being done across our State's public schools to ensure that every student can perform to their full potential," Mr Scott said.

"We don't know what the future will hold, but we do know that we are focused on equipping today's students with the skills and knowledge they will need to lead fulfilling lives in the future."

Opportunity Classes 2018

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

The application process for Year 5 opportunity class placement in 2018 is about to begin.

Important dates are as follows:

Wednesday 26 April 2017: Online applications open

Friday 12 May 2017: Online applications close

Wednesday 26 July 2017: Opportunity Class Placement Test

Parents will be able to access the online application at https://education.nsw.gov.au/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5

NAPLAN 2017

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

In May 2017 the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be completed by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN has the support of all State and Territory Education Ministers and will assess the literacy and numeracy skills of students across Australian schools.

The results of the tests will provide important information to schools about what each student can do, and will be used to support teaching and learning programs. Parents will receive a report indicating their child's level of achievement. Each student's level of achievement will be reported against the national minimum standard.

Student background information (student name, gender, date of birth, language background and Aboriginality) will be collected as part of the National Assessment Program. This information is treated confidentially and held securely to ensure that every student's right to privacy is maintained.

The NAPLAN tests will be conducted from 9-11 May 2017.

Facilities Upgrade

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:25 AEDT

Thanks to a grant received last year received from the Community Based Partnerships program, the Staff Room at Hurstville Public School was upgraded during the last holidays. As it had been many, many years since the facilities provided for staff had been improved, the new kitchen has made a huge difference and it is greatly appreciated by staff.

We thank our former local member of State Parliament, Ms Cherie Burton, for her support in recommending this grant for our school.

Changes to Enrolment Policy

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:25 AEDT

Due to the impact of increasing enrolments on the accommodation, infrastructure and programs of Hurstville Public School, changes have been made to our Enrolment Policy.

Enrolments now exceed 1,235 students, making this school one of the largest in NSW. To slow the growth of the school, we have implemented changes in line with other schools in the Inner City, Lower North Shore and Hills District where schools are experiencing the same issues with growth in student numbers.

Effective from 27 June 2016, this school will not be accepting new enrolment applications from the holders of Temporary Visas, irrespective of their local address. This does not effect students currently enrolled at the school. The siblings of Temporary Visa holders currently enrolled at Hurstville Public School and who still live in the school's catchment area, may enrol in Kindergarten at the beginning of the 2017 school year, but no new sibling enrolments will be accepted in following years. Temporary Visa holders may apply to enrol at other public schools which, depending on the availability of positions, may be able to accept their enrolment. Kingsgrove Public School is one school which would welcome enquiries from Temporary Visa holders.
Effective from 27 June 2016, families who enrol a child at Hurstville Public School from that date will not have sibling enrolment privileges for subsequent children if they move out of the local catchment area. The sibling/s will have to apply under non-local enrolment procedures, if vacancies exist at the time, or apply to their local school based on their current residential address.

The Enrolment Policy is subject to review and change.

Support Unit Food Garden Video

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

Following a successful grant application by their teacher, Mrs Dani McEvoy, our Support Unit students have created a wonderful garden. To celebrate their achievement, a Class Movie has been produced and can be viewed here:

http://www.classmoviestv.com/?movid=S9068-05-S2973-004

We are very proud of their success and hope you enjoy the video!

Opportunity Classes 2017

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

The application process for Year 5 opportunity class placement in 2017 is about to begin. Important dates are as follows:

Tuesday 26 April 2016: Online applications open

Friday 13 May 2016: Online applications close

Wednesday 27 July 2016: Opportunity Class Placement Test

Parents can access the online application at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/ocplacement

2015 Annual Report

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:25 AEDT

Our Annual Report (previously known as the Annual School Report) has now been published and can be viewed in the Our School section of our website.

We hope you find it informative!

Safety Upgrade

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

Thanks to a grant from Community Building Partnerships, we have been able to improve the safety of the external fire escape on G Block. The sides of the fire escape have been enclosed with metal mesh siding so that, in the event of an emergency, our children can evacuate the top floor of this building in safety.

Proof of Address for Enrolment

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

Parents and carers who are considering enrolling their child at Hurstville Public School need to be aware that documentary evidence must be produced to prove they are living at the home address they have provided.

Please carefully read the information on the Enrolment page of this website, under the Our School section above. Under the Department of Education's definition, "enrolment" commences when a child attends class at a particular school for the first time; lodgement of an application form is not enrolment.

Parents and carers are reminded that the information provided to the school must be accurate and current at the time the child commences school, not just at the time the Application to Enrol in a Government School form is submitted. Acceptance of the form is conditional on the child remaining eligible for local enrolment at the time they start attending classes. For students who will be enrolling in Kindergarten (and other grades) at Hurstville Public School in 2017, the forms and proof of address that are submitted in 2016 with the application form, will need to be updated - that is, the most recent documents, replacing bills and notices previously presented - at the beginning of Term 1 2017, to ensure that the child remains eligible.

We remind parents and carers that they have a legal and moral obligation to provide information which is true and accurate. It is an offence to provide statutory declarations which contain false or misleading information. Enrolments made on the basis of false information can be terminated.

It is always wise to clarify any uncertainties with the school, as the information provided word-of-mouth through the community may not be accurate.

Kindergarten Transition

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:29 AEDT

It has been wonderful to see so many students and parents at our Kindergarten Transition sessions over the last few weeks. The last transition session will be Wednesday 18th November. Please click on the links below to see the parent presentations.

Parent Presentation 1 (pdf 1006 KB)

Parent Presentation 2 (pdf 842 KB)

Parent Presentation Literacy (pdf 1689 KB)

Road Safety Campaign

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

Our Road Safety Campaign is off and running following the successful launch of our video on Monday 18 May. A special Road Safety page has been added to the Our School section of this website. Please read more about this initiative, watch the video and see some great photos taken on filming day, by opening that page or click here http://www.hurstville-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/our-school/road-safety

A huge thank you for the combined efforts of parents, teachers and students in making the video

which will be used as a teaching resource. We will soon be adding captions (which can be viewed in a variety of languages through Google Translate) and an audio description so that all visitors to our website can access this information.

School Plan 2015-2017

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

Following extensive collaboration and consultation in 2014, Hurstville Public School has set its directions for the next three years.

The School Plan 2015-2017 will be the blueprint for improving outcomes for our students. It reflects the innovation that is necessary to equip our students, staff and community with the emerging skills that will be essential for their future in an ever-changing world.

Research tells us that academic skills and knowledge are no longer enough to guarantee success: learners need new skills and abilities to sit alongside their knowledge so that they can effectively communicate what they know and use their knowledge creatively, collaboratively and critically.

As a community, we have also confirmed that high-level personal and interpersonal skills are essential for our students to live happy, fulfilling and resilient lives.

The School Plan 2015-2017 clearly identifies our priorities and strategic directions for the coming years. It is not intended to list everything that we will be doing; rather, it shows the things we will be doing differently or for the first time as we strive to improve the school experience and learning outcomes for all students at Hurstville Public School.

Please click on the link below to access the full School Plan.

School Plan 2015-2017 (pdf 290 KB)

Application for Extended Leave - Travel

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:25 AEDT

At Hurstville Public School, we have many families who travel overseas during the year and who need to be aware of new procedures regarding extended leave for the purpose of travel.

Until this recent change, students taking leave for holidays or travel during school terms were required to apply for a Certificate of Exemption. When this was granted, the student's leave was marked as an exemption and was not counted as an absence. The student's attendance figures, therefore, were not a true reflection of the days in which they were present at school, or absent.

One of the main reasons that there has been concern about student leave and absences is the recent research which shows the impact that absence has on a child's academic performance.

Dr Stephen Zubrick, from the University of Western Australia, was engaged by the Education Department of Western Australia to help establish the effect of being absent on academic performance. He examined the records of 420,000 children who were followed over a five year period, finishing in 2012. He accessed 2.4 million attendance records of students in government schools.

One of the major findings of his study was that every day counts – that, indeed, there is a clear relationship between attendance and academic performance. Each day that a child misses school has a slight impact on their academic performance, as measured in things such as NAPLAN results. These effects accumulate over time. The researchers found that absences that occurred two or three years prior to their NAPLAN results were still detectable. In Western Australia, the typical primary school student misses about 16 days of school a year, and this is fairly consistent across other Australian states. Even eight days missed each school term will add up to a whole school year by the end of primary school. Those days can be authorised or approved, or they may be unauthorised or unapproved. Dr Zubrick and his team found that the unauthorised absences have a much more dramatic impact on the NAPLAN score, but both matter.

Therefore, parents need to be very mindful and selective about taking students out of school. If it happens occasionally, research tells us there will still be an impact but it may be that alternative, rich, life experiences are being provided that have a benefit of their own. However, extended absences; travel that could be taken at other times; or repeated trips during school terms will need to be considered by the Principal and Deputy Principals to determine whether they can be justified (and approved) or are unjustified (and therefore will be recorded as an unjustified absence). In either case, these absences will be included on your child's school report and records.

Irrespective of whether your child is absent for a holiday or not, the importance of regular, punctual school attendance is undeniable. Apart from illness, children do best academically, socially and emotionally when they come to school every day.

Where possible, I encourage families to choose to travel out of school terms or, where this is not possible, to limit the length of time the child is out of school.

An Application Form for Extended Leave - Travel can be downloaded by clicking on this link: Extended Leave-Travel (pdf 85 KB). Another link is also to be found in the Attendance and Absences section of our website.

Please note: this form is to be used for domestic or overseas travel for whatever purpose (holiday, family visit, cultural celebrations, medical treatment, family bereavement, etc). Once completed, a meeting needs to be arranged with our Deputy Principals . Please bring the completed application form with you, as well as copies of any documentation such as airline ticket bookings, travel itineraries etc. If approved, a Certificate of Extended Leave -Travel will be issued to you.

Medal Award Winners

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:29 AEDT

Hurstville PS Students Shine!

Congratulations to Kevin (Y4), Tiffany (Y6) and Rudy (Y5) who scored top marks in the 2014 ICAS tests. Rudy and Kevin were amongst the highest performing students in NSW and ACT in Mathematics and Tiffany, in English.

Our students, their parents and Mrs Hewson attended the Medal Presentation at the University of New South Wales. We congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.

Kindergarten Transition

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:27 AEDT

Welcome to our new students and parents who attended Kindergarten Transition this week. Students had a wonderful time in classrooms while parents received lots of information in the hall. Please click on the link below for a copy of our presentation.

13/11/14 Parent Presentation (pdf 3645 KB)

Speech Presentation (pdf 2991 KB)

27/11 Parent Presentation (pdf 864 KB)

Literacy Presentation (pdf 1676 KB)

Uniform Update - New Winter Tunic has arrived!

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

We are delighted to see our girls wearing the new winter tunic - complete with peter pan blouse, navy tights and black shoes - which has arrived at My SchoolWear Shop. We hope to see more girls wearing this attractive and comfortable winter uniform option, which has attracted many positive comments from our community.

Official Opening of Block N

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:30 AEDT

We were delighted to have the Premier of NSW, the Hon. Mike Baird MP and the Minister for Education, the Hon. Adrian Piccoli, MP, visit our school to officially open Block N on Monday 19 May, 2014. This event marked the culmination of a very long process which has resulted in the wonderful teaching and learning facilities our students and teachers enjoy today.

Also in attendance were the Hon. Sophie Kotsis, MLC representing the Member for Kogarah, the Hon. Cherie Burton, MP; the Hon. Mark Coure, Member for Oatley; our P&C Executive; Mrs Cathy Brennan, Relieving Director, Public Schools NSW; and Ms Leanne Larcombe, Principal, Georges River College Hurstville Boys Campus.

Our School Captains, Anthony and Tian, were the comperes of the ceremony and performed their role with great confidence. They were most worthy representatives of our student body.

There is a gallery of photos of the day on our website, to which we will add as more photos are made available to us.

Help Us Plan our Playground Upgrade

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:23:25 AEDT

Our next major project is to plan the upgrade of our playground facilities. Now that the building work has been completed, we have a blank slate on which to create an inclusive, attractive, stimulating, safe and engaging area for our students in which to play and learn.

Our plan is to to collect the ideas of staff, students and parents, then develop a whole-school plan which will be costed and prioritised for commencement as soon as practicable after that.

Your thoughts and suggestions are very important to us. We have some survey results from last year to guide our planning, and a new survey attached under Photo 6 Below. Please think about how we can use the whole of our playground to better meet the needs of our students. In particular, please consider:

* shade

* shelter

* seating

* fitness

* creative play

* active play

* team activities

* passive (quiet) area

* environmental play

* inclusive areas for students of all abilities

* learning areas

We will take your feedback into consideration. We will also need to be mindful of safety, Department of Education and Communities' policies and procedures, maintenance and access issues, and our budget!

Here are some photos of our school site as it is currently. They may be of help in considering what most needs to be done.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

If you have suggestions for improving our playground, please either email them to the school on hurstville-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au with the subject heading "Playground Upgrade" or complete the attached form and return it to school with your child. We ask for your suggestions to be returned by Friday 30 May.

Playground Upgrade Parent Survey (pdf 42 KB)