Dungog Public School Newsletter

Calendar of events

• Monday 16th March - Hunter Swimming Carnival
• 16th, 17th, 19th, 23rd & 24th March - Support Intensive Swimming
• Tuesday 17th, 24th & 31st March - Breakfast Club
• Tuesday 17th, 24th & 31st March - Learn & Grow Playgroup
• Wednesday 18th March - Junior AECG Meeting
• Wednesday 18th March - Meals on Wheels
• Thursday 19th March - P&C Welcome Disco
• Friday 20th & 27th March - Weekly PBL Assembly
• Friday 20th March - Ride 2 School Day
• Friday 20th March - Harmony Day
• Tuesday 24th March - LMG Cultural Day
• Thursday 26th March - Whole School Assembly
• Friday 27th March - Zone Cross Country
• Monday 30th March - PSSA Cricket Vs Pacific Palms
• Tuesday 31st March - U10's Rugby League Gala Day
• Wednesday 1st April - Barrangga & Ministers Lara Aged Care Visit
• Wednesday 1st April - Hunter Rugby League Trials
• Thursday 2nd April - Easter Hat Parade 2:00pm
• Thursday 2nd April - Last Day of Term 1

Principals MESSAGE

Hello Families,

The term is flying past and the next set of holidays is already in sight!

You may have seen on the news that NAPLAN has started and there were some technical issues across the state. Fortunately for us our students were not significantly effected and were able to complete their writing without issue. I have been really proud of the approach our students have taken with the mindset to just do their best. A huge thank you also to Mrs Coleman who has driven the organisation behind the scenes. It can be a high pressure responsibility and she has done an outstanding job.

As we get deeper into Term 1 can I ask that parents jump into Sentral and complete any outstanding notes and permissions from the start of the year. We have quite a few we are waiting on and it will help us finalise many of our school structures.

Speaking of notes, can I ask that our families also work to complete permission notes for events when they are due. Throughout the events to start the year we have received a significant amount of calls and emails on the day of events regarding giving permission to participate etc. This has put our staff under a large amount of pressure and made running events significantly more challenging. We don’t want our kids missing out but ask that our families keep up to date with permissions and deadlines as we will need to be much firmer moving forward.

As we near the holidays (and the colder weather) we understand that many of our families will be booking and taking family holidays. We have been looking at our attendance data for the year and seeing some huge improvements which we thank our families for continuing to support. There is a note available from the office which we use for families to notify us when they are planning a holiday that helps us track things and will stop you getting a daily text from the school. Just reach out to the office and we will be happy to send it home.

Keep an eye on Sentral and Facebook for info on our Easter celebrations which are beginning to be finalised and ramped up.

Looking forward to a strong finish to the term. Mark Cridland - Relieving Principal

Principal Awards

EARLY STAGE 1 & STAGE 1 NEWS

KP with Miss Petersen

Kindergarten have had a wonderful start to the term and have been busy learning across many areas. In English, students have begun exploring beginning phonemes and graphemes as well as learning high-frequency words to support their early reading and writing. In Mathematics, they have been practising counting numbers from 1–20 and combining groups to find the total using hands-on activities. In Science, students have enjoyed observing their bean seeds grow while learning about what living things need to survive. In Geography, they have been exploring maps and globes and identifying land, water and where Australia is located. In PDHPE, the class has been learning about what makes a good friend, how to regulate their feelings and strategies they can use when experiencing different emotions. Kindergarten have also thoroughly enjoyed gymnastics while developing fundamental movement skills such as running, balancing and galloping. Families are encouraged to support learning at home by practising fine motor skills such as cutting and name writing, and by completing the home learning tasks which reinforce classroom learning. It has been wonderful to see the curiosity, enthusiasm and learning taking place in the classroom.

1G with Miss gregory

This term in 1G, students have been busy exploring a range of exciting learning across different subjects. In English, we have been developing our comprehension skills by learning about the strategy of visualising. Students practise creating pictures in their minds while listening to or reading a text. In Mathematics, students have been learning about 2-D shapes. They are identifying and describing shapes such as squares, rectangles, triangles and circles, and noticing the features that make each shape unique. In History, students have been learning about communication in the past and present. We have explored how people shared information long ago and how communication has changed over time compared to the ways we communicate today. In Science, we are learning about metamorphosis and the life cycles of living things. Students are discovering how some animals change as they grow, such as butterflies that transform from caterpillars into butterflies through several stages. It has been wonderful to see students asking questions, sharing ideas and building their knowledge across all areas of learning.

1N with MRs NAsh

1N have had a great Term 1 so far! In English we have been working on our Imaginative Story Writing, learning all about how to create an exciting complication. In Mathematics, we have learnt how to create equal groups using division and the properties of 2D shapes. We have had so many great discussions this term in History discussing how much daily life has changed over time. Home readers go home this week, so remember to bring them in each week to improve our reading skills.

release from face to face with Mrs Long, Miss Donnelly & Mrs Windebank

We have recently been doing a lot of exploring. In Creative and Performing Arts students are learning to follow and track beats when given, both with body percussion and with percussion instruments. They have enjoyed learning about how to be safe while dancing and to ensure they stay inside their dance bubbles when performing. Science in Stage 3 has been all about adaptations. Students have been discovering what it's like to adapt and why it's so important to ensure continued survival of all living things. They've been looking further into 1 animal and the adaptations that it's body has come up with over time.

SUPPORT CLASSES NEWS

dhurrumiri with Mrs allison

This term has been full of exciting learning and new experiences for our students. We loved taking part in the Intensive Swimming Program and our Gymnastics sessions. A big thank you to Miss Maytom for helping to organise these wonderful opportunities for our students. They were fantastic experiences and the students had a great time while building their confidence and skills. In Mathematics, students have been learning about the months of the year and the seasons. We have also been exploring how to share equally by dividing and how to make groups to help us understand multiplication. During Science, we have been learning about life cycles. The students showed a lot of interest in insects and were especially curious about ants. They even learnt about something called Zombie Ants. It has been a busy and engaging term so far, and we are proud of the curiosity and enthusiasm our students bring to their learning every day!

barrangga with Miss Coleman

Barrangga has had a busy and exciting few weeks! Students have recently started their Intensive Swimming program, showing great enthusiasm as they build their confidence and develop their skills in the water. We have also been practising our ukuleles in preparation for our upcoming visit to Lara Aged Care, and the students are very excited to share their music and brighten the day of the residents. In English, we have finished reading The Spiderwick Chronicles and are now summarising key events from the story as we prepare to watch the movie and compare the similarities and differences between the book and the film. As we head towards the end of the term, it’s a great time to look back at how much we’ve learned since the start of the year and keep trying our best while showing our school values every day.

STAGE 2 & STAGE 3 NEWS

2J with Miss Muddle

The term is flying by! It has been so wonderful to see the beautiful people in 2J settle into routines, give everything a go and have loads of fun along the way. In English we have been working hard to build our vocabulary and ideas through imaginative writing. We have also been smashing our Mathematics goals and working hard to build our number knowledge. Please don't forget to bring in your homework and collect your value slips!!! Keep up the great work

2V with Mrs middlebrook

2V News – Learning, Leaping & Lighting Up Our Minds!

What a powerhouse few weeks it has been in 2V! We have been flipping, balancing and stretching our skills during our weekly Gymnastics sports sessions. From building strength to showing incredible perseverance, 2V have been giving everything their Personal Best and supporting each other like true champions. In History, we have been busy explorers - diving deep into Aboriginal Culture and learning about the arrival of the First Fleet. We’ve been asking big questions, making thoughtful connections and growing our understanding of Australia’s past. Our discussions have been respectful, reflective and full of curiosity. In Science, we are life-cycle detectives! From tiny beginnings to full growth, we’ve been investigating how living things change over time. The vocabulary and observations coming from 2V are seriously impressive! PD/H/PE has sparked some powerful conversations as we explore our rights and responsibilities and unpack what makes a good friend. Kindness, honesty, inclusion and respect have been front and centre in our classroom and it shows. Meanwhile, 2V writers have been on fire! 2V have been crafting imaginative texts and opening their stories with sizzling starts that hook the reader and grab their attention from the very first sentence. Dragons bursting from forests, mysterious cabins glowing in the dark, daring adventures - the creativity is next level! and of course, our 2V mathematicians have been busy problem-solving superstars. We’ve been exploring interesting strategies, explaining our thinking and challenging ourselves to think flexibly. The confidence in tackling tricky problems is growing every day. 2V is buzzing with energy, curiosity and teamwork. We are learning, stretching our thinking and shining bright, and we can’t wait to see what the next few weeks bring!

3M with Mrs Morgan

I was so proud of the way that 3M students represented our class and Dungog Public School during their visit to Lara Nursing Home in Week 6. The students performed a selection of feel-good songs before sharing stories with the residents, showing care, respect and maturity. 3M have impressed me with what they have already learnt in Maths so far this year! Students can read, identify place value, write and round numbers up to billions, convert kilograms to tonnes and vice versa, identify and describe 2D triangles, find the factors of a product (with the help of a times tables chart), and identify prime and composite numbers. In History, we have been exploring important topics including Human Rights, Government Policies, and the Stolen Generation, helping students build a deeper understanding of Australia’s past. A reminder for students to read every night to continue building their fluency, comprehension and a love of reading. Ask your child to give you a summary of what they have read to help them practise their summarising skills.