News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:08:31 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 13:34:32 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 16:57:50 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 17:19:57 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 17:19:53 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 13:39:07 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 11:25:36 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 11:46:18 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 14:11:33 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 11:41:17 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 12:26:35 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 15:20:49 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 15:13:12 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 15:24:24 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 13:37:12 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 15:04:06 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 16:26:47 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.

Education Week Open Day - Tuesday, 7 August 2018

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 20:50:03 AEST

PSSA for Friday, 27 July 2018

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 20:50:06 AEST

The venues for PSSA this Friday, 27 July 2018 are:

* Netball - Cintra Park, Concord - Skill development games.

* Boys Soccer - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Croydon) - This match is a friendly match. The finals will be conducted next week.

* Girls Soccer - Centenary Park, Croydon (vs Concord West) - This match is a friendly.

* Touch Football - Mason Park, Homebush (vs Strathfield North)

Junior games usually commence at 12:30pm and Senior games usually by 1:15pm.

PSSA for Friday, 18 May 2018

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 20:50:06 AEST

The venues for PSSA this Friday, 18 May 2018 are:

* Netball - Cintra Park, Concord (vs Abbotsford A)

* Boys Soccer - Mason Park, Homebush (vs Homebush)

* Girls Soccer - BYE (training at Majors Bay Reserve, Concord)

* Touch Football - BYE (training at Majors Bay Reserve, Concord)

Junior games usually commence at 12:30pm and Senior games usually by 1:15pm.

PSSA for Friday, 4 May 2018

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 20:50:07 AEST

The venues for PSSA this Friday, 4 May 2018 are:

* Netball - Cintra Park, Concord (vs Croydon Park A)

* Boys Soccer - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Haberfield)

* Girls Soccer - St Luke's Oval, Concord (vs Concord West)

* Touch Football - Pratten Park, Ashfield (vs Croydon)

PSSA for Friday, 16th March 2018

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

* Junior and Senior Cricket - Henley Park, Enfield (vs Ashfield)

* Junior Boys and Junior Girls T-Ball - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Strathfield South)

* Senior Boys and Senior Girls Softball - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Abbotsford)

Please note: This will be the final round of Summer PSSA for this term. Summer PSSA will recommence on Friday, 7.9.18.

Trials for Winter PSSA teams will commence next week.

PSSA for Friday, 2nd March 2018

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches (2.3.18) are as follows:

* Junior and Senior Cricket - Henley Park, Enfield (vs Croydon Park)

* Junior Boys and Girls T-Ball - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Strathfield Nth)

* Senior Boys and Girls Softball - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Strathfield Nth)

Please note: The venue for T-ball matches has changed due to the upgrading of St Lukes Oval.

PSSA for Friday, 23rd February 2018

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA (23rd February 2018) are as follows:

* Junior Boys and Girls T-Ball - Campbell Park, Chiswick (vs Abbotsford)

* Senior Boys and Girls Softball - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (vs Newington)

* Junior and Senior Cricket - Henley park, Enfield (vs Burwood)

PRESENTATION DAY - Monday 4.12.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

Presentation Day ceremonies will be held in the school hall on Monday, 4th December 2017.

Times are as follows: K-2 Ceremony 9:45am to 11:25am (or completion).

3-6 Ceremony 11:45am to 2:00pm (or completion).

We look forward to parents and community members joining with us to celebrate another successful year of learning.

PSSA for Friday, 1.12.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

The final round of Summer PSSA will be played this Friday, 1.12.17.

Girls Softball and T-Ball will be playing Croydon PS at Henley Park, Enfield.

The Cricket teams have no game and will be training at Majors Bay Reserve.

Thank You Breakfast

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:33 AEDT

A Thank You Breakfast for parents, community members and volunteers who have assisted throughout the year will be held this Wednesday morning in the school hall commencing at 8:30am. Feel free to pop in for a breakfast snack, coffee and a chat.

PSSA for Friday, 24.11.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

PSSA for this coming Friday (24.11.17) is as follows:

* Softball and T-Ball vs Newington at Campbell Park, Chiswick.

* Cricket have no game - training only.

PSSA for Friday, 3.11.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

Venues for this Friday's PSSA games (3.11.17) are as follows:

Cricket - Campbell Park, Chiswick.
Softball/T-Ball - Campbell Park, Chiswick.

PSSA for Friday, 20.10.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

Venues for this Friday's PSSA (20.10.17) are as follows:

* Cricket - Henley Park, Enfield

* Softball/T-Ball - Henley Park, Enfield

Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement Tests

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:31 AEDT

Some primary schools across NSW offer places in ‘opportunity classes' for gifted and talented students in Years 5 and 6. To be considered for placement students must sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test. For information about applying and the placement process go tohttps://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5.

Selective high schools cater for the specific needs of high achieving gifted students who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic and social level. Selective schools help gifted and talent students to learn by grouping them with other gifted and talented students, teaching them in specialised ways and providing educational materials at the appropriate level. Parents apply when the student is in Year 5. The students sit the test in March of Year 6.

To be considered for placement students must sit the Selective High School Placement Test. For information about applying and the placement process go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7.

Some selective high schools have vacancies in Years 8 to 12. Applications open in late June for placement the following year. For information about applying and the placement process go tohttps://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/years-8-to-12.

Summer PSSA Recommences - Friday, 13 October 2017

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:32 AEDT

Summer PSSA recommences for term 4 on Friday, 13,10.17. Venues are as follows:

* Cricket- Mason Park, Homebush.

* Softball/T-Ball- Campbell Park, Chiswick.

Summer PSSA for Friday, 22.9.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:32 AEDT

Venues for this Friday's PSSA are as follows:

* Cricket - vs Five Dock PS at Timbrell Park, Five Dock.

* Softball/T-Ball - vs Homebush PS at Mason Park, Homebush.

Summer PSSA Recommences - Friday, 15.9.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:32 AEDT

After a successful Winter season which saw the Senior Girls Soccer team being declared joint premiers, Summer PSSA will recommence this Friday, 15th September 2017. Venues for this Friday are as follows:

* Cricket: vs Croydon PS at Centenary Park, Croydon

* Girls Softball/T-Ball: vs Marie Bashir PS at Strathfield Park, Strathfield

A copy of the updated Summer draw can be found under PSSA Draws in the Sport/PSSA section of the website.

Free Tickets to the NRL courtesy of the Premier's Sporting Challenge

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:25 AEDT

Winter PSSA- Friday, 18.8.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

* Girls Netball - Cintra Park, Concord (friendly match).

* Boys Soccer - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (friendly match).

* Girls Soccer - Timbrell Park, Five Dock (grand final vs Abbotsford).

* Boys Touch Football - Majors Bay Reserve, Concord (training).

Well done to the Senior Girls soccer team on reaching the Grand Final.

Winter PSSA- Friday, 11.8.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA are as follows:

Girls Netball - Cintra Park, Concord
Boys Soccer- Majors Bay Reserve, Concord
Girls Soccer- Timbrell Park, Five Dock
Boys Touch- Blair Park, Croydon

Winter PSSA- Friday, 4.8.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

Girls Netball- Cintra Park, Concord
Boys Soccer- Majors Bay Reserve, Concord
Girls Soccer- Timbrell Park, Five Dock
Boys Touch- Blair Park, Croydon

Winter PSSA for Friday, 28.7.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this coming Friday's PSSA matches (28.7.17) are as follows:

Girls Netball- Cintra Park, Concord.
Boys Soccer- Queen Elizabeth Park, Concord.
Girls Soccer- Hammond Park, Ashfield.
Boys Touch- Mason Park, Homebush.

Education Week Open Day - Thursday, 3rd August 2017

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:25 AEDT

Come and join us to celebrate public school education at Mortlake.

We will begin festivities with a concert in the hall, showcasing our talented school orchestra, junior and senior choirs, and our school spectacular Irish dance group.

All Mortlake students will then participate in a book character parade in the north playground. Choose your favourite character from your favourite book and get creative Mortlakians!

Parents, grandparents and friends, you are then invited to visit classrooms to witness the wonderful learning that happens at Mortlake.

Finally, make sure you've packed a picnic lunch to enjoy with your children on our beautiful playground.

The library will be open from 9:00am onwards, there will be a range of books available for purchase to contribute to our ever growing library of books.

Open Day Details (pdf 171 KB)

Winter PSSA for Friday, 21.7.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

Girls Netball- Cintra Park, Concord
Boys Soccer- Campbell Park, Chiswick
Girls Soccer- Centenary Park, Croydon
Boys Touch- Mason Park, Homebush

Winter PSSA for Friday, 30.6.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

Girls Netball- Cintra Park, Concord
Boys Soccer- St Lukes Park, Concord
Girls Soccer- Ashfield Park, Ashfield
Boys Touch- Blair Park, Croydon

Winter PSSA for Friday, 23.6.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

* Girls Netball - Cintra Park, Concord

* Boys Soccer - Queen Elizabeth Park No2, Concord

* Girls Soccer - Timbrell Park, Five Dock

* Boys Touch - Mason Park, Homebush.

Winter PSSA for Friday, 16.6.17

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

The venues for this Friday's PSSA matches are as follows:

* Girls Netball - Cintra Park, Concord

* Boys Soccer - St Lukes Park, Concord

* Girls Soccer - Ashfield Park, Ashfield

* Boys Touch - Mason Park, Homebush.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL IS ON!

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

Both the K-2 Carnival and 3-6 Carnival will be on tomorrow, Wednesday 14.6.17. The venue for the carnivals is St Lukes Oval, Concord. Parking is available in the carpark located off Crane Street.

Friday's PSSA Matches - 19.5.2017

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:26 AEDT

Due to the closure of Bressington Park by Strathfield Council, the venue for the boys soccer matches this coming Friday (19.5.17) has changed to St Lukes Park, Concord. The Winter PSSA Draw has been updated to show the new venue.

Winter Fair news and updates

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:33 AEDT

The Winter Fair is fast approaching. Click here to read about all of the developments, stalls and donation dates to get involved. Thank you to all of the amazing parents who are organising this wonderful day.

MOSHC School Holiday Activities

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:29 AEDT

Please find below our Vacation Care Program for the upcoming school holiday period.

Schedule of MOSHC School Holiday Activities

Mandarin Stars Language Club

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:28 AEDT

NEW Mandarin Language Club at

Mortlake Public School for Term 2!

The Mandarin Stars program offers:

- Specialist Mandarin programs for both native and second language learners of Mandarin.

- An engaging program that will inspire a love for learning Chinese.

- An immersion based program that teaches strong listening and speaking skills in Mandarin.

- Language building activities such as role play, Chinese songs, rhymes and games!

- The teaching of Chinese characters, reading, writing and Pin Yin.

- The discovery of Chinese history, culture, festivals, Calligraphy, Tai Chi and even Kung Fu!

Click here for more details on the program.

MORTLAKE OSHC CENTRE Holiday Programs April 2015

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:28 AEDT

Click here to see the programs available at Mortlake OSHC during the school holidays.

School holidays girls soccer clinic

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:31 AEDT

Come and learn some tricks from W-League players and work on your skills these school holidays.

Suitable for girls aged 8-15 years, these clinics will boost your knowledge of football (soccer) and develop your ability. Coaching focuses on the following areas:

¿ Passing ¿ Game play ¿ Dribbling ¿ Shooting ¿ Defending ¿ Playing as a team

Click here for an enrolment form.

Mortlake OSHC Centre School Newsletter August 2014

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:28 AEDT

Click here for the August newsletter from OSHC.

Invitation to Farewell Ms Attard

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:26 AEDT

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

On Wednesday 20th August at 8.45am in the school hall we will be farewelling Ms Attard.

Please feel free to join us on this morning.

Elizabeth Bransgrove &Staff Elaine Huber & P&C

Win two tickets to the NRL grandfinal as well as two signed Premiership jerseys

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:33 AEDT

The NSW Premier's Sporting Challenge Principal Sponsor, NRL's One Community is offering all students participating in the 2014 NSW Premier's Sporting Challenge Primary and Secondary School Sport Challenges the chance to win a family pass (four x Gold tickets) to attend the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, as well as two signed Premiership jerseys, one for you and one for your school.

The NRL Grand Final will be held on Sunday October 5 at ANZ Stadium.

For the chance to win, tell us in 100 words or less why Rugby League is the ‘greatest game of all'.

Entries are to be completed on the entry form below and emailed to

psc@det.nsw.edu.au by 5pm Monday 8th September 2014. To be eligible to win, all entries must include your full name, year and school and the school must be registered in the 2014 NSW Premier's Primary or Secondary School Sport Challenge.

Please note: Transport to Sydney will be provided in the event a student from a regional school wins. The competition winner and school Principal will be notified on Friday 12

th September.

Click here for an entry form

Bayside Kids Holiday Program

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

Please click here to download the Bayside Kids Holiday Program brochure and see what amazing activities are on offer these holidays for your children!

Bush Fire Relief Concert Reminder!

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:25 AEDT

Please click here to find out the details for the Bush Fire Relief Concert, to be held on the 14th June.

Mortlake Winter Family Fair

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:28 AEDT

The Mortlake Winter Family Fair is fast approaching... Don't miss out on all the fun, games and food!

Click here to find out all the details.

Walk Safely to School Day 2014

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:33 AEDT

On Friday 23rd May 2014, Mortlake Public School celebrated Walk Safely to School Day. Councillor Tony Fasanella visited our school and spoke to the students about road safety and the benefits of walking to school or work. We had a great morning receiving stickers from Councillor Fasanella for walking to school.

Revised PSSA Draw

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:31 AEDT

Click here for the revised Winter PSSA draw.

ANZAC Service

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

The ANZAC service at school was a moving tribute the thousands of Australians who have served our country in times of war.

We were fortunate to have Mr Bob Turner from Concord RSL attend our service yesterday and whole- heartedly agree with his comments that this year's service exceeded the high standards that he has come to expect from Mortlake Public School.

Stage 2 Incursion

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:31 AEDT

On 26th March, Stage 2 participated in an incursion as part of their HSIE unit ‘Community and Remembrance'. They were visited by Linda Hambley-The Aboriginal Education and Engagement Officer and Aunty Carol the DEC ACLO.

The focus of the visit was for the children to develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture and in particular the original inhabitants of our community. The visit also looked at the purpose of the Acknowledgement of Country as a protocol that Aboriginal people followed when crossing land belonging to other tribes.

Our school leaders later sat with our visitors who helped them write their own Acknowledgement of Country.

Overall, the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the highlight being singing with Aunty Carol and looking at the Aboriginal artefacts.

Kindergarten 2014 Website

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:27 AEDT

The Kindergarten 2014 website will launch on Friday 7th March. This new website will give parents and community members an insight into what kindergarten students get up to while at school. The website will be updated regularly with current information, photographs, quotes and work samples. Please visit the website at www.mortlakekindergarten.weebly.com or click on the following link.

Kindergarten 2014 Website

Canteen and Uniform Shop Closing Dates

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:25 AEDT

The Canteen and uniform shop will close from Monday 9^th until 18^th December 2013

Uniform shop will open on Tuesday 28^th January between 9am – 11am (Pupil free day)Cathy Scanlan

Mortlake PS canteen and uniform shop coordinator

Stage 3 Art Display

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:32 AEDT

The Stage 3 Art Display, which was organised by Mrs Murray, saw the hall looking bright and colourful. Please follow the link below to view photographs of the artistic interpretations by our clever Stage 3 students.

Stage 3 Art Display Photos

NAIDOC week assembly

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:29 AEDT

17th July 2013

Mortlake Public School celebrated NAIDOC week by painting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags. Enjoy the footage of every student contiributing to the flags and the angelic voices of 1D as we share this celebration.

Superhero Day

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:32 AEDT

A big thank you to Jessica for organising Superhero Day to raise money for Bear Cottage. Thank you to students and teachers dressed up in their favourite superhero costumes to participate in the fun event!

Regional School Ambassador

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

A huge congratulations to Jessica for being selected as a Regional School Ambassador. Out of 276 students in the Strathfield network, Jessica was one of 10 students selected. Well done!

Book your parent/teacher interviews here

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

We have scheduled a Parent/Teacher interview afternoon to allow you to consult with your child's teacher. This has been arranged for Wednesday, 24 July 2013. On this day, your child's teacher will be available for interview by appointment. Interviews will be conducted in your child's class and are of 10 minutes in duration.

Additional reading and maths interviews for stage 2 will be conducted early next term. A note will advise parents of times and days available for these interviews.

To co-ordinate the interviews we have employed an online booking system to assist parents in securing their preferred interview times. The procedure is as follows:

If you wish to see you child's teachers, you need to secure an appointment time using this system. If you do not have access to the internet your local library may be able to help, or alternatively you can call the school office.
The booking system will only be accessible from Monday, 24 June, 2013 through to 23 July, 2013. No interview request will be accepted outside of these times.

The following link provides you with step by step instructions on how to book your parent/teacher interview:

How to book your interview

Please follow the link below to proceed to the booking process.

Parent/Teacher Booking

Harmony Day

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:26 AEDT

Harmony Day 21st March 2013

To celebrate Harmony day children wore splashes of orange with their uniform to show that they support diversity. It opened up discussion for children to gain an understanding of diversity. If you are wanting to investigate Harmony day more at home visit http://www.harmony.gov.au/

Congratulations to all of the children who made a poster, they were all marvelous and showed an understanding of all cultural backgrounds belonging.

Happy Harmony Day

Know Waste

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:27 AEDT

On Tuesday 12th March students at Mortlake participated in a talk about sustainability at school.

Clean Up Australia Day

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:25 AEDT

Due to wet weather Mortlake's Clean Up Australia Day was postponed to Friday 8th March. After missing out the week before, students were very eager to get outdoors and clean up the playground. Each class wore gloves and cleaned up their designated area. Thank you to Mrs Di Donato for organising the event, the students really enjoyed it!

Zone Swimming Carnival

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

On Tuesday 5th March a number of students represented Mortlake at the Zone Swimming Carnival. Students performed very well at this event and we are very proud of their efforts.

We had a number of students make it to the finals.

Freestyle: Angus, Jai, Ben, Jordan, Kyla and William

Breaststroke: Ben, Kyla, Christian and Katherine

Backstroke: Kyla and William

Butterfly: Kyla, Zhane and William

Congratulations to these students and well done!

Our senior girls relay team also made it to the finals and have qulaified to compete in the regional carnival. A very special congratulations goes to Kyla, Katherine, Sabrina and Holly for a fantastic team effort! We wish you all the very best when competing at regionals!

The Sydney East Area Regional Carnival will be held on Monday 11th March at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre in Homebush.

Good luck girls!!

Minister Visit

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:28 AEDT

The Environment and Heritage Minister, Hon Robyn Parker MP, came to visit Mortlake on Thursday 28^thFebruary to launch a new website. She outlined all the new material on the website, informing teachers of resources and ideas on ways of how to lead a sustainable life. Did you know that NSW currently fills up an Olympic Pool in just food waste every 9 hours?! It is important to teach students ways in which we can be sustainable in our everyday lives. The students took part in a formal assembly led by the school leaders. Here Isabella outlined some of the great projects the environmental committee are organising around the school to promote sustainability at school. Students received a mini recycling bin to take home for their personal use. Thank you to the Hon Robyn Parker MP, the Office of Environment and Heritage and Mr John Sidoti MP for visiting and choosing our school to launch the website.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainableschools/

Swimming Carnival

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:33 AEDT

What a great day Mortlake had at the swimming carnival on Wednesday 27^thFebruary. It was a beautiful warm day, perfect weather conditions at Auburn Swimming Centre. A big thank you to Ms Bastianon for organising such a well-planned event. The carnival ran very smoothly and the students seemed to have a wonderful time. There was a high rate of participation by students, the most we've had in recent history. Also, thank you to all the teachers and parent volunteers for participating and ensuring students were safe at all times.

*Breaking news* in the Girls 11years 50m Freestyle. Kyla broke the record by almost 2 whole seconds. The last time this record was broken was in 2002! Congratulations Kyla!

There will be an upcoming assembly where students will be awarded ribbons based on their times and the winning house will also be announced.

New classroom

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:29 AEDT

The K-2 students were buzzing with excitement this morning with the arrival of our new classroom. The demountable came in four pieces and was swiftly assembled together by a team of experts and an impressive crane. Both teachers and students are looking forward to stepping inside the new addition that is located at the southern end of the school.

Debating team regional champions!

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:25 AEDT

On Thursday 29th November Mortlake Public School competed against Old Guildford Public School. The topic was 'Sporting heros make bad role models' and our students were on the affirmative. The students conducted themselves very well. Thank you to Mrs Emmans for all your hard work coaching and leading the students thoughout the year. Congratulations to the Mortlake deabating team!

12.10.12 - PSSA Washed Out

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:23 AEDT

PSSA is not on today (Friday 12 October) due to the rain.

Recorder Concert

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

On the 30th of August 2012, the recorder group participated in The Mimosa Instrumental Concert at the Opera House. There were 5 children from Mortlake Public School that participated. They were, Daisy B, Mia B, Axel C, Nathaniel H and Desiray L. These five outstanding students were taught by Mrs Knight.

The day started off by catching the train to Circular Quay. Then we had a rehearsal at the Opera House. Mortlake students were so lucky to be taken on a tour by our recorder conductor Susan Sukar.

Afterwards, we had a delicious afternoon tea of chocolate biscuits, prawn crackers, lollies and poppers.

Then we had a chance to run around the Botanical Gardens, doing races and blowing bubbles.

Soon after that, we walked down to Circular Quay to have dinner at Rossini's. We met our parents at the restaurant and had a little play.

Finally we walked back to the Opera House and sat in our seats. Suddenly the lights went down and the concert began. Then the magic of music filled the Opera House. It was outstanding and every single adult and child was dazzled by the amazing music.

After the concert we met up with our parents and went home.

We were all so tired, but we would gladly do it all over AGAIN!!!

By the AMAZING Recorder Group

Jiyun L - Regional Director's Primary Visual Arts Competition

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:26 AEDT

A big congratulations to Jiyun L from 5/6B who has received a Visual Arts Scholarship of $100 for her artwork Harmony, as part of the Regional Director's Primary Visual Arts Competition.

Jiyun's artwork is one of 10 selected as Highly Commended and her artwork will be displayed in the School Education Director's offices located across the region. It will also be displayed at the Director's Choice event in November and then become part of the permanent art collection for the South Western Sydney Region.

We are confident that this is the first of many artworks of Jiyun's that will be displayed in a gallery. Congratulations again Jiyun!

Triple P

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:33 AEDT

Parents in our school community have asked for information about Triple P practitioners in our local area. If you head to this website you can find the closest practitioners to the school.

If you are unfamiliar with Triple P, head to the website or read information taken from the website below:

Triple P suggests simple routines and small changes that can make a big difference to your family. It helps you understand the way your family works and uses the things you already say, think, feel and do in new ways that:

Create a stable, supportive and harmonious family.
Encourage behaviour you like.
Deal positively, consistently and decisively with problem behaviour.
Build positive relationships with your children, so that conflict can be resolved.
Plan ahead to avoid or manage potentially difficult situations.
Take care of yourself as a parent.

While Triple P is almost always successful in improving child behaviour problems, more than half its emphasis is on developing positive attitudes, skills and behaviour. This helps prevent problems arising and fosters family relationships that encourage children to realize their full potential.Triple P has been developed and scientifically proven over 30 years by The University of Queensland Parent and Family Support Centre, with international collaboration. The system is widely in use throughout Australia and increasingly, throughout the world.

Rhodes Shopping Centre School Dollars

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:31 AEDT

The school is taking part in the Rhodes Shopping Centre School Dollars competition.

Information regarding the competition is as follows (taken from rhodesshoppingcentre.com.au):

Simply shop at Rhodes Shopping Centre to help support a local school.

It's as easy as 1,2,3...

Step 1. Shop at any store in Rhodes from Monday 3 September 2012 until Friday 30 November 2012 and take your receipt to the Customer Service Desk located on the Ground Floor.

Step 2. Receive your School Dollar Vouchers and place into the school barrel of your choice located on level 1.

Step 3. The school with the highest dollar spend per student head will be rewarded up to $10,000 in cash and/or products chosen by the school.

Name our newsletter competition

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:29 AEDT

Along with a visual update to our school newsletter, we would like to give our newsletter a more interesting name than just Newsletter.

We would love this new name to come from a student, so will be running a newsletter naming competition. We will be accepting nominations for the name of our new school newsletter until the end of Term 3.

The winner will have their name published in the next, newly titled, newsletter.

The entry form can be found on the last page of our August newsletter, which can be found here.

Receive the newsletter via email

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:30 AEDT

As part of our revamp of our school newsletter, we would like to forgo sending out printed copies in favour of sending newsletters to our school community via email. Electronic distribution is a much better method of communication with families as it allows the school community to enjoy a coloured and more extensive newsletter without the environmental impact of substantial paper usage.

We would appreciate it if you could take a minute of two and fill out the slip found on the last page of our August newsletter so we can add you to our school newsletter email list. The school will only use this email list to send out school newsletters and your email address will not be displayed.

Only one slip needs to be completed per family. If more than one family member would like the newsletter emailed, please write in the second email address on the slip below.

We will send out a printed copy of the next newsletter to families that have not completed the slip, but would like to transition away from doing so.

If you do not receive the next newsletter via email and have handed in the slip, please first check your junk mail. If it hasn't come through, please let the school know so we can update our email list.

The August newsletter with the applicable slip can be found here.

Life Education

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:28 AEDT

The Life Education van will be visiting our school from Monday 17 September until Thursday 20 September.

This program is a positive, preventative approach to drug abuse and a healthy lifestyle, which emphasises the wonder of the human body.

A copy of the permission note can be downloaded here.

Ashton - PSSA NSW Boys Hockey State Championships

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

Ashton represented Mortlake Public School in the Sydney East Schools Sports Association Junior Boys Hockey team in The NSW PSSA Boys Hockey State Championships from Tuesday 26th June - Thursday 28th June at the Cooke Hockey Centre Bathurst NSW.

It was a fabulously exciting week of hockey. The grounds were covered with misty fog as the players emerged early morning like players in a scene from Lord of the Rings and the temperature they played in was from 1-6 degrees most days!

Ashton played an extremely strong defence position throughout the exciting competitive matches over the three days, dominating the opposition and defending many attempted goals. He was particularly strong in the short corners and gave Sydney Easts Hockey Team a strong defence line to be reckoned with!

One of the most rewarding aspects of the State Championships was the team ethics and sportsmanship that all players demonstrated. Their coach Joy Smith was a wonderful leader and helped the boys unite strongly as a team, a remarkable result when they had in total 6 hours of training pre competition!

Ashton made many new friends in his team and they shared some great experiences, they drew the first two matches 2 all, were defeated in the third match 4 / 1 then demonstrated an amazing feat - through pure team unity and psychological sport will power - Sydney East beat their opponents in a 10 nil match win! That game placed them 1 goal away from the semis and enabled Sydney East Hockey team to finish as the top Sydney Team in the state of NSW!

Catherine W

Olympic Fun Day - 08.08.12

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:29 AEDT

The school leaders have organised an Olympic Fun Day to clelebrate the start of the Olympics in London. On August 8^th 2012, come dressed in a sporting outfit of either the country you're supporting or your nation's colours. Please bring a gold coin donation towards the Year Six Farewell.

Download the original note here (pdf 139 KB)

Woolworths Earn & Learn

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:34 AEDT

We are excited to be taking part in the 2012 Woolworths Earn & Learn program. From now until August 122012, you can collect stickers at Woolworths that go towards Earn & Learn points. For every $10 you spend at Woolworths (excluding the purchase of tobacco, liquor and gift cards), you will receive a sticker. These stickers can then be given to your children to collect on the special sticker card that was given to them on June 5. Once it is completed, they can simply bring it back to school and give it to their class teacher or you can drop them into your local Woolworths collection box at the front of the store.

The more points we earn, the more we can redeem from a choice of over 7,000 educational resources including mathematics and English resources, art & crafts materials and much, much more! We are grateful for your support and look forward to a successful program. If you have any questions, please see Mr Bruscino.

125th Anniversary Dinner

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:23 AEDT

The 125th Anniversary Dinner is fast approaching. The details are as follows:

Friday 7^th September 2012

Mediterranean House,

Time 6.45 pm to 11.45 pm

Cost $100.00

Includes 4 course meal and drinks.

Invitation and table booking form: download.

Gala dinner flyer: download.

2011 Annual School Report

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

The 2011 Annual School Report can be viewed here: 2011 Annual School Report.

Athletics carnival washout date

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 04:38:24 AEDT

Due to our school athletics carnival being washed out today (26 June) we will now be holding the carnival on Thursday 19 July (Week 1 Term 3). The yellow permission note that all students brought in covers this date, so no new permission needs to be given.

If any parents who are now able to assist on the day who were not available for the original day could let Mr Watson know it would be greatly appreciated.