Welcome back to to all of our Artarmon families and a huge welcome to any new families joining us this term.

I hope you have all had a relaxing holiday period and spent lots of time outdoors in the amazing weather we had with family, friends and loved ones.

Term 3 is an exciting term and there is already so much coming up to add to your calendars to get excited about.

Week 3 - Education week - Celebrating 175 Years of Public Education 

• Open Day - Thursday 3 August - See poster for more details

Week 6 - Book Week - Read, Grow, Inspire

• K-2 Character parade & 3-6 Dress up - Wednesday 23 August.
• K-2 Parents welcome to come and watch and also dress as a book character.

Week 8 -Walkathon Colour Fun

• 3-6 - Thursday 7 September
• K-2 - Friday 8 September

This is the first time we have turned our Walkathon into a 'Colour Fun' Walkathon and it is going to be a whole lot of FUN! Please keep an eye out for further communication including how to volunteer as a parent and help raise funds for our school.

Students will need to wear a white t-shirt on the day to be able to enjoy the full effect of our exciting fundraising activity.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

During Term 3, teachers will be supporting students by focussing on their public speaking skills through a specific and targeted approach to class presentations culminating in a grade competition with finalists chosen to present a prepared and impromptu speech in front of official judges.

This is a fantastic school wide initiative and competition and, with your help at home, specific feedback and criteria from teachers, students can set goals, practice, develop their public speaking skills and feel proud of their improvement and abilities.

The aims of the competition are:

• To promote the public speaking skills of all students
• To develop effective listening skills 
• To encourage confidence in students and the ability to speak in front of an audience 
• To develop the public speaking skills of students who have a talent and to promote this talent through a competition

Letters with more specific information will be coming home soon. Please read this with your child / children and support them at home with developing their skills in this specific area.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION 

The communication avenues the school will use to communicate with you are:

Newsletter: Sent fortnightly on a Wednesday.

School Bytes: Individual student online permissions, finance and school attendance

Please ensure you have registered for the Parent Portal to have access to all this information at all times.

SZapp: Year group and whole school communication / information

Please ensure you have downloaded the latest app and use the manage tab to set the right subscriptions to get information related to the garde your child/ children are in.

Latest app should look like this:

OC PLACEMENT TEST

Good luck to all our Year 4 students sitting the 2024 OC placement test this week. Those registered should have received an email with all information needed for toorrow's test. Please ensure you read this thoroughly and follow all instructions. After the test, students are to return to school accompanied by a parent or care giver and signed into the office.

ENROL FOR KINDERGARTEN 2024 NOW

If you have a little one at home ready to start Kindergarten in 2024, please use the online enrolment platform to start your application now. All information can be found on our website here: https:/artarmonn-p.schoolsnswwgovv.au/about-our-school/enrolment.html

If you haver any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office. 

LIFE EDUCATION VAN - KISS AND RIDE ZONE

Early next week the Life Education Van will be parked at the top of the McMillan Kiss and Ride zone for three weeks whilst delivering programs to students. We understand that this will cause some delays, however, it must be placed in the safest area for students to access.

Please continue to be extra careful when using our school's Kiss and Ride areas and, if possible, use some of our newly developed Kiss and Ride areas listed in the image below.

During NAIDOC Week in Term 2, APS students took part in a colouring and poem writing competition. The competition provided a platform for students to showcase their creativity and knowledge about Indigenous Cultures and Reconciliation. One prize winner was selected from each stage, and the winners' entries will be displayed in the library for the rest of term. Award winners will receive their prize during their grade assemblies. 

Well done to all students who participated in this initiative and supporting NAIDOC Week! 

Winner Early Stage 1 - Archer F. KSW

Shortlist Early Stage One:

Shortlist Early Stage 1 https://artarmonps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/6635/early_stage_1_shortlist.pdf

Winner Stage 1 - Tiffany L. 2AS

Stage 1 Shortlist:

Shortlist Stage 1 https://artarmonps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/6630/stage_1_winner_image.jpg

Winner Stage 2 - Lucas L. 4LM

Shortlist Stage 2:

Shortlist Stage 2 https://artarmonps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/6632/stage_2_winner_image.jpg

Winner Stage 3 - Austin H. 5IW

Shortlist Stage 3:

Shortlist Stage 3 https://artarmonps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/6634/stage_3_winner_image.jpg

This year during Education Week we are celebrating 175 years of Public Education in NSW. This year's theme is 'Learning, Celebrating, Embracing.'

We will celebrate Education Week at Artarmon Public School with an open day on Thursday 3rd August that showcases our fantastic achievements in the arts and academics.

During the morning we will have the following exciting events for parents, carers and family members to take part in.

8:00-8:55am Music Ensembles

Bands, Strings and Guitar groups performing in different stations around the school.

Bands and Orchestra- in McMillan Playground near the library

Strings ensembles- in the hall

Guitar groups- in the Kindy COLA (starting from 8:30am)

9:00-10:10am Open Day Assembly

In the school hall with performances from our Jazz Band, Senior Strings Ensemble, Kameraigal Choir, Year 2 Choir, Junior, Senior and mixed Dance Groups and the 2023 Kindergarten students.

Space in the hall will be limited to the parents and carers of the students in these ensembles.

10:15-10:55am Open Classrooms

Our classroom K-6 will be open to visitors (parents, carers, grandparents etc)

10:55-11:20am Recess

Feel free to stay and have recess with your child/ren

Please note-staying at recess will need to be cancelled if wet weather

On Monday, you should have received your child’s NAPLAN 2023 individual student report. I want to share with you some important information to know about individual student results and NAPLAN 2023.

New proficiency standards

From 2023, the Individual student report will look different to previous years. One significant change is that NAPLAN results are now reported against proficiency standards, with student achievement shown against 4 levels of proficiency: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support. There is a standard for each assessment area at each year level. The NAPLAN measurement scale and time series have also been reset. For more information see the individual student report brochure for parents and carersExternal link. The brochure is available in other languages on the NAPLAN results and reports websiteExternal link.

NAPLAN reports and ongoing assessments

NAPLAN tests are only one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process. As they are held once every 2 years for each student, they cannot replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance. For information about how to read individual student reports watch the reading the NAPLAN Individual Student Report videoExternal link.

Student results

When reading your child’s NAPLAN 2023 results please keep in mind:

• From 2023, new proficiency standards were introduced to NAPLAN reporting. This reporting replaces the previous numerical NAPLAN reporting bands and national minimum standards.
• A performance result less than expected may indicate the student requires more targeted support or may just reflect other factors that affected their performance on that day.  
• Proficiency standards provide clear information on student achievement. They are set at a challenging but reasonable level expected for the child at the time of NAPLAN testing, based mainly on what has been taught in previous years of schooling.
• Individual students may demonstrate different skills or understandings depending on which parts of the tests they performed more strongly in. Students whose results fall near the top of a proficiency level will be able to demonstrate more of the skills, or more complex understanding. Students whose results fall near the lower end of a level will be able to demonstrate fewer of the skills, or less complex understanding.
• It is important to remember NAPLAN tests are one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. They complement ongoing assessments so that teachers can best support teaching and learning. The achievement demonstrated in classroom-based assessments and reporting through A-E grades provide parents with timely feedback on how their child is progressing.

We encourage any parent or carer who is concerned about their child’s NAPLAN results to talk to your child’s teacher. If your child results indicated that they ‘Needs additional support’, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss, as additional support may already be available to those students who need it.  

Science incursion - Fizzics education

Early in term 3, Year 5OC participated in an incursion involving space and the moon. We saw numerous interesting experiments, even being lucky enough to see how different things would act in the airless environment of space. It was a very helpful kickstart to the term as our projects would be based on space. We were able to get involved with many fun activities that could help us later in the term. We got to test how magnets work differently on different types of metals, some metals make the magnetic go slower than others. We had an excellent morning which greatly enriched our knowledge of space.

Written by Teddy & Marcus 5MK

All students visit the library each week for borrowing. Students are encouraged to borrow up to 4 books every week. Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 have a one week loan period and students in Years 3 to 6 have a three week loan period. We have many fantastic books that are just waiting to be borrowed! Please encourage your child to borrow regularly. 

Only 4 weeks to go! The last day to enter books online is Friday 18 August – Term 3 Week 5.

Bookmark https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/ or login via the shortcut in your child’s Student Portal at home to enter any recently read books.

Congratulations to the following students who have completed the Challenge:

K - 2	3 - 4	5 - 6
Ruaan Bhatnagar, K	Usman Allahwala, 3	Royce Chia, 5
Clement Cheng, K	Jack Li, 3	Henry Conroy, 5
Zachary Lam, K	Nancy Lin, 3	Hongze Tang, 5
Giselle Cheng, 1	Samson Ren, 3	Dyuthi Jyothisankar, 6
Karrell Law, 1	Kennan Abushaikha, 4	Ethan Tanusaputra, 6
Sedhya Tammireddi, 1	Gia Guarin, 4
Marcus Yang, 1	Benjamin Ma, 4
Marika Anada, 2	Aarav.Swain, 4
Olivia Li, 2	Claire Wei, 4
Jordan Ma, 2	Patrick Zhao, 4
Ruchitha Rameshkumar, 2
Lucas Soh, 2
Blake Yang, 2
Jasmine Yu, 2
Catherine Zeng, 2
Sharry Dogra, 2

Absences in the Parent Portal

The School Bytes Parent Portal helps you manage your child's school absences including sick days, late arrivals (without a parent present), and planned absences (e.g. holiday leave less than 10 days). 

It is essential that unexplained absences and late arrivals are actioned in the Parent Portal within 7 days. If not, an email from the school advising an unjustified absence will be allocated to your child and sent weekly until it has been actioned. 

Attached below are instructions on how to use the Parent Portal to manage your child's absences: 

On the 20th of July, over 850 Artarmon students aged 8-12 participated in the annual Athletics Carnival. The day started with over 100 keen athletes, as they ran the 800m and 1500m races in the freezing cold conditions. As the weather warmed up, and the other students began to arrive, we started with the rest of the carnival. We ran in the 100m, 200m, and there were finals for the field events.

Congratulations to all students who participated in the races and field events. Special shout-out to the Year 2s who took part in the carnival for their first time. Thank you to all teachers who helped out but especially Mrs Agnew, Mr Oriel, Mr King and Mrs Singh for organising and setting up the event. We would like to wish the best of luck to all students who are eligible for the upcoming Zone athletics carnival as they represent Artarmon.

Shiori F and Mugdha K (6SK)

Girls 100m Dash

Girls 200m Dash

 Girls 800m

 Girls 1500m

 Girls Long Jump

 Girls High Jump

Girls Shot Put

Boys 100m Dash 

 Boys 200m Dash

Boys 800m 

Boys 1500m

 Boys Long Jump

 Boys High Jump 

 Boys Shot Put

A small change has been made to one Kiss and Ride Zone outside 2-4 Jersey Road, however it does NOT impact drop off and pick up.
 
Only in this zone, 1 hour parking is allowed outside school drop off and pick up times. This is a trial arrangement to help the local shops during works on Hampden road.
 
Please see the below image for new parking signage for this one zone.

All other kiss and ride zones are unchanged and it's great to see them being used. There's definitely been a noticeable improvement in the parking conditions outside the school gates.

A Reminder about Safe Student Behaviour on Trains

As we are entering a new semester, we feel it is timely for parents to be made aware of the student code of conduct for travelling to and from school on the train. This code of conduct exists to ensure your child travels safely and shows respect for others. The following information is summarised from the Transport NSW website (https://transportnsw.info/student-code-conduct).

Students must follow these rules when using public transport. All students must behave in a manner that ensures both their comfort and safety and that of other passengers.

Disobeying these rules may lead to:

• the withdrawal of school travel passes.
• banning students from travelling on public transport.
• police prosecution and court action.

Vandalism is a serious criminal offence and any students caught tagging, etching or vandalising Transport for NSW property will be arrested and may face criminal charges.

Code of conduct for school students on Metro and Trains

Students will:

• Obey all signs,
• Always behave safely, for example:
• avoid running or riding bikes, scooters or skates on any rail service and at stations,
• keep off rail lines,
• keep all body part inside the carriage,
• refrain from touching all doors, safety equipment or any part of a moving metro, train or light rail.
• Use non-offensive language and always behave appropriately on rail property. Students must not swear, spit, fight, throw items or put feet on seats.
• Protect rail property and report graffiti and vandalism.
• Keep yourself and anything you are carrying, such as school bags and musical instruments, clear of aisles, steps, thoroughfares and behind the yellow line on platforms.
• Take your rubbish with you and dispose of it thoughtfully.
• Follow the instructions of station staff, drivers, guards, transport officers and Police officers.
• Spread out along the platform so as not to overcrowd one carriage. Avoid boarding carriages that are already overcrowded.
• Allow other passengers to get off their train before boarding and then board without delay.
• Move along inside the carriage and stand away from the doors during travel.
• Comply with all laws relating to conduct and behaviour while travelling on public transport.

Consequences of inappropriate behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour such as using offensive or racist language, disobeying reasonable directions from the driver, eating on public transport, distracting the operator with persistent noise, and failing to show the travel pass may lead to:

• Formal warning for a first offence, loss of subsidised school travel privileges for up to two school weeks for a second offence, and up to 10 school weeks for subsequent offences.
• Permanent suspension of school travel privileges or banning from travelling on public transport may apply for repeated offences.

Dangerous behaviour such as bullying or harassing other passengers, fighting, putting any part of your body outside the train, throwing objects inside or outside the train, damaging property, and group misbehaviour may lead to:

• Loss of subsidised school travel privileges for up to four school weeks for a first offence and up to 10 school weeks for subsequent offences - or if group misbehaviour is involved, permanent loss of school travel privileges.
• Permanent suspension of school travel privileges or banning from travelling on public transport may apply for repeated offences.

Highly dangerous behaviour such as interfering with safety equipment, pushing students out of the doors or windows, fighting, damage of public transport property may lead to:

• Permanent loss of subsidised school travel privileges, and possible court action or police prosecution
• Being banned from travelling on public transport.

If a student misbehaves on NSW Transport Trains, the operator concerned will contact the parents and the school.

• Depending on the offence, students may be required to give up their school travel pass or may be refused travel on public transport for a period determined by the operator.
• Heavier penalties may apply to students involved in group misbehaviour.
• School principals have the right to take additional disciplinary action against a student under the school's discipline code or student welfare policy for any breach of the code of conduct.

We would greatly appreciate it if parents of students who travel on trains to and from school could discuss the necessity of appropriate and safe behaviour with their child. We need to work together to keep Artarmon Public School students and the general public safe and happy on public transport.