News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:04:47 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.

Principal Blog - It's 2020 Already?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:26:54 AEDT

It IS 2020 already and, as I write my first blog of the year, we have made a few changes to the place. Our students will return to:

Artificial turf at the front of the school, creating a wonderful vista on entry;
Artificial turf and sandstone borders around the bell and flagpole allowing for seating at the front of the school;
A new support unit in Building B in which we have installed four classrooms (an IM, a MC and ED support classes), a toilet/shower facility, softfall at the front area of Block B and gates/fencing/shade to come;
The library has moved to the band room (Block E) which has been renovated throughout;
The band have moved to downstairs Scobie (Block E);
Artificial turf and sandstone blocks feature in the McKenzie area which opens up as a play area for the first time in more than a decade;
The McKenzie building (Block D) has been renovated with paint and carpet throughout (except for the "Heritage Wing" - our upstairs 5-6M and 5-6K rooms are deemed good spaces but will be renovated in the near future);
Stacker doors have been installed in what was 1-2LM;
And a variety of other improvements including landscaping, painting, and new furniture.

We still do have much to do and will continue renovations and improvement right through to the next holiday break but the change is quite amazing. It is very much worth having a look.

This year we welcome two new Assistant Principals to our school. Ms Ley Wighton joins us as our permanent Assistant Principal (Early Stage 1) and Mrs Natalie Malcolm as Assistant Principal (Support) in our new support unit. We know they will enjoy their new challenge and they are very much looking forward to joining our school community.

Due to the building works and finalising teaching positions, our students will start their year in their class groups from 2019 before transitioning to their new classes for 2020 through the first three days (so there won't be any announcements on the morning of the first day).

Our teaching groups are:

ES1 (Kinder) - Ms Ley Wighton (AP), Mrs Morgan Hollis, Ms Leanne De Luca.

S1 (Year 1-2) - Mrs Rachel Koo/Mrs Bec Davis, Miss Maddee Willcox, Mrs Loren Jones, Mrs Caitlin Maroney, Miss Alahna McDonald, Miss Lucy Hicks.

S2 (Year 3-4) - Mr Adam Britt, Mrs Naida Kojic, Mrs Mel Evans, Mrs Linda Heike.

S3 (Year 5-6) - Mr Barry Davis (AP), Mr Alex O'Reilly, Miss Emma Kelly, Miss Mel Maslin.

Library – Mrs Elissa Brown.

RFF – Ms Alison Coombs (AP-S2) - Primary, Mrs Jacki Robins – Support and Infants.

LaST – Mrs Denise Cameron – Infants, Mrs Michelle Hyde/ Mrs Bec Davis – Primary.

Instructional Leader – Mrs Kate Harris-Drain.

Support Classes – Mrs Natalie Malcolm (AP) - MC, Mr Simon Jasper – ED, Miss Bree Gee – IM.

That should be everybody! 😊 We do have our non-teaching personnel as well but I will list them next week as we finalise our last couple of positions.

To all of our students and families – welcome back! This promises to be a very exciting year. We are looking very much forward to sharing it with you.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:26:37 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 16:47:35 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.

The Garden - by Lucy 5/6O

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 16:42:21 AEDT

Last week

Nellie's Weekly Woof T4 W7

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 14:54:51 AEDT

It has been a very busy week at MPS and lots of amazing things are happening!

This week I got to spend time with all of the students in infants as they participated in some transition activities. We read stories and did some fun activities like egg and spoon races, parachute games, handball and played in the sandpit and on the play equipment. It was so nice to see the students playing together and making new friends.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T4 W6

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 15:40:17 AEDT

This week I have had lots of fun around the school. I spent time with 3/4EH earlier in the week. The students were reading and did such a wonderful job it put me right to sleep! They also did some fitness for a brain break but I was far too exhausted to join in and Mrs Evans’ cuddles are just so sweet.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T4 W4 and 5

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:30:22 AEDT

I have been very busy over the last two weeks at school. I spent some time in 3-6J’s classroom last week before they went on their excursion to a magic show – they were very excited and couldn’t wait to go!

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:13:16 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.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T4 W3

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:02:14 AEDT

We have had lots of visitors to our school this week. Kindergarten Orientation is in full swing and I have enjoyed meeting lots of our new students. On Thursday, I got to spend some time with them and their parents and carers. We also had a visit from on of our local preschools - Maitland Community Preschool - to help transition or new students to ‘big school’. We had lots of fun playing on the equipment and listening to our fabulous school band!

Nellie's Weekly Woof T4 Wks 1 and 2

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 16:41:37 AEDT

Welcome back to Term 4! What a busy start to the term it has been! I have been up to so many different things already.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:02:04 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

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W10

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 15:44:00 AEST

The last week of term has been filled with so much fun! On Tuesday I spent the morning with 3/4BK while they experienced Creative Writingitis. The students were certainly infected as they could not stop writing!

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W9

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 12:50:20 AEST

This week I have spent lots of time playing with our students and being in classrooms during learning activities. I visited KR for some fun maths activities. We were counting, building and sorting 3D objects. I also got to join KD for some dancing. We played musical freeze and had some free dancing. KD definitely have all the moves!

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:37:49 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.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W8

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 11:54:12 AEST

This week has been very busy! I had my picture taken yesterday for School Photo Day and I can’t wait to see what they look like. I even got a special photo taken with my mummy. It was such a busy day that I needed a very big nap in the afternoon!

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:24:21 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.

MaitSpace is GO!

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 10:44:41 AEST

In outstanding news for our school and on the back of some terrific work from our P&C Grants Committee of Tim and Larissa Simkin,, Kylie Hatcher and Nel Lavender, our "Maitspace" Outdoor Event Space received enough community votes to be successful in providing $95000 towards a great new performance and learning area in our quadrangle.

This is awesome news! The new deck will be much bigger than the old deck. It will take up the space where the old deck has been and a lot more. It will also have a shelter over the top of it and will provide a space for classes and performances to face either way (depending on the sun). It will be an outstanding resource for our school for years to come for Band, presentations, concerts, Grandparents Day activities and more.

Many thanks to all through the community who voted for our project. We garnered more than 1300 votes, many more than we have families at school and we very much appreciate the support. Go Maitland!

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:44:34 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.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W7

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:07:59 AEST

This week has been warm and wondrous at MPS! I have been working with lots of infants classes this week. I had so much fun reading again with Lillian, Bella and their friends in 1/2ML.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W6

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:45:15 AEST

This week has been a rather tough one at MPS after losing our beloved Mrs Allen. She was a beautiful friend who loved to give me sweet pats and cuddles when she visited for scripture each Wednesday. In our sadness this week there have been many hugs I have given and received from so many people, especially our staff. I love helping people and making them smile so this was my most important job this week.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W5

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 16:23:02 AEST

On Tuesday Nellie passed her final assessment with her trainer, Sam. This week’s Weekly Woof is a letter to Nellie from our principal, Mr Greaves.

Dear Nellie,

Congratulations on passing your final assessment this week! What an amazing achievement! This shows what a special dog you are that you perform a range of skills to an exceptionally high standard. Your loving temperament and gentle nature has shown that you are an incredible Pet Therapy Dog.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W4

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:55:42 AEST

What another busy week it has been at MPS!

This week I have loved visiting 5/6M and doing some difficult maths work. Students in 5/6M have been learning to add fractions and to simplify them. It is tricky work! The determination of these students is amazing and they are improving all the time. I loved seeing the work they do in their maths groups with Miss Maslin and the fun they have with their learning.

MAITLAND SPICKS SPECTACULAR

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 10:07:52 AEST

SPECTACULAR BY NAME AND SPECTACULAR IT WAS……

Saturday the 3^rd of August saw over 100 MPS parents, teachers and friends gather to test their knowledge on all things performing arts. With our wonderful host for the evening Ms Kojic, much comedy, laughter and excitement was created. Everyone was heads down to answer the trivia questions, sound grabs and visual puzzles, with the highlight of the evening being a special performance of “Substitute” by our very own Mr Wells and Mr Jasper. “The Backseat Bandit’s” slunk away with their cassettes and bowling vouchers in last place, with “Try Harder” claiming victory and being very vocal about their winnings and 1^st place prizes.

The PASC trivia night raised a total of $4825.40 (insert a huge round of applause here) with all funds raised going towards all performing arts groups to minimise the costs to parents for many of our performance based activities that MPS participate in each year.

A huge thank you goes out to all our sponsors of the evening. With over $5000 of prizes up for grabs, just about everyone went home with a prize. Without the support of our amazing sponsors we could not have had such a wonderful event and many happy prize winners.

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W3

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 14:46:06 AEST

This week has been a very special week at MPS! We have some amazing students at our school who have been working hard to conquer their fears. A couple of students are a little afraid of dogs and three students this week showed their bravery by working with me.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:09:00 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

Nellie's Weekly Woof T3 W2

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 12:25:49 AEST

What a fun week I have had at MPS!

Dress up day on Friday for our whole school PBL reward was amazing! The teachers looked so funny and the students looked fantastic. I loved spending time with different classes and seeing all of the outfits. Having so many Mr Greaves’ at school was very confusing. I loved watching some of the lessons our ‘teachers’ were teaching. Some of those teachers were pretty tough – Mrs Hieke and Mrs Evans had to run laps of the school! They tried to hide in my office but those clever teachers found them.

Nellie's Weekly Woof - T3 W1

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 15:24:59 AEST

Hi my name is Nellie and I am training to be a pet therapy dog. I love helping people and making them feel better. I have been working at Maitland Public School for about a term and I love it! I am going to write a weekly blog to share with everyone all of the amazing things I do at school each week.

I have been so excited for school to return after the holidays. My mummy (Mrs Beard) says that she couldn’t wait for me to go back to school as well because I have so much energy. This week I have been doing such fun things and visited so many classrooms because I have missed everyone very much. I visited 3/4BK and snuggled up with all of the kids while we listened to Mrs Kojic read ‘Harry Potter’. She does all of the voices and even dresses up! I listened to the students in 1/2H tell me all about their amazing holidays and I did some literacy activities with 1/2ML. We used the Blue-Bot robots to do some spelling and counting. Some of the students even spelt my name out using the robots! I loved it when the students read their writing and some special books to me. I also spent an afternoon with KR and got to play with some really cool toys and got lots of cuddles. School is so much fun but after I have been working and playing with so many different students and classes each day my favourite thing to do is to curl up at Miss Lavender’s feet and have a snooze.

I can’t wait for the PBL dress up celebration tomorrow – stay tuned next week for some photos!

Love Nellie

Carpark And Paddock Works Completed

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:16:18 AEST

Over the holiday period, we made good use of the vacant school space to complete the works in the paddock and carpark. The carpark now has a secure fence that enable staff to move their cars off the street and we did some resurfacing to ensure that our maintenance would be made more simple. We have also fenced the paddock to provide greater security when needed and a more secure playground area. The works were funded through the Share Our Space program that we have been part of through previous holiday breaks. It does provide a terrific area for students and, in holiday times, families to enjoy. We will also be removing the cricket pitch and installing a high fence at the road end to catch any balls threatening to launch from the area. Finally, we have removed the gates from the cricket nets so they can be used whenever the playground is open. All in all, it is a great new area for our school and community use.

New Kitchen Garden Installed

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 10:00:40 AEST

After receiving a grant through Maitland City Council's Green Steam program, our wonderful P&C president Tim Simkin, treasurer Larissa Simkin and mini-Simkins Harlem and Matilda, paid us a visit over the holidays to put together a few garden beds and fill them with mulch and soil ready for planting this week. The gardens form our new kitchen garden area through which we hope to teach gardening skills and also supply our canteen with fresh produce for use in our lunches. It is an outstanding new addition to the school and we thank them very much for their contribution and hard work.

New Reports Out This Week

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:57:14 AEST

A new report format is being rolled out this week for all students Kindergarten to Year 6. Whilst the layout will look familiar, the content, especially the comments in English and mathematics, will be quite different.

The first part of the comment will illustrate what your child has done within English and mathematics through the first semester. It discusses skills demonstrated through the two subjects as students have completed their class activities.

The second part of the comment will give a guide as to what comes next for each student - what skills they will develop over the next semester of learning.

The general comment will provide a picture of each student's learning, their social development and their achievements through the first semester.

We hope that this will give a better picture for parents of what comes next. The reports will not cover everything a child has done or will do but do provide the basis of the judgement made regarding progress over the last semester.

This is a bit of a work in progress. As a supplementary school in the Early Action for Success program, we are examining every aspect of our assessment and tracking of student progress. Ms Coombs and Mrs Harris are leading a project to improve our formative (ongoing and regular) assessment practices and all staff are engaged in discussion around what works best within our school context. Our bank of comments and our targeted and ongoing assessment of students will continue to push development in our reporting to parents. I hope that you gain a little more information and direction from your child's report this semester. We have some terrific things happening in our classrooms and high achievement evident across the school.

Reports will be distributed on Thursday July 3 and interview opportunities will be offered early in Term 3 to discuss the semester ahead.

The Impact Of Absences

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 10:06:50 AEST

School is a very busy and complex place for students. Each day can bring its own challenges and sometimes, and for some students in particular, getting time to meet those challenges is a challenge in itself. Whether it be sport or Band, incursions, excursions or school activities, a typical student's life at Maitland Public School is a busy one. Much of our discussions as teachers around providing a rich and interesting curriculum for students is how the timetables looks for each student and how we maximise opportunity for learning in a busy school day/week/term/year.

There are 203 days in a school year - every year. 5 of those days are set aside for staff training so students attend 198 days each year in NSW public schools. Over the seven years of primary school, that makes 1386 days. It doesn't really seem a lot. Students are required to attend school on each of those 1386 days. If they do not attend, their parents or carers are required to provide a reason.

There are a multitude of reasons that a child might be away from school. They may be sick. They may have relatives visiting that their parents really want to spend time with. They might have an appointment. They might be taken out of school to go on a sporting trip or holiday. Sometimes it might be that they are just tired and their parents or carers don't want to fight the battle to get them to school. I am a parent - I get that!

If a child misses more than 28 days of school in a school year though, by the time they get to the end of Year 6 they will have missed a year of school in total. If they miss, on average, one day of school a week they will miss almost 18 months of schooling.

There are many ways they can miss those days. It might be that they have been sick and have to be home or hospitalised for a fortnight. It might be that they have a gastro bug that keeps them away for a day or two. It might be that they have a specialist appointment. Bu it might also be that they say they are tired or cold or don't want to go or there is a test on or a myriad of other excuses that impact as well. And that time doesn't get made up in the holidays.

There is also a myriad of ways that students miss school that seems low impact but that is, in fact, tremendously harmful. We call these absences "part-day" absence. A student habitually late by 15 minutes loses the vital literacy instruction beginning the day. When they enter the room they disrupt the learning of other students. When they try and settle into work it can take another 10 to 15 minutes for them to get their heads around the activity before they run out of time anyway and don't see it to completion. Day after day, this too has an impact, not only on the child who is missing but also those who have to cope with their arriving.

As the parent of a child with anxiety issues, whose favourite place in the world wasn't school, who I had to battle with day after day to get to school, I know from experience the impact those absences can have. I know it is difficult. I know it can seem like one battle too many. But I also know that habits form, that excuses become easier, that absences become more frequent until eventually a parent has a meeting with a teacher and says "why is my child lagging behind? They're a good kid!" and more often than not the teacher can run a Detailed Absence Report and point out that, according to the absences and interruptions that student has experienced, the stop-start nature of their schooling and the amount of learning time they have missed, they are pretty much where they would be expected to be for the amount of schooling they have had.

When reports come home in two weeks' time, have a look at that number on the front of the report. It lists whole day absences. What impact are they having on your child's learning?

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:39:32 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 12:25:17 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 15:17:14 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 15:11:22 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 15:20:57 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.

Did you know our playground is open in the holidays?

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:53:43 AEST

We are excited to participate in the Share Our Space program when it returns these autumn school holidays. Participating public schools across regional and metro areas of the state will continue to open their playgrounds, ovals and sports courts for the whole community to enjoy.

You and your children can play in public schools all over NSW. Schools from Lord Howe Island Central School 600km off the east coast of mainland Australia all the way to Palinyewah Public School in the far west will share their outdoor facilities as part of the program.

Participating schools are open 7 days a week between 8am-6pm from 13 to 26 April 2019, including weekends and public holidays.

Come and visit our playground. For more information or to find another participating school near you, visit Share Our Space.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:28:34 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 15:01:27 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 16:25:26 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 2018 - Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 09:53:34 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."

Premier highlights the value of public education

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 09:52:05 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 Weekcelebrations 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."

Join Maitland Public School P & C!

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 20:29:44 AEST

A great way to get involved in our school is to join our P & C. Annual membership is only $2 per person, print the membership form attached or hard copies are available at our school reception area.

P & C membership form (pdf 607 KB)

Be part of our History - Pergola Pavers

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 20:29:45 AEST

Thanks to our Year 6 of 2016 and our P & C fund raising efforts, a pergola has been built above our drinking fountain. To improve this area we need to pave it. The P & C need your help to make this happen by buying a paver(s) and in doing so become permanent part of Maitland Public School history.

Pavers are $40 each and this includes laying costs. Any past or present families are welcome to purchase pavers. You can personally design your paver with one to three lines of text and a maximum of 17 characters on each line.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of our school history and your creation will provide an everlasting record of your support.

Paver form (pdf 286 KB)

Tender - School Canteen Licence

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 20:29:45 AEST

In 2018 our canteen will come under school management. We are calling for tenders to lease. Please share if you may know of any interested parties. Please apply if interested.

Tender - Canteen Lease (pdf 10 KB)

Carols By Glowlight

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 20:29:43 AEST

On Friday, 1st December 2017, we held our first Carols By Glowlight here in the beautiful surroundings of Maitland Public school grounds. A great time was had by all and we enjoyed sharing this with our fantastic families and friends. We were spoilt with performances by all our student stages and the amazing talents of Miss Naida Cengic, Mr Dave Wells and Mr Ben Conicella. A special thankyou goes to Mrs Mel Evans for all her organisation and efforts ensuring the evening ran smoothly. Thanks also to our P&C for supporting this event.

Skoolbag App

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 20:29:45 AEST

Our School now has our own Skoolbag Smartphone App which we will be using to send you important information. Please download and install it by searching for our school name in either the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

You can also click the button below to view the Skoolbag Communication Centre which contains all of the content that we put in our App.