News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:54:38 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 13:04:37 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 16:18:45 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:46:05 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:14:16 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 13:34:09 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 11:20:56 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 11:39:29 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 14:02:09 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 11:34:31 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 12:21:17 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 15:06:54 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 15:07:31 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:23:38 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 13:15:40 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 14:54:03 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 12:24:14 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 14:31:06 AEST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 14:32:23 AEST

A new uniform policy has been introduced for NSW public schools, which for the first time include the option for girls to wear shorts and pants.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

More new classrooms, preschool places and teachers in $17.3 billion education budget

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 14:33:36 AEST

NSW Budget 2018 features historic firsts for education, including record funding to expand the number of new and upgraded schools, unprecedented investment to air condition more classrooms and universal pre-school for three year olds.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Education Minister Rob Stokes and Early Childhood Minister Sarah Mitchell outlined a range of new initiatives funded by the $17.3 billion education budget in 2018-19.

The Government will be investing $6 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded schools, including planning for more than 20 new projects.

"We are proud to be making this unprecedented investment into the future of our children," Mr Perrottet said.

"This year's NSW Budget takes our already record school building program to another level – a massive 170 schools new and upgraded schools over the next four years.

"That brings our total schools building program to 230 new and upgraded schools since 2011."

"The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government's strong financial management has allowed us to invest so heavily in our schools and education system."

Mr Stokes said communities right across NSW will benefit from this record investment into education.

"NSW is experiencing an increase in school enrolments and we have in place an unprecedented program of investment in new and upgraded schools to meet this demand," Mr Stokes said.

A staged investment of $500 million is being allocated to provide cooling for schools, while improving the indoor environmental quality, through the installation of smart and sustainable air conditioning systems powered by solar energy.

In another landmark initiative, NSW will become the first Australian state to provide universal access to community preschool for three years old under a $197.8 million program.

"Because of this historic investment, average daily fees will decrease significantly and the savings will go directly back into the pockets of hard working families," Mrs Mitchell said.

This brings total spending on early childhood education to $474.3 million in 2018-19.

Other education investment in the 2018-19 NSW Budget includes:

$160 million to be spent in 2018-19 to continue its blitz on planned school maintenance, part of a record $747 million investment over four years;
$71.8 million to implement the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in NSW schools;
$50 million in additional flexible funding will be provided to government schools to implement the School Leadership Strategy - freeing up principals and school leaders from administrative work;
$3 million for the first comprehensive review of the entire school curriculum since 1989;
$2.8 million to encourage the preservation and study of Aboriginal languages;
$30 million to continue to deliver greater access to green space and sports facilities in public school playgrounds through the Share Our Space program, and;
Funding for around 900 extra full-time equivalent teaching positions in NSW government schools.

The NSW Government will also invest $1.3 billion on non-government schools, an increase of 7.5 per cent on 2017-18. This includes a $32 million increase in the Building Grants Assistance Scheme over four years for capital works projects to support enrolment growth in non-government schools.

The record $17.3 billion investment in education allocates $15.7 billion for recurrent expenses and $1.6 billion for capital investment in 2018-19.

Macleay robotics challenge

Thu, 31 May 2018 14:29:16 AEST

On Tuesday 5th June, 2018 years 5 and 6 will be attending a robotics challenge day at Melville High School. This challenge has activities for all ability levels and students will experiment with a variety of technologies.

Year 5 Captain Speeches

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

2018 Captain Speeches

Last Friday, we had our year 5 captain speeches for 2018. The year 5 students who presented were quite nervous but at the same time buzzing from the excitement. , students who were wishing to run for school captain, presented a speech highlighting their individual captain qualities and on why the school should vote for them as school captain are thinking of what to write in their speeches and the rest of the school are thinking of who would make a great school captain. Voting papers have been handed out and returned marking who each child has voted for – very exciting. All the votes will be tallied/recorded and the results presented at our annual assembly on 5tgh December 2017 Best of luck year 5!

Annual Assembly and School Concert

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:24 AEST

School Concert and Assembly

On the evening of the 5th December (week 9) Willawarrin Public School will be having our annual assembly and school concert. All students have been busy rehearsing for the concert since the start of this term and are getting excited to present and perform to parents and family.

This year's concert will be different to past years as there will be a variety of performances and items from each class instead of one whole school performance.

The evening will start with our annual assembly, which starts at approximately 5.30pm and finishes at approximately 6.30pm. Just following our annual assembly will be our school concert. The school P and C are offering a dinner before the show from 5pm - please see Kerry in the office if you wish to pre-order your dinner.

Year 6 Farewell and Disco

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Year 6 farewell

This term is flying past with the year 6 farewell THIS FRIDAY EVENING! This is always such a great evening for students and parents! Graduating students are required to prepare and present a brief speech at the dinner reflecting back on their time at Willawarrin Public School and saying any thanks or final messages. The farewell dinner will be followed by a school disco in our school hall with all Willawarrin Public School students invited. Getting very close year 6!

Thankyou year 5 parents for letting us know what your contribution will be for the farewell it all sounds very appetizing. Year 5 students will attend the farewell and serve food to the year 6 students before joining us all to eat and celebrate the graduating students. I have asked year 5 students to come dressed tidy and appropriate for the night and serving food. A whole school disco will commence straight after the farewell in our school hall. Willawarrin Publc School Students ONLY!

Citizenship Awards

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Rotary Citizenship Award

Ebony Hamilton of year 6 received the Rotary Citizenship Award for 2017 last Tuesday evening. The award was presented to Ebony at a Rotary presentation night held at the Kempsey RSL Club. Ebony received this award for her consistency in being a positive and influential citizen at Willawarrin Public School. Ebony is a student who is highly regarded by staff and students, contributes to problem-solving in peaceful ways, has demonstrated respect for diversity and the views of others, contributes positively and has an excellent attitude towards education and school life. Well done Ebony!

Major Excursion to Sydney

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Last week years 4, 5 & 6 caught the midnight train to Sydney for their major excursion. Students had an extremely good time away from home exploring Sydney. Mrs Scanlon was super impressed and proud of all the students' behaviour and said it was such a lovely trip with an amazing group of kids.

More stories to come next week as the students reflect and share their adventures and highlights in the muster.

Thankyou parents

WELCOME BACK!

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

I would like to welcome back all students, staff and parents to term 1 2017. It was so great to see all the students return to school with a smile on their faces. We had new kindergarten students starting on Tuesday and a few new faces in and around our school - It was a very exciting and exhausting day/week for them - but again the smiles say it all. This week has been a great week and we are all looking forward to the weeks ahead. This term looks like being a fantastic term!

Industrial Stoppage Thursday 8th December 2016

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

On Thursday 8th December The NSW Teachers Federation has announced it will hold a stop work meeting of school teachers and non-based Teaching members. The purpose of the stop work meeting is for Federation member's to debate and vote on the proposed Crown Employees (teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2016.This Industrial Action will occur for the morning, from 9am till 11am. Willawarrin Public School will remain open with minimal supervision for this time period. the level of supervision will be sufficient to meet the safety needs of all students and staff.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

'New Date' for South West Rocks Excursion/Camp

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

As you are aware we had to postpone our school camp to South West Rocks last week due to poor weather. We have had to work around the timetables/availability of the campground, bus company and lighthouse/gaol schedules and have now booked a new date for the SWR excursion and camp being Tuesday 20^th and Wednesday 21^st of September. These dates are in the final week of this term (term 3) which is week 10. I would like to apologise for any inconvenience due to the cancellation but with finer weather the children will definitely have a much more pleasant experience. A note will go home very shortly reminding parents of new dates. These dates are also listed on our website!

http://www.willawarri-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ or just google 'Willawarrin Public School'

BOOK WEEK and BOOK PARADE

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:24 AEST

Week 6 is BOOK WEEK! This week is dedicated to celebrating reading and books! On Wednesday 24th August is our book fair and book parade. At 12.30 we will be holding our book fair for parents to view and purchase any books they or their child/ren fancy. Also at 2pm we will be having our book parade in our school hall - This parade is where children dress up as their favourite book character and parade around our hall. There will be book prizes awarded to stand out costumes. There will also be a sausage sizzle for children and parents - put on by our P and C.

We hope to see you at our book fair and parade!

SCHOOL EXCURSION/CAMP AT SOUTH WEST ROCKS - HAS BEEN POSTPONED!

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Due to bad weather we have cancelled the South West Rocks excursion/camp. We have had to make this decision as most of the activities the students will be partaking in are outdoors and would just be miserable for them. so we will be postponing the excursion/camp to a later date this term - we will keep you informed. I apologise for any inconvenience.

John O'Neill Games 2016

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Today, Thursday 16th June 2016, Willawarrin, Bellbrook, Millbank and Greenhill Public Schools participated in our upriver John O'Neill games day at Willawarrin Oval. The event was a huge success with all students thoroughly enjoying themselves and having a great time competing in running races and participating in 3 legged races, egg and spoon races as well as enjoying ball games such as captain ball and tunnel ball. We also witnessed some fantastic war cries from each school and some very impressive school marching. Well done! to all students for their participation, effort and great sportsmanship today. I would like to say a huge thankyou to our fantastic P and C committees for providing lunch and refreshments today and a big thankyou to the fantastic assistance that was given by our parents in running the carnival as well as helping to cheer the children on.

It was a great day - Thankyou again to all involved!

Upper Macleay Aboriginal Yarning Circle

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Aboriginal parents, carers, and community members are invited to attend our Upper Macleay Aboriginal Education Yarning Circle on Tuesday morning (9.30am - 11.00am) at Bellbrook Hall. Staff from Willawarrin, Bellbrook and Millbank will also be there. please come and join us for some morning tea and a yarn.

The official invitation is attached with details of the morning. Hope to see you there!

Expression of Interest for Student Learning Support Officer

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Willawarrin Public School is looking for a reliable/qualified Student Learning Support Officer to work across our school on a part-time basis for 2016. Enquiries for application form and cover page available via email request to willawarri-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or collection from the school office. Applications close Wednesday 16th December 2015 at 4pm.

Year 6 Farewell

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Last Tuesday evening Willawarrin Public held a farewell for our eight lovely year 6 students who will be venturing off to high school next year. The night was great and the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I would like to say a huge thankyou to parents of our year 5 students for the delicious banquet of food presented on the night as well as to our P and C for assisting with duties behind the scene to make the night a success. Well done to all!

P and C Meeting

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

I would just like to thank the parents and community members for attending Tuesday 27th October's P and C meeting. It was great to see so many faces and to have a range of input into the exciting things happening at Willawarrin Public School. Hope to see you at our next meeting!

Water Wise Assembly

Thu, 31 May 2018 03:55:25 AEST

Today's Water Wise assembly celebrating 'Water Week' was a success. Jane from Cascade Environmental Centre, as well as three representatives from the Kempsey Shire Council visited the school and helped us with the celebrations. Our school was given an official 'Water Wise' sign to be place in the school, a framed certificate as well as other items such as taps fittings and drink bottles. There was also class items from all classes and a fashion show from the 5-6 class - modelling their newly created fashion items made from recycled rubbish. Well done to all for making 'Water Week' for Willawarrin so great. Willawarrin Public School is now WATER WISE!