18 August 2023
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Last week was a very exciting week for Sherwood Ridge. Occasionally schools are asked to host a visit from one of the leaders in Education and as a school community we were extremely proud to host Relieving Executive Director Ms Julie Kennedy last Monday. After meeting our student leaders, engaging in collegial discussion with our executive team and visiting classrooms, Ms Kennedy commented on how much she enjoyed our school. She was particularly impressed with how well we have planned, prepared and are now delivering the new K-2 curriculum and shared in our excitement with the gains we’ve made in student learning progress across the school as a result of teachers using data to inform practice. As a school we have adopted the new curriculum with gusto and excitement for all the possibilities for increased engagement and understanding for our students. As described by many schools this has been a big shift in practice for teachers and I am incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm our teachers have demonstrated. Our students are fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated educators.
After a long anticipated wait on Friday, we officially opened our upgraded support unit playground space. Our P&C worked tirelessly last year to raise the funds to pay for the upgrade and we have several sponsors to thank for their contribution and support - Mr and Mrs Fearn, The Studio Estate Agents, PPP Unit, Kellyville Lions Club and Mathnasium. Our students thoroughly enjoy their larger play space and new equipment which further meet their sensory needs.
To mark the beginning of Book Week, our students were entertained by visiting author Aleesah Darlison who has published over fifty books for children and young adults. It always brings a smile to my face when our students share their love of books and demonstrate enthusiasm to read! I look forward to shopping at the Book Fair and dressing up as my favourite character next week.
What an amazing Science Fair we had on Thursday to mark National Science Week! Last year we had a large number of entries, so many I did not expect to beat this year, but it was fantastic to see even more students joining in this learning opportunity. I was blown away by the high standard of student projects. It is wonderful to see so many students demonstrate their critical and creative thinking skills and to showcase their potential in this curriculum area.
There was a sea of orange across the school as our entire school community wore the official colour of National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence today. We take bullying seriously at Sherwood Ridge and have a zero tolerance approach in managing anti-social behaviour. As requested by our parent community, we are repeating the anti-bullying parent and carer information session later this term for our working parents, in order to share our school anti-bullying plan and whole school strategy to promote positive behaviour. We hope that you can join us in the learning centre from 5:00-6:00pm on Wednesday 23 August.
You might see our support unit students out and about in our community as we focus on developing their confidence in interacting with community members as they visit new places. We have Year 6 students going ten pin bowling each week, our youngest students visiting the local park and very soon some of our support unit students will walk to the local shops to engage in purchasing items. This is an important part of their learning and we thank our staff for supporting these initiatives.
Finally, our school has now reached 60% of students who come from a language background other than English (LBOTE). This is a shift for us as a school and it is vital that we do all we can to ensure that we are culturally inclusive in our decision making. For this we are working in close partnership with our P&C and ask parents and carers from LBOTE backgrounds to become involved in the P&C so that they can better represent the needs of all families. Please express your interest by emailing the P&C at srpspandc@gmail.com
Kind regards,
Mrs Jody Sullivan
Principal
Sherwood Ridge Public School I From Each Their Best
2024 SCHOOL ORGANISATION
The school will soon begin the complex process of organising class structures for 2024. In order to ensure that the needs of students are met, parents and carers are invited to forward information that you believe should be considered in regards to the formation of classes for next year. Requests can include information regarding medical conditions, requests to have particular children separated and or any other aspect that you feel may have an impact on your child’s learning.
Parents and carers are asked to forward requests to the Principal in writing no later than Friday 22 September 2023 to ensure that your child’s needs can be considered.
Please note that consideration for placement with specific teachers and or students are unable to be considered due to the size and complexity of the school.
STARTING KINDERGARTEN IN 2024?
If you have a child starting school next year it is important to enrol your child and to attend our Kindergarten Orientation held in Term 4. We are currently taking enrolments for 2024 and you are encouraged to contact the office staff if you have not yet completed an enrolment application or if you require assistance. This year, Mrs Sullivan, our Principal, will meet with each Kindergarten student and their family in order to establish a positive connection and strong sense of belonging from the very beginning of their time at Sherwood Ridge Public School.
Students not returning in 2024
It is that time of year where we are making decisions regarding school structures for 2024. If your child is in Kindergarten - Year 5 in 2023 and not returning to Sherwood Ridge Public School in 2024, please advise via the below email address. Please also include the school that your child will be attending in 2024.
SHERWOOD RIDGE AWARDS
K-2 Assembly Badge Recipient Lists
Green | Aaheli S K1/W, NFP 1V, Thomas M 1S |
Red | Isaac J 2A, Viyom S 1V, Kyla L 1V, Vinnie D 1S |
Blue | Athena H 2E, Madeline B 2T, Arlo T 2T, Parithi P 2N |
White | |
Bronze | |
Silver | |
Gold |
3-6 Assembly Badge Recipient Lists
Green | |
Red | |
Blue | Trystan Z 3C |
White | Andy C 3S (absent week 3), Chloe Y 4L |
Bronze | Levi D 3A, Jemima W 4R, Zane A SR, Ilsa K 5/6A |
Silver | |
Gold |
K-2 Merit Award Recipient Lists - Issued Week 4
Class | |
KBC | Harper R, George P, Hannah Z |
KK | Sarah F, Amoolya G, Roshan R |
KLM | Kaden W, Noah S, Jonathon D |
K/1W | Zayn S, Aaheli S, Lyanna M |
1S | |
1K | Khadija P, Piper R, Ayden C, Nevaan J |
1V | Elsa Z, Aleks J, Josh J, Suzie H |
2A | Holly S, Rhiannon R, Hridaan M, JP H |
2E | Freddie F, David K, Charles N, Logan P |
2N | Zayn L, Samuel M, Skylah P, Lizzy Y |
2T | Lennox L, Elijah A, Edith D, Saoirse C |
SBL | Zanthia S-G, Dre T |
SJ |
3-6 Merit Award Recipient Lists - Issued Week 4
Class | |
3C | Ibrahim A, Yulia P, Rocco C, Shania N |
3A | Emma L, Alex B, Claire L, Harris L |
3S | Chiara D, Haider K, Willow R, Ivy S |
3/4M | Mattia A, Ian L, Zehab A, Phoebe C |
4B | Jude B, Krystal J, Kayal K, Samantha C |
4L | |
4R | Godha A, Jesse P, Ryan T, Evie W |
5D | Umme P, Belinda D, Dimitri K, Dylan B |
5R | Yaseen Z, Noah H, Ibrahim H, Andria Z |
5S | (JP L, Cayleigh M, Krish S, Armaan S – issued week 2) Arjun T, Rosalynn L, Omrah A, Ethan G |
5/6A | Kashvi M, Noah R, Yasarnee S, Angela L |
6MB | |
6G | |
6T | Catherine C, Flynn M, Ariana B, Cristiano T |
SJ | |
SR | Jacob C, Alex T |
SBL |
Caught You Being Good
Kindergarten Caught You Being Good
Adam D KK, Sarah F KK, Zoe R KK, Amoolya G KK, Ishaan K K/1W
Stage 1 Caught You Being Good
Ghaniyah M SBL, Zanthia S-G SBL, Summer L 1S, Eleanor L 1S, Aleena Z 1K, May L 1S, Alice M 1K, Christian L K/1W, Kaylee H 2A, Charles N 2E, Mahi B 2N, Bella W 2T
Stage 2 Caught You Being Good
Stage 3 Caught You Being Good
Jacob C SR, Sophia L 5R, Dominic B 5/6A, Krish V 6G, Cristiano T 6T, Aria R 5/6A, Kaitlyn Y 6MB, Justin L 6T, Savindu G 5/6A, Claire B 6G, Armaan S 5S
FROM THE TEACHERS
100 Days Brighter
On Friday 28 July, Kindergarten celebrated their 100th day of school and being ‘100 Days Brighter’ by participating in various ‘100’ themed activities that reflected their learning journey. Students loved their scavenger hunt around the school, writing activities and games and finished with a glow-stick disco with their Year 6 buddies.
Student Agency
As part of our school's Strategic Improvement Plan we are committed to giving our students the opportunity to have a voice and share their thoughts on different things we do here at SRPS. Some of our Kindergarten and Support students recently spent some time discussing their opinions about the FriYay events.
Daud H explained that Kindergarten had recently painted their previously made sculptures at the FriYay event. Lyanna M said that her favourite thing about FriYay was that she got to spend time with her family at school. Audrey G added that she enjoyed it because it was fun. Rishi I commented that if there was another FriYay, he'd like to play maths games.
Alex T explained that Support had recently made playdough at their FriYay event. Noah B mentioned that his favourite part was mixing all of the ingredients. Dre T said that he liked spending time with his dad at school.
Well done to our Kindergarten and Support students, we are so pleased that you enjoyed FriYay!
NSW Curriculum Reform
Safety on Wheels
FROM THE LIBRARY
Scholastic Book Fair
Our school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from 18-23 August during Book Week.
You and your child will have the opportunity to explore a huge range of affordable books featuring characters and subjects kids love and want to read about. From newly released books and bestsellers to award-winning titles and perennial favourites.
Students will be viewing the books from 18 August and purchasing from 21 -23 August.
Parents can purchase books from 8.30-9.00am and 3.00-3.30pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and after the K-2 Athletics Carnival.
This is also a great way for you to learn about and discuss your child's interests and every book sold benefits our school, adding resources to our library and classrooms.
Scholastic Book Fairs help us show students the wonder of reading. After all, when kids choose their own books, they will be more excited to read, and they will naturally read more!
Character Dress Up Day - Wednesday 23 August
As a part of the schools Book Week Celebrations K-6 Students can come to school dressed as Book Characters on Wednesday 23 August and bring their favourite Picture Book to school to share with their class and buddy class. Teachers will also bring their favourite Picture Book to share.
Being safe @ SRPS
Pedestrian Safety
Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time you cross the road
Always hold a grown-up’s hand
When a grown-up’s hand is not available, hold a pram, bag or their clothes
Always cross the road with a grown-up
Hold a grown-up’s hand when you cross the road
Hold a grown-up’s hand when you’re on the footpath
Hold a grown-up’s hand when you’re in a car park
Use a safe place to cross the road
The Hills Chinese School
The Hills Chinese school have returned to face to face classes at Sherwood Ridge Public School.
For any enquiries or enrolments please contact Mary Yan Li - Principal - 0411 085 882.
Hills Community Aid
Hills Community Aid is here for you!
At this time we are practicing physical distancing while encouraging social inclusion.
We are providing over the phone, email and video support for a range of our services.
If you would like to speak with one of our staff please call and leave a message on our answering service (02) 9639 8620 or email and a member of staff will be in contact.
Follow our Facebook page to stay up to date with our social support services
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Link2Home 1800 152 152
DV Support Service 1800 737 732
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
MensLine Australia 1300 789 978
COVID-19 Helpline 1800 020 080
The Hills Community Aid and Information Service Inc.
390 Windsor Road, BAULKHAM HILLS NSW 2153
Phone: 02 9639 8620 Office hours 9.30am – 3.00pm
Fax: 02 9686 3100 www.hca.org.au
P&C NEWS & OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW
SHERWOOD RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C FACEBOOK PAGE - Please like our official P&C page on FB... a great way to know what is going on at our school and keep up to date with news and views from other parents and members of the school community.
The new P & C executive for 2023 are:
President: Leanne Hagerty
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer: Kathryn Pollastrini
Secretary: Corinne Keane
2nd hand uniform Coordinator: Nicole Susic
Email: srpspandc@gmail.com
UNIFORM SHOP INFORMATION
After a couple of months planning, we are delighted to announce the launch of our newly redesigned uniform shop.
We hope you like the fresh new look to the website, and the simplified shops that will allow you to shop for our child with ease, find the latest news updates and find answers to all your questions in our FAQs section.
Website: https://valourschools.com.au/pages/sherwood-public-school-uniform-shop
Email: SRPS@valourschools.com.au
Phone: 02 9651 3711
TRADING HOURS
Monday: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Wednesday: 8.30am - 10.00am