23 March 2023
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s Report
Harmony Day
On Wednesday, 22 March, our school community celebrated and acknowledged Harmony Day. It was wonderful to see the sea of hands which symbolised our unique identity and acknowledged we all belong to the Granville Public School community. Harmony day is celebrated to foster a sense of belonging, respect and inclusion in schools, businesses and our communities and to bring people together to reflect, discuss and acknowledge everyone’s identity, inclusivity and the sense of belonging, that makes Australia a better place to live. Seeing so many students dressed in orange and their national costumes was fantastic.
Staffing update
Welcome to Miss Anna Efstathiou and Mrs Zarrin Shokouhi, who were recently permanently appointed to our school community. Both Miss Efstathiou and Mrs Shokouhi are enjoying working with their new classes. We are glad you have joined our team.
Congratulations to Miss Mahassian Maarbani, who has accepted a permanent position at our school. This is wonderful news for our school community.
Mrs Miriam Watson has returned full-time and will teach 1T Mon- Fri
Miss Natalia Flores (Mon – Wed) and Miss Rayan Nur (Thur – Fri) will teach 2A.
This is great news for our Stage One team.
Granville Public School Band
Our school band is taking shape as new and continuing students practice in the morning session, before school, throughout the week. It is great to see new students joining our school band and our established members mentoring and supporting these students. Thank you to Mr Marco Del Rizzo, who coordinates, teaches and conducts the band, ensuring our students have this valuable opportunity.
High School Expression of Interest Forms
Please be reminded ALL high school Expression of Interest forms for 2024 are due back to school tomorrow, 24 March. These forms must be returned on time to ensure each student’s application can be processed and sent to the requested high schools to begin the enrolment or out-of-area process. Please return your forms tomorrow to provide the best opportunity for high school placement 2024. I appreciate your support with this important process.
P&C Meeting
Last Thursday, the Granville Public School P&C met to conduct the Annual General Meeting. We thanked the 2022 committee and a new 2023 committee was elected.
Granville Public School P&C 2023:
- President - Mary Ayoub
- Treasurer - Hadia Ghama
- Secretary - Sepa Kotobalavu
Thank you to our new committee for taking on these important positions and ensuring the Granville Public School parents and community members have a voice in our school’s decision-making and events.
Our committee is busy organising the Easter hat parade raffle, Eid and Mother’s Day celebrations.
Sports Leaders
Congratulations to our Stage 3 students who were recently elected as House Sports Captains 2023. Our House Sports Captains play an important role in our school, ensuring our sporting houses participate in our carnivals, develop a sense of fair play and commitment to a team. The House Sports Captains will be presented with their badges in Term 2. Well done to these students.
Cross Country
Last week, we held our Cross Country Carnival. Sadly, it started to rain and we could not run all the age groups races. Congratulations to our students who participated in the races held and those who finished in a place. The remainder of the carnival will be held early next term after NAPLAN, Ramadan and Swimming Scheme, on Thursday 27 April.
ANZAC Day
Our ANZAC day ceremony will be conducted before the end of this school term, as this important occasion must not be held after 25 April. More information will follow.
Easter Hat Parade
Our school is looking forward to the Easter Hat Parade. This annual event will be held on the last day of term, Thursday 6th April. Our P&C will be conducting an Easter Raffle; more information will follow.
Attendance
We know that school is the best place to learn and regular attendance means students can stay on top of their schoolwork and get the most out of their learning. If you need help getting your child to school every day or on time, please talk to our school staff so we can work together because every day counts.
Missing a day here or there may not seem like much, but absences add up and can impact your child’s learning more than you think.
Let’s work together to ensure your child is at school daily.
Remember, EVERYDAY counts.
Swimming Scheme
Swimming Scheme begins next week. Swimming is an important life skill and I encourage all students to learn how to swim. Thank you to the teachers who have volunteered to facilitate this valuable program and Ms Kizana and Mrs Samuel who have organised Swimming Scheme for our school.
Parking Around our School
Please be reminded of the parking penalties around our school. All drivers must make decisions that always keep our students and families safe. See below the parking fines outlined by Cumberland Council.
No Parking Zones
Australian Road Rule - 168
Where No Parking signs are present, you are authorised to stop your vehicle for the purpose of dropping off or picking up passengers or goods. Your vehicle must not be stopped for longer than 2 minutes and the driver must not be more than 3 metres away from the vehicle at any time.
Parking in this zone is not permitted.
Some no parking zones may have varying hours of operation. This means restrictions only apply to parking within the allocated times shown.
Includes stopping, when the vehicle is not moving but the engine is still running.
Fine: From $120
School Zone Fine: $201 + 2 Demerit Points
Double Parking
Australian Road Rule - 189
You must not park your vehicle alongside one that is already parked at the side of the road.
Includes stopping, when the vehicle is not moving but the engine is still running.
Fine: From $283
School Zone Fine: $362 + 2 Demerit Points
We are looking forward to the last 2 weeks of term, which are looking quite busy with Swimming Scheme, the final games of PSSA, ANZAC Day ceremony, the Easter Hat Parade and the start of Ramadan.
Natalie See
Relieving Principal
Moving to Year 7
Arrangements have commenced for the smooth transition of our Year 6 student to high school next year.
This year, families have the option to complete your Expression of Interest (EOI) form online, or by booklet.
https://year7.enrol.education.nsw.gov.au/expressionofinterest?schoolCode=2064
Completed Expression of Interest MUST be submitted online or returned to Granville Public School by Friday 24 March 2023 at the latest.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please call the school office.
After this date, enrolment processes for Year 7 entry in 2024 will commence.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were exemplary representatives of Granville Public School.
Upcoming dates
- 27 March to 6 April – Swim Scheme for Year 2 to Year 6
- 6 April – Easter Hat Parade
- 7 April – School holidays begin
- 9 April – Easter Sunday
- 25 April – ANZAC Day
- 26 April – Students return for Tern 2
- 27 April – Cross Country
- 30 June – Last Day of Term 2
Community Hub News
Dear Parents/Caregivers and friends of the community.
Ramadan Mubarak to all our families and friends celebrating.
I hope you are all well. I can’t believe we are already in Week 9 with only two weeks left. Thanks again to the wonderful parents/carers who have participated either volunteering their time or participating in any of the programs, events and school activities so far this term. It wouldn’t be the same without you.
Harmony Day
Granville PS celebrated Harmony Day on Thursday, 23 March. Harmony Day is about celebrating cultural diversity. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. As part of our Harmony Day activity the children coloured in hands and placed their finished hands in front of the Harmony sign in the Community Garden. These hands represent our families that make up our amazing multicultural community coming together in unity. Students and staff wore an orange item of clothing or their traditional cultural dress. Happy Harmony Day to All.
Community Arts Workshop
The artwork that is being produced during the Community Arts Workshop is looking brilliant. The children and their parent/carer are all enjoying the sessions with the ladies from The Social Outfit. One parent together with their child attend on a Friday for four weeks and produce a piece of artwork. The artwork is about “Resilience” – what makes us strong individually as well as together. It was great to see the families together in the Hub. I cannot wait to see the end products.
Breakfast Club will be starting next term. I would love parent/carer volunteers to help with setting up/packing down and also serving our Granville PS children. If you are interested in volunteering, please come and have a chat with me.
Parents & Citizens’ Association (P&C)
P&C are giving one (1) complimentary excursion bag per child (while stocks last). Please see the lovely ladies in the uniform shop on Tuesday or Thursday mornings from 8:45am to 9:15am.
Cumberland Council School holiday programs
https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/school-holiday-care
Health & Wellbeing
If you require any assistance, please feel free to contact me. All information received and given will be strictly confidential. I will be able to make referrals to various service providers which could help support your physical and/or emotional needs. Some examples are food parcels, counselling, assistance with utility bills and relationship support agencies. Please reach out if you are struggling. You do not need to do this on your own. We are here to help in any way we can, without judgment, to make this time more bearable for you and your family.
I hope you all have an amazing 2023 and I look forward to meeting with you either on the playground, school gates or during one of the programs/events/excursions during the year.
If you are on social media, be sure to follow “CommunityHubGranville” on Facebook and “CommunityHubGPS” on Twitter.
Jane Poi-Terekia
Community Hub Leader
Reports
Semester 1 & 2 reports must be kept in a safe place.
It is recommended parents purchase a document folder and keep Semester 1 and Semester 2 reports, plus NAPLAN results from year 3 and year 5 together.
If students change schools or when they go to high school, you will be asked to show reports and NAPLAN results.
A fee is now charged if copies of Semester Reports or NAPLAN results are requested.
Online Enrolment
We are excited to announce the new Online Enrolment System is now available.
The Online Enrolment System is designed to provide flexibility for our parents to submit an enrolment application online at a time that best suits you. The application can be accessed on all browsers and mobile devices including iOS and Android.
The online application process is currently restricted to:
- Enrolments into local schools and out of area schools
- Children who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
- Children who live in NSW.
We offer our support and encourage you to complete your application to enrol online. If, however, you do not feel comfortable completing an application online, a paper copy is available for collection from the front office or can be downloaded from the link on the Department’s website.
Further information about online enrolment can be found on the school’s website.
Reminder to Parents
School Canteen
Uniform Shop Hours
Opening times:
Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45 am – 9:15 am
Lost Property
As the weather is so unpredictable lately, children often take jumpers and jackets off during the day. Please ensure that your child’s name is written clearly on each item of their school uniform.
Rainy Days
With the rainy days, it is essential that your child/ren come to school prepared for wet weather. You need to make sure your child brings a raincoat or umbrella in their bag everyday, to help avoid them from getting wet.
