Dundurrabin Public School Newsletter Term 3, Week 4, 2025

Principal's Message

Dear Dundurrabin Public School Community,

Last week, we proudly celebrated Public Education Week—a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge our exceptional staff, celebrate the achievements of our students, and reflect on why we choose public education. Our commitment to ensuring that every child reaches their full potential remains at the heart of our mission.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate Science Week next week with the theme 'Decoding the Universe.' We will host a combined small schools day, filled with rich learning experiences designed to engage and inspire our students. I am thrilled to share that I successfully secured a Science Week grant, which allows us to offer this enriching day free for all learners.

In Week 5, we will celebrate Book Week with the theme 'Book an Adventure.' This year marks the 80th anniversary of Children's Book Week, and we will hold a parade where staff and students can dress up as their favourite book characters. Can you guess which adventure our staff will be booking? This event encourages our children to explore the wonderful worlds that books open up and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

These events are just a few of the unique learning opportunities we provide at Dundurrabin Public School. Let’s continue to support and celebrate the amazing journey of learning that our students are on!

Warm regards,

Katrina Sangster

Every Day Matters

Please remember to explain all days your child is away from school. You can do this in person, by phoning the school, or by sending a text to the school mobile at 0411 939 188. Thank you for your cooperation!

What's on for Term 3

Week 4 - SCIENCE WEEK - "Decoding the Universe - Exploring the Unknown with Natures Hidden Language"

• Tuesday 12 August - Combined Small Schools Science Day - Dundurrabin PS
• Wednesday 13 August - Gubi Gabun Playgroup- 10am to 12noon - Dundurrabin PS                                                                                                        & Premier's Spelling Challenge Regional Finals
• Friday 15 August - Schools Tree Day

Week 5 - BOOK WEEK - "Book An Adventure"

• Monday 18 August - Yr6 DHS Transition - 2.15pm to 3.15pm
• Tuesday 19 August - Book Week Parade "Book An Adventure" - 9.15am                                                                                                                          & Special Lunch Order Day
  
• Wednesday 20 August - Kindergarten Transition 1.30pm to 3.15pm

Week 6

• Wednesday 27 August - Gubi Gabun Playgroup 10am to 12noon -Dundurrabin PS

Week 7 - LITERACY & NUMERACY WEEK

• Wednesday 3 September - Kindergarten Transition - 9am to 12noon                                                                                                                                          & Yr6 DHS Transition - 12noon to 3.15pm

Week 8

• Wednesday 10 September - Gubi Gabun Playgroup - 10am to 12noon -Dundurrabin PS
• Friday 12 September - P&C Pizza Night

Week 9

• Tuesday 16 September - Special Lunch Order Day
• Wednesday 17 September - Kindergarten Transition - 11.30am to 3.15pm                                                                                                                                    & K-2 Class - Responsible Pets Visit - 12 noon

Week 10

• Wednesday 24 September - Gubi Gabun Playgroup - 10am to 12 noon                                                                                                                                           & Term 3 Assembly & Adults V Students Sport Game - 2.00pm
• Thursday 25 September - School Photos

Consent Notes to be Returned

• Year 6 DHS Transition Consent Note - By tomorrow.
• Special Lunch Notes & Money - By this  Friday 15 August.

Fortnightly Awards

Term 3 - Week 4

K-2 Class

Beth Green for excellent peer leadership and support during Kindergarten transition.

3-6 Class

Charlie McGuire for his amazing contributions during English lessons.

Combined Schools Science Day - Tomorrow

Dundurrabin PS will be hosting a combined schools Science Day here tomorrow, Tuesday 12 August.

The school theme for National Science Week in 2025 is Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language. This theme invites students and teachers across Australia to delve into the mysteries of the Universe by exploring the fundamental languages of nature, including mathematics and the ground breaking field of quantum science. 

STEM Day in Small Rural Schools is a fun event where three small schools gather for a day of science activities. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will explore mini ecosystems, decode animal footprints, and create problem-solving models using 3Dux Design and Makedo. The aim is to spark curiosity and show that science is fun and can lead to exciting careers.

The P&C will be catering lunches tomorrow for those students that ordered last week.

Year 6 - Dorrigo High School Transition Dates

This term, Year 6 will begin their High School orientation. During these days, they will become familiar with Dorrigo High School, participate in lessons and learn how to read timetables. They will get the opportunity to meet the other students from the plateau who will also be attending high school next year.

Our students have two visits planned to Dorrigo High in the coming weeks:

• Week 5: Monday, 18 August, from 2.15pm to 3.15pm
• Week 7: Wednesday, 3 September, from 12.00noon to 3.15pm

Year 6 students will need private transport from Dundurrabin Public School to Dorrigo High School on both of these days, but may wish to catch the town bus home in the afternoons, if need be.

Please return the consent note for the first date that was sent home last week.

Book Week Parade - Next Week

We will be holding our Book Week Parade next week on Tuesday 19 August. This year's Book week theme is "Book an Adventure". The Book Parade will start 9.15am. Parents and friends are invited to attend. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Children's Book Week. The theme encourages children to see reading as a way to explore new worlds and possibilities. 

Special Lunch Order Day

P&C will be holding a Special Lunch Order day next Tuesday 19 August. Lunch Orders will be sent home with students tomorrow. Please ensure all orders and money are returned to school by this Friday, 15 August. Sorry for the short notice.

Education Week - "Ignite your Potential"

Last week was Public Education Week, celebrated annually in schools from August 4 to August 8. This year's theme is "Ignite Your Potential." The event highlights the achievements and excellence of NSW public schools, showcasing the diverse educational experiences available to students from early learning through to Year 12. It is a time for the community to come together and celebrate the strength, diversity, and accomplishments of NSW public education—where every student is supported to learn, grow, and thrive.

We have many wonderful learning opportunities happen each week. We hope everyone had a chance to check out our Facebook page to see what our great school has to offer our diverse learners and to help 'ignite their potential' every single day of the week.

District Athletic Carnival

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bailey, the sole representative of Dundurrabin Public School at the District Athletics Carnival held at the Urunga Sports and Recreational Grounds on Thursday, 7 August 2025.

Bailey showcased exceptional talent and sportsmanship as he competed in three events: the 100m, 200m, and 800m races. Each event brought its own challenges, and Bailey approached them with determination and enthusiasm.

Despite the rain during the 800m race, which added an extra layer of difficulty, Bailey persevered and demonstrated his resilience. The unpredictable weather did not dampen his spirits, and he continued to push through, displaying a true athlete's grit.

The day was not just about competing; it was also a fantastic opportunity for Bailey to meet up with friends from other schools, fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship. Sharing the experience with peers made for a memorable day filled with laughter and encouragement.

Bailey's participation at the District Athletics Carnival is a testament to his hard work and dedication. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing his continued success in future athletic endeavours. Well done, Bailey!

NAIDOC Day on the Plateau - A Day of Cultural Celebration

Last Wednesday, our school community joined six other schools at Dorrigo High School to participate in our annual NAIDOC celebration, "NAIDOC on The Plateau." It was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to come together and immerse themselves in a day filled with cultural experiences and learning.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a wide range of activities that highlighted the rich Indigenous culture. Students had the chance to taste bush tucker, gaining a deeper appreciation for traditional foods and their significance. We also learned how to make damper, a classic Australian bread, which was a fun and hands-on experience for everyone.

One of the highlights of the day was exploring the unique sounds of the didgeridoo, along with insights into the traditional art of boomerang throwing. Students were fascinated by these cultural instruments and their importance in Aboriginal traditions.

The creative spirit continued with rock painting, where students expressed their artistic talents while learning about the cultural significance behind this practice. Language lessons provided an engaging way to connect with Indigenous languages, fostering respect and understanding of the diverse cultures represented.

Weaving, yarning, storytelling, and dance were also integral parts of the day's celebrations. These activities not only showcased the creativity and traditions of Indigenous culture but also promoted teamwork and collaboration among students from different schools.

Overall, "NAIDOC on The Plateau" was a fantastic day enjoyed by all. It was a memorable experience that enriched our understanding of Indigenous cultures and strengthened our connections within the community. We look forward to continuing to celebrate and learn about these important traditions in the future!

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden News

Week 2

This week we harvested eggs, garlic chives, parsley, kale, lemons, thyme, shallots, swedes and broccoli.

This week in the kitchen we cooked crispy broccoli fritters, cheese encrusted garlic roasted swedes, herb and garlic bread and apple hand pies served with leftover NAIDOC ice-cream and apple caramel. 

This week the cooking award goes to Jaxon Bennett for his fabulous fritter flipping. Well done!

Week 3

This week, the wet weather kept us out of the gardens, though we did harvest some large parsnips, turnips, celery, swedes, garlic chives, sage, eggs, thyme, parsley, oregano and chives. 

In the kitchen we made creamy tomato and cannellini bean soup, fancy twisted garlic, herb and cheese bread, and an apple crumble slice for dessert along with a fresh fruit platter. 

This week the cooking award goes to Jack Duckett for his positive attitude and participation in all aspects of cooking. Well done!

STEM

In STEM students have been busy learning about weather cycles and the formation of clouds.

Gumbaynggirr Language

In Gumbaynggirr language lessons students have been learning the days of the week and daily activities. By learning these languages, students will gain new words while understanding and appreciating Indigenous traditions.

2026 Kindergarten Transition

 Winter Wonderland Fun!

Last week in our kindergarten transition program, we embraced the magic of winter despite the absence of some friends due to illness. With only Maisie and Natasha in attendance, joining with Beth, we made the most of our time together by diving into a winter-themed adventure inspired by the recent snowfall in our local area.

Our exploration began with a creative session where we painted and collaged snowmen. The children used a variety of materials to express their ideas, showcasing their artistic talents while learning about the beauty of winter landscapes.

Next, we enjoyed a playful activity where we danced and froze like snowmen! This fun movement game allowed the children to engage their bodies while imagining themselves as playful snow creatures. Laughter filled the room as they took on different poses, embodying the chilly spirit of the season.

We also introduced technology into our activities by creating picollages using iPads. The children crafted digital representations of their playful snowmen made from playdough and sticks, merging creativity with modern tools. It was a wonderful way for them to explore digital art while celebrating their imaginative designs.

To top off our winter wonderland experience, we made edible snowmen using marshmallows, pretzels, and colourful icing. The children had a blast assembling their tasty creations and, of course, enjoyed eating them afterwards! It was a delicious way to wrap up our winter exploration.

Through these engaging activities, Maisie and Natasha not only developed their creativity and fine motor skills but also learned the importance of friendship and collaboration, even in smaller groups. We look forward to welcoming back all our friends next time to share more adventures together!

Stay warm and see you soon!

Our next Kindergarten transition date is Wednesday 20 August from 1.30pm to 3.15pm.

Year 6 Sydney Excursion

Our Year 6 students have been invited to join with Dorrigo, Hernani and Chandler Public Schools on an excursion to Sydney from October 20 to October 24, 2025 (Week 2 - Term 4).

The total cost of the excursion will be $650-$700 per student. The school will contribute $100 towards the cost per student as well as the P&C has kindly donated $50.00 per student. A big thank you to the Dorrigo Rotary Club who has kindly donated $50.00 per student to go towards the excursion, reducing the remaining cost per student to $500.

Parents may wish to pay weekly or fortnight contributions towards the excursion to help mange the expense. The excursion must be paid in full by the the end of this term, Friday 26 September. Only seven weeks to go!

Raffle Tickets - Due Back Monday 1 September

Year 6 students have been busy organising a raffle to help raise funds to support their Sydney excursion. Some fantastic prizes have been donated by local businesses for the raffle. Among these prizes is a signed Penrith Panthers jersey, along with various vouchers and other exciting items.

So help support our Year 6 students by purchasing some tickets either at the school office or from the local businesses around town. Tickets are $1.00 each and the raffle will be drawn on Friday 5 September.

All tickets sold and unsold with correct money must be returned to school by Monday 1 September.

Gubi Gabun - This Wednesday 13 August

School Bytes Parent Portal

What is the School Bytes Parent Portal?

The School Bytes Parent Portal offers convenience and flexibility, allowing you to: 

• Make online school payments, including payments for multiple siblings, simultaneously.
• Use a family credit to pay for an activity or school contributions.
• Download payment receipts.
• View all historical payments in one place.
• Complete and submit digital permission notes.
• View the status of all permission notes.
• Request a refund if necessary.

This service can be accessible at your convenience at any time, day or night.

Through the Parent Portal, you can easily download a receipt once a payment has been made and have access to view all historical payments when needed. Online payments are processed in real time and can be viewed by school staff immediately.

While our preference is for payments to be made via the portal, we will still accept payment via cash and cheque.

School Bytes – If you haven’t already done so, please see the Parent Portal information below  to connect to these new features. An email was sent home on Thursday 5 June with the link.

Attendance – The simplest way to explain your child’s absence from school will be through the Parent Portal of School Bytes. Once our SMS has been sent, please respond using either option provided so we can make sure all records are up to date. As always, if you’d like any support with attendance, we’re only a phone call, email or visit away.

An email was sent home previously. Please check your emails and follow the links so that we can get this up and running at Dundurrabin.

2025 Learning Contributions - SAKG Fees

Student invoices / Statement of Accounts will be sent home again shortly with your child/ren.  Thank you to our families that have already paid theirs.

P&C News and Community News

P&C Meeting - Monday 8 September

Our next P&C meeting will be held today, Monday 8 September at 4pm. It would be wonderful if we could have as many people as possible attend. This is a great opportunity to find out about and get involved with what is happening within the school. Please come along, share a cuppa and enjoy a relaxed and friendly gathering. We’d love to see more faces for new ideas and support.