Dundurrabin Public School Newsletter Term 3, Week 8, 2025

Principal's Message

Dear Dundurrabin Public School Community,

I hope Father's Day celebrations were enjoyed yesterday and the sweet items from school went down a treat!

It's certainly a busy time at school right now. Our check-in assessments are currently in progress for years 3-6, providing valuable insights to tailor support for each student’s learning journey. At the same time, our kinder transition program is buzzing, with our little learners having a great time getting to know school life. The kinder transition dates for term 4 are listed further below in this newsletter. On the senior end, our year 6 students have started their transition to Dorrigo High School, getting ready for the next exciting step in their education journey.

Last week, our school proudly celebrated Literacy and Numeracy Week—a time to recognise the vital role that reading, writing, and numeracy skills play in our students' learning and everyday lives. To mark the occasion, we asked our staff a simple question: Literacy or Numeracy? Their responses below reflect the passion and importance they place on both areas, highlighting how each skill uniquely supports student growth.

Leah Keough

Principal

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

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 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
• Thursday 18 September - Parents & Students Sydney Excursion Information Session - 2.30pm

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

• School Photo Order Forms and Money
• Year 6 Interrelate Program Consent Note
• Year 6 Sydney Consent Notes - will be sent home on Thursday this week
• Year 6 Dorrigo High School Transition Consent Note - will be sent home on Thursday this week
• Life Education Consent Note and Money - will be sent home on Thursday this week
• Year 6 Far Out Science - UNE Armidale - will be sent home on Thursday this week

Fortnightly Awards

Term 3 - Week 8

K-2 Class

Tom Duckett for an excellent design "a chair for a toy" and make in science.

3-6 Class

Tyson Talbot for improvement in all areas of maths.

SASS Recognition Week

Last week we celebrated our wonderful school support staff and acknowledged the efforts of our admin, classroom and grounds staff members. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team here at Dundurrabin who go above and beyond for our students every day.

A special thanks to Melissa, Katherine, Suzie, Leanne, Chris and Glenn for all that you do to make our school the special place that it is.

Year 6 Sydney Excursion - Payments Due Soon

Our Year 6 students will be travelling 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 $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 and Dorrigo Lions Club who has kindly donated money to go towards the excursion, totalling $73.00 per student, reducing the remaining cost per student to $477.00. All students have paid their $50 deposit, so remaining balance per student is $427.00 (depending on students individual raffle fundraising). 

The excursion must be paid in full by the the end of this term, Friday 26 September. Only three weeks to go!

Consents Notes and other information will be sent home on Thursday.

Sydney Excursion- Information Session

Raffle Tickets - Due Next Monday

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, a stihl whipper snipper from Nobles and various vouchers and other exciting items.

Join us in supporting our Stage 3 fundraising efforts by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win fantastic prizes! Tickets are available for purchase from our students or directly at the school office, Dorrigo Bakery, Noble Auto Repairs, Heritage Hotel Motel Dorrigo and Dorrigo Hardware. Tickets are $1.00 each and the raffle will now be drawn on Wednesday 17 September.

All tickets sold and unsold with correct money must be returned to school by next Monday 15 September.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden News

Week 6 

In the Garden we planted our new lemon tree, for Schools Plant A Tree Day. Thank you to Clarence Valley Council for their grant to purchase the tree.

This week we harvested eggs, garlic chives, lemons, parsley, kale, lemons, thyme, celery, shallots, swedes, parsnips, rosemary and cabbage.

This week in the kitchen we made 'sloppy joes', with vegetarian savoury 'mince', to eat inside our fresh crusty bread rolls that we baked, topped with cheese. To go with this delicious lunch we made a seasonal fruit platter and come chocolate biscuits (which were such a hit that we  have attached a link to the recipe), as well as some lemon icy poles for next week and a batch of apple and rhubarb leather, ready for our Dorrigo Show entries.

Week 7

In the garden we harvested some wombok cabbages, bok choy, some beautiful broccoli, chives, celery and eggs.

In the kitchen we made some delicious Chinese style cabbage omelettes, with a yummy omelette sauce to go with them, extra vegetable egg fried rice, and mini French apple tea cakes for dessert.

This week the cooking award goes to Charlie McGuire for outstanding helpfulness across all areas in the kitchen. Well done!

A big thank you to Ellie who has been donating eggs to us to use in our SAKG cooking each week. They are really appreciated - thank you.

Schools Tree Day

On Friday, 29 August, our school celebrated Schools Tree Day by planting a lemon tree to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. This activity encouraged students and staff to take part in caring for our planet and enhancing our school’s green spaces. Let’s grow together and make a positive impact! A big thank you to Clarence Valley Council who donated the lemon tree to the school.

Science Exploration

Thursday afternoons at Dundurrabin are all about science exploration! Our K-2 students are creative engineers, designing and building chairs for their toys as they investigate different materials. Meanwhile, our older scientists put their skills to the test by experimenting with air pressure to get a boiled egg into a tight bottle—science in action!

Literacy & Numeracy Week

Last week we celebrated Literacy and Numeracy Week. This is an important celebration in our school calendar that focuses on strengthening students’ skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. This week-long event helps promote the essential foundation skills that are crucial for academic success and everyday life.

In Literacy, students engaged in a variety of reading and writing activities designed to inspire a love of language and in Numeracy to help build confidence and enthusiasm in mathematics, the focus was on developing number sense, mental maths strategies, and logical reasoning in a fun and supportive environment that demonstrates the real-world applications of numeracy.

By celebrating Literacy and Numeracy Week each year, we aim to foster a positive attitude towards learning and equip our students with the skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Kinder Transition

Last Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome Maisie, Chase, and Natasha to our kinder transition morning. The children had a wonderful time engaging in a variety of fun and educational activities designed to celebrate the beauty of spring.

The morning began with a charming springtime story that captured their imaginations and set a joyful tone for the day. Following the story, the children got creative with spring flower crafts, making colourful and vibrant artworks that brought the season to life.

A special highlight was the Gumbaynggirr language lesson with Lesley. Maisie, Chase, and Natasha eagerly learned new words, learning about weather patterns in a fun and interactive way.

We are so pleased to have had Maisie, Chase, and Natasha join us and look forward to many more exciting experiences as they continue their transition to school!

Our next Kindergarten transition date is Wednesday 17 September from 11.30am to 3.15pm.

2026 Kindergarten Transition Term 4 Dates

Special Pizza & Ice-Cream Lunch Order Day

P&C will be holding a Special Pizza Lunch Order day on Tuesday 16 September.

Lunch Orders were sent home with students previously.

Please ensure all orders and money are returned to school by tomorrow, Tuesday 9 September.

Term 3 Assembly

Join us for our Term 3 Assembly on Wednesday 24 September at 2pm, followed by our termly adults v students friendly sports game of t-ball. Everyone welcome! 

2025 School Photos

We are pleased to be using local photographer, Lou Walpole (Dorrigo Photographic Services) to capture our school photos this year. Photos will be taken on Thursday 25 September, week 10 this term. 

All photos will be hand-edited, professionally printed and packaged in Dorrigo. Information on how to order will be sent home soon. 

Families can simply scan the QR code below or visit the website, fill in the online form, and choose to pay upfront or request a payment plan. We do have a paper order form at the school office, if you would like one.

The photographer is more than happy to answer any parent questions. Their contact is Kimberly, and any enquiries can go to: schoolphotos@dorrigophoto.com.au

All students are required to come to school on the day in full school uniform.

A paper order form has been sent home with students today (for those who need one). Please ensure order forms and money are back at school (or payment has been made online) by Monday 22 September. 

Gubi Gabun - This Wednesday 10 September

Term 4 Upcoming Events

Year 6 - Interrelate Sessions

Next term on Thursday 16 October (Week 1), Year 6 students will participate in some Interrelate sessions online with students from our other local schools. The cost of program will covered by the school. A consent note was sent home today with information regarding the sessions. Please return it by next Monday 15 September.

Life Education

Our students will join Ebor, Hernani and Chandler Public Schools on Monday 27 October at Ebor Public School to participate in a fun and educational day with Healthy Harold. We will be travelling by Wykes bus. We will need to leave School at 8.45am sharp and will return to school by 3.15pm for normal pick up and afternoon bus run. The cost is $12 per student to attend Life Ed lessons. The school is paying for the cost of the bus. Students must wear full school uniform. Extra water is recommended as Ebor PS has limited drinking water available.  A lunch order form will be sent home next term. A consent note will be sent home on Thursday.

Year 6 - Far Out Science - UNE Armidale

Years 6 students will be travelling to Armidale on Wednesday 5 November to participate in Far Out Science at the University of New England. The day will kick off at 9:30am in Lazenby Hall at the University of New England campus in Armidale, and finish at 2.45pm. There is no cost for this excursion. Travel will be by parental transport. More information later. A consent note will be sent home on Thursday, please return it promptly so travelling arrangements can be made.

Year 6 - Dorrigo High School Transition Dates

Term 4 Year 6 DHS Transition Dates will be:

• Friday 31 October - 12noon to 3.15pm
• Monday 17 November - Whole day
• Tuesday 2 December - Whole day

For Friday 31 October, Year 6 students will need private transport from Dundurrabin Public School to Dorrigo High School, but may wish to catch the town bus home in the afternoon, if need be. A consent note will be sent home on Thursday.

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.

Book Club Issue 6

If you wish to place an order from this issue, please have your loop online order completed or your order forms and money (cash) back at school by tomorrow, Tuesday 9 September.

P&C News and Community News

P&C Meeting - Monday 15 September

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Monday 15 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.