Dear Parents and Carers

Extracurricular clubs
76% of Canterbury students K-6 expressed an interest in one or more of the teacher-led clubs for 2025. If students enrolled in Band and Strings programs, and PSSA competitions were added to this count, we would be looking at over 85% engagement in extracurricular programs.

The interest in a few clubs was overwhelmingly above safe supervision ratios so students may have missed out on one or two of their preferences. If your child was offered a place, you will receive an email. Please read the terms and conditions, then complete and submit the permission note by the due date stated on the form. 

For band registration click here https://www.schoolbands.com.au/sign-up/ 

For string ensemble registration click here https://cpsclubs.info/registration-form/ 

Growth Goal interviews
An overwhelming majority of families have attended parent-teacher-student interviews with a few more to be held this week. If you are yet to book a meeting with your child’s teacher, could you please call or email the school to arrange an appointment with or without an interpreter? A home-school partnership is an essential component of a child’s education and wellbeing.

Trivia Night
I had the pleasure of attending the P&C’s Trivia Night last Saturday at the Polish Club. The event was a massive success, drawing 140+ parents, carers, friends and teachers to join in the fun whilst raising money for our wonderful school. The phenomenal team of volunteers behind this vibrant evening included Kate H, MC Damian, Claire, Amy, Phillipa, Sunny, Ryan and they deserve our highest praise! Thanks also to the talented and entertaining Moonlighters and anyone else who supported the event through seeking or providing sponsorship and prizes, and participating in the Silent Auction. 

PBL Bronze Award Assembly
Parents and carers are welcome to our first Captain Canterbury assembly for the year hosted by the Student Leadership Team. Families have been contacted if their child is being presented with their Bronze Award. All parents and carers are of course welcome. The assembly starts at 2:35pm on Wednesday 9th April.

ANZAC Day Assembly
Families are also welcome to attend the CPS ANZAC Day assembly on Friday 11th April at 9:30am. The assembly will be hosted by the Student Representative Council. Special guest, Donna O’Shea, Veterans of Post Vietnam Conflicts will be joining us. Students are encouraged to bring a wreath to lay at the school’s war memorial after the service. 

School Holidays

The last day of school is next Friday 11th April. School resumes for all students on Wednesday 30th April. https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/calendars/2025#Eastern0 

School Development Days
Next term, public school staff across the state will participate in two school development days on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th April. The mandatory focus of professional development for all schools is High Potential Gifted Education, a perfect opportunity for our school as improving practice and student outcomes in HPGE is a key initiative.

Happy Holidays!
The holidays begin on Saturday 12th April and many families in our community have days of religious and cultural signficance now and ahead. 

• Eid Al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) 
• Kha b-Nisan/ Assyrian and Chaldean New Year
• Quingming
• Durga Ashtami and Rama Navami
• Annunciation Feast & the conclusion of to the Holy Great Fast
• Hana Matsuri
• Mahavir Jayanti
• Pesach/Passover
• Hanuman Jayanti
• Khalsa Sajna Diwas/ Vaisakhi/Baisakhi
• Songkran/Thingyan/Choul Chnam Thmey/Pii Mai/New Year
• Pohela Boishakh/Bengali New Year/Naya Barsha/Navavarsha/ Bikram Samvat New Year/Sonam Losar (Tamang)
• Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday
• First Day of Ridvan
• Yom HaShoah
• Akshay Trutiya

As this is the last newsletter before Term 2, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the parents, carers, staff and students of Canterbury Public School for a wonderful start to 2025 and for all of your support over the term. Wishing you a safe and happy time with family and friends during the school holidays. 

Best Part of my Day

Tracy Considine
Principal

In all classes last week, the PBL focus was Resolving Differences. We focussed on how we can resolve problems on the playground or in the classroom before we need to seek out a teacher. Students discussed ways to avoid difficult situations and conflict and how to react when in a heightened mood. Such suggestions without approaching a teacher were to stay calm, share, take turns, talk it out, or do something else .

This week, following on from resolving differences, all students are discussing when it is appropriate to approach a teacher on the playground when they are on duty and Seek Help. Students understand when and why they should seek help from a teacher. They saw teachers in videos as students acting out  a mixture of problems to solve, and students had to identify if approaching the teacher was appropriate in each situation. The students were very engaged seeing the teachers role playing students and it helped to clarify the issue. Students know that  teachers have to actively supervise the playground without unnecessary distractions, situations were  highlighted so students know when they can solve problems without assistance and when it’s essential to report a concern or injury including safety concerns.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Egg Guessing Competition to help raise funds to help reduce the cost of the Year 6 Graduation Dinner, Fun Day and goes toward a gift to the school. Your support has been incredible.

We’re excited to announce the winners in each stage of the competition:

Early Stage 1/ Support Unit Winner: Manessa

Stage 1 Winner: Owen

Stage 2 Winner: Mitchell 

Stage 3 Winner: Lenka

Teacher Winner: Mrs Ryan!

Congratulations to all our winners!

We hope you enjoyed the competition as much as we did. 

Miss Akiki and Miss Blumer

Last week, a group of our students proudly represented our school at the Maxwell L. Fuller Chess Competition. Their determination, sportsmanship, and perseverance were truly commendable. Competing against some highly skilled players, they tackled each match with focus and resilience, learning valuable lessons along the way. A big congratulations to all who participated—you showed great courage and a love for the game, which is what truly matters! 

On Tuesday, Senior Drama Club students enjoyed participating and contributing to a playbuilding workshop. Students used the elements of drama to begin creating their play about curious aliens . We will continue to develop this play in Drama Club and look forward to performing it in the future!

Ms Sevenoaks
Senior Drama Club Coordinator

Trivia Night
The trivia night last Saturday night was an incredibly fun and entertaining evening. Thanks to the organising group, all those in our school community who donated, local businesses, and our sponsors Your Smile Centre and Richardson & Wrench. 

2nd hand clothing stall and donations
A second hand clothing stall will be held this Friday 4th April 8:50-9:20am.  Cash/card welcome. Donations of uniforms can be dropped at the office. 

Fundraising suggestions
If you or your children have any suggestions for the P&C to fundraise big or small, please send us an email. We will take them on board, along with the teacher’s suggestions, and discuss them at a future meeting. 

Canteen
If you have any feedback on the school canteen, please send us an email this term. We would like to represent your views as one of our members will be on the upcoming tender panel.

Dates for the diary 

Saturday 5 April (Term 1 Week 10) Gardening Bee. All families are welcome and it’s a great way to get to know others.

Saturday 3rd March (Term 2 Week 1) Election BBQ plus stalls.

Thursday 8th May (Term 2 Week 2) Mother’s day breakfast.
Please look out for details of these upcoming events and how you can be a part.

P&C membership
To become a member renew your membership, please  fill in a membership form online here. It costs just $2 for this calendar year. 

For any questions or comments, email us on canterburypublicschool.pandc@gmail.com.