Dear Parents and Carers

NAIDOC Week
Students enjoyed daily lessons and activities during NAIDOC Week last week. They listened to stories, explored this year’s theme and artwork, and learned more about the significant contributions of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuous living cultures, dating back more than 65 000 years. A big thank you to our Deadly Kids, Ms Koursaris, Aunty Louise and Ms Parkes for a wonderful week of celebration and education.

Congratulations
Four of our wonderful and hard-working teachers have achieved their accreditation which recognises their proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Congratulations Ms Acevski, Ms Grimes, Ms Williams and Ms Boufeas.

Student Bathrooms Upgrade
It has been years in the making but we finally have our toilet upgrade (at no cost to the school or P&C) and the students are thrilled. Here’s a selection of some of their feedback:

• Everything is so clean and new!
• We can see ourselves in the mirrors now!
• There is more privacy in the cubicles because there are no big gaps between the door and the partition.
• It is so much lighter now.
• It feels more welcoming and clean.
• The floor looks like cookies and cream!
• The floor is non-slip - even more than the old tiles.
• The colour scheme is calm and like a hotel.
  
  

Sensory Garden Upgrade
During the holidays we had contractors install a deck next to the waterplay zone in our sensory garden. The deck replaces the old sandpit which was a plumbing nightmare being so close to the water trough!

School Bytes
Thanks for registering for School Bytes. All but 8 families are registered which is a great outcome. If you are having difficulties, please contact the office. Our administrative staff have assisted a number of parents to register for School Bytes. We are all here to help.

Asphalt Drainage
Drainage works were happening during the holidays to address historic flooding in the asphalt playground. Today’s weather is its first test.

Aboriginal Outdoor Learning Area
Just a reminder that the very special and culturally sensitive Aboriginal Outdoor Learning Area is out of bounds for children and adults unless under the supervision of a staff member. 

Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Reports to Parents
NAPLAN reports went home with students last Tuesday. Please check your child’s bag if you have not received the letter in a sealed envelope. If you have any questions about how to read the report or your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange a meeting.

Tracy Considine

Principal

Last week, we spent the week looking into ensuring that our classrooms are effectively managed so that learning time is maximised and everyone feels safe. We regularly look at what is working well and what could be improved - our students' strengths always add relevance and ideas in this area. 

We also had opportunities to acknowledge the 2025 Theme of NAIDOC The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy over the week. This theme celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Our Deadly Kids delivered their own acknowledgement to country each morning and each stage learnt about famous First Nations people who have made wide and varied contributions to our country and their people.

This week, mainstream students have been reviewing their Growth Goals and by doing this they are hopefully creating new ones. All of these reviews are done in consultation with the student and teacher. Ask your child what their new goal is.

Support Classes were reacquainting themselves about all the safe places around the school where they can play or use facilities.

Meghan Ryan
PBL Committee Member

Yesterday, Kindergarten had a wonderful time on our excursion to Calmsley Hill City Farm! The day was filled with exciting hands-on experiences and plenty of learning about life on the farm. We got to ride on the tractor, watch a clever sheepdog in action and see a sheep being sheared. We were all amazed by some of the impressive whip cracking too! One of the highlights was getting the chance to milk a real cow - what an unforgettable experience!

It was a fantastic day full of smiles, curiosity, and discovery.

The Kindergarten Team

A reminder that tickets for Drama Club's performance at the 'In the Spotlight' drama festival at the Campbelltown Arts Centre are still available via Trybooking - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1418463

Canterbury students are performing on Wednesday 6th August at both the 6pm and 7.45pm show.

Parents and carers of Senior Drama Club, please see permission note on School Bytes for important event information, including pick up and drop off times.

Karla Sevenoaks
Senior Drama Club Coordinator

Welcome back to Term 3!

We hope you had a relaxing and fun break and a good start to the new term.

Lost Property
Thanks to the parents who raised the issue to the P&C of getting children’s lost property returned. We were able to talk to the school to get a more planned method of sorting this in place. Along with a generous parent who washes and returns unlabelled items each term, the SRC students now sort the labelled lost property to get back to your children. Thanks SRC :)

Event: Walkathon
The Walkathon is back on this year. The plan is to host it in Term 4 but we still need people on board to:

• help with planning and coordinating tasks prior to the day, or
• help out on the day,

If you are happy to help out, please email the P&C (canterburypublicschool.pandc@gmail.com).

Garden Bee
The next garden bee will be on this coming Saturday 2nd August 2-4pm. Come for as long as you can. No gardening skills required, just a willingness to give it a go. Please enter via Church St gate. Children are welcome and love to play with other children or help out in the garden.

P&C meeting
Our next meeting will be in Week 3 of Term 3, Wednesday 6th August 7:15pm in the staffroom at the school or online. You can join us through zoom here. Everyone is welcome.

P&C membership
To become a member or 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.