News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:07:17 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:31:57 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:53:35 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:17:45 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:05:11 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:38:41 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:25:12 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:45:41 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:10:42 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:40:43 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:26:10 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:19:38 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:12:34 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:23:17 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:33:52 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:03:13 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:26:17 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 11:00:06 AEST

Kiama and Parramatta public schools hosted the launch of Education Week today.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, with (from left): Education Minister Rob Stokes; State Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee; Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott; student performers and comperes, and the Principal of Parramatta Public School, Gail Charlier (far right).

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

Education Week 2018 - Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 11:02:07 AEST

The future of education will be showcased in NSW public schools from August 6 – 10 as students, teachers and parents across the state celebrate Education Week 2018.

Education Week kicks off on Monday, August 6, with a simultaneous launch at Parramatta and Kiama public schools livestreamed on YouTube so all government schools and their communities can join in.

This year's theme, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the Education Week launch will be hosted by primary school students and will feature a dancing robot, student performances and a film highlighting how schools are working with their communities to solve real-world problems.

A highlight of the week is the Game Changer Challenge, in which 16 teams of students from schools across NSW will compete in a three-day design program, working alongside leading industry professionals to create the school of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today's students were learning at a time of great change.

"From the far west to our metropolitan hubs and everywhere in between, our state's schools will celebrate not only what we've achieved, but the future we are creating," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We are living in a time when the traditional walls of the classroom are opening up to new worlds of learning, paving the way for students to connect and collaborate with their peers regionally and globally."

Education Minister Rob Stokes said there had never been a more exciting time to be involved in schools with technology reshaping the way students learn and billions of dollars being invested in new school infrastructure.

"The NSW Department of Education is continually striving for improvement and innovation so that the young people in our care learn in a world-class education system," Mr Stokes said.

"The NSW Government is supporting that vision through a record $6 billion in funding to build the classrooms and schools of the future."

The Secretary of the Department of Education Mark Scott said ensuring today's students had the skills they would need to "not just survive, but thrive" in the future underpinned the department's evidence-based approach to learning.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovative teaching and learning that is being done across our State's public schools to ensure that every student can perform to their full potential," Mr Scott said.

"We don't know what the future will hold, but we do know that we are focused on equipping today's students with the skills and knowledge they will need to lead fulfilling lives in the future."

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 11:03:40 AEST

A new uniform policy has been introduced for NSW public schools, which for the first time include the option for girls to wear shorts and pants.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116.83KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at VPS

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Our kitchen and garden program is central to the philosophy at Vaucluse Public school of embedding rich and relevant learning experiences in an inclusive and stimulating environment.

Our year 6 students have shared their thoughts in this video about what value they think the kitchen garden program adds to our school community.

Kitchen and Garden @ VPS

All These Memories - Music Video

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Last week 6T presented their look back on their years at Vaucluse in our assembly item. Here is the final edit of our music video 'All These Memories'

All These Memories - 6T

Stage 3 Camp Video

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Year 5 & 6 visited Canberra and the Snowy Mountains to consolidate the work completed on their unit on Australian Parliament. The students visited the Old and New Parliament Houses, the War Memorial, the Snowy Mountains National Park Environmental Education Centre and Questacon. Please enjoy this video as a snap shot of Stage 3's adventures.

Stage 3 Camp

Thoughts on School Life at Vaucluse

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:38 AEDT

Here's what some of our staff and students think of our wonderful school. Video excerpts taken from the 2012 year six video.

Vaucluse Video

NAIDOC Week Video

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

In week one of term 3 6T presented their NAIDOC week buddy project with KA and student from our Northern Territory buddy school - Milikapiti School.

The goal with the project was to establish a link with a school in a very different environment and observe the similarities and differences between a school in inner city Sydney and remote Northern Territory.

Please enjoy 'Big Kids Helping Little Kids Learn'

NAIDOC Video Project

Kindergarten Orientation Day 14 August 2013

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Orientation Day (docx 530 KB)

A Fantastic First Term

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

We have enjoyed a fantastic first term here at Vaucluse.

Highlights of the term have been:

· the way that all the new children and their families who have come to the school from near and far have settled in at Vaucluse, including all the new Kindy children;

· establishing a seventh mainstream class with the backing of the P&C ;

· all the excitement of our special events – Vaucluse Under the Stars and Grandparents Day;

· the many personal sporting successes at the school swimming carnival, and in tennis and soccer; and

· the construction of a magnificent new vege garden and an amazing bush track in the school grounds.

Thank you to all the people who have contributed to the success of this term. It has been a busy and very rewarding time for everyone.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Easter break and Happy Passover.

School resumes for the children on Tuesday

April 20.

Grandparents Day March 23

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

What an exciting day it was yesterday? The school was crowded with our special visitors who came along to enjoy some "school time" with their grandchildren. The children were so excited to show their grandparents around and to perform for them. Their "Why My Grandparents are so Special" stories were fantastic and very well received.

It was wonderful to listen to Mrs Marie Lawson as she reflected on her happy days at Vaucluse Public School. So many people commented on how much they enjoyed her talk.

Many thanks also go to:

· the teachers for organising such a successful event;

· all the children who participated so well in all the activities;

· the parents for all their help in setting up the venue yesterday morning;

· the parents for organising and donating all that fabulous food for the lunch; and

· the grandparents who came along and made the day so special.

It was great to see so many children taking their grandparents along the bush track at lunchtime yesterday. A visit to the track has become an everyday event for all the children. It is a beautiful place that is unique to our school. We have had many suggestions as to what we should call the track. If you have any ideas, please send them in. We would like to list all suggestions and organise a ballot so that people can vote for their favourite name for the track.

Brian Nethery

Kitchen Garden

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

At the weekend working bee, the three major garden beds were completely finished. They now have a deep layer of rich black topsoil overlaying another deep rich layer of decomposed compost. They are bordered by logs taken from the school's own grounds, the broad meandering pathways are topped with woodchip taken from the school's own grounds, and each has an automatic overhead sprinkler system that delivers water harvested from the schools own grounds. Children present at the working bee planted a small but extensive range of seedling vegetables just to get the growing started - peas, cabbage, brussel sprouts (would the kids have planted these had they known) carrots, silver beet and several varieties of beetroot.

Next week, on Friday 26^th March, the children are going to plant about 300 seedlings and potato tubers during school. We need as many volunteers as possible to help the kids plant. As a parent, this is one thing you don't want to miss.

However, it's not restricted to parents. Do you know anyone else who would like to help out in regular garden activities like this – planting, weeding, harvesting… see if you can get them along next Friday week.

There will be a couple of plants for each child. Imagine the excitement as their potato shoot bursts through the soil! So that they remember which one is theirs, get them to find a special stone, shell, or any other signature object to put beside their plant. They may need to paint it - anything goes. It's the kids garden and they'll have to sort out a lot of things for themselves. They'll have more fun deciding things and taking ownership of their decisions, execution and outcomes. They can act alone, form co-operatives (I should say teams) cook and sell. The garden has more than enough capacity to cover endless alternatives. I can easily imagine it being a daily must for all the kids.

So the turn out for the weekend working bee, which was amazing, will be richly rewarded.
There was so much achieved. Earth was dug out and moved to make the featured timber retaining wall and brick access steps. These are well under construction with just a couple of more hours to be completely finished. Although hard work, everyone seemed to relish the achievement and camaraderie in doing this for the school. Holes were dug (motorised auger) logs were cut (chainsaw) sleepers fitted, bricks cleaned and laid, log bordered pathways topped with woodchip, vegetable seedlings planted, and the overhead sprinkler system started. Sorry to all those who couldn't be present and missed out on being a part of it…..perhaps next time.

With so much achieved on the week end, there will be a short working bee at 9am on Sunday 28^th March for just a couple of hours to finish the retaining wall and brick steps. So if you haven't managed to get involved so far, this could be your chance. We have all the tools, so just bring a pair of good gloves to protect those pinkies. And as the Navy are also helping out later that week, the whole garden development will be finished prior to the Easter break. Congratulations again to all who could help out.

John Stallman

Garden Club

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Vegetable Garden

Every two weeks each class visits the vegetable garden. This Monday morning most classes came to this wonderful outdoor classroom for their first hands on gardening lesson for the year.

Both Kindergarten classes planted peas and learnt about the 4 things plants need to grow....soil,water,sun and LOVE. They are keen learners and not a drama queen among them. Well done, I'm so happy to have you all as fellow gardeners and look forward to a year of learning and growing together.

3/4A harvested (and ate) our tomatoes, basil, sage and, mint and 4/5A harvested our pumpkins (and briefly engaged in an enthusiastic ‘throw the pumpkins at the banana tree' competition, due to a minor communication breakdown!!?)

5/6S planted broadbeans and ripped in and removed the old pumpkin plants ready for composting. We also talked about our red corn and the importance of heirloom vegetables and genetic diversity.

I showed all classes who visited the garden our new bee hive that is home to a few thousand native stingless bees. These bees are a rare species and it's a great conservation project that may have sweet results. The bees also help to cross pollinate our plants and are keeping Malcolm the Scarecrow company. Watch the Wentworth Courier in the next few weeks as they are running a story on our bees.

After school on Monday I had a produce stall, selling the vegetables picked by the children that morning. Organic, fresh and cheap, it doesn't get much better.

The Old School Vegetable garden will continue to grow and change as an outdoor classroom and will supplement the future Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden, showing the community that at Vaucluse, vegetables are the new black!

Rudi (Year 5 parent)

Kindergarten 2011

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Enrolments are now be accepting for Kindergarten 2011, please contact the office on 9337 2672 or drop in and pick up an enrolment package.

Open Day in Term 2, date to be TBC.

We look forwarded to welcoming your family to the Vaucluse School Community.

Vegetable Garden News

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:38 AEDT

And the winner is…

Last Sunday at Woollahra Council's Garden Award Presentation our school vegetable garden won the award for Best Sustainable Garden - Edible. It was a great moment and we can be proud. The award was judged by ‘celebrity' judges Peter Valder and Jennifer Stackhouse who visited the garden and were impressed by its scope, as were coordinators of the Paddington Community Garden Project who so liked our raised beds that they are coming to check them out.

It feels to me like the garden has been in the spotlight a lot lately and I am looking forward to setting back into the rhythm of the garden. The interesting thing about a garden is that you don't tend to dwell in the past. You stay in the moment and you are always planning for the future.

Well the future for our vegetable garden is definitely up - vertical gardens and massive 2m tall sunflowers. I can't wait!

Next week, staff from Taronga Zoo Horticultural Department will be coming to our school garden to harvest banana plants to feed their primates and elephants. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the wider community and share what we have to offer. I'm stoked to think of a chimpanzee munching on our banana leaves. Happy days.

Rudi

Year 4 Parent

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Project (SAKGP)

On August 5, a small group of parents and Mr Nethery met to discuss whether we should apply for the grant to run the SAKGP at Vaucluse. It's a very exciting scheme but a big undertaking to apply: we will have to prove, as a community, we are committed to both funding and supporting the project with volunteer help. Yet having seen how wonderful the outcomes are for schools that have jumped on board, it was decided to give it a red hot go. If you are interested in being part of the committee—anyone is welcome, and you don't have to be a parent of the school—please call Ingrid on 0412 789 143. Also we will be keeping a central registry of ideas. Please send any suggestions for fundraising, leads for donations of cash and/or supplies and names and numbers of people who would be interested in volunteering either in the garden, the kitchen, or chasing donations to deborah.grunfeld@pacificmags.com.au. Any offers, no matter how small or big, gratefully accepted!

More information at: http://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/

Ingrid - 0412 789 143 OR email Deb above

Visit from Marie ex-student 1931

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:38 AEDT

Past students of Vaucluse Public School continue to maintain their contact with the school. Recently the school was fortunate to have a visit from a former student, Marie Greenway (nee Lawson) who started in Kindergarten in 1931 and attended throughout the 1930s. Despite the passing of nearly 70 years since her last day at the school, she spoke fondly of her school days and of how much her life had been enriched by her time at V.P.S. She shared photos of her school days and could still name the teachers and school mates who appeared in them. Marie showed great interest in the future plans of the Year 6 students and they thoroughly enjoyed her visit. Before she left, a photo was taken with some current students as a reminder of her visit. Judging by the broad smile on her face Marie was very happy to be back in a place which had given her such happy memories

And the Winner is ..

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

This month Woollahra Council ran a School's Tree Day Native Garden Competition. The prize being the construction of a native garden within a school by expert staff. We put in an application, hoping to consolidate and expand our bush tucker garden. Well the good news is that Vaucluse Public School's submission was the winner! Woo hoo!

On Friday the 31^st of July Woollahra Council staff, assisted by teachers, students and parents will plant over 50 trees and shrubs as part of National Tree Day. Our bush tucker garden will get a well deserved non wry makeover and the school will do their bit for the environment.

Multicultural Mural

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:30:37 AEDT

Recent visitors to the main corridor are admiring the fantastic new mural that highlights the journeys the children in K-2 have made to get to Vaucluse. It has been a huge effort to create the mural, particularly from Genevieve Carbonatto and her helpers Natalie, Simone, Alexander and Marc and the K-2 children who have spent many hours designing, cutting, sewing and gluing. Make sure you get a chance in the near future to call in and see our new artwork. Many thanks Genevieve, for all your efforts and creativity.