News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:00:16 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 13:16:47 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 16:33:55 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 17:04:03 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 14:23:10 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 13:36:14 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 11:22:46 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 11:42:21 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 14:05:58 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 11:37:20 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 12:23:24 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 15:12:35 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 15:09:30 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 15:15:36 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 13:19:54 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 14:58:12 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 16:23:48 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.

Assembly Time Changes for Term 3 2018

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:36:12 AEST

Due to the number of days our senior classes will be unavailable for assembly time because of PSSA sport, MPS staff have decided to move the weekly assembly times for Term 3.

Beginning next week, Friday 3rd August 2018, weekly assembly will be held at 9am in the morning until approx. 9:30am. This will allow Student Executive to continue to run the assembly and all students to attend before PSSA teams participate in their games later in the day.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but are endeavouring to ensure all of our students are catered for.

Ingrid Bellamy

Principal (Rel)

Welcome to 2018 at Minmi Public School

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:06 AEST

Welcome everyone, friends we haven't met yet and friends we know and love, for a new year and a new start in the next step on our learning journey at Minmi Public School.

We have big plans to continue the improvement of our physical spaces this year and want to build towards a long term project of an outdoor classroom. Students, we are going to work together to improve how we care for our school environment and parents and friends we would love you to join us wherever possible. Many hands make lighter work and together we will achieve great things!

Ingrid Bellamy

Relieving Principal

Bus Service for Minmi PS students

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:10:52 AEST

The service is available for students living in the Wallsend, Maryland and Fletcher areas. Students will need an Opal Card to use the service and this is organised by parents.

Further information can be found using these links: Bus Route (pdf 88 KB)

The attached school advice is also available on our website www.cdcbus.com.au or direct link to school listings http://www.cdcbus.com.au/Hunter-Valley-School-Timetables.html. For parents needing an OPAL card https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/

Please assist us here at school with our morning and afternoon organisation by letting us know if you are intending on using the service.

Minmi P.S Debating Semi Finalists 2017

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:04 AEST

Our debaters Charli J, Fletcher M, Jack M, Dean P and Seth A competed in the Semi-finals of the Crossroads debating challenge last Friday. We debated against Ashtonfield PS, led by a former Minmi teacher, Mrs Davey. The topic was ‘We should ban PE so we can learn more about Maths and English.' We were the negative team and although we had some very strong rebuttals, we were defeated.

Thank you to Mrs McGilchrist, our debating teacher, Sue Hudson our adjudicator and Elyse Hudson our debating coach. The time and effort you all put into helping Minmi Public School come this far is amazing.

Our kids are awesome and it is fantastic that they have had such a great team of support behind them this year.

MINMI DEBATERS ARE OFF TO THE QUARTER FINALS

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:04 AEST

Quarter Finals Here We Come!!

Today, Minmi's Debating Team participated in the 'Round of 16 Finals' against Medowie Public School.

The topic was: "That we should only ever give feedback in primary school instead of grades or marks".

We argued the negative side and won the debate.

We are very excited to announce that we will now go on to the Regional Quarter Finals next week. A big thank you to Mrs McGilchrist for her great leadership.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO MINMI P.S DADS

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:03 AEST

Our wonderful P&C members have again, organised a lovely Fathers Day Breakfast for all our dads, grandfathers, uncles etc. Bacon and egg rolls and pancakes have been prepared and all our dads are enjoying this special time with their children before they all head off to work.

MINMI STUDENT DEBATERS DO IT AGAIN !!

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:05 AEST

Hamilton North PS joined us at school today for the first knock out round of the Inter-zone debating competition. The topic was ‘That Australia should close its zoos' and Minmi argued the negative side. We worked well as a team, successfully winning the debate! Mrs McGilchrist and all the staff are extremely proud of our debaters. Congratulations!

)

BEANIES FOR BRAIN CANCER

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:02 AEST

Minmi Public School held a fundraiser for Beanies for Brain Cancer and it was a great success.

The students enjoyed a disco and ball games after the cake stall. The 5/6 students did a great job running the cake stall at recess. Thanks to all the bakers and gold coin donations.

A total of $348.30 was raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation from the gold coin donation and cake stall. Well done Minmi Public School!

BE AWARE OF PARKING IN THE BUS ZONE

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:02 AEST

Just a friendly reminder to observe all street signs in and around our school. There are new bus zone signs to be aware of. Please follow these to ensure everyone's safety.

Have a great weekend. Erin Minogue

Minmi Public School 10 out 10 video

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:04 AEST

Connecting with Our Community

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:03 AEST

Connecting with our Community

We want to involve our community as much as we can throughout 2016. One of the ways we are doing this is to canvas the community (parents/carers/aunts/uncles and friends of students who attend Minmi Public School) to gather a list of skills that you may have that we can use them to support learning at school. You could be a great scrapbooker, a keen gardener, you may own a hobby farm and can help us improve the environment we have for our chickens. If you have any skills that we could use please complete the attached form and return it to the school.

Connect with Community Form (pdf 560 KB)

Workbook Package for 2016

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:06 AEST

Our 2016 Class Workbook Package has been purchased in preparation for a smooth start to our new year.

The cost of the package is $70.00 per student for all years. Voluntary Contributions are $35.00 per child or $60.00 per family. A full list of resources is added as an attachment for your information. Payment can be made online as per attached instructions.

Workbook Package 2016 (pdf 600 KB)

Canteen Closed Mondays

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:02 AEST

The P&C have made the decision to CLOSE the canteen for recess and lunch orders on Mondays.

The canteen will only open Mondays from 1:15pm-1:45pm for the students to purchase drinks, iceblocks and morning tea items in this hot weather. No hot food/sandwiches. No pre orders, students to come to canteen during lunch break to purchase. Canteen will be as normal on Fridays. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Using Play Equipment after School

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:06 AEST

Over the last few weeks, there have been a number of students playing on the play equipment after school. Unfortunately, this cannot continue.

We have a duty of care for students until they leave school grounds. We only have the safety and wellbeing of students in mind and would hate if someone was injured.

School Enrolments for 2016 to 2018

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:05 AEST

At this time of year, schools are beinning to plan for the next year. The Department of School Education requires schools to submit enrolment projections to ascertain staffing for the following year. To assist us, please provide the names of your children who will begin school next year (2016) and (2017 and 2018). Please pass on this information to friends and neighbours with eligible children to start school in 2016, or encourage them to contact the school. Minmi Future Enrolments (pdf 4968 KB)

Minmi Public School Rules

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:04 AEST

Minmi Public School Rules (pdf 6630 KB)

During the start of every year our class teachers discuss their class rules with their students. We also discuss our school rules. These rules are to help keep your children happy, safe and able to do their best work in the classroom. A copy of our school rules, their meaning and the consequences are attached. This is to help you understand decisions we make regarding the wellbeing of your child while they are at school.

Online Parent Payments Now Available for Minmi Public School

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:05 AEST

It is now possible for parents to make online payments to the school for amounts owing for students, via a secure payment page hosted by Westpac. Payments can be made using either a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. The payment page is accessed from the front page of the schools website by selecting $ Make a payment. Attached is an instruction sheet.Online Payments Instruction (pdf 7202 KB)

Parent Information Session Bushfire Evacuation at Minmi P.S

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:05 AEST

On Tuesday, 2nd December 2014, Mrs McAllister will be sharing the response from the bushfire mock evacuation that took place on Wednesday 26th November, under the scrutiny of Mr Geerin, Inspector from the NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE. If there was a bushfire evacuation at our school, this will be our response procedure. All Welcome - School Library at 3:00pm.

Minmi School App

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:05 AEST

Dear Parents

I have great news to share with you. Our school smartphone mobile app is now available on both the Apple and Android networks for you to download and start using. The instructions are attached:

Minmi School App Install (pdf 9299 KB)

Influenza

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:04 AEST

It is coming into flu season once again and we want to ensure that we keep our kids healthy and happy.

To help prevent the spread of flu please reinforce with your child to:

1. Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing

2. Dispose of tissues immediately

3. Wash hands with soap and water after coughing or sneezing

4. if flu symptoms are displayed, stay at home until symptoms are gone

Welcome to 2014 at Minmi Public School

Sun, 20 May 2018 03:05:06 AEST

The staff and students are very excited to be back and are looking forward to a very productive and happy 2014. We have plans for a wonderful year so keep up with what is happening via the website and the Bulletin.