Staffing Update

With the new Department of Education staffing agreement, most vacancies in schools will now be filled by central appointment. I received news last week that our new Assistant Principal will be transferring to us from Casula Public School. Mrs Stevie Stewart will commence in an Assistant Principal role here at YPS in 2026. I look forward to meeting Stevie over the coming terms and giving her a warm YPS welcome. 

As this appointment does not commence until 2026, there is no impact to our current staffing for 2025.

Multicultural Public Speaking

Congratulations to Skyla, Eve, Siena, and Aria who will be representing our school at the Multicultural Public Speaking Competition after a competitive school-based competition. Well done to all students who participated! We wish these students all the best for the next round.

Engadine Zone Netball Team

It was a delight to receive a beautiful email of compliment from the Engadine Zone Netball Convenors about our students, see below!

We just wanted to let you know that Jada, Kendall and Zoe were amazing role models for your school and the Engadine zone at the Sydney East Netball trials held on Monday 26 May at Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park. 

They were a delight to coach and displayed great netball skills and sportsmanship. For your information Jada progressed to the "possibles and probables" stage.

Well done girls!

Fundraising

This year, instead of the Fitness Challenge, our school is partnering with SportIT Fundraising to bring a fun Go-Kart day to YPS. Students collect $10 donations from sponsors in the hope to win a Berg Pedal Car. There are also milestone prizes to be won. Fundraising efforts are going towards a hall upgrade this year. We are aiming to install more air conditioning units so that the hall is cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Many thanks for your support and we look forward to a fun day of riding on 1 July.

Staff Professional Learning

On Thursday 12 June, all YPS teaching staff will be working with our instructional leader on the latest evidence-based practice in literacy. Students will have a casual teacher on this day, but staff will be onsite and the usual programs will be left so that learning is not disrupted.

National Reconciliation Week

At YPS we have been discussing National Reconciliation Week (NRW) in our classrooms. This week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn, explore and contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The NRW theme for 2025 is Bridging Now to Next. The theme urges us to continue the push forward towards a more united and respectful nation as past lessons guide us. AT YPS we have a very passionate Reconciliation Action Plan Team - if you would like to be part of this, please reach out to Mrs Burton.

We would also like to thank Ms Sidoti and Ms Pender for their work in setting up a Reconciliation display in our library with Mrs Thomas. Our students have been enjoying it, thank you so much!

Thank you also to everyone who supported Children’s Ground with our Wear It Yellow Day last week. Together we raised a total of $226.05. Thank you for your support.

Mabo Day

Every year on 3 June we celebrate Mabo Day, which commemorates the life of Eddie Koiki Mabo and marks the anniversary of the historic 1992 Mabo decision, and draws to a close National Reconciliation Week. Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander man who challenged the claim that his family’s traditional land was owned by the Crown. The High Court’s decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) overturned that claim and set a precedent in Australian law for the recognition of Indigenous custodianship over their traditional land. The decision also overturned the colonial concept of terra nullius, Latin for ‘nobody’s land’, which was used to justify the British Crown’s claim on the land. As educators walking alongside First Nations peoples in reconciliation, understanding land rights and native title is fundamental to creating culturally safe learning environments. Together, we can create a future that honours First Nations peoples' enduring connection to Country.

Create 2025

Congratulations to Jessica, Stella and Dakota on their successful audition process into Create 2025. A very exciting event for them!

New resources on the Parent and carer information hub

The Brighter Beginnings parent and carer information hub has new resources to help parents and carers take action to support their child’s development in the first 5 years of life.

We encourage you to explore the new content at https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/early-child-development

The resources and videos include tips and easy-to-follow activities parents and carers can do at playtime, mealtime and bedtime to help give them the best start in life. There are resources for different ages including newborn, baby, toddler and preschool.

The hub also features:

• information, services and resources on health, learning, education and wellbeing

• a dedicated section for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

• resources for children, parents and carers with disability

• a language translation tool and hearing and speech assistance.

Upcoming Dates

Here are some dates for your diaries:

• Monday 9 June - public holiday - school not operational

• Tuesday 10 June - Stage 1 excursion

• Weeks 7 and 8 - Life Education Van visits - please ensure payment has been made.

• Monday 16 June 7pm staff room - P&C Meeting onsite

• Wednesday 18 June - P&C donut day & SRC Jersey Day (no gold coin required)

• Friday 20 June - B Kinder Day (gold coin mufti for the B Kinder Foundation), Year 6 fundraising disco.

• Thursday 26 June - Pyjama Day fundraiser (gold coin donation)

• Saturday 28 June - P&C Trivia Night

• Monday 30 June - MobileEyes & Dentistry - get your forms in.

• Tuesday 1 July - Go Kart Fundraiser

• Wednesday 2 July - Stage 2 excursion

Kind regards,

Kyleigh Nash

Principal