Acknowledgement of Country

Panania North PS is on the Lands and Waterways of the Bidjigal people of the Dharug Nation. We thank those that have generously shared their knowledge, Language and culture with us and commit to caring for the Land.

We acknowledge the traditional ways of learning and will continue to nurture these values within students. In paying respect to local Elders past, present and emerging, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we commit to strengthening relationships between First Nations communities and our school community.

Important Dates for Your Calendar

• Tuesday 11 November  to Friday 13 November - Stage 3 School Camp 

• Tuesday 11 November - Remembrance Day

• Thursday 20 November - PNPS Fun Day 

School Leaders 2026 

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 School Leadership Team! Congratulations to our newly selected student leaders who have been chosen for their dedication, positivity and commitment to our school values. These outstanding students will represent our school community with pride, helping to lead events, support their peers, and make a positive difference across our school. We are so proud of each of them and look forward to the incredible year ahead!

School Captains - Hasan A & Tishya D 

School Vice Captains - Joshua Vat & Cherry B

School Wellbeing & Community Captains - Prejessa S & Jazmay S

School House Captains 2026 

We are excited to announce our 2026 Sport House Captains! Congratulations to these enthusiastic and dedicated students who have been selected by their peers and teachers to lead their houses with pride. They will play an important role in organising and motivating their teams at sporting events, promoting school spirit and encouraging everyone to get involved and have fun. We can’t wait to see their leadership shine throughout the year!

Boronia Captains - Isaac S & Austin M

Wattle Captains - Anthony B & Le'Myah CS

Waratah Captains - Emmy T & Zak T

News from the Pirates 

Happy Term 4! What a year it has been. End of the year, but we are busy as ever.

The Pirates have started a dance program this term with Gymnastrix. We have been learning and performing a hip-hop style dance in the hall each week. 

Science has also been action-packed with an experiment every week. Students have been learning about the different types of matter and their properties. Students conducted a vinegar and bicarb soda mixing experiment to determine the properties of gases.

The waste warriors from the Sparks also visited us to test out our knowledge on protecting the environment, preventing waste, and recycling materials. 

Students have also been in the process of writing narratives, learning about gathering and displaying data, creating and completing each other's surveys, preparing for Fun Day, and getting excited for Year 6 Farewell. 

Have a great end to the year!

-Mr Petsalis and the Pirates

Bankstown East Hills District Dance Festival 

Our Junior and Senior Dance Troupes performed at the Bankstown East Hills District Dance Festival on Monday, 3rd November at Bankstown Sports Club. This was their final performance for the year and both groups gave outstanding performances!

It has been a wonderful year for our dancers — they have shown great commitment, creativity and teamwork, developing their confidence and skills with each performance. We are so proud of how far they have come and how beautifully they represented our school. Congratulations to all our talented Junior and Senior Dance Troupe students!

Opportunity Class and Selective High School Applications 2027

Applications are now open from November 6, 2025, and close on Friday, February 20, 2026. They will not be accepting late applications.

A guide to Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes can be found here.

• Students in Year 3 (2025) and Year 4 (2026) can apply for a 2027 OC placement now.

• Students in Year 5 (2025) and Year 6 (2026) can now apply for a 2027 Selective High School placement.

Please click on the application link to apply for your child/ren.

Kindergarten 2026

This week we celebrated the last of our three Kindergarten transition sessions! It has been wonderful to watch the children grow in confidence each week as they become more familiar with their new classrooms, teachers, and routines.

Throughout the sessions, the children enjoyed a range of fun and engaging activities — creating colourful masks, sequencing stories, practising writing their names, colouring, playing games, and most importantly, making new friends.

We are so proud of how well they have settled in and can already see their excitement about starting “big school” next year. We can’t wait to officially welcome them as part of our school community in 2026!

News from the Wolfberries

Happy Term 4! 

In science, the Wolfberries have been learning to recognise light as a form of energy. We explored how light can pass through some objects but not others by using torches in hands-on investigations. Students shone light on different materials to discover which ones let light through and which ones blocked it completely. 

Students had lots of fun testing to see if their predictions were right!

Interest Groups

Our HPGE Interest Groups have kicked offand will continue every Friday for the next six weeks. 

These groups provide exciting enrichment opportunities aligned with students’ strengths and interests, while also giving students the chance to discover new passions and identify their potential.Whether exploring cooking art, ceramics, languages, book club, karate or boot camp these activities allow our students to connect with like-minded peers and develop new skills in a supportive and inspiring environment and help to nurture potential and ignite a love for learning beyond the classroom! 

Art Club 

We’re excited to announce a brand-new Art Club for Stage 2 and Stage 3 students! Throughout the term, students will be getting creative with a range of exciting projects, including rock art, zentangle art, salt art, and many more fun activities. 

Art Club is all about exploring imagination, building artistic skills, and having a great time expressing creativity. It’s sure to be a real “draw-dropping” experience! 

Clay Club

Students in Stage 2 and 3 participated in a fun and creative clay workshop where they learnt how to make their own pinch pots. They explored different clay techniques, including shaping, smoothing, and adding decorative details. 

Each student had the opportunity to design a unique piece that reflected their creativity and imagination. The workshop helped students develop fine motor skills and an appreciation for the art of pottery. 

Cooking Club 

Our Cooking Interest Group runs every Friday afternoon from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. Students explore a variety of delicious recipes, creating all sorts of yummy dishes. It’s a fun and hands-on way to learn teamwork, cooperation, and practical cooking skills. 

Together, we produce awesome food that’s not only enjoyable to make but also tasty to eat! 

Martial Arts 

Build discipline, coordination, strength, fitness, focus, and confidence while learning an awesome skill for life! In this group, students will practise kicks, punches, and coordination skills in a fun, safe way that teaches the core values of martial arts: respect and self-control. 

Book Club

In Book Club, students share their love of reading by exploring different stories, characters, and themes. Each week, they take part in fun activities like book chats, creative challenges, and reflections to build their reading confidence and discover new books and genres. 

Boot Camp 

The North Boot Camp is an exciting six-week fitness and wellbeing program designed to build strength, stamina, teamwork, and resilience. 

Students take part in fun, fast-paced challenges that progressively increase in difficulty, using activities like agility drills, partner games, and endurance tasks. It’s all about getting active, supporting one another, and developing a positive mindset towards health and fitness. 

Language Learning 

The Languages Club is a fun and engaging interest group where students have been exploring both Spanish and Japanese! 

So far this term, students have learnt how to greet others, introduce themselves, count to 20, name different colours, and ask and respond to how someone is feeling. Each session has been filled with enthusiasm, laughter, and curiosity as students practise their new language skills through games, songs, and interactive activities. They’ve absolutely loved immersing themselves in new cultures and discovering how language connects people around the world!

Green Team

A big clap for the PNPS Green Team! 

Every Thursday lunchtime these green thumbs enthusiastically give up their break to care for our school. Recently, we’ve spent time looking after our native Busy Bee area, collecting any rubbish and keeping the space tidy for our local wildlife. There’s always plenty to do in the patch—maintaining garden beds, checking that our worm farms are healthy and functioning, and watering the garden with our supercharged worm wee.

Well done, legends. Your hard work keeps our school beautiful, biodiverse, and thriving!

Mr Steadman

News from the Lobsters

This term in Literacy, the Lobsters have been diving deep into the theme of survival through our class texts Survivors: Inspiring True Stories of Survival by Ben Hubbard and 200 Minutes of Danger by Jack Heath. Inspired by these incredible stories, students have been researching the real-life individuals who have faced hardship or tragedy from the text and shared their remarkable survival journeys.

After crafting detailed information reports, we explored the art of interviewing, both as a reporter and as a survivor. Students wrote thoughtful, open-ended interview questions and transformed their research into first-person responses, taking on the voice and perspective of their chosen survivor. We wrapped up with mock interviews that brought these powerful stories to life!

To top it all off, the Lobsters even sent some of their amazing questions directly to the survivors they researched, and we’re eagerly waiting to see if we get a reply! Take a look at some of our incredible work below 👇

News from the Toucans

In Geography, the Toucans have been learning all about Uluru — its special features, location, and why it is such an important place in Australia. This week, we did a guided drawing of Uluru, focusing on its unique shape and beautiful colours. The students did an amazing job following the steps carefully and adding their own creative touches. 

Be sure to check out the photos of our fantastic Uluru artworks! 

Attendance 

Attendance - Getting in Early!

Attendance patterns are established early – a child regularly missing days in Kindergarten or in the early years of primary school will often continue to miss classes in the later years, and this can impact their academic results when compared to classmates who attend school regularly. It’s vital that students attend school every day – even in the early years of primary school. 

Schoolbytes

Panania North Public School uses School Bytes for communication, reminders, payments for excursions and sports, attendance submissions and statements of accounts. If you haven't already downloaded the app link your child/ren please click on the link 

• App Store - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/school-bytes/id6463097826 

• Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=education.schoolbytes

If you have any questions please contact the office for assistance. 

2026 Kindergarten Enrolments NOW OPEN!

Have you enrolled your child for Kindergarten 2026?

If you have a child beginning Kindergarten next year, please go to our school website to enrol NOW.

Once you complete your enrolment, more information will be given on Kindergarten transition days and upcoming events.

If you know of other families with children starting Kindergarten  in 20256 within our catchment, please let them know it is important they enrol NOW.

Friendly Reminders

School Starting and Finishing Times 

At Panania North Public School our school hours are from 8.30am to 3.00pm.  Students must not be on school grounds before 8:30am without parent supervision. A Teacher will be on duty from 8.30am onwards. Please contact the YMCA, OOSH if you need to leave your child at school before 8:30am or after 3.00pm.

School Gate

Internal school gate - locked at 9.01 am. All parents are asked to kindly leave the school after drop off. If the gate is                 locked, please leave via our front office, The gate will be unlocked by one of our staff members at 2.55 pm.

External  electronic school gate - closes at 9.15am and reopens at 2.55pm. If you need to enter the school between these      times, please press the buzzer on the gate. Please do not push or pull the gate, as this will open automatically.

Late Notes

If your child arrives late to school, please enter via the school office and they will be issued a late slip. If parents are                escorting their child into the school they wil be asked to sign the late note. If not, an SMS will be sent out at 10am on the     same day advising you of the late arrival. Please respond via the SMS or schoolbytes advising the reason. 

Absences

If students are marked as absent on the school roll (and the school has not been notified earlier), an SMS will be sent out at 10am on the same day advising you of the absence. Please respond via the SMS or schoolbytes advising the reason. 

Playground Equipment

At Panania North Public School we love seeing the children enjoy our beautiful school grounds including our play equipment. However, please be aware that the play equipment is strictly out of bounds when there is not a Teacher on duty wearing a yellow vest. This means early mornings  (before 8.30am) and after school in the afternoons (from 3pm onwards). 

Pets on School Premises

At Panania North Public School we have a lot of students with allergies. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing family pets and animals onto our school grounds when dropping off or picking up your children.

Change of Details

Have you changed your address? How about your email or telephone number? If so, please send an email to pananianth-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or contact the office so we can update our records. 

Medical Information

Please see the office staff if your child has any medical requirements or if medical information needs to be updated. 

Class Dojo

Panania North Public School uses Class Dojo for inclass communication. 

If you haven't already downloaded the app link your child/ren please click on the link below.

• Class Dojo - https://www.classdojo.com/download/

If you have any questions please contact the office for assistance. 

PSSA News

As we continue to support our students' participation in PSSA (Primary School Sports Association) competitions, we want to remind you of the importance of wearing the school uniform when representing our school in the community.

Wearing the school uniform not only fosters a sense of pride and belonging among our students but also promotes a positive image of our school as we compete against other schools. It helps our students to feel part of a team and encourages them to embody the values of respect, responsibility, and sportsmanship.

We kindly ask that all students wear their full school sports uniform when attending PSSA events. This includes school polo shirts, school hats, School shorts, school socks, and any designated sports gear given to the student, depending on the sport.

Students who are not in proper uniform for PSSA sports on Fridays will be unable to participate.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping our students proudly represent our school. 

Extended Leave Travel

Extended leave

Student absences outside vacation periods are counted as absences for statistical purposes. This applies to extended periods of leave that families might seek for various reasons, including a family holiday, family travel or bereavement.

• An exemption for family travel and holidays will not be approved. Parents are encouraged to take holidays with their child during school vacation periods.

• For travel periods exceeding one school term, access to Distance Education must be considered. 

• Approval for extended leave may only be considered if the student is meeting the Department of Education's guidelines for satisfactory attendance

• While a student is on leave, they are recorded as being absent from school. Although parents or carers may request and schools may provide learning opportunities during the period of leave, there is no requirement for this to occur. 

🚗Stay Safe: Road Rules in NSW School Zones

As we prioritise the safety of our students, it’s important for all parents and carers to follow NSW road rules in school zones. These zones operate on school days from 8:00am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4:00pm, unless otherwise signposted.

Key rules include:

• 40 km/h speed limit in school zones

• No stopping in designated no-stopping areas or across driveways

• No parking in no-parking zones – you may stop for 2 minutes if staying within 3 metres of your car

• Always use designated crossings and follow crossing supervisor instructions

• Mobile phone use while driving is strictly prohibited, even while stationary in traffic

Breaking these rules can result in substantial fines and demerit points. For example:

• Speeding in a school zone: Up to $2,200 fine and 7 demerit points

• Using a mobile phone: $387 fine and 5 demerit points

• Illegal parking: Fines starting from $201

During double demerit periods, penalties are even higher. Let’s work together to keep our school community safe — every decision behind the wheel matters.

PNPS Sun Smart Safety Policy

Please help us by ensuring your child brings their hat to school everyday!

RATIONALE 

Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world.

Skin damage, including skin cancer, is the result of cumulative exposure to the sun. Much of the damage occurs during childhood and adolescence. Research suggests that severe sunburn is a contributor to skin cancer and other forms of skin damage such as wrinkles, sunspots, blemishes and premature aging. Most skin damage and skin cancer is therefore preventable.

Panania North Public School can help reduce the incidence of skin cancer and the number of related deaths by encouraging all members of the school community to take effective skin protection measures. 

AIMS 

The aims of the Sun Safety Policy at Panania North Public School are to promote among students, staff and parents: 

• Positive attitudes towards skin protection 

• Lifestyle practices which can reduce the incidence of skin cancer and the number of related deaths 

• Awareness of the need for environmental changes which will reduce the level of exposure to the sun 

• Personal responsibility for and decision-making about skin protection. 

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR SKIN PROTECTION 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students attending Panania North Public School are protected throughout the year from the harmful effects of the sun. A particular emphasis on implementation will be placed in Terms 1 and 4. The following strategies will be implemented:

• Students will wear hats whenever they are outside such as before school, during recess, lunch, sport, excursions and sports carnivals. 

• Students who do not have their hats with them will play in shady areas in the playground. A “No Hat- Play in the Shade” strategy will be implemented. 

• Students will be encouraged to apply a SPF 30+ sunscreen.

• Outdoor activities will be held in areas of shade whenever possible. 

• Teachers will endeavour to schedule outdoor activities before 11am and after 2pm where possible. 

• Staff and parents will be encouraged to act as role models by practising skin safe behaviour but it must be remembered that this policy is designed specifically for student protection.

• Incorporate information sessions and programs on skin cancer prevention in PD/H/PE lessons 

• Ensure Sun Safety when students participate in PSSA and other sport programs 

• Inform parents/carers of the Sun Safety Policy 

EVALUATION 

Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Sun Safety Policy through: 

• General observation of skin protective behaviour of school community 

• Random surveys of hat use in playground 

• Evaluate classroom activities involving skin cancer prevention 

• Evaluate school resources 

• Review policy every three years. 

RESOURCES 

Cancer Council NSW- Sun Smart Resources 

http://www.cancercouncil.com.au