The Wrap @Appin

Term 4, Week 4

📅 Dates to Remember

Upcoming Events

The next assembly is Friday, 14 November 2025 in the School hall at 2.15pm. All welcome.

McRae class will host this assembly.

Hoopla Day is a fun filled day of entertainment, games and activities, planned by Year 6 for the entire school and community to enjoy. The students will be working hard all term to make this fundraiser the best it can be. Parents, siblings and grandparents are welcome to attend. We hope to see everybody there!

📝Mrs Collins - Principal's Desk

Week 4 & 5 of Term 4

Dear Parents and Carers,

Primary Principals Conference 2025

Last week, I had the privilege of representing Appin Public School at the annual Primary Principals Conference in Sydney. The event was nothing short of inspiring, bringing together leaders from across the state to reflect, connect, and reimagine the future of education.

Hosted by the always brilliant Annabel Crabb, the conference was filled with thought-provoking ideas and heartfelt stories that reminded us why we do what we do. Jana Pittman spoke with honesty and strength about resilience and embracing challenge, while Vincent Fantauzzo shared the beauty of creativity and vulnerability through art. Gilbert Enoka, renowned for his work with the All Blacks, reminded us that success is grounded in mindset, culture, and collective purpose.

We were challenged to think differently about the future by Damon Gameau, who explored innovation and sustainability, and deeply moved by Bernie Shakeshaft’s message about connection and belonging for young people. Kath Koschel inspired us with her incredible story of gratitude and kindness, and there was even a fascinating look into the evolving world of AI and education, sparking ideas for how we can thoughtfully integrate technology to enhance learning.

And of course, the unforgettable Cathy Freeman, 25 years on from her iconic Sydney 2000 moment, captivated everyone with her grace, humility, and message of perseverance.

I left the conference feeling energised and grateful to be part of such an incredible profession, with new ideas to bring back to our Appin community as we continue walking forward together.

A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing P&C 💙

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible P&C team for their continued energy, creativity, and commitment to our school. A special shout-out to Jodie for her fantastic work securing the recent grant, and to Neridah for her outstanding organisation of the Appin Wheels Festival—what an event!

Between the success of the grant and the Wheels Festival, it’s clear that our P&C is truly unstoppable. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate group of parents driving positive change and opportunities for our students.

On behalf of our entire school community - thank you for all that you do.

Opportunity Class Information

An email has been sent to all our Year 3 and Year 5 families regarding Opportunity Class (OC) placements and upcoming opportunities to sit the OC test. These programs provide an excellent pathway for students who demonstrate high academic potential and a love of challenge.

Please take a moment to read the information carefully and reach out if you have any questions or would like support with the application process. We’re here to help families navigate this exciting opportunity for their children. 🌟

Congratulations to Our Students 🌟

A huge congratulations to all our students for their continued hard work and success. Our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) students are absolutely thriving, demonstrating curiosity, creativity, and a genuine love of learning across all areas.

We’re so proud of the growth and enthusiasm our learners show every day. Be sure to check out the HPGE section further in this edition of The Wrap @Appin to see some of the incredible things they’ve been achieving!

Have a fabulous weekend.

Mrs Collins

Kingston, Zayne, Lylah and Sybil from Lacey Class

Cameron from Eva Class

🗂️ From the Executive Desks

🌟Mrs Partridge

Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction (Literacy)

This fortnight, I have really enjoyed visiting classrooms and observing writing lessons across the school. These visits have also provided valuable insights into our next steps for 2026, as we continue to build consistency in writing instruction and celebrate the progress our students are making.

This term, our Assistant Principals are working closely with their teams to identify a specific focus area using data sources such as phonics diagnostic assessments or Check-In assessments. This data-driven approach is helping teams refine their practice and strengthen student learning outcomes. Assistant Principals will be sharing evidence of practice and evidence of impact at our next Executive Planning Day to guide ongoing improvement.

We are also pleased to welcome our practicum teachers, who are currently working alongside and learning from some of our amazing teachers. You may recognise some of these names as they were with us in Term 2:

Harrison Buesnel is with Mr Crane, Charlotte Dedden is with Mr Hennessy, Sarah Russell is with Mrs Hawkins and Mr Pincock, Tahlia Stevenson is with Mr McCloskey, Eloise Turner is with Mrs Lewis, Hannah Xioa is with Ms Paxton, Lorelai Hodges is with Miss Duggan, Chloe Ellaway is with Mr Sweeney and Corey Hladik is with Miss Kennedy.

It is wonderful to see future teachers gaining valuable experience in our classrooms and being mentored by such dedicated educators.

I will be taking extended leave over the next two weeks to spend some time overseas with my family and look forward to seeing everyone when I return in Week 7.

Here’s a fun writing idea to try at home:

Letter to a Toy

Step 1 – Write a letter:
Write a short letter to your favourite toy or stuffed animal. Tell it about your day and ask questions using question words like who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Example questions:

Who is your best toy friend?
What games do you like to play?
When do you like to rest?
Where do you like to sit during the day?
Why do you like being my toy?
How do you stay so cuddly?

Step 2 – Toy’s response:
Now, imagine your toy writes back to you! Use their voice to answer the questions you asked.

Example responses:

Who: My best friend is Teddy the bear from your bookshelf.
What: I love playing hide and seek with you!
When: I rest quietly on your bed while you’re at school.
Where: I like sitting by the window where the sunlight warms me.
Why: I love being your toy because you give me hugs and take care of me.
How: I stay cuddly because I have magic fluff just for you!

This will help your child to write questions and answers, using imagination and adding details to make your letters fun! If they would like to share their writing with me, I would love to see it!!

🌟Ms Martin

Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction (Numeracy)

This term, our APCI team is spending time in classrooms observing mathematics lessons across the school. It has been wonderful to see engaging Number Talks and Number Sense Routines in action, with teachers applying their professional learning to strengthen how our students think flexibly about numbers. These observations highlight the many ways teachers are supporting students to explain their thinking, use multiple strategies, and make connections between numbers. The insights gathered will help us identify our next steps as we shape our whole-school maths focus for 2026.

Maths at Home – Try This! (Additive Thinking Focus)
Additive thinking is currently our whole school focus and it is all about understanding how numbers can be combined and broken apart in different ways. Here are some simple ways to explore this at home:

🧮 Make Ten: When playing with toys, snacks, or Lego pieces, ask “How many more do we need to make 10?” or “If you have 6, how can you make 10 another way?”

🎲 Double It: Roll two dice and find doubles or near doubles (e.g. 6 + 7 is close to double 6 plus one more).

🍎 Part–Whole Talk: At dinner, say “There are 8 potatoes on the plate—if we eat 3, how many are left? How else could we work that out?”

These small, playful moments encourage your child to think about numbers flexibly, building strong foundations for mental computation and problem solving.

🐨 Mrs Hawkins

Assistant Principal Stage 3

Stage 3 (Year 5 & 6): Exciting Preparations and Focused Learning

Since returning from camp, our students have hit the ground running, continuing to explore themes in the text The One and Only Ivan while refining their persuasive writing skills. In mathematics, they have been examining chance and probability, applying their previously learned skills of converting between decimals, fractions, and percentages to interpret frequencies in various data sets.

The Year 6 students have been enthusiastically preparing their stalls for the upcoming Hoopla Day on 3rd December - make sure you do your chores and earn some extra coins to bring along to the day! Their creativity and collaboration are shining through as they get ready to contribute to this fun and engaging event.

Meanwhile, our Year 5 students are deeply involved in the 2026 leadership campaign. Those interested have been actively participating and submitting their applications. In addition to this, the entire grade are working on a heartfelt letter and a special surprise for their 2026 Kindergarten buddies, fostering a wonderful connection between year groups.

On the academic front, our recent Check-In assessments have provided valuable insights. Using this data, we have developed a focused approach to strengthen reading skills across our stage. A key emphasis is on enhancing inferencing skills — an essential part of reading comprehension. Students are learning to combine clues from the text with their prior knowledge to better understand and respond to questions. This targeted strategy is helping to build confident and thoughtful readers.

We are proud of the dedication shown by our students and look forward to sharing more exciting updates in the coming weeks!

Hart and Cromer class

Stage 3 students at Softball

Edwards students at Oz-Tag

🐨Mrs Muntz

Assistant Principal Stage 2

Stage 2 (Year 2, 3 & 4)

English

It has been a busy and exciting few weeks in Stage 2 as we are wrapping up our 200 Minutes of Danger unit. The students have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the key elements of creative narrative writing and developing their storytelling skills.

As part of our Check-In Assessment for Years 3–6, we identified that vocabulary is an important area for further growth across the stage. In response, Stage 2 teachers have been implementing focused lessons to help students build and strengthen their understanding of vocabulary in context. Each morning, students participate in short, 10-minute sessions that encourage them to unpack words, explore meaning within texts, and expand their language skills. Our goal is to see this growing vocabulary knowledge shine through in their everyday writing, helping them to create more engaging and expressive pieces.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, students have been deepening their understanding of fractions and how these concepts apply to real-world situations. To make learning more interactive and meaningful, students have been using Maths Online, which provides immediate feedback and data. This allows teachers to tailor instruction to meet the needs of each learner and ensure everyone continues to make progress.

STEM

In STEM, our K–6 focus this term is on developing teamwork and collaboration skills. Stage 2 students have been working in small groups to design and build solar-powered machines, such as a “Tightrope Walker.” These hands-on activities have encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and cooperation — all while having lots of fun!

Stage 2 Excursion

Finally, a reminder that our excursion to the Australian Museum is coming up on Wednesday, 20th November. We are looking forward to an exciting day of exploration and learning about Aboriginal perspectives, as well as the rich diversity of cultures, animals, and environments — both past and present.

Thank you for your continued support at home. We are so proud of the enthusiasm and effort our Stage 2 students bring to their learning each day!

Learning in Mulga

Learning in Darling

Learning in Eva

Learning in Hall

🐨Mr Sylwestrzak

Assistant Principal Stage 1

Student Representative Council (SRC)

Our stage 1 SRC members represent the student voice within the school. They meet regularly to discuss ideas, share feedback from their peers, and help plan events and initiatives that promote a positive school culture. Through their role, SRC members develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while contributing to school improvement and community spirit.

Year 1 Past and Present Incursion

Year 1 students participated in an engaging Past and Present incursion where they explored how life has changed over time. Through a range of hands-on activities, students experienced old-fashioned games, household items, and school routines from the past. The interactive session helped deepen their understanding of how technology and daily life have evolved while making history learning fun and memorable.

Year 2 Excursion to Wollondilly Heritage Centre

Year 2 students visited the Wollondilly Heritage Centre as part of their History unit exploring life in the past. They enjoyed a range of hands-on activities and exhibits that showcased how people lived, worked, and went to school many years ago. The excursion provided an exciting opportunity for students to compare the past and present, deepening their understanding of how daily life has changed over time.

Stage 1 Mathematics

In Stage 1 classrooms, students are continuing to deepen their understanding of measurement, capacity, and number skills. Through hands-on activities and practical investigations, they are exploring ways to compare, estimate, and measure while strengthening their confidence in applying number strategies to real-life situations.

Stage 1 Literacy

Students are learning about and applying split digraphs during reading and writing lessons to strengthen their spelling and decoding skills. They are also exploring the structure of narratives, focusing on key elements such as the orientation, problem, events, and resolution to help them create well-organised and engaging stories.

Learning in Smart

Learning in Sims

Learning in Kingston

Learning in Magee

🐨Mrs Mathers

Assistant Principal Early Stage 1

What's coming up for Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) this term?

Our recent visit to the University of Wollongong Science Centre was filled with incredible learning and fun! Students had the opportunity to step inside the planetarium, where they journeyed through the cosmos and deepened their understanding of space in a truly immersive way. The excitement continued as we watched fascinating real-life science experiments unfold before our eyes. Some lucky students were invited to join the scientists themselves, getting hands-on experience and sparking their curiosity even further. A highlight of the day was the STEM challenge, where students put their creativity and engineering skills to the test by building the tallest tower using Duplo blocks. The competition was fierce, and the winning tower reached an impressive height of over 1 metre! Hands-on science activities engaged everyone, with favourites including watching parachutes gently descend, observing balls float and testing endurance with hanging challenges. For many students, this was their first experience travelling by bus, adding an extra layer of excitement to their day. It was truly a memorable outing that combined education and enjoyment in the best possible way.

This week students had a wonderful time working alongside their Stage 3 buddy classes to complete a variety of engaging activities. This partnership not only fostered teamwork and friendship across different year groups but also helped build confidence and communication skills for the younger students. While these collaborative activities were underway, we were also excited to welcome our 2026 Kindergarten students for their first transition visit.

As we look ahead, preparations are underway for some special upcoming events. Our Grand Friends Day is around the corner. Students are busy rehearsing performances and preparing special activities to show their appreciation. In addition, we are eagerly anticipating the Appin Carols, a festive occasion that brings everyone together to enjoy music, community spirit, and holiday cheer. We can’t wait to celebrate these wonderful events with families, friends, and the wider community!

Learning in Cromer

Learning in McRae

Learning in Lacey

🔦 Spotlight on Learning @ Appin PS

Kindergarten

McRae

What a fantastic start we have had to our final term in Kindergarten McRae! Our students have begun the term with curiosity and confidence, continuing to build their early reading and writing skills and becoming brilliant little mathematicians as they explore number combinations, patterns, and problem-solving. A major highlight was our very first school excursion to the Science Centre in Wollongong, where we excitedly explored hands-on experiments, discovered new scientific wonders, and tackled fun challenges with enthusiasm.

In the classroom, we have been diving into the past through personal and family stories during History lessons and learning about weather patterns and seasonal changes in Science. We are so proud of the growth, resilience, and teamwork our Kindergarten students have shown, and we can’t wait to finish the year strong as they prepare to celebrate their first amazing year of primary school!

Untitled design.mp4

Lacey

Lacey have been shining in their learning this term! It has been wonderful to see their confidence, curiosity, and independence grow each day. They are eagerly engaging in reading, writing, and maths activities, showing great persistence and a growing ability to problem-solve and think creatively. It’s a joy to see their enthusiasm and teamwork shining through in everything they do. I am so proud of the wonderful progress each child has made and the positive attitude they bring to every learning experience. Well done, Lacey - your hard work makes our classroom a very special place to learn!

Cromer

This year Cromer class has settled into primary school life with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. Building more confidence in themselves and their surroundings while adapting to new routines and lessons. They have shown tremendous growth in their learning and are facing challenges with a positive mindset, supporting one another to problem solve as a team.

This term in the classroom, Cromer class has been exploring length, area, and capacity by comparing objects, covering shapes with tiles, and using containers to see which holds more. Students are using everyday language like longer, shorter, bigger, smaller, full, and empty while recording their findings with drawings and simple charts. In English, they are developing a narrative using the words bird, thunder, and letter, focusing on sequencing ideas, building characters, and using clear sentences.

💫 High Potential and Gifted Education💫

STEM SUPERSTARS AT APPIN PS!

We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the incredible efforts of our Stage 2 innovators who took part in the Snowy Hydro ‘Powering Up the Future’ National STEM Competition. Our students showcased creative, future-focused thinking and designed impressive sustainable energy solutions. We could not be prouder of their ingenuity and curiosity!

A special shout-out to Mila Y and Harper S, who were shortlisted in the Top 10 junior STEM entries nationwide. This is an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of their hard work, imagination and passion for making the world a cleaner, greener place.

And… we are beyond excited to announce that Mila has WON the Community Choice Award!

Her brilliant concept - Child’s Play: Productive Parks, turns playground energy (from swings, bikes, spinners and solar cubbies) into real, usable power for communities. Proving that playtime can help power the planet!

Mila’s prize: A 12-month STEMgineers subscription delivered to her door each month!

School prize: A full class set of 18 Ozobot Bit+ robots with accessories and charging banks. An absolute game-changer for STEM learning at Appin PS!

A huge thanks to Mrs Thomson who gave up her time and worked hard with our Stage 2 students on this initiative.

We are so incredibly proud of Mila, Harper and all our student participants. Your creativity and commitment to a sustainable future inspires us each and every day.

ARTISTC TALENT

Congratulations to Eden M for being selected for the 2025 Operation Art Exhibition! Her artwork was chosen by a panel of judges that included representatives from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Office of the Children’s Guardian, and the NSW Department of Education. Well done, Eden!

🖤❤️💛Aboriginal Education

Parent Information Session and Additional Transition

Over the past fortnight, we were proud to host a Parent Information Session to share the range of supports, opportunities, and cultural experiences available for our First Nations students at Appin Public School. This session provided families with insight into how we nurture strong cultural identity and ensure that our students feel connected, confident, and supported in their learning journey.

We also welcomed our incoming Kindergarten First Nations students for an additional transition session. During this visit, students met one another, connected with our Aboriginal Education teachers, participated in cultural activities, and explored our school’s Cultural Space. It was a wonderful opportunity to begin building relationships and a sense of belonging before starting school next year.

🐨 Positive Behaviour for Learning

PBL Focus (Week 5 & 6)

Our PBL Students of the Week

From the Office

📌 Don't Forget

Selective High School Placement for 2027

Applications will be open each year from November to February (the following year) for both selective high school and opportunity class placement. Parents and carers will apply online using the Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement application website.

Applications for selective high school and opportunity class, entry in 2027, will be open from 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026. There will be no late applications due to the longer application period, and the application closing date being closer to the test dates and logistical constrains around organising test centres and devices.

This change to the application period means that parents and carers will now need to apply for Opportunity Class Placement when their child is in Year 3 (or by the end of Week 4, Term 1 when their child is in Year 4). This change applies to students currently in Year 3.

For Selective High School Placement, parents and carers will continue to apply when their child is in Year 5 and can now apply when their child is in Year 6 until the end of Week 4, Term 1. For more information, please click on the following link: Application process

Student Numbers for 2026

If your child/ren are not returning to Appin School next year, can you please advise the office as soon as possible. If you are aware of any families that have not yet enrolled their children, please ask them to contact the school as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Ambarvale High Schools' Orientation Days for Year 6 to 7

Ambarvale High School will be conducting an Orientation Day for students attending Ambarvale High School next year, on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.

Parents with students attending Ambarvale High, should have received information from the High School about the Orientation session. Please contact the High School for further information on Ph: 46271800. The day will run from 9:00am to 1:50pm. Parents are required to transport their own child to and from Ambarvale High.

Updating School

It is very important that we have up to date and correct contact details for our students. If you have a new home address, mobile phone number or email address, please contact our school office to update these details as soon as possible.

Unexplained Absences

Please remember that the NSW Education Act requires that all student absences must be explained within 7 days of the first day of them being away from school. Please contact us promptly whenever your child is absent and let us know the reason for them being away.

A text message will be sent home each day the student has an unexplained absence. Parents have 7 days to reply on the parent portal or contact the school, otherwise unexplained absences become unjustified.

If you have any questions or if you need support with your child’s attendance, please contact the school on 46 311 220.

Just a reminder that there is absolutely no parking or pedestrian access through our staff car park at any time. If dropping off or picking up from OOSH, please use the OOSH gate provided. Thank you.

Lost Property

With our recent crisp cool mornings developing into warm sunny days, many students are taking off their jackets and discarding them wherever they are around our school and either forgetting to collect them or forgetting where they have left them. Please clearly label your child’s clothing or items they bring to school and replace these names when they wear off. Please also ask at the front office for any valuable lost items such as watches, glasses, jewellery etc. At the end of the term, we will donate any unclaimed items to the Uniform Shop or to a charity.

Canteen Online Ordering

Mel's Lunchbox provides lunch orders with Spriggy Schools Online Ordering App. If you have any questions, or suggestions, please contact Mel on Mb: 0456 815160.

2026 Kindergarten Enrolments

Applications are now due for Kindergarten 2026. If your child turns 5 before July 31, 2026 they are eligible to start school next year. We would appreciate if our local area enrolments would submit their applications online as soon as possible. Please let your firends and neighbours know that the process for enrolment for next year is underway. To apply online, just go to the Appin Public School website:

https://appin-p.schools.nsw.gov.au and go to the Enrolment tab. Please find our list of 100 points of Residential ID required for all enrolments to be provided or emailed to our school office. Thank you.

🤝 P&C Power @ Appin

P & C Meeting

The next P & C Meeting is being held on Tuesday,

25th November at 6:30pm

in the School Staffroom.

All welcome!

P & C Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open every Monday, from 8:30am to 9:30am. The Uniform Shop has Eftpos available for payments, as well as cash. Online order form at https://form.jotform/212808469354867 - or scan the QR Code.

Orders will be filled when the shop is open on Monday mornings and left at office for pickup, or given to child if paid by credit card. Full cash payment must accompany orders left at the office, or pay cash on pickup of online order. Prices subject to change, depending upon suppliers.

📬 Contact Us

appin-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/

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