The Wrap @Appin
The Wrap @Appin
Term 4, Week 8
Term 4, Week 8
Embedded Files
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
📅 Dates to Remember
📅 Dates to Remember
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
📝Mrs Collins - Principal's Desk
📝Mrs Collins - Principal's Desk
Week 7 & 8 of Term 4
Dear Parents and Carers,
I can’t quite believe we are already approaching the end of the year. It has been a huge term — busy, vibrant, and full of remarkable moments of learning and connection. The energy across the school has been incredible, with students embracing every opportunity and staff working so hard to make Term 4 both productive and memorable. As we move into these final weeks, I am so proud of the way our Appin PS community continues to learn, grow, and support one another.
Teacher Achievements :
This term we are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful teaching staff. Congratulations to Miss Mason, Mr Sweeney and Mr Bax, who have all achieved Proficient Teacher accreditation — a significant milestone that reflects their dedication and impact in the classroom. We also acknowledge the commitment of Mrs Lewis, Mrs Mathers, Mr Earnshaw, Mr Hennessy, Mrs Earnshaw, Miss Kennedy and Mr McCloskey, who have completed the School Leadership Institute’s Teacher Leader Development Program. Their leadership, passion and drive to continually grow their practice is a true asset to our school community. We are incredibly proud of each of them.
We are also incredibly proud of Mrs Partridge, who has completed the School Leadership Institute’s Senior Leadership Aspiring Principal Program and the Lead and Aspire Mentoring Program. Her ongoing commitment to leadership development and supporting others exemplifies the strength and depth of our Appin PS staff team.
Asembly Organisation 2026:
As we prepare for 2026, our growing numbers mean we will be operating with 15 classes next year. With this growth, fitting the whole school into the hall for assemblies will be challenging, so from Term 1 we will introduce separate K–2 and 3–6 assemblies. These will continue to run fortnightly, alternating between infants and primary. We are currently finalising the schedule, and all assembly dates will be added to the school calendar early in Term 1. This approach will ensure assemblies remain safe, meaningful, and enjoyable for all students and families.
Grandfriends Day & Kindergarten Transition
What an incredible turnout we had for Grandfriends Day, the biggest we’ve ever seen! It was a truly wonderful morning, filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful conversations as our families enjoyed time together. A huge thank you to Mrs Muntz for her organisation, and to our Assistant Principals for their help with the setup. We had so much fun, and it was heart-warming to see our community so connected.
In the same fortnight, we celebrated our final Kindergarten transition session for 2026, which was another fantastic event. Our big buddies were thrilled to meet the new families, and the Teddy Bear Picnic was an absolute highlight. Thank you to Mrs Mathers for her outstanding work coordinating the transition program, our new Kindy students are off to a wonderful start.
Updates to Communication in 2026
After careful consideration, we will not be continuing with Seesaw in 2026. While it has been a helpful platform for sharing student learning, it is not an endorsed communication tool under the Department of Education’s current guidelines. To ensure consistency, privacy, and alignment with DoE policy, we will continue to communicate through our approved channels, our social media platforms, the school newsletter, and direct contact with teachers and the front office. And of course, families are always welcome to pop into the school for a chat anytime. We appreciate your understanding as we streamline our communication processes for next year.
Staffing and Class Organisation for 2026
We are delighted to share our stage teams for 2026. As discussed with the P&C, due to the possibility of new enrolments over the summer holidays, we will once again run Stage Transitions. These will begin on 11 December and will allow students to work with all teachers on their stage before final class placements are made. In 2026, all classes from Year 1 to Year 6 will be organised as stage-based groupings: Stage 1 will have five Year 1/2 classes, Stage 2 will have four Year 3/4 classes, and Stage 3 will have three Year 5/6 classes. Kindergarten will remain as straight year groups. This model supports continuity of learning and helps minimise the need for class restructuring as our school continues to grow.
We would also like to share that both Mr Sweeney and Mr Crane will be leaving us in 2026. We sincerely thank them for everything they have contributed to Appin PS during their time with us, and we wish them all the very best as they embark on their new adventures.
In 2026, we are delighted to welcome several highly experienced staff members to our Appin PS team. Jess Keir, joining us from Helensburgh Public School, brings a wealth of expertise and a strong reputation for high-quality teaching and student engagement. We are also thrilled to have Shane Pereira returning to Appin PS alongside Kate Kelly, both are deeply valued by our community and bring extensive knowledge, care, and professionalism to their roles. In addition, Jackie Steir, who has been with us three days a week this year, will be increasing to five days. Jackie’s expertise, calm presence, and deep understanding of our students will be a tremendous asset across the school.
I know our Appin community will warmly welcome each of them as they join us for an exciting year ahead.
Have a fabulous weekend.
Mrs Collins
🍎 Our Teaching Staff for 2026
🍎 Our Teaching Staff for 2026
Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)
Mrs Muntz
Assistant Principal
Mr McCloskey
Miss Mason
Stage 1 (Year 1/2)
Mrs Hawkins
Assistant Principal
Mrs Mathers
Miss Kennedy
Mrs Matthews
Mr Pincock
Ms Stehr
Stage 2 (Year 3/4)
Mr Sylwestrzak
Assistant Principal
Ms Paxton
Mrs Lewis
Mr Bax
Stage 3 (Year 5/6)
Mr Hennessy
Stage Leader (Semester 1)
Mr Earnshaw
Stage Leader (Semester 2)
Miss Duggan
RFF Specialist Teachers
Mrs Thomson
Mrs Earnshaw
Mr Pereira
Mrs Keir
Mrs Keen
Mrs Kelly
Mrs Bowden
Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction (APC&I)
Mrs Partridge
Literacy
Ms Martin
Numeracy
🗂️ From the Executive Desks
🗂️ From the Executive Desks
🐨 Mrs Hawkins
Celebrating Our 2026 Leadership Candidates &
New Leadership Process
We are excited to share an update on our newly refined leadership process and to celebrate the outstanding commitment and achievements of the 2026 leadership candidates.
This year, the pathway to leadership has become even more comprehensive and engaging. Students interested in running for leadership roles undertook a thorough application process. This included submitting a detailed application paper, which featured a contract, a student nomination, a parent or guardian’s signature, and endorsements from two staff members. This process ensured that all candidates demonstrated readiness, responsibility, and strong community support.
Following their applications, candidates participated in an interview with Mrs Collins and the Assistant Principal of Stage 3. This provided an opportunity for them to express their vision and commitment to leadership in person. To further connect with the school community, each candidate visited every class from Kindergarten through Year 4 to introduce themselves and share their goals.
To engage with their peers and encourage support, the candidates then created campaign posters and delivered powerful two-minute speeches outlining their aspirations and why they would be excellent leaders.
We are incredibly proud of each candidate for their courage, dedication, and enthusiasm throughout this process. Their efforts embody the spirit of leadership and community involvement that we value deeply. Prospective candidates will be provided with an update on the 15th of December.
We wish all of our 2026 leadership candidates the very best of luck as they continue their leadership journey.
School Promotions
Mr Earnshaw and I have been collaborating closely on the school promotions project, making significant progress throughout this year. Recently, we attended a network meeting where we reviewed our newly updated website and gained valuable insights from other local schools about inspiring initiatives they’re implementing.
As we approach 2026, our focus is on finalising the school prospectus, aiming to have it ready by the end of Term 1, 2026. This important document will beautifully showcase the wonderful achievements and initiatives at Appin Public School.
Additionally, we continue to actively share our school’s story through various social media platforms. Instagram, launched as part of Public Education Week in Term 3, has already gained impressive traction with 167 followers to date, attracting engagement from notable figures such as Murat Dizdar, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, as well as the official Department of Education social channels. We are excited to build on this momentum and have big plans to further enhance our school’s presence as we move toward 2026. If you haven't already followed our Instagram page, please scan this QR code.
🐨Mrs Muntz
Supporting Future-Focused Learners Through Technology
In our ever-evolving digital world, we continue to work hard to ensure that every student is supported in becoming a confident, capable, and future-focused learner. This year, our Technology team has been reviewing and strengthening the ways we interact with digital tools across the school to make sure we are meeting the needs of all students.
A major focus has been the development of a new Technology Policy. This policy is designed to ensure that technology is used safely, responsibly, and purposefully for educational learning. Our aim is to create an environment where digital tools enhance learning while also promoting positive online behaviours and safe practices.
Alongside this, we have also been working on a Student Digital Technologies Agreement. This agreement will help ensure that students and their parents and carers clearly understand the expectations surrounding the use of digital technologies within the school setting. It outlines responsibilities, safe use guidelines, and the shared commitment we all have in supporting students to navigate the digital world with confidence and care.
We look forward to sharing these documents with families in the new year and appreciate your ongoing support as we continue building a safe, supportive, and future-ready digital learning environment for all students.
Expanding Student Access to Digital Devices
We are also excited to share that the school has been purchasing new digital devices for individual students as part of our long term vision for improved access to technology. Our aim is to move towards a 1:1 device model for students in Years 2–6 by the end of Term 1.
Each student in these year levels will be provided with their own dedicated device, which they will be responsible for until the end of their primary schooling years. These devices will remain at school and will be used to support classroom learning across all subject areas.
For our youngest learners, Kindergarten and Year 1 students will continue to use iPads, along with a shared set of laptops available within each class. This ensures that our Early Years students have access to age-appropriate technology that supports foundational skills, creativity, and early digital literacy.
Introducing Our New Technology Committee
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality digital learning opportunities, we are pleased to introduce our new Technology Committee. This team has been created to support both staff and students, ensuring that technical issues are addressed promptly and that our school continues to grow in its use of digital tools and resources.
Each committee member brings a unique area of expertise:
Mr McCloskey will be supporting our Early Years learners, helping ensure that technology is introduced in developmentally appropriate and engaging ways.
Mr Pincock and Mr Bax will focus on supporting Primary Years digital skills, working alongside teachers to strengthen students’ confidence and capability with essential technologies.
Ms Martin will be taking the lead on our school website and will also be sourcing new technology and resources, ensuring our school remains up to date and well equipped.
Mrs Muntz will be supporting the development of pedagogical practices in classrooms, introducing new digital technology activities designed to boost engagement, creativity, and authentic learning experiences.
Together, this committee will help guide our school’s digital direction, ensuring that technology is embedded thoughtfully, safely, and effectively across all learning areas. We look forward to sharing more exciting developments as this work continues throughout the year.
🐨Mr Sylwestrzak
Attendance wrap up
Our school continues to demonstrate an excellent attendance rate, sitting well above both the state average and the similar school groups benchmark. This strong result reflects the collective commitment of our students, families and staff in prioritising regular attendance and valuing every learning opportunity. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and will continue to work together to maintain these high standards throughout 2026!
Attendance Data by Year Group
Our attendance data continues to reflect strong student engagement, with all year groups maintaining attendance rates well above 85%. This demonstrates a consistent commitment to regular attendance across the school and highlights the effectiveness of our ongoing support and communication with families.
Attendance Data by Term
Our attendance data shows a positive upward trend, with students demonstrating improved consistency in attending school in term 4. This steady growth highlights the impact of our ongoing communication, support strategies and whole-school focus on regular attendance. We are proud of the progress students have made and will continue to work closely with families to maintain and build on this improvement.
🐨Mrs Mathers
We are delighted to celebrate the success of our recent Kindergarten orientation sessions! We offered three engaging orientation sessions for children, while presenting important information to families to support a smooth transition to Kindergarten. These sessions provided an opportunity for children to explore the school environment and for families to ask questions and learn more about the year ahead.
It was a wonderful time for staff, children and families to come together, ending with a Teddy Bears Picnic (please see photos below). This special event allowed our new students to connect with their Year 5 buddies, fostering friendships and support before the school year begins. Each child received a specially prepared bag filled with important information to help with the transition to school, along with some goodies to enjoy.
This year, we launched visits to our local daycares by a Kindergarten teacher, and welcomed local daycare children to visit our school library. This initiative helped strengthen connections with our community and introduced young children to the school environment in a relaxed and welcoming way. We aim to continue this valuable program in 2026.
We are also proud to have offered additional sessions specifically designed for our First Nations students and their families, ensuring culturally supportive and inclusive transition experiences.
To keep everyone connected and informed, we have created a closed Facebook group for families of children starting Kindergarten in 2026, where we share updates, information, and photos. This group will be closed during Term 1, Week 1 and the 2027 group will be created shortly after.
Over the next two weeks, our teachers will begin reaching out with personalised phone calls to each family. This is an important step in building strong relationships and learning more about each student’s needs and interests. Kindergarten families are encouraged to keep an eye out in the mail during the January school holidays for a special letter from their Year 5 buddy, a wonderful way to start building new friendships.
This year, our school developed a policy focused on early intervention and transition to school, refining our processes through consultation with students, staff and the community. Using feedback from stakeholders, we updated our practices to better meet the needs and expectations of our community. During Week 10, we will seek further feedback through a survey delivered to the families involved in 2026.
Looking ahead to 2026, we aim to launch Koala Club in Term 2 for children beginning school in 2027, and encourage families to watch for further information on this initiative. This was established following feedback that families would like further opportunities to help children become familiar within the school. This will be a parent and child play based session.
Thank you to all families and staff who made orientation so special. We look forward to welcoming our new Kindergarten students for an exciting year ahead!
🔦 Spotlight on Learning @ Appin PS
🔦 Spotlight on Learning @ Appin PS
Teddy Bears' Picnic - Kindergarten 2026
Grandfriends Day
Last week, our classrooms were bustling with excitement as we celebrated Grandfriends Day, one of the most special events on our school calendar. Students welcomed their grandparents, older relatives, neighbours, and family friends—anyone who plays a meaningful role in their lives—with big smiles and plenty of pride.
From the moment our guests arrived, there was a wonderful buzz around the school. Students enjoyed showing their Grandfriends around their learning spaces, sharing recent projects, and explaining what they’ve been working on this term. It was heart-warming to see conversations flow as stories, laughter, and memories were exchanged.
Back in the classrooms, visitors were invited to join in a range of activities, everything from hands-on art to literacy tasks and collaborative games. Many Grandfriends mentioned how special it was to be part of the school day and to see firsthand how their young learners are growing and thriving.
We wrapped up the event with an exciting assembly showcasing our singing skills, which was enjoyed by students and Grandfriends alike. Afterwards, everyone shared a lovely morning tea, followed by a relaxed picnic lunch on the school grounds. It was the perfect way to continue the celebrations and enjoy time together in the sunshine.
A huge thank-you to all our grandfriends who joined us, and to our students and staff for making the day such a success. Days like this remind us of the power of community and the importance of the connections that support our young people. We look forward to celebrating again next year!
Mrs Muntz
Hoopla Day
Our Year 6 leaders did a tremendous job yesterday running stalls, activities and games at our annual Hoopla Day. They have been preparing for weeks to make sure our Kindergarten to Year 5 students, and our wider community, had a fun, memorable day, and we are incredibly proud of them. A big thanks to the parents of our Year 6 students who also helped with resources and prizes.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our Appin Public School students, our families and our community for helping make the day such a success. Together, we raised an amazing $4,756.60 to support our school.
Once again, our community has shown what we can achieve when we work together! A big thank you to everyone involved and a special shout-out to Lynn M, Deannie R, Kristy A, Shannon B and Amelia A for generously volunteering their time to support the event.
Mr Earnshaw and Mr Pincock
⛹️Alumni Sporting Success🥇
⛹️Alumni Sporting Success🥇
Congratulations to our Former Student:
Ethan Matthews
A huge congratulations to former Appin Public School student, Ethan Matthews. Ethan, who graduated from Appin in 2020 and was a multiple-time Appin PS Sportsperson of the Year, has recently earned a place in the National AFL Academy, where only the top 25 players in Australia are selected. As part of this elite program, Ethan will soon head across the ditch to New Zealand to play internationally, before lining up against VFL teams early next year.
This year, Ethan also secured a spot in the GWS Giants VFL squad, playing 5 VFL games for the Giants. The VFL sits just one step below the AFL and is a genuine breeding ground for future stars. The next chapter in Ethan’s journey is to be picked up in the national draft and make his debut in the AFL – a goal we have no doubt he will achieve. I'm sure he's secretly hoping he’s snapped up by his beloved Collingwood Magpies!
We are incredibly proud of Ethan and wish him every success as his AFL journey continues. At Appin, he was hardworking, humble and the ultimate sportsperson, and it’s clear those qualities still shine through. And keep an eye out – we’ve heard a whisper that his little sister, Ava Matthews, is hot on his heels and could be bound for the women’s AFL competition in the future too. 🏉💚💛
Mr Earnshaw
🖤❤️💛Aboriginal Education
🖤❤️💛Aboriginal Education
Cultural Dance Workshop
This week, our Cultural Group participated in a dynamic cultural dance workshop with Greg from Yama2u and members of the local AECG. Students learned a range of traditional dances that pay respect to native animals, birds and their ancestors. Our cultural group have been practicing with great pride and enthusiasm and are excited to share their performance with families. The dance will be presented at our PLP Celebrations next Friday, 12th December. We look forward to celebrating the students’ hard work and cultural learning with our community.
Mr Hennessy and Miss Papa
🐨 Positive Behaviour for Learning
🐨 Positive Behaviour for Learning
PBL Focus (Week 9 & 10)
PBL Focus (Week 9 & 10)
Our PBL Students of the Week
From the Office
📌 Don't Forget
📌 Don't Forget
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.
Lost Property
Please come and look for lost items before the end of the year!!!! At the end of the term, we will donate any unclaimed items to the Uniform Shop or to a charity.
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.
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.
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.
🤝 P&C Power @ Appin
🤝 P&C Power @ Appin
Uniform Shop Opening Times
December 2025
Monday 8th December - as normal - 8:30am to 9:30am
Monday 15th December - as normal - 8:30am to 9:30am
January 2026
Thursday 29th January - 8:30am to 10:00am
Friday 30th January - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday 2nd February - Not open (1st day back for students)
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
📬 Contact Us
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