I can’t believe that by the end of next week we’ll be calling it a wrap on another academic year. We have so much to celebrate and so much to look forward to, and in my short time here I’ve already seen this community grow from strength to strength. From lightbulb moments in maths to smiles in the gardening club and the creativity of our Showcase, our students have reminded us that learning is filled with wonder, problem-solving, and joy. These past few weeks have captured that spirit perfectly — full of celebrations, festivities, and heartfelt farewells. T’is the season, indeed.

Presentation Day was a huge success. With the sun shining and the hall filled with our families, it was glorious to see our community come together to celebrate our students. Our student leaders looked confident and proud in full school uniform, and seeing so many black shoes was fantastic! A huge congratulations again to all of our award recipients.

Our final reports went home this week, and it was a joy to read each one — celebrating achievement while identifying goals for 2026. A few students received Principal Award stickers for their reports, not necessarily for being the “top” students, but for showing exceptional effort, growth, or persistence. Earlier in the week I shared information about some new additions to our reports, including our Student Voice section. This is where your child worked one-on-one with their teacher to reflect on their year. As a parent, this offers a wonderful opportunity to sit together, listen, celebrate, and connect.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all of our volunteers and community members who enrich our school — including our Scripture teachers who come in each week, and the Warragamba–Silverdale Neighbourhood Centre for their ongoing support.

Our Year 6 Graduation and Farewell were events to remember. The hall looked marvellous in its cowboy theme, and on Thursday evening we danced and celebrated in true Oakdale style. To our Year 6 students — thank you for the leadership, kindness, and commitment you have shown. We wish you every success as you begin high school next year. I would also like to thank the parents who ironed tablecloths, prepared decorations, and generously donated items for our Year 6 Farewell; your care and contribution helped make the night truly special for our students

We also say goodbye to several families who have been woven into the fabric of our community for many years. On behalf of Oakdale Public School past and present, thank you for your dedication, partnership, and trust.

Many of you will have noticed our new Yarning Circle taking shape in the back playground. This special space will be formally opened in 2026 and will serve as an outdoor classroom — a place to connect to Country, share stories, learn together, and be surrounded by nature.

A gentle reminder about school security: while we encourage our community to enjoy the playground during the holidays, please remain vigilant. If you notice anything of concern, please contact School Security on 1300 88 00 21 or email us at oakdale-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.

Please note that our school year will finish on Friday 19 December 2025. Staff will return on Tuesday 27 January 2026 for professional learning and curriculum planning, and all students K–6 will commence on Monday 2 February 2026.

As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with optimism, clarity, and confidence that Oakdale Public School will continue to thrive because of the people who are part of it. Thank you for believing in our school, for walking with us, and for giving your children an educational and community experience that truly shapes them for life.

In Term 1, we will begin developing our new School Excellence Plan, and I look forward to inviting you into this process, so our direction reflects the aspirations and needs of our community. We will also host an Open Day for new and prospective enrolments, as well as a Meet the Teacher afternoon followed by a community BBQ — a chance to hear how we are setting up for a strong start to 2026 and to meet your child’s teacher. More details will be shared early next year.

But for now, when 3pm arrives on Friday and we all exhale together, my wish is that you step into a season of rest, laughter, and connection. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, safe New Year.

#LoveWhereYouLearn

Warm regards,

Nathan Vanderwey

Relieving Principal

Year 2 Sleepover

On Friday, 28th November, our Year 2 students enjoyed an unforgettable sleepover filled with fun and adventure. They had an amazing time playing games with friends, searching for wildlife using torches, and joining in singalongs led by Mrs Yarrow. The evening ended perfectly with a movie that kept everyone entertained and relaxed. The students’ impeccable behaviour throughout the night made their teachers and Mr Vanderwey extremely proud. This exciting experience was truly special and one that our Year 2 students will remember for years to come.

Mrs Napoleoni

Christmas Performance Showcase

On Friday, 5th December, Oakdale Public School proudly presented its Christmas Performance Showcase, featuring an impressive display of visual arts, drama, and dance. After months of dedicated practice and rehearsals, our students delighted the audience with their remarkable talents and creativity.

It was an unforgettable celebration filled with joy and festive spirit. Both the students and teachers had an amazing time sharing their hard work, and we are sure the entire school community is incredibly proud. A huge thank you to Mr Harness and all of our teachers and SLSOs who worked tirelessly to make this production possible.

Christmas Raffle

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents who generously contributed donations of gifts for our Christmas Raffle. Your support played a vital role in making the raffle a huge success and helped bring our community together in the festive spirit. Families and friends enjoyed the excitement and anticipation as ticket after ticket was drawn, creating a wonderful sense of celebration and connection.

Donations from the following businesses made our raffle extra special:

Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre

Melissa Fay Stack Nutrimetics

Flip Out - Mittagong

Luna Lashes - Lash and Brow Bar - The Searle family

Studio 26 Laser Designs

The Pardy Family for their kind donation of Christmas ribbons for our hampers

Year 6 Graduation

Year 6 Graduation – Celebrating a Primary School Journey

Our Year 6 Graduation was a meaningful and emotional celebration, marking the completion of our students’ primary school years. The ceremony reflected on the many memories, achievements and experiences that have shaped our Year 6 cohort.

The Year 6 Memory Presentation and Graduation Slideshow provided a wonderful reflection on their time at school, capturing special moments, friendships and milestones along the way. A special video message from KH added a heartfelt and personal touch to the celebration.

Students proudly received their graduation certificates and a special gift, recognising their hard work and celebrating the completion of their primary school years.

Year 6 farewell

Year 6 Farewell – A Night to Remember

Our Year 6 Farewell was a joyful and memorable celebration, marking the end of our students’ primary school journey. The evening began with spectacular arrivals, with students dressed to impress, as families and friends gathered in the hall to capture photos before the celebrations officially commenced.

Students were welcomed into the hall before everyone enjoyed dinner alongside the entertaining Guess Who slideshow, which brought plenty of smiles and laughter. This was followed by the presentation of fun and light-hearted end-of-year awards, celebrating the personalities and unique contributions of our Year 6 students.

The dance floor soon filled as students enjoyed the disco, with a highlight being the opportunity for parents to join their child on the floor for a special dance together. It was a wonderful celebration of friendships, achievements and memories.

Presentation Day

Presentation Day – Celebrating Achievement and Growth

Our Presentation Day was a proud and uplifting occasion, bringing our school community together to celebrate the achievements and growth of our students throughout the year. Students were recognised across all domains, highlighting not only academic success but also effort, improvement, leadership, creativity and positive contributions to school life.

Throughout the ceremony, awards acknowledged students who consistently demonstrated our school values, showed resilience and perseverance, and embraced learning with enthusiasm. Each presentation reflected the diverse strengths of our students and the many ways success can be achieved.

Presentation Day was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate individual accomplishments while also recognising the collective efforts of our students, staff and families. We congratulate all award recipients and thank our community for their ongoing support in helping every child strive for their personal best.

Big Day Out

Our End of Year 2026 Big Day Out was a wonderful celebration, with students heading to the movies to watch Zootopia 2. Excitement was high as Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps returned to crack another case, bringing plenty of laughter and suspense along the way. The movie was enjoyed by all and finished with a well-deserved round of applause, making it a memorable way to end the year together.

E-bikes and E-scooters

As we head into the holiday season, some families may be considering gifting an e-bike or e-scooter. While these can be a fun way for students to travel, safety must always remain our top priority.

Please take a moment to review the NSW rules and safety requirements:

E-bikes

Ensure the e-bike is road-legal in NSW.
Check that the battery and charger meet NSW safety standards.
Attached is a guide from Transport for NSW to help you choose a safe e-bike.

E-scooters

Currently, e-scooters are not legal on public roads or footpaths in NSW (except in designated trial areas).

We are currently reviewing how e-bikes and e-scooters will be managed at Oakdale Public School in 2026. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact me or another member of the executive team.

Thank you for helping us keep all students safe as we prapre for the holoday period.

Social Media Safety

Dear Oakdale Families,

As a parent myself, I know how important it is to stay informed and feel confident about keeping our children safe online. As you may be aware, from 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms will no longer allow Australian children under 16 to create or keep an account.

To help parents and carers understand how these changes might affect our children, the eSafety Commissioner is offering a series of free, 30-minute webinars. These sessions will cover:

What the new age restrictions mean
Which platforms will be affected
How to support children through this transition
Where to find trusted resources for online safety

I know navigating these changes can be challenging, so I strongly encourage you to join these webinars. They’re a great opportunity to learn more and feel confident in how we can best support our kids. You can register using the link below:

Webinar registration and session times available here:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/webinars

Thank you for all you do to help keep our children safe online. If you have any questions feel free to speak to an executive member or your child's teacher.

Warm regards,

Nathan Vanderwey

Relieving Principal

2026 Planning

Holiday Contact Information
If you need to get in touch with us during the school holidays, please feel free to email us at oakdale-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au. Our staff will be checking their emails periodically, but please remember they are also enjoying their break and will respond as soon as they can.

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you have a wonderful holiday!

As we plan for the upcoming 2026 school year, we kindly ask that you inform the school as soon as possible if your child will not be returning in 2026.

Additionally if your child is having an extended holiday and will be returning later than February 2 please advise the office. This information is important to help us with our enrolment planning and ensure a smooth start to the new school year for all students.

Please notify the school office by email including details of your child’s last day or expected return date.

2026 Planning - Uniforms

As we prepare for the new school year, we kindly remind families to place uniform orders early to ensure your child is ready for the first day of term. Ordering in advance helps avoid delays and guarantees your child has the correct uniform from day one.

Please email the school office to place your order. To allow ample time for processing and delivery, we recommend submitting orders by November 25.

We also wish to inform you of a current supply issue affecting the availability of the girls' summer dress uniform. We are working closely with a new supplier who is sourcing the Oakdale pattern and material. If your child requires a new dress, please place your order promptly so it can be included in the initial production run. Rest assured, there is no change to the design or appearance of the dress.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we collaborate with our suppliers to resolve this matter.

School Bytes App

We will continue to share important updates and information with parents and carers through the School Bytes platform. To stay informed about all the latest news at our school, please download the School Bytes app. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school office. Stay connected with us!

Upcoming Events

Dates to Remember

Return to School 2026

We’re excited to welcome everyone back in 2026!

Staff will return to school from Tuesday, 27 January to Friday, 30 January.
Students will start their new year on Monday, 2 February.

We can’t wait to see all the bright smiles and fresh energy for an amazing year ahead!

Community Services

Inspire Program Australia - Before and After School Care

Our Inspire Oakdale centre is our very first onsite centre, and is located within Oakdale Public School. The centre’s program is run from a versatile hall with a large garage door that opens up, extending the space to include the school’s playground area. We also have access to the sports shed, field, basketball court and the COLA area – where we enjoy playing tons of outdoor sports and games!

"I Strive"

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