THE HEIGHTS BYTES

2025

Congratulations to all our students on completing another school year! Your hard work and dedication have truly shone through. Enjoy your break and recharge! Remember to reflect on your achievements from this year and think about what you want to learn next year!

To our Parents and Carers, thank you for your support and partnership throughout 2025. Together, we have fostered a nurturing environment for our students to thrive. We hope you have a wonderful festive season and holiday break, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Students return to school on Monday, 2nd February 2026.

Garawan & bandangi AT THE MOVIES

On December 8th, Stage 2 students had a fantastic end-of-year experience at the movies. They watched Zootopia 2 and enjoyed popcorn and a drink during the film. At the end of the movie, the students celebrated with a lively dance party, making the day extra special. Everyone had a great time!

Presentation Day

Celebrating Our 2025 Presentation Day Achievements

We extend our warm congratulations to all students who received an award at our 2025 Presentation Day. Your dedication, effort, and accomplishments are truly inspiring, and we celebrate your success.

For those students who did not receive an award this year, please know that your hard work is just as valued.

Awards are one way to recognise achievement, but every student’s journey is unique.

We encourage everyone to continue supporting your peers, celebrate their successes, and maintain your commitment to learning and growth.

Together, let’s look forward to another year filled with learning, challenges, and opportunities to shine. Keep striving for your personal best—you never know what you can achieve next year!

Year 6 farewell

Dear Year 6 Graduates,

Congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your educational journey! We are incredibly proud of all that you have achieved during your time at our school. Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm have been inspiring to see.

What an awesome farewell night it was—a wonderful celebration of all your achievements and the great friendships you've made along the way. It was a memorable way to mark the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next.

As you move on to high school, we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Embrace the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and continue to be curious, resilient, and kind. Remember that learning is a lifelong adventure, and high school is just the next exciting chapter.

Thank you for being part of our school community. We know you will continue to shine and make us proud.

Best wishes for a bright and successful future!

Staff

As we come to the end of the year, we pause to recognise and celebrate several valued members of our BHPS community who are concluding a chapter of their journey with us or stepping into new seasons ahead. Each of these individuals has made a meaningful contribution to our school through their dedication, expertise and care for our students, staff and families. We are deeply grateful for the impact they have had on our community and the legacy they leave behind.

After many years of dedicated service, we farewell Margaret Sherritt, who has been an integral member of the BHPS community for a very long time. Predominantly working in intervention roles, Margaret has supported countless students with care, skill and deep professional knowledge. Over the past year, she has taken on the role of class teacher for Buugla in our Burri Burri Unit, where her expertise and commitment have continued to shine.

Meg brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience, and she has been a constant source of support for students, colleagues and families alike. We thank her sincerely for her unwavering dedication to our students, staff and broader community. Margaret’s impact on BHPS is lasting, and she will be greatly missed. We wish her every happiness and fulfilment in this next chapter of her life.

Elizabeth Scott has been a cornerstone of leadership at BHPS for many years, leading with integrity and an unwavering commitment to public education. While Elizabeth is not retiring just yet, she will be taking leave in 2026, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter of service at our school.

Elizabeth has been instrumental across so many areas (too many to name really), from coordinating Swim Scheme, to leading Aboriginal Education, to her work as Stage Leader and Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction. She has also been a strong and respected advocate for the NSW Teachers Federation, always standing firmly for staff and the profession.

Her leadership has shaped systems, strengthened practice and supported generations of students and teachers. We thank Elizabeth deeply for her tireless contribution and wish her all the very best as she steps into a well-earned period of leave.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jessica Buchelin, whose expertise as a Speech Pathologist has been instrumental in shaping many of the language initiatives at BHPS. From working directly with students and families to providing guidance and support to classroom teachers, Jess’ impact has been both wide-reaching and deeply meaningful.

Her professionalism, insight and collaborative approach have strengthened our capacity to support students with diverse language needs. Jess’s contribution has left a lasting legacy in our school, and we are incredibly grateful for the knowledge and care she has shared with our community. We wish her every success and happiness in all that lies ahead.

Although Stephanie Johnson has not been at BHPS for an extended period of time, the impact she has made in that time has been truly significant. Stephanie has been a wonderful asset to our school, bringing energy, warmth and commitment to everything she has done.

As she takes leave pending the arrival of her baby, we wish Stephanie all the very best for this exciting new chapter. We thank her sincerely for the contribution she has made to our school community and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.

As we close out 2025 we farewell Ali Brown, our much-loved School Counsellor, with enormous gratitude and admiration. Ali has gone above and beyond in her support of our students, families and staff, always approaching her work with compassion, professionalism and genuine care.

Her contribution to the wellbeing of our school community cannot be overstated. Ali has made possible so much positive change, and her impact will be felt for many years to come. While she will be deeply missed, we wish her all the very best in her new venture and thank her sincerely for everything she has given to BHPS.

Donna Reardon, our wonderful Assistant Principal of the Burri Burri Unit, will be taking leave in 2026 to embark on an exciting adventure travelling the world. Donna’s leadership and advocacy for our students and staff have been invaluable, and she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Burri Burri Unit.

While we will miss her greatly, we are also incredibly excited to follow her travels and adventures. We thank Donna for her dedication, leadership and commitment to our school and wish her a safe, joyful and enriching journey ahead.

We would like to acknowledge and thank Jade Ross, one of our dedicated School Learning Support Officers, who has worked across numerous roles at BHPS during her time with us. Most recently, Jade has been a valued member of the Burri Burri Unit, where her care of the students in her class has made a meaningful difference.

Jade has consistently approached every role with compassion and a willingness to support wherever she was needed. Her flexibility and relationships with students and staff alike have been greatly appreciated. We thank Jade for her contribution to our school community and wish her all the very best for the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.

We congratulate Erin Lewis on gaining a permanent position in the Support Unit at Berkeley West Public School. While we are sad to see her leave BHPS, we are excited for her new chapter. This is news that only came in today so it has been a whirlwind for Miss Lewis.

Erin has been an integral member of the BHPS community for the past ten years, guiding and shaping the learning and wellbeing of countless students across both our support unit and mainstream classes. Her dedication and care for students has made a lasting impact on our school.

We sincerely thank Erin for her contribution to BHPS and wish her every success, fulfillment and happiness as she begins this exciting new chapter in her career.

On behalf of the entire BHPS community, we extend our sincere thanks to each of these remarkable individuals for their service, commitment and care. While we will miss their daily presence, we are excited for the opportunities and adventures that lie ahead for them. They leave BHPS stronger for their contributions, and we wish them every happiness, success and fulfilment in the next chapter of their lives.

2026 school leaders

Congratulations to our 2026 School Leaders, Sianna & Oliver!

Cut for kindness

Kindergarten’s “Cut for Kindness” Christmas Appeal: A Heartwarming Success!

Inspired by a heartfelt classroom conversation about the power of small acts of kindness, Gugara Kindergarten launched the “Cut for Kindness” Christmas Appeal—and the response was incredible!

Thanks to the generosity and spirit of our community, we raised over $4,000! These funds have been donated to support the Salvation Army Wollongong Red Shield Appeal and to bring joy by purchasing gifts for children in the Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward.

Let’s carry this spirit of kindness forward—remember, even the smallest acts can make a big difference. Wishing everyone a joyful and caring holiday season!

TWILIGHT FESTIVAL

What a fantastic Christmas Twilight Festival we had! A huge thank you to all our students, staff, and families for attending and making the evening so special. The amazing performances by our students truly highlighted the talent and spirit of our school community. It was a wonderful way to celebrate and end the year together. Merry Christmas!

Crazy hair & mufti day

Today our students brought the colour, the creativity, and the kindness! Our Crazy Hair & Christmas Mufti Day raised an incredible $144.20, adding even more to our Cut for Kindness total.

Thank you to all the families who supported the day and helped turn fun into something meaningful for others.

Djamalang mathematicians

In K/6 Djamalang we are mathematicians! We have been investigating volume. Our challenge was to construct as many different objects we could that had a volume of 8 cubic centimetres. Take a look at what we made!

2026 School Uniforms

Our office will be open for uniform order collection on Wednesday 28 January 2026 & Thursday 29 January 2026 between 10am-2pm.

Please send your order to barrackht-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au before these days so that orders can be put together ready for collection.

Please remember to include you required sizes.

Payment can be made as an advanced payment in School Bytes or via Cash or Eftpos at pick up.

Book Club

Thank you to all our students and families for their support throughout the year in purchasing books from Book Club. Your continued support allows the school to purchase new books for our school library. Happy holidays and remember every day is a good day to read!

2026 class supplies

As we prepare for the 2026 school year, we are pleased to share the class supply lists for your child’s stage. While these supplies are not compulsory, having them will greatly support your child’s learning experience and help them feel ready and confident in the classroom.

We encourage you to review the lists and organise any items that you feel comfortable providing. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

2026 STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS

Term 1

Day 1 – Tuesday 27 January for Eastern division schools (Staff Development Day)

Day 2 – Wednesday 28 January (Staff Development Day)

Day 3 – Thursday 29 January (Staff Development Day)

Day 4 – Friday 30 January (Staff Development Day)

All students return to school for Term 1, 2026 on Monday 2 February 2026

Term 1, 2026 ends on Thursday 2 April for students and staff

Term 2

Day 5 – Monday 20 April (Staff Development Day)

Day 6 – Tuesday 21 April (Staff Development Day)

All students return to school for Term 2, 2026 on Wednesday 22 April

Term 2, 2026 ends on Friday 3 July for students and staff

Term 3

Day 7 – Monday 20 July (Staff Development Day)

All students return to school for Term 3, 2026 on Tuesday 21 July

Term 3, 2026 ends on Friday 25 September for students and staff

Term 4

Day 8 – Monday 12 October (Staff Development Day)

All students return to school for Term 4, 2026 on Tuesday 13 October

Term 4, 2026 ends on Thursday 17 December for students and staff

in the holidays

As we approach the holiday period, we know this time of year can look very different for every family. While school holidays are often a time for rest and connection, we also recognise that routines change and school-based supports are not available during this break.

To help families feel informed and supported, we have included a flyer below with a range of helpful helplines and community contacts that remain available throughout the holiday period. These services can provide guidance, support or a listening ear should you need it while school is closed.

We encourage families to keep this information handy, just in case.

Our school team looks forward to reconnecting with students and families in the new year, refreshed and ready for another positive year together.

About WebChat Counselling | Kids Helpline

Get help | Lifeline

1300 1300 52 | Parent Line NSW | Parent Line NSW

https://oakflatsanglican.com/mobile-community-pantry/

attendance

BHPS Attendance Race – Week 9 Results:
🥇 1st – Year 1, 🥈 2nd – Year 2, 🥉 3rd – Year 4

BHPS Attendance Race Week 10 Results:

🥇 1st – Kindergarten, 🥈 Equal 2nd – Year 1, Year 6 & Year 5, 🥉 3rd – Year 2

Overall BHPS Attendance Race Winners of the year:

🥇 1st – Kindergarten, 🥈 2nd – Year 6, 🥉 3rd – Year 4

As we sign off today on the last day of term, we want to celebrate the tremendous improvement in attendance we’ve seen this year. This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support of our families. Thank you for encouraging and helping your children to attend school every day – it truly makes a difference in their learning and success.

Let’s enjoy the well-deserved break and look forward to continuing this positive momentum next term! Have a safe and happy holiday!

Djamalang students with 100% attendance in Week 8!

Selective high school and opportunity class applications are open from 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026

Selective high school Year 7 entry in 2027: Apply when your child is at the end of Year 5 or the beginning of Year 6.

Opportunity class Year 5 entry in 2027: Apply when your child is at the end of Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4.

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are some of the ways the NSW Department of Education supports high potential and gifted students.

What are their benefits?

Students learn alongside, and form friendships with, other high potential and gifted classmates. Special teaching methods allow students to learn at a quicker pace and in more detail.

Research shows that students benefit both academically and socially when learning with classmates who have similar abilities.

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are not zoned so you can apply to ones outside your local enrolment area. Within each co-educational opportunity class and selective high school there will be an equal number of places available for girls and boys.

Do you speak another language? Translated resources are available in 13 languages on our website: edu.nsw.link/shsoc_languages

Is a selective high school or opportunity class the right fit for my child?

A selective high school or opportunity class might be a great fit if your child:

learns quickly
asks complex questions
is highly motivated
has a good memory
is intensely focused in their area of interest

Where are selective high schools (Year 7-12) located?

There are 4 types of selective high schools:

fully selective high schools, where all students attending the school have high potential or are gifted

partially selective high schools, where there is a mix of students who have high potential or are gifted and local area students

4 agricultural selective high schools, including 3 boarding schools

Aurora College, which provides online selective classes for rural and remote students in their local host schools.

Search for a selective high school near you at Find a selective high school.

Where are opportunity classes (Year 5-6) located?

There are 2 types of opportunity classes:

full-time opportunity classes in selected primary schools

Aurora College, which provides online opportunity classes for rural and remote students in their local authorised host schools.

Search for an opportunity class near you at Find an opportunity class.

Students successfully placed attend the opportunity class full-time in Years 5 and 6. In most cases, students who have accepted a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend the school with the opportunity class.

Discuss the opportunity with your child and look through the information together on the Selective high schools and opportunity classes website and in the student resource hub:

Fair and equitable access

The Equity Placement Model helps make access fairer for more high potential students in our community.

We know that some students may be missing out because they experience educational disadvantage.

Under the model, up to 20% of places in each selective high school and opportunity class are held for:

students from low socio-educational advantage backgrounds

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

students from rural and remote locations

students with disability.

These students still receive offers based on their performance in the placement test.

Learn more at Fair access.

The application process

Complete the online application.

Applications close on 20 February 2026.

Once your application has been submitted and processed, your child will need to sit a computer-based placement test. Learn more at Application process.

Ready to apply?

Apply online at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au

Further information

Visit Selective high schools and opportunity classes.

bhps community pantry

Friendly reminder to please return borrowed Community Pantry crates

bhps health & wellbeing

grow your mind

SCHOOL BYTES

Barrack Heights 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 and linked your child/ren please select the appropriate link below to setup.

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.

GENERAL REMINDERS

If you moved house or changed your phone number or email address? Please update your details at the office or by sending an email to the school at barrackht-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Please see the office staff if your child has any medical requirements or if medical information needs to be updated.
School times are 8.55am - 3pm. If your child is late, they must come to the office for a late note. All absences, both whole day and partial absences, need to be explained. You can do this via the School Bytes app, email, phone or at the office.
If students are marked as absent on the school roll, an SMS will be sent out before 11am on the same day advising you of the absence. Please respond via schoolbytes advising the reason for their absence.
At Barrack Heights 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 is on duty from 8.30am onwards.

ELECTRONIC GATE C

We are pleased to inform you that our main entry gate, Gate C, is now fully operational and running electronically again throughout the day. For the safety of our students, we kindly remind you of the following procedures:

Please call the office for admission to the school whenever Gate C is closed.
Parents or responsible adults accompanying children should hold the gate closed after entering or exiting until it locks.
The gate will beep until it has locked, so please ensure it is held closed until the beeping stops.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as the gate is there primarily for the safety of our students. Thank you for your understanding and support.

GET SOCIAL WITH BARRACK HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL

Are you following us on our social media platforms? You can find us on

Facebook: Barrack Heights Public School

Instagram: barrackheightsps

Twitter account: @BarrackHeights

These forums are wonderful ways to see what is happening in our school. Take a look and give us a like to stay informed.

Click on any advertisement below, to be taken to it's corresponding website or platform with more information.

25 Hunter Street, Barrack Heights NSW 2528

(02) 4296 4222

barrackht-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

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