25 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Thank you to all our parents who attended the Parent Teacher evenings over the last two weeks. We had our last meeting last night and our stage 2 classes were thrilled to share their new classrooms with parents. By now we have a class coordinator for every class who will pass on P & C events and be the contact for class excursions and social evenings. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered for this role this year.

Class Coordinator Inductions- Monday 1 March 2.15pm

We will have a short meeting to allow our Class Coordinators to meet Kristen Te Pania who will oversee the program this year. All Class Coordinators are encouraged to attend the meeting or send someone in their place so that email lists and guidelines can be sorted out for 2021.

Mrs Oscroft and Mrs Lee will host this event in the school hall at 2.15pm on Monday 1 March. If you are unable to attend or get someone to replace you please email the school and we will arrange a separate time for you to receive the required guidelines.

Band Captains 2021

Congratulations to Bailey Watson and Alex Scott on their selection as Band Captains for 2021. Bailey and Alex have been enthusiastic members of the school, band since Year 3 and will lead our senior band this year in rehearsals and performances.

Section Leaders

Band Meeting- 3 March 7.00pm

Next week we will host our first band meeting for 2021 in the school staff room. COVID guidelines for the meeting will be enforced. If you are interested in finding out more about the band and the program please feel free to join us in the staffroom at 7.00pm Wednesday 3 March.

SRC Badges- Friday 26 February

Congratulations to all the students who will be receiving their SRC badges at tomorrow’s assembly. To be nominated and voted in as the Class SRC representative for 2021 is truly a great honour. No parents are able to attend the presentation this year, but a photo of the representatives will appear in next week’s newsletter.

P & C Meeting- Tuesday 9 March 7.00pm

We will have our first P & C Meeting for the year on Tuesday 9 March in the school staffroom. The directions for the year will be outlined along with proposed P & C events and initiatives. Class Coordinators will be represented by Kristen Te Pania, please forward any questions or concerns to Kristen for inclusion in the General Business section of the meeting.

School Fees

Next week we will send out the school fees for all students. Please remember that these fees are for additional programs to supplement the curriculum. Dance and gym fees go towards an expert coach and instructor for these events. PSSA fees cover buses and additional staff for these activities, and school textbooks are also covered on the fee schedule. If you are having trouble paying the school fees please contact Mrs Lee for an interview.

The voluntary contribution of $90 per child is “voluntary”, but does allow the school to provide additional learning and support programs including the employment of teachers aides, provide additional programs for the Gifted and Talented students and provide the necessary technology replacements of laptops and iPads, along with a one day a week technician to service all our computers and network system. We as a school were very fortunate to receive one to one devices from the Department of Education for all our students last year, but do require money to maintain these resources for students. We thank you for your support of the additional programs we have at the school which are covered by this voluntary contribution rate.

SRE and SEE begin

Last Wednesday we had our first SRE and SEE classes for the year. We would like to thank and acknowledge all of the hard work done by Mrs Clair O’Connor who organises these classes and timetables. Please be aware it is a whole school organisation and any changes to this organisation must be requested in writing to the school and will be delivered at the end of each term. Week to week changes cannot be accommodated.

We welcome and thank all of our Ethics teachers (SEE) and Scripture (SRE) teachers and thank them all for giving up their time to volunteer in these roles.

PSSA begins

Last week we had our first PSSA round of the summer competition. I wish to thank and acknowledge all of our students and coaches on their sportsmanship and ability to represent their school in the various sports including volleyball, newcombe ball, eagle tag, cricket, softball and T-ball. It was great to be able to see our students compete in competitions again this year.

PSSA- Pick up arrangements

Students will not be able to leave games with another parent unless a written request has been approved of by Mrs Lee prior to the Friday game. If you wish your child to go home with another parent an email or letter must be sent to the school by the Thursday of that week. Coaches need to focus on the game and supervision of their team members and cannot be dealing with pick up arrangements at the ground.

Leaving early on Friday

We would like to discourage parents from coming to the school on a Friday afternoon to pick up students early (Years 3-6). School sport and PSSA arrangements mean that students can be at a variety of grounds and places on a Friday afternoon from 12.15pm. The office does have trouble locating students that wish to leave early. Even school sport often involves trips to local parks and Manly Dam. If your child has an appointment or needs to leave early a pick up at recess on Friday (11.00am) is the best option.

Uniform Day tomorrow- 2nd hand uniform sale tomorrow 8.30am

Tomorrow Friday 26 February we will have another second-hand uniform sale at the school hall. Covid regulations will be in place and parents will be asked to social distance and provide a card payment for the items. Some cash will be accepted but card payment is the preferred option. There will be limited change for cash payments so small notes is preferable.

White polo shorts, tunics, skorts, shorts and hats will all be on sale tomorrow at the school hall. Thankyou Wendie MacDougall for all your work in the uniform shop

Photo day – Thursday 4 March

Next Thursday we will have our whole school photo day. There will be no gym that day and a make- up lesson will be delivered the following Friday to the classes that miss gym. Please ensure your child has the full school uniform including plain black shoes and white ankle socks for the photos. Envelopes have been sent home to families via the students last week. Sibling photos will take place over the lunchtime period.

Birthday Treats- Canteen only

Please remember that birthday cakes and treats are not allowed into the school at this time. If you wish to treat your child for their birthday, please order the ice block treat online through Flexischools at the canteen.

Parking Problems

We are having a lot of issues with parents choosing to park illegally around the school. Our neighbour across the road from the administration block is unable to get in and out of his driveway as parents park in the “No Stopping” zone right near the crossing on Gibbs Street.

Please be aware of our local community and allow them to enter and exit their driveways in the morning and afternoon. No cars should be stopping in these “No Stopping” zones at pick up and drop off times. Please just park down the street so that driveways are not blocked. There is plenty of parking further down the road towards King Street. Your cooperation and consideration are greatly appreciated.

School Uniform

We have had many enquiries as to what is considered to be the school uniform. The definition of uniform according to the Macquarie dictionary is “a distinctive dress of uniform style, materials and colour worn by and identifying all the members of a group or organisation e.g. school”

This means that the uniform should look the same on every student so that financial status or peer acceptance does not become a means for discrimination amongst students and families.

The uniform at Manly Vale Public School is very affordable for all families. You are able to clothe your children in a tunic style dress, skorts or shorts (red) with a white polo shirt. Plain black school shoes should be worn with this combination of dress.

The plain black shoes can be leather, canvas or runners but they must be plain black. All black. Not black with white soles, or blue laces, or a white NIKE tick on the side. Just plain black. White ankle socks should be worn with the shoes. Not socks where you can’t see them above the shoe.

Runners of any colour or sports shoes can only be worn 1 day per week and that is a sports day. This is Friday for years 3-6 and other days for years K-2. Not gym day or dance day. These activities require students to take their shoes off and so therefore they can wear their school shoes.

Students who do not wear the correct black shoes during the school day will not receive house points towards the uniform award.

Tina Lee – Principal

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The 2021 Premier’s Reading Challenge launches on Monday 1 March. All students at Manly Vale Public School will be encouraged and supported to complete the challenge. It's fun, free and inspires students to read a wide variety of books.

Infants Students (K-2.) will be completing the challenge entirely at school. Students will read 30 quality PRC books during library lessons throughout the year. They will receive a participation certificate at the end of the year.

Primary Students (3-6) wishing to complete the challenge are expected to do so independently, with support available from library staff as needed. Students need to read 20 PRC books and enter them into the PRC website by the closing date, Friday 20 August, to qualify for a certificate at the end of the year.

Reading lists and general rules can be found on the PRC website at

Notes will be sent home with further information and student login details very soon.

Alison Webster - Librarian

Dates for your Diary

SRC Representatives

School Photos

Our Manly Vale Public School photos are fast approaching. On Thursday 4 March (Week 6), Advanced Life Photos will be at our school to take photos of the whole school, classes and families/siblings.

In Week 4, children will be sent home with an order form envelope outlining different options for photos if you wish to purchase them. You may pay for your school photos via the secure online advancedorder web portal specifically set up for our school using the unique 9-digit online order code P2B 27Y HEW. Parents who place their order online DO NOT need to return the order envelope. Only families who wish to pay via cheque or cash will need to return the order envelope to the school prior to photo day.

Sibling/family photos may be ordered online using the same code above or via a special sibling order envelope which can be collected at the office. Please note that sibling photos are only for siblings who are enrolled at Manly Vale Public School.

Please ensure that your child/children come to school on photo day wearing their neatest and cleanest, correct full school uniform and presentable hair.

Please note that students who do not have permission to be photographed WILL be included in the full school photo or their class photo.

Ellie Radan and Sarah Birrell

Year 6 High School Information Evening – Monday 1 March 2021, 6.00pm

Year 6 parents are invited to attend an information evening on Monday 1 March, 6.00pm in the Manly Vale Public School Hall. At this session you will hear from our two local high school principals, Christine Del Gallo (Mackellar Girls) and Paul Sheather (Balgowlah Boys). There will also be the opportunity to ask questions about the two campuses.

Following this session Mrs Blackband will distribute the NSW High School Expression of Interest forms and guide you through how to fill them in. Please remember to complete the COVID sign in upon your arrival.

Any questions please contact or email Mrs Blackband via the school office.

School Information