News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:50:45 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:56:00 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:09:40 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:38:18 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:06:08 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:32:50 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:19:35 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:37:30 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:59:29 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:32:25 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:19:12 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:02:51 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:06:16 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:11:21 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:13:44 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:51:11 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:21:48 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 09:07:11 AEST

Kiama and Parramatta public schools hosted the launch of Education Week today.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, with (from left): Education Minister Rob Stokes; State Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee; Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott; student performers and comperes, and the Principal of Parramatta Public School, Gail Charlier (far right).

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

Education Week 2018 - Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 09:10:19 AEST

The future of education will be showcased in NSW public schools from August 6 – 10 as students, teachers and parents across the state celebrate Education Week 2018.

Education Week kicks off on Monday, August 6, with a simultaneous launch at Parramatta and Kiama public schools livestreamed on YouTube so all government schools and their communities can join in.

This year's theme, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the Education Week launch will be hosted by primary school students and will feature a dancing robot, student performances and a film highlighting how schools are working with their communities to solve real-world problems.

A highlight of the week is the Game Changer Challenge, in which 16 teams of students from schools across NSW will compete in a three-day design program, working alongside leading industry professionals to create the school of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today's students were learning at a time of great change.

"From the far west to our metropolitan hubs and everywhere in between, our state's schools will celebrate not only what we've achieved, but the future we are creating," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We are living in a time when the traditional walls of the classroom are opening up to new worlds of learning, paving the way for students to connect and collaborate with their peers regionally and globally."

Education Minister Rob Stokes said there had never been a more exciting time to be involved in schools with technology reshaping the way students learn and billions of dollars being invested in new school infrastructure.

"The NSW Department of Education is continually striving for improvement and innovation so that the young people in our care learn in a world-class education system," Mr Stokes said.

"The NSW Government is supporting that vision through a record $6 billion in funding to build the classrooms and schools of the future."

The Secretary of the Department of Education Mark Scott said ensuring today's students had the skills they would need to "not just survive, but thrive" in the future underpinned the department's evidence-based approach to learning.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovative teaching and learning that is being done across our State's public schools to ensure that every student can perform to their full potential," Mr Scott said.

"We don't know what the future will hold, but we do know that we are focused on equipping today's students with the skills and knowledge they will need to lead fulfilling lives in the future."

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 09:09:33 AEST

A new uniform policy has been introduced for NSW public schools, which for the first time include the option for girls to wear shorts and pants.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116.83KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

Milbrodale Family Fun Day 2017

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

The Milbrodale Family Fun Day was held in perfect sunshine.

We all enjoyed a perfect day, with community members, families, staff and of course children joining in a host of family fun.

The Milbrodale Ultimate Challenge, proudly sponsored by YanCoal, was a success with many entries. There were Children's, Women's and Men's Ultimate Challenges. They were hotly contested in each division, with great cash prizes donated by YanCoal.

We are already for the next Fun Day in 2018. Will keep you posted on the date in September 2018.

Make Online Payments

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

Make Online Payments

It is now possible for parents to make online payments to the school for amounts owing for students, via a secure payment page hosted by Westpac. Payments can be made using either a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, and can be made via computer, tablet or mobile phone. The payments page is accessed from the front page of the schools website and selecting $Make a payment.

Items that can be paid include voluntary school contributions, subject contributions, excursions and sales to students. 'Other' can be used to make a complete payment of a school invoice.

When you access the $Make a payment you must enter:

the students' name, and
class and reference number OR
the student's name, and
date of birth

These details are entered each time you make a payment as student information is not held within the payment system.

This is a secure payment system hosted by Westpac to ensure that your credit/debit card details are captured in a secure manner, these details are not passed back to the school.

You have the ability to check and change any details of the payment before the payment is processed. Receipts can be emailed and/or printed.

Details of the payment are passed daily to the school where they will be receipted against your child's account. As a receipt has been issued from the payment page a further receipt will not be issued by the school.

For any enquiries regarding the Online Payment process please contact the School Administration Office.

NAIDOC Day at Milbrodale

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

The Singleton Small Schools celebrated NAIDOC Day at Milbrodale Public School on Friday 29th July. The day was full of aboriginal activities and was celebrated by 210 students from the 5 Small Schools in the Singleton area, including Broke, Jerrys Plains, Kirkton and Mount Pleasant schools.

Activities for the day included dancing, painting, learning about aboriginal artefacts and participating in aboriginal games. A BBQ lunch was provided for all attendees.

The Year 5 & 6 students were transported to the Biaime Cave by Milbrodale's school bus, with a viewing of the heritage painting of Biaime and a fantastic view of the local lands.

The day was proudly sponsored by Coal and Allied.

Census Night - Tuesday 9th August 2016

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:06 AEST

Tuesday 9th August is Census Night in Australia.

The Census is conducted every 5 years to provide a snapshot of Australia. Census data is used to inform services in local communities, from housing and transport to health and education.

Census Link

Census Youtube Link

ANZAC Day March at Bulga

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:06 AEST

ANZAC Day March - 25th April 2016.

There will be an ANZAC March held at Bulga and again the students have been invited to take part in the march. If you are able to attend this event please meet at 10.30am at the Bulga Recreation Ground, and the service starts at 11am.

Miss Kime will organise to have the school banner at the march. The students can march behind our banner.

The students will need to be in full school uniform with their leader badges on if they have them.

The children will be provided with a wreath kindly made by Helen Upward. The school leaders will lay the wreath if they are available on the day otherwise a decision will be made on the day.

If you are intending on participating can you please bring a plate to share for a light lunch after the march and a donation for the committee that goes towards the cost of the wreaths.

Milbrodale gives early learners a head start

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:06 AEST

Milbrodale Public School recently welcomed six preschool aged children to their school family.

"Our Early Years Learning Program caters for children aged three to five years and provides them with an opportunity to learn through play" says program teacher Lucy Pickles.

"We're only in our second week and we already have six students enrolled, and a few more likely to enrol once they turn three later in the year. We can only take ten preschool aged students and we're optimistic we'll reach our maximum by the end of the year".

Miss Pickles has a Bachelor of Teaching Primary and a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. She worked as an early childhood teacher for seven years before transitioning to primary teaching.

The program is based on the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and is adapted to each students interests and developmental needs. "Today we had some literacy group time and introduced the students to some of the sounds they will be learning in kindergarten. Then they practised their fine motor skills with playdough play and pastel drawing. They also practised writing their name, enjoyed role playing in home corner, played with blocks and cars, and spent time in the sand pit with the older school students during lunch time".

Principal Kristen Kime hopes that "through this program more community members will see all the wonderful opportunities Milbrodale Public School has to offer the students and families."

"The existing students enjoy socialising with the new students and the school is buzzing with excitement each Monday" says Miss Kime.

For more information or to enrol your children - contact Principal Kristen Kime on 6574 5163 pr visit the school during school hours at 2615 Putty Road, Milbrodale.

Images: Milbrodale Early Years Learning Program 2016 students and their teacher Lucy Pickles.

Credit: Tricia Hogbin

Kinder 2016 Orientation

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

The Milbrodale Public School Kindergarten Orientation Program will run for 8 days in Term 4.

Each Tuesday commencing 20th October (except Tuesday 8th December) Kinder students of 2016 will participate in a range of specific activities designed to enable teachers to identify any areas of strength or need for each student.

Teachers will collect and compile data through observation and work samples. This data will be used to design appropriate teaching and learning activities for the students and give feedback to the parents.

The kinder students have the opportunity to meet their peers and start to build friendships with other students who they will be with next year.

Please call (02) 6574 5163 or email milbrodale-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au for further information

Milbrodale Family Fun Day - Sunday 20th September 2015

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

Boot scootin, whip cracking and proudly small

Milbrodale Public School is a proud small school. There's many advantages that come with being a school of only ten students. There's plenty of one-on-one attention and multi-age play. And the kids behave like a big family - being exceptionally considerate of each other. However there is one downside to being such a small school. A school fete for only a handful of families wouldn't be much fun.

We've found a solution to this problem. Our fete has evolved into the Milbrodale Family Fun Day - an event so full of fun activities that it attracts visitors from far beyond our small school community.

The 2015 Milbrodale Family Fun Day is being held 9am - 2pm Sunday 20th September at Milbrodale Public School (2615 Putty Road, Milbrodale). It's a day for everyone in our local community and beyond.

Visitors will be entertained all day by country music singer Jessie Read. Jessie is a regular at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and pubs around Tamworth. She's even sung with Troy Cassar-Daley at the CCMA Country Music Awards of Australia. We're fortunate she has recently moved into our region and is part of our school community.

Greg Ellison, local cutting horse breeder and competitor (& school dad), will be giving whip cracking and calf roping demonstrations all day. We won't have real calves - but will have the next best thing.

There's also a playdough and craft corner for the kids (and their crafty parents). A playdough competition has some wonderful prizes and kids can learn how to make pom poms and newspaper pots.

The day begins at 9am with registration for the inaugural Coal & Allied Milbrodale Ultimate Man Challenge. Competitors will need to navigate a challenging course that will test their skills in farming, carpentry, housekeeping and sport. Timed heats commence at 10.30am and the final race will be held at noon.

Other scheduled events include an Evolution of Dance performance by Milbrodale students (9.45am and 12.30pm) and Children's novelty races (11.30am and 1.30pm).

Jessie Read and the Milbrodale students will be giving a boot scootin performance and lesson at 12.40pm.

There's also a chocolate wheel (drawn 10.20am and 1.15pm) with some incredible prizes, including a Samsung Galaxy tablet. Local vineyard Ascella Wines have donated a selection of organic wines and we invite other local businesses to donate prizes.

The school also welcomes donations to our trash and treasure stall.

Prizes or trash and treasure stall donations can be dropped off at the school. Or give the school a call - 6574 5163 and someone can collect donations from you.

Our handmade wood-fired pizza oven will be going all day - cooking pizzas and jacket potatoes. There will also be a sausage sizzle and a cake stall selling Narelle's famous cakes. Anyone who's visited our election day cake stall will know why they are famous.

There will also be a range of market stalls. Market stall sites are available for only $10. To book a stall contact Narelle on 6579 4649.

The Milbrodale Family Fun Day is the main fund-raising and community engagement event for the Milbrodale Parents & Citizens Association this year. We welcome your support and hope to see you there.

Singleton Council Place Making Strategy Survey

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

If you want to make a difference in your community and share your ideas for improvements then take 5 minutes of your time to complete this survey.

Singleton Council is currently working on developing a Place Making Strategy that will guide the direction of the program for the next 5 years.

Place Making is people based, community driven approach to designing and enhancing place.

We want to understand more about your PLACE, the good and the bad, so let us know by completing this survey.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/RW2TDZR

Alternatively you can access the survey from Council's website, just click 'Place Making Strategy'

http://www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/index.aspx?NID=1370

For further details phone (02) 6571 5888

Hannah Schulz-Fulham Place Making Coordinator, Singleton Council

Bushfire Evacuation

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:06 AEST

In line with Milbrodale Public School's Fire Evacuation Plan, if we need to evacuate from the school, we will take the students in our school bus to Bulga Rural Fire Service, Putty Road, Bulga.

If Putty Road is blocked, we will take the students to Broke General Store, Wollombi Road, Broke, via Milbrodale Road.

We will carry all emergency contact details, and will ring parents/carers as soon as practical.

If we are directed by police or fire emergency personnel to a different location, we will also advise parents/carers of our wherabouts.

For updates: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au Stay safe.

Fortnightly Newsletters

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:07 AEST

Milbrodale Matters

Our weekly newsletter, Milbrodale Matters, will be produced fortnightly from Tuesday 28th August, 2012. With ever-increasing production costs, the fortnightly newsletter will help to bring these costs down.

If any extra events arise, needing a notice, a note will be produced and sent home with the students. Also the notice will be published on this website.

Stay tuned for our next edition of Milbrodale Matters, on Tuesday 11th September.

Opening of new Library

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:08 AEST

The official opening of our new school library was held on Monday 30th July, 2012 at 9.30am.
Special guests included The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP and Muswellbrook School Education Director, Rob Farley.
A large crowd of local families and community members, and past and present staff assisted the students of Milbrodale, Bulga and Howes Valley to officially acknowledge the $300,000 provided by the Federal government. The provision of the library has allowed the students of Milbrodale to expand their learning environment, and better utilise the thousands of library books previously stored away. The Connected Classrooms audio equipment allows the students to keep in contact with other students around the state.
With the construction of the additional room, our community Playgroup can now have their own space for play equipment and learning resources. Further activities are planned to utilise the new library and all its resources.

September News

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:08 AEST

How can I explain the wonderful atmosphere at Milbrodale Public School at the moment? The students are attacking their work with vigor and having so much fun at the same time. We have completed our two page spread for the Newcastle Herald so watch out for that next week, on September 2nd. Below I have included another sample of a piece of great writing done by one of our students. We are studying poetry at the moment and Cooper Hanson came up with this gem ‘About war.' The new pond has also been a source of inspiration for some poetry writing.

Students at Milbrodale are encouraged to use their initiative and we have two visitors this week who did just that, Madeline and Joshua Smith-Kenna. They both voluntarily wrote wonderful book reviews of some pirate books they had read and enjoyed and shared these reviews with the class. The other students are thrilled to have them return for a short visit while they stay with their grandparents near Milbrodale.

The new library is getting closer and closer to completion. I plan to use this room as an enriched learning space, teaching where students have all the resources they need around them and allowing them some time to pursue pieces of work that interest them and which they choose to study in depth.

The boat race across the pond was a highlight of week 5. Students made boats in science and it was an absolutely joyful occasion as they sailed across from one side to the other (or not as the case may be.) It would not surprise me if the residents of Bulga heard us laughing and cheering our craft on. The children will now evaluate and redesign their boats ready for the next big race.

About war

By Cooper Hanson Year 1

The navy sailed

The Air Force flies

The armies march

The tanks drive

Ships sink

In a a horrible way

At the end of the war there were tears everywhere

In World War Two

The tanks drove

The Air Force flew

The armies marched

The ships sank

Stuff blown up in shocking ways

News story

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:12:08 AEST

Milbrodale Frog Pond

Our frog pond was opened by our School Education Director Ian Anderson (retired) on Tuesday the 20th of July 2010. This feature of the school is now available for students to learn about the natural environment, create artworks, use their maths skills, write creatively or just sit and find peace looking at the beautiful reflections.