News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:02:06 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 13:20:46 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 16:38:50 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 17:08:09 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, 22 Oct 2019 15:58:41 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 13:36:52 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 11:23:25 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 11:43:12 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.

NRL Dragons meet their biggest fan!

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:35:20 AEST

Clubs leave their mark!

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:15:10 AEST

Today saw the launch and first session of 'Clubs' at Kemps Creek Public School. The whole school participated in clubs across the school for the afternoon! This is a great opportunity for student to participate in a variety of activities that are of interest to them They are able to make important connections ith each other and the teacher running the club. Clubs on offer include coding, cooking, meditation, sewing, gardening, chess, Lego Masters and craft. The happy smiles school wide said it all!

We all know how important the development of social skills are in the early years of life. 'Clubs' offers students the opportunity to make connections and develop friendships with peers who have similar interests but not necessarily in the same class. It also allows them time to connect with a teacher who may not teach them everyday and build a trusting and nurturing relationship that will last for the years ahead.

Friendships and happiness are cornerstones of wellbeing and at Kemps Creek Public School we aim to support students in their academic, social and emotional development.

Our school motto is 'We Care' and our 'Clubs' make sure every student is known and cared for.

Head to our photo gallery for more pics!

100 Days Young!

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 22:14:25 AEST

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:07:12 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 11:38:12 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 12:24:03 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 15:14:33 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 15:10:03 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 15:17:31 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 13:22:19 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 14:59:28 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

Stage three fun day

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:48:03 AEDT

Kindergarten Orientation - Session Three

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:35:11 AEDT

Kiindergarten Orientation - 2018

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 21:51:43 AEDT

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:24:34 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.

3A reading

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 21:24:35 AEDT

CCOS Leadership Day

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 21:12:54 AEDT

Farmer fundraiser a fabulous success!

Sun, 07 Oct 2018 21:58:26 AEDT

Robokids a raging success

Sun, 07 Oct 2018 21:52:23 AEDT

Every student attended our Robokids workshops thatnks to our generous P&C. Students had the chance to work with a variety of robotics and devices. They worked using iPads and laptops to code using blocks.

Education Week 2018

Sun, 30 Sep 2018 15:24:49 AEST

Evolution of the Classroom: Our new future focused library space allows our students to work together collaboratively to solve real world problems with the integration of technology. We are a small school with big dreams! Coding, Programming and Robotics are being showcased this Education Week! Students who learn coding and develop computational thinking become better problem solvers and innovators. Kemps Creek Public School might have the next big innovator of our time! #EdWeek18 #EDWEEK18 #girlswhocode #robotics #robokids #publiceducation #educationweekkcps #smallschoolbigdreams Department of Education and Communities

Education Week - 2018

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:10:35 AEST

Education Week 2018 was filled with lots of amazing things. We had parents visit our classrooms and share our new technology with us. Our new library space was shared with the community and parents got to see our spheros and chromebooks in use. Thank you to our P&C for donating our the fund so every student could participate in Robokids and get some real hands on experience with coding and robotics.

Year 6 2017 Graduation

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:29:05 AEST

We've seen you grow from Kindy students in 2011 to the mature, caring students of Year 6 in 2017!

We will miss your bubbly personalities, inquisitive minds and your willingness to learn.

You have achieved so much during your time at KCPS and it has been a true pleasure to be a part of your journey.

We wish you all the very best!

Please click the link to watch the Video Presentation

KCPS - The Year That Was

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:29:00 AEST

2017 was another fabulous year at Kemps Creek Public School!

'The Year That Was' reminds us of all the fun, learning and growth we have made in just one year.

Together we celebrate, our journey, our achievements and what it is to be a part of such a special, small school community.

Please click the link to watch the Video Presentation

Choir

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:29:05 AEST

Choir will be on Friday for the rest of Term 3. The 1st, 8th and 15th of September.

No Choir in week 10.

5/6 Guided Reading

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:28:56 AEST

Mrs Neary's Year 5/6 guided reading group has been interpreting and analysing several different texts on the one topic of sustainability and they have written a summary of the information and ideas to show an understanding of the topic and why it matters to us.

Part of that summary included a section on, What can we do?

One of the suggestions was about educating people on the importance of this topic. Students were asked to promote Sustainability within our school community. Some students chose to make a poster, others elected to write a piece for this website or the bulletin and other students wanted to present at assembly with a slideshow or role play. Here are some of the students work. They did a great job!!

At Kemps Creek, we care about sustainability and keeping the planet healthy for future generations. By following the motto reduce, reuse, recycle we could prevent dangerous damage to our environment. To prevent damaging our planet by climate change and pollution we can turn the lights off when you exit a room, stop burning fossil fuels and use public transport.

By Maree, Annalise, Jorja.J and Jorja.W

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY IS TO KEEP OUR EARTH RUNNING FOR A LONG TIME.

OUR EARTH RELIES ON COAL TO MAKE FOSSIL FUELS/ELECTRICITY, SOON WE WILL RUN OUT AND WE WILL HAVE TO RELY ON SOLAR ENERGY, IT WILL BE A CATOSTROPHIC DISASTER.

By James, Kenny and Cooper

Sustainability

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is maintaining the world that we call home. Sustaining our world is important if we wish to have our race live on and have subsequent generations. We can help sustain our world by buying and using only what we need and using renewable energy sources; solar power.

What is the problem?

We are polluting more than ever! With cars, buses and factories our environment is full of harmful fossil fuels that are being released. Fossil fuels are such as coal, are toxic to the environment when burned. From this we have damaged the o-zone layer that protects us from the suns; otherwise harmful rays. Then there is the Green House Effect. The G.H.E. occurs when the sun's rays reach the earth's atmosphere. About 1/3 of the heat is reflected back into space. The other 2/3 reach earth in the form of heat energy. But, scientists have discovered the climate is warming up. This is called global warming. Global warming causes climate change. Climate change is causing the Antarctic polar caps to melt and the ice there to melt at a rapid speed. Due to the ice melting, the sea levels are rapidly rising. This will cause more severe tsunamis.

Why does it matter?

TWO WORDS! Subsequent generation. If we don't stop polluting, our o-zone layer will be destroyed. The effects of pollution are irreversible. We need to stop NOW or we will never have subsequent generations. We are putting our lives at great risk.

What can we do?

There are many things that we can do to help. We can stop using fossil fuels. As a substitute we use solar panels to collect the suns energy. The sun energy is not actually hot, but warms up the atoms (minute particles) in the atmosphere. Wind energy is caused by solar energy. When hot air rises cool air rushes in to take its place. Wind can be converted into electricity using wind turbines. A large group of wind turbines is called a wind farm. Solar and wind energy are both renewable energy sources, as we will always have the sun and its winds and they don't pollute the world. There are also other ways we can help the earth. We can reuse what we buy. What do you do if something breaks? You would most likely buy a new one. If your clothes tear what do you do? You would buy some new ones. If something breaks why don't you get it fixed? It might cost more money, but is another step towards sustainability. You can sew your clothes up if they rip or tear. Did you know that you can reuse items for other purposes? By reusing, repairing and repurposing we can reduce landfill. Some magazines such as "Sustaining Liverpool" gives ways to help with sustainability. It advertises apps, recycling centres, growing veggies, water pollution prevention teams, energy usage, dumping prevention and workshops, that can all help sustain our earth.

My Opinion

My opinion is that global warming is catastrophic. Climate change will affect us all at some time. The conservation of earth and its environment and ecosystem is vital for our survival. Deforesting is destroying our native animal's habitats.

WE NEED TO STOP…

NOW!

By Kloe-Rose Lemmon

Pollution problem

Pollution is major problems as people decide to throw out not mend things; you see we're even too lazy to throw our garbage in the bin, eventually it can cause widespread harm to animals and humans. We're the solution for pollution.

Pollution can harm animals by getting stuck on them and disrupting their lifestyle in many ways. More plastic is now being found in animals bellies than ever because when it gets washed out to sea animals mistake it for food e.g. turtle's mistake plastic bags for jellyfish.

Also pollution is very bad for our health. The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will make a change. Take a look outside if you can't see any rubbish or pollutants, you must be dreaming. Once we make this world neglected and unliveable, where will we go? Nowhere! We need to become the change, do you want to be a part of the solution or a part of pollution? Stop pollution quick or you'll make the water sick!

This is what we have come to, a polluting generation, do you think our ancestors would be proud? You're the change!

By Zach Wall