Welcome back to a new school year at Yates Avenue PS. I hope that your family had an enjoyable school holiday break. A special welcome to the new families who have enrolled at our school this year.

The teachers have been busy over the holidays and in the first week, working hard to plan learning activities which are evidence-based, meet the students’ learning needs, challenge their thinking and support their wellbeing. It promises to be another great year at Yates!

School Development Day - Learning for Teachers

At Yates, learning is for everyone. Learning for teachers ensures that we maintain a connection with current educational research and stay responsive to the needs of our students.

On the recent school development days, the staff engaged in a variety of professional learning activities:

• Maths planning using units of work from the Explicit and Systematic Teaching (EaST) network of schools.
• English syllabus learning, ensuring a consistent scope and sequence of activities over a two-year cycle.
• gaining consistency in teaching student behaviour expectations across the school.

Classes

We have formed 7 mainstream classes, 2 support classes, two early intervention and two preschool classes at Yates in 2025.

Unfortunately, our current enrolment does not entitle us to 7 Department-funded teachers in the mainstream. However, like the last 4 years, we are paying for the extra class using school funds as we believe it is in the best interests of our students and their learning.

All class sizes are small, allowing teachers to meet the needs of all students, quickly establish learning routines and deliver high-quality instruction with minimal distractions.

Staff

Parent information afternoon & free BBQ - Wednesday, 19th February

We are having parent information sessions and a free BBQ to start the school year, with all sessions taking place in classrooms. This is a great opportunity for parents and teachers to socialise in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

• • K-2 & Support Unit   3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

• • Years 3-6  4:15 pm - 4:45 pm

• • Free BBQ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

At these sessions, teachers will provide details of school and class routines, student expectations and general curriculum information. A note with more details will be sent via School Bytes next week.

Swimming carnival - Friday, 21st February

The swimming carnival this year will be for students who can independently swim 50m in Years 3-6, including Year 2 students turning 8. The change to a competitors only carnival is due to low levels of race participation over the last few years.

Permission notes will be sent via School Bytes early next week. Details are as follows:

• Where   -     Merrylands Swimming Centre - 17 Burnett St, Merrylands
• Time      -     9.00am - 2.30pm
• Cost      -     $20 per student

Positve Behaviour for Learning (PBL) - Behaviour & Consequences

We have updated our PBL procedures for categorising student behaviour and responding with consistent consequences. The attached flowchart is on display in every classroom and has been explicity taught to the students so all children have a shared understanding of the expectations.

Term 1 Gymnastics

Gymnastics classes for all students will start next week and continue every Monday and Thursday in Term 1. Students are asked to wear sports uniform for this activity.

Monday

• Early Intervention & Preschool
• 1TM & 2K
• 4S
• 5K

Thursday

• Early Intervention & Preschool
• 3XY & K-6Y
• KD & K-6S
• 6MR

Please make sure your child is wearing sports uniform on the correct day.

Parent Concerns – contacting the school

From time to time, you may have concerns about your child’s learning and wellbeing at school. It is important that you follow the correct process when addressing these concerns, in order for it to be resolved in a constructive and timely manner.

If you are concerned about an issue that has arisen in the classroom or playground, please follow these steps:

1. First phone the school and make an appointment to see your child’s teacher, or contact them via Seesaw.
2. If you are still not satisfied with the response, speak to the relevant Assistant Principal about your concerns.
3. If the situation has not been resolved to your satisfaction, contact the school and make an appointment to see the Principal.

Permission notes and payments

School Bytes

Permission notes and school payments will be sent through School Bytes, located on our website under the 'Make a payment' tab. Please register for School Bytes so you receive notes quickly and easily make payments electronically.

Parent Communication

Newsletter

This year the newsletter will be sent to every 3 weeks via the Skoolbag app. This change is due to number of communication channels we have to keep familes updated with news, events and celebrations of student achievement. 

Audiri App

Audiri allows us to update you on school events by sending reminder alerts straight to your phone. To download, simply go to the ‘App Store’ or ‘Play Store’, type in the school name and install.

Click on ‘Push Notifications’ to receive updates immediately.

Seesaw

Each class will have their own Seesaw acccount to communicate with families about class information. New families are asked to contact their child's teacher about how to access this app. Seesaw will be available to new parents over the next week.

Facebook

Please join us on Facebook to keep updated on school events and student achievements. Our social media feeds are yet another way for parents to stay connected with everything that is happening at our great school.