News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:15:20 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 13:49:01 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 17:19:35 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 17:32:19 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 17:28:16 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 13:41:34 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 11:27:49 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 11:49:58 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 14:16:13 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 11:44:35 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 12:28:46 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 15:27:24 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 15:15:53 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 15:30:54 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.

Did you know our playground is open in the holidays?

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 16:11:54 AEST

We are excited to participate in the Share Our Space program when it returns these autumn school holidays. Participating public schools across regional and metro areas of the state will continue to open their playgrounds, ovals and sports courts for the whole community to enjoy.

You and your children can play in public schools all over NSW. Schools from Lord Howe Island Central School 600km off the east coast of mainland Australia all the way to Palinyewah Public School in the far west will share their outdoor facilities as part of the program.

Participating schools are open 7 days a week between 8am-6pm from 13 to 26 April 2019, including weekends and public holidays.

Come and visit our playground. For more information or to find another participating school near you, visit Share Our Space.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:48:35 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 15:08:58 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 16:29:04 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.

5/6 Sleepout

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 12:04:17 AEST

On Friday 7^th September, when it was a cold and stormy night outside, year 5 and 6 students met in the school hall for a sleepout. The sleepout was being held to raise awareness of homelessness and to consider what life would be like in this situation. Students started the night by hearing from a guest speaker from The Movement Crew who gave us lots of information and answered our various questions. They then created toiletry kits with the many, many donations that were brought in throughout the term by students from K-6. They were able to make so many kits that would be handed out to people who are homeless or who don’t have the money to purchase the items. A huge thank you to all the families who donated items so that this was possible!

When it was time for bed, students lay on their thin mattresses or blankets on the hard ground of the hall and tried to get to sleep. Students found this hard as they were quite uncomfortable on the floor and there were also a lot of noises around the hall that they were not used to. This gave the students a small taste of what it would be like to not have a comfortable bed to rest in each night.

Students had a great time and were able to put themselves in the shoes of others for a night. Thank you again to all the people who brought in donations to make the night possible.

2018 Kindergarten Enrolments

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:36:36 AEST

We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2019. Please hand in enrolment forms to the school office.

Information Session and School Tour

Wednesday 5^th September – 5:30pm

Transition Days

Wednesday 24^th October 9:30-11:00am

Wednesday 7^th November 9:30-11:00am

Governance at the Sydney Children's Hospital

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 12:43:52 AEST

On Wednesday 29^th August the Governance were fortunate enough to visit the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick for a tour to see what kind of things our school fundraising went towards. We met Tanya, who works as part of the fundraising team in the foyer of the hospital and she walked us through the corridors and hallways of the children’s hospital. We saw the hospital school and a number of different wards that are used for children with different needs. We didn’t go into any of the wards but heard about the fantastic work that the hospital does for thousands of sick kids each year. We also learnt about the many different things that the hospital does to ensure children and their parents feel as comfortable as possible during their stay. This includes the art that lines the walls, the colourful corridors and wards, as well as the Starlight Room.

We were fortunate enough to visit the Starlight room and saw how to hospital provide a fun and exciting place for kids to visit outside of their hospital room. The Starlight room had video games, cooking, art and craft, hair and make up as well as Captain Starlight who broadcasts a tv channel across the hospital. The Governance had the opportunity to be part of the tv show and had a great time talking to Captain Starlight who was very funny and made us all laugh.

Visiting the Sydney Children’s Hospital was an invaluable experience and one that the Governance will remember for a long time. It was wonderful to see how hard the hospital work to make children and their families feel comfortable when they are somewhere that they would rather not be. We hope that Undercliffe can continue this partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospital as we can see that our fundraising makes a huge difference in the lives of so many kids, families and staff.

School Production Lion King Jr - Friday 8th September 6pm- Tickets Now on Sale

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

Lion King Jnr (pdf 79 KB)

School Poster Competition

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

As part of Bullying. No Way! National Day of Action, students were asked to design an anti-bullying poster to raise awareness and to promote a positive and safe environment for our students.

Our winning entries were announced at our school assembly on 17th March 2017.

Early Stage One - Imogen

Stage 1 - Jamie

Stage 2 - Mariam

Stage 3 - Rohan

Bullying. No Way!

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

We're joining the nationwide movement and standing united against bullying with schools across Australia on Friday 17 March 2017.

For our school, the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence provides an opportunity to start meaningful discussions about how we can all work together to address bullying and violence.

At our school, we're proud to say ‘Bullying. No Way!' We are putting our anti-bullying programs in the spotlight and calling on the school community to stand together with us on Friday 17 March.

Twilight Markets

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

In celebration of our 90th Anniversary Undercliffe Public School will be holding a Twilight Markets on Friday the 24th of March.

Join us for an evening of treasures, local handmade gifts, stalls, jumping castle, giant slide, sideshow alley games, face painting, mega raffle. delicious food and more.

School Spectacular - 25th and 26th November

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

Our students have been busy rehearsing for the School Spectacular which will be at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th November.

Film Festival Tickets here

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

The Undercliffe Public School "Friday Film Club" Performing Arts Group has had their movie selected to a film festival. The movie will premier during the Film By The Sea Festival at Bankstown Sports Club Centre on Monday October 24 at 6:30pm.

Tickets are on sale for $15

Click for Tickets

Hope to see you there.

Film by the Sea Festival is an initiative of a small band of dedicated teachers. These teachers firmly believe in the positive, educational benefits gained from teaching film and film studies.

The NSW English syllabus emphasises the importance of understanding and constructing multimodal texts and film making and film studies are an integral part of a student's education in the development of visual literacy. Studying and creating films also encourages problem solving, critical and creative thinking as well as collaboration and cooperation.

Click link for film

We're a Spectacular School

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

Click above for more information

Friday Film Club

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

The performing arts group 'Friday Film Club' will be entering in the Film By The Sea competition later in the year. To gain some experience students created a Welcome To UPS short film. Please click the link below to watch the movie and leave any comments if you enjoyed it.

Click to watch movie

Help Your Children Learn At Home!

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

Learning Potential is a free app that helps parents be more involved in their child's learning. The app has lots of useful tips and ideas to help you get involved in your child's learning in the early years, primary school and high school.

We encourage UPS parents to download the app and check it out!

Learning Potential

BYOD- Bring Your Own Device

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

The BYOD program gives students from 3-6 the opportunity to bring their own device to school to support and enhance their learning. Through the program, students engage in a range of independent, group and whole class activities, where they use their iPads to engage in student-centred learning in all key learning areas. Students use their iPad's to research, listen, view, explain, create and evaluate within lessons.

With our changing world becoming more reliant on technology, the BYOD program assists students in learning about cyber safety, their digital footprint and plagiarism. These skills enable students to leave school with the appropriate knowledge of how to use technology to support their lifelong learning.

The use of the iPads is tightly controlled within the classroom. Students cannot take them from the class and use them out in the playground. They are used under teacher supervision in the same way computer use is supervised. Students also connect to the internet using the same login credentials as a computer, internet use is filtered and managed through the school proxy server.

Students who do not bring a device to school are supplemented with a school device. This ensures all students have an equal opportunity to access the curriculum and develop skills in using technology.

The BYOD program thus far has been a huge success with many students engaged meaningful learning. They have enjoyed a range of activities using QR codes, iMovie, Nearpod, Explain Everything and some students have created their own websites.

The BYOD program has the potential to change our classrooms for the better by providing tools and resources to the 21st century learner. Excellence in education requires that technology is seamlessly integrated throughout educational programs. Increasing access to technology is essential for the future, and one of the learning tools of these 21st century students is the iPad.

Preparing for High School

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

Mandarin Flash Cards

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

See our Mandarin flash cards in the gallery

POP Payments Online from 25th March

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:03 AEDT

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. The payment page is accessed from the front page of the schools website by selecting $ Make a payment

Items that can be paid include voluntary school contributions, subject contributions (book packs), excursions (includes incursions - performances that visit our school), sport (includes PSSA), Creative & Practical Arts, sales to students (uniforms). There is also a category called "Other" this to cover items not covered in the previous headings, "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 students 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. There is also the option to enter the Student Registration Number and Invoice number if you are aware of them, these are optional fields.

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 payments 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.

Library News

Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:32:02 AEDT

News Flash!!!!!

We are opening the library on Monday after school between 3-3.30pm

This is for parents and caregivers who would like the opportunity to spend time with their child browsing, reading and borrowing those books they have always wanted to read and share!

UPS library borrowing times are as follows:

Monday at lunch (1:15– 1:50 pm)

Monday after school (3– 3:30 pm) *New

Tuesday at recess (11– 11:20 am)

So come along each Monday afternoon to the UPS library and see where reading will take you!