THE UPSIDE
8 December 2021 - ISSUE 18

News and updates from

As we start to wind down for the end of the year, I would like to give thanks and credit to all members of our school community – students, staff, parents, carers, and community members.

Our students have worked incredibly hard to stay motivated and engaged in what has been another challenging year. Their overall commitment and positive attitude has been extraordinary and I have been blown away by their resilience. I am also very proud of our Year 6 students who next week, will walk out of our gates for the very last time. They are all ready for high school and I wish them all the very best in their new schools.

Our executive, teaching and support staff have once again demonstrated professionalism,  collaboration and the willingness to go above and beyond for our community. The Ultimo Public School spirit shines through our dedicated staff and I couldn’t be prouder of our team. I am grateful to them for their efforts and contributions this year.

Our parents, carers and community members have been supportive and understanding of the many challenges that we have faced this year. We have been deeply appreciative of the many messages of support and your encouragement has not gone unnoticed. I look forward to 2022 where we can reconnect and hopefully once again, share in the success and achievements of our students face-to-face.

As our school continues to grow, we will see more and more new faces join the UPS team. I look forward to introducing our new staff in the new year.

Mr Alan Strachan has asked to take leave in 2022 so that he can spend more time with his family and work casually in schools closer to his home. Mrs Bull our wonderful librarian and Ms Chris Thomas our long standing School Learning Support Officer, have both decided to take periods of leave in 2022 prior to their retirement. We will be inviting them both back in the new year to celebrate this important milestone with them.

Four of our dedicated temporary teachers are moving on as well. Mr Dean Lannen who has taught Lychee this year, has decided on a sea change and is moving to Batemans Bay. Ms Carolyn Scanlon, who has taught Starfruit will be working casually in 2022 so that she has more flexibility and time to spend with her family. Mr Dale Hupalo, teacher of Habanero has also decided to spend more time with his family in the new year and Mr Ben Carter has taken a position at a school in the eastern suburbs. Thank you Mr Lannen, Mr Hupalo, Ms Scanlon and Mr Carter for your valued contribution to our school over the years. 

Ms Suzy Owens our school counsellor is also leaving us in 2022. She has been a wonderful addition to the UPS team this year and she will be sadly missed. Our school is transferring to the Yudi Gunyi group so we have been allocated a new counsellor for 2022.

Download the NEW Ultimo Public School App from the App Store: iPhone / iPad and Android: Press the App Store or Play Store icon on your device, search for "Ultimo Public School". 

This new app replaces the ENEWS app. Once you have downloaded this new app, you can delete the Enews App from your devices.

Make sure you stay up to date by turning on and updating your notifications for 2022. Enews is the main communication method used at our school.

Earlier in the year I applied to Transport for NSW for a school crossing supervisor and I am pleased to announce that I have just received confirmation that we qualify.

The School Crossing Supervisor program is a state-wide program that contributes to the safety of primary school students. School crossing supervisors help students use the crossings on roads adjacent to or nearby schools and are provided where Transport for NSW guidelines and criteria are met.

There has been an increased number of students from both Ultimo Public School and Fort Street Public School using the crossing on Jones Street and I'm thrilled that Transport for NSW supported our view that this crossing required supervision.

Transport for NSW is responsible for recruitment and training so I will look forward to sharing the commencement date with our school community once confirmed. 

This Sunday is the annual Christmas in Pyrmont event and it is being held at Refinery Square from 11.30 - 5.30 pm. Our incredible P&C and CiP committee lead by Juvanka, parent of Aliyah in Kindergarten has been assisting with the organisation and volunteer sign-up. Thank you to the staff and community members who have already kindly volunteered themselves on the day. There are a couple of vacant spots still available so please SIGN-UP if you are available.

There are also 15 fabulous prizes worth over $13 000 up for grabs in the annual Christmas in Pyrmont raffle. If you haven't already done so, please buy some tickets HERE. The raffle will be drawn on the Sunday.

Our Kindergarten teachers and I were thrilled that we were able to invite the 2022 Kindergarten students onto our site for the first time last week. The newest members of our school community were super excited to meet their teachers and explore their new learning spaces. The children spent some time meeting new friends and completing some fun activities. I was impressed at their calmness and how ready they all seemed for school. Our final orientation day is today and w can't wait to welcome them back next year.

An Enews was sent out on Monday to alert families that the Semester 2 reports have been published. Please follow the instructions that Miss Karri sent out earlier in the year to access the Sentral parent portal.  You can access your child's academic reports the same way that you accessed the Semester 1 reports.

If you are experiencing any problems with accessing the parent portal please contact the admin team who will put you in contact with Miss Karri.

December:

Tue 14th - Year 6 farewell dinner

Thu 16th - Last day of school for all students

February:

Tue 1st - First day of school for students Years 1-6

Fri 4th - First day of school for Kindergarten students

We can’t believe that it is already Week 10 and only have a few more days of school left. As it is nearing towards the end of the year students might sit back and relax but we still need to be listening to teacher, following class & school rules and being ontime to school respecting your start time (9:00 for kindy, 8:45 for stage 1 & 2 and 8:30 for stage three).

This week’s value is “respect”. To refresh our memories, being “respectful” means to treat others in a way that you would want to be treated. Some examples of being respectful are listening to others, not putting down other people’s opinions or ideas, showing gratitude or putting in effort in a group project so that you aren’t making everyone else do the work for you. Being respectful is very important as it helps us feel safe, and build friendships with people who trust you.

We only have a few days left until the end of this year and we will rejoin in 2022 without the year sixes but with the new kindys. For the year 6 farewell they will have a dinner/disco on Tuesday evening and we hope it will be very memorable. Once again the covid rules have changed and the year 6s will be able to bring their parents along for the first part as long as they are vaccinated.

Congratulations again to all the new 2022 school leaders Isabella, Kathlene, Even & Patric and we know you will do a wonderful job as school leaders.

Have a nice last few days of school!

Please join the P&C for the final meeting of the year on Thursday 9th December 2021 at 8.30am via ZOOM.

On behalf of JCS, the school community would like to congratulate the following students for their effort and commitment throughout the year: Ashton B, Rachel W, Alisa P, Kaku Y, Oscar R, Acacia D, Aria D, Touma L, Elias S, Gohei Y, Emiri A, Emma W, Mia R, Zaria S, Kona R, Leone D, Wyla D.