Dear Parents and Carers,

As we reflect on 2024, what a wonderful year it has been for Narrabeen Lakes, providing ample opportunities for our students to shine. Time has flown by, filled with numerous remarkable achievements by our students, staff and the entire community at Narrabeen Lakes. I was excited to highlight some of these accomplishments during this week’s Presentation Day, with some details provided below.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the entire Narrabeen Lakes community for their unwavering support throughout the incredibly rewarding year. Whether big or small, every contribution from the community has been immensely valued. A special appreciation goes to our current P&C team, particularly Esther – President, Laura (Chantal - former) – Vice Presidents, Megan - Secretary, and Renee (Kelly – former) – Treasurer, for their exceptional leadership. Thank you for your support of our school over the course of the year. Also, special mention to Tamika and Tori in the canteen and the amazing volunteers in our uniform shop, Nicole, Orlanda and Megan who volunteer hours and hours of their own time for the school community.

Acknowledgment and gratitude extend to our school executive, teachers, aides, office staff and our general assistant for their continuous commitment to providing quality education, support and care to our students.

To our students: Congratulations on another year of hard work and remarkable achievements! Your dedication is the foundation of our pride. To our Year 6 students and families, we wish you success in your upcoming adventures at high school and eagerly await witnessing your future accomplishments. Farewell to the Baveas, Beck, Blundell, Butler, Campbell, Garrod, Hewitt, Hughes, King, Lowrie-Jones, Martin, McDuie, McIntrye, McKinnon, Menyhart, Oakes and Plard. families who have been part of Narrabeen Lakes community for more than seven years, and some well over 10 years, and those families who are concluding their journey here. Best wishes for your new endeavours at different schools.

Looking ahead to the next year, we bid farewell and good luck to Ms Jo Nelson and Mrs Chen, who will embark on the new challenge of retirement. Your service to Narrabeen Lakes has been outstanding and we wish you all the best with the next chapter life brings. We warmly congratulate Mr Ian Phillips on an outstanding career with the Department of Education and Narrabeen Lakes. Mr Phillips started here in 1998 for his first posting as an Assistant Principal, and 28 years later, the curtain is closing on the show and what a performance we’ve shared. In 2025 he will be taking some well-deserved long service leave, with retirement to follow.

As the holiday season approaches, I wish you all a joyous and safe holiday break. May the New Year bring boundless happiness, health and prosperity to you and your families. I eagerly await our reunion for an incredible year of education at Narrabeen Lakes Public School in 2025.

Congratulations and Farewell Mr Phillips

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr Ian Phillips on the remarkable and impactful career he has built over the years. Mr Phillips joined our school community last century, in 1998, stepping into his first role as an Assistant Principal after previously teaching at West Ryde Public School. From the very beginning, he has embodied the spirit of dedication and commitment, consistently bringing an unparalleled level of passion and energy to our school environment. His enthusiasm for education has inspired both students and staff alike, creating a vibrant atmosphere conducive to learning.

Throughout his tenure, Mr Phillips has not only excelled as an educator, but has also made significant contributions to our school’s extracurricular programs. A notable highlight of his career has been his involvement in coaching the school’s softball teams for many years. His dedication to nurturing young athletes has been nothing short of extraordinary. Under his guidance, students have not only developed their skills on the field but have also learned valuable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship. In 2023, Mr. Phillips and the girls' softball team achieved tremendous success, culminating in their victory at the interschool sport competition. This accomplishment stands as a testament to his coaching abilities and his unwavering belief in the potential of every student. The joy and pride that this victory brought to our school community will be remembered fondly and it reflects the positive impact he has had on the lives of countless young athletes.

In addition to his contributions to sports, Mr Phillips has also experienced incredible success through the multiple iterations of the school’s drama festival over the past 20+ years. His tireless efforts in promoting the performing arts have transformed this event into a significant highlight of our school calendar, showcasing the creativity and talent of our students. Under his guidance, the drama festival has evolved into a platform where students can express themselves, build confidence and discover their passions. The numerous awards and accolades garnered over the years stand as a testament to his commitment to excellence in education and the arts.

As an outstanding educator, Mr Phillips has played a pivotal role in nurturing a love for creative arts among all students, creating an atmosphere where creativity can thrive and flourish. His dedication to this cause has left an indelible mark that will be felt for many years to come, as countless students carry forward the appreciation for the arts that he has instilled in them.

Looking ahead, Mr Phillips will be embarking on some well-deserved long service leave in 2025, marking a significant transition in his career. Following this period, he is expected to transition into retirement, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a lasting impact on our educational community. We wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life, filled with relaxation, reflection and the joy of new adventures. Mr Phillips, your contributions will be deeply missed, but your influence will undoubtedly continue to resonate within our school for many years to come.

Thank You to Our P&C for Their Outstanding Service in 2024

As we approach the end of another successful school year, I would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association for their exceptional service and unwavering commitment to our school throughout 2024.

The P&C plays a vital role in our school community, fostering a strong partnership between parents, teachers and students. This year, their tireless efforts have made a significant impact on enhancing the educational experience for all our students. From organising fundraising events to supporting school activities and running both the canteen and uniform shops, the P&C has demonstrated an incredible dedication to our school’s mission and values.

I recognise that the success of the P&C is a result of the hard work and dedication of many parents and community members. I encourage everyone to join us in thanking our P&C volunteers for their time, energy and passion. Their commitment has not gone unnoticed and we are truly grateful for their service.

As we look forward to the new year, we invite all parents and community members to consider getting involved with the P&C. Whether through volunteering your time, sharing ideas, or participating in meetings, your involvement makes a difference and strengthens our school community.

Thank you once again to our P&C for a remarkable 2024. Together, we can continue to create a thriving environment for our students to learn, grow and succeed.

Looking ahead to 2025, it was discussed and voted on that our P&C meetings will move from the third Tuesday of every month to every Tuesday of Week 3 and 8, this will remove the clashes with school holidays. It was also decided that the Week 3 meeting will be in person and the Week 8 meeting will move online. This is based on feedback over the year and having more parents able to connect in the online space. All meetings will continue to commence at 7pm.

The Bingo evening is scheduled for Term 1, 27^th March, so keep an eye out for this fundraising opportunity to support our P&C and our wonderful school.

Opportunity Class and Selective High School 2026

Selective high schools and Opportunity Classes cater for high-potential and academically gifted students who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic standard. These schools help these students learn by grouping them with students of similar ability and by using specialised teaching methods. 

From 2025, the placement tests for selective high schools and opportunity classes will move from single version paper-based tests to computer-based tests. These changes will result in:

• a more engaging experience for students with computer-based testing
• a longer application period for parents and carers to apply
• more choice for parents and carers of when their child will sit a placement test
• outcomes being released earlier to parents and carers.

 The placement tests in 2025 will be held at scheduled times over multiple days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and conducted mostly in external test centres (i.e. not in schools). Students will be allocated an external test centre within the local area of their current school. 

The 2025 selective high school and opportunity class placement test dates are 2-4 May 2025. 

If you would like to have your child considered for these classes in 2026, you need to apply online from the 7^th November 2024 until 21 February 2025. Detailed instructions on how to apply and the link to the online form are at the Selective high schools and opportunity classes Year 7 website.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes You must submit only ONE application for each student. 

Please see your child's class teacher if you have questions about the suitability of SHS for your child.

SRC - Salvation Army Appeal

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Student Representative Council (SRC) for their exceptional organisation of the recent food drive to support the Salvation Army. Your hard work and dedication have made a significant impact on our community.

From setting goals and promoting the event, to managing collections and ensuring deliveries, the SRC's leadership was commendable. Your efforts have inspired our entire school community to come together, resulting in a remarkable amount of donations. Your actions have fostered a spirit of generosity and compassion among all of us.

Thank you, SRC, Mr Chapman and Mrs Mule for your unwavering commitment and for making a positive difference. Your hard work has truly benefited those in need and we are proud of what you have accomplished. Let’s continue to support such initiatives and keep the spirit of kindness alive in our community.

2025 Leadership Team

Our Year 5 School Leaders presented speeches to teachers and all students in Years 2-6. I would like to congratulate the following students who were successful in gaining a position in 2025.

School Leaders

Sport Captains

Library Leaders

Sustainability Leaders

Music Leaders

Students discovered their roles at our Presentation Day assembly yesterday.

Thank you to our Stage 3 teachers, particularly Miss Baker and Mr Chapman, for their organisation of the leadership program. We are excited to see what these leaders will accomplish in 2025.

STEM Program Culmination: Creativity and Innovation in Action!

Our Year 1-6 STEM program has reached an inspiring culmination! Over the past few weeks, our students have been engaged in an incredible project where they designed and created fun games and habitats using recycled materials. This initiative not only encouraged creativity and innovation, but also fostered teamwork and a strong sense of environmental responsibility.

The students delved into the world of design thinking, brainstorming ideas and collaborating with their peers to bring their visions to life. From imaginative board games to intricate habitats that mimic various ecosystems, the projects showcased the incredible talents and ingenuity of our students.

To celebrate their hard work and creativity, we invited all students to come and view these works during a lunchtime session where they explored and interacted with the creations made by their peers. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to appreciate each other's efforts and gain inspiration from the diverse projects on display.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers for your support in helping your children complete their tasks. Your encouragement and assistance in gathering materials and brainstorming ideas have been invaluable in making this project a success. Together, we are nurturing a generation of thinkers, creators and problem-solvers!

The NEST – NSHS Work Experience Program and Leaders Initiatives

Last week and the week before, we were joined by 8 Narrabeen Sports High School’s Year 10 work experience students and 2 Year 9 Early Childhood students. 5 of these students were former Narrabeen Lakes students! It was great to have them experience school life and support our students throughout the day. They were outstanding ambassadors for their high school and did a wonderful job in working with our community.

Over the year, we have worked with some outstanding leaders at Narrabeen Sports High, Elanora Heights and Narrabeen North. Below is a reflection from the year from our school leaders.

NEST Prefect Google Meets

This year, we were invited to participate in the NEST Prefect Google Meets. This was an opportunity to meet with the leaders from Narrabeen Sports High School, Elanora Heights Public School and Narrabeen North Public School. We met twice a term, in our lunchtime, by Google Meets. The NSHS leaders hosted the online meetings and we discussed things like what makes a good leader, difficulties of leadership and how to overcome problems. Last term, we also discussed how leaders can help the community.

At NLPS, we decided to help the local environment by collecting cans and donating the money to the Australian Conservation Foundation who aid animals in need. We chose this foundation because it is important to keep the Australian animals happy and healthy. Also, by raising money through recycling, we have been able to teach everyone to recycle.

We have been supporting this foundation by collecting cans that students have bought from the canteen. They put the used cans in a blue bin with a logo that we made. We let the school students know what to do by announcing it at assembly. In Week 9, we are going to take all the cans to the ‘Return and Earn’ and donate all the raised money to the foundation.

So far, the project has been going well and we have heaps of cans. Since lots of cans get sold daily, the bins fill up very fast. Each can earns 10 cents and we have collected over 6 full plastic garbage bags this term.

Overall, this fundraiser was very successful and it was good to have a project that was run by our leadership team. Thank you for inviting us to the meetings and mentoring us.

Dante, Coco and Skye

(Future NSHS students)

On another note, the link below is one of our new NEST Prefects for 2025, Jye W. Our leaders will have the opportunity to work with Jye in the new year.

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/toZcHTigjLoIFoTd

Year 6 Clap Out

On the last school day for students, we will be doing the clap out to farewell our Year 6 students and wish them well in their next challenge. All students and teachers will create an arch leading from the Kindergarten classes, past the library, across the basketball court, over to the greenspace area.

Please join us from 2:50pm for this celebration of our graduating class of 2024.

Christmas Carols

Please join us for our Christmas Carols afternoon on Friday, 13^th December. Students can wear Christmas mufti for the day and bring a gold coin which will go towards the Salvation Army charity we have been supporting with our school’s SRC fundraisers.

Reports

Semester Two reports are currently being finalised by our classroom teachers. A lot of time goes into assessing and analysing data to create a document that is informative and personal to each student. The end of the year is an important opportunity to celebrate your child’s growth and learning, not only over the semester, but the entire year. I have enjoyed reading every student’s report and am thrilled with their many achievements this year.

Many extra hours go into the creation of these reports to give you an idea of what has been achieved by your children during the year.

This semesters reports will be emailed home on the 16^th December to all registered emails via Schoolbytes. These will also be accessible on your child’s Schoolbyte’s portal after this date. Please check your junk folder if the electronic copy is missing.

P&C Bingo Night 2025

Our P&C are busily organising a fundraiser for the new year for our parent community to enjoy. The evening is sure to have great food and drinks and plenty of chances to win!

When: Thursday, 27^th March

Time: 7-9pm

Location: Narrabeen Lakes School Hall

Cost: Early bird special $20 until 31^st December. After this date price will increase to $25 a ticket.

Raffle Tickets: Available now! Get your chance to win amazing prizes, you don’t need to be present to win.

Event and raffle tickets can be purchased now through the link below.

https://www.trybooking.com/CXPLL

Please note, this is an adults only event.

If you have any enquiries, including raffle prize donations, please contact the P&C at admin@nlpspc.com

Uniform Shop

During the holidays, our wonderful parent volunteers will be opening our uniform shop for all members of our community requiring last minute items. The uniform shop will be open out of the school hall on the 3^rd February 2025 from 9am-12pm. The double gate on Park Street will be the only accessible gate and all purchases must be made via EFTpos.

Please be reminded that all funds raised via purchases of school uniform items through our uniform shop goes directly to supporting our school in various P&C projects.

https://www.narrabeenlakesuniformshop.com.au/

School Year 2025

The new school year commences on Thursday 6^th February for all students K-6. Staff development days are scheduled for the 31^st January and 3-5^th February.

2025 School Bells

Due to the nature of the new school year and the reduction in Release from Face to Face (RFF) teaching time for our classroom teachers by 30 minutes a week, our school bells during the day will change slightly. There will be no change to the start and the end of the day bells, they will remain at 9:10am and 3:10pm.

Monday to Friday

Recess 11:15am – 11:35am

Lunch 12:55pm – 1:50pm 

On a Friday of an Interschool Sport round, those students involved will leave at 12:10pm.

Last Day of School

The last day of school for all students is Wednesday, 18^th December.

On the last day of school, students will be taking part in a variety of different and exciting activities, so full school sports uniform will need to be worn, unless otherwise specified in the note sent home.

Teachers will be engaged in professional learning with the new curriculum on Thursday 19^th December.

Textbook Ordering

At the beginning of each year, our textbooks are delivered to your child’s classroom. Please see the attached note detailing what is required for your child’s grade, the cost and instructions on how to order.

As this is the only way to order the books for your child, please do not pay through the school account.  Please refer to the attached document outlining payment details and the School Code.

In order to start the year with all their class requirements, please order and pay online by Tuesday, 11^th February 2025 - 11.59PM. Only those children with paid orders will be able to receive their books on this day.

If you require assistance with payment, please contact Mr Zappia or Mrs Chant.

Stationery List

The following attachments will take you to class requirements for 2025. These lists can also be found in the note section of our newsletter. There are usually lots of sales during January and it is a great way to get back thinking about school in 2025.

Outstanding Student Achievement

I love hearing about student achievement in the community!

Well done to Maddi B who recently travelled to Malaysia and competed for Australia in a Futsal competition.

Congratulations to Chloe B in 3T who recently played for Manly Warringah Softball Association at the State Championships in U10 Teeball. The team managed to win the competition in the last innings, 12-10. What an outstanding accomplishment, State Champion.

Also a special mention to ‘The Lakers’, consisting of Marley, Coco, Roxy, Skye, Mackenzie, Ella and Evie who recently won their grand final at Cromer Park in 6 a side soccer. A fantastic accomplishment from these wonderful students.

Outstanding effort to Clara C, Zahlia D, Eva C, Sienna B P and Charlie C and their dance team Xdream Dance Crew. The team competed at the following events:

• DCE State Championships in July (achieved 1st place for Jazz and Lyrical, 2nd in Hip Hop and 4th for Pom),
• Aussie Gold State Championships in August (achieved 2nd place for Hip hop, Pom and Lyrical and 3rd place for Jazz)
• AASCF State Championships (achieved 3rd place for Pom and 4th place for lyrical)
• AASCF Spring Championships in October (achieved 2nd place for Jazz and Lyrical and 3rd place for Pom and Hip hop)
• DCE Nationals in October (achieved 1st place in Jazz and Pom and 2nd place in Hip Hop and Lyrical). 

A lot of hours spent training and 110% dedication from the girls led to these incredible results. On the weekend they competed at Nationals in Queensland and they placed 2^nd for Pom and Hip Hop and third in Jazz.

Congratulations to some Year 1 students who recently won the summer soccer season for their division at Warriewood Fields. Well done Donavon B P, Mack T, Taj W, Lachlan E, Cooper B, Ella M, River N and Stefan G who played hard all season long. They played every Wednesday afternoon for the last 10 weeks. Their team called the ‘Giants’ won 9 of their 10 games!

Have a happy and safe Christmas! 

Rob Zappia

Principal

Our students earn house points throughout the week for various reasons.  At the end of the week, our School Captains tally the points and award 3 points to the winner, 2 points to second and 1 point to third.  These accumulate over the term and the winning house will be given a special treat.

28 years ago I was lucky enough to be appointed by the then principal, Mr Jim Delaney, as Narrabeen Lakes Public School’s first ever Assistant Principal.

And what a blessing it has been to work in such a fantastic school. It really is a very special place to come each day.

There is such a special feel to the school; the staff have always (mostly) been a fabulous group of colleagues and the students are happy and respectful. There has always been a close rapport between the staff and students, which makes our school rather unique.

Since I started teaching in 1982, firstly as a casual teacher on the Northern Beaches, then my permanent appointment in 1986 to Blaxcell Street Public School in Granville South, a promotion to Executive teacher at West Ryde Public School, then Assistant Principal at NLPS, I have seen so much change, especially in the advancement of technology.

It was all chalkboards, overhead projectors, slide projectors and handwritten reports in those days. Schools had only one TV which you had to book to watch a program, usually on the ABC. And there were no telephones in classrooms, or mobile phones! So much has been invented that has changed teaching styles forever.

The advent of personal computers; the first computer in my classroom was a Micro Bee, which operated by running a program on cassette tape!

Then came fax machines, which changed the way schools communicated with each other and, hugely, the invention of the World Wide Web, the Internet, which our principal at West Ryde Public School was so excited about!!

Since then there’s been Smartboards, multiple devices in every room and so much more.

The physical environment at NLPS has also changed enormously; from old, rather shabby portable classrooms, with gaps in the walls you could poke a ruler through and sloping floors, to the building work done to create the hall, library and new administration areas.

It was during that time that our whole school was relocated over one weekend to the hockey field at the back of Narrabeen Sports High School, in a demountable school, supposedly for a term, but lasted for a whole year. This was due to other complications that were going on with the building work at our school, including the discovery of unexploded munitions, left over from when the site was partially used by the army during World War Two, found in a trench being dug by plumbers next to the toilet block!

So many memories from my time at this amazing school!

I would like to thank the four principals I’ve worked with at NLPS, Jim Delaney, Andy Rankin, Susan Tickle and Rob Zappia, who started his career at NLPS as a casual teacher on my class! All have guided and encouraged me in different ways, but all supported my enthusiasm for the Creative Arts, especially music and drama.

It has been such a blessing to share my passion with so many students over the years, whether they were part of the school musicals I produced, performed in the various Music Festivals I coordinated for 10 years, or participated in the Drama Festivals over a 20 year period, I’ve loved the opportunity to helping our students shine in a way they might never have done.

To the various members of the P&C committees over the years, who have also supported my ventures in drama, I thank you. Your support has been greatly appreciated.

I will miss Narrabeen Lakes a lot, the staff, students and parents, but I move on to other exciting ventures.

So thank you all at NLPS. I’ve had a ball! You will be forever in my heart!.

On a final note, I leave you the recipe for my Hot Artichoke Dip! I hope you enjoy it and think of me. 

Mr P’s Hot Artichoke Dip

1 jar artichoke hearts                            

½ cup whole egg mayonnaise

½ cup grated parmesan cheese 

Rounded teaspoon Italian herbs

Heaped teaspoon chopped garlic

Chop artichoke hearts and place in an oven proof bowl.

Stir in all other ingredients.

Place in an oven on 200 degrees C, until browned.

Serve hot with crackers.

Enjoy!! 

Cheers,

Mr P.

Star Writers 5B

Macquarie Island is an extraordinary location that is home to a variety of native animals unique to the island. It is home to a diverse ecosystem with a rich array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Environments need to maintain an ecological balance  but Macquarie Island’s has been disturbed by sealers introducing non - native animals. The island also has cultural and historical significance. It is compulsory that this small island be protected; for if we can save one small island, perhaps we can save them all.

Arlo I

Macquarie Island’s unique biodiversity is an obvious reason that it must be protected by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO). The island’s brutal sub-antarctic environment is lived through by many beautiful things; these include penguins, seals and over 3.5 million seabirds.The plants and animals  on the island have evolved to adapt to the island’s challenges. Because of this we must save Macquarie Island to preserve the lives of its inhabitants and sustain the habitats.

Fintan C

Maintaining an ecological balance is crucial for the island so we can prevent the spread of invasive species. In the 1800s, seal hunters brought in invasive species, causing lots of chaos and damage on the island and disturbed its ecological balance. Many native species were disrupted and  destroyed and even extinct because of human destruction. Since their arrival, rodents have disturbed its vegetation, eroded its beautiful landscape, as well as hurting the island's wildlife. By protecting Macquarie Island we can prevent  the extinction of more innocent native species.

Sienna B P

The cultural legacy of Macquarie Island demands protection to keep its history and stories intact. Sir Douglas Mawson once stated, “This little island is one of the wonder spots of the world.” The island was listed as a World Heritage site which creates strict regulations regarding who can visit and the types of activities permitted, which are important for minimising human impact on its delicate ecosystems and historical landmarks. Consequently, these measures are vital for ensuring the preservation of Macquarie Island’s unique heritage for future generations to appreciate and learn from. 

Sarah V

It is essential that the government and UNESCO help protect Macquarie island. By preserving its unique biodiversity, ecological balance and rich history, we ensure that future generations can learn from and appreciate this amazing island. Wouldn't you want to put your best effort forward to save this island and many lives?

Savannah W 

Star Writers 5C

Have you ever wondered why certain places deserve special protection? Well Macquarie Island is one of them. This Island is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site that is located in the Southern Ocean, approximately halfway between Australia and Antarctica. It’s home to unique seabirds, seals and plants adapted to the sub-Antarctic conditions, many which are found nowhere else on earth. The remote island offers valuable opportunities for research on climate change, oceanography and ecology. The invasive species that have been introduced can disrupt the island’s delicate ecological balance for the erosion can’t be reversed. Due to its ecological significance and the delicate nature, and their impact can lead to irreversible erosion. It is imperative that Macquarie Island and special places like it deserve ongoing government protection.

Liva R

Macquarie Island’s unique biodiversity is a vital reason it should be protected by the government. The island's harsh sub-Antarctic environment has shaped its inhabitants in a distinctive and awe-inspiring way. Species of rare seabirds, seals and plants have evolved and adapted to the brutal conditions. Protecting the islands not only safeguards these species from potential extinction, but also ensures the preservation of the inimitable habitat.

Tahlia F

Continued protection of Macquarie Island would undoubtedly allow further scientific advancements in environmental studies. The Island offers opportunities for research on climate, oceanography and ecology. Due to its position over tectonic plates, the Island has many tremors and quakes which can be researched by scientists. Protecting Macquarie Island will allow scientists to continue vital research for many years to come.

Maya F

The conservation of Macquarie Island is highly necessary to shield its native species from the harmful impact of invasives. Introduced species such as cats, rodents and wekas have been disturbing Macquarie Island's fragile ecosystem, leaving a dramatic change. The introduction of cats has resulted in the hunting of the Macquarie Island parakeet until it disappeared. Preserving the Islands ecological balance is essential for preventing the potential extinction of Macquarie Islands matchless wildlife.

Skye B

Given its unique biodiversity, scientific research potential and ecological significance it is imperative that the government provides ongoing protection for Macquarie Island. Imagine if we lost this unique biodiversity, potential for scientific insight and delicate ecological balance. If these places are lost we will miss out on all the wonder surrounding us. What kind of world do we want to leave behind if we don’t protect places like it? 

Lucas D

Star Writers 6LC 

The Life or death of the Macquarie Island animals

The calm peaceful waves, the beautiful Aurora Australis shining bright through the  deep night sky. Then the week after tourism has begun you are no longer able to see the peacefulness due to smoke and pollution filling the sky. Do you really want that to happen to this spectacular island?

Those beautiful, exotic creatures are suffering from a bubblegum wrapper being littered by a careless person who has no interest in helping the environment. Animal’s lives are in danger because of those people. Between losing the title ‘World Heritage Area, the amount of money and space that is required for buildings, and the total pollution that will fill the air and hurt the animals, there should not be tourism on Macquarie Island.

The island is a World Heritage Area and that title won't be crowned ours anymore due to tourist activity disrupting the peace.  The same thing happened in the 1800’s and that took a turn for the worse. Seal hunters brought in invasive species like cats and rabbits and they took away the habitats of native animals by eating all of the plants and digging burrows for shelter. Losing its title won't be worth it.

The infrastructure required to accommodate tourists will be very expensive due to all of the buildings and materials that are needed. If you have plans for buildings then you need an architect and then builders etc, for each building you will need a lot of people and they will be away from family and friends. It's a waste of time and money and it instead could be used for other things like education, housing on the mainland and the health and safety of each person. It's a waste of time to build everything and get jobs for people.

After the buildings have been built and tourists are soon arriving, another problem has been introduced and that's pollution. The smoke will have risen from the buildings and will make its way into the sky and polluting it. Over time the smoke will completely cover the Aurora Australis and its beauty will no longer be recognised by all of the tourists. Smoke will also hurt the poor animals and it will eventually endanger every species that is native. The smoke will be deadly and the plastic will be very disruptive in terms of the animal’s peace, it shouldn't be allowed at all.

In conclusion, it's completely irrelevant to have tourism. From the fact that the island won't be crowned a ‘World Heritage Area’, to the cost of each building and the jobs needed, and finally the pollution that will be created from smoke. It is very clear that tourism on Macquarie Island shouldn't be allowed because of all of the reasons proving so.

Mackenzie W

Just waiting for the best future to come 

Imagine hopping on an island and hearing the sweet sound of birds whistling, the crystal-clear waves crashing and the perfect green Aurora Australis. You see everything that no one has ever seen before you will be the first. You would see the beautiful king penguin, elephant seals and the many thousand amazing birds.

Just think if people were to move there, imagine all the employment opportunities people would get there. There would be more jobs to go around which would bring more money into the economy. There could be houses for the homeless children around the world and that's where they could live! The educated children could study about all the beautiful nature surrounded by us. They could learn about the animal habitats that live on this very land today.

The environment would be looked after very carefully and if we were to go there there would be a closer eye on the rabbits. Wildlife abounds on the island with large numbers of seals, penguins, and many species of sea bird including petrels being present. It is quite common for seals and penguins to rest in the shelter of the buildings around the island. They would be closer to care for the animals because people may think they would go extinct.

Now, just think of hopping on an island hearing the sweet sound of birds whistling and the crystal-clear waves crashing. Come now while you can. You can see everything that no one has ever seen before. You would be the first, you would see the beautiful king penguin, elephant seals and the many thousand amazing birds. Macquarie island.

Coco B

Star Writers 6S

Raffle Prize Donations Wanted - Bingo Night 

This is a shout out to our lovely community to round up some great prizes for our Bingo night due to be held in Term 1 2025.  Do you have a business that would like to donate a prize?  We would LOVE to hear from you.

We will also be looking to put together some amazing hampers as prizes on the night, so if you do not feel you can help out with a stand alone prize, there will be the opportunity to donate single items (example bottle of wine, chocolates, cosmetics etc - basically anything NEW that you would like to win in a hamper).  Please note we will not be collecting these until early in Term 1.  More details to follow.

Currently, we would love that if you have a raffle prize to donate, if you could email admin@nlpspc.com.

More details regarding date, tickets, details of the even to follow.

Many thanks The P&C Team

School student travel information for parents and students

School Travel Passes

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel. 

Bus Flashing Lights

Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children.

Drivers must slow down to 40 km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing lights, unless a lower speed applies.

Motorists can help keep children safe by:

• Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, unless a lower speed limit applies
• Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
• Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

Reminder for parents and families:

School-aged children might seem independent, but they still need a hand.

Remember:

• Always meet your child at school or the bus stop. Never wait on the opposite side of the road and call them across.
• Always supervise your child and hold their hand when walking to and from the bus stop/interchange and when crossing the road until they're at least 10 years old.
• Wait until the bus has gone then use a safe place to cross the road.

Talk to your children about using Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time they cross the road:

• Stop one step back from the kerb
• Look continuously both ways
• Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic.
• Think whether is safe to cross and keep checking until safely across.