Dear parents and carers,

It has been wonderful to see the learning students have experienced this semester. The enjoyment evident in every classroom and playground as students interact with staff and each other as they learn and play at school is what our school is all about and what we strive for every day.

As communicated to you recently, our commitment to delivering quality education is reflected in our new report format. It aligns with the school's key practice of personalising learning for every student and meets the department's new requirements for reporting to parents.

Like everything we do at Holroyd School, the new reports place every student at the centre of their learning journey with a focus on strengths, growth areas and achievements. They are the result of valuable feedback from families and staff over an extended period of time, and more recently, consultation with your P&C representatives. We have worked hard to make the report as clear, accessible, and informative as possible - giving you a more meaningful snapshot of your child's learning across all key learning/subject areas.

To help you better understand your child's progress and involvement in school life, we have developed a participation scale and revised the reporting scale. These features are explained in detail within the report. We value your partnership as we introduce this new approach and appreciate your support during the transition. If you have any feedback or would like to discuss your child's progress further, please feel free to get in touch with their classroom teacher.

As we move through the colder months, we kindly ask for your continued support in maintaining a healthy school environment. If your child is unwell, keeping them at home helps reduce the spread of illness and protects the wellbeing of students and staff. Together, we can help keep our school community safe and well this winter.

It's also important that your child's health information is kept up to date. If there are any changes to their health/medical needs, medications, or emergency contact details, please contact the school office as soon as possible so we can continue to provide the appropriate care and support, including contacting you if your child becomes sick throughout the school day.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and enjoyable winter break.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs K Thorson

Dear parents and carers,

We made it to the end of yet another busy term!

The Mother's Day Stall was a huge success. A shout out to all the lovely ladies that were able to help out on the day. Also, a huge thank you for all the generous donations made towards the stall. All the monies raised will go towards some great events coming up in terms 3 and 4, including an all school excursion to Sea Life.

Keep an eye out for news about our Father's Day Stall on Facebook and in your child's communication book. If you can help out on the day, please let me know.

Mark your diaries. Our next P&C meeting will be at 9.30am, Wednesday, 6 August, in the Community Hub. All parents and carers are welcome and encouraged to attend our monthly meetings. They provide an invaluable opportunity to learn what is happening at school and to connect with fellow parents.

As winter is now upon us, please look after yourselves. Keep your children at home if they are feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms. Let's work together to keep our Holroyd community safe and well.

Enjoy the winter break!

Until next time,

Gina Hamoui

President

How long have you worked at Holroyd School?

4 years, 10 months

What is your all-time favourite TV show?

Everybody Loves Raymond.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?

An investment property up the coast for my daughters.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?

The Parramatta Eels winning their last premiership in 1986.

If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?

My dad as a young adult playing in his band as lead vocalist and bass guitarist.

If you won a dream holiday to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Gozo in Malta.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Creamy prawn and avocado fettucine.

What is the last movie you saw?

The Family Stone.

Do you keep your tomato sauce in the fridge or the pantry?

In the pantry.

What is your favourite song to sing along to?

This was a hard question to answer. I narrowed it down to two: Over and Over (Nelly and Tim McGraw) and California King Bed (Rihanna).

How long have you worked at Holroyd School?

Since 2020.

What is your all-time favourite TV show?

Lost.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?

A new house and a Mustang for my wife.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?

The New York Knicks winning the NBA finals in 1973.

If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?

Kobe Bryant.

If you won a dream holiday to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

To Europe to watch as many football matches in different stadiums; and to Serbia and Italy to see family.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pastiso.

What is the last movie you saw?

Captain America Brave New World.

Do you keep your tomato sauce in the fridge or the pantry?

In the fridge.

What is your favourite song to sing along to?

Airplanes by B.O.B and Hayley Williams.

Last week we celebrated Science Week with an exciting mix of classroom experiments and visits from Starr's Planetarium and the Tiny Scientists.

Students took part in three engaging experiments that sparked curiosity and wonder:

1/ Balloon Inflation Experiment - by mixing vinegar and baking soda in a bottle, students observed how the gas produced could inflate a balloon.

2/ Lava Lamp Effect - using water, oil, food colouring and an Alka-Seltzer tablet, students created bubbly, lava lamp-like reactions as carbon dioxide carried coloured water upward in mesmerising patterns.

3/ Walking Water Rainbow - with cups of coloured water and paper towels, students watched in amazement as water appeared to 'walk' between cups, blending colours and creating a stunning rainbow.

Senior students also journeyed to the farthest regions of the universe and came face-to-face with the sun-scorched surface of Mercury and the icy expanses of Pluto! It was all thanks to Starr's Planetarium, a mobile, totally interactive theatre system.

Science week concluded with exciting Tiny Scientists workshops, where students became hands-on explorers, diving into sensory science activities. They were enthralled by experiments involving rocket launches, bubbling chemical reactions, surprising sounds and colours, and musical demonstrations and loved being able to touch, mix, pour and explore.

Science Week was a fantastic opportunity for students to investigate the world around them in creative and exciting ways!

This term's weekly music program, delivered by Rhythm Village, has provided our students with new opportunities to explore sound, rhythm, and self-expression through music.

This all-accessible sensory program is a learning tool calling on students' sense of sight, touch and hearing - making music an inclusive and powerful learning tool for all.

We're already seeing the many important benefits the program is bringing to our participating students, from improved focus and coordination to increased confidence and joy.

Here are some photos of S23 students immersed in the experience as they play the African drum!

Senior students in S20, S27, S29 and S30 had an unforgettable time at the Bubble Planet Experience at Sydney Olympic Park this term.

From the moment they arrived, students were immersed in a vibrant world filled with colour, movement, and sensory wonder. The interactive spaces were a huge hit, but the clear favourites were the pink balloon room and the giant ball pit.

Laughter echoed through the rooms as students explored, played, and soaked up every moment with big smiles and joyful energy. It was an adventure that brought fun, excitement, and sensory engagement to life!

Many of our students gave bowling a try this term, with expert coaching from James at Ten Pin Bowling Australia. James was on-site to support students in developing new skills while having a great time.

These engaging sessions, along with the specialist bowling equipment, were made possible through a Sporting Schools grant.

We are delighted to extend a warm Holroyd School welcome to Daniel, Ibrahim, Ivan and Shayan, who joined us this term. We're so pleased to have you as part of our school community and look forward to getting to know you!

Here are some photo highlights of this term's class parties.

The School Dental Health Van will be at Holroyd School early next term.

Students will receive a full dental check-up at school. If your child needs further treatment, you will be called for a follow-up appointment.

There are no out-of-pocket costs as Medicare will cover these expenses for eligible students. If your child is not Medicare eligible, the school dentist will provide your child with a free dental health screening.

It's not too late to return your child's consent forms, if you have not already done so.

Please contact the school office if you require another copy.

Some of our students have severe allergies and are anaphylactic, meaning even a small amount of exposure can be life-threatening.

Your support helps us to keep our school safe for everyone.

As we wrap up Term 2, we'd like to remind families that the school winter holidays will begin on Monday, July 8, with students returning for Term 3 on Tuesday, 22 July.

Looking for fun ways to keep the kids entertained during the break? Check our the two flyers below from Club Merrylands, featuring holiday bowling and bingo sessions - great options for some affordable, family-friendly fun close to home!

We wish all our families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable winter break.