Anson Street School eNewsletter

From the Principal

Welcome to Autumn and the start of Term 2

This term has already been full of interesting events in just three short weeks. We welcome Mr Tim Buckley, who joins our teaching service and will be working in the primary section of our school.

Thanks to Mr Tabbernor, who planned a very successful Athletics Carnival. It was great to have so many students participate and gain points for their house which goes towards a cumulative point score for overall House Champion at the end of the year.

As the weather becomes chilly, remember to send your child with a warm jumper or jacket. If you need help with any aspect of uniform, please contact the front office and your enquiry will be treated with dignity and confidence.

It was wonderful to have so many students recognised for excellence in attendance at the Principal's morning or afternoon tea in the cafe. Each term I enjoy celebrating with the students who in the previous term achieved 95% or greater attendance for the whole term. Later this term, the stage with the best attendance for the year so far will enjoy a movie afternoon with popcorn in the hall. Attendance is so important for children and young people's confidence, learning and social interaction, so I thank the parents and carers for making an effort each day to get your child to school.

Every public school in NSW goes through an external validation (EV) process of the schools activities and programs. This year we will be going through this process in June and the executive have been working hard to collect evidence to show how we are continually striving for excellence at our school. I thank them for their time and dedication in showcasing our school.

I am delighted to announce that Emily Board from Canobolas Kids will be joining our team as our new physiotherapist. Emily will bring a wealth of experience and we look forward to a long association with her and the team at Canobolas Kids. Emily will be starting this Wednesday.

Teachers will be starting to work on K-10 semester reports over the next few weeks as the students complete tasks and classwork. I thank our dedicated staff for the time they take to make sure you know what your child is learning at school and what they will be working on in the future.

Enjoy the last weeks of Autumn.

Melanie Meers
Principal
#proudtobepublic

Leader, SPC Inclusion and Wellbeing
Board Member, Wangarang Industries
Past President, Zonta Orange
DipArts (Music), GradDip (Education), GradCertEd (Pedagogy), MEd (Leadership &Management), GradCertEd (Learning Support), ProfCert (Positive Education)

Anson in Review

Easter Hat Parade

Farewell to our wonderful Physio

A massive thank you to everybody who made my last day of work at school so 'very very' special!

I still feel embarrassed and overwhelmed by the farewell and generous gifts. I really was thinking that I could 'disappear quietly' and didn't expect any special acknowledgement.

Anson street has given me lifelong friends and memories that I will cherish forever. Watching the students say goodbye and hugging me is something I will never forget. The compassion shown by all the students is a testament to you all as their role models. It has been an absolute pleasure to spend 32 years working as part of a fabulous team.

All the best
Jennie

ANZAC Ceremony

During the last week of term 1, we held our ANZAC school service to remember the sacrifice of those who have died in war, and to celebrate the courage, endurance and mateship that are still relevant across our nation today. A huge thank you to Derek Johns (Bugler) and Duncan MacLean (Piper) along with our special guests for joining us for this important commemoration.

Lest we forget.

ANZAC community march

Students and staff proudly participated in the ANZAC Day march, honouring the service and sacrifice of past and present servicemen and women. They represented our school with respect, pride, and a strong sense of community.

Assemblies

On Monday, Primary staff and students gathered for the first assembly of the term to celebrate achievements in the classroom, on the sporting field, and across the school. Congratulations to all the students recognised, and well done to our leaders who confidently led the assembly.

Today, Stage 6 students showcased their learning from the English unit Issues in Sport. As part of the unit, they explored persuasive language and techniques to design powerful campaign posters that raise awareness about key issues in the sporting world. Their creativity and critical thinking were on full display! We also celebrated PBL, class, sporting, and harvest award winners.

What's Happening

National Simultaneous Storytime 21st May

National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event falling on the last Wednesday in May.
Every year a picture book, written by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.
The book for 2025 is The Truck Cat written by Deborah Frenkell.
Now in its 25th year, it is a fun event aimed to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book.

Positive education @ Anson

Positive Behaviour for Education (PBL)

Our new PBL focus is Be Responsible: Warm, neat and in uniform. Sweet!

It was great to see so many students back at school proudly wearing their school uniform. As the weather gets colder please ensure students wear appropriate jumpers and jackets and that these are clearly labelled with your child's name so they can be returned if misplaced. Names written in texta and iron on labels can fade so take a moment to check that your child's name is still able to be read.

The school uniform is available to purchase from Orange Clothing Company including navy blue anoraks and coats for the colder weather. We also have some items in our uniform pool. Please contact your child's teacher if you would like some assistance with any part of your child's uniform.

PBL Stars for the start of Term 2:

Zana, Skylar, Claire, Connor S, Campbell, Aiden, Chelsea, Tyrone, Bodhi, Kiyra

Congratulations to these students who are respectful, responsible and safe at school.

Positive Wellbeing for Learning (PWL)

This term is all about CURIOSITY! Why focus on curiosity at school? A focus on curiosity at school is vital because it boosts learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It encourages students to explore their interests, leading to a love for learning and greater engagement in their studies. Curiosity also fosters adaptability, ability to learn from mistakes and prepares students for a constantly changing world.

We will again be having our curiosity day with students and staff emersed in a variety of interesting activities and technologies later in the term.

Staff will also be joining the fun a "Baby photo guessing competition". Can you guess this staff member?

Be curious.....

Inside the Classroom

Primary

Term 1 finished with the annual Easter Hat Parade and Easter egg hunt. It was great to see so many families visit to support the students. Mrs Meers presented awards to the Best Hat and a winner of the colouring in competition for each class.

Students and staff have started Term 2 with a number of changes to classes. The students have all adjusted well and are participating in a range of learning experiences.

Class 5 have welcomed some new students to our school. Lance and Theo have transitioned well to Anson Street and enjoying a range of experiences. Classes 6 and 7 have been accessing Radio School each week as part of their English program. The students are enjoying hosting and being interviewed by their peers. Classes 10 and 11 have been working hard in class and completing their learning activities. Class 12 are making great progress with their communication. The students are enjoying weekly outings to playgrounds around Orange. Students in Class 13 have been enjoying cooking the recipe of the week. They have then been then focusing on learning more about each one through art and HSIE.

All the staff and students had a great time at the Athletics Carnival last week. It was wonderful to see everyone encouraging and supporting each other.

On Monday the students all celebrated the progress and successes of their peers at the first assembly of the term.

Class 9
Students have accessed the new Orange Adventure Playground as part of Geography. They tested the different types of equipment and compared this to elements of the old Adventure Playground. The students also enjoyed participating in various Art sessions, where they added colour to shaving cream and used it as a base to create interesting artworks.

Class 14
Curious Scientists in Classes 9 and 14 wondered what would happen if they pierced a zip-lock bag full of water with a sharp pencil—or three! Imagine their surprise when the bag did not explode, as they may have hypothesised. Their experiment provided a rich opportunity to record observations, practicing their Scientific Inquiry skills. Did you notice the intriguing water pathway as it dripped along the pencil? We wonder why!

Class 15
This term, Stage 4 students have been bubbling with excitement—literally! In our STEM science sessions, they mixed water and glycerine to create giant, shimmering bubbles, exploring the science behind surface tension. Students have also engaged in 'Strong Hands' mindfulness activities, promoting focus and well-being through creative exercises. Out on the oval, the energy was high as students enjoyed thrilling TB ball games, fostering teamwork and physical fitness. The highlight so far this term was the athletics carnival, where students performed exceptionally well and made us all proud. Well done to all our Stage 4 students for their curiosity, creativity, and commitment to excellence both in and out of the classroom!

Class 16
Class 16 has been working on a variety of living skills, such as general computer skills, fine motor work, and being polite customers and cashiers at Mini Woolies during their weekly Skills House session.

Stage 5

Last term a group of stage 5 students attended a NSW Transport Industry Day. They were able to explore the options available for future employment in the transport industry and best of all, check out all the cool machinery. These students will have the opportunity to engage with more work experience in the near future with thanks to Transport NSW and Mr Low for his organisation.

Stage 5 accessorised in blue for Do it for Dolly Day. We discussed the importance of kindness and showing respect to ourselves and others everyday. What a pleasure it is to see these students spreading joy wherever they go.

Class 20 are studying Popular Culture in History this Term. Students began the unit by sharing examples of games, toys, singers, movies, and TV shows that have been popular in recent years. Staff also joined in, fondly reminiscing about their own childhood and teenage years, recalling the popular culture of their time. It was fascinating to see how some trends—like fashion styles and toys such as Rubik’s Cubes, yo-yos, and Furbies—have come full circle. As part of their learning, students interviewed their parents or grandparents to discover which TV shows and toys were popular when they were growing up. They then researched and compared these with more current trends.
We are excited to continue exploring how trends and beliefs have evolved throughout each decade, from the early 1900s to the present day.

Class 21 have been enjoying having Mrs Thwaites visit their classroom to work on their speech goals. Last week they used Proloqu2go for an intense game of Pop it Pig!

Happy Mothers Day to all the special people in our lives. We celebrated you by making chocolate coconut slice and making handmade cards. You are the world to our students!

Congratulations to Erica, Ethan, Josh, Lillee-Anne, Chelsea, Felicity and Tyrone whose attendance in term 1 was above 95%. These students were invited to a special morning tea with the Principal where they received an award for their efforts. Well done!

Visiting Our Grand Friends at Orange Grove

It’s wonderful to be back visiting our Grand friends at Orange Grove this term! Our Year 11 and 12 English Life Skills students have resumed their visits on a three-week rotation, and the connections are stronger than ever.

On Monday, students had a great time playing board games, Uno, and even learning a fun new way to play dominoes—thanks to one of our clever Grand friends. The room was filled with laughter, learning, and shared stories.

Over a warm Milo and some morning tea, students and residents enjoyed chatting about their holidays, Easter celebrations, and ANZAC Day. These visits continue to be a heartwarming way to build friendships across generations.

Stage 6 Students Embrace Work Experience Opportunities

Stage 6 students are set for a busy and exciting term with a range of work experience placements across the local community. Opportunities this term include placements at Wangarang, Jenny’s Classroom, Orange Motor Group, Orange Public School, and Nile Street Café.

These valuable experiences provide students with hands-on learning in real-world environments, helping them build confidence, develop new skills, and explore future career pathways.

A big thank you to Mr Low and Mrs Cunial for their ongoing support of our students during their work experience placements. Their guidance and encouragement play a vital role in helping students make the most of these valuable opportunities.

Turning Recycling into Reward!

A group of Year 11 and 12 students recently visited Wangarang Return & Earn as part of our school’s recycling initiative. Students helped unload the recycling bins and watched as bottles and cans were sorted through the machine—an eye-opening look at how the system works behind the scenes.

Their efforts paid off, with $50 raised for our school through the recycled items. A great hands-on experience in sustainability and community contribution!

Term 1 Fun – Easter Egg Hunt & Meal Deal Day

We wrapped up Term 1 with plenty of fun during our Stage 6 Easter Egg Hunt and Meal Deal Day. Students worked together to prepare delicious chicken wraps for lunch, showing great teamwork and enthusiasm in the kitchen.

The highlight of the day was discovering that the Easter Bunny had paid us a surprise visit—leaving behind a sweet treat of chocolate eggs for everyone to enjoy. A great way to celebrate the end of term and share some Easter cheer!

Term 2 has seen students experiencing many successes in their transitions back to their schools. Iyzacke and Malakai are settling into their new schools with great reports about their engagement in their learning. Mrs Griffen will be visiting them in the coming weeks to say hello! and support this great work.

Tyler continues to go from strength to strength in his transition and we are so proud of the maturity and resilience he is showing.

We are expecting some new students over the coming weeks and look forward to meeting and welcoming each of them.

Spotlight On

Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. Schools, in partnership with parents and carers, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. Encouraging regular attendance is a core school and parental responsibility.
Below is an easy guide for parents and carers to approve any absences via the Sentral Parent Portal.

If your child is sick at school

To ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, we remind you to keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell. Symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other signs of illness should be taken seriously.

Keeping sick children at home helps prevent the spread of illnesses within our school community and ensures a quicker recovery for your child. If your child exhibits any symptoms during the school day, we will contact you to pick them up promptly. For this reason, it is important to keep your contact details up to date with the school, including an alternative contact – such as a relative– who the school can call if you are unavailable.

If your child tests positive to COVID, could you please inform the school as soon as possible.

Active & Alive

Athletics Carnival

Glorious weather greeted us on Friday 9th May as staff and students participated in the annual Athletics Carnival. Held on the school oval, students ran their fastest, jumped their furthest and threw the longest in a number of events with plenty of smiles and laughter had by all. Plenty of sportsmanship and support was displayed by the students and sports captains displayed great leadership throughout the day. Staff had the final laugh at the end of the day, winning the annual staff v students tug-o-war.
A huge thank you to the James Sheahan students for their assistance throughout the day.

Age Group	Champion	Runner Up	Encouragement
Early Primary Girls	Anastasia		Zana
Early Primary Boys	Jordan	Eoghan	Ryder
Upper Primary Girls	Heidi	Chloe	Piper
Upper Primary Boys	Lewis	Gary	Alex
Stage 4 Girls	Giuliana	Nikeiah	Addisyn
Stage 4 Boys	Eli	Zac	Isaiah
Stage 5 Girls	Felicity	Erica	Chelsea
Stage 5 Boys	Ethan	Egan	Marshall
Stage 6 Girls	Skye		Madisyn
Stage 6 Boys	Tully	Bodhi	Tyler

Towards the end of Term 1, Felicity, Shelby-Rose and Riley W represented the school and Western Region at the NSWCHS State Swimming Championships in Homebush. Competing in the Multi-Class category, they competed against all the best swimmers across the state and achieved some outstanding results.
Well done on your achievements.

	Freestyle	Backstroke	Breaststroke	Butterfly
Felicity	11th	10th
Shelby-Rose	12th	12th		11th
Riley	5th	4th	5th	5th

Come and Try Tennis Gala Day

In Week 2, staff and students joined with different schools around the region in Bathurst for the first ever tennis come and try day. Run by Tennis NSW and Inclusive Sports Unit, students participated in a number of tennis themed games and activities in a fun and inclusive way. Based on the smiles and positive feedback from all involved, a fun and exciting day was had by all.

Student Engagement

Coffee, Careers, and Community

We’ve had a strong start to the term — and not just in the espresso department! Our Barista Team is back and brewing better than ever. With cooler weather setting in, our crew has kept teachers and visitors fuelled with the sweet, sweet caffeinated nectar of the gods.

A massive shoutout to our Employee of the Term, Shanika, whose dedication to the craft has gone beyond the classroom. Not only is she impressing with her skills behind the machine, she’s even convinced her mum to get a coffee machine at home so she can practise her latte art! A career in hospitality is clearly brewing — we’re super proud!

We’re also giving huge praise to Evelyn and Harrison, our veteran baristas and school leaders. They’re setting the standard, mentoring our new recruits with patience and skill. Harrison, in true Anson Street School spirit, is soldiering on in Barista despite a nasty shoulder injury — now that’s grit!

Work Experience Wins

Work experience is more than just a placement, it’s a bridge between school and the wider world, introducing our students to the workforce and giving the workforce a glimpse of our amazing students.

Our friends at Wangarang Industries have been so efficient, they’ve cleared their workload faster than expected — meaning our teams are still waiting for the green light to get involved. But rest assured: they’re chomping at the bit!

Meanwhile, our Stage 6 superstars have been busy making their mark out in the community:

Tom Adams is excelling at Orange Motor Group in the Parts Department — identifying, sorting, logging, and retrieving car parts like a pro. His supervisor, Steven Smith, had this to say:
“Tom was great, he followed all instructions and exceeded expectations.”
Tom represented our school with excellence, and Steven’s already excited to welcome another student in the future. Well done, Tom!
Ivy O’Halloran is putting her hospitality skills to good use at Nile St. Cafe, building on her training from our in-school Barista program, the VERTO Barista Course, and past experience at Birdie. Owner Frank is thrilled to see what Ivy brings to the team and what she’ll learn during her placement.
Lulu Butler bravely stepped outside her comfort zone and explored the world of retail thanks to Mrs Cunial, who organised a behind-the-scenes tour of several local businesses, including Jenny’s Classroom and Toys and Jumbled. Now, Lulu is looking forward to her upcoming placement at Jenny’s — what a wonderful show of courage and growth mindset!
Logan Bragg is flexing his mechanical knowledge at John Zelukovic Smash Repairs, long-time supporters of our school and valued neighbours. Their collaboration means the world to us — and a lot to Logan. Geez Logan, that high-vis really suits you!