News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:07:49 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 13:33:07 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 16:55:10 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 17:18:42 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 16:05:51 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 13:38:53 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 11:25:23 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 11:45:55 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 14:11:04 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 11:40:58 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 12:26:22 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 15:20:10 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 15:12:51 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 15:23:45 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.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:34:57 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 15:03:36 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 16:26:28 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.

Heferen Shield

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

Moree East Public School students proudly represented our school at the Heferen Shield on Friday the 28^th July. 21 students competed in the 100m, 200m, 800m and shot putt.

We had an outstanding results with 5 of those students qualifying for the North West Regional Athletics Carnival which will be held in Tamworth later this term. Kyleika Haines, Norman Roberts, Nathaniel Sharpley and Marsha Tighe qualified for the regional 100m sprint and Shaquil Smith qualified for the regional shot putt.

Congratulations to all students from MEPS who participated with a high level of respect and determination at this year's Heferen Shield.

Moree East Public School Student recieves the "Una May Smith Scholarship"

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:09 AEST

Nehemiah Weatherall who has received the " Una May Smith Scholarship" which is an academic scholarship.

Please click the link below to read the article from the Moree Champion

Moree Champion

ime Capsule + Plaque Ceremoney & Offical Opening of Library

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:12 AEST

Moree Family Support Inc. celebrating Playgroup Week

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

Moree Family Support Inc. are holding a free Playgroup for parents/carers of children aged 0-5 to celebrate National Playgroup Week.

School Photos

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:11 AEST

Tuesday 28th March is school photo day. Note will be sent home shortly with more information in regards to this.

Office staff ask that all money is to the office by Monday 27th March with the correct change placed in the envelope. The front office does not hold spare cash on the premises so will be unable to give you change if you require this. Apologies for this.

Parents are able to order online by the 9 digit code on this flyer.

SRC Students Ideas on a New School Unifrom

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:12 AEST

The MEPS SRC have decided that with a new school, we need a new uniform – a whole new look.
Together the team has worked to gather ideas from students at MEPS.
This is this student's voice
•We want to keep Maroon
•We do not want any light blue shirts – too many schools in Moree have them.
•We want to bring in Navy pants to make the transition to High School easier.
•White is too dirty!
•We want to be comfortable but look amazing
•We want to keep both the snap back hats and the bucket hats.
•We want navy socks

We would love to hear your thoughts.

Please jump on our facebook page and let us know what you think.

MEPS Facebook

Poll for change of School Motto

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:11 AEST

Please take our poll and help us decide the future motto for Moree East Public School.

Please click the link MEPS POLL this will take you to our facebook page for voting. Please note your vote is anonymous.

Thank you for your support.

2017 Transition to Kindergarten

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:09 AEST

"Gaaymaalbah" (Little One's Place)

2015 Annual Report

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:08 AEST

Please click on the link provided to view out 2015 Annual School Report.

2015 Annual Report (pdf 1194 KB)

Letter of Outcome - Trial of School Hours

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

Dear Parents/Carers

Over the past 12 months Moree East Public School trialled new hours of operation in order to best capture students' peak learning times. As a result of this trial student learning outcomes have improved due to the increased student engagement and a reduction of students incidents and suspensions.

To review this trail and gain community feedback, a committee was formed consisting of representatives from the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, parents, Local School Reference Group and the Department of Education.

This group has spent considerable time, seeking feedback from parents, carers, community members and school staff and as a result of this community feedback has recommend that some Minor changes be made to the school hours. These changes have been agreed to by the Local School Reference Group and the Executive Principal.

From the beginning of Term 2, the school start time will move to 8:30am and the finishing time with move to 1:45pm.

The group has also made a series of other recommendations which will be considered in the community months, in consultation with the community. These include:

Investigating options of providing transport to and from school.
Continuation of after school activities
investigation of an Out of School Hours service
Further consideration of attendance strategies.

Thank you to the parents, carers and community members who contributed to this review. Your feedback was appreciated and extremely valuable.

If you have any questions about the changes, please don't hesitate to contact Lloyd Munro or Muriel Kelly at the school on 67521733.

Mr. Llyod Munro Mrs. Muriel Kelly

Chair Executive Principal

School Reference Group Moree East Public School

Northern Rugby League Trials

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

Northern Trials : Rugby League

Armidale, 1st April 2016.

Last Friday Moree East was fortunate enough to have 9 players selected for Northern Under 11 and Opens Rugby League trials in Armidale. All of the boys played exceptionally well in very warm conditions. Each and every player performed at their very best and even encouraged their team mates; some of whom they hadn't even met before. Most importantly all 9 players represented Moree East and the Moree zone with outstanding behavior and sportsmanship. They should be very proud of themselves. Cody Picker and Andrew Pegus were lucky enough to make the probables v possibles games for Opens and Under 11's respectively. Cody narrowly missed selection, however Andrew justified his selection for the Northern with another dominant display. He will now attend the North West trials on the 27th April in Tamworth and we wish him the very best of luck. Congratulations Andrew!

Special mention must be made of the performances of the following players, who demonstrated outstanding effort and enthusiasm: Michael Leslie; Donny Rose; and Gary Nicholls. They worked tirelessly and did a great deal of work for their respective teams. Well done to all of the boys who travelled to Armidale with respect to their behavior again. `

Minister of Education Visits

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

On Wednesday 2nd December, Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli and Adam Marshall, Member for Northern Tablelands visited Moree East Public School. They enjoyed a tour of our new school buildings and met with the Reference Group and Galamaay Brothers.

Read all about his visit in this article by the Moree Champion.

Minister Visits Moree

New School is Happening

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

With the construction work well underway. It will not be long and teachers and students will be packing up some classrooms for the last time. Ready for new classrooms in 2016. These images show the current progress of stage one, our new class rooms for years 3-6....

Connected Communities Strategy

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:09 AEST

Connected Communities is an approach to address the educational and social aspirations of Aboriginal children and young people living in a number of complex and diverse communities in NSW.

The strategy positions schools as community hubs that will deliver a range of services from birth, through school, to further training and employment.

Connected Communities schools work in partnership with Aboriginal leaders in the local community to help improve education outcomes for young Aboriginal people.

The strategy has been informed by advice from the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), and a broad consultation process with key stakeholders, underpinned by progressive educational research that highlights the value of place-based approaches to education.

School Photos

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:11 AEST

School Photos will be on Wednesday 9 September 2015.

We ask that all forms to be filled out and handed to the office by 8 September. We will accept forms on 9 September but only individual will be accpeted on this date. It will be to late to order family photos on the day of the shoot.

Please see below on how to order photos online.

Online Order Form (pdf 208 KB)

Yaama Ghubhii - Song - By Moree East Students

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:12 AEST

Connected Communities

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

School Plan 2015- 2017

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:12 AEST

Please click on the image to download our Plan

Dwayne Smith Selected for NSW Rugby League

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:10 AEST

A huge congratulations to Dwayne Smith of year 6 who was selected in the NSW PSSA Rugby League Side. Dwayne will be playing at a later date this year. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Touch Football

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:12 AEST

Congratulations to Daniel Smith and Dwayne Smith who were selected in the Rgional Touch Football team to compete at the NSW Touch Football Carnival in Ulladulla.

Also congratulations to Kiara Smith who was also selected in the girls Regional Touch Football team to compete at the NSW Touch Football Carnival in Wagga Wagga.

Zone Cross Country

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:12 AEST

A team of 30 students travelled to Gravesend today ( Friday 23rd May) to compete in the Zone Cross Country.

Good luck to all students involved.

We will have results from the Zone Cross Country in the near future.

A smooth start to school

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 20:37:09 AEST

Muriel Kelly faced a challenge when she took up her post as Executive Principal of Moree East Public School.

At the end of 2012 there was just one kindergarten enrolment form lodged and she was told to expect as few as 10 new students.

Knowing there were many children in the community who should be enrolling, Mrs Kelly spent two days with local Aboriginal woman, Rose Hankey, a school administrative officer, introducing herself and encouraging families to enrol their children in school.

"When I arrived I checked on the enrolments for kindy and we only had one, so I asked how we got the parents through and we had tables set up inside the schools with forms for the transition," Mrs Kelly told The Australian.

"But I decided to get some of the community officers and we went and doorknocked parents to tell them about kindergarten and, well, we raised the parents' expectations.

"The introduction gave me the opportunity to talk to parents about their child starting school, the process of enrolment, and how the forward planning can help with the smooth transition of their child into their first formal year of schooling."

The meet and greet had an immediate effect – 32 students enrolled for the 2013 school year.

Last year the transition program at Moree East Public School was reviewed so that kindergarten enrolment applications are submitted well in advance of the 2014 school year.

Sixteen students pre-enrolled before the start of the school year, which allowed staff at Moree East to complete a personalised learning plan for each child as part of their transition program.

Staff could then dedicate the first two days of school to interview each child and their parents and conduct the Best Start assessment. It also laid the foundation for positive relationships between the school and parents.

This year Moree East Public School has welcomed a total of 20 kindergarten students.