From The Principal and the Leadership Team
Don’t forget the P&F Family Picnic this Sunday
Parent Information and 2025 Vision Evening
Thank you to the many parents who attended our Parent Information and 2025 Vision Evening on Tuesday. It was wonderful to welcome you to the school, and we deeply appreciate your support, participation, and partnership in shaping the year ahead. There was a wealth of priorities and initiatives shared during the evening, and we are thrilled to have you as part of our journey.
We understand that some parents were unable to attend due to other commitments, so we have made each presentation available in the ‘Around the School’ section below. For those who could not join us, I would like to highlight a few important points discussed during the evening:
Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
At Claremont, we deeply value and celebrate diversity, inclusion, and respect. As a school community, it’s essential that we prioritise empathy and respect for one another. Let’s continue to foster a spirit of anti-racism, be curious in our efforts to learn from and understand others, and celebrate our differences. It’s important to remember that children often learn life’s most powerful lessons by observing the attitudes and behaviours of the adults in their lives, particularly their parents. Let us be positive role models in all we do.
Our Shared Responsibility to Keep Children Safe
Safety is a shared responsibility, and we ask all parents to adhere to our published Parent Codes of Conduct, Traffic Management Rules, and drop-off/pick-up guidelines. By doing so, we work together to minimise risks and ensure the safety of our children and each other. Should you ever observe something that causes concern regarding the safety or wellbeing of any child or individual, please do not hesitate to contact me confidentially.
Communication at Claremont
Our main communication channels include our website, the Claremont App, and the Weekly Newsletter. Seesaw is used exclusively by teachers for updates on children’s learning. Please note, WhatsApp is not a school endorsed mode of communication. The school does not tolerate WhatsApp chat groups, anonymous websites, or any communication that criticises, defames, bullies, or harasses any member of our school community, whether students, staff, or parents. Engaging in such behaviour contradicts the ethos of our school and may impact your child’s enrollment.
We ask that all parents demonstrate respect and good manners toward staff. This is essential in fostering a compassionate, collaborative community for all. We recognise that staff well-being is crucial for a healthy school environment, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels respected and safe.
Complaints and Grievances
We value open and respectful communication and are always here to listen to any concerns you may have. If you wish to bring a concern to our attention, we encourage you to follow the communication pathways outlined in the ‘All About Claremont’ document. I believe that most matters can be resolved when both parties are committed to working together in trust and respect. Our Complaints Handling Policy can be found on our website.
Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy outlines how we manage personal information collected by the school. This policy is available on our website
Staff News
Welcome to the World, Little Heidi!
We are delighted to share the wonderful news with our school community that Mrs Marquet welcomed a beautiful baby girl during the school holidays. On January 16, Heidi Dawn Marquet was born!
Our warmest congratulations to Mr and Mrs Marquet on the arrival of their precious daughter. We look forward to meeting your little one.
Welcome Miss Roach
We welcome Miss Roach to our school community as our new temporary Administration Assistant in the school office. We are already so grateful for her warmth, efficiency, and dedication to her role.
Miss Roach will be handling a variety of tasks to help ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations, provide support to our students, staff, and families, and will be helping the office team when Mrs Wiggins takes Long Service Leave in April.
Open Parachute Wellbeing Program
This year we will be continuing with the Open Parachute Program. This program aims to equip students with valuable skills and strategies to foster their social and emotional development, enhance their understanding of mental health and wellbeing, and encourage help-seeking behaviours. It also promotes a culture of mutual support and respect, helping students navigate any challenges they may face.
Developed by Dr. Hayley Watson, a clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience in program development, Open Parachute uses clinically validated, research-informed exercises to strengthen resilience, self-awareness, and social responsibility. The program’s goal is to increase students’ sense of connection to others and provide them with systems of support, ensuring they feel confident in their ability to handle life’s ups and downs.
Parent Resources
A key benefit of the Open Parachute program is the inclusion of audio and video-based resources specifically designed for parents. These resources will provide practical tools to help support your child’s well-being at every stage of their life. We will be sharing links to these resources as we roll out the program, and we encourage you to make use of these materials to further promote your child’s mental health and development.
We are excited to begin this important journey with your children, and we look forward to the continual positive impact this program will have on their emotional health and resilience.
Student Leadership – Student Leaders and Grade Captains
As you may have read in last week’s newsletter, we recently held our Student Leader Induction Service, where we proudly announced the Year 6 Student Leaders for 2025. It was an inspiring event, and we are excited to watch these young leaders grow and take on important responsibilities throughout the year.
At Claremont, we have a long and proud tradition of nurturing each student’s leadership potential, and we are committed to preserving and expanding this legacy. This year, we are introducing a new approach to the Grade Captain roles to provide every student with the opportunity to step into leadership.
Grade Captains – A Rotational Approach
Rather than holding elections or a selection process, we have decided that all students will have the chance to serve as Grade Captains. Each term, four students from each grade will rotate into the role. When it’s your child’s turn, they will be encouraged to take on additional responsibilities, assist their teachers and peers, and reflect on their personal leadership development.
We are excited about this new approach, as it allows every student to develop key leadership skills and be a role model for their peers. To guide this process, we teach our students about the 10 Leadership Markers, which include:
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Organisational Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills and Initiative
- Integrity and Social Justice
- Resilience, Grit, Reflectiveness, and Growth Mindset
- Servant Leadership
- Claremont College School Values: Collaboration, Innovation, and Compassion
- Community Involvement and Contribution to Co-Curricular Activities
- Commitment to Learning
- School Code of Conduct
(For further details on each of the Leadership Markers, please refer to the front of your child’s diary.
We encourage you to talk about these Leadership Markers with your child. They are an excellent way to reflect on personal experiences and think about how to further grow in these areas.
We believe that every student, no matter their age, has leadership potential. By focusing on these core values and skills, we aim to create a culture of leadership that will have a positive and lasting impact on our school community.
Term 1 Grade Captains
We are excited to introduce the Grade Captains for this term:
Kindergarten: Angie M, Emily L, Eloise C, Leon R
Year 1: Maggie B, Dom M, Parker F, TJ F
Year 2: Isabelle K, Atticus T, Jonathan NH, Reuben C
Year 3: Benjamin K, Claire L, Annie J, Matthew C
Year 4: Zara M, Eden G, Ethan S, Agathe G
Year 5: Matilda LS, Jayden T, Thomas F, Lucas S
Year 6: Amelia D, Sofia LN, Leo I, Charlotte C
We look forward to seeing how these students will develop in their leadership roles, and we are confident they will inspire their peers and contribute to our school’s vibrant community.
Thank you for supporting your child’s leadership journey. Together, we can nurture the next generation of leaders.
Safer Internet Day
On Tuesday, we celebrated Safer Internet Day. Each grade spent time learning about the importance of using technology safely by promoting positive online behaviours. We will continue to have online safety workshops throughout the year. If you haven’t done so already, please sign the Technology Contract in the front of your child/ren’s diary and take some time to discuss these issues, in an age-appropriate way with your child/ren. Thank you for your continued partnership with this important issue.
Chapel 2025: A Year of Faith, Hope, and Love
As we journey through 2025, we are excited to focus on the core themes that strengthen our faith and connect us to God and one another. Our Chapel services this year will be built around the powerful words from 1 Corinthians 13:13:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
In Term 1, we will explore the theme of “Love the Lord your God,” delving into the depth of God’s love for us, how it is unshakable, and how nothing can separate us from it. We will also reflect on how we can share that love with others, loving our neighbours as ourselves.
Each term will build on these foundations:
- Term 1: Love
- Term 2: Hope
- Term 3: Faith
- Term 4: Exploring the stories Jesus told and the timeless lessons they offer for our lives.
As we reflect on the theme of love this term, we encourage all families to take time to consider the power of love in their own lives, particularly as we celebrate Valentine’s Day this week.
We wish you a blessed Valentine’s Day and a relaxing weekend with your loved ones.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Luke 10:27
Mrs Larissa Cameron
Acting Principal
Follow Us
Website: www.claremont.nsw.edu.au
Instagram: @claremontcollege
Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/school/cla…
Opportunities for Parents to Meet the Go-To Teacher
At Claremont we value opportunities to establish these important connections between home and school as we partner with you to support your child/ren to grow, learn and flourish over the coming year. We have a number of opportunities for you to connect with teacher/s in the coming weeks.
- Week 4/5 – IP Weeks: meetings for parents and students who are on an Individual Learning Plan (IP). These parents have been contacted directly.
- Various Weeks – Parent/Student/Teacher Goal Setting Meetings (K-6).
Goal Setting Meetings
Set4School Meetings – Kindergarten
Today, Kindergarten parents received an email with details regarding how to book a meeting time with their child/ren’s Go-To Teacher to discuss their Set4School data.
The meetings will be held in person, via Zoom or by phone. Kindergarten students do not attend these meetings.
Here is also the link to book your meeting time. Note: The Go-To Teachers for each class are in the table below.
GOAL SETTING MEETINGS, YEARS 1-6
Year 1 to 6 parents will be able to book their meetings from next week. The access links to each year group’s questionnaires are below.
Parents will have a choice of joining their meeting in person, via Zoom or by phone. If your meeting is in class time, your child will be in the meeting alongside the teacher. If your meeting is outside of school time, we ask that your child be sitting alongside you during the meeting.
All Year 1 to 6 parents are required to complete a questionnaire alongside their child/ren, at least 24 hours prior to the day of your meeting, as the contents of this questionnaire will guide the discussion during the meeting.
If you have a child on an IP (Individual Program), you will already have had your first IP meeting for 2025, so attending a Goal Setting meeting is optional. However, we would still like you to complete the survey with your child.
Kindergarten
Meeting times
Year 1
Questionnaire
Year 2
Questionnaire
Year 3
Questionnaire
Year 4
Questionnaire
Year 5
Questionnaire
Year 6
Questionnaire
The meeting dates for each Go-To teacher are as follows.
Janelle Ford
Deputy Principal, Academic Excellence, Innovation & Pedagogy
Positive Behaviours @ Claremont
This week our students have been learning to ‘Sit. Eat. Pack. Play’.
Thank you to our House Captains, who this week performed a skit in assembly to help us understand why it is important for us to eat before we play.
Larissa Cameron
Acting Principal
Pastoral Care Groups
Pastoral Care Groups kicked off today, with our Year 6 students (with the support of Year 5 Leadership Helpers) leading the way. This program involves all the students in our school being placed into a Pastoral Care Group of around 12 students from all year groups. It is a wonderful way for students to develop bonds with students of all ages, and to build connections across the school. It is also an important part of our Leadership program for our Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) students. Students gather together in various locations around the school and participate in these groups once a fortnight on a Friday afternoon before Chapel.
During these sessions across the year, the children will participate in a range of activities that reinforce some topics that are important to our school which are not necessarily covered in the NESA curriculum. Topics may include our:
- School Rules
- Core Values
- ‘The Learning Pit’
- The 10 Leadership Markers, such as communication and integrity
- Holiday safety messages, including identifying five trusted adults they can talk to if they need, and our
- Thinking and Learning Dispositions: Resilience, Initiative, Collaboration, Ambition, Curiosity, Persistence, Reflectiveness, Focus, Empathy, Good Judgement, Risk Taking, Self Assurance, Flexibility of Mind, and Originality.
Sibling Interviews Kindergarten 2026
Whilst we give priority to enrolments of siblings, placement can not be guaranteed. If you have a child due to begin school in 2026, please ensure that your application form is lodged. The online enrolment application can be found under the enrolment tab on our website and linked here. Additional references are not required for sibling applications.
Should you have any questions or require confirmation that an application has been submitted, please contact Mrs Rochester on 9399 3217 ext 2.
2025 Residential Address Collection Notice
The Australian Government Department of Education and Training (the Department) has requested that our school provide a statement of addresses in accordance with the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth) (the Regulation).
More information can be found in the attached Notice.
2025 Residential Address Collection Notice
MindQuest 2025 – Enrichment Program for Gifted Students
📍 St George Girls High School, Kogarah
📅 Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 April 2025
St George Girls High School is offering its highly regarded MindQuest program for gifted and talented students in Years 1 to 6 on Saturday, 5, and Sunday, 6 April.
This exciting program provides stimulating courses designed to challenge and inspire young learners. The course fee is $250; a complete list of available classes can be found on the MindQuest website. If you are interested in registering your child or want more information, brochures are available from the Claremont office.
⏳ Registration closes on Friday 14 March 2025.
Renee De Rossi
Head of Inclusive Learning
Upcoming Events
Important Dates for Term 1 and Key Dates for 2025
Key Dates Calendar as at 14 February 2025
Action Items
The following items require immediate action
Years 2-6 – Cross Country Carnival including Parent Volunteer Form
Kindy & Year 1 – Wednesday Sport Cross Country Carnival Note
Around the School
Merit Assembly
Congratulations to the following students who received a Gold Certificate or Pennant at the merit assembly on Monday:
Gold
Year 2 – Ari T, Jonathan NH
Year 3 – William B, Juliette L
Year 4 – Harry L
Year 5 – Tom H
Pennant
Year 3 – Annie J, Charles R, Zack Y
Year 6 – Caitlyn Y, Isabella Z
NAPLAN 2025 – Years 3 & 5
Click HERE for the NAPLAN 2024 information.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Parent Information Presentation
Year 1
Year 1 Parent Information Presentation
Year 1 SeeSaw Parent Link
SeeSaw is a platform used by students to complete tasks on their iPads. Throughout the term, student work and photos will be posted for parents to see.
Here is the link to access the Year 1 Seesaw:
https://app.seesaw.me/s/941-900-248
While we ask that you do not communicate with teachers directly on Seesaw, we welcome and encourage comments on your child’s work.
Year 1 Teaching Team
Year 2
Year 2 Parent Information Presentation
Year 3
Year 3 Parent Information Presentation
Year 4
Year 4 Parent Information Presentation
Year 5
Year 5 Parent Information Presentation
Excursion to the Museum of Sydney: Garuwanga Gurad (Stories that Belong to Country)
Year 5 recently enjoyed an exciting excursion to the Museum of Sydney, located on the site of the first Government House. This immersive experience allowed students to explore the rich histories of both Indigenous and European communities in early Sydney and learn how they lived, survived and adapted during this time.
Students engaged with fascinating exhibits, handled historical objects, and learned new words from a local Indigenous language. A highlight of the day was listening to an Indigenous story that demonstrated the deep connection between Aboriginal cultural traditions and lore. They also practised a traditional stringing technique, gaining insight into how these skills have been passed down through generations.
In addition to exploring history, students were introduced to native plants and even had the chance to taste native berries. They were also thrilled to hold a Mariyung (emu) egg and touch its feathers, further deepening their appreciation for Australia’s natural and cultural heritage. Another memorable activity was a role-play discussion, where students explored different perspectives of both Aboriginal and European people in the colony.
This excursion closely linked to our English, History and Art units, exploring the focus text, Nanberry, and helping students connect their learning to real-life experiences. It was a hands-on and highly engaging way to deepen the students’ understanding of Australia’s past and the importance of Indigenous knowledge.
Archer.L : “This was a great way to learn about Aboriginal culture and practices.”
Imara.R : “You could try a native berry that the Aboriginal people would eat. It was called a Lillipilly berry. Some people liked the sour taste. Some people did not.
Lara. R: “I liked how they had stars on the roof to help tell the story of the Emu in Sky.”
Lucas.S: “My favourite part of the excursion was learning how to make rope out of the dried native plant so we could weave it”.
The Year 5 Teaching Team
Year 6
Year 6 Parent Information Presentation
Library @ Claremont
Library Lovers’ Day
In Australia, February 14th is not only Valentine’s Day, but also Library Lovers’ Day. Since its inception in 2006 by the State Library of NSW, and throughout its tenure at ALIA, Library Lovers’ Day has grown exponentially. The day is celebrated not only in libraries around Australia but all over the world. On this day, people celebrate the valuable role that libraries play in their lives. This annual event provides an opportunity to reflect and discuss what it is that we love about our school library. The school library is not just a place for reading and a place for students to explore a world of stories, but also a hub for discovery and learning.
New Fiction Titles To The Collection
Peter Brown is an author and illustrator of children’s books. His titles include several New York Times bestsellers, including The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes. Both books have been popular reads at our school and the library now has the third book in the series, The Wild Robot Protects. DreamWorks Animation released a feature animated film based on the first book in 2025.
Roz the robot has made a home for herself on a wild island full of forests and friendly animal neighbours. Life is perfect until a mysterious poison starts flowing towards the island! Roz sets out on an incredible undersea adventure to save the ocean, her island and everything she loves.
Recommended for children aged 8 to 12 years.
This is a fun story for younger readers told in rhyming text. It takes the reader on a sightseeing trip of a lifetime around all the London landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Tower Bridge!
Recommended for ages 5 to 8 years.
Mrs Susan Kesur
School Librarian
Music @ Claremont
Choir
Below are links and lyrics for the songs we have started learning for the ANZAC Day ceremony at the beginning of Term 2. Please try and find time to sing through these at home if you can. We still have lots of time, but eventually need to be singing these without looking at the words.
Mrs. Yasmin Davis
Dharawal Anthem words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?…
nyini Australiagal budjari garibara
nyini budjari buriga
budjari bamul yararaga mari walaba
bamulga mari walanmirang
bamul merong mari kaban walaba
badjajarang waratah
Yanamuru Australiagal yanamuru Australiagal
Yana budjari Australiagal
Nyini bayala gawuwi bayala gawuwi
Yana budjari Australiagal
New Zealand National Anthem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRYL6lDY4gM
Māori Version
E Ihowā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa
English Version
God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific’s triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.
Sport @ Claremont
Key Dates
K-6 Sport
Wednesday 29 January – 9 April
Claremont Cross Country Carnival (Years 2-6)
Wednesday 19 February
IPSHA Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 4 March
IPSHA Cross Country Carnival
Wednesday 2 April
P&F Colour Fun Run
Wednesday 9 April
Cross Country Carnival
The 2025 Cross Country carnival will be held on 19th February at Centennial Park for students in Years 2-6. Students will arrive at school at normal time and catch a bus to Centennial Park. They will return via bus to school at lunchtime and will resume normal lessons in the afternoon. It is expected that all students will be travelling via bus (no students being dropped off directly at the venue). Please read the event note for further details and visit the parent portal on Edumate to give permission.
Parent Helpers Still Needed!
It is almost impossible to run an event like this without parent volunteers, so we would be very grateful to any parents who are able to assist on the day. This would likely involve being stationed on a checkpoint scattered around the course (away from the start/finish line). If you are available to help out for the morning and have a current WWC number, please complete the following form by clicking on the link. We will be in touch over the coming days to confirm if you will be needed and further details for those that are needed.
Kindergarten and Year 1 will have their own mini cross country/house games as part of their regular Wednesday Sport. They will travel to Grant Reserve and will run a short race around the oval and will then participate in some carnival-style games (tunnel ball, parachute, egg and spoon races etc).
Please see the event note for more details
Kindy & Year 1 Wednesday Sport mini XC Event note
IPSHA Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the following students who qualified to represent Claremont College at the upcoming IPSHA Swimming Carnival on Tuesday, 4 March, at Sydney International Aquatic Centre. Event Information will be communicated directly with parents of students representing Claremont at the event.
Good luck to all the students who will be attending!
Claremont Champions
Congratulations to George P (Year 6) who represented Claremont at the IPSHA Tennis trials this week. George finished 2nd in his pool and was all set to play a semi-final match to try and progress to the final 4, however due to the massive storms that hit on Monday, the matches were delayed and in the end only 1st in each pool progressed straight to a final. Even though George didn’t get a final shot at making the top 4, he loved the experience and competition and represented Claremont with pride. Well done, George!
In his first season playing rugby league for Mascot Juniors, Harrison B (Year 2), received the award for best new player/most improved.
Awarding the trophy were two former Mascot Juniors players, Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs Captain, NSW Blues & Australian international) and Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs, NSW Blues & Tongan international). Congratulations, Harrison!
Mr Joel Geering
Head of Sport and PDHPE
P&F News
P&F Meeting
We invite all parents to our first P&F meeting for the year on Wednesday, 19th February at 7.30pm in the School Hall.
Please join us for wine, cheese and chocolate, as we welcome all parents for an evening of community and conversation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Family Picnic Day
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Family Picnic Day at Botany Aquatic Centre this Sunday.
We’ve had a huge response, with almost 250 people attending!
Claremont will have a dedicated function area to picnic and play, away from public areas.
Therefore, please enter via the FUNCTION GATE situated approximately 50m from the main entry along Myrtle St. If you enter through the main entry, you will be asked to pay the pool entry fees.
Please note that there will be lifeguards on duty, but children will still require parental supervision.
Please bring your own picnic blankets, food and drinks and perhaps a ball / games to enjoy on the lawn.
If you are free and keen to join us for some poolside fun, please book your tickets now! https://events.humanitix.com/botanypoolpicnic
Bubbles & Bites
The P&F have a special night planned for our new families, Kindy Parents and Year 6 parents.
Please join us for champagne and canapés and connect with our Claremont Community, Leadership Team and Teaching Staff.
Kindly RSVP as soon as possible for catering purposes. https://events.humanitix.com/claremont-bubbles-and-bites-2025
Morgan Ryan
P&F President
General Information
Canteen
Ordering
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE UPDATED YOUR CHILD’S GRADE BEFORE PLACING YOUR FIRST ORDER ON FLEXISCHOOLS.
Orders can be placed for both recess and lunch through an online ordering system called Flexischools (www.flexischools.com.au). You can also download the app and order from any smartphone or tablet device. Orders are required to be placed by 8:30am on the day the order is required, however, you can place orders up to four weeks in advance.
If you have any concerns with your orders or would like to discuss anything with the canteen staff, please feel free to email us at [email protected]
TeamKids
Click HERE to read the TeamKids Term 1 Week 3 Newsletter
Bookings
A reminder for ALL families to book and verify their bookings for Term 1. Also, if your child is away or will not be attending a pre-booked session, please assist by contacting Customer Service to cancel your booking on the day. Please note this has an impact on the service’s staffing for each session.
Please visit www.teamkids.com.au to secure your spot! or call Customer Service on 1300 035 000.
Uniform Shop
We have been advised that Ranier will be increasing their prices from 24 March. Please see the attached letter for more details.
The Uniform Shop is run by Ranier on the school premises during school terms on the following days:
Monday: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 11:00am
Methods of Payment: Cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard and Visa
For new students, fittings are by appointment. Simply book online at ww.shop.ranier.com.au
The Uniform Shop is located within the main body of the School. Please access the Uniform Shop via Coogee Bay Road lower side gate.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 9213 0720
Responses will be provided during opening hours.
Note: The website can answer most of your questions at www.shop.ranier.com.au
For more immediate assistance, head office details are:
Online: ranier.com.au/contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 8337 7290
Extra Curricular
Extra Curricular
Chess Coaching with Sydney Academy of Chess
Friday mornings from 8:00am in the Library. See the attached flyer for more information.
