Carmel McGrath

NAPLAN

Congratulations to all Year 3 and 5 students and staff for engaging so well during this year’s testing program.  Mr Fenton did a wonderful job preparing the school and participants for the online testing which was completed in full by early this week.  The only handwritten section this year was our Year 3 Narrative with Year 5 written Narrative online.

Class Visits

This week I continue my term visits to RWI Spelling and Phonics lessons.  It is really pleasing to see our Year 2 classes moving into the spelling program with ease and certainly benefiting from their experience in the RWI phonics program last year.  The practice of identifying the dots (single sounds) and dashes (‘special friends’ or blends) is being reinforced now and something that is important to reinforce in homework as this lays the foundation for more confident and accurate spellers.

Visiting Education Students

This term our school has hosted practicums for a number of Education Students who are studying to become teachers.  Students range from first year to Masters Students.  Thank you to all class teachers who have supported their development and experience at New Farm.

Deadly Choices Program

This year for the first time, New Farm SS Indigenous students have been invited to participate in the regional ‘Deadly Choices’ program. Kirilla will be visiting NFSS each Monday 1:45-2:45pm. The Deadly Choices Education Program is a health education and capacity development program aimed at supporting students to be positive role models and mentors for their family, peer group, and community by leading a healthy lifestyle.

This five week program is delivered in a flexible manner to suit school environments and timetables, and addresses healthy lifestyle topics such as

• Leadership
• Nutrition
• Physical activity

National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To our new supporters, please remember the importance of privileging and amplifying First Nations’ voices as you add your voice to calls for reconciliation and justice.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

2021 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.

Find out more about National Reconciliation Week  #MoreThanAWord  #NRW2021

Attached for our students is a Colouring in Poster for Reconciliation Week.  Please see the symbol meanings and once complete, hand in to Mrs Lamb at the Library.

Action by Jessica Johnson, is the story of the land and community sharing the united call for action on reconciliation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples have been listening to the heartbeat of the land and sea for generations. With their rainbow shaped souls the spirits ask for us to join and make reconciliation more than a word, take action. We need to love one another and every aspect of the existing environment and community – we all have a role to play.

We are the change.

Prep – Year 2 FUN RUN

Thank you to staff, students and families for supporting this year’s FUN RUN at New Farm Park.  We have been very fortunate with fine weather this year for our Cross Country and Fun Run events.  Thanks to all the staff who helped Mr Rainbow organise the events.  Lots of fun was had.

 2022 Prep Enrolment Process NOW OPEN

2022 enrolments are now open for more information and to see the virtual tour of the school Click Here. Please refer to Check List and Expression of Interest Form to begin the enrolment process, for more details see the flow chart below. 

For all other enquiries, please email enrolments@newfarmss.eq.edu.au.

Upcoming Events

• Week 6 and 8 – Term Evacuation and Lockdown drills
• 26 May P&C Parent Hub - see below for more information