Principal
Dr Carmel McGrath
As we begin the new school year, I want to share our school vision and values with our community. These vision and values were the collective result of a term’s consultation following our mid 2023 full school review by external educational School Review team. The vision and values underpin the work we do in both our long term 4 year strategic planning and our subsequent annual planning. The other important aspect of our school operating system that you will hear a lot about, are the key priorities – these are our 4 Pillars: Innovation, Cultural and Inclusion, Curriculum and Pedagogy and Well-Being and Engagement.
Vision
At New Farm State School, we are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant learning environment that intertwines hands-on, real-world experiences with academic rigour. Our vision is to empower students as resilient and empathetic learners, ready to embrace their futures with confidence and respect.
We commit to clear, inclusive communication, ensuring every voice in our school community is heard and valued. Balancing technological advancement with the importance of nature and physical well-being, we strive to foster a culture that values both educational excellence and personal growth.
Our approach is characterised by consistency in behaviour management, curriculum delivery, and social-emotional development, providing a stable and nurturing enviroment for all. Recognising the need for continuous improvement, we focus on effective, fair practices and support for our dedicated staff.
New Farm State School envisions a community where every student is equipped with the skills, qualities, and emotional intelligence to contribute positively to society, reflecting a balanced, respectful and engaging educational journey.
Values
Authentic Learning: Learning through differentiated and innovative experiences.
Community: Valuing an inclusive and diverse community.
Respect: Building respectful relationships among staff, students and their families.
Well-being: Balancing physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
Swimming
Swimming lessons began this week for Years 1-6. In terms 1 & 4 our Physical Education lessons focus on swimming, with the exception on Prep who swim only in term 4. Permissions and payments, best done through QParents, are required for participation. If you need any financial assistance for any events, please contact our Business Manager Stan Williams on businessmanager@newfarmss.eq.edu.au .
Contact Details
In order to ensure there are no delays for collection of students during the day, please ensure you have updated your emergency contact list and notified the office via email or phone if a person other than the parent is collecting.
Communication
Attached for your information is a parent brochure explaining our main modes of communication. Two of the main points to note is that:
- Class dojo messages may not be addressed during the school day as teachers will be teaching.
- For concerns, complaints, after school arrangements or appointments for meetings, please email the administration.
Arrival times – students should arrive near 8:30am.
Our Schools Plus service uses our area until this time so if you are not attending Schools Plus, please do not arrive before 8:30am as there is no formal supervision before this time. Before school play areas from 8:30 include the oval, netball court and the prep play area (for Prep students only).
Students and families are not permitted to go into the classroom blocks until the 8:45am bell.
If you are waiting, you should not be in upper D Block, A Block or E Block as the waiting areas are near the school office, the netball court or oval, and for preppies, it is the lower D Block area.
Students and families are requested to wait until 8:45am before moving to classroom areas as teachers are still preparing for lessons before this time.
Day 8
This Thursday is our Day 8 census day which means whatever our enrolments are on this day, it directly dictates our staffing and resourcing allocation for the 2025 school year. Any changes to class allocations will be made in a timely manner once allocations are confirmed by our central office. I will confirm or make notice of any changes as quickly as possible following this confirmation period.