Dr Carmel McGrath

2020 Class Allocation Preferences

Thank you to all parents who have submitted their written requests for class allocations 2020.  Over the next weeks we will be ensuring all students have the opportunity to name 5 friends who they wish to be placed with in the class allocations.  We do this to ensure that each student has at least one close friend with them for the following year. 

At times parents include friendship lists in their class allocation requests.  While we review these, where there is a discrepancy between who the parent and child have asked for, we will always go with the child’s request. We believe giving students a voice in this process is an important part of ensuring balanced classes. 

I am sure that you understand that class allocations is a complex process and a great deal of time and thought goes into placements.  For this reason, once classes are formed, we will not take any further requests or make last minute changes.  These changes can in fact cause a number of issues which impact on numerous other students. 

Report Cards

Teachers are currently collaborating to:

• Align A-E standardised comments for English and Maths,
• Create standardised Key Learning Area descriptors for all other subjects, and
• Create standardised A-E behaviour comments, which are being aligned to our whole school Positive Behaviour for Learning framework. Thank you to staff and our PBL Committee (including staff, parents and Jabiru staff) who have coordinated and focused our behaviour data to ensure greater consistency of standards and record keeping across the school. 

Having consistent standards and comments is an important aspect of the alignment of planning, teaching and assessment.  The work also aligns with our Inclusive Education policy ensuring that adjustments and supports are implemented as part of our approach ensuring all students are able to succeed both academically and socially.

General comments are completely individualised for students.

Inclusive Education

Inclusive Education is one of the key priorities of the ‘Every Student Succeeding – State Schools Strategy 2018-2022.  It has come through very strongly as a key priority from students, staff and parents in our Quadrennial School Review and will continue to be a major part of our New Farm State School Strategic Plan 2020-2024.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

‘Our Commitment means that children and young people across Queensland, from all social, cultural, community and family backgrounds, and of all identities and all abilities are able to:

Attend their local state school or education centre and be welcomed

• Access and participate in a high-quality education and fully engage in the curriculum along-side their similar-aged peers
• Learn in a safe and supportive environment, free from bullying, discrimination or harassment
• Achieve academically and socially with reasonable adjustments and supports tailored to meet their learning needs. (Department of Education, Inclusion Policy)

As Nelson Mandela said Education is key to change and so importantly we will ensure there are strategic plans which focus on ongoing professional learning and development of staff, information sharing and learning for students, and strengthening of partnerships with parents and community agencies to increase our understanding of disability and diversity. 

As part of this work New Farm has joined the Regional ‘Autism Friendly School’ initiative for 2020.  Inclusion Coach Judy Loudon and I are attending the initial information session for the project this week.  With Judy’s expertise and experience in disability in a wide range of roles including Advisory Consultant for Inclusion and her work with Autism Queensland, we have strong leadership for building the collective efficacy of our whole school community and creating a positive culture of inclusion for all. 

Prep Open Day

Thank you to all the Prep Teachers, Leadership team, parents and office staff who helped organise this year’s event.  There was great attendance with families hearing more about the school curriculum and what to expect with the start of school.  Our 2020 preppies had a wonderful time attending the prep classes and being involved in a range of fun activities for the morning.  Once again our regular parent volunteer groups attended, as well as banking and Jabiru staff who were there to answer questions for our new families. Currently we have 75 preps enrolled for next year so it looks feasible that we will form 4 prep classes.  There will only we one final round of prep interviews this year, so if you know of anyone who is yet to enrol, please encourage them to contact us without delay. 

Master Plan

I understand from the Project team that we will be holding another session in the latter part of this term so that the team can provide feedback to the community group which met and workshopped the site plans.  Once dates are finalised, participants will be notified.

End of Year Disco

This Friday our Year 6 parent group are holding our End of Year Disco.  The disco theme is ‘Halloween’.  Thank you to all the staff and parent volunteers especially Year 6 parent coordinator Fiona Caniglia for her efforts.  Parents are asked not to dress up and to remind children they must remain in the disco area as they are not permitted in and around the school during this event for safety and supervision reasons.

Day for Daniel

On Friday 01 November students and staff are asked to wear red to show their support for ‘Day for Daniel’.  Year 5 and 6 students who are attending the final make up Gala Day are also asked to wear their normal sports uniform but show their support by wearing something red such as red socks, red shoes, red ribbons or a red hat.  All students except for those attending Gala Day will attend a special assembly on Friday morning which will be followed by a ‘walk for Daniel’ around our school.  Ms Horn’s 3 W class are presenting the RECOGNISE REACT REPORT message and video at assembly.

Drumming Group

Thank you to Chris Chapman and Judy Loudon for supporting the new drumming group.  Students are thoroughly enjoying their experience and Mr Chapman is hoping the group will be ready for an assembly performance sometime this term. 

Extreme Heat

As we approach our summer season, we will be monitoring weather and planning for alternative inside play where appropriate.  Students and staff are being reminded about the importance of our Sun Safety Policy – specifically

2020 School Leader Selection

Last Friday many students submitted their nomination forms for 2020 leadership roles.  This is an exciting time for our Year 5 students and I wish them well for this process.  Parents you can see below the timeline of events in this process.  You are very welcome to attend the speeches. 

We as parents always want to encourage our children to aspire to do their best but it is also important to have some discussion about building resilience, learning from the experience and knowing that if you do not get the position, it’s ok to feel upset or disappointed but then move on from that. 

Resilience is about bouncing back from some sort of negative event or experience.  Over the past few years, I have been very impressed with the resilience the students have shown.  I wish all students the very best for their participation in the selection process.

• Wed 30 Oct 9am (Hall)– School and Vice-captain speeches and student voting (yr 3-5 vote)
• Thurs 31 Oct 9:30 – 1:00– Principal interviews shortlisted students
• Fri 01 Nov – Principal announces the 2020 School and Vice Captains
• Wed 06 Nov 9 – 10am (classrooms) – House captain speeches and student voting
• Thurs 07 Nov 9:30-1:00 – Principal interviews shortlisted students
• Fri 08 Nov– Principal announces the 2020 House Captains
• Wed 13 Nov 9-10am– Project Captain speeches and student voting (classrooms)
• Thurs 14 Nov 9:30-1:00 – Principal interviews shortlisted students
• Fri 15 Nov – Principal announces the 2020 Project Group Captains
• Tuesday 19 Nov Assembly– 2020 Captains introduced to school on assembly