Dr Carmel McGrath

Final Day – Year 6 Roll Call

On the LAST DAY of the school year at New Farm SS we have a tradition of farewelling our Year 6 students with their last roll call.  All students, staff and parents are welcomed to be involved in this special tradition. 

2:55pm All classes assembly near A Block stairs to form a guard of honour for our departing Year 6 students.  Parents are welcome to stand near the classes and help create a great atmosphere.

3pm Final Bell sounds from the library veranda and all year 6 students walk down the stairs and through the guard of honour.  There is sure to be lots of cheering and high 5s as the students walk through for their final day at primary school. 

Farewell to Departing Staff

This year we have a number of staff leaving us, heading onto other roles and schools.

A huge thank you to all of these staff, who have contributed to our school and shown dedication and commitment to our students.  Thank you so much for your positive contributions to your students, your class, program or project teams, we wish you all the best.  Staff leaving include:

• Dom Pilon leaves us to return to his substantive position at Hilder Road State School after 2 years at New Farm.
• Ron Fitzgerald has now officially retired and we wish Ron continued happiness as he finds other pursuits.
• Hayden Lawrence leaves us to secure a permanent position nearer to home in the western corridor.
• Julia Forsberg heads off from New Farm to begin a wonderful adventure with a permanent position in North Queensland.
• Rachael Siebuhr has accepted a promotion to Head Of Curriculum Bracken Ridge State School in 2020.
• John Rafter is taking leave in 2020 and is replaced by Nick Fenton as STEM coach in 2020.
• After many years at New Farm, Teacher Aide D’Ahne Critchley leaves us, we wish her well in her next role.
• I also acknowledge the work of our casual or temporary staff who are not returning in 2020: Teacher Aides:  Anastasia, Dusnee, Rose and Jo.

• Staff on Leave 2020:
• Brett Wilson will continue his leave in term 1 2020.
• Narelle Holtz, Jenny O’Neill, Marina Thacker and John Rafter will be on leave for all of 2020.

• Welcome to New Staff:
• Teachers coming in: Tracy Baker, Claire Blackadder, Khali McLeod
• Teachers return to New Farm: Jo Rankine, Jane O’Hara, Rachel Smart
• Teacher Aides coming in: Ruby, Tom, and Natalie

Pupil Free Day 2020  

Our Local Consultative Committee has endorsed the pupil free day program. On Wednesday 22 January, Thursday 23 January and Friday 24 January teaching and support staff will be in training. Junior primary staff will be involved in learning about the implementation of Read Write Inc. which is a synthetic Phonics program for younger students.  Senior Primary staff will participate in the How Language Works Program which is an explicit teaching resources supporting a functional grammar based writing program. 

This year we will be holding an Open School from 8-9am Friday 24 January, so we would love everyone to come along, bring your books in, find your classroom and meet your teacher.  The time is unable to be extended as teachers will be returning to training at 9:15am.  

Year 6 Graduation – Congratulations to all our graduating Year 6 students.  Thank you to Fatima and Hayden for all the organisation with the Graduation, to our Year 5 parents for organising the morning tea and to Yvonne and Tony for arranging the resourcing, set up and special guests.  It was a beautiful ceremony once again and pleasing to have our special guests there to support our students.  Thank you to Minister Grace Grace, Mr Andrew Kilgour (RSL) and his wife Christine, Mr Peter O’Sullivan (presenting the Margaret Suttie award) and Councillor Vicki Howard. 

Special award recipients included:

• Cultural Award – Leni W and Diane Y
• Citizenship Award -Sierra D and Ana A
• Leadership Award – Trey K and Francesca M
• Academic Award – Hydson and Charlotte S
• Music Award – William T and Freya N
• Teacher’s Award (Ms Z) –  Clancy F and Daniel M
• Teacher’s Award (Mr L) – Dominic J and Sammy T
• Principal’s Award – Layla M
• Principal’s Encouragement Award – Stanley S

Swimming Carnivals

Thank you to Kent Rainbow and all supporting staff for ensuring duties were organised for both carnivals.  Despite the extreme heat, both events went very well and students really enjoyed their events and participating for their Houses.   

2020 Class Placements and Locations

In the next few days families will receive ‘Teacher Postcards’ identifying the teacher and class allocation for 2020.  You will also receive a map of the school showing where your child’s classroom is located. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all refreshed, safe and sound on Tuesday 28 January 2020.