IMPORTANT NOTICES

What if my child is unwell?

Any child who is showing signs of illness or feeling unwell, should stay at home.

If a child is showing signs of illness at school, the school will contact the parent or carer to collect the child.

Dr Carmel McGrath

National Reconciliation Week 26 May – 3 June

National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect.

Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. We know that the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people, and are with us.

Reconciliation supporters must stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. To call out racism wherever we encounter it, and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent.

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.  (Source:  Reconciliation Australia 2024, website: www.reconciliation.org.au )

Thank you to Ms Andrews for organising learning activities focusing on the significance of reconciliation and the historical events of this week.  Further learning about reconciliation will happen across the coming week in classrooms and at next week’s assembly, thanks again to Ms Andrew’s development of culturally and age-appropriate materials for staff.

National Sorry Day is Sunday 26 May; a day which acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

27 May 1967 - On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.

3 June 1992 - On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.

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.

Teneriffe Festival

Saturday 8 June many of our students and staff will be supporting our local Teneriffe Festival with a number of performances planned.  Thank you to Ms Davis and our Creative Dance staff for preparing both choir and dance students.  Parents are reminded that the performances at the Dauth Street stage will be from 11-11:30am.  Students should be there 15 minutes prior.

Gala Days

Unfortunately, due to wet weather and the impact on field conditions, the past 2 Friday sports days were cancelled.  We are hopeful that students will have 2 more weeks to attend and enjoy their competition days

Melinda Norman

Instrumental Fanfare

Fanfare is the biennial state-wide festival of bands and orchestras from Queensland state schools. It showcases the exciting music-making that occurs in school-based ensembles across the state. The emphasis for Fanfare is on improving the quality of ensembles, promoting the highest possible standard of performance, striving for excellence and encouraging participation.

New Farm SS had 28 students participate in Fanfare 2024 this week and they all performed outstandingly. A huge thank you to Mr Colin McIntyre who did an amazing job leading the instrumental band at this event. Congratulations to all involved.

Teacher Planning

Each year level has been planning over the last week for the refining of our English curriculum. Did you know we have a new version of the curriculum being rolled out? This year we are focussed on English and Maths before we move to the other areas of the curriculum. Thank you to our dedicated teachers for all their hard work.

Sandy Chambers

RETURNING HOME READING BOOKS                             

Thank you to those students and parents in Prep, Yr 1 and Yr 2 who are returning their Read Write Inc home reading books to school each week. Just a reminder,

Prep students return their home reading books every Thursday. Three new books are given out on a Friday.

Yr 1 students return their home reading books every Thursday. Three new books are given out on a Friday.

Yr 2 students return their home reading books every Thursday. Three new books are given out on a Friday.

Unfortunately, we are unable to give students new books to take home if they have not returned their home reading books from the previous week.

Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if any of the home reading books have been lost. An invoice will be issued to you.

If your child/ren have a medical condition requiring regular or emergency administration of medication, please make sure you have supplied school with the following:

1. All medications must be in the original container and have clear chemist labels with the students name
2. Any allergy/asthma/anaphylaxis plans must be completed and signed by a GP
3. All parents must also complete a consent to administer form that aligns with the GP directed plan - there must be a form completed for each medication

IF YOUR CHILD/REN SELF ADMINISTER THEIR MEDICATION THIS NEEDS TO BE CLEARLY DISPLAYED IN BOTH THE LETTER FROM THE DOCTOR AND IN THE ACTION PLAN

Parents are also required to provide a letter detailing their consent for their child/ren to administer their own medication.

Parents are welcome to drop medication to the Admin Office between 9am – 3pm daily.

Students are not permitted to transport their own medication. An adult must attend and provide medication and complete any require consents.

For all emergency medication, once it has been received and recorded by administration, all medication (e.g. asthma medication, anaphylaxis medication) will be put into a labelled box and stored in the administration building First Aid Room.

If your child/ren’s medical status changes (e.g. asthma action plan no longer relevant, allergy severity decreased etc) please let the school know via email through firstaid@newfarmss.eq.edu.au so that we may update our systems.