Attendance FAQ's

What if my student 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.

Does School Plus automatically know we are away?

No. If you have a regular booking with School Plus Outside School Hours Care, it is your responsibility to notify them directly if you need to cancel or amend a booking, will be away or if your student is absent due to illness.
Please phone 0458 052 153 or email newfarm@schoolplus.com.au 
If you fail to notify School Plus of an absence Police may be notified in accordance with the 'Missing Child Policy'.

What if my student is attending a school activity somewhere else?

If the school trasnports students to an acitivity via bus or walking groups, the school will mark a roll and account for the students.

If you transport your student to the activity, please notify the school they have arrived and are participating in the activity. 
To advise of an off campus activity, you can:
1. email absences@newfarmss.eq.edu.au 
2. phone student absence line (07)3358 7333 option 1
3. QParents app via 'Notify Absences' tab

How does the Absence SMS from school work?

If your student is not present at 9am roll marking and the office has not been notified they would be away, an SMS is generated and sent to parents. You are able to reply text to this SMS. 

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.

Dr Carmel McGrath

2025 Prep Enrolments

On Thursday 10^th October we held our Prep Open Day.  It was lovely to meet more of our new families and allow our new 2025 preppies to visit our school, have a fun play morning in the prep area and meet some new friends and the Prep staff.  Parents joined us in the hall for an information forum and then an informal morning tea. Thank you to student leaders who conducted tours of the school, all the staff who helped out, Dahna Gallantree from our P&C Executive who helped answer parent questions, Izaiah and Mandy from School Plus, and afterschool providers from ArtCee and SpeakUp, who was on hand to answer questions for parents.

Any families yet to enrol 2025 prep students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure they can be interviewed this term.

Staff Update

Year 1 classes are now settled with Ms Rob replacing Mrs Turner on 1T and Mr T replacing Ms McLeod on 1M.  Congratulations to Ms Merrilyn Krohn who has now been appointed Head Of Department (Curriculum) for term 4.  Ms Halsey will continue on Year 4 in full time capacity. 

Thursday 24^th October:

World Teacher’s Day – a wonderful time to acknowledge our dedicated teaching team and thank them for their commitment to our students and community. A huge thanks to our parent body who purchased a coffee machine for the teachers’ staffroom.

Friday 25^th October:

• 3^rd Gala Catch-up day for Year 5 & 6 sport
• Day for Daniel – WEAR RED – key message is about keeping our kids safe! Students will revisit the Morcombe Foundation Curriculum Materials which teach children to Recognise, React and Report if they feel it’s not right or not safe in any situation.

Friday 01^st Nov is our whole school Halloween Disco. Thank you to our P&C for organising our annual school disco.  Join us for a fun night in the hall from 5:30-8:30pm.  Halloween costumes for children only.  Adults must accompany and supervise their children for the duration of the event.  This is a primary school event only and students must remain in the designated area around the hall.

Tuesday 26^th November - Senior & Junior Bands Celebration Concert.  Thanks to Mr McIntyre and Ms Davis for coordinating this year’s annual Gala Night Performance.

Time: 5:30pm for a 6:00 start and around 7:00 finish.

Where: Fortitude Valley SSC Performing Arts Centre

Wear: Colourful free dress

Kay Bradley

Formation of Classes 2025  

LINK FOR PARENT INPUT CLOSING SOON

Over the last two weeks students have used a survey to nominate three to five peers who they would like to be in the same class with, in 2025. From this list, they will be guaranteed one peer.

Students may decide to choose children they play with only at school, or children of a different gender. You may wish to discuss this list at home, but it’s important our students have their own voice in this process. Students, especially Prep and Yr1s, will be supported in class by their teacher to complete this short survey.  All students will be reminded to not include names, for the sake of filling spaces, as they may end up in a 2025 with that student.

As parents, you reminded to share relevant information relating to your child’s learning and any particular personality clashes that you would like us to consider, through this link, which will close soon:

Parent voice in this process, does not include requesting certain friends or particular teachers.

Please do not send emails with 2025 information, as it may not be captured. 

Although we do utilise some software in the process of forming classes, be reassured that our teachers, admin and inclusion team have ‘human input’ at each stage of the process.

As always, when classes are formed, they remain in draft until day 8 of 2025.

First Aid Room

Although we do not have a school nurse, we are lucky enough to have all our staff trained in basic first aid.  We also have a designated room where we can administer first aid or, if necessary, quarantine sick students.

Over the last year we have noticed an increase in students coming to the first aid room, especially at the end of play, when lessons are starting and often during non- preferred lessons. 

When we have large numbers of students reporting for minor issues, who do not require first aid, other students who are ill or need urgent attention may have to wait, or not receive the full attention of staff. 

In order to triage the most urgent cases, such as playground injuries or asthma symptoms, we will be encouraging students with pre-existing injuries or very minor issues to see their class teachers.

As always, our staff are here to administer first aid, look after a sick student until you can come to collect him/her or make necessary emergency calls.  

Early Collection of Students

We understand students need to be collected early, from time to time. To ensure learning time is maximised and that there is a clear hand over, students will only be called to the office, when the parent arrives to collect.

New Farm Sporting Achievements 

Rio, Hudson, and Eli represented the Brisbane City Football Club in Japan, where the senior team had a strong showing with 4 wins out of 6 games, while the juniors secured 2 victories. Great work, boys!

A big congratulations to Abby for making the Met North Cricket team as a bottom age student! Her team went undefeated this term, and she played a crucial role in the grand final by taking an important wicket. They are officially the 2024 U12 girls cricket STATE CHAMPIONS! Well done, Abby!

Finally, let’s recognize Lolita for her outstanding results in gymnastics. At the Waverly Classic in Melbourne, her team placed 1st out of 15 teams. At the State Championships in Brisbane, she finished 3rd on floor, 5th on bars, and 6th on vault, achieving an impressive 4th place overall out of 126 competitors. Amazing job, Lolita!

Keep up the great work, everyone!

Mr Fleming 

Want to win a bike? All entries are being collected at the office this Friday 

Our enrolments for 2025 are open, be sure to submit your expression of interest now!

If your child will not be returning in 2025 please complete a Student Departure Advice, this does not include year 6 graduates. 

BAND RECRUITING FOR 2025

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

All parents of current year 3 students only, are invited to click on the link below for information, and to apply for, our band instrument instrumental music program in 2025. Learning and performing a musical instrument in a group environment indeed has many developmental benefits with the fun factor being my favourite!

For any questions please contact Mr Colin McIntyre via email cmcin13@eq.edu.au

The New Farm Kingfisher Swim Club is back, and we’d love to see all New Farm State School students get involved! ? This community-focused event is open to all primary school-aged kids and is held right here at the New Farm State School Pool. It’s a great way to unwind, make new friends, and enjoy a fun and relaxed Friday night! ?

Whether you’re a confident swimmer or just starting out, as long as you can swim 20 meters with a kickboard, you’re welcome to join! ? It’s free to attend, no registration is required, and there’s a sausage sizzle ? and drinks ? available for a small cost, making it a great night out for the whole family.

We are also looking for volunteers to help get the kids ready for the races and assist with running the BBQ and drinks stall. Please contact me if you are interested in helping with the BBQ—your support will make the event even more fun! ?

Details:

• First Event: Friday, 4th October
• When: Every Friday night starting from the first Friday of Term 4
• Time: Arrive at 5:15 PM for a 5:30 PM start. Events finish by 7 PM ⏰
• Where: New Farm State School Pool
• Who: All primary school-aged kids are welcome! ?

We look forward to seeing all our New Farm State School families for some splash-tastic fun! ? Come and join the community spirit!

Any questions please call Paul 0403666060