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 transports students to an activity 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

Curriculum

This week Year 3 and 5 students are participating in the annual NAPLAN program.  Thank you to Mr Curby, Ms Schmidt and Mrs Baker who are supporting Year 3 and 5 teachers and students as they conduct the testing. All tests are online except for Year 3 writing which remains handwritten.

All teachers have met in year level teams with Ms Krohn (HOD Curriculum) planning their term 2 units and moderating assessment tasks. Our school also continues to be involved in the Metropolitan North Collaborative Learning Community focused on improving English achievement in all year levels. Two key areas of focus are (1) ensuring a deep understanding of achievement standards and regular scheduling of moderation of student writing tasks and (2) developing a consistent process for providing student feedback on writing through self, peer and teacher use of the learning walls for writing tasks.

Well-Being

Ms Schmidt has been working with the Well-Being Pillar team to coordinate our annual Harmony Day celebration planned for Friday 21 March. Thank you, Ms Cuthbertson and parents Fiona Caniglia, Shalini Sharma and Belinda King for facilitating some additional activities for parents and students to engage with during this celebration.

This week Ms Andrews will recommence one day per week in the role of Student Engagement Teacher with a focus on supporting the whole school implementation of our Second Steps, Peer Support and Teach Like a Champion program. Additionally, Ms Andrews will train our Year 6 and a selection of Year 5 students as facilitators of our Peer Support program, which will run weekly throughout terms 2,3 and 4. 

Cross Country

Thank you to Mr Rainbow for organising this year’s Cross-Country event for Years 3-6 at New Farm Park. Currently scheduled for Thursday 27 March with a backup wet weather day on 28^th. 

Year 6 Leadership Induction Ceremony

This week we welcomed our Year 6 families to our annual leaders’ ceremony where we presented student leaders and captains with their badges. The students have participated in their leadership development workshop and are actively involved in various leadership duties, including project groups Community and Charity, EcoMarines and Media. I congratulate all our 2025 recipients and trust their contributions will ensure New Farm State School continues to be a great school with positive leaders. Congratulations to Mr Fleming, Ms Cuthbertson and Ms Smith for organising a lovely ceremony and to P&C President Rachel Frizzo for supporting our presentation of badges. 

Road Safety

Thank you to parent Paul Scott who initiated discussions with council about possible supervised crossing at the Beeston Street school entrance. Our school community focus is on ensuring students and families are able to walk safely to and from school. I will be working with P&C to support the application for a proposed crossing supervisor at Beeston Street. I also encourage all parents who exit via Heal and Annie Streets to use the supervised crossing areas on James and Annie Street ensuring our current services are utilised well.  

Upcoming Events:

Friday 04 April – Last Day Term 1

Tuesday 22 April – First Day Term 2

Loren Schmidt

Living our Values – Student Voice

Here at New Farm State School, we commit to clear, inclusive communication and strive to ensure every voice in our school community is heard and valued. To help achieve this aspect of our NFSS Vision, from next term, I will be holding informal weekly sessions with our Student Leaders, to gather feedback about their experiences as an NFSS student. During these sessions, students will be able to share ideas they may have to help improve our school or talk to me about challenges they may be having in the classroom or playground. It is my plan, to use the feedback students share, to directly impact programs we offer and the way we engage with our students and families. Staff at NFSS do an amazing job each and every day in supporting our students to feel valued, working hard to foster a strong sense of belonging amongst their peers as part of our school community. These weekly sessions are just another way we can be sure that students here at New Farm have an opportunity to have their voices heard and feel their opinion is valued. It is my hope, that over time, all students from Prep to Year 6 will be able to participate in these feedback sessions, as even the youngest voices in our school community play an important role in shaping the future of our wonderful school.

If you would like to make a suggestion or comment about these new weekly sessions, please email me to share your thoughts – deputyprincipal@newfarmss.eq.edu.au

Business Manager

As we get closer towards the end of term, please see the below invoices that are coming up due. A reminder that our preferred method of payment is QParents – if you need assistance with setting up your account please email administration@newfarmss.eq.edu.au

Inter-House Cross Country 

Order of Events

Thursday 27 March 2025, 9.00am – 11.45am (approx.)

Please note that times are subject to change.

Due to weather conditions some events may have to be postponed or course length adjusted.

9.00am                        walk to New Farm Park

9.25am                        walk of the course

Event 1                        9 Years and under – Cross Country Trial

9.45am                        2017/2016 Girls Start

2017/2016 Boys Start

Event 2                        10 Years – Cross Country Trial

10.15am                      2015 Girls Start

2015 Boys Start

Event 3                        11 Years – Cross Country Trial 

10.45am                      2014 Girls Start

2014 Boys Start

Event 4                       12 Years – Cross Country Trial

11.15am                      2013 Girls Start

2013 Boys Start

11.45am                      walk back to school

DO YOU HAVE A RELATIVE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN WORLD WAR 1?
              WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THEIR STORY?

As part of our ANZAC DAY commemoration (Term 2, Week 1), the Anzac Committee is organising a poster display in the school hall, and we are very interested to include New Farm SS families’ stories from the Great War. It can be as simple as a (named) photograph of the person and/or a medal he/she received, or you may have more information to share.

Please bring your posters to school in Week 10 this term or at the start of Term 2 Week 1.

We look forward to sharing your stories.

Anzac Committee NFSS

As broadcast via Dojo recently, below are the latest upcoming trials for sport teams run by the City District.

Please contact Mr Rainbow if your child is interested and fits the following District Criteria for consideration:

*"a minimum of 1 year playing at club level or above."
*"those born 2015 would need to be of exceptional ability to be considered."

Those with highest level club representation will be considered firstly.
If then necessary, pre-trials at NFSS will follow after the above expression of interest deadline to determine our quota of 5 nominations.

Further forms and details will be forwarded then.
If more than 5 students are fitting the criteria, then we will organise trials at school to determine who is able to go to the District trial.

1. Rugby Union – 11-12 yrs
Born 2013 & 2014
Trial Time: 9.00am to 12.30pm – Registration from 8.30am
Trial Date: Wednesday 23 April 2025
Trial Venue: Norths Rugby Fields – Shaw Road
Expression of interest due Wednesday 19 March - to Mr Rainbow.

2. Tennis – 10-12 yrs – Boys

Born 2013, 2014 & 2015
Trial Time: Boys: 9.00am to 2.30pm – Registration from 8.30am
Must be Playing/Training Yellow Ball
Trial Date: Tuesday 29 April 2025
Trial Venue: Shaw Park Tennis Centre
Expression of interest due Wednesday 26 March - to Mr Rainbow.

3. Tennis – 10-12 yrs – Girls

Born 2013, 2014 & 2015
Trial Time: Girls 9.00am to 2.30pm – Registration from 8.30am
Must be Playing/Training Yellow Ball
Trial Date: Thursday 1 May 2025
Trial Venue: Shaw Park Tennis Centre
Expression of interest due Wednesday 26 March - to Mr Rainbow.

Join the Kingfishers Swim Club!

Looking for a fun, friendly swimming club where every child is celebrated? Welcome to Kingfishers!

We're a community-focused swim club where participation and encouragement matter more than performance. If your child can swim 20m with a kickboard, they're ready to join the fun!

Who can join?

• Primary school children (including Prep)
• Younger siblings welcome
• Open to all schools in our community

What makes us special?

• Supportive, encouraging environment
• Focus on fun and participation
• Lots of cheering and celebration
• Family-friendly atmosphere

Every club night includes:

• Swimming activities for all abilities
• Delicious sausage sizzle and snacks
• Refreshments for parents (including beer and wine)

When: Every Friday until end of Term 1 Arrive: 5:15 PM Start: 5:30 PM Finish: 7:00 PM

No pre-registration required - just come along and join in!

Questions? Email Paul at pf_scott@yahoo.com

Join our friendly community where every swimmer belongs!