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

Term Drills

We have completed both our term 3 Lockdown and Evacuation Drills ensuring all staff, students and visitors on our site are familiar with procedures for emergency drills. Thank you to the teachers for their efficiency with the drills.

Staffing Update

This week Mrs Bradley has been out at Undurba SS as part of her Aspiring Principal program. In her absence, Mrs Kemph has been doing the Acting Deputy Principal role.

Leadership Professional Development - last week many of our staff attended 2 full days of leadership training at NFSS and Brisbane Central SS.  It was a very worthwhile and challenging 2 days with a lot of reflection and alignment of our leadership model and professional goals. Thanks Eagle Junction SS for allowing 2 of their staff to step in and support our school during the program. 

Science Week Expo

Thank you to Rachael Frizzo for coordinating the parent involvement in the recent Science Week expo and to Peter Curby for his role in liaising and coordinating Science classroom resources and activities during last week. It is wonderful to see our students having such exposure to the various expertise within Science.

National Anti-Bullying Day

Last week we recognised National Anti-Bullying Day with staff and students wearing ‘Orange’. Thank you to our well-being team and staff for promoting and supporting this important message with our community and through classroom and peer support programs.

Book Week

Congratulations to all staff for supporting this year’s Book Week. We look forward to seeing your enthusiasm with some very creative costumes. Lovely to see our staff and student involvement in reading activities and Book Week Parade. Special thanks to HOD Merrilyn Krohn for coordinating activities in the library and the book parade in the hall this Friday morning. 

Fete – Saturday 23 August – all welcome

We are so lucky to have a wonderful P&C and parent body who contribute so much to our school, and we are thrilled to be holding our Fete this weekend. A huge thanks to Fete Convenor Sally Falkinder who has worked tirelessly over the past term to seek support for this event and for ensuring class reps and numerous community members and businesses are represented throughout. This event is held biannually and is our school’s major fundraiser within our school calendar. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.     

Flu Season

As you would realise, Flu season is upon us, and it is important to look after yourselves and take time to get well if sick.  I have reminded staff to reinforce good hygiene messages with students such as always washing your hands with soap and water (including after using tissues, before and after eating and going to the toilet), and staying home when sick.

Upcoming events Term 3:

1. Father’s Day Breakfast Thurs 04 Sept
2. Pupil Free Day Friday 05 Sept
3. Last Day Term 3 Friday 19 September
4. Term 4 School resumes Monday 06 Oct

Responding to Challenging Behaviour

As part of our ‘Bullying No Way!’ work we shared with the students how to report bullying and the steps we take in responding to these reports.  Many of our students were unaware that consequences occurred and some of the comments we heard were

“I didn’t know there were check ins afterwards’ and

 ‘Is that what Mrs Bradley is doing when she is speaking to people out of class?’

Today in assembly, we shared with the students how we respond to challenging behaviour, that is referred to Admin.  Some of the steps that students were made aware of were:

Time is spent listening to witnesses, both staff and students.  This is done away from other students and notes are made. This takes time and might take more than one day.

Open questions are always used e.g.” What did you see happen, not what you were told happened?”  “Where were you?” “What do you know about the xx game?”

After considering all the information and talking with teachers, a consequence may be given.  A student might miss out on playtime, apologise, or walk with a teacher.  More serious incidents could result in one or more of the following:

• being referred to the reflection room
• the behaviour being formally recorded
• parents being notified
• having increased playground supervision
• being involved in behaviour monitoring
• spending part of or a full day in the admin area

For serious behaviour a suspension from school might be given.  Regardless of the level of behaviour consequences are never shared with other students or parents.  It was emphasised today that behaviour is followed up, but is never addressed publicly.

Business Manager 

Casual Teacher Aide Opportunities – New Farm State School

Brisbane, QLD | TAO02

New Farm State School is seeking caring and enthusiastic Teacher Aides to join our casual pool. This role supports teachers and students in the classroom, playground, and beyond — making a real difference every day.

What you’ll do:

• Support teachers with classroom activities and learning resources
• Provide literacy and numeracy assistance to small groups or individuals
• Help with excursions, sport, and supervision duties
• Assist students with additional needs and promote wellbeing

Requirements:

• Current Blue Card (Working with Children Check)
• Willingness to complete/maintain First Aid certification
• Strong communication, teamwork, and a genuine interest in supporting student learning

How to apply:
Send your cover letter and resume to:
Stan Williams – Business Manager
Email: businessmanager@newfarmss.eq.edu.au

Join our supportive school community and help our students thrive!

Science Week 2025 – A Celebration of Curiosity and Discovery

Last week we celebrated Science Week, and what an incredible week it was! From the buzz of daily classroom experiments to the excitement of our Science Expo on Friday, students were immersed in the wonder, curiosity, and exploration that science represents.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our amazing parents who contributed to the Science Expo. Many of you spent weeks, if not months, preparing your displays and activities, and the result was simply outstanding. Both students and teachers were gushing with praise, commenting on how engaging, inspiring, and fun the experiences were. Your efforts created a learning opportunity that our students will remember for a long time.

We would also like to acknowledge our dedicated classroom teachers. Throughout the week, many classrooms became mini-laboratories, with experiments and hands-on investigations taking place daily. This level of enthusiasm and commitment added so much richness to our students’ learning journey.

Science Week this year was a true community effort. Parents, teachers, and students all played a role in making it such a success, and we are deeply grateful for the creativity, energy, and passion that everyone brought to the celebration.

Thank you once again for supporting our students to see themselves as scientists, explorers, and problem-solvers.

Book Week

Book Week is held 18th August – 23rd August this year with the theme, ‘Book an Adventure’. We will be holding our Book Week Parade in the hall on Friday 22nd August. We encourage everyone to dress up as their favourite book character and there will be a variety of activities held in the library during breaktimes to celebrate.

BAND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RECRUITING FOR 2026

Let the music making begin!

Each year we complete a recruiting process for positions in the departments instrumental music band program delivered here at NFSS.

Parents/caregivers of students currently in year 3 only are invited to express their interest now for their student to apply for a position in this program from 2026.

Please complete the survey using the link below or ask at the office for a paper copy to complete and return and if possible please email me to let me know if you are completing a paper copy. 

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

Mr McIntyre

Celebrating Our Dads and Carers

At New Farm State School, we’re proud to recognise the incredible fathers and carers who support our students and help shape our vibrant school community.

In Week 8, we’re hosting two special events to celebrate Father’s Day:

Father’s Day Stall Students will have the opportunity to purchase a small gift for their dad or carer. The stall will be open during school hours on Monday, 1st of September, and before and after school on Tuesday, 2nd, and Wednesday, 3rd, and will offer a range of affordable items. It’s a lovely way for children to show appreciation! 

Father’s Day Breakfast – Thursday 4 September, 8:00am Join us for a morning of celebration. Our P&C will be firing up the BBQ for a delicious breakfast, and a coffee cart will be available for those in need of a morning pick-me-up. Come along, purchase some brekky, and help us celebrate the dads of our community.

More details to come. 

Are you considering joining the New Farm State School community? Come along to our Enrolment Information Night on Wednesday, 3 September from 5–6 PM.

Whether you're enrolling for the first time or relocating to the area, we’d love to welcome you and share what makes New Farm State School special.

RSVP by scanning the QR code on the poster.
Children are welcome under parent supervision.

For more information, contact us at (07) 3358 7333 or enrolments@newfarmss.eq.edu.au.