Filter Content
|
Please notify the school by 8.00am if your child will be absent from school. Please advise child's name and class, date of absence and reason for absence. TO NOTIFY OF AN ABSENCE 1. Absence email: 2. QParents App: 3. Phone Student Absence Line: |
|
Uniform Shop 2025 Term 1 Open 8am - 9:30am Online ordering: School Locker |
|
Note: Information is sent from New Farm State School newfarmss@schoolzineplus.com To avoid missing these important emails, please add this email address to your inbox Favourites list. |
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:
- All medications must be in the original container and have clear chemist labels with the students name
- Any allergy/asthma/anaphylaxis plans must be completed and signed by a GP
- 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.
19
Fri
19 Sep 2025
Dr Carmel McGrath
Important Dates:
Last day of term 3 – Friday 19 September
First day of term 4 – Tuesday 07 October
Term 3 Pillar Champion Awards
Our vision is to actively and responsibly pursue, promote and maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment for all. Our school community has been working with the pillars of our strategic plan being Curriculum, Inclusion, Innovation and Well-being.
Congratulations to our Term 3 Pillar Champions:
- Curriculum – Miss De Boer, Scarlett 4K, Vera 3T
- Inclusion – Ms Judy Chan, Isabella 2K
- Innovation – Ms Boyes, Lily 6C, Courtney Taylor, Sarah Gunn and Kara
- Wellbeing – Ms Greaves, Ms Rob, Quinn 2K, Negar
2025 Year 6 Student Leadership Selection Process
In Term 4 we will be selecting our 2024 School Captains, Vice-Captains, House Captains and Project Captains. The current Year 5 students are now invited to participate in the process. Below is an outline of the key dates. Role descriptions, timelines and nomination forms were given to students last week and are available below:
Nominations:
Students wishing to nominate for 2026 leadership positions must complete a nomination form, outlining all positions for which they are applying (i.e is School or Vice-Captain, House Captain and / or Project Captain), and no further nominations will be taken after the closing date, Thursday 18th September 3pm.
For example, a student may wish to apply for Binkinba House Captain only and so would not add any other nominations to the form. However, another student may nominate for School Captain and Binkinba House Captain, so that if they are firstly unsuccessful in School Captain, they can still try out for House Captain. It should be noted though that if a student nominates only for School Captain and is unsuccessful, they cannot then nominate for a House or Project Captain position unless it has been included on their original nomination form. Year 6 Student Leaders’ Induction Ceremony and Badge presentation – date to be announced– anticipated around week 8 Term 1 2026.
Father’s Day BBQ – our first Father’s Day morning BBQ was a huge success with over 200 fathers attending and enjoying a wonderful morning with their children among our school community. Thank you to Olivia Morrish and Rachael Frizzo for coordinating the event. Special thanks also to our P&C and Gold Sponsors Rissman Property for attending and providing the BBQ and Coffees for everyone’s enjoyment.
Holidays – I hope all families enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday period. We look forward to seeing all our students return refreshed for term 4. Reminder that Monday 06 Oct is a public holiday and School begins Tuesday 07 October.
Protecting Children’s Eye Health
With screens becoming a bigger part of our children’s lives, it’s more important than ever to understand how screen time affects their vision - especially their ability to see clearly at a distance.
Recent research shows that excessive screen time is linked to a rise in myopia (nearsightedness) in children. Close-up focus on tablets, phones, and laptops can strain young eyes and reduce their ability to focus on distant objects.
A 2024 study in BMC Public Health found that each additional hour of screen use increases the risk of myopia in children and teens. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-19113-5
Recommendations to reduce eye strain and support healthy vision includes:
- Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Spend at least 2 hours outdoors each day
Set screen time limits and encourage breaks - Choose outdoor activities like bike riding, sports, or nature walks
- Use larger screens when possible and keep them at arm’s length
- Schedule regular eye exams
Mental Health Mini Expo
This year, we will be holding our inaugural Mental Health Community Expo on Friday the 10th of October from 8 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. We are excited to welcome representatives from community mental health groups onto our school grounds to support this year’s theme “Empowering Communities, Thriving Workforces”. Our expo will highlight mental health supports available in the school and the wider community.
Parent Input Classes 2026
As part of our process in forming classes for 2026, we welcome your input via this form. Whilst no request is guaranteed, we do our best to take into consideration the information shared. If you have multiple children attending New Farm, please complete a separate form for each one.
Curriculum and the Classroom
Last week, our Year 3 students had the exciting opportunity to spend a day ‘going camping’ in a bush setting at Bunyaville Conservation Park. As part of this experience, they explored aspects of First Nations Australian culture through cross-curricular activities.
Students worked together using teamwork skills to build shelters and participate in games inspired by First Nations Australian perspectives. They also enjoyed a forest walk, observing the plants and unique features of the natural environment.
Building tents was definitely the highlight of the day, and many students proudly shared that they had gone on a true ‘bush walk.’
Also, Year 5 students recently had the opportunity to explore a rich cultural experience at the Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple in Priestdale. During their visit, they toured the temple and observed various cultural elements, reflecting on how these compared to their own understandings and experiences.
Students also engaged in hands-on activities, including calligraphy, meditation, and Tai Chi, gaining deeper insight into the practices and traditions of the temple.
Thank You, NFSS Families!
A huge thanks to the parents who shared their thoughts in our recent volunteering survey. Your feedback helps us build a stronger, and more connected school community. Here’s the scoop:
What we learned:
- Only about 10% of families are currently volunteering – and it’s often the same few faces.
- The biggest barriers? Time, not knowing what’s needed, and how to sign up.
- Parents want flexible, bite-sized roles with clear info and plenty of notice.
- Over half of families would consider a donation instead of volunteering.
What’s changing:
- More flexible options – quick, one-off jobs, volunteer-from-home tasks, and weekend/evening slots.
- Clearer communication – easy sign-ups, advance notice, and role descriptions that make sense.
- A warmer welcome – especially for new families, dads, and multicultural groups.
- Recognition matters! Expect more thank-yous, shout-outs, and fun ways to celebrate our amazing volunteers.
The “So What”:
When more families join in, even just for an hour, we all win. Our kids see us engaged, our teachers feel supported, and our school community thrives.
Whether you can give time, skills, or a small donation, every contribution helps lighten the load and make NFSS shine.
Thank you for being part of this journey – and here’s to making volunteering even easier, friendlier, and more fun for everyone!
New Tuckshop Menu!
You can download the App and find registration and online ordering instructions below
Beginner Band Blitz success!
25 of our year band students had a great day of music making on Wednesday the 3rd September at the Northside Beginner band Blitz. The day of musical learning culminated in a very well received, standing room only, concert performance by the 144 piece concert band made up of year 4 band students form 8 local state schools.
Congratulations to all who participated on their musical efforts and attitude.
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
POSITIONS VACANT
We are looking for School Crossing Supervisors in your area to help get our kids safely to and from school.
School Crossing Supervisors must be available for work in both morning and afternoon shifts on a rostered basis (in all weather conditions).
In return we offer the following:
- Casual pay-rate starting at $37.10 per hour
- Relief opportunities on your days off
- Long service leave entitlements
Commencement of employment for the successful applicant is dependent on:
- The favourable outcome of a pre-employment health assessment
- A Positive Notice Blue Card (you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position)
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, give us a call on (07) 3863 9871 to speak with your local Road Safety Officer or email CSB.SEQN.RoadSafetyCarseldine@tmr.qld.gov.au for more information.
