Carmel McGrath

2021 Prep Enrolments – Now Enrolling 

Our 2021 prep enrolment numbers are increasing steadily with 90 now enrolled, allowing us to form 4 classes. 

Key dates coming up this term include:

• Prep Student Classroom Visit Tuesday 17 November
• Playdates

 2021 School Captain Selections

This week students in Year 5 have been given 3 information handouts about the 2021 Student Leader process, timeline and role descriptions (see attached) and a nomination form (see attached). 

I encourage parents and teachers to help students who are interested in applying for a leadership role.  I also urge you to prepare students for the fact that not everyone can gain a position and sometimes this is challenging to handle.  However, these experiences help build an understanding of the application process and of developing resilience. Please refer to Ms Bradley’s section for more research on Resilience and Adversity.

Book Week

Congratulations to all the staff and students who got into the spirit of today’s dress up for Book Week.  After a year with less than usual extra curricular events and activities, today was a fun filled and uplifting celebration for the whole school.  Enjoy the photos.  Thank you especially to Mrs Lamb and Ms Chambers for coordinating and inspiring the event and love of books.

Upcoming Events

• Thursday 29 Oct – Halloween Crazy Hair Day
• Friday 30 Oct – dress RED for Day for Daniel
• Friday 30 Oct – World Teachers’ Day

Kay Bradley

Melinda Norman

Creative Dance Industries

This term we have welcomed Vanessa and Clarence from Creative Dance Industries who are delivering quality dance programs across Prep – Year 6. All lessons have been engaging and energetic so far and the students are having a great time exploring their best dance moves, upbeat music and choreographing new dance routines. Vanessa and Clarence have been working to empower students to feel like seasoned dancers in their lessons and we can’t wait to see their performances later in the term! 

 

Year 6 Graduation Dinner

 

Year 6 Students should have received their hard copy invitation last week for the Graduation dinner. RSVP due this Thursday via Flexischools.

 

Transition to Prep

There are many things that families can do to help make a child's transition to school successful. If you are enrolling your child into prep for 2021, the following links provide useful information and provide resources for preparing your child for the learning journey ahead:

• https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/ecec/information-for-families
• https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/ecec/resources

 

Parent Tips

Often parents ask how they can help their child to achieve well at school. In the Health and Physical Education curriculum students learn more about themselves and explore their abilities. Through physical play with and without equipment, they learn skills like problem-solving and persistence, and become more confident and cooperative.

Here are some top tips to help support your child’s learning that connects to the Health and Physical Education curriculum:

Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem

Your child starts developing their sense of self as a baby. Your tone of voice, your body language, and your every expression are absorbed. Your words and actions are really important and can have a big effect on the way they see themselves.

 

Praise, praise, praise your child, however small. It will make them feel proud; letting your child do things independently will make them feel capable and strong. It will help them in the subject of Health too as students start to learn more about themselves and what they are capable of achieving.

 

Catch Kids Being Good

Try to catch your child doing something right: "You did your homework without being asked — that's terrific!" or "I saw you helping your sister tie her shoelaces and you were very patient." These statements act to encourage good behavior and will encourage more of what you would like to see.

 

Praising your child every day is really helpful. Be generous with your rewards — your hugs and compliments can work wonders and are often reward enough.

 

Set Limits and Be Consistent

Setting limits is an important part of helping children to understand your expectations and develop self-control. Some rules might include: no television until homework is completed, no name-calling, or hurtful teasing allowed.

 

One warning, followed by a consequence such as a loss of privileges can be helpful. Remember to follow through with the consequence. Being consistent teaches your child what you expect.

 

Make Time for Your Child & Get Active Together

It may seem obvious, but making time for your child is so valuable. Children often measure in the time you spend with them, so why not get up 10 minutes earlier to spend time eating breakfast at the table discussing the school day ahead, or take a walk together after dinner. Create a "special night" each week to be together and let your child decide how to spend the time. Look for ways to get active by bike riding or scootering together.

 

Be a Good Role Model

Children learn a lot about how to act by watching their parents. Be aware that you're constantly being watched. Aim to always model the traits you wish to see: being respectful, being responsible, being safe and being a learner. These are our four school rules and are a great place to start.

 

To find out more about the Australian Curriculum including Health and Physical Education visit:

https://australiancurriculum.edu.au/parent-information/

Warm regards,

Melinda Norman – Head of Department (Curriculum)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Our students our loving the new games and activities that have been purchased with the support of the P&C and the Inclusion Pillar Committee. These games and activities give our students social inclusion opportunities during break times. Thank you P&C and Inclusion Pillar Committee. “

Book Week 2020 is here!

During book week in the library we have fun, learning activities throughout the week based around the ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’ theme. Students can colour, make a bookmark, create their own curious creatures and make a comic strip.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) have announced the winners of the Book of the Year!

The winner of the younger reader category is ‘The Little Wave’ by Pip Harry.

The winner of the early childhood category is ‘My Friend Fred’ by Frances Watts.

To find out the winners of all categories go to the CBCA website.

Book Parade

The book parade was full of colour, fun, creativity and imagination with students, teachers and teacher aides dressed up in fabulous costumes!

Author Visit

On Thursday 22 October we have a special author Aleesah Darlison coming to the school to speak to all students about her book ‘League of Llamas, The Golden Llama’.

Aleesah will be providing fun, learning activities such as book readings, quizzes, games, code breaking and drawing. You can read about her League of Llama series and other books here.

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club Issue 7 is out now so don’t forget to place your order!

Please order online by the 26 October.

Happy Reading,

Mrs Lamb

In our Science lessons earlier this year, we investigated the Needs of Living Things. We learned that plants need sun, water, soil and air if they are to grow properly. Thanks to a donation of soil by the P&C and a generous donation of plants and seeds by Bunnings Virginia, the Prep cohort have been able to put this knowledge into practice by designing and planting a garden bed. The intention of this project is to teach the Prep children about the different methods of propagating plants. We have sunflowers that we will grow from seeds, daylilies which will grow from bulbs and a variety of interesting succulents. Some have been donated and others have been propagated from various parents’, teachers’ and friends of the school’s gardens. We can’t wait to share our garden with you all as it grows. Thanks again to the P&C and Bunnings for supporting our learning.

Netball senior and junior division A & B teams. 

Welcome to our new families and those who may be joining the New Farm community in 2021.

Due to COVID restrictions, please register to attend your chosen session, email: mdavi460@eq.edu.au  Limit of 1 adult to attend with the student.

The "Class visitation day" will be Tuesday 17 November,for students only.

Further information to follow.

Our "Virtual Tour" will soon be on our website to view in place of the Oen Day.

Let’s celebrate World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October

We are thanking our amazing Queensland teachers this World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October. Students and parents can get involved in the celebrations. Perhaps send your teacher a certificate or thank you card or maybe make your own celebratory paper bunting. Take a photo of one of the many local landmarks that are being lit up to thank our teachers.

There are lots of ideas to get involved on the website www.worldteachersday.com.au

Active_School_Travel.pdf

Active_School_Travel _pdf 255.88 KB

Reminder - Students please do not ride your bike or scooter in the school grounds before or after school.

The Active School Travel (AST) program offers Brisbane primary schools a suite of free resources, tools and incentives. The program encourages students, parents, carers and teachers to leave the car at home and actively travel to school. Since 2004, 162 schools and more than 113,000 students have participated in the Active School Travel (AST) program.

In 2019 our AST schools achieved the following results:

• 24,300 students from 45 schools engaged with the program
• almost 1 in 2 families left the car at home
• on average, 47% of students actively travelled, with some schools reporting up to 75% of their students actively travelling to school
• walking trips increased from 17% t0 31%, which equates to almost 5000 more walking trips per week from students in the first year of the program.
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Active School Travel - Scootering 

Riding a scooter makes the school run fun! For parents, it’s easy to walk or ride alongside a child on a scooter. Plus, it’s easy to carry the scooter home if it can’t be stored at school. Scooting is one way to actively travel to school and incorporate physical activity in the everyday life of children. 

Scooter skills sessions

We want more students to ride to school and we want them to have the skills, confidence and experience to ride safely. Reminder - Students please do not ride your bike or scooter in the school grounds before or after school.

Meet Scoot

The Active School Travel character, Scoot rides his scooter to and from school with his friends every day! He wears his helmet and is always watching for cars coming in and out of driveways.

Scoot's Top Tips for travel

• Always wear a helmet and make sure it's done up.
• Check your brakes before you leave on your ride.
• Keep your speed down and watch for pedestrians.
• Be extra careful when crossing driveways.
• Ride in a group with your friends – it's fun!

• Reminder - Students please do not ride your bike or scooter in the school grounds before or after school. 

Wear red for Day for Daniel 2020                   

Our school community is taking part in Day for Daniel on Friday 30 October.

It is an important day to educate children on their personal safety in online and physical environments.

Don’t forget to wear red on 30 October.

Visit the Daniel Morcombe website for free resources to empower children to “Recognise, React, Report” if they ever feel unsafe

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NFSS Families – reports of snake sighting in Heal Street walkway heading towards Beeston Street. Please remind students to report any onsite school sighting to the office

Can you volunteer? - We need your help with the School Banking program!

Our students really enjoy participating in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program and to keep this program running we need your help.

The program requires a volunteer School Banking Co-ordinator and several helpers to facilitate the banking and distribution of School Banking rewards. The School Banking is processed at the same time each week and will only take a small amount of your time.  Commonwealth Bank will provide support in how to run the program. Your help with the program will greatly benefit students as they develop vital saving skills and also help our school with fundraising.

As part of volunteering you are eligible to receive a Certificate of Attainment that details the activities that you are involved in. For example: cash handling, program facilitation, account reconcilitation and more.

Currently, School Banking day is Friday morning commencing before school.

If you are interested in volunteering for this great program, please contact Louise Ware, Secretary NFSS P&C secretary@nfsspandc.com.au

P&Cs Qld is the peak body supporting and representing more than 576,000* state school parents and wider school communities throughout Queensland. We support the achievement of quality educational outcomes for students through fostering parental and community engagement in a thriving and successful education system. Through our state-wide network of over 1200 P&C Associations and School Councils, we have the localised presence and voice to lead and enact change. *A conservative estimate based on one parent per student.

Our vision is to ensure “Every child has every chance” in education and in life.

Increased engagement with school parents and communities is a key part of P&Cs Qld’s new focus with Parent Talk as a key resource for building parent and community engagement with their local school.

Click through to view our most recent editions of Parent Talk - https://pandcsqld.com.au/members/publications/parent-talk/