Carmel McGrath

2021 Prep Enrolments – Classroom Visit 

It was a pleasure to welcome our 2021 Preppies to our classrooms today where they were able to have fun and familiarise themselves with our school and get to know our Prep teachers.  Thank you to all our parents who have been so supportive of our new approach this year and who have accessed our information and school tour virtually, thanks to Mr Fenton and staff.

  virtual tours

Congratulations to all our 2021 School Captains

I am pleased to announce the following students are our 2021 Student Leaders:

NAIDOC Week 8-15 November 2020

Happy NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC week is celebrated every year and highlights the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For First Nations Peoples, NAIDOC week is a celebration of community, and is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the many histories and cultures, customs and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2020’s NAIDOC theme is “Always Was, Always Will Be” which recognises the First Nations Peoples who, for more than 65 000 years, have always occupied and cared for this great country. Our First Nations Peoples are the custodians of customary knowledge and lore - they keep the wisdom and customs alive for our future generations.  

Please access the link below and see attached history of significant events and coloring handouts for your children to learn from and enjoy.

School Term Finishing Early – Parents in case you did not hear the announcement by government, the schools are finishing early this year.  Our last day of term for 2020 is Wednesday 09 December at 3pm.

We will finish with our traditional guard of honor to farewell our Year 6 students and we invite all parents to attend for this special activity.  Parents should arrive at 2:55pm and are reminded to social distance while standing in and around the school grounds.

Year 6 Graduation Dinner

This Thursday night families join to celebrate the Year 6 graduation.  This event is organized by our Yr 6 parents and is a highlight for the children, families and staff as they reflect on their time at New Farm SS.  I am very grateful to all the organizing committee for their time and effort in ensuring this is a special night.  Thank you to Penny Glasson, Iain Morris and Jo Walker, Kate Gaffney and Katrina Wallwork. 

P&C – Thank you

Thank you to our dedicated P&C committee for their support and dedication throughout 2020.  Last week we held our final meeting for the year.  I would like to acknowledge the extra responsibilities of our executive members:  President David Armstong, Vice President Sheroo Wadia, Secretary Louise Ware and Treasurer Lindi Deguara. Our Executive is a wonderful group who work for the best interests of all our students and school community and we would be lost without them.  Thank you so much.

End Of Year Important Dates and Events:

• Thursday 19 Nov – Year 6 Graduation Dinner
• Sun 22 Nov 2pm – Instrumental Gala Performance -Students only performance will be recorded for parents
• Tuesday 01 December – Year 6 School Graduation Ceremony
• Wed 02 Dec – Year Prep-2 Swim Carnival (children only no parents)
• Thursday 03 Dec – Year 3-6 Swim Carnival (children only no parents)
• Mon 07 Dec – Student visit 2021 class teachers
• Mon 07 Dec – Report Cards home- sent home via email
• Tues 08 Dec – Last Assembly
• LAST DAY – Wednesday 09 December 3pm

Kay Bradley

• Year 6 Camp 2021

 Covid has impacted many things in 2020, including our year 6 camp to Canberra.  The uncertainty and lockdowns meant that an inter-state camp became untenable.  We have been investigating all the alternatives for 2021 including booking and hoping things settled with Covid and alternative venues. 

We have decided that it is more prudent to book a camp that is not dependent on covid restrictions.  Therefore, with P&C approval, in 2021 our year 6 cohort will be taking part in a camp within Queensland.  We have found some alternatives that will provide our students with a special experience linked to the curriculum that is different to the Emu Gully experience. More information will follow.

• Dance Showcase

Due to Covid, we are not able to hold our usual Christmas Dance Concert. With restrictions being relaxed we can now have a small adult audience (limits on parents attending will apply) for each year level.  On Tuesday the 8^th of December, we will be running a Showcase where each year level will perform at hourly intervals.  This will allow us to implement the necessary covid safe practices.  A timetable will be issued next week with the time for each year level.

• Class Allocations 2021

In week 10, our current students will have an opportunity to meet their 2021 teacher and classmates and spend some time in their new classroom.  The children will bring home a postcard with a short introduction to their new teacher and we will email our new Prep students a photo of their class teacher.

If you are leaving early on holidays, and your child misses this introduction, class lists will be printed and displayed, outside the tuckshop on 21^st of January.

Please inform your current class teacher if you have definite plans that will mean your student will not return in 2021.  This does not include our current yr6 students.

I have received a number of requests from parents for students to be placed with particular friends in 2021.  Unfortunately, these requests will not be actioned.  Our students have an opportunity to list friends they would like to work with, and parents’ choices may not match their own child’s choice.  Students sometimes forget who they have nominated, but the lists are electronically checked multiple times to ensure that every student has one of their nominated friends. 

• End of Term

Just a reminder, that the State Government has changed the last day of term from the 11^th of December to Wednesday the 9^th of December.

• Collection of Medication

As we unable to store any student medication over the summer holidays, all medication currently held at school in first aid or classrooms is required to be collected and signed out before 3 p.m. on Wednesday the 9th of December or on the last day of your student’s attendance

As most students require to have their medication on site with them, collection should be between 2.30 and 3.00 p.m. 

If you are unable to collect your child’s medication in person, please contact first aid to make alternative arrangements.

• Uniform Reminders for 2021

• Shoes should be mostly black
• School hat needed labelled under the brim
• Long hair should be tied back from the face using plain hairbands and or ties

Judy Louden

Human Rights Month

Human Rights Month is an annual campaign run by the Human Rights Commission to highlight the importance of protecting and promoting human rights. It runs from 10 November each year, culminating on International Human Rights Day on 10 December. Queensland's Human Rights Act 2019 came into full effect on 1 January 2020. This year, our Human Rights Month work will focus on helping the community understand their rights under the Act. Further information can be found at https://www.qhrc.qld.gov.au/resources/human-rights-month-2020

International Day of People with a Disability

Do you know that our school is supporting 9% of students with a disability as part of our Inclusion Pillar? These include Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Anxiety, Hearing Impairment, Vision Impairment, Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Epilepsy, ADHD and Speech Language Disorders to name a few. Every classroom has a diverse range of students. Our staff prides itself not only on the diverse staff and community diversity, but also the adjustments we put in place to increase student’s access and participation with the Australian Curriculum.  International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. IDPwD is a United Nations observed day celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. There are some wonderful and inspiring stories on the website https://www.idpwd.com.au/

Returning Library books

Week 8 will be the last week for borrowing library books. Students may borrow books in their class borrowing time, individually before school or at lunch time.

All library books should be returned to the library by the end of week 8, so that during week 9 and 10 the library will be closed for stocktake and organisation for next year.

Premiers Reading Challenge

Well done to all the students who participated in the Premiers Reading Challenge. All students have now received their certificates.

Top Borrower of the Week

The top borrower for week 6 was Amira M in 3D. Amira is reading a wide range of fiction from graphic novels to the Nevermore series.

The top borrower for week 7 is Thomas T in 5B. Thomas has always loved reading and reads widely and often at school and outside the school library.

Happy Reading,

Mrs Lamb

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