Filter Content
- From the Principal
- From the Deputy Principal
- From the Head of Curriculum
- From the Guidance Officer
- From the Support Team
- Facilities Update - Paynters Report
- Classroom Awards
- PBL Awards
- Parent Information Sessions
- News from the P&C
- P&C Garden Update
- Families for Inclusive Education
- Tuckshop news
- News from the Uniform Shop
- Library News
- Trials for District Sports Teams
- City District Swimming
- The Debating Club
- Community News
- Sponsors
Carmel McGrath
Welcome Back to School
Welcome back to all students and families. This morning on assembly, we welcomed our new students and staff and our Year 6 student Leaders introduced themselves to the school community. We are still enrolling students this week and classes will be finalised on our Day 8 enrolment numbers. Thank you to our staff for ensuring the school was ready for all our students to get off to a great start for 2021.
Enrolment Census – Day 4 & Day 8
During the first 4 and 8 days of the school year, we closely monitor our enrolments to ensure our census data is correct and aligned with our staffing allocation. Following Day 8 our staffing is confirmed and classes are settled in for the year. On Day 4 we had 524 students.
Our 2019 Day 8 enrolment total was 504 students.
Our 2020 Day 8 enrolment total was 556 students.
This year our Day will be approximately 530-540 students. This drop in numbers is consistent across our inner city schools where typically we would enrol a larger number of international or interstate students. With travel restrictions still in place, this has affected many schools. Despite this, we anticipate remaining on 23 classes with no change to current class groupings or staffing arrangements.
Swimming
In terms 1 & 4 our Physical Education lessons focus on swimming, with the exception on Prep who swim only in term 4. Swimming lessons have begun this week for students in Yr 1-6. Permissions and payments are required for participation. If you need any financial assistance for any events, please contact our Business Manager Lena on admin@newfarmss.eq.edu.au and attention to Elena Anderson.
Assembly
This year our weekly assemblies will be held each Wednesday morning 9am in our school hall. Parents are most welcome to attend assemblies while adhering to social distancing. We remind parents that roll marking is done in classes prior to going to assembly and if students arrive after 9am they must accompany their parent to the office, sign in late and present to their class teacher with a late slip.
Attendance
Every Day of school attendance counts and research tells us those students who attend 85% and higher are more likely to achieve better results and have better social networks among peers.
For late arrivals after 9am, Parents please remember to attend the office with your child, sign in and take the late slip to present to the teacher.
For early departure before 3pm, for an appointment or similar, parents must go to the office, sign their child out, take an early departure slip to the classroom, and present it to the teacher before collecting their child.
For absence such as illness, please ring through to the school office or email the school before 8:30am.
For longer-term absences, such as family trip overseas for emergent reasons, please see the office staff and complete a submission for exemption. Please note holidays may not granted under ‘exemption’ and recorded as ‘holiday’.
Please also remember that regular attendance is paramount to high achievement.
Attendance + Effort = Achievement
2021 Teaching Staff
Leadership Team
This year’s leadership team includes:
|
Principal |
Deputy Principal |
Innovation Coach |
RWI Coach & Support Teacher |
Inclusion Coach
|
Head Of Department (Curriculum) |
|
Dr Carmel McGrath |
Kay Bradley
|
Nick Fenton |
Sandy Chambers |
Judy Loudon |
Melinda Norman |
Classroom Teachers
|
Prep |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
Non class Additional support |
|
Peter Nash
Lesley Burridge
Kahli McLeod
Ek Navarro |
Keryn Heenan
Annabel De Boer
Marg Smith
Rachel Smart /Wendy MacGregor
|
Wendy Maslen
Aimee Schouppe
Rachel Fletcher
Gabriel Ramos |
Janene Boyes
Julie Turner
Philip Davies (Tara Kennedy currently replacing)
|
Steve Conde
Garth Coyle
3 / 4 Class
Natasha Andrews |
Claire Blackadder
Eliza Horn
|
Tracy Baker
Hayden Lawrence
Fatima Zahn Al-Abidin |
Narelle Hoelzl (Tues)
Jane O’Hara (Mon)
Garth Coyle (M-F)
|
Specialist Teachers
|
Speech (Thurs) |
Guidance (Thurs & Fri) |
HPE (Wed, Thurs, Fri) |
Classroom Music (Mon, Tues, Wed) Class Art (Thurs, Frid) |
Instrumental Music (Thurs)
|
LOTE 4-6 (Tues, Thurs) |
LOTE P-3 (Mon, Thurs, Fri) |
|
Maria Offermans |
Jo Minto |
Kent Rainbow |
Rebekah Davis |
Colin McIntrye |
Meilin Chen |
Liz Lee |
Kay Bradley
Uniform
A reminder of uniform expectations for the new school year.
It is an expectation that all students wear:
- shoes that are predominately black in colour.
- polo shirt with school logo.
- shorts, skorts or school dress.
- a school ‘slouch’ hat or school bucket hat, for all outdoor activities.
- hair, that is shoulder length or longer, tied up or back.
- naturally coloured, not dyed, hair.
The following jewellery is permitted at school:
- studs or small hoop earrings
- jewellery of personal religious significance.
- a digital or analogue watch, for timekeeping and step monitoring.
On cooler days students may wear:
- maroon zip top with school logo, maroon vest, long sleeve tees, maroon track pants or bootleg pants (girls only).
This Uniform Policy is part of our enrolment agreement and is approved by our P&C.
Drop Off and Pick up Zone
Thank you to everyone for ensuring our pick-up/drop off zone has been running smoothly.
You can help by:
- Staying in the car
- Moving down to the pick-up/drop-off spot, nearest the bottom gate in Heal St. A staff member will be in the designated area. Only stopping here, will ensure that only the front cars are pulling out, making the zone safer for all.
- Displaying your name card in the front window of your car. Complete a Look Out registration if you do not have a name card.
- Turning left onto James Street.
Melinda Norman
Welcome to a New Year at NFSS!
Term 1 is now in full swing. As I visit classrooms, students appear settled and looking forward to the year ahead.
Our curriculum is undergoing some exciting enhancements this year with the introduction of our Visual Arts program, whole school approach to curriculum delivery (pedagogy) and Writing Plan to name a few.
Our Dance program has welcomed Creative Dance Industries back to our school this week and students were energetic as they learn new moves for their performance later in the term.
I look forward to sharing the wonderful learning going on in classrooms across our school with an exciting year ahead as we work alongside parents, continuing to provide the best education for your child/ren.
Term 1 Curriculum Overviews
Recently, parents would have received the planned curriculum across all learning areas of the Australian Curriculum. I encourage parents to display this document on your fridge or wall where you can refer to the concepts covered in classrooms. This will hopefully provide a starting point for many positive conversations with your child/ren throughout the term as they share their new learning with you at home.
Student Professional Development Days
Teachers were busy learning all about fire safety on our Student Professional Development Days recently. We also worked together on our Read, Write Inc Spelling program with Sandy Chambers, our Literacy and Numeracy Support Teacher.
We were also very fortunate to have Dr Rod Campbell work with us on our Writing Plan early this year. Dr Rod Campbell is well known to teachers and educators in the field of literacy and has spent years figuring out ways to help teachers to teach English, particularly the knowledge of English. In 2018 Rod was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for a lifetime of service to education and literacy and we are looking forward to continuing to partner with him this year.
Curriculum Committee
Our Curriculum Committee meets twice a term to discuss how our curriculum looks at our school. If you are interested in being a part of this committee, feel free to email me at mnorm36@eq.edu.au to find out more, or to chat about our curriculum focus for this year.
Where is the Green Sheep?!
Prep E have been having fun reading in class and searching all around the school for the illusive Green Sheep. They followed the clues to find him. They created their very own Green Sheep for their class wall. Thank goodness Thomas and the rest of his class found him!
I am the Guidance Officer for 2021 at New Farm State School. I am looking forward to continuing my work with the students, families and school team.I will be working at New Farm S S every Thursday and Friday.
My work, over many years within education, has allowed me to engage in a variety of roles and I have experience in Behaviour & Complex Case Management, Coaching, Leadership and Teaching throughout Queensland and also abroad. I am passionate about working together to create inclusive and connected community learning spaces where every child can grow and learn to their full potential.
Referrals to the Guidance Officer are done through our Student Support Services Team who meet regularly to determine the best course of action for each case.The Guidance Officer role in the school includes supporting students and families to access additional support – both in-school and external support. Guidance Officers in schools also conduct student psycho-educational assessments with parent approval.
I look forward to working with the New Farm State School community over the coming year.
Jo Minto
Guidance Officer
Sandra Chambers
‘Learning To Read’ Parent Information Session
At New Farm State School, students in Prep, Yr 1 and 2 learn to read using a Synthetic Phonics method. The Synthetic Phonics program that we use is called Read Write Inc (RWI.)
You are invited to attend a RWI parent information session:
When – Thurs 4th Feb 9 - 9:30am
Where – In the Hall
All welcome.
Sandy Chambers (RWI Coach)
Paynters – Status report 1
N
ew Farm Building Project – January 2021
- Email contact for any enquiries comms@paynters.com.au
Construction Status and Progress of Works
- Site establishment has been completed with erection of temporary fencing, hoardings and sediment controls
- Site works have commenced with initial stripping of external areas, some tree removal and demolition of fencing and outdoor structures, etc.
- Services (power, water & gas) have been disconnected to Annie St houses.
- Site Clearing – 80%completed
- Installation of temporary power to the site- 100%completed.
| Class | Student Name | Reason |
| Prep B | Madeleine | What a fabulous start to your Prep year. You shone like a star! |
| Prep E | Florence | What a fantastic start to your Prep year Flo! |
| Prep M | Theodore | For starting your Prep year with a positive attitude and having a go. Keep it up Theo! |
| Prep P | Lily | For a super start to your Prep year. Well done Lily! |
| 1H | Oskar | Excellent work explaining durations of time |
| 1MS | Mila | For an enthusiastic start to the new school year. Well done Mila! |
| 1S | Orson | For a super start to year 1 S. Well done Orson! |
| 2S | Curtis | For being resilient in mathematics, well done! |
| 3D | Dhaanraaj | For being respectful towards your teacher and positively engaging in your learning. You are an absolute pleasure to teach Dhaanraaj, keep it up! |
| 3T | Oscar | A happy and enthusiastic start to 2021. Well done. |
| 4C | Brock | For an excellent beginning to the new school year! |
| 4G | Jackson | For a wonderful start to Year 4, Well done Jackson! |
| 5H | Brayden | For being an active participant in class discussions. |
| 6B | Lachlan | Staying focussed and clarrifying work requirements when required. |
| 6L | Oliver | A very positive start to the school year. |
Focus of the week: Review of 4 Kookie Rules
| Class | Student Name |
| Prep B | Vincent |
| Prep E | Zach |
| Prep M | Adeline |
| Prep P | Jake |
| 1H | Hamish |
| 1MS | Zumchung |
| 1S | Enzo |
| 2S | Saxon |
| 3D | Faye |
| 3T | Sienna |
| 4C | Amelie |
| 4G | Robyn |
| 5H | Alexis |
| 6B | Orlando |
| 6L | Eva |
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 2021 Parent Information Sessions this week.
Parents of Prep students may be direct their child/ren to the hall for supervision from 8:15am on the day of their session.
Physical distancing measures remains an important consideration for our school during this visit to help reduce any transmission of COVID-19. Although this is not required for students, we ask that parents continue to maintain appropriate social distancing measures during these sessions and do not attend if unwell.
|
Parent Information Sessions 2021 |
||
|
Year Level |
Date |
Allocated Time |
|
Prep |
Thursday 4th February |
8:15 – 8:40am Thursday |
|
Year 1 |
Friday 5th February |
3:15 – 3:45pm Friday |
|
Year 2 |
Friday 5th February |
8:15 – 8:40am Friday |
|
Year 3 |
Thursday 4th February |
8:15 – 8:40am Thursday |
|
Year 3/4A |
Friday 5th February |
8:15 – 8:40am Friday |
|
Year 4 |
Thursday 4th February |
8:15 – 8:40am Thursday |
|
Year 5 |
Tuesday 2nd February |
8:15 – 8:40am Tuesday |
|
Year 6 |
Wednesday 3rd February |
8:15 – 8:40am Wednesday |
Kind regards,
Melinda Norman
Head of Department (Curriculum)
Save the Date: Tuesday, 9 Feb, Drop in anytime between 3 pm - 5:30 pm School Hall
Afternoon tea and snacks will be provided so as many parents as possible can 'drop in' and give input into how to direct our fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Pop in when you collect the children after school or from Jabiru.
- View the P&C's draft Strategic Plan
- Our 2021 event and activities options
- Our current projects
- the list of positions vacant (including all P&C positions)
Join us for 10 mins and help prioritise the 2021 P&C projects, events and activities, find out how you can be involved or just have afternoon tea and a chat.
Not sure if you would like to be involved yet? Fill out a membership form and return it prior to the AGM! The AGM is the ONLY meeting at which we can accept new members WITHOUT BEING PRESENT. Then, as a member you can monitor the agenda for topics you are interested and join in and vote if you like. Being a member does not bring any obligations. Membership means you can participate in the decision making as only members can vote!
General Meeting of NFSS P&C - 5:30-6:30pm Tuesday 9 Feb - Hall
Our first meeting of the year will be held in the Hall following on from our open afternoon. We will be discussing our draft Strategic Plan and Events Calendar in preparation for endorsement at the AGM.
Notice of the NFSS P&C AGM
The New Farm SS P&C will hold its Annual General Meeting at 6pm in D block - upstairs room 2.4, 23 February, 2020 followed by a general meeting.
At each Annual General Meeting (AGM), the P&C must elect from its members the following office holders:
- a president
- at least one vice-president
- a secretary
- a treasurer
- any additional officers, as decided by the P&C such as:
- Swim Club chairperson
- Little Patch chairperson
- Second-Hand clothing manager
- Fundraising officer
- Website manager
- Newsletter officer
- Grants officer
- Events officer
- School Banking Officers
If you are interested in any of these positions, please fill out a membership form and nominate! Come along to our open afternoon on Tuesday 9th to learn more about the roles and meet some of those already volunteering.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Your NFSS P&C
What's growing in our Little Patch?
It’s been a busy week in the garden with some of the grade 2 classes planting out the vege patch by the tuckshop. Wander through and you’ll see young tomato and capsicum plants dug in by 2S, and corn and pea seedlings planted by 2M. By next week you’ll see the beans and flowers put in by 1S. Thanks to all the parents who put on gloves and helped our young gardeners get started.
2S have also started a worm farm and will be making ‘worm tea’ to help fertilize the plants as they grow this term.
Parents are welcome to volunteer in garden throughout the year, so please get in touch if you’d like to participate. (secretary@nfsspandc.com.au)
Red hats have arrived and are available now!
Welcome to the library!
Welcome back to families of New Farm State School and a warm welcome to all our new families!
At NFSS library we aim to create a welcoming environment that supports and encourages students learning and discovery, while prompting a love of reading. Our Library is home to a range of children’s literature, information texts and digital reading resources.
Opening Hours
- Before school from 8:30am for browsing and borrowing.
- During class time every day for teachers to utilise with their classes.
- First play break for year 1 to 2. Prep students will have play break library access later in the year.
- Second play break for year 3 to 6.
Borrowing Information
- Every class will have a weekly library time when students borrow and return books.
- Students in Prep can borrow 1 book at any one time.
- Students in Years 1 – 6, may borrow 2 books at any one time.
- Library books are borrowed for a period of 2 weeks.
- Students may return their books and borrow another 2 books before school or during their play break.
Book Club
At New Farm State School we have Scholastic Book Club.
Parent Information here and current brochure here.
The school receives 20% commission on all purchases which goes directly into purchasing new books and resources for the school. Brochures will be handed out twice per term and orders arrive approximately 1 week after the ordering has closed.
Orders can ONLY be made online at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP
- No cash/cheque/money order payments will be accepted at school.
- You will need to register your child on the LOOP if you haven’t done this before.
- All purchases are delivered to the school and then distributed to the child.
Fun activities for 2021
We will be planning lots of interesting activities throughout the year and are looking forward to sharing engaging new resources with the students of New Farm. This year we will host Book Fair and enjoy dressing up as our favourite book characters during Book Week.
Watch this space to find out more about what’s happening in your school’s library!
We look forward to seeing you all in the NFSS Library soon.
Happy Reading,
Mrs Lamb
