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Carmel McGrath
Chinese New Year – Lion Dance
Thank you to Mrs Chen for once again organising our annual Lion Dance Performance. Prep – Year 6 students and staff enjoyed the performance last Thursday afternoon. Our Preppies made some very creative ‘Lion’ banners which they waved during the colourful and energetic performance.
Year 6 Outdoor Education Camp
This year our Year 6 camp is on Moreton Island, a change from our traditional ‘Canberra’ excursion. While the trip to Canberra was a huge favourite with staff and students, the restrictions of COVID meant we had to cancel last year’s trip and find an alternative for this year. This is a new experience for all and Mrs Bradley will take time this week to visit the Island Outdoor Education venue to review programs and consider risk assessments. Following this visit, Mrs Bradley and Year 6 staff will select the appropriate activities for our students. The program will then be finalised and information shared with parents.
Year Level Leaders
This week I met with Year Level Leaders (Mr Nash, Ms Smith, Mr Ramos, Ms Norman, Mr Conde, Ms Blackadder and Ms Baker) to review our school priorities and clarify their roles and responsibilities for 2021. A key focus of our school is ‘collaboration and consistency’ across year levels. The Year Level Leaders will:
Play a vital role in improving continuity and consistency of teaching practice within their year level for improving the educational outcomes of students.
- Be an advocate for the “New Farm Way” as outlined in school policy documents such as the New Farm Strategic Plan 2020-23, current Annual Improvement Plan, Pedagogical Framework and Whole School Curriculum Plan (3 levels).
- Contribute to improved communication across year levels and with the school leadership team.
- Oversee and ensure the timely completion of year level responsibilities.
The staff will participate in leadership professional development and be supported with additional time to work with colleagues.
Kay Bradley
Student Code of Conduct
Our former Responsible Behaviour Plan has been updated to our Student Code of Conduct policy 2021 - 2024. This document focuses on New Farm State School’s behaviour policies; including information on the Positive Behaviour for Learning Framework, teaching appropriate behaviours, managing challenging behaviour, cyber bullying and responding to critical incidents. The Code of Conduct is in draft form, and I welcome comments and feedback from the community at this stage. When finalised, this document ratified by the P & C, will be available on our website.
Melinda Norman
Visual Arts Program 2021
At NFSS we are very fortunate to have Ms Rebekah Davis join our teaching team as Specialist Arts Teacher in 2021. Rebekah has a wealth of experience in both Visual Arts and Music. It is a joy to see her sharing her specialist knowledge and skills with students in Prep and Year 1 this term.
Our Visual Arts Program is new this year and has a focus across all year levels on portraiture. The students are exploring their individual features to express themselves in a variety of ways.
Visual Arts is one of 5 subjects taught in the Australian Curriculum: The Arts. Through the subject of Visual Arts, students independently or in groups, participate to express and reflect their growing understanding of themselves and their world. They are beginning to learn visual art technical skills.
Prep and Year 1 students are exploring realism using techniques used by Pablo Picasso, who born in Spain in 1881, is possibly considered one
of the most important figures of the 20th century, in terms of art over this period.
"Have a look at our wonderful Picasso inspired portraits created in week 3 by Year 1! I am blown away by their imagination and creativity and we have only just begun!" – Ms Rebekah Davis
We look forward to sharing the student’s visual art work with you at our upcoming Faces of New Farm exhibition.
Music Program 2021
Languages Program 2021
Students have the opportunity to learn Chinese across all year levels at NFSS. They use simple words and phrases to respond to instructions and participate in shared learning experiences about Chinese culture and language building in their knowledge and skill as they progress up through year levels. This year Ms Mei-Lin Chen is enjoying teaching years 5 & 6 this year, whilst Ms Liz Lee teaches Prep – Year 4 students.
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
On Thursday, 11 Feb, New Farm state school celebrated 2021 Lunar New Year at the hall. Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year which is one of the biggest celebrations on the Chinese and Southeast Asian countries. Most Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year, as well as those with major Asian populations, including Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Lunar New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12th. Thursday was the Lunar New Year’s Eve. The celebrations last for 16 days until the Lantern Festival on February 26th, 2021 which is the 15th of January in the Lunar Calendar.
This year is the Year of the Metal Ox, which symbolizes diligence, honesty, reliability, stability, perseverance, power, stubbornness and excellence.
There are 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. Every 12 years the same animals repeat. The Ox is the second animal in the Chinese Zodiac.There are 12 animals in the zodiac and five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each animal paired with a particular element only occurs once every 60 years, so this is the first year of the metal ox since 1961.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
FREE Early Years Community Connections Workshop
On Thursday 18th February the Early Years Community Connections team are holding a free workshop, 6:30pm – 7:30pm at Community Place, Newstead. Each term (every Thursday in week 4) free workshops such as this will be held with a variety of interesting speakers. This week we welcome Ms Maria Offermans, our Speech Language Pathologist who will offer her insights into oral language development in the early years. First Five Forever, a State Library of Queensland initiative will also be there offering a free book to every family. Should you be interested in attending, please register using the QR code available on the flyer at the end of this newsletter. Hope to see you there!
WEEKLY STATUS REPORT No. 3 – 12 February 2021
NEW FARM STATE SCHOOL
NEW GLA CENTRE, ADMIN AND RESOURCE CENTRE
Project No: DETA7601
Project No (DETE): 34-154596 & 34-157467
Construction Status & Progress of Works:
Demolition and dismantling of house extension to 184 Annie St has been completed.
House removal of dwelling to 184 Annie St has been completed.
Site clearing works to new GLC building pad area now completed.
Dilapidation inspections now completed to all neighbouring properties with the exception of 37 Kingsholme St as Paynters have been unable to make contact with this owner.
Status of works completed to date:
Site clearing – 95%
Tree removal – 95%
Removal of houses to 180, 182 and 186 Annie St – Completed
Upcoming works to be completed next week:
Continue construction of temporary sediment basin.
Commence bulk earthworks.
Any anticipated risks or circumstances adversely affecting performance of the works:
None to note.
Weather Impacts
None to note.
If you have any concerns or wish to contact please email: comms@paynters.com.au
| Class | Student Name | Reason |
| Prep B | Micah | For proudly learning his letter names and sounds. Wonderful learning! |
| Prep E | Jack | For being a thoughtful and considerate member of Prep E! You're always willing to help others Jack. |
| Prep M | Kaan | For transitioning into the classroom like a role model this week. Keep it up Kaan! |
| Prep P | Nika | For making super progress in all areas of her learning. Keep up the awesome effort Nika! |
| 1D | Ruby | For always 'Having a Go' in all aspects of her learning. |
| 1H | Harry | For always doing his best work. |
| 1MS | Everleigh | For consistently following instructions and working hard each day. |
| 1S | Nazila | For always being available to help her peers and focus on her tasks. |
| 2F | Mia | For working hard and persisting with Maths. Great work Mia! |
| 2M | Maya-Rose | For taking on a leadership role in her reading group and supporting other students. |
| 2R | Portia | For consistently working to achieve your best and demonstrating leadership qualities by helping those around you. |
| 2S | Leo | Showing an increased responsibility for your learning and actions. |
| 3B | Misha | For being an enthusiastic and conscientious learner |
| 3D | Dominic | For making positive learning choices and being focussed during writing lessons. Well done Dom, I am so proud of you! |
| 3T | Hazel | For a positive and focussed attitude to writing. Well done Hazel. |
| 3/4A | Leela | For a positive attitude towards learning and working incredibly hard. Well done Leela! |
| 4C | Henry | For being an active listener and for his accurate use of commas when writing a list. |
| 4G | Mia | For consistently following instructions and working hard each day. |
| 5B | Loreley | For always demonstrating a positive attitude and resilience when facing new challenges in class. Well done, Loreley! |
| 5H | Bella | For being an active participant in class discussions and demonstrating a positive attitude to her learning. Well done Bella! |
| 6B | Khaled | For actively partiipating in class discussion. |
| 6L | Hazel | For always working hard in class and achieving some great results. |
| 6Z | Maia | For working diligently on her homework tasks |
Focus of the week: Be Safe
| Class | Student Name | FOCUS: |
| Prep B | Leo | Be Safe |
| Prep E | Cosmo | Be Safe |
| Prep M | Pippa | Be Safe |
| Prep P | Austin | Be Safe |
| 1D | Mia | Be Safe |
| 1H | Orlando | Be Safe |
| 1MS | Aira | Be Safe |
| 1S | Victor | Be Safe |
| 2F | Grayson | Be Safe |
| 2R | Benjamin | Be Safe |
| 2S | Rikki | Be Safe |
| 3B | Alisa | Be Safe |
| 3D | Rio | Be Safe |
| 3T | Lucas | Be Safe |
| 3/4A | Austin | Be Safe |
| 4C | Alexa | Be Safe |
| 4G | Jamie | Be Safe |
| 5B | Brent | Be Safe |
| 5H | Kane | Be Safe |
| 6B | Giammarco | Be Safe |
| 6L | Emily | Be Safe |
| 6Z | Sasha | Be Safe |
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!
The New Farm SS P&C will hold its Annual General Meeting at 6pm in D block - upstairs room 2.4, Tuesday 2nd March, 2021 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. We look forward to seeing you there!
Your NFSS P&C
Queensland School Library Week
This week Queensland schools celebrate Queensland School Library Week!
The Queensland School Library Association (QSLA) introduced Queensland School Library week to highlight the important work of school libraries.
New Farm State School Library plays an integral part of student’s education by encouraging student’s love of reading, engaging them in many forms of literacy and to be lifelong learners. Other activities such as chess, Lego, building the marble run game and drawing support deep thinking, creativity and exploration.
Scholastic Book Club
Orders for Scholastic Book Club Issue 1 should be placed by this Friday the 19th February.
Parent Information here and current brochure here.
Orders can only be made online at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP
A big thank you to families who purchase their children’s books through Scholastic, as the school receives 20% commission on all purchases which goes directly into purchasing new books and resources for the school!
Happy Reading,
Mrs Lamb
The Year 5 students have been working extremely hard in English over the last three weeks. We have been making great progress with their comprehension skills and understanding of how to construct a fantasy short story. Both classes have been focussed on the analysis and formation of noun groups, verb groups, adverbial phrases, and a variety of descriptive sentences. We have been delving into the world of Leon and The Place Between by Grahame Baker-Smith, which has been an adventure to say the least! Both Miss Horn and Mrs Blackadder are looking forward to seeing the inspirational short stories that the Year 5’s are beginning to produce over the coming weeks.
Congratulations to the following students who were successful in qualifying to take part in the City District Swimming Trials that was held at Lawton Community Pool last Wednesday 10 February:
Addison, Katie, Aneliese, Marleina, Emily, Alexis, Georg, Roma, Jake, Darcy and Jack.
It was quite the experience to be travelling together in a taxi with Mr Rainbow and Mr Fenton. The students had a number of personal bests, and Special congratulations to Georg who came 3rd for 50m Breastroke, 5th for 50m Butterfly and is now part of the District team to compete in those events at the Met North Regional Trials on the 24th February.
We wish Georg all the best!
