15 November 2023

Principal’s Introduction

COVID Returns

As no doubt you are aware COVID has made a return to WA over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the school has had several cases reported including students and staff. The spread appears to be quite random at this stage. We also have cases of regular influenza and colds doing the rounds and a case of Chickenpox. The Health Department have asked that we send out a Chickenpox Facts Sheet to the class that has the child affected and this has been done. I have included the fact sheet with this newsletter so all parents and carers are informed and can quickly respond if their child shows symptoms. There is no need for panic with any of these illnesses. Please be aware, alert, and responsive to any signs or symptoms.

Parents, carers, and staff are reminded about best practice to reduce spread of these type of communicable diseases.

• Ensure all vaccinations are up to date
• Keep home until asymptomatic.
• Seek medical advice – do a COVID test,
• Cough/sneeze into the crux of an elbow,
• Wash hands regularly, particularly when eating or drinking,
• Apply social distancing where practicable,
• May choose to wear a mask. (No compulsion)

Please keep the school informed if your child (ren) are unwell.

School Board Nominations

The process for parent nominations for the School Board concluded on Monday 13^th November. Unfortunately, I have not received a single nomination. I will extend the nomination period until Wednesday 22^nd November. Being a member of the School Board is a terrific way to contribute towards the direction of the school. We have a very supportive Board who have provided me with excellent feedback, ideas, and support. I am sure the new Principal, when announced, would love to have a great team in place. Please email John.Worthy@education.wa.edu.au if you have any queries or would like to nominate.

Class Placements Policy and Procedures

The School Board and P&C, on behalf of parents and carers, asked for clarity about the process, timeline and school policy around how classes are structured, and students placed in classes for the following year. It was recognised that this is a responsibility of the principal and staff but that for some the uncertainty about class placements can cause anxiety and uncertainty for the following year.

The staff and I make up the class structure and student placements with consideration for every student. It is a complex and considered process to provide the best education we can within the guidelines and resources available.

Please find attached to this newsletter the ‘Class Placement Policy and Procedures for 2024.’

A reminder that the timeline for additional Parent Information and Requests’ closes this Friday 17^th November.

“Follow the three R’s: - Respect for self. – Respect for others. – Responsibility for all your actions.”
Dalia Lama XIV
RESPECT

John Worthy
Principal

Deputy News

Interm Swimming – Monday 4^th December – Wednesday 13^th December 2023 (Weeks 9-10 Term 4)

This year’s In-term Swimming is in Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 4. This is an 8-day program and swimming lessons will be held at Scarborough Beach Pool. The cost per child will be around $47.30. The Excursion Consent Form was sent home earlier this week and can be found on the website. Excursion and Incursions - Newborough Primary School (schoolzineplus.com)

Reporting to Parents – Electronic Report Delivery Semester 2, 2023

Student Semester Two reports will be sent home via email on Monday 11th December 2023 (Week 10, Term 4)

To ensure you again receive your child’s report, it is imperative that your email address is correct with the school. If there have been any changes to your email/email addresses, please contact the school immediately.

We have also asked that for the purpose of different family circumstances, anyone requesting a copy of the report be sent to a second family member inform the school in writing via newborough.ps@education.wa.edu.au immediately please.  If you have already done this, this information will automatically be saved for this semester.

Please do not hesitate to contact Deputy Principal Karen Tucknott with any queries about the delivery of the reports electronically.

Pre-Primary - Year Five Presentation Afternoon

Save the date: Thursday 14th December 1.50pm in the Undercover Area

This year, the Pre-Primary to Year 5 Presentation Assembly will be held on Thursday 14^th December at 1.50pm in the school’s undercover area. This Presentation Assembly will recognise students, regardless of the Year Level in split grades, who have achieved their classes’ Academic, Citizenship and Endeavour Awards, as well as classroom Fitness Awards and the new 2024 Year 6 Leadership Team. Parking on Jim Hazlitt field - off Wilding Street.

Academic Award: This award is presented to students who achieve not only excellent results across all learning areas but displays a true virtue of wisdom. These students show a love for learning; they challenge themselves to do better; they show creativity, curiosity, are a critical thinker and respond and act upon feedback. The winners of this award are not always the student who achieves the highest grades consistently in the class. These students earn this award through both their academic achievement and character strengths to pursue academic excellence. If a student is in a split year level class, this award will go to the recipient who displays these qualities regardless of the year level as this is a class award, not a year level award.

Citizenship Award:  This award is presented to students for showing excellent civics and citizenship qualities and the virtue of humanity. These students show kindness, teamwork, respect, warmth and are genuine in their approach to everyone. These students show a strength in understanding others and treating others fairly. They set an example in their understanding of what needs to be done and they use their initiative to help others. They show leadership, and modesty, in encouraging and organising others in an unbiased way. The recipients of this award are community minded. If a student is in a split year level class, this award will go to the recipient who displays these qualities regardless of the year level as this is a class award, not a year level award.

Endeavour Award:  This award is presented to students that show the strengths that help them persevere, apply consistent effort, and set goals to improve. They challenge themselves regularly, face difficulties with a growth mindset, finish what is started, shows valour and bravery and reflects on and talks about their learning and growth. These students want to improve and want to learn and they work hard to do so. Their academic achievement may be at any level as this award recognises student aptitude over academic grades. If a student is in a split year level class, this award will go to the recipient who displays these qualities regardless of the year level as this is a class award, not a year level award.

If you have any queries in regard to the end of year Pre-Primary to Year 5 awards, please do not hesitate to contact me. Karen.tucknott2@education.wa.edu.au

Student Leadership

Parliament House Visit

Hello and welcome to this fortnightly report. As you may know, the Student Leadership Team, along with Mr Worthy and Mr Stenhouse, recently attended a luncheon at Parliament House with our local member for Scarborough, Mr Stuart Aubrey. We had a great time and asked a few questions to Mr. Aubrey about changing and upgrading our community, with ideas such as new basketball courts in our community, murals for Newborough Primary School and more. We also got to enjoy an amazing 3 course lunch in the Parliamentary Dining Room. The food was amazing!! During the lunch we also met with the Member from Balcatta, David Michael MLA. It was coincidence as Mr Worthy taught Mr Michael when he was in Year 6!

After that, we watched the Lower House, the Legislative Assembly of Parliament sit and we attended question time, where politicians from both sides of the house discussed ways to improve Western Australia. We even got to meet the Premier, the Honourable Roger Cook. It was great to see how Parliament works and to be involved in meeting with our local member, Stuart Aubrey.

The Student Leadership Team
Oliver, Kaizen, Ray and Alexis

Contributions and Charges Chart 2024

P&C News

Booklists 2024

Reminder that booklists for 2024 are due on Friday 24 November. 

If you haven't already please compete the form and hand in to the front office. If you need another form they are available from the office.

We are also seeking volunteers to help with the packing the booklist items and pick up of booklist items - please click here to register your interest. Your help is greatly appreciated and is a fun and easy way to help the P & C. 

If you have any queries about the booklist please contact Sandra Leach on 0409 290 798 or email sandrakimber@hotmail.com   

Canteen

Newbro Dads

Camp Out – Saturday 25 November

Drum roll please!!!   The Newbro Dads Big Camp Out is almost here and now you can book your tickets.  Time to chase the spiders out of the tent bag, grab the esky and a sleeping bag and ready yourself for a raucous evening.  There will be a campfire to toast marshmallows, ball games, tug of war, outdoor cinema, coffee van in the morning and more.

Yes, you need a ticket for everyone attending, parents included- go to: www.trybooking.com/CNCDG and make your booking.

On Saturday 25^th November gates will open at 3pm for you to come and set up, find a spot next to your classmates and let the kids roam free.  We will be cooking a BBQ Sausage sizzle dinner and Bacon & Egg sanga in the morning.  All this happens with the amazing effort of the Newbro Dads, if you want to help please let us know by picking a job from our volunteer sign -up sheet here:  

New to camping? Don’t have a tent? Want to be there!!!! Reach out and we can help, this is a school community event aimed at new experiences, engaging with your kids and teamwork.  So, contact us via our FB page or email us at: newbrodadsgroup@gmail.com.au

School Garden/ Outdoor Classroom

The latest school garden Busy Bee was held last Friday where we ripped out the last 4 remaining garden beds ready for a new outdoor garden space.  Thanks to the dads who put their back’s into-it for an hour.  We have had some great feedback regarding the Outdoor classroom concept pitched for this space.  If you would like to have input into this project, please come along to the next P&C meeting on 29^th November in the school Library at 7pm.

Email your interest to me at: newbrodadsgroup@gmail.com.au to be included in discussions on this exciting project.

Uniform News

Needed: Second-hand Uniform Shop Coordinator

The P&C is looking for a parent volunteer (or volunteers) to take over running and coordinating the second-hand uniform shop at Newborough. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved in the school but have been unsure of how you can help or have limited time, this gig may be for you.

The second-hand uniform shop is a wonderful service offered by the P&C, it not only benefits our families by providing a lower cost alternative to school uniform items but also prevents many items from ending up in landfill, especially if they still have lots of life left to give!

The time commitment is approximately one hour per fortnight. The shop currently opens fortnightly on a Monday afternoon from 3:00-3:30. However, this could be flexible depending on volunteer availability and in agreement with the school admin team.

The role includes opening the shop on a regular basis, communicating shop opening hours and periodically requesting good quality second-hand items from the school community (via P&C WhatsApp groups), organising, and managing stock and sorting items for sale/recycle as needed, and assisting new families with items they will need when starting their journey at Newborough.

This role is easily suitable for one parent to manage, however having a small team of 1-3 parents would be ideal and allow for more flexibility when needed and succession planning as parents move on from Newborough. It’s also way more fun and less daunting to share the load of volunteering.

If you’re at all interested, please contact Carly by phone or email on the details below. Happy to have an informal chat about the role to let you know what’s involved before any need to commit.  Carly Fowkes - 0450540733 carly.fowkes@gmail.com

School Directory

No Animals (Including Dogs) on School Grounds

DoE Security

Keep an eagle eye on our school!

School Watch encourages the school community to report any suspicious activity in and around school grounds, after hours and on weekends, as well as during school holidays.

Telephone 1800 177 777 (free call) or 13 14 44 (WA Police).

Please do not approach any individuals, just contact security and they will investigate the situation or contact the Police. Working together will help protect our school.