29 November 2023

Principal’s Introduction

Pip Murdoch, Mandy Farmer, Deb Kirton and John Worthy Retiring

This week we celebrate and honour the careers of four retiring staff members who between them have accumulated over 150 years with the Department of Education including a total of 73 years at Newborough Primary School.

Pip Murdoch has had a distinguished teaching career in many country and city locations settling as a wonderful Kindy teacher at Newborough taking great pride seeing her students graduate and blossom. With her great friend and colleague Bev Thornett, Pip made the first year of school exciting, engaging and interesting for students and parents seeing their little ones thrive. Pip has given many hours as member of committees including the School Board. Pip is looking forward to family time and some well-earned travel.

Mandy Farmer has always loved teaching. She takes particular pleasure when student have that “got it” moment when they learn something new. Mandy has taught in a range of schools including a stint in Singapore. She will be missed on staff for her loyalty and the stability that shows every day. Mandy will now have more time to be with her wonderful family and friends and has already booked several overseas trips.

Deb Kirton has been our Library Officer for 25 years. She was a parent volunteer before winning the position. Deb has lovingly made our Library a great place to be with interesting displays and ongoing replenishment of books and reading material. Deb is looking forward to spending more time with family, camping and travel.

John Worthy The junior of this year’s retirees has been Principal at Newborough for nearly nine years. He started his career doing his Assistant Teacher Practice at Newborough in 1981 (Many of our current parents and some staff weren’t even born then) concluding 42 years with the Department, 32 as a Principal. He has enjoyed working in a range of small to large country and metropolitan schools and the privilege of returning to Newborough to finish. John is looking forward to extending his voluntary work with Marine Rescue Whitfords, restoring a Mini Moke called Sheila27 some travel and family time.

We thank our retirees and wish them all the very best. They will always be welcome to visit the school.

Principal’s Position

The process for selection of the new Principal for Newborough closed recently with no suitable applicant appointed permanently. I have been advised by the North Metropolitan Regional Office that an Acting Principal, Ms Robyn Crump will be appointed for term one, 2024 whilst a second selection process is undertaken. In the meantime, I am preparing the school as I would for any new school year. My mantra has been to have everything ready as though I was to be here first day of the year. The aim is to provide the school community, especially staff, students and parents with confidence and certainty and for Robyn to be able to step in, get to know everyone and confidently move forward.

Nick Stenhouse Principal Promotion

I am pleased to advise our school community that Nick Stenhouse has been appointed as the new Principal at Wilson Primary School in Manning commencing for the start of the 2024 school year. Nick thoroughly deserves this promotion and will be sorely missed here at Newborough PS. He has been a wonderful member of our Educational Leadership team since arriving in 2015. Nick’s approachable, warm, friendly manner has been a fantastic feature of his approach as he undertook the key roles as student services and learning technologies Deputy. Nick has also worked tirelessly mentoring and guiding staff building their teaching and learning capacities and supporting them in the classroom. Most of all students respond so positively to his affable manner and guidance.

It is a really busy and exciting time for Nick as he finishes off at Newborough, begins a new journey leading Wilson Primary School and to top it all off is getting married to Ashlee this Friday. No rest for the wicked Nick. We wish you, Ashlee and family all the very best into the future.

Class Structures, Staff and Student Placements

Weeks of planning has now concluded with the structure of classes determined and the placement of staff and students complete. As I mentioned in a previous communication this will remain under lock and key prior to any final adjustments before announcements on Booklist Collection Day 2024. Thank you to parents who contributed information to assist us with placements of their child(ren). This and a raft of information we already have helps set up every child for success in 2024.

School Board Appointments and Thank You

I am pleased to announce that Mrs Sammy Preston has been elected to the vacant Parent Representative position on the School Board. Sammy and husband Stuart have two children attending Newborough next year with Greyson going into year 1 and Finley going into Kindergarten.

Sammy joins a very important and active Board who are great supporters of the school providing guidance and feedback to the Principal and assisting with the direction and governance of the school.

There are several members retiring from the Board. Firstly, Mr Callan Rose who has been a wonderful member and long-standing Board Chair. Callan’s dedication, common sense and expert leadership will be hard to replace. His knowledge of Board duties and ability to engage a balanced view highlight his style. Thank you, Callan, for all your hard work and great leadership. Callan has offered to assist with the transition of a new Chair and induction of new members. Secondly Mr Richard Goodwin, Community Representative. Richard brought his community experiences from other Boards and skill as a former Walkley Award winning journalist to the fore. His capacity to question in an inquisitive, supportive way, ‘what and why we do things the way we do’ has seen many subtle changes for the better. Thirdly Mrs Bev Thornett, Staff Representative, who has only been on the Board for a short period backfilling a vacated position for Miss Watson who took up a country teaching appointment. Bev brought a sense of staff perspective, especially from the Early Childhood that was helpful with whole school view.

The Board is currently shortlisting to identify two Community Representatives. Once the new school year starts with the new crew on board the Principal will seek to fill the staff vacancy ready for another fabulous year.

Finally, I would like to thank all members of the Board for volunteering your time and your dedication to this fantastic school. I have worked with many Boards and School Councils and there have been none better. You have been a wonderful team and great group of people.

Christmas Presents

A lot is said about the importance of reading books. I encourage every parent to ask Santa to put at least one book in every child’s Christmas stocking. Book vouchers can also be a good idea they require a visit to a book shop and choices can be made. “Reading is Brainfood.”

Christmas Letters

Santa has once again generously offered his postal service to distribute Christmas letters and cards to students and staff. Students (and parents if you wish) can send a letter or card to a staff member or friend by posting them in the post bag that will be outside the deputies’ office on both Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th December. Santa’s Elves will sort and distribute the post to classes and students. Don’t forget to put the name of the person you are sending the item to and their classroom or room on the envelope.

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Mark Twain
KINDNESS

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

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 address, 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 please inform the school in writing via newborough.ps@education.wa.edu.au immediately.  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.

Academic Award: This award is presented to students who achieve not only excellent results across all learning areas but display 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 regards to the end of year Pre-Primary to Year 5 awards, please do not hesitate to contact me. Karen.tucknott2@education.wa.edu.au

Japanese Open Week

In Week 4 this term, we had Japanese Open Week. Parents and guardians were invited into their child’s Japanese lesson to experience the Japanese language program. Visitors were led by the students regarding class etiquette including removing of shoes and sitting at low tables (chabudai, and using cushions (zabuton) to sit on.

The language lessons focused on the Japanese art of origami. Both students and visitors made origami octopus bookmarks and enjoyed a wonderful experience together. It was great to see the children showing the visitors how to complete certain folds and vice versa.

Throughout the week there was a positive turnout by parents and a wonderful time was had by all.

Sensei Pemberton
Japanese Specialist

Music News

IMSS and Choir Assembly

Choir

Junior and Senior Choirs held their final rehearsal today, Wednesday, 29^th November. Please ensure that senior choir students bring a change of clothes for Friday after the assembly. Choir uniforms can be placed in the tubs outside the music room on Friday. I would greatly appreciate volunteer parents to take uniforms home to be washed and ready for next year 😊

Kind Regards,
Andria Snelson

P&C News

Hi All 

Our final P&C meeting for 2023 is tonight, Wednesday 29th November from 7pm at the library. Drinks and nibbles will be provided as we farewell a number of long-standing P&C members and our outgoing principal. If you haven't been to a P&C meeting this is a great opportunity to see what we are doing to finish off 2023 and help us with initial plans for what will be an equally awesome 2024. Hope to see you there.

Laurie McCallum
P&C President

Canteen News

Canteen is going really well this term.  The kids have been loving some new specials, Sushi, Meatball Subs, Burgers and healthy Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls.  Now the warm weather is here, ice creams after lunch for a treat!

This coming week 29th and 30th November, we will feature Mexican Burritos, Zambrero style!

Week 9 we'll have Chicken Tenders and Nachos on the menu and Week 10 we are closed, as swimming lessons are on.

We are trying to do more with less in the canteen.  We will try not to ask for volunteers on a Thursday but we really can't get out 220 orders on a Friday with only 3 of us.  We really need to ask for at least 2 volunteers on a Friday, one for recess service and one for lunch service.

Please if you can volunteer on any Friday till the end of term, please contact me on newborough.canteen.manager1@gmail.com or sign up using this link

Newbro Dads

Wow what a fantastic camp out on Saturday night!!  We were treated to near perfect conditions for camping under the stars, warm still evening and a nice cooling easterly to make for ideal sleeping conditions… well sleeping in-between kids going to the toilet, giggling, coming down off sugar highs, tent flys flapping and a beautiful, but early, sunrise.  The joys, the challenges, the logistics, the wide-open space and the biggest smiles on kids faces making memories for life… so worth it!!!

Massive thank you to all the fellas who made this camp possible, volunteered their time, donated, inspired, helped with setting up, cooked, cleaned and participated in our school community.  We appreciate your time, effort and enthusiasm.

So, this was the final event hosted by the Newbro Dads for 2023.  It has been another great year of Newbro events. Remember back to night walking around Lake Gwelup, twisting balloons, tying ourselves in knots, building pathways, gardening, beach swims, beers and cooking snags. So much fun connecting, meeting new people, remembering names and watching our kids enjoy being a part of something much bigger than just going to school.

All this stuff happens with the fantastic effort of our school dads, supported by our P&C and NPS.  It is a very cool community to be a participant within, so if you would like to be involved there is one more opportunity on Wednesday 29^th November at 7pm.  This is our last P&C meeting for the year.  Come and say hello, as we farewell some champion parents whose kids are off to high school now and we say good bye and all the best in retirement to John Worthy.

The Newbro dads are looking forward to another great year in 2024 and we wish you a very safe and enjoyable Christmas.

Newbro Camp Out 2023 - Slide Show https://youtu.be/Wu5duLXCspg

Uniform Shop News

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.