20 September 2023

Principal’s Introduction

Happy Holidays

On behalf of all the staff I wish everyone a very safe and enjoyable break. Hopefully the weather is good, and everyone can enjoy some fun and recovery time for those who have been ill. Don’t forget the Perth Royal Show. I’ll be going.

This has been another busy term culminating with two fantastic events that really shows the uniqueness of Newborough PS. Firstly the teamwork efforts of our Interschool Athletics team who battled hard both days. Whilst we didn’t win the points our team did very well and performed with distinction with spirit and sportsmanship. Mrs Tench Miss Tucknott and Mr Stenhouse were so proud of everyone in the team who gave their whole efforts performing brilliantly over both days. It was lovely to hear that our school values shone through with terrific sportsmanship and team spirit. Thank you to all the staff and parents who assisted on the days and parents and friends who cheered so loudly.

The next big highlight was the wonderful Year 6 Enterprise Fete with students planning, organising and managing and using interpersonal skills through a broad range of really interesting stalls spaced all around the quadrangle. There was a lot of excitement from Kindy upwards as students visited stalls, played games and activities and helped raise funds for our graduating students. This year the fete raised $2835.40. Well done Miss Phillips, Mr Graham and Miss Danker.

I am looking forward to the Choir performing this Friday evening at the WA Massed Choir concert at the Perth Concert Hall.

The school office re-opens for staff on Monday 9^th October. All staff will be participating in a range of School Development activities including Differentiating lessons for learners, Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing (PBW), Smiling Minds, preparing for term 4 and some classroom preparation time.

Students Return on Tuesday 10^th October.

Changes to Working with Children Checks Policy for Volunteers

We thank all our parents who generously volunteer their time and energy to support our school community. There are some changes to the Working with Children Check policy, to ensure the safety of children when we have volunteers in the school.

If you would like to volunteer at our school, you will need to sign a ‘Parent and child volunteer declaration form’. You cannot volunteer if you have a current Working with Children Negative Notice or Interim Negative Notice.

These changes affect parents who are engaged in volunteer work. For example, you are considered a volunteer when you assist with activities such as reading sessions, day excursions, canteen duties, helping at a sports carnival or carrying out P&C duties.

You are not a volunteer when:

• picking up and dropping off your child
• observing events like school assemblies
• attending parent and teacher interviews
• visiting the uniform shop.

If your circumstances change, and you are issued with a Negative Notice or Interim Negative Notice after completing the ‘Parent and child volunteer declaration form’, you must advise the principal.

A current Working with Children Check is required by all other family members and friends over 18 years of age who want to volunteer.

It is a collective responsibility to ensure the safety of our children. We appreciate your ongoing support and dedication to our school community.

Staff Retirements

This year we have several long-term members of our staff who are retiring at the end of the year.

Mrs Pip Murdoch. Commenced at NPS in 2002 and has been a wonderful Kindergarten teacher with her great friend and colleague Mrs Bev Thornett. What a team. Fortunately, Bev will still be with us for a while longer. Pip has also been a fabulous contributor to the school including being on the School Board. Her kind, gentle and caring manner will be remembered by all the students she has taught. She is looking forward to spending more time with her family and travel.

Mrs Mandy Farmer. Commenced at NPS in 2007 and whilst at Newborough has mainly taught years 3 and 4. She just loves seeing children when they have those ‘Got it’ moments and has made many great friends with staff and parents over time. Mandy is looking forward to travelling, starting with Canada and Alaska next year and being with the grandies.

Mrs Deb Kirton. Commenced at NPS in 2003 after doing lots of voluntary work in the old Library, now rooms 15 and 16 before the ‘new’ Library opened where she has been Library Officer. She maintains strong friendships with many former and current staff. Deb is looking forward to more time with her grandchild and doing some camping and bush walks.

Mr John Worthy. Commenced at NPS in 2015 concluding a nearly 43-year career as Teacher and Principal. I have loved returning to the school where it all began for me as a young green practice teacher in 1981. We have an exceptional group of Teachers, Staff and of course Admin team, who I am most grateful for their work and collegiality. The school culture and community engagement will always be a highlight for me and hopefully a legacy for the school to move forward with. Plenty of gardening, bike riding, rebuilding Sheila27 my mini moke, travel and outdoor pursuits await.

The Principal’s position will be advertised in early term 4 with our Board Chair offered the opportunity to be on the selection panel. I look forward to welcoming the new Principal and assisting with their transition into the school. Recruitment of replacement staff is well underway to backfill any gaps in staffing.

Having spoken to all our retiring staff they don’t wish a big fuss or bother as they move on and will continue to work hard, support the school and plan for the future.

Kids Sport 

The KidSport program has doubled from $150 to $300 worth of vouchers per eligible child, per financial year, helping families who are struggling to cover the cost of registering their children.

Other enhancements to the program include allowing vouchers to be used towards essential playing equipment and uniforms and making it easier to access financial assistance for children in care (including formal care such as fostering and informal care by grandparents or other family members), as well as expanding the scheme to those who are asylum seekers or refugees.

KidSport has been helping thousands of Western Australian children experience the benefits of belonging to a sporting club and take part in swimming lessons each year.

Participating in sport provides kids the opportunity to remain mentally and physically active and build long-lasting friendships, regardless of their financial circumstances, ability or where they come from.

More than 1900 clubs throughout WA are currently registered to the program and nearly 300,000 vouchers have supported over 113,000 children.

The program’s most popular sports include Australian Rules Football, netball, soccer, basketball, gymnastics and swimming lessons.

KidSport is open to eligible children aged 5 to 18 years old.

For more information go to: KidSport (dlgsc.wa.gov.au)

“Respect is earned. Honesty is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is returned.”  

RESPECT

John Worthy
Principal

Deputy News

Kindy Library Bags

Every year in Kindy at Newborough Primary School, our super Kindy staff help their students make a library bag in the colour of their Kindy group. Our current Year 6 students started Kindy in 2016. It is delightful to see many of our Year 6 students still using their Kindy library bags from their time in Kindy with Mrs Pip Murdoch (Kindy Green), Mrs Bev Thornett (Kindy Red) and Mrs Lori Beatty (Kindy Blue) in 2016.

Upcoming Term 4 whole School Incursions/Excursions and Costs

SCITECH – Wednesday 25^th and Thursday 26^th October 2023 (Week 3, Term 4)

As a replacement for the cancelled Bricks for Kids incursion in Term One, we reorganised a Scitech incursion for all pre-primary to Year 6 students in Week 3, Term 4. The lovely ladies in the front office will apply any credit from your account to this payment at the time and email you, if you have remaining monies owing. An Incursion Advice Form was sent home in Week 9.  The cost per child will range from $7 to $14, depending on the programs students will attend. All Pre-primary to Year 3 children will attend one Scitech session. Year 4-6 students will attend two Scitech sessions. The Incursion Advice Forms are on the website.: 

Program Details

Junior Robotics and Coding (Pre-Primary – Year 2) 

Learn the foundations of commanding and coding robots with Bee-Bots. 

As robots become a bigger part of our day-to-day lives, developing skills to use and code robots is becoming a necessity. This engaging workshop inspires students with robotics and builds their foundation skills in coding such as creating basic algorithms and debugging. Students will work collaboratively to complete a set of challenges, from unplugged coding activities to manipulating Bee-Bot robots through a maze. 

Rookie Robotics and Coding (Years 3-6) 

Learn how to code and program a robotic vehicle, teaching it how to complete tasks using sensors! 

Students learn about robots and their place in research and society, before exploring sensors that a robot vehicle needs to operate. Using Edison™ robots, students will learn how robots are programmed to complete a task. 

CSI The Blackmail (Years 4-6) 

Using their scientific inquiry skills, students are tasked with investigating a crime scene. They must examine the scene, analyse evidence to uncover clues, and develop an explanation for what happened! Can your group solve the mystery of the Missing Millions? 

Beyond the Beaker (Years 5-6) 

Prepare your students for a career in STEM with this interactive seminar-style program. 

Welcome to the future – where science, technology, engineering, and maths are essential to both our work and day-to-day activities than ever before. 

Showcasing how our work lives will change, this presentation explores how students can harness their STEM skills for maximum enjoyment, well-being and – perhaps most importantly – their career opportunities. 

This interactive and informative experience is designed to inspire students to study STEM – both now and into their futures. It also shows how STEM is an important component of every job. 

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

Please note that this year’s Interm 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 $48.00. Please expect the Excursion Advice Form to go home in Week 2, Term 4.

Finally, a heads up! The Book Lists for 2024 will be sent home in Week 3, Term 4. We appreciate these are expensive and that Term 4 is looking like an expensive term! Please feel free to go into your child’s class to look at their equipment from this year to see if you can reuse it next year.

Sport News

Ocean Net Interschool Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to Team Newborough on their outstanding performance at the Ocean Net Interschool Athletics Carnival. After 2 days of competing, Newborough Primary School took out the Meritorious Award and placed 3^rd in the Ocean Net Shield:

1^st Place – Deanmore PS on 1051 points

2^nd Place – Doubleview PS on 813 points

3^rd Place – Newborough PS on 783 points

4^th Place – Scarborough PS on 496 points

5^th Place – Yuluma PS on 467 points

Congratulations to the following students who produced excellent individual performances:

Year 3 Boys Runner Up Champion – Ethan M

Year 4 Boys Champion – Frankie D

Year 4 Girls Champion – Indi P

Year 4 Girls Runner Up Champion – Ava B

Year 5 Boys Champion – Adam F

Well done Team Newborough!

Music News

Massed Choir Festival at Perth Concert Hall!

Tickets are NOW on sale.

Concert 9

Date: 22^nd September 2023
Time: 7:15pm
Venue: Perth Concert Hall

Ticket information and a link to the correct concert night can be found in the letter below. Please take note of the obscured view from balconies!

Lost Property

The Lost Property bin, located on the veranda outside the front office, is overflowing with jumpers, hats and other items. If your child/ren are missing any items, please check this bin by Friday afternoon - any items not claimed before the end of school will be donated to the second hand uniform shop. 

School Board

We held our 5^th meeting of the year on Thursday 14^th September. It was our open meeting and it was lovely to have a parent come along to sit with us and observe the meeting.

As always, we covered a lot of different topics during the meeting. Here’s a bit of an overview:

• We conducted our annual review of the School Uniform policy. We made some small but important updates to strengthen the principles of equality, safety and readiness for learning.
• John provided an update on the work he is doing with the City of Stirling to improve some of the traffic and parking safety issues, particularly on Wilding St.
• Vicki Tennant (teacher rep, Yr 1) provided some insight into how teachers compare NAPLAN data with the On-Entry Testing conducted in Pre-primary.
• Becky McGuckin (parent rep) gave us a brief update about some of the work the school are doing based on the results of the recent Communications survey.
• We reviewed the booklist and provided some feedback to the school. Once the booklist comes out, and in the spirit of sustainability and helping your hip pocket, it’s a great idea to visit your child/ren’s class/es and see what items they have that are still in good condition and can be re-used the following year.

As we approach the end of year, several of the Board members’ terms will be coming to an end – including one of the five parent representatives. If you are interested in this and have any questions, please reach out to me directly on newboroughps.board@gmail.com. Keep your eye out for the nomination announcement early in Term 4.

All the best,

Callan
NPS Board Chair

Uniform 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.

Community News

BARNES KARATE

SOCCERPLAY