7 February 2025

Update from Principal

Dear Families

Welcome Back!

We hope you had a wonderful time over the school holidays. It was lovely to see everyone back this week. 

We had a great start to the school year. On Monday and Tuesday, our staff worked together to set the direction for 2025.  We spent time reflecting on our current Business Plan and looked at what we need to do to start writing our new Business Plan 2025-2028. We looked at how our PBW values fit with the Department of Education WA Teaching for Impact and Focus 2025 documentation. It was a very productive couple of days, and we are all very excited for the journey ahead.

I am aware there were issues this week with some families not receiving my Welcome Back email.  I am hoping that this has been rectified and everyone will receive future emails.  Next week, I will be sending out information about the School Board as we will be asking for nominations from parents to join the board in 2025.

New Staff

This year we are welcoming new staff –

• Miss Chiara Vellutini (Specialist Teacher – Wednesday & P/1 Room 3 Friday)
• Mrs Mahalia Odquin (Teacher Performing Arts Mon-Thurs & Room 13 Year 3/4 Friday)
• Miss Toyah Bugler (Teacher Room 16 Year 5/6)
• Mrs Sarah Fischer (Teacher Kindy Fridays)
• Miss Julia Manning (Teacher Room 15 Year 5/6)
• Mrs Leah Rawlings (School Officer Mon-Wed)
• Ms Fay Margin (School Officer – alternate Fridays)
• Mrs Lydia Della Santa (School Officer Thurs-Fri)
• Miss Alison Hill (Education Assistant Kindy)
• Mrs Coral Howe (Education Assistant PP Room 2 Thurs-Fri))

There will be some changes to the school programs during Term One as we advertise for a specialist teacher in the learning area of Performing Arts. Mrs Odquin will be providing a program that covers areas of The Arts this term, but for Term One we do not have the capacity to offer choir or a specialist Music Program.  All students from PP-6 are now included in the regular specialist programs covering Physical Education, Japanese, Performing Arts and Science.

Times and reminders

1. Gates open at 8.20am each morning
2. There is no play before school, on school grounds.  Families are welcomed to play on the oval, external play equipment or the Nature Playground before 8.30am.
3. Students who come onto school grounds before classrooms open at 8.30am are expected to wait quietly outside their classrooms.
4. Miss Tucknott, Ms Ward, and I will be there at the gates to welcome everyone each day.
5. School ends at 2.55pm each day except for early close on Tuesday 2.30pm.
6. Play after school – Children can only play on school grounds after school every day except for Tuesdays but only if they are supervised by their parent.  The school rules still apply after school.  Gates close at 3.30pm.

Contacts

For all matters related to your child the first port of call is always your child’s classroom teacher. 

If you require additional support or information Karen Tucknott (Deputy Principal) is overseeing all staff and students in K-2.  karen.tucknott2@education.wa.edu.au

Maribel Ward (Deputy Principal) is overseeing all matters for students and staff in Years 3-6.  maria.ward@education.wa.edu.au

As principal, I am available to help all staff, families, and students across the school. denise.jeffs@education.wa.edu.au

Communication protocols and expectations

As part of the Department’s Connect and Respect we will be adhering to their protocols of communicating with families. We are committed to working with our families as partners to ensure the best for our students.  We want our interactions to be respectful and kind.  One area that is of importance is recognising that staff have families and personal commitments and need time to switch off.  All correspondence from families will be acknowledged within 48 hours. Staff are not expected to respond to emails before 7.30am or after 6.00pm at night on weekdays.  They will also not be expected to respond to emails on weekends or during school holidays.  Please see the link below to resources and messages regarding this matter.

Student Leader Assembly

We would like to invite families to a special assembly next Friday 14 February.  At this assembly we will be presenting our Student Leaders for 2025 with their badges.  It will also be an opportunity to introduce new staff to the community. We look forward to seeing families there.

Save the Date

School photos will be held in Week 4 on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February.  More information will be sent to families once it becomes available.

Canteen

This year, our canteen days have changed to Tuesdays and Fridays. You can start ordering Friday this week! Thank you to the P&C for organising the rosters. I know they are still seeking volunteers to help us provide this service to our students. Please reach out to the P&C if you are able to assist.

Denise Jeffs
Principal

P&C News

Canteen

Please find below, the instructions on how to create an account through Flexischools. 

You will be able to order from Flexischool every Tuesday and Friday. Orders will close by 8.00am each canteen morning. 

Please click here to register to volunteer for the Canteen.

Netball News

Calling All Netballers

If your child is in Year 2 - 6 and would like to be placed in a netball team for Winter 2025, please complete an expression of interest google form.  Primary school netball is open to boys and girls and is all about having fun.

Games are played at PNA-Matthews Netball Centre, Jolimont:
Year 2/3 Competition: Friday 16:10 or 17:05
Year 4/5 Competition: Friday 17:05 or 18:00
Year 5 Juniors - Saturday morning 08:00
Year 6 Juniors - Saturday morning 09:00

For detailed information about key dates, costs and other important details, please visit https://bit.ly/NewboroughNetball 

Please complete expression of interest by Sat 22/2, but ASAP would be appreciated to help coordinate team placements. Link:

Every effort will be made to place all players in a team, however teams may fill fast.

If your child isn’t sure about playing and would like to do a trial, please contact me ASAP.

Pre-Primary and Year 1 expression of interests are to follow in coming weeks. This program will run in Term 2.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Tanya Cawthorne
Newborough Netball Club Coordinator
Newboroughnetball@gmail.com
0412 441 124

Uniform Shop News

This is the offsite uniform shop.

Second-hand Uniform Shop

The second-hand uniform shop will be open on the following days:

Tuesday 11 February 2025 8.00am – 9.00am

Tuesday 11 March 2025 8.15am -8.45am

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

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