7 March 2025

Update from Principal

Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through Term One! Over the past five weeks, we’ve seen significant changes, but our staff and students have shown remarkable resilience and determination. I understand that there have been some concerns amid this uncertainty, but I want to assure you that, throughout this time, our staff have remained dedicated to providing a high-quality education for all our students.

I am aware that families have questions regarding the status of the production, choir, and other aspects of the musical program. We are currently running a merit selection process for a Music Specialist. Until we have identified a suitable applicant, I am unable to provide further details. I will keep you informed as soon as we have an update, and if a suitable candidate is not found, we will re-advertise the position later in the year for a 2026 start. In the meantime, as of next week, Mrs. Christine Hill will be taking on the role of the Performing Arts teacher for the remainder of this term. The learning focus during this time will be on Drama, improvisation, and increasing the students' confidence.

Additionally, last week, due to personal reasons, Miss B (Room 16) had to step down from her position. We are fortunate that Mrs. OC, who had originally stepped into the role of our Performing Arts teacher, is an experienced upper primary teacher. Mrs. OC has stepped into Room 16 for the remainder of the year. The transition has been seamless, and the students are thriving under Mrs. OC’s care.

Today we welcomed Mr. Ed Hammond to Room 13.  Mr Hammond will be teaching in Room 13 each Friday for the remainder of the term.

I want to express my gratitude for your patience and support as we navigate these staffing challenges. I am confident that Newborough Primary School will continue to be a high-performing school where the care and growth of our students remain our top priority. Should you have any ongoing concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly via email or schedule an appointment. I truly understand your frustrations and remain committed to ensuring that our students continue to reach their full potential without disruption.

On another note, thank you to the parents who have nominated themselves for the School Board as a parent representative. Once we know how many nominations have been received compared to positions available, we will know if we need to hold an election process.  Nominations close today, so if an election process is necessary, it will take place in the next week or so. This is an exciting time to be part of the School Board as we work on developing our new Business Plan and prepare for our Public School Review.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Year 3 and Year 5 students all the best as they begin their NAPLAN testing over the next couple of weeks. Please reassure your child that these tests are just a snapshot of their performance at one point in time. Encourage them to do their best and remind them to stay calm and focused throughout the process. Your support in helping them feel relaxed and confident will make a big difference. We’re confident that with their effort and focus, they’ll approach the testing with confidence.

I hope you all come down to support the P&C Democracy sausage sizzle and bake stall on Saturday.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Denise Jeffs

Deputy News

Upper Primary Update 

Year Six Parent Meeting

On Wednesday 5 March we held a meeting for all Year 6 families. This was a great opportunity to discuss upcoming Year 6 specific information such as camp and graduation events. Thank you to the families who joined us. If you are a Year 6 family member and were not able to attend, an email will be sent to all Year 6 families with the information that was shared.

NAPLAN

Our Years 3 and 5 students will commence NAPLAN assessments on Wednesday 12 March. Please see the schedule below. All tests will commence at 9:00 am each morning. Catch up tests will be scheduled as needed.

NAPLAN Schedule

Lower Primary News

The Early Years - Room 2

Please see some photos below from Room 2 who earnt their first Class Pass this week and went to the nature playground as their reward.  Well done, Room 2.

Zoo Excursion

As you are aware, we have organised a whole school excursion for all Pre-Primary to Year 6 students for Tuesday 8 April to Perth Zoo which should be a very exciting, fun and educational trip.

The Excursion Advice and Consent Form for the excursion was sent home with your child on Wednesday and is on the website if you need another copy (lost form, dog ate it 😊) Please return the form to your class teacher with payment made online by Tuesday 1 April 2025.

The cost of the excursion is $20.50 per child based on the zoo entry and bus cost prices.

All students will depart the school at 9:10 am via buses with seatbelts and our entry into the zoo is at 9:45 am. We will depart the zoo at 1:30 pm, arriving back at school around 2:00 pm.

The excursion will be self-guided with staff choosing their own itinerary around the zoo with their class on the day.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Each class will require a number of parent volunteers to supervise students at the zoo based on the ratio of 1 adult per 5 students for Pre-primary to Year 3 and 1 adult to 10 students in Years 4-6. Based on the allocation of current staff, each class may need between 2-3 parents to assist on the day who will then gain free entry into the school as part of our tour group.

Over the next week or so, teachers will email their class asking for parent volunteers to assist us on the excursion. While we do want to open this opportunity up to all parents to express their interest in volunteering if they can, please know that we can only take a small number of parents to assist, and this may cause some disappointment to some parents.

If you are considering volunteering for the Perth Zoo excursion, please read the below before you put you put your name forward:

• You are available for the whole day to volunteer.
• You have completed (or will complete) the Parent and Child Volunteer Declaration form.
• You will provide your own transport to and from Perth Zoo.
• You are available to meet the school at 9.30am at the entrance of Perth Zoo.
• You are willing to supervise a group of 5-10 students, adhering the Newborough Way in your support of the students. (All groups will stay with the class with parents supporting their small group within the class)
• We request that parent volunteers do not bring non-school age children to the zoo with them as your supervision will be on the students in the class you are supporting.

Please wait for your class teacher to email in regards to expressions of interest for volunteering.

PARENTS WISHING TO ATTEND THE ZOO ON THE 8 APRIL BUT NOT VOLUNTEER

We understand that some parents may want to attend Perth Zoo on Tuesday 8 April.  If this is the case, you will need to pay the required Perth Zoo entrance fee for yourself and any of your other family attending. For these parents, we will ask that you keep a respectful distance from your child’s class please to allow the teacher and parent volunteers to continue management of the class on the excursion without interruption.  

SCHOOL UNIFORM AND FOOD REQUIREMENTS

Please take note of the following information for this excursion:

UNIFORM: (LABELLED WHERE APPROPRIATE)

• Students are to wear their full school uniform – yellow polo shirt only, please. (No Faction t-shirts please) Please bring a school jumper if the weather is forecast to be chilly.
• Students must have a hat.
• Students are advised to wear closed-in shoes such as sneakers with socks please.

FOOD AND DRINK:

• Students are to bring a healthy lunch and recess – preferably waste-free food (no packaging or environmentally friendly packaging as requested by the Perth Zoo)
• Backpack to carry water and food in (consider a labelled, light drawstring backpack that food, drink, and a jumper could fit in that is easy and light to carry)
• We request that if parents are attending the zoo, please do not buy your child treats such as soft drinks or icecreams during the day.

Please do not hesitate to contact Karen Tucknott if you have any queries. 

P&C News

New Faces & Big Thanks!

The P&C Annual General Meeting was held in Week 3. A new committee was formed, filled with fresh faces alongside long-standing members. We’re looking forward to working together to support our school community this year. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 19 March, and all parents are welcome to attend.

Here's a special shout-out to our outgoing president, Laurie, for all his hard work and dedication over the past three years:

A Thank You to Laurie

Laurie, our President, so kind and true,
Your heart and your spirit always shine through.
From Colour Runs filled with joy and cheer,
To sausage sizzles that brought us near.
With endless energy, you gave your best,
Organising events and leading the rest.
Meetings and fundraisers, you kept it all flowing,
Your dedication to our school always showing.
Friendly and warm, with a welcoming smile,
You've made every challenge seem so worthwhile.
But let’s not forget, when the meetings were slow,
You needed a nudge, under the table, you know!
A little kick to the shins, just to move things ahead,
To keep us on track—long meetings we dread!
Thank you, Laurie, for all that you’ve done,
Your efforts have brightened the lives of everyone.
Newborough’s journey, you've helped to steer,
And your legacy here will always be dear.

Support the P&C this Saturday for the election day sausage sizzle!

Donations of baked goods can be given on Friday afternoon at the canteen or before 9:00 am on election day. 

If you are able to help out by serving or cooking the BBQ on the day, please volunteer by signing up here https://volunteersignup.org/XKMYF

Thanks. 

Newborough Primary School P&C Easter Raffle 2025

The annual P&C Easter Raffle will be held again this year!

This year we are running the raffle differently from previous years. We will not be asking for chocolate egg donations from Newborough families.

This year there will be three major prizes:

1^st Prize: Egg-normous Easter Hamper

2^nd Prize: Easter Hamper

3^rd Prize: Easter Hamper

Ticket prices are $2 for 1 ticket or $5 for 3 tickets (cash only).

Ticket booklets with further information will be sent home with students soon.

Winners will be announced on Thursday 10 April 2025.

Two of the Easter hampers were kindly donated by local businesses. If you know of any local businesses or community members who would like to donate a major prize/hamper, please contact the P&C.

Many thanks for your ongoing support of the raffle.

Newborough PS P&C

Canteen

Please find below the instructions for how to create an account through Flexischools. 
You will be able to order from Flexischool every Tuesday and Thursday. Orders will close by 8:00 am each canteen morning. 

Uniform Shop News

Second-Hand Uniform Shop Opening Hours

The uniform shop will be open for Second-Hand Uniform sales in Week 6 on Tuesday 11 March from 8:15am until 8:45am

New Uniforms - Offsite shop

For new uniforms, please click on the link below. This is the offsite uniform shop.

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