NEWTOWN NEWS

Messages from the Principal

PS Hello NPS Families! 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read our final term 1 newsletter! It is quite surreal to think we have one week left of the term! 

 

It has been another busy 2 weeks with once again a lot happening in and out of school! 

Our year 3 and 5 students have now completed their NAPLAN Assessments and did an absolutely amazing job. 

The effort that went into completing their assessments was extremely high and, as I stated at our recent school council meeting, I cannot recall a NAPLAN period being so smooth, calm, and orderly. This is a testament to our amazing students and the staff who supported our students through this period.

 

Speaking of amazing staff, we have recently appointed a new staff member to our great little school, Mrs. Annalise Cooper. 

Annalise will be joining us as a Disability Inclusion Leader (2 days per week) and will be joining us from the beginning of next term. Annalise has extensive knowledge in this space and will be a very welcomed addition to our school. 

 

2 major highlights I would like to share that have recently taken place is our school-wide involvement in starting the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) training. 

The Berry Street Education Model is essentially a framework designed to help teachers and support staff better support students, particularly those who have experienced trauma or have complex learning needs. On Monday of this week, we joined staff from Chilwell PS, Ashby PS, Manifold Heights PS, and Tate St. PS to undertake the first day of the training, which was focused on 'Body'. Here's a quick rundown of the BSEM key aspects;

  • Focus:
    • It aims to enhance student engagement, self-regulation, and academic achievement.
    • It's particularly helpful for students with complex and or unmet learning needs.
  • Core Principles:
    • It integrates trauma-informed teaching, positive education, and well-being practices.
  • Key Components:
    • It provides practical, classroom-based strategies for teachers.
    • It emphasizes building strong relationships with students.
    • It focuses on developing students' self-regulation skills.
  • Outcomes:
    • It aims to improve students' social and emotional well-being, academic growth, and attendance.
    • It also aims to increase teacher capacity and resilience.

As of this week, we have already begun discussions of what practical classroom practices we'll be adopting which is very exciting! Our next training (curriculum) day is on the 10th June. 

 

This Wednesday I had the absolute pleasure of taking our 4 school Captains to the 2025 Dream and Lead Conference for Primary School Leaders. Along with 2,000 other school captains and leaders from all over Victoria, our Captains were immersed in learning about effective leadership, what this looks like, and some key strategies to take away to help them make meaningful changes in our school! Watch this space - there are exciting projects ahead! ;) 

 

During our most recent School Council Meeting, it was great to have welcomed all of our new members for what is a very significant operational part of our school. At this meeting, we were able to nominate and elect our 2025 School Council and I am very pleased to announce the following roles; 

  • School Council President: Georgia Lee (2nd Term)
  • Vice President: Max Tilley 
  • Treasurer: Andrew Butler

Alongside our School Council, I would also like to extend an invitation for any interested parties to join our SC subcommittees for 2025. To note - members of subcommittees do not need to be on the School Council itself. 

 

Our 4 sub-committees for 2025 are as follows; 

  • Finance
  • Sustainability & Environment
  • Wellbeing & Culture 
  • Parents and Friends (inc. Fundraising)

Subcommittees will generally meet prior to each school council meeting. Dates and times are TBC by each respecitve subcommittee. If you are interested in joining a subcommittee, please reach out to myself or the office for more information and/or to be added to the committee's communications. 

 

A reminder that our Final Assembly for term 1 will take place next Friday (4/4/25) starting at 1:50pm.  We will draw our annual Easter Raffle, hear student term reflections, present our new Aussie of the Month award, and more! We hope you can make it. 

A reminder that students will be dismissed on this day at 2.30pm. 

 

As always - thank you to everyone for reading and have a great weekend! 

 

Go Cats! 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

Newtown Primary School