Principal Report

A new format for our school newsletter

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new digital format for the fortnightly school newsletter through the ‘iNewsletter’ web-based platform. The new format utilises up-to-date presentation and user interface standards that enable readers to quickly access the information most relevant to them. For a number of years, the newsletter has been produced in PDF form and then emailed to all of the Newport Lakes families. That strategy was successful in ensuring that all parents received the newsletter directly rather than searching through the students’ school bags for the newsletter.

The new iNewsletter maintains the advantage of being sent directly to the parent audience while presenting all the information from contributors in an easily accessible online format. From the front of the newsletter readers will be able to click directly on the pages they wish to view. iNewsletter can be viewed on any device in either email or browser form from your desktop, phone or tablet making accessing the newsletter on the go much easier as it automatically formats and resizes to suit the device readers are viewing on.

All NLPS families have automatically been subscribed to the new format and should receive each publication link through their email and/or compass. Readers also have the ability to activate Google Translate when viewing the iNewsletter to their preferred language other than English and can also unsubscribe and update their email address directly through iNewsletter platform.

We believe that readers will enjoy the new iNewsletter format, in particular the improvement of quality in the photographic and video imagery and the ease in accessibility. A lot of work and effort goes into the production of our fortnightly school newsletter and it is very important that it meets the majority of the needs of our intended audience; our parents, carers and community. Please help us make your newsletter better for you. If you have any constructive feedback on the new iNewsletter, we would appreciate hearing from you via email.

Trading Cards – Pokemon and Footy Cards

As a form of entertainment and hobbies, trading cards have for decades been popular for many children, and adults alike. Collecting and swapping footy cards has been happening in school grounds since I was a primary school child. Another card trading card game that has gained immense popularity is Pokémon, with its colourful characters and strategic gameplay. While playing with trading cards can have several advantages for children it can also come with many potential problems where at times, we can experience the very best, and worse, of school ground behaviour.

Trading cards provide an excellent platform for children to interact with their peers. Playing and swapping footy and Pokémon cards allows children to engage in friendly competition, negotiate trades, and strategise their moves. Through these interactions, they can develop social skills, such as communication, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Playing with the cards often involves children learning to categorise, sort, and prioritise their cards, which improves their organisational skills. They also develop patience and perseverance as they work towards completing sets or obtaining rare cards, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride. Often the playing and trading of the cards can also involve mathematical concepts, such as counting, addition, subtraction, and probability. All very important mathematical skills that the children are learning in a fun and practical ways.

However, alongside all the positives there unfortunately is a ‘darker side’ of trading cards which every year becomes a concern in almost every school yard, including Newport Lakes PS. Collecting and trading of cards can become an expensive hobby. Rare and sought-after cards can command high prices, and the desire to acquire them can lead to financial strain and considerable stress between the parent and the child.

For some children, trading cards can become an obsession that dominates their thoughts and activities. They may become overly fixated on collecting rare cards or winning at all costs, neglecting other essential aspects of their lives, such as their school work, physical activity, and friendships. We occasionally have problems within the school yard where children will take or steal other children’s cards when there is an opportunity and will often be unkind and at times cheat with their peers in an endeavour to obtain another child’s card.

A quick fix to the many associated problems with cards is to ban the bringing along of trading cards to school. A number of schools have already implemented this ban, with the support of many parents, but it is something that I would like to avoid if possible as I don’t believe all students should be penalised due to concerns and problems of a few. Although it would instantly solve our school trading card problem, it would also take away the enjoyment, learning opportunities, social engagement and fun from the many children that can correctly play with their cards every day.

At last week’s school assembly, I reminded the students of a number of procedures and guidelines which will assist in everyone playing and enjoying trading cards at school. These included;

As with all personal items children bring along to school (toys, books, games, sports equipment etc) only bring cards that you are prepared to trade or possibly lose. If it is too valuable to lose, do not bring it to school. Maybe have a second folder with 'school' cards and another for your special cards.
It is the child’s responsibility to look after the cards & folders if they brought to school. It is not the responsibility of a child’s teacher, school, Carly, office staff or myself to look after or monitor cards or folders. If a child brings trading cards to school, then it is the child’s responsibility.
The cards are not to be taken into class unless the child has the teacher’s permission. Cards and folders should be left in the child’s bag when not being used at recess or lunchtimes. Children should not touch or handle any other child’s bag and/or personal property without permission.
Children are only to play / swap or trade cards with students in their own team level e.g. Preps with Preps, 1 & 2’s with 1 & 2’s, 3 & 4’s with 3 & 4’s and 5 & 6’s with 5 & 6’s.
Be nice when playing cards. Don't snatch or grab other people's cards to look at when you are trading, they can show you themselves how the card looks.
Don't let anyone convince you to trade cards. If you do not feel comfortable trading with someone, just say, "Sorry, I don't want to trade with you today/anymore”.

I would encourage all parents to discuss these procedures and guidelines with their child if they play with trading cards. Together with your child, you can then decide if they want to continue to bring their cards to school - it is an optional activity.

As with any hobby, responsible guidance and moderation are key to ensure children derive the maximum benefits and enjoyment while limiting the drawbacks of playing with trading cards.

Before School Supervision

Parents are reminded that staff supervision of the school yard does not begin until 8.45am every school day morning. Many children are being dropped off at the gate or arriving at the school by themselves well before this time and are playing unsupervised in the playground.

Unfortunately, if this practice continues, measures will need to be taken to restrict access to the schoolgrounds to students and parents until a teacher begins on duty at 8.45am when the school gates will then be unlocked. This is not an action the school would like to take but due to the legal liability that exists because of the number of students arriving at school before 8.45am places the school in no other position than to implement measures to restrict admittance to the school ground. Hopefully this can be avoided, and students are not dropped off or arrive at school before 8.45am.

If parents require their children to be supervised before this time, we have an excellent before school program that operates from 6.30am where students will not only be safely supervised but can also have breakfast and participate in the before school program of activities. Bookings and further information can be made at Quntim Binnah.

2022 Annual Report to the School Community

The Annual Report provides principals and school councils with an opportunity to share the year’s achievements and progress with the school community. This includes reflecting on the school’s performance and explaining the impact of school improvement efforts on student outcomes.

The preparation and publication of an Annual Report is a legislative and regulatory requirement for all schools and reflects the Department of Education's commitment to building pride and confidence in our government schools and highlights the importance of transparent communication about school performance with our school communities.

The 2022 Annual Report to the School Community is now available on the school’s website and we invite all parents to have a look at the outstanding achievements that were gained at your school in 2022.

You can access the report here.

Community Courtesy

As we are all too familiar with, parking during drop off and pick up times can be hard to navigate. We would like to ask our parent community to please be mindful of our neighbours, particularly on bin days. Our neighbours understand that on occasion their bins may be required to be moved off the road to allow for better parking. However, please be respectful and put them back where they were when you are leaving your parking spot or in a place they are still able to be accessed by the truck and not too far back from the curb.

Prep Enrolments 2024

If any parents have a child that turns 5 before 30th April 2024, and would like to enrol them at Newport Lakes Primary School, please download the form attached below or alternatively contact the office for assistance.

Please include your child's immunisation records, birth certificate or passport and the 100 points of residential ID (checklist attached)

Enrolments for 2024 prep students should be lodged at the school office before the end of Term 2 (23rd June). Families that reside within our ‘school zone’ or have siblings already enrolled, are eligible for enrolment at NLPS in 2024.

It is very important for our school planning purposes that we are aware of any siblings that may be enrolling in Preps next year so please let the office know asap.

Student Enrolment Form 2024.pdf

100-point-address-checklist (1).pdf

Public Holiday Reminder

Parents are reminded that there is no school or childcare on Monday 12th June and I hope all families have the opportunity of having a small break and some relaxing time over the upcoming long weekend.

David Moss

Principal