Leadership Report

It has been another great week of learning at Newlands. This week was the start of NAPLAN and regardless of the global network issues that the state had to deal with, our incredible Grade 5s soldiered on. We are half way through NAPLAN, we look forward to getting done with and moving back on to learning at Newlands. 

ICY POLE FRIDAY finishes today!

I want to give a big shout out to our School Leaders whom have run an incredible initiative to raise money for classroom materials. They have given up a significant amount of time on promotion, find bargains from the supermarket, giving up their lunchtimes to serve the icy poles as well as counting up the Profit and Loss sheet. There have been promises for the last 5 years about icy poles and they delivered on their promise, we look forward to seeing what else is in store for Term 2. 

Before School Basketball Training

The lines were longer than the icy poles each morning before school each week as all of our students have ran into the school to join Players First Basketball training. The school has been so excited about the response and over the next week or so basketball teams will be selected to join this year Winter Season for the Coburg Basketball Association. A big thank you to Raul for organising this and leading this incredible initiative. 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Thanks to Nicolle, Sonya, the Newlands Neurodivergent Families Collective and our Wellbeing Leaders as a range of activities have been organised next week. We are lucky enough to have 3 community members sharing their daily experiences for a staff professional learning session next week which will further provide an insight into how families support their children on a day to day basis. 

Ride 2 School day/La Vuelta de Newlands - Next Friday

All the teachers have been hitting the gym this week in preparation for public Lycra wearing at next Friday’s Ride 2 School day celebration. Is there anything better than riding through the school as fast as you can with bike and dress accessories! The parade begins at 9:30! This is worth sticking around for! There will also be some prizes for everything but best wheelie at next week’s assembly. Once again thank you to Raul for organising this great event!

Parent Teacher Interviews - Week 9

Just a reminder that Interviews are available to be booked on SENTRAL. This is an opportunity to hear about how your child has settled into Term 1, their progression in their learning and how you can further support at home. These interviews are allocated 12 minutes. If you are in need of a longer conversation, please chat to your child's classroom teachers.

AEU Stop Work Action – Tuesday 24 March

On Tuesday 24 March, members of the Australian Education Union (AEU) will be participating in a statewide stop work action. This action is part of ongoing negotiations with the Victorian Government regarding the next education agreement, including issues such as fair pay, conditions for teachers and education support staff, and adequate funding for public schools. As a result, some school operations may be affected on this day. We appreciate our community’s understanding and support as educators advocate for the resources and conditions needed to continue providing high-quality education for all students. Further information regarding any changes to scheduled events will be communicated to families as soon as possible.

Bilingual Fiesta Friday 27th of March

Next Friday, the day has arrived. We will bring the food, the music and the opportunities to mingle, you just need to bring a blanket, a actitud positiva and the passion to dance. Thank you to Luisa for organising the most important event of the year that truly celebrates Newlands Bilingual Progam. The fun begins at 4:00!

Reminder that students line up at 8:57!

A friendly reminder, students are to be lined up at the doors of their classroom at 8:57. This gives the students three minutes to be organised and ready for learning at 9:00am on the floor. We are noticing that some families are still wondering through the gates after 9:00am to help with consistent practices and to minimise learning interruptions! We would love your support in helping our students being ready on time. 

Into the Classrooms…

1/2

I came into Almendra’s room this morning where all the students were on the floor reading for learning at 9:00am. I asked the students what they had been learning about this week and while they spoke about Spanish Maths and Reading, they all showed me how they have been practicing introducing themselves. Esther, Callum & Diego were perfect, they were all so confident. I am with you Esther Me no gusta Platano, Guakala! 

3/4

I jumped into Carmen’s 3/4 class where the students were practicing their Facts on Fire. The students practice 4 minutes of fluency each day. I was sitting with Mac who was working on his multidigit multiplication, Felix subtraction to 18, and Mila who was practicing her numbers to 18.  The students have a break after 2 minutes doing some stretches before kicking into another 2 minutes. What we know is if students are automatic with their number facts they are able to apply it to different concepts and problems more easily.

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Luke