Stop. Think. Breathe. Repeat. 

To all of our NPS families and wider school community - welcome to what is set to be a wonderful and exciting term 3!

There is always a perception that I have of returning from a term break and easing into what I know will be a very busy term. That there however is the epitome of me confusing perception with reality! 

We have certainly hit the ground running this week and have shifted immediately into our intensive teaching and learning programs, which has been brilliant in seeing our students from Prep right through to year 6 engage from the start. 

This term brings a raft of events, excursions, incursions, and great learning experiences for our students, not to mention our major fundraiser next week, our annual Trivia Night! I will acknowledge all helpers after the event however will give a special shout-out now to Ali in the office who has undertaken a mountain of work to get this up and running. 

With all the excitement that the beginning of term brings, I need to pause here to acknowledge an outgoing staff member who has had a profound impact on our school community. 

Mrs. Shannon Washington from today will be departing Newtown Primary School and heading off to undertake an ongoing teaching position at Belmont High School as a Science and Math Teacher. Shannon has been a brilliant member of our staff and I cannot state just how important she has been to the growth and development of our school. 

She has worn many hats including being our wonderful Visual Arts Teacher, a teacher within our SLA, a Casual relief Teacher, and also having undertaken stints as Acting Assistant Principal in Mr. McKinnis's absence.  It is never easy when a school loses someone of Shannon's dedication, determination, and drive in wanting to always do what is best for the students and school and she will be sorely missed. 

I wish Shannon all the best for her new adventure at Belmont HS who as I have told you, are VERY lucky to have picked up not only such a wonderful teacher, but a wonderful person!   

This week Mr. McKinnis, Mrs. Weller, and I worked through a very tough and challenging process in reappointing a new teacher to our school to support Senior Washington, which will now be known as Senior Chadwick! 

Lucas Chadwick is someone many families will know having undertaken several CRT bouts here at NPS. Mr. Chadwick's empathetic, caring, and warm nature will be a wonderful fit for our school staffing group and community, and pick up wonderfully where Mrs. Washington has left off.  

As many of you will have seen, building works have commenced and are well and truly underway! Unfortunately, although as somewhat expected, the rebuild of our undercover walkway has hit a standstill however will hopefully recommence within the next week. After this, we will then be having the Netball Court and other line marking projects completed - which are long overdue! 

Thank you and have a GREAT, and warm, weekend! 

Newtown Primary School 

Principal

Classroom Helpers Course - Next Week! 

As you hopefully can attest, we are working hard on bridging the gap between home and school connections, and here at NPS we recognise and value parent participation and input. 

Research indicates that there is a positive effect on student outcomes when parents and caregivers are active in their children’s educational experiences.  Next week (Week 2) I will be facilitating a Classroom Helper Course Session for parents and caregivers who wish to volunteer as a classroom helper beginning in week 3 for years F-2 only.

For those interested in volunteering a short amount of time in the mornings, it will be a requirement that all volunteers attend this session. 

The session is designed to inform parents about how they can assist F-2 students with their learning, primarily reading, and the nature of our classroom reading workshop.  

There will be 2 sessions as outlined below - both to be held in the Multi-Purpose Room.  

1. Monday 22nd July: 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
2. Thursday 25th July: 9:15 am - 10:00 am

PLEASE NOTE: It is a legal requirement that all people who volunteer and work with children hold a current Working with Children Check. This can be obtained from: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/