Messages from the Principal - Mr. Barclay.

Hello NPS Families! 

How good was this week's ART SHOW! A massive THANK YOU to Ms. Taverna for all of her organisation, effort, and coordination in making our annual Art Show once more a special event for our school and community! 

Thank you also to all of our staff who assist in the running of an event or station as well as the parent helpers who were willing to get their hands dirty, literally, to assist! Once I was able to get away from the BBQ, it was terrific seeing all of our students and families engaging with the night! I hear that the  planning for our Art Show is already in motion for 2025 and as always - if there is feedback to be given from you all about Wednesday night's event, please share it with us. 

I hope that those who were onsite on Wednesday managed to visit and see our AMAZING mural which is almost complete in Dave's Courtyard. Kate, our artist, has done a brilliant job thus far and not only does the mural itself look absolutely amazing, it has given that space a new lease on life! 

I am constantly telling others, whether it be our school community or those external to it, just how great our educational support and teaching staff are. Last year we had two of our teachers undertake (after having applied for and then being accepted into) the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership's TEP (Teaching Excellence Program) course. The Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) is a year-long professional learning program for highly skilled teachers, supporting and challenging them to become even better teachers.  Mr. O'Meara and Mrs. Weller both completed this last year and next year, we'll have ANOTHER one of our staff entering this highly significant program in Mrs. Sadowy! To be a school the size we are and to have 3 teachers to have entered and completed the TEP is quite significant. This is just a testament to the quality of staff we have and the ways in particular we seek to 'value add'  to the great things we already do.  

Unfortunately, there are a few old, and new items, I need to address and make you all aware of. 

1. Never never gates. We STILL have families and students entering and exiting the school grounds via these gates. If this is you, please stop. We all have a duty of care to make sure our students and families are safe when onsite and by entering and exiting these gates, you are placing yourself and your little ones in harm's way.
2. Lollies and Chewing Gum. Following the likes of Halloween we have a large amount of students bring large amounts of lollies, lollipops, and chewing gum to school. Not only does this go against our policies it is also causing a lot of rubbish to be dropped on the ground. If you are aware of your child bringing these things to school, please place a stop to it. 
3. Woolworths. We have been informed by Woolworths that there is an increasing number of students entering their store before school. We have additionally noticed and seen, students coming to school and leaving again. If students have permission from their families to go to the supermarket, they are to do this before they enter the school. Once we have students enter our grounds they are our responsibility from a certain time and are not to leave the school grounds again - for any reason.
4. Bike Riding. We have had several concerned residents and crossing supervisors locally contact us about students riding their bikes to and from school, and not following road rules. Concerns have been crossing roads without stopping and looking, riding down Shannon Ave amongst traffic, not getting off their bikes when crossing with a supervisor, and more. If your child rides and or scoots to school, please remind them about the importance of road safety and doing the right thing. 

Reminder:

In my last newsletter, I spoke about and called for 2025 grade placement considerations from families. As parents/caregivers, you may have your own thoughts and thinking regarding the placement of your child for 2025 regarding friendship groups and or classroom factors. Note that this is not a request process and although your thinking will certainly be considered, the individual requesting for specific teaching staff will not be. 

If there are comments and or thinking that you have regarding this, please complete the linked Google Form below. This is to be completed by no later than today, 8th November. Considerations after this date will not be accepted. 

2025 Grade Placement Submission FORM

That is it from me. Please have a great weekend,  

Corrie. 

Principal

Newtown Primary School