Messages from the Principal
Hello NPS Community!
It continues to be a vibrant term with the weeks just continuing to roll on.
Since our last Newsletter a fortnight ago, there is plenty to celebrate and acknowledge, as well as several key pieces of information to share below.
Our Cross Country events this week were a resounding success. It was sensational to see the energy and persistence on display as our students challenged themselves. As mentioned yesterday, Mr. McKinnis and I were so very proud of their determination and effort.
A special congratulations to Skene House, who were crowned this year’s Cross Country champions!
We know, too, that these events simply cannot happen without a dedicated team behind the scenes. A massive thank you to Mr. McKinnis for his supreme planning and coordination, ensuring both the 3-6 and F-2 events ran smoothly.
A HUGE shout out to our Parent volunteers! Thank you to those who marshalled the course for the 3-6 event and cheered on the sidelines.
A huge "well done" to our Year 3 and Year 5 students who began their NAPLAN assessments this week. Despite the interruptions that occurred on Wednesday, our students were incredibly resilient and calm.
Although NAPLAN is just one "snapshot" of a student’s learning journey, it is a great opportunity for them to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have been working so hard on in their learning spaces. We are very proud of the way that they have conducted themselves so far, and with 2 assessments left to go next week, I am sure they will breathe a sigh of relief when it is over!
In relation to our building and grounds works, they continue to forge on with the Prep Courtyard redevelopment works taking shape. We are on track for a week 1 of term 2 completion, weather-dependent.
This project is designed to create a more engaging and safe environment for our youngest students to explore and play. We look forward to seeing the "finished product" very soon.
Finally, I would like to introduce our 2026 School Council for Newtown primary School. The School Council plays a vital role in our school’s governance and is an important part of our operations. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of individuals contributing their time to support our students and staff, all of whom are listed below.
- Parent Members: Mr. Andrew Butler, Mrs. Milli Gardiner, Ms. Lucy Goleby, Mr. Paul Hehir, Mr. Bryan Lynch, Mrs Kat Matthews, Mr. Patrick Sheehan, Mrs. Adelaide Smith, Mrs. Emma Wilkins, and Mr. Russ Yell.
- Department (DET) Members: Mr. Jarrod McKinnis, Mrs. Laura Young
- Executive Officer: Mr. Corrie Barclay
Thank you to all our new and returning members for your commitment to our school’s future.
Our Staff - Get to know the people...
Amy Frueh is our school's dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT). Amy has had a range of OT roles over her career, mostly in the Paediatrics and NDIS space. Working at NPS part-time (as well as at 3 other schools in the 3220 area), she has been in this role for the past 3 years. Amy has been in the disability space for over 20 years and it's fair to say that she is very passionate about supporting others, especially our wonderful students!
Amy lives in the country on an acre with her husband and dog named Frankie. She loves being in nature and capturing all the amazing sunrise and sunsets. She enjoys doing Pilates, op shopping, going on road trips, tending to her veggie garden and baking delicious treats!
