Messages from the Principal - Mr. Barclay.

Welcome to term 4 families! 

Hello NPS Families! 

It’s wonderful to have everyone back at school for the final term of 2024. As we head into an exciting term, I am very much looking forward to the celebrations and opportunities for our great little school! 

This term promises to be filled with a variety of exciting events. From our upcoming Swimming Program in week 4 to the anticipation of seeing our year 6 students graduate at the end of the year, there is so much to look forward to.

Already this week, it's been pleasing to see our students hit the ground running and continue their learning from term 3. Term 4 also usually brings a little more trepidation and anxiety into the mix with a lot of forward planning being organised for 2025. Students will soon be asked to select their friendship lists for 2025 classes and I will also be asking for grade placement comments from families in the next newsletter. 

I would also like to express my gratitude for the unwavering support of our parents and families which as I have said many times, plays a pivotal role in our school having a connected, strong, and supportive community. Thank you also to whoever mowed our oval and grassed areas shortly before we returned! I had come to do it myself and was thrilled to see it had been done - as I am unsure how to use the ride-on mower! That could have been disastrous! 

Some of you may have seen that we have a VERY exciting project taking place in Dave's Court Yard - a Mural! 

Kate Shepherdson from Kate Sherpardson Art has been selected to paint a large, bright, and colorful mural in Dave's Court Yard to help reinvigorate that space.  We cannot wait until it is all finished! 

Our line marking was also FINALLY completed in the break adding some much-needed color, and lines, to our netball court and surrounding areas! It has been great seeing the kids engage with these already this week! 

In adding a few reminders, please remember that our shared Google Calendar has a new link and has new dates being added, almost daily!  

We will be having a Working Bee on Sat 19th October from 8 am - 12 pm. If families could support by attending even for one hour - it would be greatly appreciated. 

For this working bee, we'll be breaking tasks into 'projects' that we need done and would like to see completed. There will be more information to come. 

Dogs on the school grounds. We enjoy the fact that we are a dog-friendly school however dogs onsite MUST be on a leash at all times when in and around the school grounds. 

Yet another reminder that our staff car park is NOT to be used for car parking by families or as a pedestrian access gate. 

As I did in the last newsletter in term 3, I would like to remind our families that term 4 is a 'sunsmart' term. Please ensure your child/ren come to school with sunscreen applied and that they have an NPS broad-brimmed hat to wear when outdoors in term 4. 

Whilst I am on uniform, it has been clearly evident this week that a number of students are attending school out of uniform. Random hoodies, tops, and shorts have all been worn as well as other items relating to general appearance that also do not meet our policies.  Several key points to raise from our Uniform policy are; 

• Uniforms must be clean and in good repair
• Uniforms must be clearly marked with the owner’s name
• Students are not permitted to wear decorative jewellery to school. Stud earrings and sleepers worn in the ears, and watches, are the only acceptable jewellery.
• Cosmetics may not be worn at school. Only clear nail polish is permitted.
• Shoulder length or longer hair is to be tied back to help restrict the spread of nits and lice and for student safety.

Finally, I'd like to acknowledge one of our students, Miles B. in the SLA, who towards the end of last term competed in the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships! A great achievement for Miles to be representing himself and our school at this event. For me personally, it served as a reminder that we have many students highly talented at a wide variety of sports and activities! Great work Miles, we're very proud of you! 

Have a great weekend!  

Thank you. 

Principal

Newtown Primary School