From the Deputy Principals
Mr Roger D'Almeida, Miss Carrol Abel and Mr Paul Murphy
NAPLAN Online 2025
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing plays a significant role in assessing our students' literacy and numeracy skills. NAPLAN is a national assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 undertake each year to evaluate their progress in essential skills such as reading, writing, and numeracy. NAPLAN testing takes place in Weeks 6 and 7 of Term 1.
NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards, allowing for a clear understanding of student achievement. These results are valuable for discussing progress with teachers, identifying areas for improvement, and setting goals in literacy and numeracy.
Our students are already engaged in learning tasks to equip them for the assessments ahead. The schedule for NAPLAN Online at St Norbert College is:
Writing: Wednesday 12 March
Reading: Thursday 13 March
Conventions of Language: Friday 14 March
Numeracy: Monday 17 March
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, so catch-up sessions will be arranged during the NAPLAN assessment window to ensure that all students have the opportunity to complete the assessments.
It is essential for parents to understand that students are not expected to study specifically for NAPLAN. Instead, we encourage you to support your child by reassuring them to do their best and understand that NAPLAN is a part of their school program. Teachers will prepare students for the test format and provide necessary support.
Important Note on Headphones:
Students in Years 7 and 9 will require plug-in headphones for some of the NAPLAN Online assessments. Please ensure that plug-in headphones are purchased as listed in the Year 7 and Year 9 booklists and are available before the tests commence.
For additional information, a brochure for parents and carers is available online. Further details regarding the NAPLAN Online at St Norbert College will be made available to students in the coming weeks and further information about the NAPLAN testing can be found at:
https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/assessment/testing/naplan
Equitable Access Adjustments for ATAR Course Examinations
Students with disabilities, illnesses, or impairments may be eligible for equitable access adjustments during ATAR Course Examinations if their condition prevents them from completing assessments under standard conditions. These adjustments are designed to ensure fair access and may include:
Access to food, drink, medication, or special equipment
Special-format examination papers
Rest breaks or extra working time
Use of a scribe or a computer
Applications for these adjustments, covering both written and practical ATAR examinations, are submitted to SCSA by the College on behalf of students.
If you wish to apply for equitable access adjustments for your child, please contact Mr Roger D’Almeida as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted to SCSA by 21 March 2025.
For further details, please refer to the Special Provisions section on the SCSA website or contact the College for assistance.
A Warm Welcome to Our College Community
We extend a heartfelt welcome to all new students, parents, and guardians joining our College community in 2025. The start of the academic year has been a busy and exciting time, and we commend our new students for their smooth transition into College life. To ensure every student feels supported, we have a strong network in place, including Peer Support Leaders, dedicated Homeroom teachers, the Head of Year 7, Heads of House, and classroom teachers who are always available to assist.
It was a pleasure meeting many parents and guardians at the recent Parent Seminar. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to welcome you to the College and for parents to connect with their child’s Homeroom teacher. If you were unable to attend, you are welcome to collect your information envelope from Mr D’Almeida at the Main Adminstration.
We look forward to a positive and supportive partnership with parents and guardians throughout the year. Together, we can create an environment where our students flourish academically, socially, personally, and in faith.
Mr R D'Almeida
(Deputy Principal Years 7 & 10)
College Community Mass
This Sunday 23 February, we come together to celebrate our College Community Mass and welcome all students, families and staff to 2025, we also celebrate our 60th Anniversary. This is a beautiful and reverent occasion. It is also a compulsory College event for staff and students.
Here are some reminders about the evening:
Students wear their College Summer uniform.
Mass commences at 6:30pm, so please be seated in your House by 6:20pm.
When students arrive, they will need to see their Homeroom Teacher located at the front of their House area and have their attendance checked.
Students and their families need to bring chairs or blankets to sit on.
Students will be sitting with their family in their House group on the oval. If students are not with their family, they will need to be seated with the staff at the front of their allocated House area.
Ensure all phones are switched off or on silent.
Remain reverent and respectful throughout the Mass with no eating, chewing gum, drinking, walking around and talking.
Only receive Communion if you have made the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If you haven’t received the sacrament of Holy Communion and wish to receive a blessing, please place your hands across your chest.
After mass there will be a sausage sizzle provided by the College. Drinks can be purchased for $2 (cash only). Mr D’Almeida will give instructions after the Mass.
Thank you to SNESA, the Parent Committee and College Staff for their support and assisting with the sausage sizzle.
Open Day
A reminder that our annual Open Day is on Friday 28 February. Tours will be conducted by our students at 9am and 1pm from the Xanten Performing Arts Foyer (corner or Treasure Road and Centre Street). Please spread the word about our wonderful College. Enrolments are encouraged prior to Year 5 to secure a place so this is a great opportunity to visit our College with your children. Register for a tour via the link https://www.trybooking.com/CYQHS
SunSmart
Parents are asked to ensure that their son or daughter is equipped with a College hat so they can participate in Physical Education classes, outdoor activities, excursions and play at break times on the oval. Students are also encouraged to wear their hat while travelling to and from the College and to apply sunscreen each morning. If students do not have their College hat for their outdoor activities and lessons, they will be asked to move under cover.
Uniform and Personal Presentation
It is important that students present appropriately with the correct uniform and the expected standard of presentation throughout the school year. Students are reminded to be suitably attired in their Summer uniform for Term One. Students also have use of the change rooms, therefore, they should be arriving and leaving school in their full summer uniform (not PE uniforms).
The College expectations in regards to uniform and personal presentation are that:
Hair
Hair should be clean, neat and tidy (combed and brushed away from the face).
Extreme hairstyles are not permitted – This could include haircuts that are less than a Number 2 and lines, patterns or tracks. Contrasting lengths should be blended where possible.
Extreme tonal contrast and unnatural hair colour is not permitted.
Shoulder length hair should all be tied back firmly and away from the face. Any hair that is unable to be held back securely needs to be pinned back with clips or a hairband.
Fringes must be no lower than the eyebrows.
Hair trims (e.g. head bands, scrunchies and ribbons) need to be blue or gold/yellow. Ties may be of a natural hair colour.
Male students must be clean shaven; sideburns are to be maintained and above the base of the ear.
Jewellery
Students are permitted to wear one pair of earrings in the lower ear lobe. Earrings should be small, plain silver or gold sleepers or studs. No large or decorative earrings are permitted. No other piercings are permitted.
Students may wear one gold or silver neck chain and a watch. Only Christian religious symbols are acceptable as pendants on neck chains.
Students may not wear any other jewellery.
Other
Make up must not be worn.
Acrylic nails and nail polish (including French Polishing) are not permitted. Nails should be kept at a short, safe length.
Tattoos are not permitted.
Uniforms need to be well presented and washed regularly
Students are not to mix and match items of uniform. Either full College summer/winter OR full College sports uniform is to be worn.
Eyelash enhancements and eyebrow tinting are not permitted.
It is to be noted that, in matters of style, the College remains the final arbiter.
Child Safe Framework
Catholic Education WA schools are Christ-centred and child-focused learning communities that support each child to develop to their full God-given potential. Key to this is ensuring the learning environment is engaging, supportive and safe. All members of our school share the responsibility for creating and maintaining this healthy culture. By working together, we can ensure all children flourish in a safe and healthy environment.
Recognising that each child has the right to be heard is an important element in the CEWA Child Safe framework. At St Norbert College, we teach students that they have the right to be safe and we empower them with the language, skills and strategies to assist in their safety by talking to people that they trust. It is a requirement that all students receive a protective behaviours and sexual abuse prevention education (10.6 Registration Standards for Non-Government Schools).
At St Norbert College we are implementing the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) which is an evidence-based child safety curriculum that teaches children to recognise abuse, tell a trusted adult, understand what is appropriate and inappropriate touching and ways of keeping themselves safe. The KS:CPC fits primarily within the Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum but is also taught across multiple learning areas.
The curriculum is based on two main themes:
We all have the right to be safe
We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.
The themes are presented through four Focus Areas:
1. The right to be safe
2. Relationships
3. Recognising and reporting abuse
4. Protective strategies
More information will be provided during the year on the Child Safe Framework.
To view the CEWA Commitment Statement click the link:
https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CEWA-Commitment-Statement.pdf
To download the Brochure, click the link:
https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Child-safe-Catholic-schools-A5-Brochure.pdf
Miss C Abel
(Deputy Principal Years 9 & 12)
2024 Ad Omnia Paratus & Academic Distinction Celebration Lunch
It was a pleasure to gather with our 2024 award recipients for a celebratory pizza lunch, honoring their dedication and hard work in the classroom. These students were proudly presented with their certificates at the College's opening assembly in Week 2. Their exceptional efforts truly embody the spirit of being "prepared for all good works," setting a shining example for their peers and serving as inspiring role models for our school community.
Mr P Murphy
(Deputy Principal Years 8 & 11)