Important Information

Term 1 Curriculum Day - Wed 6th March 

On Wed, 6th March we will be joining staff from Lara and Anakie Primary Schools to participate in a day of professional development at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership with a focus on 'Responsive Teaching'. The day will be facilitated by Bronwyn Ryrie-Jones, an expert in this field.  

There is no school for students on this day. OurPatch, our new Out of School Hours Care provider will be offering a curriculum day care program on this day. For bookings, please contact OurPatch.   

Headlice / Nits

Unfortunately Headlice is a common occurrence in a Primary School setting.

At school, if we are to detect headlice, a parent or carer will be contacted to collect the child from school for treatment. Once treated, children are welcome back to school from the day after treatment has commenced. 

What can you do?

We seek your cooperation in checking your child’s hair regularly. If you do find live lice or eggs in your child's hair, please treat your child’s hair before they return to school.

If your child has long hair, we ask that it is tied up each day so to minimise the transmission of lice from one child to another.  

Visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au and search for “head lice (nits)” for advice on finding, treating and preventing head lice.

2024 Parent Payments 

Families who have not yet opted to make a 2024 Parent Payment contribution, the school office are happy to accept payments via EFT or Cash (BPay is also offered). 

As per our Parent Payment arrangements, we are happy to arrange flexible/mulitple payment options for this contribution - please see the office for further assistance.  

2024 BYOD iPAD Program

In preparation for 2024, our BYOD iPad Portal via JB HiFi is now open for families. As most of you know, our BYOD iPad Program runs in years 3-6 with approximately 90% of students in these year levels having access to their own iPad device to support and enhance their learning. If you require any assistance please contact the office.  

JbHi Fi Order Link - https://www.jbeducation.com.au/byod/ 

School Code (for parents): NPS2024 

2024 Student Multiple Permissions Form

Each year we ask all NPS families to complete a multiple permission form via Compass. This informs us if parents and caregivers give consent for specific annual permissions such as head lice checks, local excursions, photography, and the use of students' images in school social media.  Please access and complete these as soon as you can. 

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the School’s Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

The DET's Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents, describes how information is collected and used regarding of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. 

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use technology safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's use, please contact the school.

Canteen Service - NEW ORDER PLATFORM

School Canteen Lunch Day: WEDNESDAY

In 2024 the Fresh Lunch Fairy has changed to a new online lunch ordering system called Flexischools. Australia's #1 school ordering solution, Flexischools, operates in more than 1650 schools across Australia and enables cashless ordering and payments for schools. 

How to set up your Flexischools account

Simply download the Flexischools App from the Apple or Google stores and follow the prompts to create an account. 

You can also sign up through the Flexischools website flexischools.com.au

If you already have a Flexischools account you can simply add a new student to your existing account.

DET Mobile Phone Ban

A reminder that the Department of Education has in place a mobile phone ban that requires students who bring mobile phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away during school hours.

The department is requiring all schools to ensure this ban is in place and enforced from the start of the 2024 school year. The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state.

This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions. By ensuring mobile phones are kept away at recess and lunch times, students can interact with each other face-to-face, without the distractions and social pressures that mobile phones can cause.

We ask for the support of all our families, staff, and students in continuing to support the implementation of this policy in our school.

Further information

Exceptions: For a small number of students with particular health needs, an exception to the policy may be granted. Please contact Mr. Barclay if you would like to discuss this.

Emergencies: In the event of an emergency or if you need to immediately contact your child, I ask that families contact the school office who will pass on a message as required.

School mobile phone policy: A copy of our school’s local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context, is available on our website. 

Parent support: The Mobile Phones in Schools webpage provides links to resources for families to help them balance their children’s time using mobile phones.

If you have further questions, please contact the administration office.

Newtown PS is Social!

Are you connected with our social media accounts?

Did you know that we are on Instagram and Facebook? We love sharing our achievements and happenings with our school community, and one of the ways in which we do that is via our social media. We have recently re-activated our Facebook page and continue to post on Instagram. Follow us via the links below.