Future Events
- Book Fair - 22 November - 25 November
- Parent Information Night - 28 November
- Year 6 Transition Week - 28 November - 2 December
- Year 6 Graduation - 5 December
- End of Year Concert - 6 December
- Thank you Morning Tea for Parent Helpers - 8 December
Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Carers
Where has this year gone? It is amazing to think we only have four school weeks left.
Our Newman Way Values of Respect, Responsibility, Care and Compassion are values we expect everyone to adhere to, all students, staff and parents. Our values underpin everything our school stands for and something we all need to model with every interaction we have with one another. We have put our school Bullying policy in this newsletter for you to view. We have spent a great deal of time this term reminding students about appropriate behaviours and what to do if they are feeling unhappy or unsafe. We do not have a bullying problem at our school. Unfortunately at times students will say and do things to one another that are not kind. We all need to help our children to learn how to be a good person, care for one another and learn resilience.
With the predicted enrolments for 2017 we have structured our 18 classes with many split year levels. I will be hosting an information session in our school library on Tuesday, 29 November at 3pm and then again at 6pm. I will be outlining the changes in class structures and highlighting some of the innovations we’ve had in 2016 and will continue to have in 2017. Everyone is welcome to attend.
I would sincerely like to thank some parents who have been coming in regularly to hear students read and to help out where they can. We really appreciate you giving up your time and I know the students feel very happy that they can read to another adult each day. In particular, I would like to recognise the efforts of Gabe Franklyn. Gabe is our P & C president and voluntarily comes into school each day for a few hours and listens to children read and helps in classes with literacy. Gabe is a very active member on the school P & C and we are very grateful for her continued support of our school.
The construction of our new eating area and outdoor classroom has been started between B and C Block. It will be another great learning space once it is completed.
Today our school captain voting took place for 2017. I was very impressed with the number of Year 5 boys and girls who nominated themselves and gave a speech. All of the students should be very proud of their efforts and I sincerely wish them all good luck. The captains for 2017 will be announced at our end of year concert on Tuesday, 6th December.
Week 8 sees our Year 6 students spend time at Newman Senior High School learning what life as a high school student is like. Newman Senior High School has put a lot of time and effort into the transition program and we are all very excited to see our Year 6 students enjoy a week at high school.
Once again please know you are always welcome to email me or make an appointment to see me or your child’s class teacher if you have any concerns, questions or suggestions.
Kind Regards
Katie Wallace
Principal
Staff Spotlight
Claire Chalk - Kindy A
Hi there! My name is Claire Chalk. I am originally from the glorious Gold Coast, so when I moved initially to Perth then Newman, it was quite a change to adjust to! In the four years I have lived in Newman I think I have even surprised myself with some of the things I have seen and done. For a city-slicker who had never been four-wheel driving or camping, is petrified of snakes, bugs and other creepy crawlies, I was apprehensive of all this ‘outdoors stuff’. Now though, I’m a convert – except for the snakes! At SNPS I’ve taught in Early Childhood (Kindy and Pre-primary) and LOVED every minute of it. To see a child proudly exclaim “I did it by myself” brings me such joy, and reaffirms that being a teacher is not a job, it’s a passion.
Kirsty Murray - Author Visit
15 - 16 November we welcomed Kirsty Murray an Australian Author from Melbourne and Lesley from the Fremantle Literature Centre to our school. Kirsty writes children's fiction books, focusing on Australian history with some non-fiction stories. Kirsty presented her books with her wonderful animated character and engaged with our students outlining story writing and imagination. The children thoroughly enjoyed having Kirsty visit our school.
South Newman Primary School Our Statement on Bullying
Attendance Report
Congratulations to Room 2 with the highest attendance of 96%
Do your children go to school and are you going to be away from Newman? Did you know you can enrol your child into a WA registered school on a temporary basis? Below is a more detailed explanation on how!
Absences Add Up
This is the time of year where school shoes may be looking scuffed, lunch boxes are just hanging in there, sporting or extra-curricular activities are due to wrap up and the excitement of Christmas holidays sneak into conversations.
This is also the time of the year where students can be proud of how far they have come within their academic levels, social and emotional development through their school reports which are due home soon.
Attendance percentage is noted on each child’s school report. Factors associated with school attendance in the primary school years might be quite different from those that are associated with attendance in secondary schooling. In the early school years, children are more dependent on their parents.
In reading your child’s report, this is a good time to reflect on their attendance percentage in correlation to their academic performance, attitude and behaviour effort. Absences from school are related to academic, social and emotional achievement not only in the current year, but in future years as well. Parents need to be aware of these relationships and understand that when their child misses school, it can have an ongoing impact on their learning.
The Department of Education believes improving attendance is an essential strategy for reducing achievement gaps.
EVERY DAY COUNTS!
