Narrabri West Public School

It is fantastic to see the incredible things happening at Narrabri West. These are a result of our school community working together for our students and it is this partnership between students, parents and staff that is achieving great things for them. 

Our teachers are busily finalising assessment data and preparing written student reports to go home in Week 10 of this term. These provide students and parents with information on student achievement so far this year. They provide clear, comprehensive and consistent information about each child‘s progress, as well as suggestions on how parents can best support their child with their learning.

Students have been undertaking ongoing assessments throughout the year to allow teachers to make judgments about their progress.

Teachers have also spent many hours working in their stage teams to ensure that there is consistency across the school and that the reports provide an accurate indication of each child’s current learning and needs.

These last few weeks have been extremely hectic and it’s great to see the number of students making the most of the many opportunities offered at Narrabri West.

There is a downside to all of these extra activities however, as consequently there are a lot of interruptions. Whilst these may sometimes be a disruption to normal school life, they are all valuable learning activities and part of the overall educational experience. Many of them are also chances for students to excel at, or be involved in opportunities that they would not normally receive in the classroom.

We have many wonderful teachers at Narrabri West and are extremely lucky to have many of them volunteer to run programs including sporting teams, music, etc.

It is not compulsory for staff to volunteer for these roles and we are privileged that they give up their time due to their commitment, passion and care for our students.

They go above and beyond what is required so that they can provide the best opportunities for everyone at our school. They often give up personal time, work late into the night and arrive at school very early. They do this without expecting any recognition or acknowledgement, but just for the benefit of our students.

Their enthusiasm and contribution is to be commended. Thank you!

On Tuesday the 17th of May our captains and prefects went to a leadership conference in Tamworth to learn how to lead our school. Sophie Stoltenberg, Hadleigh Astill, Amelia Lennox, Charlie Butler, William McClymont, Blake Stride and Jarrad Lawler attended this conference

• Sophie said, “I really enjoyed it and learnt that you have to build courage to talk to people with confidence.”
• Hadleigh said, “I thought it was fun, educational and also that you should help others when they need it.”
• Amelia said, “I thought the GRIP Leadership course was really fun and educational, it taught me how to be a better leader.
• Charlie said, “I learnt it’s not about being a leader but helping others.
• William said, “It was a really fun and enjoyable experience. I hope to do it again in the future.”
• Blake said, “I learnt that you can have fun as a leader.
• Jarrad said, “The leadership conference was helpful because it made me feel more like a leader.”

Thank you to the Grip Leadership team. (Report written by our captains and prefects)

What an exciting time we have had in Stage 1 so far this term.  The Narrabri Eisteddfod has been a highlight with students learning two new poems to recite in their year groups. Mrs Slacksmith provided the students with feedback on how to improve by including a strong emphasis on correct enunciation and natural pace when reciting.  We are very proud of this wonderful group of students. They have worked so hard to learn the poems, apply feedback to improve and recite their poetry in front of a large audience. We are very excited about their performance on Tuesday. Well-done Stage 1.

Students have been learning to write descriptively during English lessons. The classic children’s stories, “The Gruffalo”, “Possum Magic” and “Koala Lou”  are a focal point of the English unit. Students are learning how good authors engage their audience, the language devices they use and how they can use them features in their own writing. They have been learning to plan, draft, write and edit their work using feedback from peers and teachers. In the coming weeks they will create a postcard to one of Hush’s bush friends about her (imaginary) visit to Narrabri. The unit will culminate in the students writing an informative text, a description of an animal.

Year 2 have been exploring the connection between addition and subtraction. Using rekenreks, tens frames, dominos and other concrete materials they have been investigating how addition and subtraction are inverse operations. Students are also creating number sentences to demonstrate their understanding.

Year 1 have been learning to tell the time on the hour, name the days of the week and more about the months of the year. They are learning to solve addition problems using their knowledge of doubles and facts to ten. Students enjoyed learning to recognise and classify 2D shapes and 3D objects. Writing two-digit number words and placing them on a number line has also been a focus in Year 1 this term.

Science

In Science this term Stage 1 have been exploring the properties of materials and in particular different food. We have posed questions and experimented with how materials can be changed, manipulated and combined when wet, heated and cooled. The students have enjoyed recording our observations of these changes using drawings and labels.

Drama

In Drama this term we have been learning to use the elements of drama to create a performance. Stage 1 has enjoyed using our facial expressions, body language and miming skills to express emotions for a range of scenarios. Working collaborative students have performed for their peers using freeze frames to represent a scene from a text.

We are very proud of our Stage 1 students and their commitment to learning at Narrabri West Public School. 

Stage 2 have got off to a good start this term with lots of exciting learning opportunities happening in our classrooms. The Eisteddfod is upon us and we have been working hard to prepare our items. Year 3 and Year 4 have developed many skills by reciting poetry. The students have learnt that voice, volume, pause and speed all contribute to enhancing the meaning of their poem.

In English, we have started the term reading the text ‘Phasmid – Saving the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect’. Not only have we learnt some very interesting facts about this fascinating creature, we have also improved our informative writing. A highlight of this unit was using Adobe Creative Cloud to create our own websites. Stage 2 students have certainly developed their skills in technology and been encouraged to be creative with this amazing tool.

All classes are thoroughly enjoying listening to their teacher read ‘The One and Only Ivan’. This text is Inspired by a true story, Ivan the Silverback Gorilla. Not only will students develop their imaginative writing skills but they will explore ethical issues related to keeping animals in captivity.

Students have been thoroughly engaged in a variety of Mathematical concepts. Earlier this term we looked at how data is collected and represented, where students were able to question their peers and record data on a variety of topics. We have also explored 2D shapes, 3D objects and continued recording, comparing and sequencing 4 and 5-digit numbers.

The Age of Exploration (circa 1400–1800) is our history unit this term. All students have learnt about some of the reasons behind the great journeys and will examine the journey of one explorer, trader or navigator.

Science lessons have given our students hands-on opportunities to explore the properties of materials used in packaging. Ask your child about the ‘Leak, Soak or Repel’ experiment or What did you learn in science this week?

During PE and sport sessions, we have been busy preparing for next term’s Athletics Carnival. We have been working on improving the skills needed to perform running, jumping and throwing with confidence and competence. Each class is looking forward to working with Jake Packer and improving their technique in high jump.

Stage 2 look forward to even more exciting opportunities and challenges in the weeks ahead. The students are to be commended for their efforts to strive for their personal best in all aspects of their learning. 

Stage 2 Websites 

Stage 2 students have built their own websites and an exciting way to display their work. Please use the links below to visit their website:

The Wonderful World Of Gorillas by Lailah: https://express.adobe.com/page/Axk7VHYfZAYuy/  

Phasmids by Phoenix:  https://express.adobe.com/page/cgNsW0fSwojJS/

Year 6 students have received their Class of 2022 shirts. One of the privileges of being in Year 6 is the opportunity to purchase a shirt and wear them throughout the final year at Narrabri West.

On Monday the 16th of May four students represented Narrabri West at the PSSA Tennis Knockout. Well done to Charlie Butler, Michael Harris-Clayton, Charlotte Murphy and Kiara Vlahopoulos. Each student demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship. Great effort Westies!

On Thursday the 19th of May our boys and girls touch football teams played Narrabri Public School. Both teams played extremely well and displayed amazing teamwork. The girls walked away with a victory but unfortunately the boys were defeated.

On Friday the 20th of May the Narrabri West girls soccer team travelled to Wee Waa for round 1 of the PSSA soccer knockouts. We would like to congratulate the girls for their efforts and willingness to listen to feedback to improve in the second half. Overall the girls played extremely well, winning the game 3 – 1. The team is looking forward to playing Coonamble in the next round. 

Emily Simpson travelled to Armidale on Monday the 23rd of May for North West Southern and Northern Rugby Union Trials. Emily was selected and will now travels to Tamworth for the final North West trials.

Wednesday the 25th of May we played Gunnedah South and Coonamble. The team had some excellent on field moments, however we lost both games. The team will try again next year in the PSSA knockout.

The Working With Children Check is an important part of the Department's recruitment process to prevent unsuitable people from working with children in schools.  The Department's commitment to ensuring the welfare of students is a paramount consideration when reviewing the suitability of employees.  All employees, including volunteers, in Departmental workplaces who are performing work that primarily involves direct contact with children are required to complete a Working With Children Check Declaration and provide proof of identity that meets the 100 point check.  This includes parents who help in the classroom, volunteer in the canteen and help at other activities, e.g. school sport, P&C, discos etc.  Forms are available from the school office.  If you volunteer in any capacity in our school you will need to complete one of these forms or provide a working with children check number.

For safety and security reasons, all parents and volunteers who help in classrooms or other school activities are asked to sign in via the QR code, at the office when they arrive and sign out when leaving.

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

Arriving at school and class on time:

•    Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day;

•    Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine;

•    Give students time to greet their friends before class; and

•    Reduces classroom disruption.

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents. So let’s get our children at school on time to start the school day.

With some cold weather already here, and winter fast approaching, lots of children will experience asthma related illnesses.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, your doctor or health care provider should have provided you with an Asthma Action Plan to help you and your child with their asthma.

It is recommended that you provide your childs’ school with a copy of their Asthma Action Plan and their own Ventolin puffer (and spacer if needed) so we too can help your child with their asthma if they happen to have asthma whilst at school.  The school does have Ventolin for emergency use only.

If you have already provided us with an action plan, please ensure that it is current and up to date.

These plans must be signed by your doctor or health care provider.

Our school has been recognised as an Asthma Friendly School by meeting the set criteria to become an Asthma Friendly School.

The criteria are as follows:

•              Asthma records kept for each student with asthma

•              Asthma first aid posters are on display

•              Asthma medications are readily available to students with asthma

•              Spacer devices are available

•              A plan is in place for managing asthma during sporting activities, excursions or camps

•              Asthma education offered to parents/caregivers within the school

•              Asthma education provided for all school staff

•              Asthma education program in the health curriculum

•              Potential asthma triggers minimised with in the school environment

 1 IN 4 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN &

1 IN 7 HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE ASTHMA!

Please join us for the next P&C meeting. Monday 6th of July at 6:30pm in the library.

All parents welcome.

As we move towards the cooler weather, I ask students and parents to be aware of the uniform requirements at Narrabri West. Our uniform room has school jumpers, jackets and rugby tops available in school colours with our emblem on them, as well as track pants. Royal blue or red scarves are also permitted. Please assist us to uphold the wonderful uniform standard that we have set.

We have school jackets which can be purchased from the school office for $50.

We also notice at this time every year students wearing jumpers to school that are not part of the school uniform. Jumpers that are different colours to our school jumper SHOULD NOT be worn.

Presenter:  Ann Cunningham, mother of 3, Occupational Therapist

“Parenting in a Technological Age”

Presented by Mothers’ Union and Narrabri Anglican Church

Wednesday 8th June 2022

Narrabri Anglican Church

7:00pm – 9:00pm  supper provided

This seminar provides a framework for parents to evaluate technology for themselves and their family.

“Raising Resilient Kids”

Presented by Mother’s Union and Wee Waa Anglican Church

Thursday 9th June 2022

Wee Waa Public School Auditorium

9:00am – 11:00am

This seminar will help you raise resilient kids.  It is for parents, care-givers, grandparents and anyone involved with children.