Narrabri West Public School

Our next merit award assembly will be held on Friday 1st July.  We will be presenting Silver Badges to all students who have reached this level in our merit award system. 

The 2022 Semester 1 report will provide a summative account of student progress and achievement on learning covered during Semester 1, with information about what might need to be done to support your child’s learning growth.

Reporting to parents will focus on the learning that has taken place so far this year, which includes individual student’s progress and achievement of their learning.

Reports will go home on Monday 27th June  2022.

Stage 3 have been busy in their classes this term as we have well and truly settled into our classes. Team sports are back and many Stage 3 students have been a part of school sporting teams busy training and competing against surrounding schools all over the North West. Year 6 have received their incredible Year 6 shirts, thanks to Mrs Smith. We have had an excellent Semester and are looking forward to Semester 2. Our Year 6 student’s (and their teachers) can’t wait for our Canberra excursion in Term 3, so you better get your warm wardrobes in order for a chilly week! 

English

Students have really enjoyed the integrated English and History unit in which they have been researching and writing about World War 1. They were very privileged to not only read a fabulous children’s book “Remembering the Peace”, but were given the opportunity to interview Dr. Heather Sharp, the author. They have applied the skills of summarising, visualising and writing descriptively to create a letter from the trenches using authentic resources. Students also created a video reflection and uploaded it to seesaw.

Science

During Science this term, Stage 3 have been investigating living things and that they have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment. In our first lesson, students explored the human adaptation ‘opposable thumbs’ where they had to tape their thumbs to their hands and perform basic daily tasks.

Physical Education – Athletics

With the athletics carnival fast approaching next term, Stage 3 have been working on their track and field events. We have been lucky enough to have Jake Packer help us with our high jump techniques and build our confidence when performing our scissor kicks.

Drama

Creative Arts this term have been all about theatre sports in drama. Stage 3 students have explored the use of voice control, props and storytelling to perform improvisations. Most Stage 3 classes have utilised the expertise of Mrs Slack-Smith in this area and have enjoyed their dramatic lessons! Our Year 5 students have transformed their skills from drama to compete in the poetry sections of the Narrabri Eisteddfod, placing 2nd in their category, well done 5C and 5P!

Mr Gilliland, Mr Paull, Mrs Smith and Mr Tester have had an excellent Term 3 with the wonderful Stage 3 students. We look forward to the second half of the year as we are underway with planning days for Term 3.

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.

This has been very obvious at the Narrabri Eisteddfod. Well done to all of our students who participated. Once again they performed with distinction, gaining a number of awards in the many items.

Our Kindergarten classes competed at the Narrabri Eisteddfod. Both classes performed exceptionally well with KS finishing in first place with 80 points and KC coming a very close second with 79 points.

Students from Year 1 performed “Daycare Disasters” by Stephanie Mulrooney and “Nut Tree” by Julia Donaldson. They did a wonderful job reciting both poems and received third place scoring 83% in the infant’s section. We are so proud of their commitment to practising and how well they represented our school.

Year 2 entered the Speech section of the Narrabri Eisteddfod. They recited "I'm not scared" by Karen Baker and "A happy child" by Kate Greenaway. The adjudicator was very impressed with their expression and how they kept in unison, finishing in first place. Students performed exceptionally, both in their performances and being a great audience.

Year 3 had a fantastic trip over to the Crossing Theatre. Students recited "Our Magic Toilet" by Ken Nesbit and "The Dry" by local poet Max Pringle. Students were surprised to see Max Pringle at the Eisteddfod and this really did spur them on to do their best. Year 3 students are to be commended on their performance, finishing in second place. The judges commented on how beautifully students conducted themselves, on and off the stage.

Year 4 had the privilege of performing in the Narrabri Eisteddfod. They recited 2 poems 'The Upside Down World' and 'Oh The Places You'll Go' and won the Stage 2 Group Speech section. Students performed very well and looked amazing in their school uniforms. The many rehearsals definitely paid off.

Year 5 entered the Upper Primary Group Speech section. They recited "Train Ride" by Chris Taylor and "Saw my teacher on a Saturday" by Dave Crawley. Students received lots of positive feedback from the adjudicator and finished in second place. Our students not only performed exceptionally but showed respect to other groups as an audience. 

On the 15th June Year 6 attended the Science and Engineering Challenge Day at the Crossing Theatre. The day was filled with a variety of challenges designed to provide students with exciting experiences related to science and engineering. Year 6 built bridges and earthquake-proof towers, designed bionic hands, passed secret codes using only coloured lights, controlled electrical switchboards and much more.

 The students had a fantastic time, participated enthusiastically and showed creativity and critical thinking skills. They learnt the importance of resilience as they trialed and adapted potential solutions to each challenge.

 A fantastic barbeque lunch was provided by Rotary and the students had fun playing outside at lunchtime despite the chilly weather.

 A big thank you to The University of Newcastle, Santos and Narrabri Rotary for putting on such a fantastic day and showing our students what science and engineering is all about.

On Monday the 6th of June to the following students were selected to represent our zone: William McClymont, Charlie Butler, Kiara Vlahopoulos, Lennon Simmonds, Michael Harris-Clayton, Emily Simpson & Ethan Megalokonomos.

North West trials to be held in Tamworth on the 27th & 28th of June. Good Luck Westies!

The boys soccer team made the short trip down to Gately Field on Thursday the 9th of June to play a match against Narrabri Public School in the PSSA boys soccer knockout. The team put on an excellent display. The Westies held out and had a few chances at scoring throughout the game and it wasn't until the dying minutes of the game when they conceded. The game ended 1-0 to Narrabri Public but The Westies left with their heads held high after an awesome performance!

Last Tuesday Alexa Gordon & Emily Simpson travelled to Tamworth to participate in the North West Rugby Union 7's trials.

We would like to congratulate Emily for being selected, she will represent North West at the NSWPSSA Rugby Union Girls 7's Championships in Term 3. Awesome work Emily!

On Friday the 3rd of June  46 students from Narrabri West Public School competed in the Narrabri Zone PSSA Cross Country Trials. Despite the weather, Westies ran extremely well and scored plenty of points. Narrabri West Public School won the overall team trophy on the day!

Congratulations to the following students who will be representing the Narrabri Zone at the North West Cross Country Trials at Coolah on Friday 17th June.

8/9 years – Meg Seccombe, Mia McConnell, Hailee Orman, Tobin Murphy, Braxton Templeman

10 years – Victoria Irwin, Maicee Astill, Mikaela Whan, Dustin Hilderson

11 years – Hadleigh Astill, Bridie Seymour, Fletcher Whan, Tyran Lawler, Michael Harris-Clayton, Blake Eather

12/13 years – Jamaya Murphy, Kiara Vlahopoulos, Lennon Simmonds

We are now taking Kindergarten enrolments for next year. Please return the form at the end of this newsletter if you have a child to enrol in 2023.

Whilst this seems very early, we have to advise the Department of Education of our anticipated 2023 numbers early next term. These numbers of course determine our staffing entitlement for next year.

Please also pass this information on to any family members, friends or neighbours who may have a child enrolling at school next year. Please encourage them to visit us so they can see for themselves the wonderful students, facilities and resources that we have.

Please remember we are also taking enrolment applications for Pre School in 2023 as well.

The Student Council is organising our involvement in Crazy Hair Day on Friday 1st July.

Crazy Hair Day raises money for Cystic Fibrosis New South Wales. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life threatening, recessive genetic condition affecting Australian children. It is a disease that affects a number of organs in the body, especially the lungs and pancreas. At present there is no cure, but the faulty gene has been identified and doctors and scientists are working to find ways of repairing or replacing it. With today’s improved treatment most people with CF are able to lead reasonably normal and productive lives. A great amount of time is being directed towards finding new and improved ways of treating CF and of finally finding a cure.

Students can come to school with crazy hair, wigs, hats, coloured hair etc. and pay a gold coin donation. Let’s hope that everyone can join in this fun activity and support a very worthy cause that is very close to the heart of everyone at Narrabri West at the same time.

Just a reminder that it is now possible for parents to make online payments to the school for amounts owing for students, via a secure payment page hosted by Westpac. Payments can be made using either a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, and can be made via computer, tablet or mobile phone. The payment page is accessed from the front page of the school’s website by selecting $ Make a payment.

Items that can be paid include voluntary school contributions, subject contributions, excursions, and sales to students. There is also a category called ‘Other’ to cover items not covered in the previous headings, ‘Other’ can be used to make a complete payment of a school Statement of Account.

When you access the $ Make a payment you must enter:

• the students name
• class
• date of birth

These details are entered each time you make a payment as student information is not held within the payment system.

This is a secure payment system hosted by Westpac to ensure that your credit/debit card details are captured in a secure manner, these details are not passed back to the school.

You have the ability to check and change any details of the payment before the payment is processed. Receipts can be emailed and/or printed.

Details of the payments are passed daily to the school where they will be receipted against your child’s account. As a receipt has been issued from the payment page a further receipt will not be issued by the school.

For any enquiries regarding the online payment process please contact the School Administration Office.

The holidays will give everyone a chance to rest and recharge. Term 3 will be another 10 very busy weeks.

Thank you to our teachers for their terrific efforts this term. This has been an extremely busy time and we are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of teachers who work very hard for your children and have their best interests at heart.

Please remember that school recommences for all students on Tuesday 19th July. Monday 18th July is a School Development Day, when all teachers will be working on planning for the rest of the year and looking at ways we can further enhance our teaching and learning programs.

Parents are responsible for the regular attendance of students at school, including partial attendance, lateness and leaving early (Education Act 1990). If your child is late to school:

• Parents are required to accompany their children to the office to provide the school with a valid explanation so that accurate records can be maintained.
• If you are unable to accompany your child to the office please ensure you provide them with a written explanation to give to office staff.
• If your child is leaving early due to an unavoidable appointment parents must provide an explanation, preferably to the teacher the morning of that day.

You may send a note to the teacher, use Skoolbag, email or phone the school, or respond to our email or SMS notification, to provide this explanation.

In Term 3, under Department of Education guidelines, schools will be transitioning from the use of a school discipline policy to a School Behaviour Support and Management Plan. Further information will be provided next term. 

Once you have registered with My School Connect you can order uniforms online by using the same login details as used for the canteen. 

Please call the office on 6792 2377 if you need assistance registering. 

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!

It’s well established that sleep is vital for children and adolescents’ learning, physical health, mental wellbeing and emotional regulation. Yet, a concerning number of Australian children and adolescents aren’t meeting the national sleep guidelines according to a recent study*.

There are many reasons for young people’s poor sleep habits including school demands, co-curricular and/or work commitments, perceived pressure from parents and educators and consumption of energy drinks. Young people’s digital device habits can have a significant, negative impact on their sleep.

Handheld devices emit blue light which hampers melatonin production. This can result in the delayed onset of sleep and potentially shorten critical phases of the sleep cycle. Research confirms that children who have not yet gone through puberty are particularly vulnerable to blue light exposure in the evening as they have larger pupils, compared to post-puberty adolescents.

• Strategies to stop screens from sabotaging your child’s sleep
• Establish a digital bedtime
• Tech-free zones
• Ensure a daily dose of ‘greentime’
• Use blue light filters
• Do a screen swap before bed

By Dr Kristy Goodwin

Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas.

https://www.parentingideas.com.au/schools/insight/establishing-digital-boundaries-for-a-good-nights-sleep/