Narrabri West Public School

Welcome back to what is set to be a very busy ten weeks, with many exciting learning opportunities. It’s been a busy start as we continue to work with all students on the areas they can improve in to achieve even better results.

We are now midway through our school year. For some students and their families, it signals the approach of their final semester of primary school. Year 6 students may be beginning to experience some amount of anxious anticipation or excitement about High School.

For other students and their families, this time marks the end of their first semester at school. Our Kindergarten students have settled in and formed many new friendships. As a school we continue to work towards achieving excellence through connected, collaborative, critical and creative learning experiences in an exciting learning environment.

One of the highlights of this term is Education Week  2020. We normally celebrate 100 day of school with a special assembly and the opportunity for families to visit classrooms to see what our students have learnt so far this year. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we were not able to celebrate this year.

It has been very pleasing these last few weeks to read student reports and see the positive comments about how much effort students are putting into reaching their learning goals. The information contained in these reports is a summative account of your child's progress this semester and documents each student’s progress and attitude, so that their achievements and opportunities for improvement are acknowledged, but are also used as a platform to seek further growth and development in the second half of the year through targeted feedback. It is extremely important that you take the time to go through this information with your child and constructively reflect on what the information is saying. 

These reports are not solely intended for parents. They really belong to the students. For parents in supporting their children with their learning, the report aims to provide greater understanding of what additional help you can provide. For the teachers, they encourage them to reflect on the progress of their students, the effectiveness of their own teaching practice and the next steps required to gain further growth from their students. For students, they provide a greater understanding of themselves as a learner and what they can do, and need to do, to enable themselves to ‘be the best they can be’.

Learning can be difficult. It is not always about succeeding the first time. Learning is what comes from reflecting upon our failures and focusing our efforts to do better next time, building resilience along the way so that we are inspired to keep trying.

We presented Silver Badges to all students who had reached this level in our Merit Award system. In order to receive a silver badge, student’s behaviour must have been outstanding at all times this year. This is in line with our policy of rewarding students whose behaviour is always appropriate and the fact that so many students achieved this award, yet again clearly demonstrates the qualities of the students at Narrabri West.

Another end of term tradition is our BBQ for the whole school and we enjoyed another of these on the last day of Term 2. This was an enjoyable opportunity for everyone to share lunch together before the holidays.

All teachers have finalised Semester 1 reports for their class. This is an extremely time consuming process and a lot of preparation, effort and thought goes into each student’s report, which is a culmination of intensive planning, teaching, reflecting and assessing throughout the last two terms.

It is important to remember that each reporting period is for a semester (i.e. two terms, including learning from home) and that there will be ups and downs along the way. It is an indication of the progress in learning for that particular semester. It is always great to see students forge ahead as something in their learning ‘clicks’ and equally as gratifying to see students working hard, week in and week out, as that is where the greatest results come from. If you have any questions or concerns, simply contact your child’s teacher and organise a meeting. That option is available all through the school year.

Reports were sent home on Monday 3rd August.

This term Mrs Sampson and Mrs Parker have returned to Narrabri West Public School.

Mrs Sampson is teaching 5/6G and is the Stage 3 supervisor.  Mrs Parker is teaching support and release from face to face.

We are really looking forward to working with all students and families during a busy but exciting term.

I would like to wish our students all the best for the second half of the year. Remember there are lots of adults wanting to help you, particularly your parents, family and teachers. Asking clever questions, setting learning goals, trying your hardest and making good choices are the keys to success. 

Our annual Cross Country Championships have been held. Congratulations to all students who participated.  This year we held our Cross Country on the school grounds and all students displayed great sportsmanship.

The students who placed in the top 10 of their age group contributed to the overall house points. Oxley was the overall winner this year – congratulations Oxley.

The age champions for each age group were:

8 years – Blair Lennox. Maicee Astill

9 years – Fletcher Whan, Hadleigh Astill

10 years – Lucas Plowman, Ruby Clayton

11 years – Liam Nott, Alexie Fitzgerald

12/13 years – Rory Holman, Laura Demmery

We are now providing all Pre Schools in Narrabri with information packages for next year’s Kindergarten students about our school. If you know of families intending to enrol their children at Narrabri West in 2021, please encourage them to call the office, to arrange an information package.

It is also important for our forward planning that you advise the school as soon as possible if your children will not be attending Narrabri West in 2021. This will not only assist us, but more importantly will allow a smooth and structured start to the school year for those students who are attending.

Whilst 2021 is still a long way away, we have to advise the Department of Education of our anticipated student numbers for 2021 in the next few weeks! Our staffing entitlement for next year is based on these numbers; hence the importance for all schools of having accurate information as soon as possible.

Please ensure that all of your children’s clothing is clearly labelled.

Lots of jumpers, jackets, track-pants etc end up in LOST PROPERTY and cannot be returned to their owners simply because they are not labelled.  These items of clothing are washed and sent to our Uniform Room for re-sale. 

Lost items that are not school uniform (without names) are washed and sent to a charity for re-sale.

Please check your children’s clothing for items that may belong to other children. 

Any articles that are handed in to lost property that are clearly labelled are sent to the child’s classroom and not held in lost property.

Students who are being picked up at the end of the school day are supervised on the back oval near the hall and we ask that all parents collect their children from this area.

Due to health guidelines and restrictions parents are not permitted on the school ground without the permission of the Principal. Please call the office before entering the school grounds.

Please notify your child’s teacher if your child has permission to walk home. 

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 provide the school with a valid explanation so that accurate records can be maintained.
• If your child is leaving early due to an unavoidable appointment parents must provide an explanation in writing, preferably to the teacher the morning of the leave.

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.

Sometimes one word can cause a child to fold their arms and thrust out their jaw in ‘you-can’t make-me’ defiance. Let’s take a look at some words that invite resistance, especially from strong-willed children who like to have their own way.

Resistance words

• Must – for example “You must be on time!”
• Never – for example “You should never be rude to your teacher.”
• Always – for example “You should always clean your teeth before bed.”
• You – for example “You need to go to bed now!”
• Don’t – for example “Don’t yell at your brother.”

By Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas.

https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/resistance-words-to-avoid-when-talking-to-kids/

School Banking program will remain on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed with any updates including how we will be managing Dollarmite tokens for students. In the meantime, here are some handy online resources for parents who wish to maintain momentum with their child’s financial education: 

SMART MONEY:

Smart money (year 2) https://youtu.be/J12wxkSYQaA

Smart money (year 3) https://youtu.be/W0CcpM5stOE     

Electronic Money (years 3 & 4):  https://youtu.be/SVRdfoVx7KQ

How banks work: (years 5 & 6): https://youtu.be/FwqsH2p4Zm8