From The Acting Principal
Student Free Day – Friday 4th of November
Staff participated in a day of Professional Learning last Friday. This was split into 3 distinct sessions, each with a focus on our School Improvement Plan, both current and 2023 version.
During the 1st session, staff collaborated in CLTs to continue their ‘deep dive’ into the Australian Curriculum Version 9. Analysing the English section, teams identified the specific content and understandings that relate to reading comprehension, and developed a set of Actions, Learning Intentions and Success Criteria that will support the teaching of Reading next year and beyond. Reading will be a continued, system wide focus area for improvement in 2023.
Session 2 was dedicated to unpacking our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey data. This provided staff with student voice around the ARACY Wellbeing Domains. The session had a heavy focus on where to next and we were able to begin our planning for 2023.
For session 3 we honed in on building staff capacity relating to data literacy and unpacked multiple data points across English and Mathematics. This session was based around data triangulation to give us a more accurate picture of student learning and growth.
The feedback from each of the 3 sessions validated the direction taken.
Staffing
In conjunction with Learnings Services Human Resources we have commenced planning for staffing in 2023. This is an ongoing and dynamic process up until the start of the school year but I can advise we will have some changes to staffing. This will be communicated with families in due course.
I can confirm that 3 Permanent staff will be transferring out of NPS through this process:
- Rebecca Leedham
- Lauren Holt
- Katrina Richards
I would like to take this opportunity to wish these long-standing members of staff all the best for the next stage in their careers. I thank them for their time and devotion to Norwood Primary School over the years. You will be greatly missed by us all.
We are anticipating that a number of Flexible Teaching Pool (FTP) teachers at Norwood Primary School may be allocated to other schools for 2023. It is likely that these teachers will be notified of these arrangements mid-November.
Basketball Tournament
Earlier this Term our Years 5/6 and 3/4’s competed in the Northern Primary Schools Basketball Tournament. There were many teams from schools across the North of Tasmania playing in 3 divisions. Norwood Primary School were able to fill 10 teams across the two weekends which is fantastic! All teams demonstrated and played with high levels of respect for opposition schools, officials, team mates, coaches and supporters. Each individual within these teams demonstrated tremendous courage and growth throughout the tournament, all playing with skill and determination. They represented Norwood Primary School with pride and should be congratulated on their accomplishments and efforts.
A huge thanks to all the families and school staff who came along to support our teams and best of luck to our 3/4 and 5/6 Division 1 boys teams who made it through to the State Championships in early December.
Colour Run
On Thursday 17th November we are holding our Crazy Colour Day as a major fundraising event! We’re holding it to raise money for the Norwood Primary School Association to buy equipment/ resources for our students.
The Crazy Colour Day is all about Fun! It will begin at 1:35pm on the Bottom Oval and participation is the aim! Those who don’t want to run, are able to watch and cheer, and those who want to run, but don’t want to be colour bombed, can still participate in doing the course separately. Students should wear their colour run clothes to school and bring a non-school hat to run in. There will be a designated viewing area for parents. A letter has been emailed to families with more information today.
Student Safety
And finally, a reminder to all Norwood Primary School families around student safety, in particular on Norwood Avenue both before and after school. Norwood Avenue is an incredibly busy place at these times, but we can all play a part in providing safety for all by ensuring we:
- Only cross the road at the designated Children Crossing Zone
- Make sure no child is running along the footpath
- Are being patient and respectful of all
- Follow the directions of School staff and the Crossing Guard
Student safety is our number one concern and it is vitally important that we take collective responsibility of this at the front of our school.
Kind regards,
Luke Padgett
A/Principal