From the Principal

Dear Families,

It's so hard to believe that we are at the end of term 1 already! We have certainly had a very busy term, with lots of events happening on top of our everyday teaching and learning. Students settled very quickly into their 2024 classes and the 'team spirit' within classes and across our grade groups is very evident. 

It's very important for us all to have a collective understanding that within a primary school setting, there is a great deal of social and emotional learning that takes place in order to continue to build children's skills in the wide range of areas within the social and emotional spectrum.  As with academic learning, children learn at different rates and in various ways. Research is very clear that whilst there can be, and needs to be, negative consequences for unacceptable behaviour, we need to ensure that these align directly to the behaviour being addressed and, also have a strong acceptance that this alone is unlikely to correct the targeted behaviour long-term. 

We value the evidenced-based Restorative Practices here at Norwood PS.  This aims to help children understand 'what went wrong', 'how they can repair any harm that has been done' and very importantly 'what they may do differently into the future'. 

Our team, both teachers and leadership, spend a great deal of time working with children within this area, sometimes for 'big' problems, but there is also valuable learning to do when small things occur as this may stop bigger things from happening. Where possible, we will let parents/carers know if your child has been involved in an incident or situation at school even when it has been something small, so that you have an understanding around what happened and can, if needed continue the conversations. We greatly appreciate the support that we receive from our Norwood PS families in this area.  

Please remember that if your child does mention something that you are unsure of, or concerned about, please contact us. You can do this by message, email, phone or in person. Working together makes the most difference for children. 

ANZAC Day

This year, ANZAC Day will fall on the Thursday of the second week of the holidays. I will be at Princes Square at 9:45am on Thursday 25th April for any students and/or families who would like to join in with the march and the service at the Cenotaph at Royal Park.

An adult must be available at the end of the service for prompt collection. Children will not be permitted to leave on their own. Can you also ensure, if you are not staying with your child/ren for the service that they either know your contact number or have it with them in case of any emergiencies. 

I would greatly appreciate any adults who would like to walk with us!

Timings for the ANZAC Day service are as follows:

• March form up commences at 9:45am - Princes Square
• March commences at 10:15am
• Civic Service begins at approx. 10:30–10:45am
• Service should be completed by 11:30 am

Students are asked to wear school uniform for this event. 

Best wishes to all our students for a relaxing term break. Term 1 concludes this Friday and Term 2 commences on Monday 29th April. 

Karen Monaghan| Principal