Student Free Day – Friday 4^th 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 1^st 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

Transitioning from primary to high school is a time full of fun, excitement and new experiences, but it can also be challenging or worrying for many students and their families. Norwood Primary School are fortunate to be able to collaborate with local high schools in order to make this process a smooth one.

Coming up on Wednesday the 23rd of November is an all-day Orientation Day being held at all Government schools. This day is structured to follow a normal high school timetable, enabling students to have an experience of what this will be like in 2023. Information for this day has already been sent home.

Our local schools are aiming to assist students and their families by making sure every child is prepared and feels supported in their choice for high school learning in 2023. Over the coming weeks before Orientation Day, identified students will be taking part in some extra transition activities. The purpose of these experiences is to expose students to high school life and the opportunity to visit the campus and be introduced to both staff and students at the school. The goal of a successful transition program is to increase student's connectedness to their Year 7 high school, whilst fostering engagement through introductory experiences.

If you have any questions or concerns with transition, please contact the NPS office.

On Wednesday 26^th October we held our first Grade 3-6 Norwood Swimming Carnival at the Riverside Pool. This was the first year we ran a swimming carnival for our grade 3/4 students, and it was a big success!

Our students had only just completed their Swimming and Water Safety Program at the Aquatic Centre and were keen to show off the skills they had developed during that time. Almost all students in attendance got into the water in the deep and/or shallow pools available. It was excellent to see students being able to enjoy themselves while also keeping safe around the water environment.

Thank you to all parents and family members who came to support as well as the assistance provided by our Grade 6 House Captains. After the 3/4 Carnival, it was a tight race between all houses with Waratah in the lead.

The 5/6 Carnival followed with similar enthusiasm and participation levels on display. The Grade 6's were particularly keen considering it was their last NPS sports carnival. We had many excited students given the opportunity to participate in games and activities in a pool that everyone could enjoy.

The races in the big pool were contested greatly with some excellent individual performances, these students have been rewarded with the opportunity to represent Norwood at the LSSSA Swimming Carnival tomorrow. My thanks goes to all spectators and helpful parents who helped the day run smoothly.

Wattle house took out the 3-6 Swimming Carnival for 2022.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Norwood Primary School at the upcoming LSSSA 5-6 Swimming Carnival.

Grade 2-3 Glen (Re-Scheduled)

As part of our First Tasmanians inquiry, 2-3G will be travelling by bus to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Royal Park to visit the First Tasmanians - Our Story Exhibition.

Date:      Wednesday 23rd November

Time:      Depart school at 9:30am and arrive back by 2:40pm

Recess/Lunch: Students will need to bring a packed fruit break, morning tea, lunch and a big drink of water 

Clothing: Students will need to wear their uniform with comfortable walking shoes. Please pack a jumper and windproof jacket.

If any parents are able to assist with this excursion could they please speak to Ms Glen. It is a requirement for accompanying parents to have a current Working With Vulnerable People card.

Jacqueline Glen

Classroom Teacher

Grade 3-4 Cummings, 3-4 Farran/Holt, 3-4 Gibbons and 4 Poke/Skinner

We will be travelling to The Earl Arts Centre to view a performance of Aladdin, followed by walking to the City Park for an ‘Amazing Race’ style challenge session. 

Date:      Friday 25th November

Time:      Depart school at 10:20am and arrive back by 2:45pm

Recess/Lunch: Students will need to bring a packed fruit break, morning tea, lunch and a big drink of water. NO CANTEEN ORDERS AVAILABLE ON THIS DAY

Clothing: Students will need to wear their uniform, school sun hat and comfortable walking shoes. 

Nita Cummings, Kayla Farran, Lauren Holt, Terri Gibbons, Megan Poke and Susan Skinner

Classroom Teachers

Value Certificate Recipients

It was fantastic to acknowledge students from our Prep to Grade 6 classes during a recent lunchtime line-up. These certificates highlighted those students who have displayed exceptional behaviour, an outstanding approach to learning and academic excellence. Congratulations to all recipients.

Tip of the Week

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!

There are many benefits that music has for children’s development. The top five are;

1. Music increases children’s sensory development
2. Music can imporove Literacy and Numeracy
3. Muisc is a mood lifter
4. Music helps to build coordination
5. Music can help to develop their vocabularly.

Our Kindergarten Orientation night is on Thursday 1^st December at 7pm in the Kinder building.

This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and find out helpful information to support your child’s transition into Kinder 2023.

It is highly recommended for children to stay at home to enable parents to focus and ask questions without distraction.

Our Grade 6 leavers will be having their Celebration Assembly on Wednesday 7th December, 7:00pm to 9:00pm.  We are seeking a photographer for the evening. If you think you could help please call the office on 6344 2533.

COLOUR RUN!

Our very first colour run will be held Thursday 17^th of November.  If you haven’t already, please get registered and start fundraising now!  Please refer to the info kit that was sent home the last week of term 3.  More information leading up to the event will posted on our Facebook page.

Please like and share our Facebook page to help keep you updated with all our current activities!

https://www.facebook.com/NorwoodPSSA

We can be contacted at norwoodpsa@gmail.com