Dec 4th

Dear NPS Families

Welcome to our second last NPS newsletter for 2024.

I am very excited to be able to celebrate our newly elected Senior School Leaders & House Leaders for 2025 today.

Firstly, I feel that it is important to congratulate each and every Year 5 student who put themselves forward for these positions. Preparing and presenting about yourself and what you will do as a leader, takes a great deal of courage and all students who put themselves forward are to be strongly commended. 

Our 2025 Year 6 group is the largest year group in our school with 72 students. From this 72, we had 44 presentations.  This certainly made decisions for the 4 Senior Student Leaders and 12 House Leaders extremely difficult.  There was much excitement along with lots of disappointment with the final results, and I am very proud of the resilience shown by those who missed out. 

In Term 1 next year we will be running processes for Student Parliament, Literacy Leader, and the addition of STEM Leader positions.  

Senior Student Leaders - 2025

Marceline Stokes | Charlotte Harradine | Ella Carins | Harriet McLennan 

House Leaders - 2025

Banksia: Sophie Clark | Henry Stevenson | Emma Harrington | Laketa Molenaar

Waratah: Zoe Weeding | Ryan Scolyer | Georgia Crisp | Ned Fitzgerald

Wattle: Zara Cruickshank | Ava Ralston | Violet Morrison | Thomas Simmons  

End of Year Assemblies & Events

This year we have a number of end of year celebrations happening.  We are very pleased to send an open invitation to all our families to attend some of the end of year events.  Please refer to an email sent to all families yesterday, Tuesday 3/12, for details. 

Please note within this information, that the Year 6 Presentation Evening is for year 5 & 6 families only. 

As we move to the end of our final term, I would like to share some Christmas celebrations from NPS with you. 

Kind regards, 

Karen Monaghan| Principal

Prep-2 Awards Assembly

Day/Time:  Tuesday 10^th December at 9.30am

Where: Hall

Grade 6 Presentation Evening

Day/Time:  Wednesday 11^th December at 6.30pm

Where: QHS

*Please note only families of students in Grade 5 & 6 are invited to attend this assembly.

Kinder/Prep Christmas Assembly

Day/Time:  Monday 16^th December at 9.30am

Where: Hall

1/2 Christmas Assembly

Day/Time:  Tuesday 17^th December at 2.30am

Where: Hall

3-5 Awards Assembly

Day/Time:  Wednesday 18^th December at 9.30am

Where: Hall

Ringing of the Bell - Grade 6

Day/Time:  Thursday 19^th December 2.00pm

Where: Families to assemble on downball courts outside the hall

*Please note only families of students in Grade 6 are invited to attend this assembly.

PREP STEM

This term in STEM the Prep students have been ENGINEERS.  They were required to design, build and test a raft to take the 3 Billy Goats Gruff across the river safely! During the design process we discussed how the structure of the raft can affect its ability to float and carry weight. This can be linked to ACTDEK002, which focuses on how forces and the properties of materials affect the behaviour of a product.

We discussed the different material available for building the rafts, (wood, cork, sponge, foam, foil, cardboard) and during the testing phase some students realised they needed to add some more buoyant materials to their design.

We had lots of fun working on this project.

GRADE 1-2 STEM

This term in STEM the Grade 1-2 students have been Scientists.  The students have explored how everyday materials can be physically changed or combined with other materials in a variety of ways (ACSSU018). We have been having some fun exploding zip lock bags! We all followed the same method/procedure in a group on the first trial but even though our bags filled with carbon dioxide not many of them popped. So we experimented with variables.  We adjusted either the size of the bag, the amount of bicarb or the amount of vinegar.  We have had lots of amazing colourful explosions in STEM over the last few weeks.  This week we have experimented with fireworks in a jar!

On the 22^nd November, 48 Grade 3-6 students travelled to Devonport to participate in the annual Schools Triathlon. Many students competed individually, completing the entire triathlon themselves while many more formed a team to complete part of the triathlon. We had some excellent performances from many students, particularly Chloe A and Oli G who both finished towards the front of their individual races. Thankyou to all parents and spectators for their support on what is a very busy day! Enjoy the photos...

So proud of our NPS Dance Fever 2024 students! Commitment, courage and teamwork enabled them to put on 3 spectacular dances. Well done!

NPS had a ball with crazy hair/free clothes day raising money for the Norwood Primary Movember team of Mr Humphrey, Mr Driessen, Mr Klug, Mr Walker and Mr Trotman. We raised over $400 and helped the team towards their $1000 goal for raising money and awareness of prostate cancer. 

Olivia S and Emma H participated in the 2024 Esk Band Celebration Performance at the St Johns' Church. They collabrated with students from 4 other schools to create The Eastern Band and performed 4 pieces. Olivia was also a member of the Newstead College Combined Primary Schools Representative Band, who also performed. Congratulations to you both.

Presentation Assembly

Date: Wednesday, December 11^th commencing at 7.00pm. Students to meet their teachers at 6.45pm outside the venue.

Venue: Queechy High School gymnasium

Students are asked to wear their Year 6 Leavers Tops to this assembly with school appropriate bottoms. Students are asked to not wear tights to this event. Black shoes are preferred.

Celebration Dinner

Date: Tuesday 17^th December arriving from 6.00pm for 6:30 seating – concluding at 8.45pm

Venue: Launceston Golf Club

Cost: $37.00

Students are asked to dress smartly for this occasion. Arriving at the venue is not public, so normal transport is expected. Student will gather at the back of the venue for photo opportunities. Norwood Primary School has made a contribution in order to limit the impact on families. The cost of the dinner for 2024 will be $37. Payments for this dinner can be made at the school office. If you have any questions around this payment please discuss this with our School Business Manager, Nicole Moir. The golf club are able to cater for specific dietary requirements, please contact the school to advise of these ASAP. It is an expectation that students absent from school this day will not be attending the dinner. 

Thank you all for your support of our young people as they begin to transition into 2025.

Many of our classes are going on End of Year Celebrations to the Riverside Pool. As per the school and Department for Education, Children and Young People's Sun Protection Polices all students must wear a rash vest or t-shirt or other appropriate clothing when swimming. Students who are not wearing appropriate cover will have to remain in the shade and will not be able to swim. When your child's class is participating in these exciting events, please apply sunscreen before sending them to school. The school will have sunscreen available so that students can reapply, however if your child has sensitive skin, please pack their own.

Kindergarten Classes

Who: Kinder Fankhauser and Kinder Williams

Where: Heritage Forest

When: Thursday 12th December. Leave school at 11:00am and return by 1:30pm

Students will need a big drink, recess and lunch. No lunch orders available on this day. Don’t forget your jumper, hat and sunscreen. 

Tania Fankhauser and Melinda Williams

Prep Classes

Who: Prep A and Prep B

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool 

When: Monday 9th December. Leave school at 9:05am and return by 11:30am

Students should wear their uniform and bring their hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea and a large drink. Sun tops (rashies) are essential. Don’t forget to pack underwear. Students will be fully supervised by school staff and pool lifeguards.

On return to school students will receive an icy pole.

Kelly Dahl, Lizzie Tyers and Lynietta Nightingale

Grade 1-2 Classes

Who: All Grade 1-2 Classes

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool  

When: Monday 9th December. Leave schoolat 11:00am and return by 1:30pm.

Students should wear their PE uniform and bring their hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea and a large drink. Sun tops (rashies) are essential. Don’t forget to pack underwear. Students will be fully supervised by staff and pool lifeguards.

Ellie Harvey, Carol Roberts, Susan Skinner, Bianca Sutton, Nicole Garwood and Emily Lakey

Grade 3-4 Classes

Who: All Grade 3-4 Classes

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool 

When: Monday 16th December. Leave school at 9:05am and return by 12:00pm

Students must wear their school uniform including their school hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, morning tea and a large drink. A sun top (rashie) to swim in is essential.  This must cover shoulders, and students will not be permitted to swim without one. Don’t forget to pack underwear. The pool kiosk will be open for students to access, with a limit of $10 per student. Lunch will be eaten on our return to school.  Students will be fully supervised by school staff and pool lifeguards.

Michael Trotman, Cam Dakin, Kayla Farran, Merilyn Foster and Tula Thomas

Grade 5-6 Classes

Who: All Grade 5-6 Classes

Where: Riverside Swimming Pool 

When: Monday 16th December. Leave school at 11:30am and return by 3:00pm

Students must wear their school uniform including their school hat. They will also need bathers, towel, sunscreen, plastic bag for wet bathers, snacks, lunch and a large drink. A sun top (rashie) to swim in is essential.  This must cover shoulders, and students will not be permitted to swim without one. Don’t forget to pack underwear. The pool kiosk will be open for students to access, with a limit of $10 per student. Hot food may be limited, so please pack lunch and snacks as back up.  Students will be fully supervised by school staff and pool lifeguards.

Laura Cronin, Emily Faulkner, Monique Schouten, Isaac Klug and Liz Thrush

5/6 Sports - Friday 6^th December (Week 8)

Cricket v St Leonards @ NTCA

Tennis v Riverside @ Tennis World

Girls AFL v Summerdale @ Prospect Park

Touch Footy v Riverside @ Riverside

Speedball v Riverside @ Norwood

Basketball v Youngtown @ Youngtown

Bootcamp @ Norwood

5/6 Sports - Friday 13^th December (Week 9)

Cricket v Riverside v Invermay @ NTCA

Tennis v Waverley v Punchbowl @ Tennis World

Girls AFL v Mowbray @ Prospect Park

Touch Footy v East L'ton @ Norwood 

Speedball v East L'ton @ East L'ton

Basketball v Summerdale 2 @ Sumerdale

Bootcamp @ Norwood