South Newman PS 19th February | issue 1 newsletter

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

2016 is off to a flying start with many exciting things planned for the year ahead. I’d like to give a warm welcome to all our new families that have joined us this year. We hope you have settled in well and are enjoying your time at South Newman. I’d also like to welcome our new staff members. Miss Alisha Anza is teaching Year 4/5 and she joins us from Campbell Primary School; Mrs Tess Wheat is teaching Year 5/6 and she has come from Norseman District High School; Mrs Sonia Hammond is teaching Year 6 and she joins us from Kununurra District High School; Mrs Gillian MacDonald is teaching Year 3/4 and she has come from Tuart Rise Primary School; Miss Morgan Overing is teaching Pre-primary and she joins us from Rockingham Lakes Primary School; and Mrs Sam Gardner is in one of our Curriculum Support roles and she has come from Orelia Primary School. We are also delighted to welcome back several teachers from maternity leave: Mrs Bri Malia in Kindy; Miss Jacqui Wells in PEAC and 1 day per week in our P/1 class; and Mrs Rebecca Armstrong in a Mathematics Support role. Mrs Sarah Stutt will return from her maternity leave in Term 2, and her role will be that of the iPad coordinator.

As you know, after 10 years as Principal of South Newman Primary School, Mr Dave Thomas has moved to Jurien Bay where he has taken the position of Principal of Jurien Bay District High School. We have already received several snaps of the beaches he has been enjoying on his morning walks. It is my pleasure to start 2016 as the Acting Principal, with Deputy Principals Mrs Katie Wallace and Mrs Jen Dickinson making up the Admin team. Mrs Dickinson joins us after more than 11 years’ experience as a classroom teacher. She brings with her a wealth of experience and expert knowledge in curriculum.

Schools have changed considerably since most parents were at primary school. Most of these changes are based on the varying needs of our society and much greater outside influences, such as technology and the media. All parents want their children to enjoy school, and success is the best way to enjoy the job you are doing. At South Newman, we want our students to enjoy school and achieve the best they can. Not all learning activities students will complete will have the ‘wow’ factor, but will still be essential learning. Please, when you send your children off each morning, remind them to have fun AND work hard.

This year our staff will be focused on implementing the Western Australian Curriculum and consolidating the implementation of our whole school programs, such as Words Their Way, Kagan Cooperative Learning and The Newman Way. We will also be continuing with our 1:1 iPad program. As part of implementing the Western Australian Curriculum - ICT General Capabilities, schools are expected to:

• Teach social and ethical protocols and practices

• Ensure students conduct investigations

• Provide opportunities to create

• Communicate ideas & information

In addition to this, the recently released Digital Technologies Curriculum has many specific outcomes that all children from Pre-primary upwards are expected to achieve using digital technology.

Miss Jones’ Year 2/3 class brought their iPads in this week and have begun using their iPads as another tool to enhance their learning. Our school iPads are currently going through an upgrade to their software, apps and profiles. Once they’re ready to be used, other classes will also begin using them. Your child’s teacher will let you know when they will be implementing the use of iPads in their class. We will also continue with our iPad Parent Information sessions, to explain our approach to using iPads for learning and to answer any questions parents have. More information regarding the date and time of these meetings will be given throughout the term.

Miss Jones and some of her year 2/3 students using Book Creator to plan their writing.

Our term planner and a list of teacher email addresses was sent out via our school app last week. We have also attached it in this newsletter. Staff can be contacted via email or school phone to explain absences, arrange interviews or general school related communication. I urge parents to make the time to meet your child’s teacher, as working together will help your child to learn and enjoy school.

Myrissa Dix

Principal

Staff Spotlight

Kylee Ryan - Curriculum Coach

Hi, I'm Kylee Ryan and I have lived in Newman with my partner and four children for four and a half years. I have worked for the Education Department for just over ten years, my first four years as an Education Assistant, and six years as a Classroom Teacher. In my time at South Newman Primary School, I have taught years 3-7. This year my role is Curriculum Coach, which means I have the pleasure of working with our amazing teachers to support them in providing the best education for your children and to develop their knowledge of the school programs and curriculum.

Attendance Record

Attendance Report for the last fortnight:

Attendance target for all students is 90%

School Board Nominations

As an Independent Public School nominations are now open to join the School Board. The School Board has a responsibility for endorsing school direction, priorities, policies such as homework, uniform, budget approvals and community engagement.

As a Board member you will be part of a group to guide the progress and future of our school.

The Board will be comprised of:

* School Principal

* Three elected staff

* Up to six elected parents or community members

* Up to three co-opted members as required, bringing local expertise to the group

The School Board will meet once or twice a term and the meeting time/date will be negotiated with elected representatives. If you have a genuine passion for our school or experience in any of the following areas; human resources, community engagement, strategic planning, finance or sponsorship programs please consider nominating.

If you are interested in joining our School Board please come into the front office and fill out a nomination form or email SouthNewman.PS@education.wa.edu.au your name, address, phone and length of years you'd like to nominate for, either 1, 2 or 3 years.

The closing date for nominations is: 2:00pm Friday 26th February 2016.

Any enquires about this role, please ring Miss Myrissa Dix, Principal on (08) 9175 1061.

Welcome New Staff

Alisha Anza Room 2 Year 4/5, Sam Gardner Curriculum Support, Morgan Overing Room 18 Pre-Primary
Tess Wheat Room 4 Year 5/6, Sonia Hammond Room 5 Year 6, Gillian MacDonald Room 12 Year 3/4

Physical Education News

This term we are focussing on Badminton and Table Tennis with the upper students. In these pictures the students are using balloons to give them time to get used to their grips and to practise their swings.

Week 2 Merit Awards

iPad News for New Parents

For new parents to the school, here is a short video of our students using iPads to support their learning. If you have any questions about the use of iPads please see your childs classroom teacher.

Term Planner

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