Narrabri West Public School

We are nearly at the end of another term – Week 10 of Term 3 already – wow! This term we have continued working on developing active learning skills amongst our students. We seek to embed skills such as critical and creative thinking, collaboration, team work and communication, as well as a focus on English and Maths, in all of our learning activities. Teachers continue to reflect on how to improve their teaching and provide regular feedback to their students.

Our goal is that all students will emerge from their primary school education as curious learners with skills to function and contribute successfully and confidently in our society. Our aim is to make each child’s learning journey a joyous and motivating one. We hope you can continue to join us and assist us in this journey.

This week is yet another busy week. On Thursday we will be having a family picnic beginning at 11.30am. We will also be holding our Award Assembly for those who have reached the next level in our awards system.

We will also be participating in the Bone Marrow Institute’s Footy Colours Charity Day on Friday. Students can wear their favourite team’s footy colours, or just brightly coloured clothes if they wish.  The cost for the day is a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Bone Marrow Institute to benefit cancer programs for children. This will no doubt help everyone get into the spirit of the upcoming NRL and AFL grand finals.

This term has as always, come and gone very quickly. Hopefully the holidays will give all children a chance to rest and recharge. They will certainly need it as Term 4 will as always, be very, very, very busy! Term 4 commences for both teachers and students on MONDAY 9th OCTOBER.

We wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday.

Enrolments for 2024 are progressing very well and thank you to all those people who have already indicated their children will be attending Narrabri West next year.

Please encourage anyone you know who has children commencing school in 2024 to advise the school so that we can accurately commence planning. Students attending local preschools should have received packages promoting our school, highlighting our achievements and inviting them to consider Narrabri West. If your child attends another preschool and you have not received an information pack, please ask them for it, as we have supplied these to all preschools in Narrabri for distribution.

Our Kindergarten transition program has started and the children have had the opportunity to visit our Kindergarten classrooms and enjoy a range of special activities. We are very pleased to welcome our Preschool students and children who do not attend our Preschool, to prepare for the exciting step of commencing Kindergarten. They have enjoyed three ‘Ready, Set, Kinder!’ sessions so far and have already shown us what wonderful students they will be.

Preschool celebrated Book Week in week 6. Children enjoyed dressing up in costumes and sharing their characters with others. Families and children enjoyed browsing and purchasing picture books. We look forward to sharing the books and resources we purchase with our commission from the Book Fair. 

Students from our school recently undertook an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.  The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $135.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

This term, Stage 3 have been busy with lots of sport, excursions and engaging lessons in the classroom.  

Year 6 embarked, on what was most students first excursion, to the nation’s capital, Canberra. From Questacon to loving their day in the snow, Year 6, Mrs Hatton, Mr Gilliland and Mr Tester had an outstanding time.   

English has provoked a lot of deep conversations as Stage 3 have been learning about the Stolen Generations of Australia. We took all the knowledge, accountable talk and research and planned and published informative reports that answered questions about the topic. Music has been excellent as we have been working with Ricky from Amplify as he has guided our classes via video sessions learning everything from the musical alphabet to layering sounds with a variety of instrument.  

Stage 3 have each spent a week with the Cue Robots. Students have had fun programming their robots to complete obstacle courses by determining specific angles and distances, draw shapes and even talk to each other! We can't wait to see how else our Cue robots can help our students learn in different learning areas.

During Physical Education we have enjoyed league tag, netball and gymnastics as a part of our unit. Towards the end or term, we have ventured out of our school groups for senior sport. All students would agree that they are loving their sessions with Mrs Pursche (at Bounce and Balance Gymnastics), Toby Knight (Rugby Union) and Shane Murphy (Tennis).   

Science has been all about forces! Our Stage 3 students have explored with lots of hands on experiments and looking more closely at how different forces operate and why. From creating wind tunnels to catapults, Science has been excellent this Term.  

Overall, Term 3 has been a busy one, with a lot of quality units and experiences for our students. We look forward to the remainder of the term with our classes! 

Miss Barnes, Mr Gilliland and Mr Tester.  

A very excited Years 6 have returned from their excursion to Canberra and the Snowy Mountains. Five busy days saw our students in the nation’s capital enjoy many wonderful experiences. Whilst there they visited the Parliament House, Questacon, Australian War Memorial, ANZAC Parade, National Archives of Australia, National Botanic Gardens, National Capital Exhibition Centre, Australian Institute of Sport, MoAD (Museum of Australian Democracy: Old Parliament House and the Royal Australian Mint. However, the highlight was the trip to Mount Kosciusko National Park, spending a day in the snow! After a stop at the Ski Hut in Cooma to get their snow gear, they headed to Perisher rugged up and ready for what was (for most) their first snow experience. They had a great day with plenty of snow. The students had a fantastic time while away and were great representatives of Narrabri West Public School.  Their activities have been posted on Facebook, capturing the fun and excitement of the trip.

The Year 4 excursion to Lake Keepit was a wonderful success. Our students participated in a range of fun and challenging outdoor activities. These included archery, regaining, bike riding, canoeing, a fantastic slip and slide experience and the renowned ‘Lake Keepit Kommando’ or Mud Run. Westy Bear also packed his bag and joined the students on the excursion. He even put on a life jacket and enjoyed a morning on the lake. The night shows were great fun, especially the County Fair. All students developed skills in, problem-solving, resilience, team building and leadership. Memories were made that will last a lifetime.

Mr Bailey has been talking to the students about joining the band and all the different musical instruments that are on offer to learn how to play. Students have also enjoyed going to singing club on Friday lunchtimes.

This year Narrabri West Public School participated in an external validation process. As part of this process all staff were involved in evaluating our current practice according to the NSW Schools Excellence Framework and collecting evidence to support these judgments. On the 22nd June, our external validation team and the external validation panel met to collaboratively discuss the evidence, judgments and next steps for our school. Following the panel meeting, the External Validation panel report was finalised.Narrabri West Public School staff were very proud and excited when the school’s evidence was validated and the evidence presented indicated that our school is excelling in the elements of wellbeing, assessment, effective classroom practice, learning and development and educational leadership.The panel congratulated the school for establishing and promoting excellence in Public Education. During the collaborative discussion, they acknowledged that our submission was authentic and second to none. The outstanding work of the whole school community to ensure the best education possible for all students was affirmed by the panel who told us we should be, “loud and proud!” …and we are!We would like to acknowledge the time, effort and dedication of all our staff to ensure high quality practice across learning, teaching and leading at Narrabri West Public School.

Celebrating SASS (School Administrative and Support Staff ) Week - A huge thank you to our wonderful SAM, SAOs, SLSOs and GA. Thank you for your support and all that you do for our students, teachers and community.

The Life Education Van visited Narrabri West during Week 7. Life Education offers schools a unique, curriculum-based program empowering children to make safer and healthier choices through education. 

The Life Education sessions ran for about 60-90 minutes and was an interactive lesson delivered by a specialist educator. The lessons covered a range of topics across three core areas of physical health, safety and social and emotional wellbeing.

Everyone enjoyed getting to have a chat with Healthy Harold!

In 2024 our school will take part in the Resilience Project. The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness. Through presentations, school curriculum, events, the TRP App, and Wellbeing Journals, the project shares the benefits of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness, and easy ways to practise these in everyday life. The program also incorporate Emotional Literacy, Connection and Physical Health education and activities as they are foundational contributors to positive mental health. In Week 8, we had a visit from Sam and our students attended a student presentation to introduce the project. Sam made special mention about our students’ ability to remain engaged and focused on the presentation and their willingness to participate, converse and celebrate each other. He commended them for their behaviour and kindness.

Narrabri West Public School will be hosting a Footy Colours Day event, to support kids with cancer.

Friday 22nd September, students are asked to dress in their favourite footy colours and bring a gold coin donation. The money we raise will assist in funding Fight Cancer Foundation’s education support programs, which operate in major paediatric hospitals across the country. They ensure no child falls behind or disengages from school as a result of their cancer diagnosis.

We appreciate your support for this special day.

In Week 6, Years 3,4 and 5 participated in the Primary Schools Touch Football Gala. Everyone enjoyed practicing their touch football skills.

Stage 2, recently spent the day at Dangar Park Tennis Centre competing in the The Todd Woodbridge Cup. The Todd Woodbridge Cup is a primary school tennis competition that uses modified equipment, numeric scoring and mixed gender teams. The students played several rounds of matchplay games and the day catered for all students wanting to learn and develop their tennis skills. Thank you to Shane Murphy from Narrabri Tennis for a great day of tennis.

On Fridays our Stage 3 students participate in elective sport. The students choose which sport they would like to participate in. This term sports offered were Rugby Union, Tennis and Gymnastics. These sport sessions are facilitated by community instructors, Shane Murphy form Narrabri Tennis, Maddie Pursche from Bounce & Balance Gymnastics and Toby Knight from JSP Sport Development. All the instructors were impressed with the sportsmanship and skills of the students. Mr Knight stated that the students in his Rugby group displayed the best skills he has seen at any school. At Narrabri West the students have many opportunities to participate in competitive sport and to train and develop their skills. During every break you will see students across all stages join in games of Touch, Cricket, Soccer, Basketball, Netball and Tag played on our fantastic sporting fields and facilities.

In Week 8, our Narrabri West boys' softball team played an incredible game against Kootingal Public School. It was a nail-biting game and was fairly close with the Narrabri West boys sneaking in a couple of extra runs during each innings. The final score was 15-7 meaning Narrabri West boys have won the regional softball knockout and will be representing the North West in our next game, which is the quarter finals of the knockout competition. The boys should be incredibly proud of their fantastic sportsmanship, team work and improved skills after all of their hard work and dedication at training. Thank you to Mr Nixon and Mrs Scott for umpiring the game.Congratulations boys!

Our Narrabri West girls' softball team played a very tough game against Kootingal Public School.The girls played really well against a very good Kootingal team. Unfortunately, the girls ended up going down 26-1, but should be extremely proud of themselves for getting to round 4 of the PSSA Knockout competition. The girls should be incredibly proud of their fantastic team work, sportsmanship and their hard work and dedication at training. Thank you to Mr Nixon and Mrs Scott for umpiring the game.Well done girls!

A large number of Narrabri West Public School students won selection in the Narrabri Zone PSSA team to compete at the North West Area PSSA Athletics Championships held in Tamworth last week. Congratulations to all our students who have now won selection to compete at the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships held in Sydney at the end of October. Students will participate in the Senior Boys relay, Junior Girls relay, Shot put, Discus and the 100 metres.

We realise it is often difficult to decide whether or not to send your children to school. However, if they are obviously unwell in the morning it would be wise to keep them at home. If you send them to school sick, it will take longer for them to get over it, it could become worse and in the process they may pass it on to someone else as well. Please give this some close consideration.

We have soap available in all our toilets for the children to use and encourage good personal hygiene at all times.

Thank you to everyone who sends in Audiri notifications or emails informing us of your child/ren’s absences as they occur. 

If your child is sick for 3 consecutive days, you are required to provide the school with a medical certificate. 

Parents/carers are required by law to provide an explanation to the school to say why their child was absent from school. A note of explanation should contain:

1.     Date that the note was written

2.     Child’s name

3.     Days/dates the child was absent from school

4.     The reason the child was absent

5.     The signature of the child’s parent/carer

Or complete the online absence note on our Audiri app.

If you notify the school of an absence on one day, we cannot assume the same reason for being absent on consecutive days.

If more than one child from the same family has been absent, a separate note for each child should be written.

A note should be brought to school or a Audiri notification update, on the first day the student returns to school after an absence. If not, we are required to investigate all unexplained absences (where a child has been absent and no explanation has been received) within two days.

Notifying the school of absences through the Audiri app, by phone, email or note are all acceptable and appreciate.

Students who are being picked up at the end of the school day are supervised on the back oval near the hall. Student will walk to the hall in class groups, supervised by a teacher. Students will sit in their Year groups until they are dismissed by the teacher to meet parent or carers. We ask that all parents collect their children from this supervised area.

Please notify your child’s teacher if your child has permission to walk home. 

KG	Phoebe Thorne, Lilianna Pattison, Alexi Browning-Thompson, Logan Seymour, Payton Tucker, Macy Sellens, Huxley Ward, Abigail Weightman, Vinny Mackenzie,Austin Murphy, Ilaria Crosara, Hayley Alderidge
KW	Shelby Wilkins, Isaac Charlton, Ashton Rusby, Ryder Skinner-Smith, Keith Berends, Georgie Ross, Sonny Gillan, Oscar Davis, Ashton Rushby, Joshua Hodgson, Ava Went
1H	EJ Laherty, Nyah McConnell, Kruize Murray-Smith, Bryce Rood-England, Albie Rowe, Archie Gordon, Chad Paull, Evie Anderson, Ivy Delaney-Woods, Charlie Tribe, Kase Stahn, Eli Shepherdson
1O	Kenwood Burgmann, Koda Phillips, Georgie Derham, Winnie Mullins, Toby Kapcejevs, Georgie Derham, Chelsea Bron, Kasey Dick, Cameron McClung, Liana Day, Olivia Willis, Kenwood Burgmann
2K	Ashtyn Todd, Grace Hatfield, Kaity Nixon, Dakotah Skinner-Smith, Alexander Keeffe, Bailey Kay, Lawson Whan, Hope Irwin, Daphne McDonald, Shay Fernance, Grace Thompson, Ava McInnes
2W	Augus Booby, Ahren Brooks, Armarnie Flett, Ella-Jade Field, Bailey Thorne, Emmett Alexander, Addison Cornall, Ewan Vennell, Dana Allen, Piper Kelly, Emma Keeler, Bronte Lennox
3D	Brodie Rowe, Destinee Dashwood, Cohen Shepherdson, Braxton Templeman, Penny Lee Moodie, andie Cunningham, Jaxson Murray-Smith, Mia Stride, Aaliyah Hobson, Darcey Derham, Melia Crosara, Savannah Cook, Issac Oakes, Isla Laherty
3F	Mackenzie Woods, Patrick Mullins, Sophie Bruce, Koa Mackenzie, Violet Russ, Ella Keeffe, Tristan Lamb-Miners, Allie Macbeth
4J	Jake Field, Hailee Orman, Travis Pratt, Sophie Hagar, Summer Kinstler, Marley Cunningham, Savannah Lawler, Travis Pratt
4P	Kaidence Stanford-Dauth, Max Saunders, Amelia Shields, Coen Harris, Zara Dalton, Djkaii Korach, Charlotte Murphy, Ivy Davis
5/6G	Jamiah Craigie, Blair Lennox, Sonny French, Bentley Miller, Mya Mason, Willow Saunders-Flor, Jedd Stanford, Grace McClymont, Levi Calleia, Hannah Gale, Ruby Michell
5/6S	Frankie Carolan, Keira Rood-England, Judah Stuart, Jordon Solomon, Bridie Seymour, Jack Cole, Phoenix Fox, Savannah Hughes, Ruby Lee Moodie, Bronson Davis, Michael Harris-Clayton,Isabelle Anderson
5/6T	Ryan Warnock, Jesse-James Quinn, Pippa French, Armani Todd, Harla McManus, Mason Rushby, Nardia Henderson,Ava Keeffe, Maicee Astill, Tillie Fox, Cooper Kelly

Citizenship Awards & Stars of the Week
Oscar Davis Austin Murphy Rodney Dixon	Archer Gillan Maddilyn O'Mara Alice Promnitz	Mia McConnell Kevin Foley Zara Warnock	Charlie Cunningham Mason Rushby Judah Stuart