Nhamirri Walal,
Welcome to Term 4!
It’s great to have everyone back – even if a couple of us have returned with a few bumps and bruises, including a broken shoulder and a broken foot! I hope your families enjoyed some rest over the break and are ready for the busy and exciting term ahead.
We’re very happy to welcome Annaliese Broom, Breanna Johnston and Jessica Westlund to our team this term. Annaliese joins us in Transition, Breanna in Preschool and across NPS, and Jessica is our new Senior Teacher of Special Education. It’s wonderful to have their enthusiasm and experience amongst our school community.
Our staff started the term with a professional learning day on Monday, which was split between training sessions and planning for the term ahead. Term 4 is always a full one – with planning, assessment and reporting, transitions, open days, student-led conferences, end-of-year concerts, 2026 class placements, school and house captain nominations, and of course, graduations all taking shape.
Over the next month, we will also be completing a number of assessments across the school. This includes PAT Reading and PAT Maths, which are compulsory for all Year 1–6 students in Northern Territory Government schools. Additionally, students from Transition to Year 6, will complete DIBELS testing to monitor literacy development. Transition students will take part in further literacy assessment called FELA testing which is a measure of growth in literacy development between Term 1 and 4. This one is also compulsory assessment across the NT. All this data is readily available, and we are always happy to sit down and share it with you in detail if you would like to arrange a meeting.
The School Survey has now closed, and we’ll be spending time looking closely at your feedback alongside school and system data to help shape our 2026 Annual School Improvement Plan. Two key messages from families and students that remain clear priorities are:
- how we share individual student learning goals and ways you can support your child’s learning at home, and
- how we continue to support student behaviour so that every child can learn and thrive.
Finally, many long-term families will remember Natalie Ferguson, who taught at NPS for over ten years and made a lasting contribution to our Early Childhood area. Sadly, Natalie passed away this week after an extended battle with breast cancer. This is very sad news for those of us who knew her. Nat was a fun, creative and generous teacher who gave so much to our school and community, and she will be fondly remembered by the staff, families, and students whose lives she touched. Nat loved our school and in her parting message she asked that you raise your glass and share the love.
As we head into Term 4, there’s plenty to look forward to – from class celebrations and concerts to leadership opportunities and graduations. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support and partnership. Let’s make the most of these last 10 busy, weeks of the school year!
Warm wishes,
Rachel Blundell
Principal
