Narrabri West Public School

It is fantastic to see the incredible things happening at Narrabri West. These are a result of our school community working together for our students and it is this partnership between students, parents and staff that is achieving great things for them. 

Our teachers are busily finalising assessment data and preparing written student reports to go home in Week 10 of this term. These provide students and parents with information on student achievement so far this year. They provide clear, comprehensive and consistent information about each child‘s progress, as well as suggestions on how parents can best support their child with their learning.

Students have been undertaking ongoing assessments throughout the year to allow teachers to make judgments about their progress.

Teachers have also spent many hours working in their stage teams to ensure that there is consistency across the school and that the reports provide an accurate indication of each child’s current learning and needs.

These last few weeks have been extremely hectic and it’s great to see the number of students making the most of the many opportunities offered at Narrabri West.

There is a downside to all of these extra activities however, as consequently there are a lot of interruptions. Whilst these may sometimes be a disruption to normal school life, they are all valuable learning activities and part of the overall educational experience. Many of them are also chances for students to excel at, or be involved in opportunities that they would not normally receive in the classroom.

We have many wonderful teachers at Narrabri West and are extremely lucky to have many of them volunteer to run programs including sporting teams, music, etc.

It is not compulsory for staff to volunteer for these roles and we are privileged that they give up their time due to their commitment, passion and care for our students.

They go above and beyond what is required so that they can provide the best opportunities for everyone at our school. They often give up personal time, work late into the night and arrive at school very early. They do this without expecting any recognition or acknowledgement, but just for the benefit of our students.

Their enthusiasm and contribution is to be commended. Thank you!

Our first Award Assembly for 2023 was held in the hall on Friday of Week 5. Congratulations to everyone who received their bronze certificates and silver badges.

Leadership Conference: On Tuesday the 16th of May our captains and prefects went to a leadership conference in Tamworth, to learn how to lead our school. Isabelle Gale, Bridie Seymour, Frankie Carolan, Lexie Fernance, Fletcher Whan, Charlie Cunningham, Sonny French, and Max Booby attended this conference.

Bridie said, “I really enjoyed it and I learnt that you have to build courage to talk to people you don’t know.”

Frankie said, “I thought the GRIP Leadership course was a lot of fun, especially when we played some games.”

Lexie said, “I enjoyed all of the games that made us go and talk to people from the other schools.”

Isabelle said, “I really enjoyed the experience and I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learnt into practice.”

Max said, “I liked the different activities we did, such as games that involved being a good leader and having good leadership skills.”             

Charlie said, “I enjoyed hearing about the school that worked together to raise money for a sick boy.”

Fletcher said, “The teachers had a bunch of scenarios and asked us to write down how we would react to each situation. They also taught us how to get the school ‘on board’ with an idea, to write down a plan and not just make things up on the spot.”

Sonny said, “I enjoyed hearing about the school that dressed up as Harry Potter, to try and break a World record and bring the school together.”

Thank you to the Grip Leadership team. (Report written by our captains and prefects)

Stage One students have had a busy time learning new things this term. 

During English sessions, students have been learning persuasive writing skills. They have learned to justify an opinion and write persuasively by using rhetorical questions and high modality words. The students used their new skills and knowledge to write a persuasive letter to someone special to convince them to come to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The picnic was a very special day with lots of parents and families attending the event. Thank you for coming along to share this activity with the children, they had a lovely time and so did the teddies! 

 This term Year 1 have been focusing on friends of 10,doubles and near doubles to add numbers. We have recently moved into creating and interpreting data displays to show our classroom interests.

 In History, students have been investigating different family structures, roles and responsibilities and how these have changed over time. Students have explored family connections by creating their own family tree while discussing similarities and differences between their own and other families. We will continue our historical investigation throughout the term by exploring how communication, technology and transport have changed over time.   

There was a buzz in the air on Tuesday morning as the Stage One students boarded the bus to attend the Narrabri Eisteddfod.  The Year Two students performed the poems, Earth Day by Jane Yolen and Don’t by Michael Rosen. The Year One students performed the poems, Little Red by Jessica McDonald and Dad Meets the Martians by Stephen Whiteside. Year Two students won the trophy for the best poetry performance and second place went to Year One. What a fantastic result for Narrabri West students. All their hard work has paid off! Thank you Mrs Slack-Smith for your help with eisteddfod performances and congratulations to the teachers and the students. 

Term 2 has certainly been busy and our Stage Two students have taken it in their stride. All students have settled well into their learning, working hard towards achieving their academic and personal goals. They are to be commended for their efforts with their learning and attitude towards all extra-curricular activities. Students have seen the commemoration of ANZAC Day, the cross country carnival and many practise sessions in preparation for Eisteddfod.

Year 3 and Year 4 have been extremely lucky with having the support and guidance of Mrs Slack-Smith with our poems in preparation for the local Eisteddfod. Year 3 recited ’76 Flood by Ian Slack-Smith and The Teacher Took My Tennis Ball by Libby Hathorn, taking out first place in the competition. Year 4 recited Thirteen by Margaret Speter and Andy’s Gone with Cattle by Henry Lawson and placing second in the same category. Continuing with our interest in the creative arts, Mr Bailey teaches music to the Stage Two students on Friday. Stage Two have been looking at rhythm, tempo, beat and pitch. 

Students have researched an animal from the Amazon Rainforest, as part of our unit, ‘The Great Kapok Tree’ by Lynne Cherry and written an informative report. Using this information, the students will write a persuasive letter to convince the Senhor to preserve the tree of miracles. They will continue to generate ideas and apply strategies learnt within our long write sessions of using punctuation and adding detail to their writing. Students will finalise the term with looking at the skills associated with visual literacy and create their own comic strip to demonstrate the techniques learnt.

Our Mathematics lessons continue to be practical and relate to real life situations. Stage Two students have analysed and interpreted data through formulating their own questions and representing their data appropriately. Students looked at creating, describing and continuing number patterns as well as analysing the properties of odd and even numbers. Students continue to explain, justify and communicate their mathematical thinking during our daily number sense lessons and practising our basic operations in our Maths Mentals textbook. Towards the end of the term, we will look at telling time and the strategies we can use to multiply.

Algorithms…coding...Makey Makeys… Stage Two looked at conductive materials and decided whether they formed a closed or open circuit. Students collaborated to use a coding software and program using algorithms. Creativity, fun and learning conversations filled these lessons.

Brrr!! It’s beginning to turn cold in the weather, but our Stage Two students are looking at “Heating up” as part of our science unit. They are looking at how heat moves and the conductivity of materials.

Researching is an important skill, it allows students to determine the trustworthiness of an article and asking relevant questions to unveil answers. In History, Stage Two students have been distinguishing the difference between a commemoration or celebration as well as researching the origins and significance of world-wide events.

During Term 3, students will participate in the athletics carnival. As part of our PE program, students are learning relevant fundamental movement skills, as well as practising the skills associated with athletics. Narrabri West is lucky to have the support and guidance of Jake Packer to develop skills to complete high jump. In our health lessons, students are identifying ways to make healthy choices.

Collaboratively, students are dramatising situations. Together they are using the elements of drama, movement and voice skills to create meaning for their audiences.

We enjoy sharing the achievements of our Stage Two students. We take delight in celebrating their successes on Seesaw or calling to share the goals they are meeting. We look forward to continuing this and reporting on their progress at the end of the semester.

Stage Two,

Miss Dunmall, Mrs Keys, Mrs Phillips, Mr Paull, Mrs Purshce and Miss Farrelly.

Year 6 students have received their Class of 2023 shirts. One of the privileges of being in Year 6 is the opportunity to purchase a shirt and wear them throughout the final year at Narrabri West.

It is fantastic to see the incredible things happening at Narrabri West. These are a result of our school community working together for our students and it is this partnership between students, parents and staff that is achieving great things for them. This has been very obvious at the Narrabri Eisteddfod. Well done to all of our students who participated. Once again they performed with distinction, gaining a number of awards in the many items.

Kindergarten performed 'This Old Man' and received a Highly Commended 

Year 2 performed 'Don't' by Michael Rosen and 'Earth Day' by Jane Yolen and received first place.

Year 3 performed '76 Flood' by Ian Slack-Smith and 'The teacher Took My Tennis Ball' by Libby Hathorn and received first place.

Year 4 performed 'Thirteen' by Margaret Speter and 'Andy's gone with cattle' by Henry Lawson and received Second place.

5/6T performed 'Down by the Bay' and received second place.

5/6S & 5/6G performed 'Homework Stew' by Kenn Nesbitt and 'Old Man Platypus' by Banjo Paterson and received first place.

On Thursday 25th May both our Boys and Girls Touch teams went to Leitch Oval to play their PSSA Knockout games against Narrabri Public School. Both teams played extremely well and showed great sportsmanship. Narrabri West was lucky enough to come away with a win in both games and are looking forward to their next round match.

On Friday 19th May, Lexie Fernance and Jedda Cochrane travelled to Tamworth to play in the North West Netball Championships. The girls were outstanding in the way they conducted themselves, played the game and modelled sportsmanship. Well done girls!

Congratulations to Jedda, who was selected in the North West Team.

On Tuesday 30th May, Mr Tester took the Narrabri West Public School rugby league team to Cooma Oval to complete in the Classic Shield Rugby League Gala Day. The team played their round 1 match against Galaganbone Central School. The boys and girls displayed exceptional sportsmanship and determination, however lost the match and were knocked out of the PSSA competition. After the first match, we played 2 more friendly matches against Walgett Community College and Coonamble Public School, where we won against Walgett and were unsuccessful against Coonamble. The day ran smoothly thanks to the organisation of our region’s rugby league game development officers and parent helpers who volunteered to run the canteen on the day.

At our Assembly today we had a visit from Mrs Ebonnie Whan, who is the Narrabri Auskick Co-ordinator. The Narrabri Auskick Centre has kindly donated 20 AFL footballs for the children to use and improve their AFL skills.

The Working With Children Check is an important part of the Department's recruitment process to prevent unsuitable people from working with children in schools.  The Department's commitment to ensuring the welfare of students is a paramount consideration when reviewing the suitability of employees.  All employees, including volunteers, in Departmental workplaces who are performing work that primarily involves direct contact with children are required to complete a Working With Children Check Declaration and provide proof of identity that meets the 100 point check.  This includes parents who help in the classroom, volunteer in the canteen and help at other activities, e.g. school sport, P&C, discos etc.  Forms are available from the school office.  If you volunteer in any capacity in our school you will need to complete one of these forms or provide a working with children check number.

For safety and security reasons, all parents and volunteers who help in classrooms or other school activities are asked to sign in via the QR code, at the office when they arrive and sign out when leaving.

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

Arriving at school and class on time:

•    Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day;

•    Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine;

•    Give students time to greet their friends before class; and

•    Reduces classroom disruption.

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents. So let’s get our children at school on time to start the school day.

With some cold weather already here, and winter fast approaching, lots of children will experience asthma related illnesses.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, your doctor or health care provider should have provided you with an Asthma Action Plan to help you and your child with their asthma.

It is recommended that you provide your childs’ school with a copy of their Asthma Action Plan and their own Ventolin puffer (and spacer if needed) so we too can help your child with their asthma if they happen to have asthma whilst at school.  The school does have Ventolin for emergency use only.

If you have already provided us with an action plan, please ensure that it is current and up to date.

These plans must be signed by your doctor or health care provider.

Our school has been recognised as an Asthma Friendly School by meeting the set criteria to become an Asthma Friendly School.

The criteria are as follows:

•              Asthma records kept for each student with asthma

•              Asthma first aid posters are on display

•              Asthma medications are readily available to students with asthma

•              Spacer devices are available

•              A plan is in place for managing asthma during sporting activities, excursions or camps

•              Asthma education offered to parents/caregivers within the school

•              Asthma education provided for all school staff

•              Asthma education program in the health curriculum

•              Potential asthma triggers minimised with in the school environment

 1 IN 4 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN &

1 IN 7 HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE ASTHMA!

Please join us for the next P&C meeting. Monday 7th August at 6:00pm in the staffroom.

All parents welcome.

As we move towards the cooler weather, I ask students and parents to be aware of the uniform requirements at Narrabri West. Our uniform room has school jumpers, jackets and rugby tops available in school colours with our emblem on them, as well as track pants. Royal blue or red scarves are also permitted. Please assist us to uphold the wonderful uniform standard that we have set.

We also notice at this time every year students wearing jumpers to school that are not part of the school uniform. Jumpers that are different colours to our school jumper SHOULD NOT be worn.

We encourage students to wear their formal uniforms every Monday.

Fizzics Education is a science based company that travels around Australia to perform science shows and workshops. During the second week of the July school holidays (Monday 10th to Friday 14th) they will be performing daily shows at the ATCA Visitors Centre. These educational shows will include cool science experiments, fun facts about how the antennas operate and it promises to be a fun experience that the whole family will enjoy!

The main show runs for one hour but the presenter will be performing science experiments before and/or after the show as well.

All experiments are child friendly and is designed to be hands on. It’s a wonderful school holiday activity for the whole family to enjoy.