Athletics Carnival

            We are on track (pun intended) for our Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, May 22.  As I said last week, we are looking forward to a great carnival and putting the new tiered seating area to use!  Students have been eagerly participating in long distance events throughout this week and we have held marching practice over the last two Fridays, in preparation for the main event on Wednesday.

             Can Philip House continue their dominance shown at the Beach Carnival, or will another House step up and take the glory?…Time will tell.

P&C News

            Since November 2018, the P&C have been working in partnership with the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (DIRDC) to develop a scoping document that articulates the community’s priorities related to the future of education on Norfolk Island. 

This framework of opportunity is being designed to communicate a clear vision and direction for the school, and will assist DIRDC in their work, identifying a new education provider for NICS.

            There is going to be an extraordinary P&C meeting on June 5 at NICS at 7:00pm.  This meeting will be the community’s last chance to contribute to this scoping document. 

If you have anything to contribute, P&C members invite you to attend this meeting.  If unable to attend the June 5 meeting, community members can share their contributions with a P&C representative to bring to this meeting on their behalf, or contribute to the conversation via the following dedicated email address:  NI.Education@infrastructure.gov.au

Rugby League News

            Thank you to Norfolk Island Rugby League Club and the NRL for coordinating our Rugby League clinic held on Monday for our K-6 students.  It was great to see our students out and about, learning new skills, being active and most importantly, having fun together.  Thanks also goes out to John Howell for being the conduit between Norfolk Island Rugby League Club and the school, and to our senior student helpers who assisted the NRL representatives to make this workshop great yet again.

Restoration Project

            Our Year 11 Industrial Technology class are embarking on a special project for the school that will showcase their learning and skills beyond the classroom.  Our students are working on designing and building display housing around the original school yard bell. 

As part of this project students are linking in with community members to learn about the history of the bell, traditional building techniques to restore the thatched roof, and using this project to complement their studies as they literally build towards their HSC (pun intended again).

            To assist our students with their research, we are asking community members to email their teacher, John Howell (john.howell@det.nsw.edu.au), with any information, pictures or stories related to the bell.  This is a great joint project sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure.  Watch this space for more news as things develop.

Wiik F’ Yang Salan

            On Wednesday, May 1, Norfolk Island Central School had the honour of hosting the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural “Wiik F’ Yang Salan”, or Youth Week on Norfolk Island. Working in partnership with Jon Evans from Strength4Life, NI-Connect, Norfolk Island Council, Norfolk Island Youth Council and Key Assets, it was agreed that the school was the perfect place to launch the new event designed to further engage young people of Norfolk in their culture and traditions.

            Students participated in a variety of culturally connected activities, including dance, cooking, music and film.  This was in addition to the large proportion of students who engaged with the numerous competitions available to students, celebrating “Foot I luw lewen orn Norf’k” (Why I love living on Norfolk).  This launched kicked off ten days of activities for our youth in the community. 

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the activities on offer, particularly the boys when they participated in cultural dance!  Again, I’d like to thank Jon Evans for his leadership in this community event and to our Head Teacher Wellbeing and Engagement, Chris English, for his commitment to making the launch a success at the school.  Special mention must also go out to the staff at NICS for getting behind this event in celebration of wellbeing.

We wish Jon and Strength4Life all the best in their endeavours to pursue other connected community wellbeing initatives, planned for later in the year.

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 4:

• Athletics Carnival – Wednesday May 22

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 5:

• Athletics Carnival Back Up Date – Wednesday May 29

Save the Date

• P&C Meeting – Wednesday June 5 at 7:00pm at NICS (Week 6)

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

P&C News

            On Wednesday, May 8, we held our P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM).  At our AGM we elected our executive members.  I’d like to formally announce Joel Reeves as our P&C President and welcome the team:

President – Joel Reeves

Vice President – Louci Reynolds

Secretary – David Haberfeld

Treasurer – Tara Patel

Parent Representative – Karen Buffett

Easter Carnival Coordinator – Roz Tierney

            I also need to acknowledge the great work of outgoing executive members, Dave South (President), and Vicki Jack (Secretary), for their outstanding commitment, passion and advocacy for the school and its community.  An extended acknowledgement to Dave South in particular can be read in the published P&C minutes of our meeting.

Athletics Carnival

            Our Athletics Carnival is fast approaching.  Thank you to the Norfolk Island Athletics Association for their work over recent weekends to mark out our oval for the track and field events.  We are looking forward to a great carnival and putting the new tiered seating area to use.  Thank you also to Ngaire Christian for her work with preparing the oval throughout the year in preparation for this big event.

Community Use of the Oval

            It’s great to see people of all ages using the oval outside of school hours.  While we encourage community use, we ask that all people who bring dogs onto the oval be vigilant in cleaning up after their dogs, as we have had incidents where this has not been the case in recent weeks.  Thanks for us in advance for your understanding and support.

Rugby League News

            Saxon Snell and TK Morgan represented the school in a representative selection match to be considered for a spot in the NSW Open Boys NSW CHS Team.  Both boys played exceptionally well and were “unlucky not to have been picked for the final side”, in the words of their team manager, Adam Culbert.

            Both Saxon and TK played in the Northern NSW side with great pride, narrowly missing final selection.  Honourable mention must go out to TK Morgan, who was named in the President’s Representative Team.  Well done yet again gentlemen for representing yourselves, the school, and Norfolk Island with excellence in both your sporting performance and your conduct.  You have been great ambassadors for the school throughout the year.

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 3:

• NRL Rugby League Clinic - Monday 13th May
• NAPLAN Assessment:  Tuesday 14th May – Friday 17th May.

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 4:

• Athletics Carnival – Wednesday 22nd May

Save the Date

• Athletics Carnival Back Up Date – Wednesday 29th May (Week 5)

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Welcome to Term 2

            I’d like to welcome everyone back to school.  Term 2 is an important term for consolidating learning and formally reporting progress to parents and carers mid-way through the year.  All staff are looking forward to a productive term of learning and raising our expectations of students in their application to learning, their progress in learning and their general conduct through our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Resilience.

We are blessed to have such great community support, and we value the partnerships we share with families to provide quality education for our students.  I too am personally excited about a productive term of learning ahead!

ANZAC Acknowledgement

            On ANZAC Day, several of our students represented the school and the community at events to commemorate our service men and women.  These included the Dawn Service, the Gunfire Breakfast, and the community mid-morning service at the Cenotaph.

            Our students demonstrate great character and respect at events such as these, which fills me with an immense sense of pride knowing that our youth are growing with such commendable values.  Special mention is extended to School Vice-Captain, Yasmin Coombes, for the weaving of our school wreaths.

            Thanks must also be extended to Jess Miller and Tet Grube for maintaining the close relationship we share with the RSL.  The school’s programs and our students significantly benefit from these partnerships by making learning real, contextual, connected and meaningful.  Thanks for us.

100% Attendance

            This week we acknowledged 70 students who achieved 100% attendance in Term 1.  These students were at school every minute, of every day, across the 11 weeks, which is a fantastic effort. 

The challenge has been set for all students Term 2.  It would be outstanding to report an even higher number of students with 100% attendance for this term at the beginning of Term 3. 

Exceptional school attendance is a great platform for learning.  While we enjoy attendance rates above state averages, I hope that all students take up the challenge and our collective average continues to move closer to 100%.

Connected Learning

            Our 130 state-of-the-art laptops arrived at the end of last term which we are very excited about.  This $100k investment in technology will see students across the school having access to updated devices.  Parents and students are reminded that our laptop program relies on the payment of our laptop levy.  Families from Year 5 through to Year 12 are encouraged to pay their laptop levy if they have not already done so.  As per the program, new laptops will be issued to students who have paid their laptop levy.

Yamaha Music Great Start Grant

Top 3 in all of Australia!   We are excited to announce that Norfolk Island Central School have been awarded a $2000 prize for our outstanding application in the Yamaha Music Great Start Grant. Whilst we are disappointed to have missed out on the top prize, we are thrilled to be recognised in the top 3 of 137 applicants from across Australia. As a result, we will receive music equipment to the value of $2000, which will be a wonderful boost to the Music faculty. Thank you to Chris English, Sally Thompson and Kath King for their wonderful support during the application process.

Student Health and Wellbeing

            At the end of last term, we reviewed all our health care information for students.  To ensure we meet our duty of care for our students, it is vitally important that we have accurate and up to date information around health care needs. 

            If you received either a letter or a call from the front office requesting information late last term, and have not returned requested information, please assist us by returning this as soon as possible.  If at any time the health care needs of your child / children change, please let the school know as health care management is an important part of our work.

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 2:

• P&C AMG – Wednesday 8th May
• Lead Boldly and Connect:  Leadership Workshop – Saturday 11th May

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 3:

• NRL Rugby League Clinic - Monday 13th May
• NAPLAN Assessment:  Tuesday 14th May – Friday 17th May.

Save the Date

• Athletics Carnival – Wednesday 22nd May (Week 4)
• Athletics Carnival – Wednesday 29th May (Week 5)

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Term 1 – Done!

            Term 1 is a very busy time each and every year.  I’d like to thank the staff for their ongoing efforts and energy throughout the term to deliver the high-quality service and education we provide.  Thanks must also go out to our parent and community helpers who volunteer their time to value add to the programs and learning that takes place week in, week out, across the school.  The support we receive enriches our learning environment and enhances our school.  Thanks for me.

Student Health and Wellbeing

            To ensure we meet our duty of care for our students, it is vitally important that we have accurate and up to date information around health care needs.  As a priority goal, our front office staff have been reviewing and updating health care information for our students.

            If you receive either a letter or a call from the front office requesting information, please assist us by returning the requested information.  Thanks in advance for helping us with this important part of our work.

Connected Learning

            Our 130 state-of-the-art laptops arrived on Monday, 8^th April.  These devices will be imaged and connected to our network in preparation for distribution early Term 2.  This $100k investment in technology will see students across the school having access to updated devices.

In support of our senior students, our Year 11 and 12 students will receive their laptops before the upcoming holiday break to ensure they have access to technology to support their studies across the next two weeks. 

Parents and students are reminded that our laptop program relies on the payment of our laptop levy.  Families from Year 5 through to Year 12 are encouraged to pay their laptop levy if they have not already done so.

Week Fe Young Sullen

In partnership with Jon Evans from Strength4Life, the school is launching the ‘Week Fe Young Sullen’ on Wednesday, 1^st May.  We are very excited about launching this focus week for our youth, with cultural activities on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a week of community events coordinated by Strength4Life in support of our ‘young sullen’ Week 1 –Term 2.  This is a great community wellbeing initiative that we are looking forward to being in partnership with, early next term.

Easter Carnival

Our Easter Carnival is on this Friday!  A reminder to students and parents to get your raffle tickets sold and returned to the front office ASAP.  We are looking forward to a great evening to cap off a wonderful term.  Thanks in advance to the community for their ongoing support, making this special event a signature feature that celebrates our school and its place in the community.

Debating Success

            Our Senior Debating Team kicked off their 2019 campaign with a victory over Byron Bay High School.  Our refined team, Ella Langusch, Joni King, Harry Hayes and Cam Rogers, made the most of their strengths to overcome a resistant opponent.  We look forward to more good news in the space of debating in the coming weeks.  Great work team!

Playing The Game

            Saxon Snell and TK Morgan flew out to Australia again last week to continue their journey towards their goal of Rugby League CHS NSW State Representation.  Both young men continued to impress and have progressed further towards securing a position in the NSW Open Boys Rugby League Team.

            This is a massive achievement considering that many of the players they would be up against are known to selectors and are regular team members in various mainland representative sides.  For our lads to be relatively unknown, they have done an amazing job and will be rewarded with yet another trip to Australia to be part of an extended training camp, culminating in the final trial selection game.

            Again, on behalf of the school, I congratulate Saxon and TK on being fantastic representatives for the school on a significantly competitive sporting stage.

Things coming up Term 1 - Week 11:

• Year 12 Parent Teacher Evening – Tuesday 9th April
• P&C Meeting – Wednesday 10th April
• Easter Carnival – Friday 12th April

Things coming up Term 2 - Week 1:

• School Development Day – Monday 29th April
• Students return to school – Tuesday 30th April
• ANZAC Assembly – Tuesday 30th April
• Week Fe Young Sullen Launch – Wednesday 1st May

Save the Date

• First Day of Term 2 – Tuesday 30th April
• Lead Boldly and Connect:  Leadership Workshop – Saturday 11th May

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Primary Classroom Visits

            Throughout the week I’ve been team teaching in our Primary classes.  As principal, it is important to see first-hand what is happening in classes to gain a deeper understanding of how I can better support teachers and students to be the best that they can be.  I am so delighted seeing our great teachers in action, and I am looking forward to my remaining visits next week! 

Coming from a secondary background, it has been many years since I’ve taught in a Kindergarten class (yep…I taught a Kindergarten class in England as a casual teacher in 2002).  That being said, Michelle Hayes, I’m humbled by the magic you produce. 

As part of these visits I have also had the privilege of teaching in my own son’s class.  This was a great personal and professional experience (thankfully Joss listened to me in class…) and this made me reflect on the great work and experiences our parent helpers enjoy.  To all our parent helpers, your efforts and assistance are invaluable.  Thanks for us for your partnership in learning and enriching our learning environment for our students.   

Harmony Day

On Thursday, 21^st March, we celebrated Harmony Day.  Students participated in activities related to Harmony Day, wore orange items of clothing (for those who had one); and raised money in support.  This was a great initiative, and was a timely reminder to students about the messages of respect, tolerance and inclusivity, which students learned in Week 7 as part of our ‘National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence’.  Thanks to Roz Tierney, Adam Deszecsar, our student leaders and the SRC for making the day a success.  Also, thanks for me to Kindergarten students, Arlo Robinson and Jack McGillycuddy, for making the fashionably orange necklace I wore throughout the day.

Easter Carnival

Easter Carnival is fast approaching.  As always, many hands make light work.  If you can support in any way, and / or you are not on our parent helper list, please contact the school to discuss.  This is a great community event, so thanks in advance to everyone for getting behind our Carnival and supporting the P&C and staff here at NICS.  We are very much looking forward to a great evening coming up.

SRC Induction and Beach Carnival Assemblies

Thank you to all parents and family members who attended our SRC Induction and Beach Carnival Assemblies over the last two weeks.  It is so special seeing the community celebrate our fantastic students with us.

100% Attendance

            We still have over 130 students with 100% attendance for Term 1.  Keep up the great effort team.  It appears that we’ll be making many sausage sandwiches early next term to recognise our students with 100% Attendance in Term 1.  A great result!

Homework Centre – Thursday Afternoons

            Don’t forget that the homework centre is in operation every Thursday afternoon from 3:00pm in the library!  At the homework centre, students can access resources, technology and teacher assistance to support their learning.  No need to book; turn up, and the help is there.

Things coming up Term 1 - Week 9:

• Regular week – Business as usual.

Things coming up Term 1 - Week 10:

• Regular week – Business as usual.

Save the Date

• Easter Carnival – Friday 12th April (Week 11)
• First Day of Term 2 – Tuesday 30th April

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

University of Newcastle – Quality Teaching Partnership

The University of Newcastle is ranked in the Top 100 Universities in the world for Education.  One of the key components to this impressive status is their commitment to research, innovation and focus on the development of teacher quality for enhanced learning.

I’m proud to announce, through self-nomination processes, we have been selected as one of 200 Australian schools to participate in the ‘Building Capacity for Quality Teaching in Australian Schools’ research project.  This study focuses on teachers and teaching through Quality Teaching Rounds.

Quality Teaching Rounds is a research-based approach to teacher professional development that involves teachers working in groups of four or more (known as Professional Learning Communities) to observe and analyse each other’s teaching using a framework called the Quality Teaching Model.

As part of this study, data will be collected at the beginning of the study in reading, science and mathematics.  Data will then be collected at the end of the study to measure student growth.  This is an exciting project for our school.  Our involvement commences in Week 7 with a representative from the University of Newcastle, Brooke Rosser, working with staff all next week.

100% Attendance

Our school has a long and proud history of attendance rates above state average.  This is a great measure of student engagement.  At present we have 156 students with 100% attendance since the beginning of the term.

To improve what we do to recognise student achievement, students with 100% attendance for all of Term 1 will be recognised on the first assembly back in Term 2.  As part of this recognition, the school will also be putting on a sausage sizzle lunch for these students.

While this is only a little gesture, it is important to recognise and celebrate the efforts of our students.  I encourage all students to come to school every day; this is the first and most important ingredient to successful learning!

If your child has been away this term (like my son who has been off sick), don’t stress, we’ll be running this initiative every term for the remainder of the year.  Every student will get four opportunities to have their commitment to attending school recognised, once every term.

Parent Teacher Evening

A reminder to parents and carers of students in Years 7 and 11, we have our Parent Teacher Evening on Tuesday 12^th March from 4:30pm.  I encourage all parents, carers and their students to attend this evening.

Strong three-way partnerships between school, the students and home, lay a great foundation for success in learning.  As Year 7 and 11 are key transition times in a student’s learning journey, again, I encourage all to attend.

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

            As the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence approaches (Friday 15^th March), we have been speaking with students around our school values and our zero tolerance against behaviours that involve bullying or violence.  Throughout Week 7, in the lead up to Friday, students K-12 will undertake activities around the prevention of bullying behaviours.

            While we would love to claim Norfolk Island Central School is an environment free of bullying, we can’t, as we don’t control the behaviours of others.  However, what we can control is our response to these behaviours, and the support we can provide to students who may be the recipient of repeated consciously unkind treatment by their peers.

             Again, we can’t promise everyone at school is going to get on all of the time, but what we can promise is that if unkind behaviours are not reported, then the staff are unable to help.  This is a reminder to all students that all staff are here to support both your learning and your wellbeing.  If you are having issues, please report these to an adult at the school so we can assist.

Arrival Time Primary

            A reminder to parents of Primary Students (K-6) that children are not to be dropped off at school before 8:30am.  We have a teacher actively on duty from 8:30am-9:00am every morning.  Please ensure you allow us to keep your children safe by dropping them off no earlier than 8:30am each day.

Homework Centre – Thursday Afternoons

            We have an after school homework centre in operation every Thursday afternoon from 3:00pm in the library!  At the homework centre students can access resources, technology and teacher assistance to support their learning.  No need to book, turn up, and the help is there!

Things coming up Term 1 - Week 7:

• SRC Assembly – Tuesday 12th March
• Year 7 and 11 Parent Teacher Evening – Tuesday 12th March (4:30pm-6:30pm)
• National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence – Friday 15th March

Things coming up Term 1 - Week 8:

• Beach Carnival Assembly – Tuesday 19th March
• Harmony Day – Thursday 21st March

Save the Date

• Easter Carnival – Friday 12th April (Week 11)

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

School Counsellor – Week 5
A reminder to parents that we have our school counsellor, Mark Meehan, working at the school for two weeks mid-term
and for two weeks at the end of the term, as part of a ‘new look’ counselling service delivery in 2019. As such, Mark is
with us until Friday, 1st May.

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Book Week Celebrations

Book Week was celebrated in great style, punctuated with excursions, SRC Disco, enriched learning activities around reading and the fantastic Book Parade.  It gives me such joy to see young people excited about books and reading.  Reading is a fundamental skill that opens a world of opportunity and I’d like to thank parents and family members for helping us support Book Week.  Efforts at home to encourage reading, reading aloud at home and being seen to read often, are a powerfully influential model for student learning that cannot be underestimated.  Thanks for us for helping the work we do at school in the space of reading and comprehension with positive messages at home.  For the record, coming from a high school trained background, I was a little anxious about dressing up as a crayon in support of our book parade.  Thanks to Madeleine Challender and our ancillary staff for coming through with their crayon costumes…I was a little nervous I was going to arrive at school as the only staff member dressed up!  Great concept, great fun all round.

HSC Trials

Year 12 students have started their Trial Exams with dedication and commitment.  Supervising teachers have reported that students are focused and making use of exam time effectively.  Students are reminded that they are encouraged to do their personal best and that these assessments are only a ‘point in time’ reflection of performance.  Trial HSC Exams give teachers a ‘snap-shot’ on where students are now and what we can work on together, staff and students leading, up to the final HSC Exams in October.  I’ve seen many Year 12 students working hard and consistently throughout the year, and I’m confident that this ‘back-story of effort’ will be rewarded with valuable feedback.  We are collectively proud of our Year 12 students and wish them well with remaining school-based assessment.

Shout Out To Norfolk

On assembly this week I was witness to yet another hair-raising inspirational moment.  During my weekly address at assembly, I congratulated Norfolk House on their historical clean sweep of all three carnivals (and the march), by taking out the Cross Country.  As part of my address, I asked students of Norfolk House to stand in recognition of this great achievement.  They stood in unison and James Bigg took the opportunity to lead Norfolk House in their house chant.  This was very powerful and very moving, reminiscent of the war cries students sang in the rain at the Athletics Carnival.  This was again a great demonstration of tradition and pride.  We are very fortunate to have such influential and committed leaders in our school, and I must acknowledge the encouragement and exceptional role modelling all of our House Captains demonstrate.  Our school spirit comes from the energy and expectation that our leaders bring through their actions and observable behaviour.

Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning

To be the best teachers we can be, we must always be learners ourselves.  During Week 4, Assistant Principal Tanya Delaney and I engaged in professional learning around evidence-based teaching and learning.  As part of our time away we visited schools who were recognised as ‘excelling’ in their practice, as well as attending a two day conference learning about how schools use data and analysis to inform and monitor progressive and purposeful work.  I was disappointed that I didn’t put on weight during the trip, because I honestly thought the substantial learning and ideas that filled my head had to make me heavier!  While I don’t like being away from school, the trip was more than worthwhile, with plenty of positive discussions and anticipated outcomes to result over the next 12 months.  Thanks goes out to Sally Thompson, Lance Miller, Jess Miller and Gill Brown for providing cover in the leadership roles that were vacated for the week.  It’s great to know we have such depth of leadership that allows our school to operate effectively, despite temporary organisational change.

Secondary Student of the Fortnight

Year 7:
Matilda Hayes: for commitment to Tournament of Minds, staying after school and coming in on weekends to complete the challenge;  Wilkes Creek: for commitment to Tournament of Minds, staying after school and coming in on weekends to complete the challenge.

Year 8:

Chayla Williams: excellence in History;  Jack McCowan: for commitment to Tournament of Minds, staying after school and coming in on weekends to complete the challenge;  Mitchell Douran: for consistent focus in Science and Maths;  Alani Snell: for always being active and engaged in her learning;  Sarah Johnson: for outstanding performance in Maths assessment task;  Tahlia Evans: for outstanding performance in Maths assessment task;  Olivia John: for outstanding performance in Maths assessment task; and excellence in History.

Year 9:
Maycee Deszecsar: for commitment to Tournament of Minds, staying after school and coming in on weekends to complete the challenge;  Ashkey Kytola: for excellence in debating and making it to the quarter finals of Hunter Region.

Year 10:

Mirabelle Creek: for commitment to Tournament of Minds, staying after school and coming in on weekends to complete the challenge; and, excellence in debating and making it to the quarter finals of Hunter Region;  Harrison Hayes: for commitment to Tournament of Minds, staying after school and coming in on weekends to complete the challenge; and, excellence in debating and making it to the quarter finals of Hunter Region,  Cameron Rogers: for excellence in debating and making it to the quarter finals of Hunter Region;  Joni King: for excellence in debating and making it to the quarter finals of Hunter Region;  Kya Snell: for excellence in debating and making it to the quarter finals of Hunter Region.

Year 11:

Saxon Snell: for his support with the SRC Disco;  Jasmin-Grace Coombes:  for her support with the SRC disco.

Year 12:

James Bigg: for commitment and effort completing their Major Design Projects;  Mason Wilkinson: for commitment and effort completing their Major Design Projects.

Things coming up Week 6:

• Trial HSC Exams continue
• Year 10 to 11 Parent and Student Information Evening – Tuesday 28th August

Things coming up Week 7:

• Year 12 Visual Arts Major Works due – Monday 3rd September
• Careers Market – Wednesday 5th September
• K-6 Assembly – Wednesday 5th September
• P&C Meeting – Wednesday 5th September

Regards,

Brett Carr

Please 'contact us' for more information.

Pick Up and Drop Off

Thank you to parents and the community for responding to last week’s request to keep traffic moving, at the beginning and end of each school day, by not parking in the drop off and pick up point at the front of the school.  There was a noticeable difference in traffic flow when cars moved forward as spaces became available.

Mike Whitney Visit

Several students assisted with the promotion of Norfolk Island earlier in the week, taking part in the filming for the Sydney Weekender.  Students introduced Mike to some world class talent and pristine waters, outrigging in-and-around Emily and Slaughter Bay.  As part of his visit, Mike also came up to the school to say g’day to our students.  Some brave teachers took this as an opportunity to face the former fast bowler in the nets.  Let’s just say, Mike’s still got it!  Thanks for us Mike for taking the time to share your inspirational advice about effort, determination and goals.  You are a great advocate for Norfolk Island and we look forward to the 25^th Anniversary shows soon to air.

Athletics Field Upgrade

Work is progressing with the upgrade to the tiered seating area of the oval.  I encourage community members to have a look as the works take shape.  Thanks again to Tim Rogers and the Norfolk Island Athletics Association; the work will certainly make a big difference to our oval area for spectators.

Can Norfolk Achieve a Clean Sweep?

Norfolk house has won the beach carnival, the athletics carnival and the march…can they win the Cross Country on Wednesday 15^th August?  Thanks in advance to all our helpers leading up to and assisting on the day.  We anticipate another great community event.  Thanks also to Melissa Pulsford for her dedication to detail when it comes to her outstanding organisation; days like these run well because of the work she leads.

Staff Shuffle

Sally Thompson will be relieving Principal in Week 4, as I fly off Island on Monday 13^th August to visit some schools on the mainland with whom we are forging partnerships. While off Island, I will also be attending a conference around evidence based school improvement, before flying back on Friday 17^th August.  With me will be relieving Assistant Principal, Tanya Delaney.  While we are off Island, our mission will be to form tighter links with high-performing schools and to access current research on high-impact contemporary practices.  Our aim, as always, is to work towards continual improvement in what we do.  We have a great team of merit selected teachers on Island; I anticipate our time away will allow us to celebrate and share the great things we do at NICS, while also seeing other great ideas and practices in action.  Thanks to Lance Miller for relieving as Deputy Principal while we are away.

The Great Debate

Debating has a strong tradition at NICS and our 2018 teams are powering.  To date our 7/8 and 9/10 Teams are outright zone winners, our 11/12 Team were equal first in their zone, and we have our 5/6 Team going into their final debate, with a good chance of also being zone champions.  This is an outstanding result…to have such articulate and highly-developed critical thinkers is a blessing.  Congratulations to all our debaters as you continue to progress through to more challenges stages of your respective competitions.

Engaged Learning

A special shout out goes to Michelle Hayes, Kirstin Ellard and Pamela Malone for their seamless transition to our school.  Michelle has got our Kindy class enthused with their learning and their new-look classroom.  Kirstin’s science lessons have had Primary students buzzing about inquiry based learning and investigation.  Pamela has also picked up where Allison Beattie left off, continuing with high-level HSC expertise in Textiles and Hospitality with our senior students.  All three teachers are such wonderful assets to our great team.  I must also acknowledge the following teachers for their support with HSC major works; Susie Hale (Society and Culture), John Howell (IT Timber), Pamela Malone (Textiles), Tony Wilkinson (Visual Arts) and Sally Thompson (Music).  These teachers have been going above and beyond in their efforts to support their students, and to their credit, our Year 12 have matched this support with effort and application in their work.  Many teachers and students are working late into the evening and across weekends to finish these high-quality projects.  I look forward to seeing students achieve the results they deserve – awesome effort!

Things coming up Week 4:

• Cross Country – Wednesday 15th August
• Year 12 IT Timber major work due – Thursday 16th August

Things coming up Week 5:

• BOOK WEEK…Find your Treasure - Read, Read, Read!
• Year 12 Textiles major work due – Monday 20th August
• Year 12 Trial HSC Exams Commence – Wednesday 22nd August
• K-6 Assembly – Wednesday 22nd August (Book Week Parade)
• SRC K-6 Disco – Thursday 23rd August

Regards,

Brett Carr

Final round of 7/8 debating V Ballina

Our Year 7/8 team debated against Ballina High on Wednesday. The topic was "That we should ban sales of tobacco in Australia" and we lost the toss so we were the negative. It was interesting watching them having to put aside everything they have learnt about the evils of tobacco and apply their cognitive debating training instead. The team, Eliza Sims at first, Ella Borg at second, Ellie Dixon at third and Jack McCowan as team adviser, created arguments based on economics, trade and employment. They also threw in a convincing point about managing tobacco addiction if tobacco couldn't be bought anymore. Again the team shone in their organisation, articulation and maturity.

Despite a very long adjudication, the victory was clearly ours. The other team were outclassed and our team are Zone winners. Congratulations team!

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SPORTS NEWS – WEEK 4 (13h August 2018)

Cross Country

The Cross Country is on next week!!!! It will be on Wednesday 15th August 2018.  This will be held down in Kingston and the times for the events are as follows:

Opens – 12 noon                    Seniors – 12.15pm                 Intermediate – 12.30pm      Junior – 12.45pm

Sub-Junior – 1.00pm              Year 2 – 1.15pm                     Year 1 – 1.30pm                     Kindergarten 1.40pm

This will be then be followed by the Great House Race. 

Permission notes need to be returned ASAP. They need to be returned to - Kindergarten – Year 6 (class teacher), Year 7-12 in the sport note box in the front office. 

KINDERGARTEN – YEAR 2

As the students will be leaving the school at approx. 12 noon, the canteen will only be in operation for recess.  If students would like to order lunch they may do so; however, it will need to be picked up at RECESS. 

KINGFISHER BUS AT CROSS COUNTRY

The bus will be in operation at Kingston from 11.30am to 2.30pm. We would like to thank the bus for their services to the students at NICS for the Cross Country Carnival.  The menu on offer is as follows:

Fish & Salad Wrap - $15

Fried Fish - small serve $5, large $10

Tahitian Fish - $10

Seafood Chowder - $6

Hot Chips - $6

Chicken Nuggets - $5

Sausage & Bread - $4 

Nutella Mousse - $4

Chocolate Bars -$3

Drinks:

Coffee - $4.50

Tea - $3.50

Hot Chocolate - $4.50

Water - $3

Coconut Water - $3

Powerade - $5

Lemonade - $3

Pink Lemonade - $3.50

Sports Trophies

Could all students who have a perpetual trophy at home please bring them back into the school for the Sports and Citizenship Awards, which will be held in Term 4?

Yours in Sport,

Melissa Pulsford

Sports Organiser

Please 'contact us' for more information.