NICS News – Week 1, Term 2

Welcome back to all students and staff to Term 2. A warm welcome to our new enrolments and families who have recently joined NICS. I would also like to extend that welcome to the support staff and Teacher Aids that have commenced this term.

A reminder that the Cross Country Carnival is to be held on Wednesday, 1 May starting at the cricket ground at Kingston. Permission notes were handed out at the end of Term 1. Please ensure this note is returned to the office as soon as possible.

ANZAC Day is coming up on Thursday, 25 April, with several events around the island to commemorate the day. NICS will hold a school commemorative service on Wednesday, 24 April at 1.45pm. A special thank you to the community members and RSL Sub-Branch who always support our commemorative service. Families are welcome to attend. Junior and Senior School leaders will attend the community ceremony at the Cenotaph on Thursday.

A big congratulations to Jaylon Williams, who has been selected to compete in the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships in Suva, Fiji in June this year. Jaylon will compete in the 100m and 200m sprints. Congratulations, Jaylon!

Keeping on the sporting theme, Timi Snell has returned home this week from a big week of squash, representing Norfolk Island at the Australian Junior Open and the Oceania Junior Championships. Junior players from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, PNG, Norfolk Island, Fiji, Malaysia, Japan and Pakistan took part in the events. Timi played 10 matches, with a result of 4 wins from 6 matches at the Australian Junior Open and 1 win from 4 in the Oceania Junior Championships, in the Under 15 Girls. Timi placed 12th in the Australian Junior Open and 13th in the Oceania Junior Championships. Timi now focuses on her preparation to represent NICS and the Darling Downs South West team at Queensland State Schools Regionals held at Acacia Ridge in May. Congratulations on an outstanding effort, Timi!

Senior Secondary Information Evening

In preparation for the year 10 students’ transition to senior secondary, we are holding a family information evening on Tuesday, 23 April 2024. This session will provide general information about the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) System and the senior secondary education options available at Norfolk Island Central School. Following this session, families will be requested to nominate a time to complete a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan with their student and a senior leadership member at NICS. The SET Plan will inform your student’s subject selections for semester two of year 10, and beyond. SET Plan interviews will be held on Monday, 20 May and Tuesday, 21 May. An email will be sent following the information session with a link to the booking system.

WHO: Year 10 Students and Parents/ Guardians

WHAT: Senior Secondary Information Evening

WHEN: Tuesday, 23 April 2024 – 5:30pm

WHERE: NICS library

We look forward to seeing you there.

STEM Girl Power

Congratulations to Georgie Quintal, Year 10, who has been selected to participate in the STEM Girl Power program. The STEM Girl Power program encourages Year 10 girls from across Queensland schools to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). STEM is crucial in today's world and the Department of Education is committed to ensuring all students are prepared to take advantage of the jobs of the future.

Students are selected to attend Camp in Term 2, where they will connect with female STEM role models, participate in a variety of innovative STEM workshops and develop their capability as STEM ambassadors. In Term 3, students undertake and lead activities for National Science Week as regional STEM ambassadors. In Term 4, students celebrate their success as STEM Ambassadors and are welcomed as Alumni, to continue to connect and inspire girls in STEM. Congratulations to Georgie for taking on this opportunity, and representing Norfolk Island.

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Strategy

In Term 2, students in Years 4 to 12 will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey. We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students. This survey is optional and students may opt out if they do not want to participate. An information letter has been sent out to families with more information. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website: https://qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey

Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) 2024

During May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the Australia, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).

The AEDC is a teacher-completed census (similar to a questionnaire) which provides a comprehensive picture of how Prep children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years. Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need. AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool. Participation in the AEDC is voluntary, however the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection.

Prep parents have received a letter and fact sheet about the AEDC this week. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.

To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families visit: www.aedc.gov.au.

Things coming up in Week 2:

• Senior Secondary Information Evening – Tuesday, 23 April 5:30pm in the library
• ANZAC Day School Ceremony – Wednesday, 24 April 1:45pm
• ANZAC Day Public Holiday – Thursday, 25 April.