NICS News, Term 1 Week 6

NICS has continued its sporting success early in 2024 with a number of students travelling to QLD to represent the Darling Downs South West (DDSW) Region this term.

Congratulations to the golfers; Will Peapell, Jade Umlauft and Leeloo Evans. They will be representing the DDSW Region at the Sate Golf Championships. Congratulations to Timi Snell, who has again been selected in the DDSW Regional Squash Team. I would also like to acknowledge Stefan Kalangis who will travel to Toowoomba next week to trial for the DDSW under 18’s Rugby League team. Best of luck, Stefan.

Families from Prep to Year 10 would have received an email on Friday containing the, “40 Week Curriculum Overviews 2024.” The intent of these documents is to provide students and families with the ‘big picture’ of this year’s learning and assessment for each year level. They communicate how NICS provides the full breadth of all eight Learning Areas of the Australian Curriculum for students across Prep to Year 10, and the teacher/s timetabled for each subject. In Years 9 and 10, the overviews also outline the elective subject offerings and specific programs provided to enable future pathway planning and/or set students up for a head start in attaining their QCE credits in Years 11 and 12. In Years 7 to 10, students also receive a term-by-term Assessment Schedule to further inform families of when assessment is due, and support students’ time management in assessment periods. These documents are further strengthened by the NICS Community Calendar emailed earlier this term.

The upcoming week 7 Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) focus area is, “follow the directions of the staff in all settings.” These key messages will be repeated throughout the week. PBL Awards resumed this week at assembly. It was wonderful to see so many recipients, especially in our Secondary section of the school. Keep up the great work and we look forward to presenting more awards this Wednesday! Secondary parents will now be notified if their student is receiving an award. As always, parents are more than welcome to attend our Wednesday assemblies.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing commences for our Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students from Wednesday, 13 March, and will be completed by Monday, 25 March. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia participate in the annual NAPLAN tests. This year, Norfolk Island Central School students will be sitting four tests (Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language, and Numeracy) through the online mode. The only exception is Year 3 students who will complete the writing test on paper. Results from the tests will provide important information about your child's progress in literacy and numeracy. A copy of the test schedule is attached. Any student who is absent on the day of a test will complete missed tests during the scheduled catch-up days as long as they return to school by Friday, 22 March. All eligible Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students at NICS must sit for the tests unless they are exempt or withdrawn by parents/guardians. Parents/Guardians wishing to apply for an exemption must complete the Application for Test Exemption form or the Notice of parent withdrawal Form. These forms can be obtained from the school administration office and must be returned to the school office no later than Friday, 8 March 2024.

If you require any further information about NAPLAN testing, please contact our Deputy Principal, Ms Julia Cullen, by email jcull12@eq.edu.au or telephone 23000.

Parent Teacher Meetings will occur on Wednesday, 20 March for all year groups P-12. This semester, NICS will trial a new arrangement to allow for greater access to staff. Bookings will be available from 1:40pm – 6:00pm using the School Online Booking System, (SBOS). With the earlier start time, students will be permitted to leave at the beginning of the lunch break at 1:10pm. Students who are departing will need to complete a permission note which will go out next week. For those students who are unable to leave and require supervision, students can remain at school and will be supervised on the courts until 2:50pm.

More information regarding the booking system and how to book a meeting will be emailed to parents next week. If you have any questions, please contact the school on 23000.

Things coming up in Term 1 – Week 7

• Foundation Day – Wednesday, 6 March
• Phone pouches to be handed out to students in year 6 – 12
• Parent Teacher bookings using SOBS.

Russell Moore

Principal – Norfolk Island Central School