Term 1 2023 – Week 8

From the Principal’s Desk

Congratulations to the newly inducted Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2023:

Year 5: Charlie Sanders, Astrid Susilovic

Year 6: Ciara McGillycuddy, Madi Hooper, Jemma Watson, Matilda Smith

Year 8: Ella Le Mura, Poppy Spreag

Year 9 : Georgie Quintal

Year 10 : Aly Miller, Tahlia Marshman

Year 11: Liam Christian-Bailey, Stephanie Williams

Year 12: Koszta Deszecsar, Jordan Murray, Fletcher Buffett, Riley Quintal, Ellie Dixon, Ashley Porter

I look forward to the initiatives and projects that the team will lead across the school and community. Congratulations on stepping up to be a leader at NICS.

On Wednesday, 22 March, there will be visiting delegation from the Darling Downs South West Region. NICS will host a parent and community information session to update the community of how these schools are currently supporting NICS in curriculum delivery, scope for future subject areas and access to other courses, including further VET opportunities.

Justin Kuskie – Principal, Stanthorpe State School

Dean Russell – Principal, Dalby State School

Daren Cook – Principal, Centenary Heights High School

Andrew Brandon – Assistant Regional Director

Marion Henry – Lead Principal

The information session will commence at 4.30pm on Wednesday, 22 March, in the library. I look forward to seeing you there.

There will be a community information session delivered by Professor Paul Thomas on the dangers of vaping. This session will be held on Tuesday, 18 April, at the Ferny Lane Theatre starting at 5.30pm. Vaping and the use of other vapour inhaler devices have become widespread. What are the issues related to this activity and are there any definite harmful effects? Are they useful as a smokeless nicotine replacement in those who wish to cease smoking? What are the effects on young people who have not taken up smoking cigarettes? Professor Paul Thomas will discuss some of the background to the development of these inhaler delivery devices and the current news about the effects on the body. More details to come as we get closer to the event.

Russell Moore

Principal

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing will continue for our Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students and will be completed by Monday, 20 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. The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN does not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers

about each student’s performance. A child’s teacher will have the best insight into the child’s educational progress.

This year, Norfolk Island Central School students will be sitting all 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, 24 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.