CNPS SCHOOL VISION: To build a community of curious, creative and engaged learners who are empowered to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world. Collectively we will work with our students to become responsible global citizens who have the skills, knowledge and personal attributes they need for their future.
Principal’s Column
Wominjeka everyone.
Last week I attended the Principal’s forum and I was pleased to discover that our school focus for this year is in line with the Department of Education’s reforms: Mental Health and Inclusive Education. The development of our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team (WIT) last year came at a good time, as all across the state we are seeing significant rises in mental health (anxiety) with a rise in student behaviours that have not been seen pre covid. This is not surprising being that the last 3 years was filled with worry, fear, uncertainty and the inability to socialize with others. Although Covid seems like it is now in the past, the ramifications of living with these emotions during the 2 years, has taken its toll both on students and families. Our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team (and leadership) has not yet seen a reduction in wellbeing concerns with over 70 students and families being seen by WIT. To help us to get to as many students, families and teachers as possible, we have advertised for additional staff (education support staff), and an additional learning specialist outside of the classroom. As of yet, we have not been successful in finding ES (Education Support - teacher aide), and have now advertised on SEEK. We are hopeful that once we secure staff, we will be able to get to see more of those in need. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Last Friday we held our first assembly for the year under our new Covered Outdoor Learning Area. This was a very exciting time, knowing that we were able to meet as a whole school without being squashed into the gym with horrible acoustics. On Friday it was evident that we were out of practice, as our students had lost many of the skills that were taught over their primary school years. Pre-covid, students would meet every month and be attentive while the captains speak, know the words to the National Anthem, sing the school song and show applause in a respectful way. At the end of the assembly I had to remind myself that the students didn’t know any better as they hadn’t practiced these skills and had to be retaught appropriate behaviors for attending assembly.
This is a good example of where our students are currently at. Teachers all across Victoria are reeducating our students on the core values that we take for granted, respect, responsibility and resilience. This is done very differently from how it was done when we went to school. We no longer raise our voice to students telling them how they should behave or punish them for not listening. Rather we teach them positive behaviours, just like we teach our students to read and write. This approach is called Positive Behaviours. The term, ‘School Wide Positive Behaviours’, is the approach that is taken on by most schools across the state. It is a DET initiative that is backed upon research and produces positive behaviours from students without any negative affects to student’s wellbeing or learning. From the experience of the assembly last week, it looks like we have some teaching to do. :)
Community Spirit at CNPS
This Friday, with support from Merri-bek city council, a group of CNPS parents closed down part of Bishop street to open the streets to our students, families and local residents. Coburg North Primary School is the first school in Australia to lead the Open Streets initiative that is run by school volunteers. With the support of Merri-bek CC, CNPS leads the way to make this initiative sustainable by creating systems that rely on parents rather than councils to lead the project.
We are extremely fortunate to have such an amazing community that is willing to put their hand up and make things happen for our students. Please check out our next newsletter to find out more about this amazing initiative that brings much joy to our students and community.
Also be sure to come to our next Open Streets which is on the First Friday of each month.
Until next month,
Monika
Captain’s Column
I’d like to introduce you to our 2023 School Captains. You will see them contributing to the school through whole school assemblies, conducting school tours and representing the school at external events. I look forward to working with them this year.
Click below to read about our 2023 School Captains, Junior School Council Members for 2023 and a Sport Captain update.
What happened this month?
Art Update
2023 ANAPHYLAXIS
Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction when a person is exposed to an allergen. The most common allergens in children are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow's milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, certain insect stings and medications. Anaphylaxis is a serious health issue for a percentage of the population and the school recognises the key to preventing an anaphylactic reaction by a student is knowledge, awareness and planning.
The last couple of years at Coburg North Primary we have had an increase in students who suffer from Anaphylaxis. The DEECD Legal unit was contacted for advice on this. Below is an excerpt from the advice we received:
The guidelines state that it is not recommended that schools ban food or other products known to cause anaphylaxis because:
- It can create complacency amongst staff and students
- It does not eliminate the presence of hidden allergens
- It is difficult to 'ban' all triggers: not all triggers are limited to peanuts and nuts.
It is preferable that the school raise awareness about anaphylaxis in the school community so that there is an increased understanding of the condition. The school may also wish to help parents/carers to identify more suitable food options for their children.
At CNPS this means we do not ban foods being brought to school, but we do ask you consider how you send them and that you discuss with your child how they can ensure other children are safe. Some ways of doing this include:
- Reminding children that they are not to share food at school
- Keeping any products with nuts in a safely secured container
- Talking to your children about allergies.
The following is a list of grades that have students with allergies and what they are allergic to:
- Foundation: nuts & egg
- Grade 1: Nuts
- Grade 2: Nuts, egg
- Grade 3: Nuts, egg, kiwi fruit, coconut, dairy, sesame (also crushed sesame) & bee stings
- Grade 4: none
- Grade 5: Nuts
- Grade 6: none
Note: There is an Anaphylaxis Policy for the school on our CNPS website, for more details about Anaphylaxis.
Approved Curriculum and Student Free Days for 2023
All curriculum and student free days have been approved by school council:
Term 2
- Monday, April 24th – Curriculum Day
- Monday, May 29th - Student Free Day
Term 3
- Monday, July 10th – Curriculum Day
Term 4
- Monday, October 2nd - Student Free Day
- Monday, November 6th – Curriculum Day
Buildings and Grounds
We have had a very busy start to the new year around the grounds of Coburg North.
Volunteering at CNPS
There are many opportunities to volunteer at Coburg North including in the gardens and grounds, in the classroom and at our various events run by Parents and Friends.
Everyone who participates in volunteer activities at the school must complete a site induction. This covers important information about policies and procedures that impact everyone on site such as hazard and incident reporting, emergency management, codes of conduct and first aid.
The Volunteer Induction Handbook contains everything you need to know when volunteering at CNPS. Please read this document prior to your induction and complete the checklist on page 5.
Your induction is valid for 12 months and covers all on-site volunteer activities. Once inducted, you can register directly with the event organiser such as your classroom teacher, Parents and Friends or myself to start helping at school. I highly recommend that you complete your induction as soon as possible. You will then be free to volunteer for all of 2023.
Please contact me to book an induction or if you have any questions at paul.sutton@education.vic.gov.au.
Starting on Friday 17 March, there will be two days each week where I will run gardening groups and everyone is welcome to join.
Every Monday during the term, from 9 - 11am will be based in the Coburg Crop. Kez, our on-site horticulturalist from Cultivating Community, will work with us to maintain the Crop. Activities will include general maintenance of the space and gardens, composting, propagating, planting and harvesting. This is a great opportunity to engage with Kez, who has a wealth of knowledge and experience running community garden spaces.
Every Friday from 9am - 11am will be an all school maintenance session. There will be general gardening, watering, weeding and mulching to complete. I will also have an on-going project that we can work on to improve the school. This will include developing unused garden beds, creating seating and planting areas around the school and other maintenance activities. We can also work on areas of interest - all ideas for projects will be considered. Tools are supplied but bring your own gloves and your favourite shovel!
If you are interested in attending any of these days, please contact me at paul.sutton@education.vic.gov.au.
Please book in for your site induction prior to attending.
New classroom for 3A
New walls, windows and doors have been installed in the grade 1 area. Students (and teachers) now have a clear work area, free from the traffic and noise that was caused by the original, open plan layout.
Well Being Hub
The Well Being Hub is now operating and A small, pokey office has been converted in to a more spacious and user friendly space - with doors!
CNPS COLA
The Coburg North Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) was completed during the school holidays. It is an impressive structure and provides excellent shelter from the sun and wet weather. The space is used by students for all kinds of activities and is very busy during recess and lunch-time play. We’ve also held inter-school sport bat tennis under the roof and conducted a full school assembly with everyone fitting comfortably under the roof. The PA system and lighting is a great addition that will allow this to become a focal point for the school. A new, coloured surface will be coming soon to make the area more fun and dynamic. There will be markings for games, activities, performances and lots of down-ball courts.
The Coburg Crop
The Crop had a great holiday break. Warm, sunny weather and plenty of rain meant we were scrambling to keep up with harvest and run-away pumpkins.
Our partners in the Crop, Cultivating Community, have been distributing the harvest to support food insecurity programs throughout Melbourne.
We are now preparing for the students to spend time in the Crop. There will be composting, propagating, planting and harvesting throughout the year and we are planning for inquiry projects and lots learning activities. There are also many things still to be added this year, including the chickens and their chicken coop!
Ride2School
We now have brand new bike racks in the bike parking space on Bishop street. There are now spaces for over thirty bikes and there’s even a cool, permanent pump for the kids (and families) to use.
Thanks to the Bicycle Network for supplying and installing this great facilities at CNPS. I’m looking forward to checking out lots and lots of the neatly stacked bikes after a ride to school.
Paul, Manager Buildings and Grounds
School Council
We have completed the 2023 School Council election and are pleased to announce our new 2023 school council team.
We would like to congratulate the following newly appointed school council members:
- Adam Carey
- Natalie Lyon
- Alice Berry
We would like to welcome back:
- Brad Appleton
- Philippa Mariott
- Tim Prendergast
They will be joining:
- Miki Perkins
- Robbie Napper
- Paul Cavicchiolo
- Mark Pickett
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the previous school council members who have provided the school with much support and guidance over their time on school council. I would like to thank them for the time they have given the school as well as their enormous amount of passion. A heart-felt thank you to you all. An enormous thank you to:
- Jenny Ha
- Phil Cadman
- Sarah Jefford
- Tamara Heath
We will be welcoming our new members and nominating our 2023 Office Bearers (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary), Sub Committees (Finance, Education, Buildings, Grounds, Parents and Friends) and Working Parties (tbc) on Wednesday, March 29.
We will introduce you to our new school council members in our next newsletter.
If you would like to join any of the committees or working parties, please get in touch via the office coburg.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Monika Gruss (Executive Officer)
TheirCare: After School Care
Parents and Friends
Join Parents and Friends’ first meeting for 2023 and AGM on Monday 6 March
All are welcome to attend the school's Parents and Friends (P&F) Group's first meeting for the year and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday 6 March.
While we’re looking forward to seeing new faces join the team in 2023, anyone is welcome to attend and observe the AGM with no commitment to becoming a member.
Meeting details:
When: Monday 6 March, 7 – 8.30 pm
Where: Enter via staff car park off Bishop Street. We’ll meet in the Their Care / Italian room at the back of the hall. Enter via the gym entrance (door closest to staff car park) or the second door facing the oval.
We’re looking forward to the coming year and lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved, have fun and continue to build our school community.
Second-Hand Uniform Sale – Thursday 6 April
The next P&F second-hand uniform stall will be on Thursday 6 April, at the end of term school assembly. The stall will be open from 3.00 - 3.45pm
The cost of most items will be $5 or less. Cash only.
Donations of uniforms can also be made via the office. Please ensure that items are CNPS branded (jumpers and tops), in good condition and comply with the uniform policy (ie. no hoodies).
Upcoming Events
Week 6
- School Photos - Class Photos - Tuesday, 7 March
- School Photos - Individual Photos Grades 3-6, Grade 6 Graduation & School Captains - Wednesday, 8 March
- School Photos - Individual Photos- Grades Foundation-2 - Friday, 10 March
Week 7
- Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday, 13 March
- School Photos - Sibling and Catch Up - Tuesday, 14 March
- NAPLAN Begins - Wednesday, 15 March
Week 8
- NAPLAN continues - Monday 20 - Friday 24 March
- NAPLAN Catch Up for Absent Students - Tuesday 21 - Monday 27 March
Week 9
- Paddle Power Excursion 6A & 6B - Monday, 27 March
- Paddle Power Excursion 6A & 6B - Tuesday, 28 March
Week 10
- Paddle Power Excursion 5A, 5B & 5C - Monday, 3 April
- Paddle Power Excursion 5A, 5B & 5C - Tuesday, 4 April
- Paddle Power Excursion 6C & 5/6 - Wednesday, 5 April
- Paddle Power Excursion 6C & 5/6 - Thursday, 6 April
- Last day of Term - Thursday, 6 April
Community News
BOOK DONATIONS from 123read2me
The Children’s Book charity (www.123read2me.org.au) is dedicated to providing free books to young children in an attempt to help improve the literacy levels of young Australians by encouraging more reading.
123read2me, through the Pascoe Vale Rotary Club, has provided Coburg North PS with several boxes of new and well-maintained second-hand books that can be used by all students, especially the younger ones, to help improve their reading and comprehension abilities.
PASCOE VALE GIRLS COLLEGE TOURS
Pascoe Vale Girls College would like to invite you to visit our school and see all the things that we have to offer. Our school occupies a unique place for secondary schooling in the north and we continue to go from strength to strength in supporting our students from Year 7 to their desired pathway post-secondary and beyond. We are proud of what we have to offer and would love to show you around the school.
Planned Activity for Bishop Street: Monthly Open Streets at Coburg North Primary School