Goodbye 2021
At Narrabri Public School we work with you to be confident and successful lifelong learners. As students are encouraged to be actively involved in your learning to achieve your best.
Our school remains committed to strengthening and building relationships with your families ensuring the focus remains on working together to achieve educational outcomes that benefit you. During the pandemic we have all experienced challenges along the way and the importance of staying connected has played a vital component to ensuring that education for our students has continued. We have worked in partnership with you and your families during remote learning and continue to identify best practice to meet your needs.
The year we introduced a strong focus on supporting all our students to make progress in literacy and numeracy. Our highly effective Learning Support Team has run targeted enrichment and support programs that focussed on building your skills and understanding. Groups have been run in both literacy and numeracy and you have had the chance to be supported by an adult to grow your skills. You have received explicit instruction based on your learning needs. Feedback has been positive with the impact evident through your growth and progress.
Being part of the Rural Access Gap program provided technology enhancements across the school. All teaching and learning spaces main learning devices were upgraded and additional laptops were provided. The upgrade of every Main Learning Device in our school provided state of the art technology in every classroom with greater connectivity. The implementation of digital technologies is transforming learning allowed you to engage with different forms of learning, undertake assessments and develop confidence in using digital technologies. Our robotics toolkit expanded with the introduction of Bee Bots and Dash Bots, as well as Microbits into our school program. Students, K-6, have participated in scheduled sessions throughout the year; allowing them to develop the skills and confidence to program a robot to move through an obstacle course, avoid a specific target or choose objects based on colour.
Creating a school culture that encourages greater learning opportunities has been undertaken. The promotion of student attendance remains a priority. Expanding wellbeing programs has created opportunities for students to shine in other ways. The Gardening Gurus program has supported the development of sustainable gardening knowledge and skills. Sustainable practice was further emphasised as a priority in our school with the continuation of our paper and bottle recycling program. The SRC and Waste Warriors have worked tirelessly to change our waste culture to one focused on reuse, reduce, recycle. Food waste is shared between the chooks and the compost. As global citizens, we continue pursue sustainable and environmentally conscious practices.
Our 2021 annual NAIDOC celebrations were held at the end of Term 2 and we were fortunate to have our families join us for this celebration. At the 2021 Narrabri Eisteddfod our Kamilaroi Dance Group made their eisteddfod debut in the primary dance category, achieving Second Place.
An addition to our wellbeing programs has been the formalisation of the Winanga-Li/NPS Playgroup, supporting early educational opportunities in a culturally enriched environment for our pre-kinder students. Auntie Pattie, Auntie Kierren and Auntie June from Winanga-Li supported our pre kinders to have a smooth transition into Kindergarten in 2022.
You have actively involved yourselves in a range of sporting challenges and have participated in PSSA events, Gala days and school sports programs. The growing sporting ability has enabled many of you to represent at various levels. We have been fortunate to take part in the sporting arena in the first half of the year prior to COVID. These interruptions in no way diminished our students’ achievements and we are so proud of the remarkable students that represented our school throughout 2021.
Throughout the year our P&C have continued to assist the school and raise funds for our students. Their dedication to this task is to be commended in an extremely challenging landscape that only allowed certain fund-raising activities to take place. Our Canteen, led by Mrs Finn and assisted by Mrs Emmerson and Mrs Woolford has provided for our students a valuable service.
We are fortunate to have a School Council that continues to collaborate to make decisions that are reflective of our school vision and School Improvement Plan. The time provided by all our committee members is appreciated.
Presentation Ceremonies
On Monday we celebrated a special day on our calendar that acknowledges the achievement of our students in academic, cultural and social endeavours.
At Narrabri Public School we are committed to creating confident and successful lifelong learners. Our students are encouraged to be actively involved in their learning in a supportive environment enabling them to achieve their best. We appreciate the partnerships we have with our families and the support provided. Congratulations to all students on their achievements today. A special booklet will be distributed to our families to mark this occasion.
Class Awards
Academic Excellence Awards
Gold Badge Luncheon
On Thursday students who had received four silver badges during their schooling at NPS were presented with a GOLD BADGE. After the presentation our students enjoyed a special luncheon in our newly constructed outdoor learning centre. There were plenty of smiles all round and our students should be proud of their ongoing commitment to learning and following our core values.
Bread Bag Prizes
After collecting bread bags and tags to earn points for our school last term we received our new sports equipment this week. What a great surprise! Thank you Wonder White and also to all our Waste Warriors.
Year 6 Farewell
Our year 6 farewell will be held under the Infants COLA on Wednesday, 15 December. Students in years 5 and 6 who are attending are asked to get their note and money into the office by 12pm on Wednesday. Due to COVID restrictions, no parents are permitted to attend this year. The Year 6 farewell movie will be shared at the end of the evening, with parents being able to view from the fence. Photos will be published on our Facebook and website this Thursday.
As 2021 draws to a close, I reflect on all of the wonderful moments we have shared in the library and around our school through learning and reading books. We have been very fortunate to have a large variety of new books coming in regularly for all students to enjoy.
We had an incredible day in May for National Simultaneous Storytime where we read the book 'Give Me Some Space!' with the astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station!
Term 3 saw our Book Fair and dress up day for Book Week, even though we were in lock down for most of the time. We took it all online and had great participation from many of our staff and students.
Coming back in Term 4 saw us able to run our Book Fair in person but sadly families couldn't visit, although it was still very successful. We had students from across the school complete the Premier's Reading Challenge and some even get their Gold Awards.Our recess and lunch times have proven popular all year with students coming in to the library to read, talk with friends, play board games and cards, do puzzles or colour in. We had an amazing team of Library Leaders in Terms 1 and 2 this year who showed responsibility and care for our library but sadly we couldn't have any in Terms 3 and 4 because of Covid.
We look forward to hopefully having a more predictable, active and fun filled year in 2022!
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Week 11
Monday 13th December
- PRESENTATION DAY
Tuesday 14th December
Wednesday 15th December
- Year 6 Farewell
Thursday 16th December
- PBL/SRC Fun Day
- Last day of school for 2021
Friday 17th December
- School Development Day
