Nirimba State Primary School Newsletter Issue 1 2024
Principal News
Dear Parents, carers and members of the school community,
It has been a very busy but great start to the year as we welcomed many new students and their families to our school. We are now a school of 556 students with 24 classrooms and several specialist and support staff. Our Preppies have done such an amazing job in settling into ‘big school,’ parents and carers can be very proud of their children. After a very busy start to the year, it is wonderful to see students settling into their learning and enjoying their learning experiences.
Our strategic plan for the school this year focuses on two main priority areas: Teaching & Learning and Wellbeing & Engagement.
The teaching and learning aspect of the strategic agenda focuses on a number of internal systems and processes for implementing the Australian Curriculum with rigour, with a particular focus on English and the implementation of Version 9 Mathematics from Prep to Year 6. I also want staff at the school to be highly-skilled as educators and receive the necessary supports to enable them to thrive in their roles. Therefore, there will be many opportunities for our staff to engage in professional development and collegial engagement activities.
Wellbeing and engagement will focus on our universal support systems for students, including Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL), Respectful Relationships Education (RRE) and implementing Zones of Regulation as a whole-school approach. The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) approach will also play an important role in engaging students in learning. Part of the strategic plan this year is to provide more of these opportunities through the Curriculum.
It is an exciting time for our school as we look to further enhance our services for our school community. This week we welcomed another staff member, Ms Brodie Singleton who is the new inclusion teacher for Years 3 – 6. Our school is also working on employing a Head of Special Education Services to coordinate the range of services and supports for students here at our school. Furthermore, most parents and carers will be aware that we have a private occupational therapist, speech pathologist and child and family therapist that operate from our school site. We are currently in conversation with a private psychologist and physiotherapist in order to bring these services into our school community.
Congratulations to our swimming squad who attended the recent district trials in Beerwah. Our school team did an incredible job placing second in the district. Our team accumulated ten first places, nine second places and three third places. Marlowe Masoe and Evie-Rose Masoe were age champions and Sienna Green was runner up age champion in their age groups. Well done to these students and all of the swimmers who did a wonderful job representing the school.
A reminder that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Nirimba State Primary School P&C committee is happening on Monday the 4th of March at 6pm in the Administration Building. All positions on the P&C Executive are up for election. Please consider joining the P&C committee of our school, contributing to school decision making processes and the future of Nirimba State Primary School.
Wishing all students and families an amazing 2024 at Nirimba State Primary School.
Yours in Education,
Steven Moore
Principal
Deputy Principal News
Welcome to our very first newsletter of 2024. It has been wonderful to welcome all of our new students and their families to our growing school. All of our students have settled in beautifully to Nirimba State Primary School and it’s lovely to see so many students making new friends.
Along with all of our new students that we welcomed to the school, we also had the privilege of welcoming new staff members to the Nirimba State Primary School Team. These experienced educators will be working in all sectors of our school from classroom teachers, teacher aides and specialist staff. I have enjoyed working with our leadership and teaching team to plan for engaging teaching and learning to occur this year in all of our 24 classrooms. The professional conversations we have had around engaging teaching practices have been very impressive. Every student will have so many opportunities for learning at Nirimba!
It was wonderful to see so many parents attend our Parent Information Night in Week 3. This is always a wonderful opportunity for teachers and parents to discuss the learning that will be happening in each classroom. Thank you to everyone who attended. We also hosted our first P&C meeting and it was great to see new faces at the meeting! Without our committed P&C we wouldn’t be able to fundraise to subsidise costs of school activities to parents. Everyone on the P&C are volunteers and the time they give to our school community is extremely valued. Many hands make light work so if you are able to support our P&C by coming to meetings volunteering at events or in the canteen, it would be very much appreciated.
I look forward to working with you all and continuing to provide wonderful learning opportunities for all of our students.
Yours in Education,
Elise Maguire
Deputy Principal
Student Services
Welcome to Term 1, 2024 I would like to introduce myself for those who don’t know me. My name is Kylie McKenna and I am the new Head of Department - Student Services. My role at Nirimba State Primary School is to work with our wonderful students and staff in all areas of behaviour and student well-being. As a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) School, we regularly look for teaching opportunities to support our students. We have started this term with setting our students up for success by focussing on:
- W1 – I can follow school expectations
- W3 – I can use technology safely
- W5 – I can follow lunchtime expectations
- W7 – I am safe and use my hands, feet and objects appropriately
- W9 – Harmony Week
Along with PBL, we also support our students with their Social and Emotional Learning. In Weeks 2,4,6, 8 and 10 our teachers implement “Respectful Relationships Education” which aims to teach students how to develop behaviours and attitudes that promote healthy, safe and respectful relationships. Every student has a right to be respected, feel valued and be treated equally and we all have a role to play in fostering respect, which also includes parents and carers. Some practical information to assist you with speaking to your child about respectful relationships can be found on the following websites:
- Parentline 1300 30 1300
- Kids Helpline
- Raising Children Network
- True’s Relationship Ready Parent and Carer online training modules
- Respect.gov.au
- Respectful relationships education hub
I look forward to working with all the students at Nirimba State Primary School and if you see me around the school, please feel free to come and say hello.
Kylie McKenna
HOD-Student Services
Curriculum
Hello Nirimba Families,
Welcome to a fresh year at Nirimba State Primary School! For those who haven’t met me, I am Corey Kolanowski, the Head of Department: Curriculum. My role is to ensure the quality teaching and learning of the Australian Curriculum in all classrooms and provide staff with curriculum and pedagogy support.
The year has started off strong with lots of exciting learning activities occurring in all our classrooms. Our school has a strong STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) focus, with half our school completing STEAM-based units of work for Semester 1. Teachers are skilfully including STEAM activities into all learning areas and seeing increased engagement with the fun, hands-on tasks. We will be sharing the exciting learning happening in classrooms on our Facebook page, so be sure to follow to stay up to date!
Starting on Wednesday Week 8, NAPLAN will be commencing. Additional information for families in Years 3 and 5 have been emailed out. We treat NAPLAN like a normal school day, encourage your children to have a great breakfast, and maintain a positive mindset.
We look forward to an exciting year at Nirimba State Primary school, setting students up to reach their full potential!
Corey Kolanowski
HOD - Curriculum
Guidance Officer
My name is Michelle Sinclair and I am the Guidance Officer at Nirimba State Primary School. Due to our growing student population, I am delighted to be based at the school for five days a week this year. Over the past five weeks, I have had the opportunity to connect with many of the teachers, students, parents and carers and have made connections with a range of support services and allied health professionals in the local area. I am looking forward to working with the Student Services Team to support our students from Prep – Year 6 this year.
As the Guidance Officer, my role is to advocate for the best educational outcomes for all students, to enable them to access the necessary supports and adjustments they need to succeed at school. I work closely with teachers and parents and consult and collaborate with external stakeholders to build a shared vision and clear goals for each student based on their individual needs. I am available to assist families with a range of concerns at home and school and provide referrals and links to support services in the local community as required.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the allied health professionals who will be providing their services at Nirimba State Primary School this year: Claire Brough - CMB Speech Pathology, Pippa Siddell - 123 Kids OT, Angela Clayton – Ocean Grace and Wendy Paroz – Sprout Support Services. We are currently in the process of extending our services to include a Psychologist and Physiotherapist onsite. If you are interested in your child accessing any of these external supports, please contact the school.
I am also very excited to announce that this year we will be partnering with Barb Hall from the Family Pathways Program. The purpose of the program is to support families, identify needs, build capacity and link in with external services and access relevant supports. If you would like to get in contact to discuss your child, please call the school on 5413 7777 or alternatively send an email to msinc25@eq.edu.au to arrange an appointment.
Business Manager
We’re half way through Term 1 already and it’s great to see everyone settled in and everything well underway for 2024.
Straight to business - just a few quick reminders for this Term:
- School Resource Scheme invoices came out at the start of Term 1, which cover resources and iPads for all students for the full year. While the due date is Friday 13 September 2024 (end of Term 3), it’s expected that half of the due amount is paid by Thursday 28 March 2024 (end of Term 1).
- We are a cash free school. While the P&C may take cash for certain events, fees for student resources, excursions, incursions will be invoiced and can be paid either online or via EFTPOS in the office.
- Incursions and Excursions require payment prior to participation – please adhere to due dates to ensure your children are able to attend.
If anyone would like to discuss their fees or arrange a payment plan please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at rodon65@eq.edu.au, via phone, or dropping into the office.
Cheers,
Ryan O’Donnell
A/Business Manager
Sustainability Club News
Our Prep to Year 6 students have been incredibly industrious and enthusiastic about gardening so far this term! They have been pulling out weeds, turning soil, and trimming back old crops which are all important tasks for maintaining a healthy garden. It's wonderful to hear that they're also excited about the progress of the fruit trees, especially seeing green apples growing on the apple tree.
Our club days involve teamwork and sharing responsibilities like watering with the new watering cans, working together to use the hose and turn taking with the mini shovels. This not only gets the job done efficiently but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among the students.
Planting new vegetables and maintaining existing crops will provide valuable learning experiences for the students as they continue to nurture and care for our garden. We’re all eagerly anticipating the next harvest day, for you all to enjoy the fruits of our labour, particularly the leeks and limes. We look forward to more planting of seedlings with many more gardening adventures!
Sunshine Coast EnviroCom’s visit to our school
Envirocom's recent visit to our school was a valuable learning experience for our Year 4, 5, and 6 students, as they delved into the intricate processes of recycling. With engaging presentations and hands-on activities, Envirocom effectively educated our young ones about recyclables and how to dispose and reuse them. They emphasised the importance of proper waste management and the significance of pairing waste and recycling bins in our classrooms. Our students were encouraged to actively participate in keeping our classrooms clean and tidy by adopting habits like proper disposal of waste and minimising paper usage through digital alternatives where possible. By instilling these habits early on it will empower our students to become responsible for our school environment and take ownership and pride in maintaining a sustainable and healthy learning environment for all.
The message to all students is to do your bit by putting your waste and recyclables in the right place to save our environment! Let’s keep Nirimba State School clean and tidy!
Japanese
あけましておめでとうございます。
Happy New Year! 2024 is the year of the dragon in the Japanese 12 year zodiac. Prep and Year 6 students participated in New Year activities with the Year 6 students completing a えま which is a traditional board people write their wishes on for the coming year.
During February in Japan, there are a number of festivals including せつぶん and ゆきまつり. Prep and Year 3 students created crafts related to Japanese おに for せつぶん and the Year 5 and Year 2 students created their own ‘snow art’ for the ゆきまつり. Other year levels will be celebrating different festivals later in the term.
Phrases for this newsletter:
あけましておめでとうございます (akemashiteomedetougozaimasu) Happy New Year!
えま (ema) wooden board used for wishes
せつぶん (setsubun) Setsubun
ゆきまつり (yukimatsuri) Snow Festival
おに (oni) demon
My New Gallery
Sports News
Welcome Mr Boon
Due to the growing number of students enrolling at our fantastic school, a second PE teacher has been added to the staff this year. A big welcome to Mr Boon who will be at Nirimba SPS on a Tuesday and will teach PA, 1C, 2D and 3/4A. Welcome Mr Boon!
District Swimming
On Monday (19th February), 12 students headed to the Beerwah Aquatic Centre to represent Nirimba SPS at the Glasshouse District Swimming Carnival. It was a fantastic day and the students represented themselves and the school in outstanding fashion.
We placed 2nd overall as a school and had some wonderful individual achievements with Marlowe (3/4A) and Evie (6A) finishing the day as Age Champions, Sienna (4/5A) finished as Runner Up Age Champion and Marlowe was also named Overall Girls Champion. We finished the day with ten 1st place finishes, nine 2nd place finishes and three 3rds. Evie, Sienna and Rory (5/6A) also qualified to be part of the Glasshouse District team that will attend the Sunshine Coast Regional Carnival in March. All of the students deserve to be very proud of their achievements and one final congratulations goes to Marlowe (3/4A), Kye (3/4A), Chloe (4A), Rylie (4/5A), Sienna (4/5A), Bradley (5A), Tahli (5/6A), Rory (5/6A), Evie (6A), Jordie (6B), Finn (6A) and Logan (6A).
Cross Country
On Wednesday the 27th March, which is the last week of school before the Easter holidays, Nirimba SPS’s Cross Country is being held. The format will be similar to last year and the day will run as follows:
- 5 – 8 year old children will run in the morning session between 9:15am and 10:30am
- 9 – 12 year old children will run in the middle session between 11:30am – 1:00pm
- Presentations will be at 1:45pm
Students will begin Cross Country training in their PE lessons in Week 7. More information around the day will be sent home closer to the date. Keep an eye out for a letter coming home and information on the school’s Facebook page.
**Before school fitness/Cross Country training is back this year and will also begin in Week 7. This training will take place on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 8:10am - 8:40am with Mr C on the oval. This training is for all students who may wish to attend. Keep an eye out for a note coming home about this in the near future**
Interschool Sport
Interschool Sport is again taking place this year and Term 1 is all about Softball. Nirimba is hoping to send six teams this year, three girls and three boys teams, to play a number of games over two Fridays (Weeks 6 and 7) against a number of other schools from our sporting district. The teams are made up of our year 5 and 6 students and they have all begun training during lunch times in the lead up to Interschool Sport. This will be a great experience and learning opportunity for our students as the majority of the students playing have never played Softball before. I look forward to sharing how the teams go once Interschool Sport for Term 1 comes to an end. All the best TEAM NIRIMBA!
District Sports
A number of Year 5 and Year 6 students have participated in district sporting trials over the first weeks of Term 1. A big congratulations goes to Freya (4/5A) who was selected in the Glasshouse District Touch Football team and Savannah in (5A) who was selected in the Glasshouse District Netball Team. Both girls will compete at the Sunshine Coast Regional Carnivals later on in the Term. All the best girls!!!
Sports at Nirimba
A number of sports (AFL, Tennis, Soccer, Cricket, Rugby League, Basketball etc.) run programs using the school’s facilities outside of school hours at different times throughout the year. Students will bring home flyers every now and then with information about how to register to be a part of one of those sporting programs. If you have any questions about when particular sports will offer their programs throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with myself or the office.
Inclusion Team News
Hi Everyone,
We are the Inclusion Team for 2024 and we are committed to supporting our wonderful Nirimba students, teachers and parents.
Our names and Year levels of support are as follows-
Mrs Elisabeth Macmillan Prep (Mon, Tue and Thu)
Ms Janelle Clarke Grades 1-2
Ms Brodie Singleton Grades 3-6
Our office is situated in B Block on the ground floor.
Our main role as an Inclusion teacher is to support and provide reasonable adjustments to children that have been identified as their same age peers so they have equal access to curriculum and positive wellbeing.
Have a great Term 1.
My New Gallery
Prep News
Our new Preppies have had a busy and joyful start to their first year at school. The children are settling into their daily routines and learning the school expectations of Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be a Learner. The children are engaging in all areas of the curriculum and have had fun meeting their specialist teachers as well. It has been wonderful to see everyone making new friends, trying new things and exploring different areas within the school. Here are some photos of the children having fun while doing their learning at Prep.
My New Gallery
Year 1
What a way to start the term. Year 1 had Ocean Life visit our school for an incursion linked to our Science unit this term. We have been learning about habitats and what animals need to survive. Our incursion was presented by Richard, an experienced marine educator. Our students engaged in live marine animal interactions including a Baby Bamboo Shark, Fresh Water Turtle, Blue Linckia Seastars, Thorny Seastars, Tropical Sea Cucumber, Black Sea Cucumber and Sea Urchins. Richard shared fascinating marine artefacts, shark jaws, a vast range of habitats and which animals call them home.
My New Gallery
Year 2
This term Year 2 students have dived deep into the world of data in their Maths lessons! Our learners have collected, organised and represented data in creative ways. From counting their favourite colours to charting different coloured water bottles. They embraced hands-on, real-world experiences to explore the power of numbers.
But it didn’t stop there! Our budding Mathematicians used their data to connect with each other, getting to know their peers on a whole new level. They had a blast making simple yet profound inferences from the information they gathered. We have loved getting to know all of your favourite things Year 2.
Let’s celebrate their enthusiasm for maths and the joy they found in discovering the stories behind the numbers on their exciting journey through the world of data.
My New Gallery
Year 3
Term 1 and we are full STEAM ahead in Year 3!
We're thrilled to share what our Year 3 students have been diving into this term!
In English, they've been immersing themselves in the world of narratives. Through exciting stories and engaging activities, they've been learning how to craft vivid stories filled with descriptive details. One of the key skills they've been doing is using expanded noun groups, which help bring their writing to life. By adding adjectives and extra information to their nouns, they're painting more colourful pictures with their words. In addition to expanding their vocabulary with rich descriptions, our Year 3 students have been exploring a variety of verbs. They're learning how to choose action words that propel their stories forward, adding energy and excitement to their narratives.
In Maths, our Mathematicians have been navigating the world of numbers with confidence and enthusiasm. They've been sharpening their skills with grid coordinates, learning how to plot points and navigate through different quadrants. Through hands-on activities and interactive games, they're mastering the art of using coordinates to locate objects on a grid, a fundamental skill that lays the groundwork for more advanced mathematical concepts. Our students have been delving into the fascinating realm of data displays too. They're exploring various types of graphs and charts, learning how to interpret and analyse data to draw meaningful conclusions. From bar graphs to picture graphs, they're discovering the power of visual representations in understanding and communicating numerical information. We too are working with numbers up to five digits as they practice counting on and back, developing a deeper understanding of number sequences and patterns. Whether it's adding or subtracting, they're gaining confidence in their ability to manipulate numbers with ease and accuracy.
We're also thrilled to share how we're sparking creativity and curiosity through hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities. In our robotics room, students have been embarking on exciting adventures with Bluebots. These programmable robots are introducing them to the fundamentals of coding and robotics in a fun and interactive way. Through hands-on experimentation and problem-solving challenges, our young engineers are gaining valuable skills in logical thinking, sequencing, and computational thinking. In our exploration of the solar system, students are getting hands-on with playdough to sculpt their own models of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. By physically moulding and manipulating the playdough, they're gaining a deeper understanding of the relationships between these celestial bodies and their movements in space. As they rotate and orbit their models, they're experiencing firsthand the dynamics of the Earth-Moon-Sun system.
By integrating STEAM into our curriculum, we're providing our Year 3 students with opportunities to explore, create, and innovate across a wide range of disciplines. From robotics to astronomy to the visual arts, they're developing critical thinking skills, fostering creativity, and preparing for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Overall, it's been a fantastic start to the term for our Year 3 students. With their enthusiasm for learning and their dedication to exploring new concepts, we're excited to see what the rest of the term holds for them. Thank you for your continued support in their educational journey.
My New Gallery
Year 4
What an incredible start to the year it has been in Year 4! We've had an exciting time diving into various subjects, exploring new concepts, and igniting our curiosity through engaging activities.
In English, we've been enchanted by Roald Dahl's novel, "Fantastic Mr Fox". We have been busy crafting our own imaginative chapters, using colourful language to create lively characters, captivating settings and detailed events.
Over in Maths, we've been exploring symmetry and how to read maps using grid references and co-ordinates. It's been a hands-on learning experience as we've worked together to understand these concepts in fun and practical ways.
In Science, we've been reaching for the stars as we learn about the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Through experiments and observations, we're discovering how these celestial bodies impact our world, from casting shadows to marking the passage of day and night.
For Humanities and Social Sciences, we're investigating the history of Australia, from life before European settlement to the impacts and changes that followed. It's been eye-opening to learn about the different cultures and stories that have shaped our country.
We are excited to continue this journey of learning and exploration throughout the year.
My New Gallery
Year 5
4/5A
We are almost at the halfway point of Term 1 in 4/5A and it is great to see students demonstrating their learning so far. Students are working hard to master fractions and decimals, explore ways to make their writing outstanding and learn more about Australian history and communities.
Our Year 5 students are joining our other Year 5 classes to explore natural disasters, while Year 4 have been conducting scientific investigations into shadow, the Sun, the Moon and the Earth.
All students now have iPads and are becoming familiar with our Seesaw learning app and school expectations. It has been wonderful to watch all of our new students build friendships in NSPS as our classroom community develops.
5A
Welcome back Year 5 students and families! As we embark on an exciting Term 1, we extend a warm welcome to our new students and families joining our school community. It's wonderful to see familiar faces returning for another engaging year of learning and growth. Let’s go over some of the activities we have undertaken so far.
In Mathematics, our Year 5 students have been delving into the fascinating realm of Numbers. They've been busy representing and ordering decimals and fractions, sharpening their mathematical skills and critical thinking along the way.
In English, creativity has been flourishing as students have embarked on the journey of crafting their very own fantasy stories. From planning the first chapter to creating 'good' and 'evil' characters, and crafting intricate fantasy settings, our young writers are exploring the depths of their imaginations. They've been mastering text structures and language features suitable for their audience and purpose, and eagerly drafting the captivating beginnings of their fantastical tales.
Meanwhile, in Science, our students are exploring the theme of 'Our Changing World'. They're delving into the dynamics of natural disasters and their profound impacts on Earth's surface and communities. Through inquiry and investigation, they're gaining a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our planet and the resilience of human societies.
As we venture forth into this term, let us embrace curiosity, creativity, and collaboration in all our endeavours. Here's to a term filled with growth, exploration, and endless possibilities!
5/6A
In 5/6A, students have been on an educational odyssey, immersing themselves in the realms of Science, Mathematics, and Literature. Through captivating studies of natural disasters, they've gained insights into the Earth's forces and their impact on communities. Meanwhile, in Mathematics, Students have been mastering fractions and decimals, blending conceptual understanding with real-world applications. In English, utilising ICT resources, students have delved into Jackie French's short stories, analysing their structure, themes, and meaning. These multifaceted explorations not only deepen subject knowledge but also foster critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning. As educators, we're proud to witness the growth and enthusiasm of our students as they embrace the wonders of discovery in our classroom.
My New Gallery
Year 6
6A – Magnificent Mighty Mathematicians
In the wonderful class of 6A we’ve been working tirelessly on our Mathematical skills. Before each Maths lesson, we do warm-up drills to build our overall number sense. Explicitly teacher directed activities based on an “I do We do You do” approach gives all students at all levels the opportunity to build foundational, consolidated and extended numeracy skills. Warm ups are the ideal learning opportunities to harness skills with:
- calculating skills like x/÷10,100,1000,double/halvingand compatible pairs
- calculating strategies such as split strategy multiplicationand vertical algorithm for addition.
- overall number fact fluency
6A is a class full of mathematicians from all different levels and stages. Warm ups before and after a lesson continually builds our strength, confidence and motivation for Maths.
6B - Classroom Highlights: A Snapshot of Learning
In our English sessions, students have been immersed in a comprehensive exploration of short story structures, injecting humour into their narratives, and honing their creative skills through writing workshops. The focus has been on brainstorming innovative ideas and developing story challenges, while also delving into language techniques to enrich the imagery in their writing.
Over in the Science room, students have been actively engaged in experiments examining the concepts of melting and solubility, conducting fair tests to deepen their understanding. In the realm of Mathematics, the class is navigating the practical applications of negative numbers, enhancing fact fluency, mastering fractions, and embracing the complexities of Cartesian planes.
In Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), students have delved into the historical significance of Federation and the influential figure of Sir Henry Parkes, alongside exploring the power of political messaging conveyed through thought-provoking cartoons. A recent visit from the Ready, Steady Recycle program provided valuable insights into waste management practices, sparking discussions on environmental stewardship.
Our classroom ethos prioritises the cultivation of essential life skills such as self-management and independence, while fostering a culture that celebrates individuality and resilient qualities among our students. This holistic approach to education aims to empower individuals with the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally.
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