UPCOMING EVENTS

Parent Information Night

Tuesday 11th February

Homework & Home Reading Parent Info

Session Tuesday 18th Feb

Welcome Morning Tea Tuesday 18th Feb

Kindy Parent Info Session

Thursday 20th Feb

Welcome BBQ Friday 21st Feb

Year 4/5 Tuck Shop Thursday 27th March

Swimming Carnival Wednesday 2nd April

Sundowner Friday 4th April

From the Principal Welcome Welcome students, staff, parents and community members to the 2014 school year. As the new Principal at North Fremantle Primary School, I am looking forward to the many educational experiences and initiatives planned for this year aimed at achieving strong learning outcomes for our students. I have been very impressed by the strong community spirit of our school and I look forward to meeting and getting to know our students, parents and community members. Over the course of the year I will be documenting, on my Principal’s Blog, the learning journey our students and staff will be embarking on this year. Information of interest to parents regarding the education and development of children will also be provided. To access my blog please visit http://northfremantlepsprincipalsblog.wordpress.com/ . You can keep updated with new posts by adding your email address in the ‘Follow my Blog via Email’ field on the side menu to receive instant email notifications every time a new post has been added. Welcome to New Staff We would like to welcome Mrs Roberta Slattery to our school for Term 1. Mrs Slattery will be in Kindergar-ten while Mrs Lisa Miller is on Long Service Leave. Mrs Lily Mercer will also be joining our team this year in the French LOTE role on Thursday’s.

Homework Policy and Home Reading Program North Fremantle Primary School have developed and will launch in the next fortnight a new approach to homework and home reading in Years 1 – 7. Our new homework policy which outlines the new approach is included with this newsletter. Please take the time to read this document. You will receive more information about homework and home reading at your child’s classroom parent information session and we will also be running a parent workshop on Tuesday 18th February at 5.00pm to 6.30pm to further explain the approaches.

Newsletter Issue 6, 16 May 2013

Newsletter Issue 16, 7th November 2013

Our VisionOur VisionOur VisionOur Vision

For all students at North Fremantle Primary School to experience learning that is purposeful, engaging and empowers them to become life long learners.

Our MissionOur MissionOur MissionOur Mission

Through partnerships with parents and the local community, we will provide an inclusive environment in which our students can develop the knowledge skills, understandings and confidence to reach their potential.

Email the school administration: NorthFremantlePS@education.wa.edu.au

Email Teachers direct: Room? NorthFremantlePS@education.wa.edu.au (Please insert which room # your child is in)

Spelling – A Whole School Approach Our staff have begun their professional learning journey aimed at developing and implementing a whole school approach to spelling. This approach draws upon current educational research into effective strategies focused on the explicit teaching of phonological awareness, synthetic phonics and spelling. Our staff were involved in a full day professional learning session on Friday 31st of January and are currently continuing to meet to develop this approach further. We are committed to raising the spelling standards and achievement of our students.

Homework Policy and Home Reading Program North Fremantle Primary School has developed and will launch in the next fortnight a new approach to homework and home reading in Years 1 – 7. Our new homework policy which outlines the new approach is included with this newsletter. Please take the time to read this document. You will receive more information about homework and home reading at your child’s classroom parent information session and we will also be running a parent workshop on Tuesday 18th February at 5.00pm to 6.30pm to further explain the approaches. Attendance Teachers at North Fremantle Primary School plan sequenced and tailored programs that build skills, understandings and concepts for each child. Students who attend school regularly and are on time are assured good quality learning experiences. Research shows that students who miss 10% (or one day a fortnight) or more of their schooling increasingly interrupts their education. These students may become at educational risk. It is for this reason that:

• All absences must be explained by the parent/guardian.

• At risk attendance (less than 90%), unexplained or unreasonable absences and frequent lateness will be followed up by

Teachers. In some circumstances by Administration.

• Taking vacation leave during school terms is discouraged. Families intending to book vacations during school must seek

approval from the Principal.

• Students arriving after 8:45am are required to get a late pass from the office and this will be logged in the school system.

All students are expected to be prompt in their return to classrooms after recess and lunch. School Uniform Students are encouraged to wear the school uniform at all times, including school excursions. Purpose of school uniform: At North Fremantle Primary School, we have a strong belief that a dress code is necessary because it:

• Fosters and enhances the public image of the school

• Provides students with a sense of belonging

• Instils and promotes pride and team spirit in students

• Encourages equity among the students

• Ensures that students are dressed safely for school activities and the environment

Prepares students for work, as many places have dress and safety codes

Restricted Clothing: The following are specifically banned from school for various reasons, mostly safety and restriction of movement:

• Any denim (as per Department of Education Policy)

• Dangling earrings or excessive jewellery

• Thongs

Parents are asked at the time of enrolment to ensure that their child is able to start school in full school uniform.. Parent Communication – School Assemblies and Newsletters During the year, assemblies are held at 8.45am, Thursday mornings of weeks 3, 6, 9 each term. Parents are advised by newsletter of each Term’s assemblies and venue. During each assembly, class items, reports and honour certificates are awarded to various children for their efforts and contributions in class. All parents are welcome to attend. Newsletters will be sent out each Thursday fortnight. This terms newsletters will be sent out in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 via email. Scheduling Meetings with Teachers Communication between parents and classroom teachers regarding children’s learning is highly valued at North Fremantle Primary School. In order for teachers to adequately prepare for meetings we ask parents to arrange, with the classroom teacher, suitable times for meetings to occur. Teachers will not conduct meetings during the 8.30am – 8.45am period in the morning or unscheduled meetings. We thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. The School Chaplaincy Service As a school community we are fortunate to have the services of a School Support Chaplain. This service is funded by the State Gov-ernment, in partnership with YouthCARE and the W.A. Department of Education. A YouthCARE Support Chaplain is linked to a clus-ter of schools within a specific district. The Support Chaplain is available to work in those schools which do not have a Federally funded In-School Chaplain. At North Fremantle Primary School Terri Emslie is on site every Tuesday from 8.15am until 10.40am. She assists the staff with the Pastoral Care already being offered on a regular basis within the School Community. Terri can also provide additional support, con-sultation and appropriate referral to other agencies for the more serious or urgent pastoral needs of the staff, students and families. Access to the Support Chaplaincy Service is through our School Administration Team.

Alex Di Felice Principal

Room 3—Bev Lane & Margie Campbell Back at school! I’m sure all of you have worked out that Mrs. Campbell takes the class on Monday and that I (Ms. Lane) are with them for the rest of the week. The children seem to be coping with the system well and it has been very helpful having a group of year two’s to lead the way. It was great to see everyone in uniform and with hats on. It helps students to feel confident and part of the group when they are dressed like their peers.

Room 1—Roberta Slattery The kindergarten children who have experienced their first day at school have had a fabulous time. They spent the morning creating birthday crowns, painting, playing with play dough and exploring their outdoor play area. They had a wonderful time learning new songs, meeting Momo the monkey and learning how to be kindy stars. Here is a photo of our beautiful kindy kids enjoying fruit time together. The children will be focusing on the theme ‘All about me’ for the first few weeks of term giving us all the opportunity of getting to know each other. Mrs Preston and I are very excited about meeting the rest of the kindy children on Thursday.

Room 2—Liz Smith The Pre-primary year has begun with a tinkle of excited bells, a clap of hands and a wall of chattering voices. It’s wonderful to welcome new friends and families to our community and I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

"Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one and it is for you

to find the other three." -- Confucius

At the end of last year I had a cull of all the ‘junk modelling’ boxes so before you recycle yours maybe spare a thought for the imaginative and minds and sticky fingers of us in Pre-primary. If you have any spare bedding plants or herbs please bring them down to us in the Early Childhood Area, they would be much appreciated and watered daily.

Room 4 -Rochelle Reeves & Belinda Baldey Welcome back to school. We hope you had a wonderful holiday and are ready for some awesome learning. This year Room 4 will be taught by Mrs Reeves and Mrs Baldey. We will be having a parent meeting to discuss routines and requirements on Tuesday 11th February in the classroom at 3.30pm. A few things to note in the mean time: - Children are encouraged to bring a water bottle which will be kept in class and they can drink from throughout the day. - Crunch and sip will continue straight after lunch during silent reading. Please encourage your child to bring a book from home for silent reading and we will be encouraging them to borrow from our library as well. - It is extremely important that children come to school with a hat so that they can play. Our policy is – No Hat, No Play. Homework will be explained at the class meeting and will start in week 3. Meanwhile please continue to read with your child or to your child. We are looking forward to a fabulous year with lots of stimulating learning.

Room 5—Brent Snook Welcome back to the start of another school year. It is great to see many familiar faces as well as welcoming some new faces in room five. Everyone has come back with a positive attitude and willingness to learn which will be core values in our classroom throughout 2014. Parents and carers, please remember there will be a parent meeting held in Room five at 4:00pm on Tuesday the 11/2/2014 to discuss routine and requirements for the term and the year. Students please remember to bring your hats to school every day. The weather is showing no signs of cooling down therefore the ‘No hat, No play’ rule will be enforced. Again welcome to all our new and existing families, I am very excited for the year ahead.

Room 7—Mr John Monday saw our 17 Leavers return for their final year at North Fremantle and their efforts so far have not disappointed. We’ve already started working on creating and then prioritising persuasive arguments in terms of effectiveness, revising the language of chance through dice games and examined different methods of conflict resolution at school. The main focus however has been on the students participating in the new student leadership process. Instead of Student Councillors 2014 will see the introduction of the School Ministry consisting of ministers for Health, Arts, the Environment, Sport and Recreation, Learning, Community Relations and Technology as well as a Prime Minister. All ministers will have specific responsibilities that need to be fulfilled as well as contributing to the school’s already amazing culture. A reminder that the written application is due back to Mr John on Monday February 10th so we can start writing our campaign speeches.