Throughout the week the students will be participating in a variety of activities to celebrate Harmony Week. This year the theme is Everyone Belongs. 

Some of the activities may include;

• Reading texts

• Creating Artwork

• Wearing and celebrating students cultural dress

• Learning greetings in different languages

On Friday 24 March, we are encouraging everyone to come dressed in their clothes representing their culture or wear orange, which is the colour that represents Harmony Week.

(Monday/Tuesday preschool groups will have their dress up day on Tuesday 21 March)

Year 3 students have completed their NAPLAN testing, any student who has been absent will be given the opportunity to catch up next week.  A big thank you to the students and teachers who have navigated the testing week wonderfully.

 Year 5 students will complete testing Monday 20th March and Tuesday 21st March,  next week.  The NAPLAN test will commence at 9:30am both mornings. (see timetable below)

Education ministers agreed that NAPLAN would move to Term One from 2023. This will mean results will be available to education authorities earlier in the year to inform school and system teaching and learning programs and will assist teachers to better determine support students need for the coming year.

NAPLAN Online is a more engaging assessment that adjusts questions to each student’s achievement level. 

NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development. 

Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information. 

Neville Bonner Primary School NAPLAN Timetable 2023

Local author, Nicole Godwin, will visit Neville Bonner Primary School on Friday, 17 March and Monday, 20 March. She will run interactive sessions across all year levels, with a focus on her books Billie and Jelly-Boy which both have strong ocean conservation themes. Her sessions will include discussions on the book creation process and sustainability, with an emphasis on ocean plastic. We are still accepting notes and payment to attend workshops over the two days. Any students without a note or payment will attend an alternative in-class program

As part of her visit, Nicole offers an opportunity for families to purchase signed copies of her books at a discounted rate of $20 (RRP is $25). If you would like to purchase a copy of Billie, Jelly-Boy, Swoop, We Are Australians or Ella, please pay online by going to www.tuskbooks.com. The individual books on offer will be discounted to $20 each with no shipping payable if you enter the coupon code ‘NevilleBonner’. Please add extra information (including your child’s name and class) in the notes field to ensure Nicole knows who to sign the books to. 

About Billie – Join Billie the dolphin on this perilous adventure, as she sets off to find the biggest wave. Billie travels the ocean, saving new friends from pollution, drift nets, whaling and much more. This eye-opening story draws attention to the human-made dangers for dolphins and other marine wildlife. 

About Jelly-Boy – What happens when a jellyfish falls in love with a plastic bag? He is big and strong and so very brave but hides a dangerous truth. 

About We Are Australians – Explore what it truly means to be an Australian citizen. Co-authored with Wiradjuri man, Duncan Smith OAM, this book reflects on our rich First Nations history and encourages readers to walk forward together, stamping our feet to wake up the ancestors and listening deeply to stories, to points of view, and to Country. 

About Swoop – Magpie has one job. One purpose. One desire. KEEP THE EGGS SAFE. A story close to every Australian’s heart, Swoop highlights the determination and perseverance of a magpie safeguarding his partner and eggs. 

About Ella – Little Ella the elephant dreams of seeing her mum again. But can she escape? Is she even brave enough to try? This book provides a glimpse into the lives of elephants being used in the tourism industry. 

You can learn more about Nicole’s books at www.nicolegodwin.com. Feel free to contact Nicole directly if you have any questions – nicole@tuskbooks.com. Orders received by 19 March will be delivered on Monday 20 March. Orders received from 20 March to 24 March will be delivered the following week (by 31 March). 

Save the date! Our school photos will be taken on the first day of term 2, Monday 24 April. Thursday/Friday preschool children will have their photo taken on Friday 28 April. Please see the below information on how to order your school photo packs.

Apply now for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2023 school year. Eligible low-income ACT families can receive one-off payments for financial aid to help cover the costs of their children’s educational costs, such as sport equipment and activities, music lessons, school uniforms and excursions. The Fund is open to eligible students enrolled in preschools that are attached to an ACT government school, through to Year 12 in the ACT. Further information and the online application form is available at https://www.education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/financial-and-resource-assistance-for-families

We have continued to teach the various expectations across the school this week and will continue with this until the end of the term. 

MASCOT COMPETITION

This week the PBL team launched our Mascot competition. The students in all of the classes will be designing a mascot that will represent PBL at Neville Bonner. This mascot will become a key visual around the school. They have been asked to consider Neville Bonner, the K-TREE and our key expectations of safe, respectful learner. These are due at the end of next week. We will be announcing and showing finalists in the week 9 assembly and newsletter. 

P&C Committee - AGM and General Council meeting

Our AGM will be held on Monday, 20th March from 7.15pm in the staff lounge. All positions will be up for nomination, so please consider volunteering. Each role has various levels of commitment, but no more than an hour or even less each week. It's a great opportunity to get to know other parents, school staff and be a part of a wonderful group of like minded people who all have a passion to help support our young people and the broader school community.

Our P&C provides services to the school such as canteen, second hand uniform shop, disco and other activities. Without a P&C, we cannot continue to do these things.

For more information on the positions on our committee, please head to the P&C Facebook or the Neville Bonner P&C page.

We are always happy to accept new members into the P&C. Event Volunteers as well - send us a Volunteer email. 

Mother's Day - 14 May 2023 

Mother's Day Stall plans are underway, stay tuned for more info.

Entertainment Book

Purchase this great online book full of entertainment vouchers and discount offers!! Single city books available for $69.99 or Multi city for $119.99. Did you know you can buy discounted vouchers, gift cards and presents with an Entertainment book? There are some really great offers. Make sure you subscribe to access the amazing deals. You can find the Entertainment book Official Site by clicking this link. Proceeds from each book purchased are donated to the P&C.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Neville Bonner Primary School P&C Second Hand Uniform Stall is hosted under the school hall covered area for the following, upcoming, opening hours.

** Week 8 - Wednesday, 22nd March, from 8.45am to 9.45am.

** Week 9 - Wednesday, 29th March, from 2.45pm to 3.45pm.

** Week 10 - Wednesday, 5th April, from 8.45am to 9.45am.

We have loads of pre-loved uniforms for sale. Preferred payment is via EFTPOS, however cash will be accepted. If you have good quality school uniform items you no longer need, the P&C will gratefully accept your donation to our second hand uniform stall through the canteen (or please place them in the tub near the front office).