Updated COVID Plan - Earlier today I sent a letter to families which contains important information with regards to the easing of restrictions. Importantly, from Monday we can now welcome parents back on to school grounds in outdoor areas at pick-up and drop-off times. This bodes well for Monday's cross country, where we will be able to welcome parent spectators should you wish to attend. I have included approximate race times below. Gates at the school will open from 8:45am each morning and we request upon arrival students head towards the near vicinity of their learning spaces.

Assembly –

We held our first assemblies this year with separate events for our Year 3/4 students and our Year 5/6 students. Tam’s Year 4 class performed a rousing rendition of Agadoo, complete with headwear and glasses, which was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students. In the following assembly we heard about the roles of our Year 6 student leaders where they shared the leadership work they will be doing across the school. Our first junior assembly will be held next Wednesday. I anticipate we will be able to welcome parents to one’s in the near future where we will resume our award certificate presentations.

NAPLAN –

Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit NAPLAN from Tuesday next week. I spoke to students at our assemblies earlier this week and iterated to them that all we expect from them is to do their very best. NAPLAN does provide our teachers with valuable information about student performance and we look forward to using that information in our programming to best meet the needs our students.

Cross Country –

We will be proceeding with our cross country event, weather pending, this coming Monday. As the event goes outside of our school grounds we require parent permission for your child to compete. If you have not given this permission, please do so as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours on the day for this event.

The approximate race times are as follows;

9:30 – 12 yr old

10:15 – 11 yr olds

11:00- 10 yr olds

11:15 – 9 yr olds

11:30 – 8 yr olds

Please be aware this is only approximate and events may run earlier or later than planned. Our Junior students will participate in structure games rotations at 10:15.

Reporting –

With the middle of the school year fast approaching our teachers will soon be preparing student reports for semester 1. This semester we will be providing students with an overall A-E grade, and an assessment of achievement standard statements on a 5-point scale.

While semester 1 reports won’t include detailed teacher comments, parents are encouraged to speak directly with their child’s teacher(s) if they have any questions or concerns about their progress. Our teachers will also continue to communicate directly with you when there are any concerns about student learning or other classroom updates

ACT Swimming –

One of our year 5 students proudly represented our school and the North Gungahlin region in the ACT Swimming Championships on Wednesday morning. Congratulations to Emma, who competed in the 50m freestyle event. This is a huge accomplishment and I’m sure you’ll join me in recognising her efforts in reaching this high level of competition. Well done Emma.

2023 New Families Information Evening –

In today’s edition of the newsletter you will see an advertisement for an information session for prospective enrolments for Preschool and Kindergarten for 2023. This session will introduce families to Neville Bonner Primary School providing information regarding our school and processes for enrolment. Should your child already be in preschool and is remaining at Neville Bonner Primary in 2023 this event may cover information you already know and may not be of benefit. Later in the year we will hold two further separate information sessions in preparation the start of the next school year where we will share important information surrounding the start of Preschool and Kindergarten with our families.

Year 6 Visit from Amaroo School

Next Monday afternoon Amaroo School will be visiting our Year 6 students to talk about high school and answer questions. Students will also be provided information about Amaroo's Information Session at this time.

NAPLAN 2022 Week 3 - 4

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit in May each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students do.

NAPLAN commences Tuesday 10th May and continues through to Friday 20th May.

Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Four papers in total. Questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics.

At Neville Bonner Primary School Year 3 students will complete the four papers in Week 3 - commencing with Writing on Tuesday 10th of May. Completing the papers by Friday, one each day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Year 5 students will complete the Writing paper on Tuesday 10th May and Reading Wednesday the 11th May, Conventions of Language Monday 16th May and Numeracy 17th of May. All papers will be completed by the end of Week 4.

NAPLAN assessment will commence at 9:30am, it is important that students arrive at school before this time.

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN.

You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best.

ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers.

To see the types of questions and tools available in the online NAPLAN assessments you can visit nap.edu.au/onlineassessment/public-demonstration-site.

Please contact Kerry or Janet by direct email or via the Front Office if you have any questions.