31 October 2024

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome to Term 4, in what is set to be a busy and productive term. Our day one professional development learning saw staff split into two groups. Our SESOs joined together to further explore their knowledge on self-regulation and interoception including individual differences, neurodiversity, and mental health, and supporting emotional regulation in the classroom. Our teachers joined with fellow Meaningful Maths network schools at Casuarina Secondary College to learn from leading Mathematics expert Michael Minas. Michael is renowned for his engaging and innovative teaching strategies. The following day, Michael delivered further professional development at Henbury School, joined by staff from Nemarluk, specific to students with diverse learning needs. He focused on enabling prompts to provide differentiated access to maths. This included the following strategies:

In Week 2, our school undertook a three-day ACER School Review. This occurs every four years for all schools across the nation and the findings support schools in forming their Annual School Improvement Plan. The review was conducted by an external lead reviewer from ACER and two school leaders from the NT. It included the collaborative voice of school leadership, students, staff, and parents speaking directly with the three members of the review panel. The review focused on nine key areas outlined below:

1. Driving an explicit improvement agenda
2. Analysing and discussing data
3. Promoting a culture of learning
4. Targeting school resources
5. Building an expert teaching team
6. Leading systematic curriculum implementation
7. Differentiating teaching and learning
8. Implementing effective pedagogical practices
9. Building school-community partnerships

Thank you to the parents who gave up their time to come and speak to members of the review panel. Our results reflected our improvement journey, and we were very pleased with the outcome and clarity of direction we have moving forward. Please take the time to read our commendations and affirmations. 

TEACHING IN THE TERRITORY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Congratulations to SESO Damien Fuller for winning the Darwin Region Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educator of the Year at the Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards. Teachers Amanda Thomas and Flynn were finalists in their respective Darwin Region categories – Secondary Educator of the Year, and Inclusion Educator of the Year. It is wonderful for Damien, Amanda, and Flynn to be recognised for their expertise, commitment to quality education, and the positive impact they have on our students and school community. 

SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES

Check out the flyers at the end of the newsletter providing information on some great sporting opportunities for our students. People can try a range of para-sports, meet Paralympians, and get active. This is part of the Green and Gold Talent Search program.

The Northern Territory Sports Academy also has two weekly Open Para Programs on offer - Athletics/Court Movement skills every Monday 5.00pm-6.00pm at Marrara Netball Stadium and Aquatic Movement skills every Wednesday 5.30pm-6.30pm at Casuarina Pool. These programs are free.

T/EAP and END OF YEAR REPORTS

Thank you to all parents and carers for attending your child’s T/EAP review meetings in the last couple of months. It was wonderful to discuss and celebrate progress and achievements, and actions moving forward. Please note that T/EAP Reports will be sent out in Week 10, along with end of year curriculum End of Year and NTCET Modified reports. If you have any queries please get in touch with your child’s teacher, or the front office.

TRANSITION PROGRAM FOR 2025

At this time of year, transition sessions into new classroom spaces for new and current students begins to increase. Transition sessions are extremely important to help ensure our new and current students feel well prepared and familiarised with new staff, peers, and classroom spaces.

We have been welcoming Year 6 students from multiple primary schools into campus and Dripstone classrooms. We have an unprecedented number of students enrolled for 2025 therefore logistics around these sessions has been challenging. With thanks to Assistant Principal Lauren’s detailed planning, and classroom staff member’s preparations, these transition sessions have been productive and successful, and our current students are coping well with new faces. As we progress through the coming weeks, these Year 6 transition sessions will continue, as well as some of our current campus students commencing personalised transitions into their drafted 2025 classrooms.

In addition to the above, many of our Year 9 campus-based students have commenced a weekly group session at the Casuarina Leisure Centre for swimming and games. This a great opportunity to get to know each other better, enjoy this great facility and get active. Thank you to Senior Teacher Amanda for organising this part of the transition program. Outreach Year 9s also continue their weekly sessions attending CSC and Darwin High to build familiarity with staff, peers and new spaces.

We appreciate this can be a challenging time for some of our students as their usual routines and programs are altered, however, with careful planning we aim to mitigate this as much as possible. If families have any queries or concerns, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or a senior staff member. Please note that classroom student lists and staffing will be finalised and communicated at the end of Term 4.

HALLOWEEN FUN

Students celebrated an early Halloween in Week 2. Many students (and staff!) got into the spirit of things by dressing up. There was plenty of dancing at the disco and the Halloween Pop Up Stall was a great hit with lots of spooky crafts. Thank you to our enterprise programs who worked on these items and staff who facilitated the disco! 

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WORLD TEACHER’S DAY

On Friday 25^th October we celebrated World Teacher’s Day. Staff were treated to a delicious morning tea and received fancy Henbury School stationery as a token of appreciation for the important work they do. Leader of the Opposition, Selena Uibo MLA, and Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Chansey Paech MLA, dropped off treats and took a short tour of the school with NTLC student Jade, acknowledging Henbury’s diverse programs and the staff that make these happen. We also appreciated a visit and treats from Member for Casuarina, Khoda Patel MLA, who commended our valued staff. 

Raylee Parker
Assistant Principal

HENBURY ART EXHIBITION

BLUE 1

We’ve had an exciting and action-packed semester in B1, full of hands-on learning and memorable adventures. Our students have been involved in a variety of activities that have fostered creativity, teamwork, and life skills, and we've had plenty of fun along the way.

To kick things off, the students were eager to plan a trip to King Pin. However, with the cost in mind, we launched our Chocolate Ball Business. This project has been a huge success, with our delicious chocolate balls becoming a hit across the school, drawing in many repeat customers. Thanks to their hard work, the business flourished, and we raised enough funds to enjoy an exciting day at King Pin at the end of Term 3. The students had an absolute blast playing Laser Tag, bowling, enjoying arcade games, trying out table tennis, and of course, indulging in some tasty chips.

This semester, a few of our students have also had the special opportunity to participate in the RDA Horse Riding Program. They've met their horses and learned about caring for them. The students are eagerly awaiting the chance to start riding in the coming weeks. It’s an experience they’re all looking forward to.

Additionally, two of our students have taken the first steps in their careers by starting work experience at the school café. They’ve shown tremendous dedication, and it's wonderful to see them developing valuable, lifelong skills in a real-world environment.

Our Community Access visits have also led to some exciting discoveries. Recently we ventured to Nightcliff Jetty, where the students explored the rock pools. They were captivated by the vibrant colours of the rocks and thrilled to spot crabs hiding among them. It was a wonderful experience, blending education with exploration.

As always, we are proud of our students’ achievements.

FORM PREPARATIONS FOR 2025

Special Needs continuing bus forms

These forms have been emailed and sent home in hard copy for existing bus transport students to complete and return for next year. Please complete as early as possible to guarantee a seat on the bus. If your child is not currently on the bus but you would like to sign them up next year, please contact Henbury Front Office on 89977077

Nutrition Program

2025 Parent consent forms will need to be completed before the Nutrition Program can be accessed in the new year. The cost continues to be $30 per week for recess and lunch per day or $6 per day for a modified arrangement. The Nutrition Program will NOT be available the first week back of Term 1. Please ensure students bring Recess and Lunch to school during Week 1.

Please contact the Front Office with any queries.

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

Members of Project 21 and ex-students of Henbury school came past to deliver home-made biscuits for World Down syndrome day. It was lovely to see them.

SAVER PLUS

Funded by Department of Social Services, partnered by Brotherhood St Laurence and ANZ, and delivered by The Smith Family.

Parents can apply for the Saver Plus program and receive $500 to help their child’s education costs. The money families receive from the program, and the budgeting skills they gain, help kids to be prepared for school with all the right gear.

What are the eligible savings goals?

Eligible savings goals are education related products or services that:​

• Assist a primary or secondary school student’s education.

Saver Plus will chat with your families about eligibility:

• Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
• Payment from Centrelink and
• Earning an income (employment, carer’s payment, or child support).
  

If families would like to check their eligibility and receive a call back please click the link below -  Saver Plus - Enquire Now or call the national number 1300 610 355 and a local coordinator will contact them directly.

YELLOW 2

This semester has been a little bit different for Yellow 2, with Brittany working three days and week and Cherry coming in two days a week. The students have worked very well with these changes, and we have seen lots of growth this semester.

The people in Yellow 2 are kind. I really like school. I like hanging out with my friends at recess and lunch. - Azaria

I really enjoy doing my art. I get my ideas for comic books and games. I like to draw on paper with pencil to sketch out my artwork. It felt good to get an honourable mention for my artwork in the Art Exhibition. – Lawrence

Going on the excursion is fun. I enjoyed going to East Point Boardwalk in the rain and I liked getting wet. I liked looking at the map, just because they are interesting. – Kyan

I like the class because sometimes we have funny jokes and do funny stuff, a little bit. I like going on excursion. Sometimes I find maths a little tricky, but the teachers help me out. – Morgan

Congratulation to Azaria and Duane who both won the Critics’ Choice Award for Senior Years in the Art show.

ENTERPRISE ED

In Woodwork and Enterprise Ed, students have been working on various projects for the upcoming Christmas Stall. They’ve made Christmas trees, ornaments, fish mobiles, earrings, tie dye products, bags, aprons, hair products and more! Some classes have also been working hard on creating their own individual projects including: wooden boxes and drink bottle holders and cushion covers.

This year we held our first Halloween pop up stall for students to enjoy! Students from several classes made: trick or treat bags, scrunchies, earrings, coin purses, screen printed t-shirts, toffee apples, cookies and treat bags.

Our annual Henbury Christmas Stall will be held on Thursday 5^th December from 9:00-11:00am. We look forward to seeing you there!

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

Our Year 12 Graduation will be held on Thursday 28^th November at Darwin Hilton, tickets are $80pp and $25 for children under 12. Please contact the front office on 89977077 to RSVP and make payment. Payment plans are available.

SCHOOL NURSE – FOCUS ON ANXIETY

Anxiety and depression are common in people with asthma. The good news is that there are effective treatments both for asthma and for anxiety and depression. With careful management, the symptoms of anxiety and depression can be treated along with those of asthma, so they do not interfere with life.

Janine Kelsey
Henbury School nurse

UPCOMING EVENTS – Term 4, 2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the following students that celebrate their birthdays in OCTOBER:

Hunter H – 4^th
Charleze – 4^th
Roman – 5^th
Fatima – 6^th
Anita – 12^th
Ryan – 12^th
Marlee – 14^th
Fiona – 15^th
Tatian W – 19^th
Denilson – 21^st
Dion – 27^th

COMMUNITY NOTICES