Principal’s Report

A Wonderful End to the Term 

As we come to the close of another busy and rewarding term, it’s wonderful to reflect on the highlights that brought our community together. Without a doubt, one of the most memorable moments was our school musical Shrek Jr.

Congratulations to Miss Gillman for her outstanding leadership in bringing this production to life. Our lead cast members shone on stage with talent and confidence, while the chorus of Stage 3 classes filled the hall with energy, colour and joy. Their commitment, rehearsals, and teamwork made the performances truly spectacular.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our parents for their support throughout this journey. Whether it was helping with costumes, attending the shows, or simply cheering the children on, your encouragement has been invaluable.

We also extend our deepest appreciation to the entire school staff – our dedicated teachers, SLSOs, office staff, and our wonderful General Assistant whose hard work and behind-the-scenes efforts ensured the success of this event and the smooth running of the whole term.

As we head into the break, we celebrate not just the achievements on stage, but the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and community that makes Northbridge PS such a special place.

Long Service Leave

I will be taking some leave for the first two weeks of Term 4 and returning on Tuesday October 28. While I’m away Mrs Dobbin will be Relieving Principal and Miss Meys will be Assistant Principal. I’m am very fortunate to be able to leave the leadership of the school in such capable hands.

Building Update

Our new playground equipment should be completed during the school holidays (weather permitting and the stars aligning!) once again, thank you to our P&C for obtaining the Community Building Grant and providing the extra funds that has made this playground possible.

Also during the holidays, the worksite compound will be established for the toilet upgrade to begin when students return next term.

Christine Smith

Principal

I’m A Believer – Shrek the Musical Jr

On Tuesday September 23rd and Wednesday September 24th, students in years 5 and 6 put on big, bright, beautiful performances of their 2025 musical – Shrek the Musical Jr! Their final shows were a wonderful showcase of the past two terms spent rehearsing.

The musical would not have been possible without the support of the NPS staff members who went our of their ways to make sure the musical was as magical as it was. Thank you to the Stage 3 teachers who organised fantastic class costumes and also each had pivotal roles in the production of the music, from sound to spotlight to backstage and more. Thank you to Ms Carden, Miss Meys, Ms Martin, Mrs Howell, Mrs Lee, Miss Carter, Mrs Hart, Mrs Dobbin and the office team who all contributed, from props to costume alterations to organisation to music playing and backstage support, to ensure that our musical looked and sounded as fabulous as it could. Thank you also to the other staff members who came to support and supervise the students during the performances. Thank you to our wonderful dance teacher Emily who taught our students their fantastic dances. A special thank you my sister Sarah who helped out with many costumes (including making a Gingerbread Man costume from scratch) and for helping at several rehearsals. Thank you to Mrs Smith for supporting the show, the staff and the students, for making some beautiful props, and for facilitating such an amazing experience for the students.

Thank you to the parents of the year 5 and 6 students for your support.

And most of all, thank you to the students. Every single student worked exceptionally hard to learn tricky songs and exciting choreography and should be very proud of themselves.

Miss Gillman

Plunkett Street School Visit Musical Dress Rehearsal

We were delighted to welcome school students from Plunkett Street School on Thursday 18 September. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for us at NPS to share our talents and this year was especially exciting with our performance of Shrek the Musical. SRC leaders enthusiastically took on the responsibilities of organising school equipment in the playground and showing Plunkett Street school students around the school. They enjoyed socialising and having recess and lunch with Plunkett Street students.

St Marks Preschool and Northbridge Integricare Preschool also came along to watch the show.

It is known around Northbridge Public School as the best day of the year as the excitement from our whole school grows at getting to welcome these well known friends to join us at NPS.

The Stage 3 students shone as they performed so well their wonderful musical.

Stage 2 Hockey Clinic

It has been 4 exciting weeks of hockey lessons for our Year 3 and 4 students.

Coach Seb from Hockey NSW has given his time to come into NPS each Friday for a 45 minute lesson for all classes.

Students learned skills such as sweep, reverse sweep, passing and jinx.

Last Friday all skills were put to the test as each class was divided into teams who played a match against each other.

Students enjoyed using this new equipment and getting a feel for what a hockey game is like.

Inclusion Noticeboard

Perisher Cup

Year 6 Learns, Grows, and Thrives with Interrelate!

This term, our Year 6 classes, 6H and 6L, participated in the Interrelate “Moving Into the Teen Years” workshop, a three-session program designed to help students prepare for the transition to secondary school. Each class attended 3 × 90-minute sessions, exploring the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during puberty.

The sessions were presented by Gitta from Interrelate, who has been running this workshop at NPS for many years and is highly experienced in presenting this essential information. In a safe and supportive environment, students could ask questions and learn about healthy relationships, consent, protective behaviours, and decision-making. They also reflected on how these changes may affect their relationships and sense of self, while gaining practical strategies to navigate the teenage years confidently.

Students left feeling more informed about puberty, empowered to ask questions, and better equipped to maintain healthy relationships and keep their bodies safe. The program also encouraged ongoing conversations with trusted adults at home, supported by the provided workbooks and at-home activities.

Both students and teachers agreed the workshop was engaging, informative, and a valuable step in preparing for the next stage of school life.

A Note for Parents and Carers:
For female students in all year groups, please let your girls know that menstrual hygiene items are available in the bathroom within Sick Bay. We also have a supply of period underwear that parents can request by email, which can be confidentially provided to students.

Sushi Workshop with Chef Dekura (Stage 3 Japanese)

Stage 3 Japanese classes enjoyed experiencing an authentic Japanese culture with Chef Dekura as a part of the Japanese program (Semester 2 Topic: ‘Family Trip to Japan’) in Term 3.

This incursion incorporated a demonstration of a variety of Japanese cooking skills and a hands-on workshop of the Makizushi (roll sushi). It was programmed as an effective activity for students’ Interacting skills (focused in the new syllabus) and community involvement.

Students also learned about the background culinary history, Japanese ingredients, utensils and manners. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn the value, traditions and history of Japan through hands-on cooking lessons with Mr Dekura. He is a well-known chef in Japanese authentic cuisine, has published many culinary books in several languages and has featured in the SBS television program Food Safari.

The chef and other assistants effectively used the Japanese language where applicable (immersion strategy).

Big ありがとう(a ri ga to u) (thank you) chef Dekura, his team, Mrs Nakamura (a mother of Year 4 student) and the office staff for their support in making this Sushi workshop a great success! I am looking forward to running it in a few years.

あくつ(a ku tsu)　先生(sen sei)

p.s. Suggested activity during the holiday: What about making sushi and other Japanese recipes? Please see the Japanese recipe book given to all Stage 3 students by Chef Dekura.

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Sustainability Noticeboard

THANK YOU FROM HUSKEE

New Website

We have launched our fresh new website!

https://northbridg-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/

Thanks to parents who gave permission for children’s photos to be used on the website at the beginning of the year. It helps to convey our NPS personality and make our website shine!

Please let us know what you think!

Thank You from Stewart House!

Thanks so much to all the families that generously donated to our Stewart House donation drive.  We raised $1,289!

Transition to High School Webinar

The Northern Sydney Local Health District’s School Years team have partnered with Way Ahead to offer a freeTransition to High School – Managing Anxiety webinar for parents and carers of
children in Years 5 and 6. This session aims to support families in preparing for a smooth and confident start to high school.
The webinar will cover topics including how anxiety develops, the cycle of anxiety, adolescence-specific challenges, and practical strategies to support your child. The session also includes helpful
resources and a Q&A to address your questions directly.

Details

Date: 22nd October 2025

Time: 7:15 – 8:30pm

Where: online via Zoom

Click here to register