2025 Term 3 Week 2 Newsletter - 1 Aug 2025
Principal’s Report

Principal’s Report

Welcome back to what has been a chilly start to Term 3. Our newsletter this fortnight is filled with some wonderful photos of the activities and events we have had so far at Northbridge PS.

New to this newsletter is our Inclusion Noticeboard. Angela Bradley who is our P&C Inclusion Officer will be posting information each fortnight regarding community events, courses, podcasts and other resources that will be of interest to all parents but particularly the parents of children who are neurodiverse or may have physical disabilities.

NAIDOC Week

Our NAIDOC Week Assembly was held in Week 1. There is an article inside featuring the beautiful artworks created, our special guest performers and the information presented to all from our SRC students.

Playground Update

I have been keeping our community update with Works Notifications regarding the asbestos found in the ground on the playground site. Please go to SchoolBytes if you have missed these.

I hope everyone is keeping well and healthy during the winter months. Please continue to keep children at home if they are unwell so that we can try to stem the spread of sickness across the school community. Looking forward to some more sunshine and warmth very soon to list everybody’s spirits!

Christine Smith

Principal

Student of the Week

Student of the Week

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with their Student of the Week certificates at our recent K-6 assembly. Well done!

Kai T-J – 1M
Stella M – 2B
Akari L – 4J
Amazing Student Artworks to Purchase!

Amazing Student Artworks to Purchase!

Final call for tickets!  🦸‍♀️🦹‍♂️  Is it a bird? Is it a plane?  No, it’s the last tickets for our Heroes & Villains Fundraiser, flying out the door!
We’ve had a super response already, but catering numbers must be confirmed by this Friday, so if you haven’t got your ticket yet, now’s your last chance secure your spot.  Don’t miss an epic night of food, drinks, music, prizes, and heroic fun on 16 August!   The Parent Avengers

From the Classroom to the Auction Block!

Students across all year levels have been busy creating artwork for the upcoming Heroes & Villains Funraiser on Sat 16th August. From colourful fingerprints to intricate origami, and even hunting and gathering, each piece reflects the imagination and individuality of our young artists.

The pieces will feature as part of the live auction on the night, raising much needed funds to upgrade the equipment in our school hall.

Make sure you don’t miss your chance to support our kids creativity and take home one of these precious memories! Secure your Funraiser tickets at the following link NPS FunRaiser 2025 “Heroes & Villains” Tickets, Northbridge Public School, Northbridge | TryBooking Australia

Mrs Smith surveying the beautiful year 6 art piece
Year 3 students collecting sticks for the artwork

 

  • KINDY ART PIECE
    Piece: 1x Canvas Print
    Title: Thumbprints on Canvas
  • YEAR ONE ART PIECE
    Piece: 1x Canvas Print
    Title: Thumbprints on Canvas

 

  • YEAR TWO ART PIECE
    Title: Mosaic Mirror

 

  • YEAR THREE ART PIECE
    Piece: 1x Wreath
    Title: Wreath of Sticks

 

  • YEAR FOUR ART PIECE
    Piece: 1x Canvas Print
    Title : Timber Fish

 

  • YEAR FIVE ART PIECE
    Piece: 1x Canvas Print
    Title: Origami Blossoms
  • YEAR SIX ART PIECE
    Piece: 1x Canvas Print
    Title: Beaded Canvas
Inclusion Noticeboard

Inclusion Noticeboard

We are pleased at NPS to introduce the Inclusion Noticeboard.  The aim of Inclusion Noticeboard is to share resources and notify our school community of inclusive events in local community and surrounding areas.

If you have any resources to share, or you would like to join the Inclusion Committee, please email northbridgepandc@gmail.com

Strategic Moves: Year 6 Students Embrace the Royal Game of Chess

Strategic Moves: Year 6 Students Embrace the Royal Game of Chess

Year 6 has shown a captivating interest in the game of chess, igniting a remarkable enthusiasm for strategy and critical thinking. The excitement began in 6H, where an internal chess tournament was hosted, inspiring a competitive spirit in Mr. Lundberg’s class (6L) as well.

To build on this enthusiasm, Mr. Lundberg and Mrs. Huntington organised a Year 6 chess tournament during the final days of Term 2. Initially, the plan was to conclude the tournament by 3:10 PM on the last day of school, but the excitement and intensity of the matches led to the finals being carried over into Term 3.

It was truly a sight to behold, with chess boards set up throughout both Year 6 classrooms. Students of all skill levels participated, showcasing their abilities and learning from one another. To support less experienced players, we allowed them to enter twice, giving them the opportunity to build confidence and enjoy the game without the pressure of single elimination.

Due to inclement weather this week, we had hoped to hold the final on the giant outdoor chess set in the playground. However, we adapted by moving the match into the classroom, where a document camera allowed all students to witness the intricate moves on a big screen.

The finals culminated in an exhilarating match between Oscar H and Jack M. As expected, the atmosphere was electric, and the room fell into a hush, allowing the players to concentrate fully on their strategies. Our dedicated team of “Chessperts” was on hand to address any concerns or disputes during the tournament, ensuring a fair and respectful competition. Ultimately, Jack M emerged as the tournament champion, showcasing exceptional skill and strategy throughout the matches.

At the conclusion of the final chess game, Year 6 expressed their excitement for another tournament. So stay tuned! We wonder who will prevail in their games and progress to the next rounds.

As we reflect on this experience, we encourage everyone to continue practicing their skills and strategies. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our Year 6 students and crowning our next chess champion!

Here are some quotes directly from Year 6 students sharing their thoughts, reflections, and advice about chess:

  • “Chess isn’t a game; it’s the story of two armies advancing against each other in a never-ending war.” – Bailey
  • “In some games, it only takes a few moves and you’ve won; in others, you’re down to one pawn and your king.” – Lulu
  • “In a tournament like this, you get to experience the tactics of different players and battle it out in a tactical war.” – Matias
  • “Oscar showed good sportsmanship when losing.” – Luca
  • “One move can end the game.” – Jonathan
  • “Chess takes skill and the power of will.” – Oscar B
  • “It’s very fun playing chess and learning where the pieces go.” – Jacinta
  • “Bridget and I had an incredibly close and fun game; I want to give a shoutout to her!” – Arya
  • “Watch every piece, watch your opponent, watch the game.” – Theo
  • “Think it through, play it well.” – Hugo B
  • “Playing against everyone was really fun.” – Annabella
  • “I like the game because it is fun even if you don’t win. Playing is the fun part. Sometimes I play with my dad.” – Rosie
  • “Play your own way; don’t listen to others, and you might just win!” – Jamie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you are still someone who is not sure of the benefits of chess….

 

Sydney North Dance Festival

Sydney North Dance Festival

At the end of Term 2, our group of very talented Stage 3 dancers represented Northbridge Public School at the Sydney North Dance Festival, at Glen Street Theatre. Performing their dance, Ripple, enjoy viewing some of the action shots!

Ripple is a powerful and inspirational composition about the transformative impact of making a change. If you want to make a ripple, then you’ll have to make a boldfearless, and passionate wave for anything truly worth fighting for.

 

Miss Carter and Miss Bulgin (Dance Coordinators)

1M’s Learning Launch into Term 3!

1M’s Learning Launch into Term 3!

We’ve bounced into Term 3 with a bang. Full of energy, eager minds, and sharpened pencils! Our classroom is buzzing with curiosity as we dive headfirst into new learning adventures. See below what we have been learning about for the past 2 weeks. We can’t wait to share more with you at our Open Classrooms Morning on Thursday 7th August!

Phonics

This week in Phonics, students have been exploring the sounds er and ir, as heard in words like her, fern, bird, and shirt. They have been learning to identify these vowel combinations in words, practise their spelling, and use them in sentences. Through games, sorting activities, and shared reading, students are strengthening their decoding and writing skills while having fun with new vocabulary. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maths

In Year 1, we’ve been rounding up our maths skills – literally! Our clever counters have been learning how to round numbers to the nearest 10, and they’ve quickly become experts at deciding whether to stay or go. If the number ends in 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, we stay down (no party today). But if it ends in 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, we round up (time to zoom to the next ten!). It’s been a fun game of number hopscotch, and our students have loved the challenge.

Writing  

Our writing lessons have been buzzing with persuasive energy! Inspired by the book Hey, Little Ant, students have been learning how to write persuasive arguments. They’ve considered the perspective of the tiny ant and expanded their ideas to include arguments for saving bees. It’s been wonderful to see students use strong reasons, emotive language, and rhetorical questions to convince their readers to think carefully about their choices. 

Science

In Science, students have been investigating the movement of the Sun across the sky. Through observations and discussions, they’ve learnt to describe the Sun’s position in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. This learning helps them understand the daily patterns of light and shadows, and how the Sun’s path affects life on Earth. 

You Can Do It! 
In our You Can Do It! lessons, students have been learning to recognise situations, people, and events that can make them feel very angry, sad, or worried. We’ve been having thoughtful discussions about how these strong emotions can affect our actions and choices. Students are beginning to understand that while it’s normal to feel upset sometimes, learning to manage big feelings can help them stay happier and more successful at school and beyond. 

Sport

Not even the rain could stop us – our SportsPro lesson simply moved indoors! With plenty of energy (and dry socks), we practised our throwing, catching, and balancing skills in the hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kanga Cup Champions

Kanga Cup Champions

Left to right in the photo:  Fletcher (4O), Miles (4J), Bodhi (3/4S), Hayden (4J), Zac (3/4S), Hugo (3/4S)
Over the school holidays a group of our Year 4 boys represented the Northbridge Football Club at the Kanga Cup in Canberra.  Competing in the U10 division, the boys went through the tournament undefeated and finished as champions—bringing home first place!  It was a wonderful display of teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts. 

 

Left to right: Millie D (5B), and Holly C (5B).

 

Equally as talented were our impressive Year 5 girls, who also competed in the Kanga Cup in Canberra.  Over the school holidays Holly C (5B) and Millie D (5B) participated in the Girls ‘Under 11 Bulls’ soccer team at Kanga Cup in Canberra.  The Kanga Cup is the largest International Youth Football Tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.  It was a huge week with two matches every day Monday to Thursday.  In total 8 matches were played with 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The girls then won their semi finals and then proceeded to win the Kanga Cup grand final for their age group – and also as defending Champions from last year as well.  Congratulations to Holly and Millie!

 

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week

In our school assembly last week, we celebrated NAIDOC week. Students enjoyed vibrant interactive jazz performances by Indigenous musicians Darleen and Mary who were singing and playing the saxophone. They had a lot of fun joining in singing ‘We are Australian’, dancing to Nutbush City and appreciating a selection of jazz songs. SRC presented information about the significance of NAIDOC Week and provided ways to support national NAIDOC Week. Students admired a range of beautiful artworks which are exhibited in the hall. These works were created by students across the school and were inspired by native Australian flora and fauna and the work of Aboriginal artists including Nongirrna Marawili, Gaymala Yunupinu and Edwin Pareroultja.

The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. This theme honours the incredible strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, as well as the powerful vision and legacy that our Elders and communities leave for our future generations. 2025 marks a significant milestone for NAIDOC Week, as we celebrate 50 years of elevating First Nations voices, culture and resilience as well as recognising and acknowledging the wonderful achievements of our people and communities.

Multicultural Perspectives Regional Final

Multicultural Perspectives Regional Final

A big Congratulations to Maaliya D (4O) for making it through to the Regional Finals for the Years 3 and 4 division of the Multicultural Perspectives Speaking Competition.  The regional champion is expected to attend the state final on Friday 17 October at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference
Centre, 37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.

Congratulations Maaliya all of NPS will be cheering you on!

Assembly Item Fun!

Assembly Item Fun!

Last Thursday 3/4S held their wonderful assembly item.

3/4S Lights Up the Stage with Northbridge Game Shows!
Last weeks assembly item was brought to you live from the fabulous 3/4S Studios! Hosted by the dynamic duo Harriet and Adam, 3/4S took over the stage with their hilarious and high-energy performance: Northbridge Game Shows. The audience laughed, cheered—and maybe even phoned a friend—as students showcased their learning through fun, fast-paced versions of Who Wants to Be a SchoolionaireFamily Feud, and The Chase. Each game was filled with facts from the classroom and quirky insights about life at Northbridge Public School. With enthusiastic sign holders, dramatic moments, and lots of crowd participation, it was a show to remember!

 

Yesterday 1C held their assembly item.

 

All the students did a wonderful job educating and entertaining us.

Full school assemblies take place on most Thursday’s at 2:15pm.  Parents are welcome to attend!

 

 

Sydney North Soccer

Sydney North Soccer

We are thrilled to announce that Rosie F (6H) successfully qualified for the prestigious 2025 NSWPSSA Football Championships early this term. She will now will proudly represent the Sydney North Primary Girls Football team in Ballina throughout this tournament at the end of August.

The Sydney North trials are known for their high level of competition, attracting some of the best young football talent across the region. Rosie’s achievement in securing her spot in this elite championship is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and exceptional skills on the field. Competing at this level is no small feat, and we couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishment.

Join us in congratulating Rosie as we wish her the best of luck as she prepares to showcase her talent as a state competitor! Go, Rosie!

100 Days of Kindergarten

100 Days of Kindergarten

Our little Kindy legends got to celebrate 100 days of big school today with a party held with their Year 6 buddies.  We are so proud of Kindergarten and all they have achieved so far this year.

 

    

 

Library Term 3 – Book Fair/Book Week

Library Term 3 – Book Fair/Book Week

Term 3 is a busy term for the Library.

BOOK FAIR

We begin with our annual Book Fair on Education Open Day Thursday 7th August and look forward to welcoming our Northbridge community to the library. A wonderful selection of new releases will be available (provided by our booksellers Gleebooks) for donation to our library collection. There will also be a small selection available for purchase/take home:


BOOK WEEK

Week 5 is Children’s Book Week (16–23 August 2025). Children’s Book Week is the CBCA’s key highlight national event of the year. The 2025 theme is Book an Adventure! During Book Week schools and public libraries celebrate books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators with displays, activities, competitions and stories relating to the theme highlighting the importance of reading.

Artist Jess McGeachin, has brilliantly captured an adventurous spirit in his artwork, which features a whimsical map filled with imaginary characters. Jess’ illustration invites young readers to embark on fantastical journeys, inspiring them to travel through the worlds that books open up. As an award-winning Australian picture book illustrator, Jess’ work encourages children to imagine, explore, and create their own adventures.

2025 is also a milestone year as the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) celebrates 80 years of Children’s Book Week! For 8 decades, CBCA has been dedicated to inspiring young minds to journey through the countless worlds that books offer. Jess’ imaginative artwork reflects this mission perfectly, encouraging children to set off on adventures through time, lands, and imagination.

At Northbridge PS we celebrate each day with book discussions, competitions to take part in and extra activities available for students visiting at lunch time. Live talks by selected authors (presented through the State Library) will also be available for classes to Zoom in and learn more about the joy of reading and writing.

Friday 15th August – Book week Performance ‘Treasure Hunt’ (note: the week before Book Week)

  • The students (K-3) will enjoy performances by Perform! Education as part of CBCA Book Week 2023, celebrating the CBCA Book Week 2025 theme: “Book an Adventure!”. Featuring selected books from the CBCA Shortlist, students will be able to explore themes of sustainability and our relationship with the natural environment, as well as celebrating how books and reading create understanding and bring people of different backgrounds together.

Jess lives by the ocean. George lives in the forest. One morning they both wake to find that something is missing – something terribly important. It appears their world may have changed … and not for the better! Together they set off on a quest to find the treasure that has disappeared from their homes. On their hunt, and despite their differences, George and Jess share a common need. However they must first overcome their distrust, obstacles and greatest challenge. Fortunately help is waiting from a most unexpected source…”

Tuesday 19th  August  Author visit – Solli Raphael 

  • Students in years 3 to 6 will enjoy a visit from award-winning and acclaimed writer, speaker, performer, and advocate Solli Raphael. Solli has authored four books, which have received accolades for their capacity to engage children and teenagers educationally and in poetry and social concerns. His debut book, Limelight, and his second book, Spotlight, were published in 2018 and 2020, respectively. His third book, 29 Things You Didn’t Know About Me, was shortlisted for the inaugural DANZ Children’s Book Award. Solli’s fourth publication, Starlight, was released in February 2025, and aims to guide self-discovery and self-expression in kids and teens.

Friday 22nd August – Book Week Parade

  • We will have a school parade in the morning to celebrate and share the costumes.
  • Students are encouraged to dress up as a character from a book and bring the book in to share with their class mates.
  • The staff are already planning their outfits! Perhaps search dress-up boxes and closets, visit an Op shop or two and reuse and recycle clothes/materials to create, above all – have fun!
  • We would like to extend our invitation to our wonderful community to join the dress-up fun – see flyer (we hope to see you there!):

Mrs Parker (Teacher Librarian)