Welcome back! New Norfolk High is a respectful learning community with high expectations for all and that has been on full display as we have made an extremely positive start to the year. We offer a particularly warm welcome to all of you who are new to the school, whether as the parent or carer of a new Year 7 student or of one of the many other new enrolments across all year levels. Indeed, in Year 11/12 we have begun a class more than twice the size of last year.

We also have a number of new staff joining us this year. Our new teachers include Mr Zulusham (Year 7 Maths/Science), Mr Plunket-Smith, (HPE), Mr Chawla, (Year 9 Maths/Science), Miss Thomson, (Year 9 English/HASS) and Ms McIntyre (Y10 English/HASS).

In our Support and Wellbeing Team, we welcome a new Student Wellbeing Officer (a position formerly known as the Chaplain) Ms Peacey, two new Social Workers, Ms Lyall & Ms Holmstrom, two new School Psychologists Ms Glavan Molina and Ms Holstrom, and a new School Health Nurse, Ms Standen. After several years during of national teacher shortages, it is great to start with such a full complement.

We also have some changes to our leadership team. With Mrs Walker on maternity leave this year, we have restructured with Mrs Reeve & Mrs Floyd joining Mrs Strohfeld & Mr Sheldon as Assistant Principals. As well as having portfolios aligned to our school improvement plan priorities or improving student outcomes in reading and increasing student wellbeing & engagement, each AP is working with the Grade Coordinators to providing extra support and leadership for their year level. The pairings are for Year 7 Ms Gardiner & Mrs Strohfeld, Year 8 Ms Coates & Mrs Reeve, Year 9 Mr Armstrong & Mrs Floyd, & Year 10 Ms Copeland & Mr Shelton.

We also have new facilities with the new Year 7 toilets open for the start of the year. This transformation was funded through the State Government’s Safer Student Bathroom initiative, but it is not the end of the upgrades. A grant through the Federal Government’s School Upgrade program means our remaining older toilets will all be upgraded by the end of the year.

The new Year 10 toilets should be open in the coming weeks with the tender about to go out to complete the work with complete renovation of our Year 9 facilities. In addition. over the holidays, new electrical and plumbing work was undertaken to support the upgrades underway with our kitchen garden. A master plan was developed last year to relocate and significantly expand this facility, and these services will help us bring that plan to life.

It is an exciting time to be at our school, building on the progress we’ve made in recent years and taking the next steps in our school improvement journey, and I look forward to being able to share that journey with you all this year.

Stuart Lord, Principal

Coming Events

• 20^th February – P4 Whole school assembly
• 24th February - Meet and Greet 3-5pm
• 27^th February – Swimming Trials 12-2pm
• 5th-6th March - Duke of Ed Practise Camp
• 6th March - P4 Whole school assembly
• 10th March - Eight Hour Day Public Holiday
• 12th-14th March - NAPLAN
• 20th March - P4 Whole school assembly
• 24th March - Y10 PEP talk
• 3rd April - P4 Whole school assembly
• 11th April - Last Day Term 1, ANZAC Day Service

Term Dates

Term 1: Thursday 6^th February – Friday 11^th April

Term 2: 28^th April – 4^th July

Term 3: 21^st July – 26^th September

Term 4: 13^th October – 18^th December

Introducing our Assistant Principals for 2025.

This year we have four APs:

Jason Shelton: AP Teaching and Learning

Jason will oversee the implementation of the Australian Curriculum. He will also support staff and leaders with the consistent application of Professional Learning Team (PLT) collaborative inquiries. He will lead the implementation of NAPLAN and PAT testing, reporting and moderation.

Nicole Reeve: AP Support

Nicole leads the Support Team, which includes the Support Teachers and Teacher Assistants. She ensures that students, who require them, have Individual Learning Plans and that appropriate supports are in place. Nicole also oversees alternative learning programs.

Jodie Strohfeld: AP Community Connections

Jodie leads in communication with and involvement of the school community, including newsletters, assemblies, and events. She also leads attendance and Safeguarding, supporting students to be present and safe at school.

Lauren Floyd: AP Wellbeing (Mon, Thurs, Fri)

Lauren leads the School Support and Wellbeing Team, which includes the school psychologists, social workers and nurse. She also leads Positive Behaviour Support and works with the youth worker and wellbeing officer ensuring that students are known, safe, well and learning. 

We all look forward to keeping you updated in our regular newsletter articles. With warm regards from the AP Team.

The Grade 7 cohort has had a fantastic start to 2025. I hade had consistently positive feedback from all the class teachers, support staff and teacher assistants. I have been impressed by the students’ attendance, engagement in classes and ability to share information about how we can better support them to have a positive experience at school. The classes have developed plans for how they can work effectively together during group work and we are working on collective class agreements surrounding how the students would like their classes to function. We are looking forward to a productive and positive year. 

Miss Gardiner

English

To start off 2025, Year 7 will be exploring the topic of different text types. This provides an opportunity to introduce our students to a range of writing, including texts designed to persuade us, entertain us, and inform us. Throughout this unit, staff and students are going to explore a number of texts, including novels, letters, comics, advertisements, reviews, and much, much more!

HASS

As 2025 kicks off, staff and students have been working together to develop History skills in our first HASS lessons. To introduce students to History, Year 7s have been constructing personal timelines – these are a great way to provide an overview of our lives at a glance, as well as to recognise the role of cause and effect on our lives.

Kyle Underdown

Year 11/12 – 2025

New Norfolk High School is excited to announce that 14 students are continuing their education with us this year, actively working towards their TCE.

For 2025, we are pleased to offer the following TCE and VET courses, along with certificates:

• Cert II in Tourism
• Working with Children
• Outdoor Education (including a Duke of Edinburgh Camp)
• Work Readiness
• Essential Skills – Computers and the Internet
• History
• Community Service Learning (with a work placement)
• First Aid Certificate
• Responsible Service of Alcohol
• Registration to Work with Vulnerable People

If you would like more information about your young person joining Year 11 or 12 in 2025, please contact our Year 11/12 AST, Jess Cep.

Throughout 2024, New Norfolk High School has been full of laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments - now it’s time to preserve them! The Robigana is an opportunity to remember the highlights of the year, from exciting events and achievements to heartwarming friendships and behind-the-scenes fun. Packed with colourful photos and memories, it’s a keepsake you’ll treasure for years to come. Order your copy today and make sure your memories stay with you for a lifetime!

https://www.myyearbook.com.au/shop/p/new-norfolk-high-school-2024-yearbook

Parents and families are invited to our meet and greet BBQ to be held on the Monday 24^th February from 3.15–5pm. Come along to meet our teachers and enjoy a free sausage sizzle. Our café will also be open and will be serving, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and milkshakes. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for further advertising of this event.