NHSPA is committed to fostering and nurturing the holistic wellbeing of our school community through strengthening student voice, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging within a safe and inclusive environment. NHSPA aims to develop flourishing learners and leaders through explicit teaching and modelling positive behaviour. Underpinned by the school ethos of Excellence, Creativity, and Equity, we aim to implement structured, robust wellbeing programs and initiatives that will build rich connections within our community.

Key wellbeing initiatives delivered this term include:

Year 6 to 7 Transition Program: Year 6 students from Camdenville, Newtown, Newtown North and St Peters Public schools were invited to participate in mini lessons and workshops designed to provide students with a hands-on high school experience.  Students were able to meet members of the Wellbeing Team and Peer Support Leaders who will be guiding them through their next phase of schooling. A huge thank you to all the staff involved. Feedback from students and the primary school staff has been overwhelmingly positive ensuring that students develop a strong sense of belonging and connection with NHSPA.

Girls Fit for Change program: This new wellbeing initiative in partnership with Marrickville Police is designed to support young girls in Year 7-9 through regular mentoring sessions, participation in seminars and practical activities. The focus of the initiative is to build and nurture skills in resilience, improve sense of belonging and harm minimisation. The seven-week program is delivered by the Newtown Police Youth Engagement Officers, facilitators from Barnardos and health care professionals focus on key themes including:

- Healthy Relationships / Sexual health

- Social media

- Body image

- Drugs / alcohol / smoking / vaping

- Youth and legal matters

- Interview skills / job skills

Targeted and proactive initiatives are key components of wellbeing programs at NHSPA that support the academic, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of students. Thank you to our Student Support Officers and Year Advisers in nurturing partnerships with our local support networks enabling programs to be delivered at NHSPA.

Peer Bridge Program: This initiative in partnership with NHSPA, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, Newtown Public school and Camdenville Public, is designed to support students transitioning from primary to high school, fostering meaningful relationships through peer mentoring and reinforcing essential psychosocial protective factors during this critical stage of development. Selected Year 9 (2025) students will work with Year 7 (2025) students as mentors guiding selected Year 7 students through a structured Transition and Orientation Program. Selected mentors have completed a mentoring session and have met their mentees whom they will support during their transition to high school. This program not only complements NHSPA Year 6 to 7 Transition Program and Orientation program but also provides an opportunity for Year 8 students to refine and extend their leadership skills.

Year 7 Gardening Program: This weekly program delivered during Term 4 supports a small group of students in Year 7 to develop social skills and build resilience. Once a week during period 4, students are mentored by the staff and oversee the school’s veggie garden.

Year 10 to 11 Transition Program: Incorporating the mandatory Life Ready Program, the transition program is designed to prepare and support senior students as they encounter situations related to health and safety as they become more independent and gain more responsibilities. It provides opportunities for students to build the functional knowledge and skills for life post school.  As part of the Year 10 to 11 Transition program, students will be participating in a Respectful Relationships program, Love Bites and study skills workshops which are delivered by external presenters as well as completion of All of My Own Work and various seminars delivered by staff to prepare them for the demands of senior schooling. This three-day program will also allow our new Year 11 students who will be joining NHSPA in 2025 to build strong connections with students and staff and reduce the stress associated with starting at a new school.

Assessment and Reporting: Term 4 is an extremely busy term with students completing assessments. During this phase of learning, students are strongly encouraged to seek feedback and use the various supports available including attending the homework study centre after school, meeting with mentors for organisational and study tips and being aware of the school’s assessment policy. Student academic performance will be reported in their Semester 2 reports, reflecting their commitment and engagement in set learning tasks. Students in Years 9-11 will meet with a member of the Wellbeing Team to reflect on their goals and academic progress later in the term. Feedback from the reports and coaching conversations will then be used to evaluate progress and plan for further improvements.

STRATEGIC IMPROVEMENT PLAN

As part of the School Excellence cycle, NHSPA will be commencing a new Strategic Improvement Plan 2025-2028. As we indicated in the previous Bulletin this term and copied again below, initial consultation across the wider school community has begun. We thank the wonderful teachers of NHSPA for their subject expertise, their passion and collaborative commitment to excellence in teaching. We also thank our community for their continued support. Please see the NHSPA Vision and Context Statements: Draft 3 NHSPA Vision & Context Statements 1st Nov 2024.docx  as well as our Strategic Directions and purpose statements below. 

• Your feedback is welcome – please use this link: Strategic Improvement Plan 2025 – 2028 (Community) 

Our 2025-2028 strategic directions will focus on initiatives from What Works Best research to continue to build a culture of high expectations and excellence in teaching and learning. This is where we are heading:  

Strategic Direction 1 Student Growth and Attainment. Purpose: To enable students to grow and attain their personal best in learning through explicit, consistent, research-informed teaching. Through high quality teaching and learning programs, targeted professional learning, and effective use of data, collective efficacy and a culture of evaluation will be strengthened to foster educational excellence and lift student achievement.  

Strategic Direction 2 Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Purpose: To sustain a vibrant, high expectations learning culture by ensuring all teaching and learning is research informed.  Educational excellence will be driven by the High Potential and Gifted Education Policy and What Works Best research underpinning all aspects of teaching and learning. 

Strategic Direction 3 Excellence in Learning Environments and Wellbeing Systems.  Purpose: To strengthen and nurture inclusive, connected, positive teaching and learning environments to promote students’ academic and emotional wellbeing. To foster an arts-rich education by developing state of the art performance and learning spaces that provide opportunities for all students to develop and extend their gifts and talents as creative, engaged, socially responsible and thriving citizens.