Dear Families,
What an exciting and enjoyable Week Five we had with our “Anything but a Bag Day”! It was absolutely wonderful to see the incredible creativity and imagination from our students, who brought their belongings to school in everything from wheelbarrows and washing baskets to toy prams and picnic hampers. The day created a fantastic buzz across the school and brought a lot of laughter and fun. It was a great example of our school community coming together to celebrate in a unique and spirited way. Thank you to all families who helped make the day such a success.

Our Book Parade in Week 6 was another highlight of the term. Both students and staff dressed to impress, showcasing some phenomenal costumes. The creativity on display was matched by the energy and enthusiasm in the dance moves from all involved. Thank you to everyone for your efforts, especially the families who made it all possible. I am truly appreciative of the Zuccoli Primary School community for making this event such a success.

I would also like to congratulate all the students who have been proudly representing Zuccoli Primary School in recent events such as basketball, other sporting competitions, BEAT performances and the Northern Territory Learning Commission. These students have shown commitment, teamwork and respect, which are values we uphold strongly at Zuccoli Primary. We are very proud of the way they continue to represent our school and demonstrate what it means to be a Zuccoli learner.

Thank you to the families who have already completed the school survey. Your feedback is vital and helps us to better understand the needs and perspectives of our school community. This information helps guide our future planning and decision-making. If you have not yet had a chance to complete the survey, we kindly encourage you to do so. Please see the QR code included in this newsletter to access the survey easily. We truly value and appreciate your voice.

We are pleased to see a growing number of students attending school regularly, which is very positive. At the same time, we are hearing from many students and families about high levels of technology use outside of school hours. We know that excessive screen time can have a negative impact on students’ social and emotional development, which is closely linked to their academic growth. We encourage families to limit screen time where possible and support children to engage in other activities. The Northern Territory Government’s Sports Voucher, valued at one hundred dollars, is a great opportunity to enrol children in local sports and recreational activities.

At Zuccoli Primary School, we continue to use our High Five Plan to support students when managing challenges and solving problems. This plan encourages students to try positive strategies such as ignoring, talking it out or walking away before seeking help from an adult. Families may find it helpful to use the same approach at home, which can strengthen the connection between school and home and support students in building their independence and resilience.

Regards

Ben McCasker

Principal

Parent Survey	High Five Plan

In today’s digital world, screen time is a normal part of children’s lives, but too much of it can negatively affect their health, development, and wellbeing.
Australian guidelines recommend no screen time for children under 2, no more than 1 hour per day for 2–5 year-olds, and a maximum of 2 hours per day for children aged 5–17. However, most children exceed these limits.
Research shows that excessive screen use can impact sleep, weight, behaviour, and learning, especially in younger children.
Families can help by setting clear rules, watching screens together, being mindful of their own screen habits, and encouraging other activities like outdoor play.
Supporting children to develop healthy screen habits now sets them up for a balanced future.  
Read more here: https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/too-much-time-screens

SEPTEMBER

2-3 - Student Conferences
18 - The Big Splash! School Concert