2 May 2025

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome to Term 2

After taking some time away during Term 1, I’ve returned to Henbury School feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and with a clear focus on leading our wonderful school community. I want to sincerely thank David Panjer and the leadership team for their outstanding work and commitment in guiding the school during my absence.

Term 1 always brings its challenges as our new students settle into their learning spaces and the routines and expectations are embedded across each session, day, and week. Thank you to all our parents, carers, and key stakeholders who participated in EAP (Education Adjustment Plan) meetings. These meetings are an essential part of building strong partnerships between home and school. For our new families, once your child reaches Year 10, we introduce an additional ‘Transition’ section to the EAP—referred to as TEAP—which focuses on planning pathways beyond school. We greatly value your input and the open communication that helps ensure stronger outcomes for students and greater continuity between school and home. Finalised plans will be sent home in the coming weeks.

Annual School Improvement Plan

Our ‘Plan on a Page’ outlines Henbury’s improvement focus for 2025. A key initiative this year is the rollout of Student Maps within Xuno. This new platform will support the implementation of our whole-school data plan, allowing us to analyse and act on data more efficiently to support student growth.

Another major focus is student engagement. In Term 2, we are placing particular emphasis on understanding the reasons behind student absences. We are working closely with families who may be experiencing challenges in getting their child to school. Currently, our 'U' code (unnotified absence) sits between 17% and 21%. Our goal is to reduce this to 0%, so we have a complete and accurate understanding of why students may not be attending. This insight over time will help us to better support families and improve student engagement.  

Structured Teaching

At Henbury School, our classrooms are dynamic, complex, and multi-level, purposefully designed to support a wide range of learning needs and approaches. Each learning environment is carefully structured using the Structured Teaching Framework (TEACCH®), which incorporates five key elements: physical structure, schedules, work systems, visual information, and task organisation. These elements work together to provide clarity, reduce anxiety, and support student independence across all learning contexts.

In Week 4, we have the pleasure of welcoming Gail Preston, who has worked with Henbury School since 2019 as our expert in Structured Teaching. Gail is widely respected for her expertise in supporting students with additional learning needs through evidence-based practices that promote independence, engagement, and success.

During her visit, Gail will observe classrooms, collaborate with staff, and lead professional learning focused on the principles of Structured Teaching. We are proud of our ongoing commitment to inclusive education, and the opportunity to work with an expert of Gail’s calibre affirms that we are on the right path. Her guidance will no doubt strengthen the consistency and clarity of the support we offer to every learner at Henbury.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for your openness and engagement during Gail’s visit, and to Gail for her generous and impactful contribution. 

ANZAC DAY  

On Thursday, 24 April, Henbury School hosted a commemorative ceremony to mark ANZAC Day. Students, staff, and honoured guests gathered to acknowledge the bravery, sacrifice, and spirit of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, past and present. The NT Learning Commissioners led the ceremony with courage, presenting their contributions, while Aiko performed the Anthem, followed by a moment of silence after the Last Post. The school community honoured those who have served and continue to serve, with students respectfully laying handmade wreaths and planting poppies in front of our school mural. Lest we forget.

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Upcoming Whole School Events in Term 2

We have the following events coming up this term that we encourage our families to attend:
Friday 9 June - Mother’s Day Stall Poster 2025.png
Thursday 5 June – Sports Day
Wednesday 18 June - NAIDOC Day Celebrations
Thursday 19 June – 9am to 11am: Transitions and Pathways Information session followed by our Term 2 Assembly at 11:30am

Henbury Corporate Luncheon

Our biennial fundraising event ‘Henbury Corporate Luncheon’ will take place at the Darwin Convention Centre on Friday the 28 November. Our dedicated ‘HCL’ team have already been working behind the scenes preparing for this massive event. The money raised goes towards our attendance and engagement programs, communication technology and the Henbury Precinct training initiative ‘Café and Op Shop.’

If you have a business or know of a business who would like to support our event as either a sponsor or to donate items or services that will go towards our mega raffles, auctions, and prize draws, please get in touch with our team: 
📞 8997 7077 or
📧 hcl.Henbury@education.nt.gov.au

Henbury School is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient, making your financial contributions tax-deductible.

Please see attached our Henbury Corporate Luncheon package.

Dry Season

We’re lucky to live in such a magical part of the world here in the Top End. True to form, the shift from the Wet to the Dry season seems to happen in the blink of an eye—with the occasional storm still sneaking through during the change. The cooler mornings are a welcome relief, and our air conditioners finally get a bit of a break.

Although classroom temperatures stay consistent year-round, it often doesn’t feel that way, and we’re now seeing both staff and students digging out their jumpers. Please remember to label all extra clothing items so we can help ensure they make their way back home. I’ve already spotted a few bold scarves, woolly beanies, and cosy hoodies arriving at school in the mornings!

Sarah Corry
Principal

G1

Green 1 have made a fantastic start to the year focusing on our communication, reading, maths, Physical Education, Emotions and Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders History and Culture.

At the end of Term One we created simple puppets and a background for a short puppet show we performed in class. This term we have been participating in yoga, practicing ball games, riding bikes and using the parachute. For ANZAC Day we created and placed a wreath to show our respect.

Green 1 went on our first community access visit to the museum and looked at historical photos, paintings and animals in the natural history area. We also got to see a helicopter flying over the museum and it was very loud. We are looking forward to many more outings.

G3

Students at Henbury School are lucky enough every week to be visited by the lovely Kristy from Mind Your Paws Darwin and one or more of her amazing therapy dogs.

Therapy dogs play an important role in maintaining the wellbeing of many individuals and the wider community in general.

Green 3 absolutely love catching up with Kristy at every opportunity possible and asking about pet care and of course, what tricks the dogs have mastered.

This week she brought Scout and Chip with her to Henbury. They showed Green 3 students how to shake hands, say their prayers, play dead and jump up on to laps of the willing. There was lots of giggling, and everyone had a great time as usual. We can’t wait for our next visit.

DMS

This term, DMS has been busy with a mix of hands-on learning, physical activity, and creative thinking.

In Health and PE, students have been lacing up their gloves for weekly boxing sessions. These lessons have built fitness, confidence, and self-discipline, as students learn proper technique, coordination, and the importance of respect in sport.

In Maths, the focus has been on real-world problem solving, including time, and budgeting skills. Students have been using their knowledge in practical ways to support other subjects—like their major writing project.

Our biggest project this term is all about becoming travel guides for the Northern Territory! As part of our Project-Based Learning unit, students are researching exciting destinations, planning itineraries, and creating brochures, videos, and podcasts to promote the NT. It’s been a fantastic way to develop writing, speaking, and teamwork skills while celebrating the incredible places we call home.

The students have shown creativity, persistence, and a strong sense of pride in their learning. We can’t wait to share our finished travel projects later this term!

ALL ABILITIES NETBALL

Students are welcome to join the out-of-school All Abilities Netball Tournament Thursday nights, commencing 8 May at Marrara Netball Stadium. Games are 5:45pm-7:15pm. This is a great opportunity to get out of the house, have fun, get fit and socialise with friends. There is no cost except for uniform and weekly entrance. Parents/carers are required to attend with their child. If you would like more info/registration forms please get in touch with Raylee, Amanda T or Sarah Corry through the school front office.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

All school photo orders have now been sent home. Parents are still able to place orders online via www.theschoolphotographer.com.au Our school code is X5017EL52H.

SCHOOL IMMUNISATIONS

School Immunisations! Immunisations protects your adolescent against vaccine preventable diseases. Every year, the adolescent immunisation program provides free and recommended vaccines to year 7 and year 9 students across the Northern Territory. Consent forms for the adolescent vaccines have been sent home with students for parents / guardians to sign. It is important that you return your child’s vaccination consent form to the school as soon as possible. If you do not want your child vaccinated at school it is important to return the consent form indicating this. More information and digital consent forms can also be completed online at School Immunisation Program, once completed please return to your school. A Meningococcal B vaccine program is currently available in the NT until December 2026 to all adolescents 15-19 years of age. Book an appointment at your community care centre or GP to ensure your child doesn’t miss out Find a community care centre | NT.GOV.AU Recommended and free Vaccines for adolescents Year 7 Year 9 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Meningococcal ACWY Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Vaccine Meningococcal B Influenza Vaccine - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Pneumococcal – Pneumovax 23 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Influenza Vaccine - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Adolescent vaccines are also free at your community care centre or GP.

Janine Kelsey
Health Promoting School Nurse

SONY FOUNDATION CAMP

Haileybury Rendall School will again be holding the very popular Sony Foundation Camp for children with additional needs. 

Please see attached:

• Letter for Parents - inviting families to register their child as a potential camper this year
• Application Form - a detailed and comprehensive form that parents/guardians are required to complete for their child to participate in the camp.

Applications are due back to me by Monday, 12 May.

VARIETY ADVENTURE CAMP

Applications are now open for our Variety Adventure Camp for Teenagers (13 to17yo) with a mild to moderate disability. 

Variety is also on the look out for volunteers for the camp.

Application forms for campers and volunteers is attached below.

UPCOMING EVENTS – Term 2, 2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the following students that celebrate their birthdays in May:

Adwin P – 3^rd
Cooper S – 8^th
Charlie S – 12^th
Jovanni H – 16^th
Emily C – 16^th
Briseis B – 19^th
Joshua S – 20^th
Marilyn – 20^th
Ellie G – 22^nd
Max D – 25^th
Kaeturah – 26^th
Agnes – 29^th
Jade – 31^st

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Missing File - June July 2025 Weekend Cartoon Workshops.pdf