Newsletter Term 1 Week 11 2025
"We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians on whose land our school rests. Their footsteps and whispers blow in the wind, drift on the clouds, remain deep in the sandstone and float on the waterways of this place. Their memories and Dreaming stories will continue to connect us to the land and guide future generations of our school community. Country is alive if you take the time to look, listen and learn."
Principal's News
As we reach the end of another term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey our students have undertaken this term. It has been a wonderful period of learning, where our students have challenged themselves, engaged deeply in their studies, taken risks, and set personal goals for their growth. Each child is on their own unique journey, and I encourage you to celebrate their achievements with them over the break.
I would also like to express my appreciation for our dedicated teaching staff. Their professionalism, collaboration, and commitment to reflecting and adapting our teaching and learning programs have been inspiring. With the ongoing rollout of new syllabi, which will continue through to 2027, the cognitive load on our educators is significant, and they have handled it with great skill and resilience.
Additionally, I want to extend my gratitude to our amazing team of staff members who support our organisational and administrative systems that underpin school operations. Their efforts are crucial in maximising efficiencies and optimising the learning and wellbeing of our students, teachers, and the wider school community.
Finally, I am continually grateful for the strong sense of community within our school. The kindness and support that permeate our daily practice truly makes our school a wonderful place to learn and grow. Thank you for everything you do to support our vision and our students.
Building Works
During the upcoming school holidays, we will be undertaking significant renovations to replace the deck outside the music and hall area. This project will involve multiple tradespeople on site, working to enhance our school facilities.
We kindly ask that you are mindful of this construction work if you plan to accompany your children to use the school facilities during the holidays. Safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to the improved space for our students and community upon our return to school!
School Development Days
Monday, April 28th, and Tuesday, April 29th, are designated school development days for our staff. During these two days, we will focus on High Potential and Gifted Education, engaging with current research on differentiation models, creating action research, and further strengthening our understanding of potential and achievement.
These professional development days are essential for our educators as we strive to provide the best learning experiences for all our students. We believe that enhancing our skills in these areas will positively impact our teaching practices and support our students' diverse learning needs.
Students will return to school on Wednesday, April 30th. We appreciate your support and understanding as we invest in our staff's professional growth.
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break.
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Assistant Principal's News
World’s Greatest Shave and Zany Hair Day
Balgowlah North Public School has proudly continued a 13-year tradition of raising funds for the Leukemia Foundation. Over the years, our students have participated by shaving, colouring, or cutting their hair to support the fight against blood cancer.
This year, in partnership with Sustainable Salons, the event also ensured that hair donations were repurposed, with ponytails being transformed into wigs for cancer patients. Fifteen boys bravely shaved their heads, while four girls donated their ponytails—a significant moment for our small but wonderful school.
Students from Kindergarten to Year 5 joined the fun by sporting wacky hairstyles, bringing a burst of creativity and colour to the day. From flowers and colourful cupcake liners to mini umbrellas, Easter chicks, eggs, and vibrant hair sprays, the school was alive with excitement. The energy and enthusiasm of our students made this event truly special as we came together for a meaningful cause.
Susie Stock, Rachel Ridley and Deborah Horsley
“When I first saw the World’s Greatest Shave, I couldn’t wait to be in Year 6 and cut it all off but as I got older, I started to wonder if I wanted to do this. Eventually I made up my mind. I wasn’t going to do it. I thought it would be fine to miss out and turn my back on this. But as I got my way up into Year 6, I saw loads of people raising money and I got inspired to do this shave. I raised $760 for the Leukemia Foundation, and I shaved my hair. I was kind of nervous at the start but then I realised this is for a good cause and in a few weeks, I would look pretty much the exact same thing that I was before the shave. So many people did it and I didn’t feel left out. It was a great experience looking at the school as they cheered you on.”
Lachie T
The World's Greatest Shave meant to me that I can help people that have leukemia. I also know by shaving my head I am helping remove major oil pollutants around the world. This makes me feel heroic as I am helping people in many ways just by shaving my head. I hope this contribution makes people with cancer feel just a little bit better.
Finn R
Quotes
‘Hair is just something, something that can be replaced, something you can share.’
Tilly E
‘I got to shave my head with all my mates while being able to give back to a good cause.’
Austin S
‘When I was shaving my head, I was scared that I would end up regretting doing it but now I kind of like it and it was for a great cause.’
Cooper C
‘I participated in the World's Greatest Shave, a fundraiser for the Leukemia Foundation, and as I type this, I am now proudly bald!’
Benny M
‘I love my hair but now it's going to someone who will also love my hair`
Freya VR
‘Having my head was definitely nerve wracking but once they started the nerves went away and we raised money for a really important cause.’
Max H
I miss my hair, but I don’t regret it.
Arkie A
I was nervous when my head was being shaved but I loved the experience.
Toby P
My family was generous with my fundraising. I felt scared shaving my head because I haven’t had it this short for a long time. It feels cold.
Toby S
I was nervous to do it, but it was a fun experience. I feel proud to have been able to raise lots of money.
Luca
Cross Country 2025
Our cross-country carnival will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday the 6th of May, so the upcoming school holidays are the perfect time to start training for this event. All students in Years 2-6 will have the opportunity to participate in this event.
The distance students of each age group will run in our cross country are as follows:
Student turning 11,12 or 13 in 2025 - 3km
Students turning 8*, 9 or 10 in 2025 - 2km
Students turning 7 or 8* in 2025 - 1km
*Students turning 8 in 2025 have the option of participating competitively in the 2km race or just for fun in the 1km event to learn the course. If they wish to participate competitively, they will run the full 2km against the 9-year-olds and the top 6 runners from the combined age group will move on to the zone competition.
Students in Kindergarten and Year One will participate in cross country running as part of their school sport program.
Further details of the running order of this event will be published early in Term 2. An alternative date will be communicated if the cross country is postponed due to inclement weather.
Parent Helpers:
If you are available to assist with course supervision on the day, please complete the form below:
School News
ANZAC Day Poppies
Poppies will be on sale Thursday 10th April at the flagpoles in the front entrance of school from 8.30 to 9am. The cost is $5, Cash Only please. Thank you for supporting our Veterans.
ANZAC Day Assembly
On Thursday, April 10th at 9:15am, Balgowlah North will hold a special assembly in the hall to commemorate Anzac Day. Each class will create a wreath which will be presented by the SRC during the service. We look forward to commemorating the contribution and sacrifice of veterans and serving personnel.
ANZAC DAY Poetry
Riderless horses waiting to canter,
Waiting for soldiers who know longer banter.
Birds fly high from gunshots below,
What was supposed to be an adventure,
Dealt the final blow.
Soldiers hopping clutching hands,
Lives swept away like grains of sand.
The beach lay silent, dormant souls buried beneath,
Diligent descendants quietly lay wreaths.
Honor rolls linger with immortal sorrow,
With names from soldiers that see no tomorrow.
Bonnie L
As the flame burns
As the flame burns, mothers weep.
As the once fighters now sleep.
But in their hearts and eyes of tears.
They'll hear the last sirens in their ears.
As the flame burns, loved one's cry.
As weary bodies start to fly.
Through the night the loved ones pray.
As the sun sets and ends the day.
Lest We Forget
Skye H
ANZAC DAY
All seems lost, as ANZACs lay dead
Flowers bloom, amongst the gore
An emblem of the dead soldiers
And all that they fought for
They died as heroes, and not in vain
Sent into sleep amongst the mud
When fighting ceased, poppies grew on
The soil watered with ANZAC blood
The brave souls of the ANZAC soldiers
Are not forgotten’ but commemorated
Eight thousand seven hundred died in that battle
Their sacrifice will be long remembered
LEST WE FORGET
Jasper C
Remembering the ANZACS
Poppies blooming,
Remembering the lost,
The dawn of day has come to an end,
The Aussie spirit is falling,
They fought their way on a cold bloody day.
Trying to gain ground,
But starting to lose troops,
Loved ones back home not knowing what to do,
The clifftop was ruthless, and people were falling,
The soldiers were dying one by one,
They had lost the fight.
The brave men who fought are in the sky,
Blowing in the stars,
Poppies blooming representing the fearless men,
Sad and lost,
Can’t thank them enough.
Lest We Forget
Will R
Beaches Of Gallipoli
Heartbroken silence reigns over the battlefield, as they charge into endless enemies.
They don't stop fighting for their country, they are shaken by the reality of war, but they do this for their country, to defend their homeland, their friends lie beneath, immortal, never forgotten.
Lest We forget.
The light of dawn ignites the fight that would take too many, the fight that would give the Anzacs their name, and their eternal flame, their morale would never give in, they would fight till the bitter end.
Lest We Forget.
All that came back home was sorrow and an age of depression, they won't be coming home. They thought it would be a way to have an adventure, a way to live their lives, but it was all a lie, they now rest eternally.
Lest We Forget.
Now they are remembered for their braveness on those foreign shores, shores so far away, they fought for the British and their own country always remembered but never forgotten, they will rest a million years as their families rest with tears.
Lest We Forget.
Blake L-M
ANZAC DAY
They fought for freedom,
They fought for our lives,
The only music they heard were gunshots,
Tears dripped down their faces,
As blood streamed down their arms.
Their loved ones were lost,
And never returned.
They were sick,
Their bones were weak.
Their stomachs were empty, just like their soul
The air was smokey
Their clothes were wet
But they stayed strong for our country
Lest we forget
By Zoe G 5M
ANZAC DAY
The flowers of red watch the battle fight on
As they mourn the soldiers who have gone,
They protect the soldiers who have fallen asleep
Not ever to awake
The sun is now as high as the lost soldiers
Forever in the palace of the sky
We will not be sad, we will be proud
As we acknowledge the soldiers who fought in the war
We need to carry on their legacy of those with courage
And pass it on to the next generation.
They are true, the heroes with bravery and courage,
Now they fly up high,
We should be grateful for all that they have done,
Remember they fought at the crack of dawn.
Ivy V 5M
Congratulations to our Waste Free Friday winners
Creative Arts Corner - Week 11
Wakakirri
Our Wakakirri Story Dance Team recently had the incredible opportunity to have a conference call with a guest speaker, Tyson, from the URStrong program. This inspiring session focused on the importance of developing strong, healthy friendships and provided our students with valuable tools to navigate social situations with confidence and kindness.
Our students found the session so useful in creating our story dance ideas, asking thoughtful questions and gathering creative insights. They were eager to learn strategies to strengthen their relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the qualities that make a great friend. The speaker's relatable and interactive approach made the session both educational and enjoyable.
We are grateful to the URStrong program for sharing this valuable experience with our students, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on our story-dance moving forward!
We all look forward to creating this story dance with our talented students.
Eliza McAllister, Anna Harris, Eliza Ross, Steph Rooleht, Meghan Parsons
Google Classroom: Join by using this code - 7sfbycw
Curiosity and Outdoor Learning
How was Manly Dam used in the past and how is it used in the present?
Students studied maps Of Manly Dam and created Venn diagrams comparing the possible uses of the area by the original indigenous population and the current uses of Manly Dam as we know it today. There are many similarities AND differences!
Sports News
Cross Country
It's time to think about starting your running training. Our school cross country carnival will be held (weather depending) early in Term 2 on Tuesday 6th May.
Zone Rugby
Congratulations to Will R and Henri O who were successful at the Combined Boys Zone Rugby Union trial last week. We wish them all the best for upcoming Sydney North trials!
PBL Week 11
Admin News
Medical
If you have listed a medical condition on your enrolment form that requires treatment at school we will need documentation for this treatment to be administered eg: Asthma plan, Anaphylaxsis, Allergy and Request for Student Health Support at school
Student Department emails
If you need your child's email address this can be found on the "Dashboard" of your School Bytes Parent Portal, at the bottom on the page under "Student details".
Emailing the school
When you email the school, please include the surname of the child you are emailing about and the parent surname so your correspondence can be sent to the right person.
Student Contact Details
Please ensure you email the school if you have any changes to your contact details, email, address or emergency contacts.
Administration Team
The Week Ahead
Thursday 10 April Poppy sales at the flagpole 8.30am - Cash only please
Thursday 10 April Anzac Day Assembly 9.15am in Hall
Friday 11 April Last day of Term 1
Monday 28 April Uniform Shop open 10.30 - 12.00pm
Monday 28 April Staff Development Day 1
Tuesday 29 April Staff Development Day 2
Wednesday 30 April First Day of term 2 for Students
P & C News
Save the Date - Trivia Night
Please save the date for the next big event on 21 June 2025. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Uniform Shop
The second-hand uniform shop will be open between 10.30 - 12pm on Monday 28th April.
School Disc
Pease save the date for our school disco to be held on Thursday 26th June.
Sponsorships and Sponsorship and Donations
We are always looking for new sponsors for our events. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Dan Brabant on 0434 004 797 for further information.
Green Grove
The children had fun in The Green Grove today moving the huge mulch pile with wheelbarrows. We also emptied a whole compost bin full of soil onto the garden beds, ready for us to plant seedlings next term. We are in need of an additional greenhouse. If anyone has one you no longer need, we would love to use it! Please contact Cate Webster on 0422037732.
Canteen News
Koolkuna News
Dear Families,
Please find attached the 2025 Autumn Vacation Care Program. Bookings are now open via the Xplor Home App.
Please use the Xplor Home App to find the bookings tab and book into the appropriate sessions labelled "Vacation Care K-2" or "Vacation Care 3-6" where you will be able to book each child in for the days requested. When a solid orange circle is displayed above, your child is successfully booked in for that day.
Changes or cancellations will be accepted up until 2 weeks prior to your booking and must be requested via Email.
School Community News
School Sponsors
