Balgowlah North Public School eNewsletter

"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 message

Nationals track & field championships

Congratulations to Isaac on his incredible results at Nationals last week. Isaac is the Australian Champion for his age in the 800m. His results from the championships were as follows

🥈 - Silver medal in the 1500m - 4:48.3 (10 sec PB)

🥇 - Gold Medal in the 800m - 2:20.8 (5 sec PB)

🥇 - Isaac anchored the Medley relay to a Gold medal as well (200m, 200m, 100m, 300m) What an incredible achievement.

Connections

Thank you to all the parents who assisted with our memorial ceremony for Owen Taylor yesterday. It was lovely to see so many families, take the time to attend. We also look forward to connecting with our parent helpers and volunteers on Thursday at 12.40 in the library. Thank you for all that you do to support the students and teachers at Balgowlah North. Our last P&C meeting will be in the school library tonight. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Celebrations of Learning

Emails have been sent out letting you know if your child will be receiving an award this year. Our 3-6 presentation is on the 12th December. Our K-2 presentation will be on the 13th of December. We are proud of the growth and achievement of all our students. We hope you take the opportunity to celebrate your child’s personal best.

Staffing Changes

As with all years, new opportunities and new beginnings. Two of our temporary teachers have secured permanent roles commencing 2023. We wish Lachlan Stewart and Molly McIndoe all the best in their new roles. We wish Julia Gough all the best as she takes maternity leave for 2023. Shara Wright our SLSO will also be leaving us to take up a full time position. We will be welcoming back Eliza McAllister and Claudia Mete to our teaching staff.

Dates for 2023

26 January - Public holiday

27 & 30 January - School development days

31 January - Students Years 1-6 return to school

31 January- 02 February - Best Start interviews for Kindergarten 2023

03 February - Kindergarten first day of school

Thank you to our student leaders who helped me decorate the school christmas tree and our office area today! It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Brooke Keevers

Principal

School news

Stage two were very lucky to experience our Green Grove native beehive being opened this week with the intention of determining whether it was ready to be split in half. Bee expert, Amelie Vanderstock, came to share her knowledge of native bees and their importance to the environment. She gave a wonderful workshop for the students who were able to have a close-up inspection of the inside of the native beehive. Many thanks to our Balgowlah North P&C for enabling this opportunity to occur. View Amelie's website: https://letsbeescientists.org Katherine Evans

Class snapshot - 1H/R

Premier’s Reading Challenge Certificates

This week I have the great pleasure of giving out the Premier’s Reading Challenge certificates for those students who completed the challenge this year. This is being done during library lessons. Students who are receiving a Gold or a Platinum certificate this year will receive these in the final K-6 assembly on Monday of week 9.

Borrowing

This is the final week for student borrowing. Please help your children to find and return all library books by the end of week 9.

Stage 3 History

This term year 5 and 6 students have been learning about Australia’s colonial history, including the Gold Rush and Eureka Stockade. Over the past few weeks students have completed a piece of writing portraying the life of an Australian during this time. Below are some outstanding examples.

Dear Dairy, 1853

Life on the diggings is different. Outrage is spreading the the canvas town and more people are breaking into fights on the streets. The £1 pound and ten shilling payment even to dig on the fields seems to be causing an uproar. Me and me mates try to avoid the chaos and patrol the more peaceful parts of the digs but still people gives us unwanted looks and language.

Dear Dairy, 1855

Yesterday I was patrolling the far side of the digging’s looking upon the mountain range when havok brock out in the centre of town at the nice little hotel run by the little scruffy man. Me and me missis rushed to the square to find a man murdered! All the traces led to the hotel owner but he had gold… a LOT of gold at that and at this point in time the police force was in a lot of financial problems and I had me and me misses to think about. I still needed mutton and tea to put on our table or our times a the diggings would be over.

Dear Diary, 1855 a week later

Later this week that same hotel that the digger Albert had been murdered in, was a blaze. Fire parks shot in to the sky and cheers of celebration filled the streets. Head chief called me to his office to talk about the current situation. This was not what I had expected me journey to Australia to be like. When I signed that contract I didn’t know it would include arresting people, being bribed by hotel owners, and getting into fights with the locals.

Dear Dairy, 1856

It’s more silent here on the on the digs and I still love to escape to the view on the mountains and the rare clean streams that trickle down the rocks. But it’s frightening, the ongoing battle with the diggers and us. Going outside even feels risky now. Me misses has a bad reputation for being married to a policeman and there ain’t nothing I can do about it. Unless I want to lose me job and become a digger which wouldn’t be payin anymore that what I have now. I miss the bustling streets of Dublin City and the sound of the train in the early morning.

Dear Diary, 1858

The sounds of gunfire, the cries of pain and rage. I never wanted to kill anyone for disobeying the law, I never wanted to let culprits of murder just slip through me hands and I never wanted to disapint me misses. But the risk is just to high. Death is very different to disappointment.

Dear Diary, early 1859

Even though me time at the digs is coming to an end. I know we made the right decision.

We’re going home..

Talia T

September 13, 1854

Gold diggings, Ballarat

Dear Mama,

My decisions have been very much regretted. I wish I was back home, despite the cooler conditions. When I arrived at my destination, the long rolling fields of central Victoria were much more peaceful than the clamorous London streets. The baking sun of the Down Under is starting to get to me. I no longer have pale white skin, instead I am pink like a cherry blossom. This is not what I expected and shan’t get any better. For starters, the prices are going out of the roof! The cost for a mining license is 1 pound and 10 shillings. That is quite unacceptable. As you are reading this, I am panning gold by my lonesome self. All the other miners have got their own mates and I ain’t got me any.

Food is bland and lately I have not found it easy shoving it down my throat. The mutton is chewy and tough but at least it is better than nothing. The tea roots are freshly harvested from the fields and brewed in the billy at the fire circle. And to top it all off, the bread is crumbly and dry, but tastes rather sweet in my mouth. When food is served, I always tend to get the end of the loaf. I’m trying to be positive here, but things just aren’t working out in my neck of the woods.

The only reason I am here is because I need some money for my pocket. So far, I’ve made around 200 shillings, which could buy you all the harvested vegetables you could dream of. My daily dose of free time comes around dusk when the sunset sinks behind the mountains. I take myself on a peaceful stroll around the minefields, pondering about people's business. This has been an experience of a lifetime, and I am aware that I am lucky to be here. I wish to see you and papa soon.

Sincerely William.S

Lucy O

Parent Portal set up, consent & payment

Please open the link below for full details on setting up the Parent Portal.

2022 - Balgowlah North Public School (nsw.gov.au)

Parent Portal: Provide consent and payment for an excursion – School Bytes

Band news

Join our 2023 Band Program

Being part of a band and playing an instrument is a wonderful experience with so many benefits in addition to learning a new skill. The students love making music together.

We are recruiting for our bands next year. Students form Years 2 – 5 are welcome to join. Read about Band on our website https://bnpsband.wixsite.com/website

Questions? Send us an email and we will be in touch: bnpsband@hotmail.com

P&C news

The Week Ahead

30 November P&C meeting

01 December Student leadership elections

Final SEAT for the year

02 December House Captains elections

Night Zoo safari for senior bands

06 December Ensemble & bands evening performance

07 December Year 6 Fun Day

08 December Christmas stalls

09 December Year 6 Farewell dinner

Monday 12th December: 3-6 Celebration of Learning ceremony
Tuesday 13th December: K-2 Celebration of Learning ceremony
Thursday 15th December : K- 6 End of Year Picnic Day
Friday 16th December : Final day of 2022 school year for students