Newsletter Term 1 Week 9 2023
"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
Harmony Week
This year Harmony Week is being celebrated from the 20th - 26th March. Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging.
As a school we will be acknowledging Harmony Week by wearing a touch of orange on Thursday with their uniform. It might be an orange hat, t-shirt or ribbons in hair. If your child would like to celebrate their cultural background they may have clothing that has special significance to them, they are welcome to wear this on our special day.
Why orange?
Traditionally orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It is also connected with freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Over the week students will participate in activities that promote the message that everyone belongs.
Student Leaders Day
On Monday Anna Harris and I accompanied the student leadership students to Narrabeen Sydney Academy of Sport for a day of leadership learning. They connected with over 80 student leaders from across The Beaches network. They had opportunities to reflect on their student podcast project, as well as reflect on themselves and their growth as leaders. The afternoon was spent engaging in lots of fun group tasks.
Quality Teaching Rounds
The opportunity to reflect on your teaching practice from the observations of colleagues is a powerful experience. A small team of teachers, Amy Mussett, Eliza McAllister and Alice Pond participated in Quality Teaching Rounds this term. We opened our classrooms to reflect on pedagogy - the art and science of teaching. Using the NSW model of pedagogy we assessed our teaching colleagues in the areas of Intellectual Quality, Quality Learning Environment and Learning Significance. It was exciting to see the elements of deep understanding, problematic knowledge, high expectations, connectedness and self-regulation supported in rich learning tasks. The buzz of classroom chatter and group work opportunities certainly highlighted high levels of student engagement within the classroom.
Many thanks to a supportive team where the openness to reflect on professional practice improves teaching and learning outcomes for all.
Alice Pond (QTR lead)
School News
Learning Walks
Teachers at Balgowlah North Public School continuously seek to increase learning, improve practice and achieve greater success for all students. Last week, staff and students across the whole school were involved in Learning Walks. This collaborative inquiry provides a systematic approach for educators to develop a meaningful focus to examine student learning data. We examined how well our students are reflecting on their learning with The 5 Key Questions (Sharratt). The Learning Walks team had the amazing opportunity to engage with students across different classes and partake in powerful professional discussions reflecting on our current practice. It was exciting to hear students articulate their role in their own learning and observe how they interact with the classroom and resources.This cycle of inquiry will continue throughout the year and we are very much looking forward to reflecting on our practice to build assessment capable learners and develop a culture of continuous improvement.
Thank you to the Learning Walks team - Chris McCall, Jenny Mercer, Meghan Parsons, Claudia Mete, Jess Hardy, Carol Saab, Alice Pond and to the open classrooms across the school.
Alice Pond (Learning Walks facilitator)
Attention All Year 6 Parents and Carers
In 2023 the Department of Education has digitised the transition from Year 6 to Year 7 enrolment process.
You can now go into the MOVING TO HGH SCHOOL link located on the enrolment page of our BNPS website:
https://balgowlahn-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-our-school/enrolment.html
Please note you must complete either the APPLY FOR YEAR 7 PLACEMENT IN A NSW GOVERNMENT SCHOOL or the PLACEMENT NOT REQUIRED IN A GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL.
When applying for a Year 7 placement in a NSW Government School you will be required to provide your residential address in order to determine your local high school. If you are requesting consideration for placement at any other DOE secondary school in our area other than your local high school you will need to type “Northern Beaches Secondary” for Balgowlah Boys, Cromer, Mackellar to appear as options.
If you are unable to complete the application online, hard copies of the Expression of Interest form are available for collection from the School office.
Please note that the last day for submission is 31 March 2023.
Parent teacher Interviews
Parent teacher interviews are scheduled for the 4th and 5th of April. Bookings will open on Wednesday the 22nd of March. Please keep an eye out on the SZapp for further information.
NationalRide2School Day
NationalRide2School Day Is coming up on Friday the 24th of March. Our students in 3-6 are welcome to ride their bike to school on this day. If our K-2 students wish to do so they must be accompanied by an adult.
Having access to Manly Dam and such a beautiful area to ride is a wonderful opportunity for many of our children. Please ensure that students remember to wear a helmet, have a bell on their bike to use around pedestrians and be aware of their speed around paths and pedestrians.
Kindergarten reading with their Year 6 Buddies
Student Leadership Day
Circle games: Matthew D
One of the first activities we took part in was circle games. This was a fun interactive way to get to know each other. Some of the games we played were murder winks and follow the leader with a detective trying to find the leader.
Paper Planes: Jackson T
The paper planes course was interesting because a partner would verbally tell you how to fold a piece of paper into a paper airplane. This is interesting because this would test your partnership skills and if you have a better verbal or visual sight of the world.
Character Traits: Scarlett P
From a deck of cards we all chose five cards that best described us. Mixed up with other students we turned over our cards. “Love” read some and “creative” read other cards. We then matched our cards with the three sections. We found what type of leaders we all were. There were people oriented, action people and thinkers.
School Issue Problem Solving: Noah S
For this activity we were put into groups with people from different schools and each group got given a card, there were 3 different cards, and six groups of four. Each group was given a card. My card was that the school bathrooms were unclean, smelly and dirty. One of our solutions was to put air fresheners in the bathrooms to make it smell better.
Initiatives course: Jessica D
We enjoyed doing the initiative courses because it built trust which was shown in the rope swing, maze and balance and teamwork shown in “across the river”. Doing these activities practiced team work and how to collaborate ideas together. It was a great experience to be a part of, something we will never forget.
Initiatives course: Darcy Y
The initiatives course was a ‘dangerous’ course where we did all sorts of activities. These activities helped us with lots of skills in our journey to become a future leader. We practiced our communicating skills in the maze. We also built teamwork in multiple challenges, such as “indiana jones”, “the claw” and many more. We all loved this experience and learnt a lot of new things as well as so many wonderful skills.
Rafting: Isaac A
In rafting we had to design and build a raft to go and float on a river. This helped us because it gave us an opportunity to try out what we did earlier.
Rafting: Emily M
For this activity we had 10 minutes to create a raft out of crates, barrels, poles and ropes, otherwise “Lava” would catch us. After we made the raft we would bring it to the water and attempt to ride it. It was so much fun even if your raft didn't float.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Administration
Just a reminder to all parents that NAPLAN results are legal documents and parents must keep copies of them for future reference. Once you receive results for your child please store them safely.
The Week Ahead
Dates for the diary
Monday 20-31 March Year 2 Swim Scheme
Tuesday 21 March School Photos
Wednesday 22 March NAPLAN make up assessment
Thursday 23 March Harmony Day
Friday 24 March National Ride2School Day
Monday 27 March Stage 3 Canberra Camp
Monday 27 March 10.20am K-2 Assembly
Monday 27 March 1-3pm Kindy Monkey Baa incursion
Sports News
Congratulations to Isaac R who competed in the NSW Little athletics State championships
In the 11 years boys Isaac’s results were:
1500m - Gold Medal & State Champion
800m - Gold Medal & State Champion
400m - Gold Medal & State Champion
Triple Jump - Finalist - 6th place
Well done!
Congratulations to Edward G who won a gold medal in the NSW State shotput!
Congratulations to Sophia C for her selection in the Manly Warringah Netball Association 11 year old Talent Squad. We wish you every success for the season ahead. Well done!
Summer PSSA results: Round 4
Class snapshot 2/1P
Waste Free Wednesday Winners
Congratulations to 2MR for the winners of Waste Free.
P & C News
Band News
Band Election BBQ and Cake Stall Fundraiser – Sign up to help
Final call for volunteers to support the BNPS Band community this weekend for the Election BBQ and Cake Stand Fundraiser. We have slots available for BBQ cookers, cake stand operators and money/till operators - 1.5 hr slots.
We are also looking for baked goods (cakes, slices, cookies etc) to sell at the cake stall. Please drop off any donations to the school from 8:30 AM on the day, many thanks.
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aada722a7ffc16-bnps#/
Canteen News
On Thusday the 23rd of March (wk9) the school will celebrate Harmony day and the Canteen will be providing the following menu of lunch items from around the world.
America: Cheesseburger with BBQ sauce, Mayo and melted Cheese or
Meatball sub a deli special stuffed with meatballs, cheese and Napoli sauce
France: Classic Ham and Cheese Croissant or Cheese Croissant
Greece: Greek Salad of Olives, Feta, Cucumber & Tomato on a bed of lettuce
Spanakopita – Spinach & Fetta in a Triangle of flaky pastry served with salad
Italy: Classsic Lasagne or
Penne with Bolognese or
Meatballs with spaghetti & Napoli sauce
Middle East: Mezze Plate of Falafel, Crackers, Dip, Fresh Veggies, Ham & Cheese or
Falafel Bowl/wrap filled with Homous, Cucumber, Tomatoes and Baby Spinach
Australia: Meat Pie – homemade with beef of chicken or
Sausage Roll or
Vegemite Sandwich
Japan: Poke Bowl with Salmon or Tofu or
Katsu Bowl with Chicken, Carrot and Edamame on a bed of rice
Gyoza – 4 pork Gyoza on a bed of rice served with salad
Please order via Flexicchools. Order early to ensure you don’t miss out!
Community news
NBSC Manly Campus Open Day
The Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus Open Day will be held on Monday 1st May 2023. NBSC Manly Campus is a selective co-educational high school for students from year 7 - 12.
NBSC Manly Campus Open Day
Monday 1st May
9.30-11.30 am
Ceremony and School Tour, followed by morning tea hosted by the P & C
Ethics Note
Our Primary Ethics team is seeking more volunteers to teach Primary Ethics. We particularly need volunteers for Kindergarten, year 1, year 4 and year 6 students.
Ethics teachers receive full training by Primary Ethics, the not-for-profit organisation approved to design the curriculum and training for the ethics program. Training consists of a two day workshop and short online modules. Suitable volunteers have an interest in children’s education and the development of their critical thinking skills. You must be available to teach a 30 minute class on a Thursday afternoon each week. All lesson materials are provided.
In ethics classes, we aim to give students an opportunity to discuss and think for themselves about ethical issues relevant to them.
Students discuss topics such as:
- empathy;
- being an ethical consumer;
- how should we treat living things;
- how do we know when we have done something wrong?;
- intentions and knowledge - what might a whale know?; and
- understanding diversity.
If you are looking for an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our school and be part of a great program, please visit www.primaryethics.com.au. You can also email our Primary Ethics Coordinator Susan Gray at bnpsethics@gmail.com for further information.
School Sponsors
