Newsletter Term 1 Week 10 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
As we enter the final weeks of our first term of learning for 2023, our students and teachers continue to be engaged in a raft of wonderful activities and opportunities. This week sees our Stage 3 students go off to camp in Canberra, our Year 2 students continue with Swim Scheme, our Kindergarten students participate in a drama incursion run by Monkey Baa Productions and Stage 2 foster their curiosity with an incursion from Kaleidoscope Science.
Harmony Day
Celebrations were a highlight of the school calendar last week. At Balgowlah North, we value the role we play in building an inclusive and respectful environment where all of our students and their families feel a sense of belonging. It was so special to see our students engage in a rich program of learning that allowed them to celebrate the diversity of our school community.
At the end of this term we farewell one of our beloved teachers, Mrs Camille Hadley, who is embarking on a new adventure to Austria. Camille has been a valued member of our teaching team for 8 years, making significant contributions to our Maths team, the Green Grove and Aboriginal Education at Balgowlah North Public School. We are so grateful for the dedication Camille has brought to her teaching in the time she has been with us and we wish her all the best as she pursues this wonderful new chapter of her life.
Last week we offered a limited amount of tickets to the Sydney Writers’ Festival for our students in Years 4 to 6. We were blown away with the amount of interest this extra-curricular excursion generated and feel so lucky to have students in our school who are so passionately engaged with literature. Given the growing popularity of this event, we will be reviewing ticketing procedures in coming years. In the meantime, we encourage our parent community to consider participating in the Sydney Writers’ Festival as a family as there are some fantastic events you can visit to inspire our budding writers. Visit the festival website for the full program: https://www.swf.org.au/
Finally, a reminder to our school community that the clocks change this weekend for the end of Daylight Savings on Sunday the 2nd of April.
We look forward to seeing you next week for our Parent Teacher interviews on Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th of April. A reminder to please notify the office if you are no longer able to attend your scheduled interview time and ensure you are punctual and adhere to the 10 minute time allocation to ensure all of our families have the opportunity to talk to their child’s Class Teacher.
Rachel Ridley
Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal's News
Spotlight on Mathematics
It is exciting times as our new, much anticipated Mathematics syllabus is rolling out across NSW. In 2022, all NSW schools had access to the new Mathematics K–2 syllabus, to prepare and plan for its implementation at their school. This year the Mathematics syllabus is being taught in all of our K-2 classrooms, with the prepare and plan phase now beginning for teaching the new syllabus in Years 3-6, in 2024.
Balgowlah North K-2 teaching staff have been involved in extensive professional learning into the new Mathematics syllabus and the research behind it. Our key focus has been on developing a connectionist approach to mathematics, which is the ability to make connections between apparently separate mathematical ideas. Lessons are structured to highlight the parallel connections across Number and Algebra, Measurement and Space, and Statistics and Probability. This is crucial for students’ deep, conceptual understanding and is underpinned by the latest research.
We are also focused on the development of language and vocabulary used in mathematics and on developing reasoning skills to strengthen students’ ability to consider and explain their thinking and ideas when solving a problem.
In our K-2 mathematics learning experiences, you can see students:
- developing essential numeracy skills and mathematical fluency
- identifying, describing and applying patterns and relationships
- developing their reasoning and problem-solving skills
- applying their knowledge and understanding in practical situations.
Jenni Reinhardt
Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction
Check out some of our budding K-2 mathematicians exploring, discussing and playing with mathematics in the world around them.
School News
ANZAC Day
The ANZAC Day school service will be held on Thursday 6th April at 9.15am in the School Hall. It will be run by the school leaders and every class will lay a wreath on the stage by the class SRC students. Poppies will also be on sale on Thursday 6th April from 8.30am to 9am near the flagpoles at the Manning Street entrance. They are $5 each, supporting our veterans. Thanks,Jenny Mercer
Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful Schools
In late 2023, the Department of Education developed the Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful schools package that saw the release of 3 new policy documents - The Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability, the Student Behaviour Policy and Procedures, and the Restrictive Practices Framework and Restrictive Practices Reduction and Elimination Policy and Procedures. These new policies support NSW public schools to improve the learning outcomes of a diverse spectrum of students, including those with disability, complex behaviours and additional needs.
Balgowlah North Public School has been reviewing our internal processes and procedures in response to these new policy documents and has developed a School Behaviour Support and Management Plan. This document will be available on our website for parents to view.
Procedures and policies - Balgowlah North Public School (nsw.gov.au)
World's Greatest Shave
BNPS have registered to take part in their year’s World’s Greatest Shave on Wednesday, 3rd May to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. Year 6 pupils will shave, cut or colour their hair and Kindy to Year 5 will also participate with Crazy Hair Day.
Every day, 53 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer, and 16 will lose their life.
Money raised through our efforts will give families facing blood cancer the special care, support and information they need – while driving breakthrough research projects discovering better ways to diagnose and treat blood cancer.
Please follow this link to sponsor a Year 6 student or donate to the BNPS Year 6 team for crazy hair day. You can also donate cash on 3 May at school.
Balgowlah North Public School | World's Greatest Shave | Leukaemia Foundation
Thank you for supporting our annual fundraiser.
WGS organising committee
Year 2 Swimming Program
With a smile and a splash Year 2 students entered the water at Warringah Aquatic Centre for Swim Scheme. Students have been participating in an intensive 2 week program, receiving instruction appropriate for their ability in the water. Water safety is also an important aspect of the program and is part of the daily session. We have been impressed with the eagerness of the students to try new things and are looking forward to watching their skills and confidence develop as the week continues. Our students have also demonstrated remarkable manners while off school grounds and their independence is soaring as the number of lost socks is minimal! Students will receive a certificate outlining their achievements when the program concludes this week.
Year 2 Teachers
What is a Friend-O-Meter?
Like a thermometer, the Friend-O-Meter measures the health of friendships. The purpose of this tool is for children to identify the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendships.
Research shows that children do not always evaluate their friendships. We want them to be looking at their friendships and asking themselves, “Is this relationship good for me? Does this person treat me with the respect I deserve?” so that this self-compassion will be an instinct when considering future relationships. There will be ups and downs in all friendships. URSTRONG encourages children to spend the majority of their time in ‘green zone friendships’.
The Friend-O-Meter is a core concept of URSTRONG. It will be a part of Term 1 Personal Development and Health programs across the school and referred to throughout the year.
To find out more about URSTRONG or access the free family membership, go to https://urstrong.com/
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.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Administration
Schoolzine
The app can be downloaded by following the link below:
SZapp - School Communication App - Schoolzine
On the app you can:
- Read infromation and updates from our school
- Submit an absence form for your child
- Make payments
- See the school calendar
- Give consent for excursions and activities
School Bytes
The app can be downloaded by following the link below:
Parent Portal: Provide consent and payment for an excursion – School Bytes
On the app you can:
- Make payments and pay fees
- Give consent for excursions and activities
The Week Ahead
Dates for the diary
Monday 20-31 March Year 2 Swim Scheme
Monday 3 April1.45pm K-6 School Assembly
Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 April Parent- Teacher Interviews
Thursday 6 April 9.15am - 10.15am ANZAC Day Service
Thursday 6 April 9.15am - 10.15am Year 6 & Kindy Art Activity
Sports News
Regional Swimming
Congratulations to the following students from BNPS who represented Manly Zone at the regional swimming championships at Sydney Olympic Park last Thursday:
Addison B, Sophie R, Millie G, Amelia S,Vinnie M, Freya VR, Toby S and Edward G.
They gave it their all! Well done!
Cross Country
The school Cross Country Carnival is coming up on the 10 May in Week 3 of next term. A reminder to start some running training in the holidays!!
Winter PSSA
We are currently gauging student interest to help determine which sports we can offer for Winter PSSA. Next Thursday, students will be asked to sign up for a sport and trials will begin on Friday 31st March. There will be two more rounds of trials on the Friday afternoons of Week 1 and 2 next term. Winter PSSA commences in Week 3 on the 12th May.
Waste Free Wednesday
Congratulations to 3H, KR and KM for winners of Waste Free Wednesday
Class snapshot - 2MR
P & C News
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
Opportunity Classes for Year 5 in 2024
The link below gives on information on Opportunuty classes for students going into Year 5 in 2024.
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
