Newsletter Term 2 Week 4 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
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Josie P, Lulu Mc, Charlie O and Addie B who represented the Metropolitan East team in the AFL Regional Carnival in Bateman Bay on Monday and Tuesday.
Congratulations Charlie O for making the NSW state team.
School Grounds
Our school is the hub of the Balgowlah North community. We are an inclusive school and we highly value the community relationships that we have with both parents and the wider community. Our grounds are used daily by sporting groups and the school community as a whole.
Unfortunately over the past few weeks we have had a few issues that I’d like everyone to be aware of. Staff of our school include cleaners, administration staff and grounds staff. Many of these employees begin work early in the morning and work late in the afternoon. We have had reports of community members using the school grounds and a lack of respect has been shown to some of these staff members. I am asking for our school community to keep an eye out when you are here with your children. Please report any inappropriate behaviour to the school, police or school security.
We are in the process of getting locks for some of our gates in the Kindergarten and Year One playgrounds. Student safety is paramount during the school day. The gates will be locked between 9.30am and 2.30pm. If you need to access the school it is best to enter through the front of the school. We are working with school infrastructure around this. There will also be upgrades to our toilet blocks. This will be commencing from the 5th of June. We will have plans in place for alternative toilets during the time of refurbishment.
Uniform survey
Thank you to our P&C parent network parents for sending out the link to our survey on feedback around our school uniform. If you haven’t had a chance, the link is below.
Next week we will be gathering feedback from students as well through student focus groups.
Harbourside Music Festival
What a wonderful opportunity our Band committee has created for our local schools. We look forward to welcoming Balgowlah Heights and Balgowlah Boys High School to our school to perform with our students on Thursday night at 6.30pm. Thank you to Caroline Fechner, Mark Strykowski and Angus Bullough for all the work you do in providing these opportunities for our students.
Walk to School Day
On Friday 19 May 2023 it is National Walk Safely to School Day. This annual event encourages all primary school children to walk and commute safely to school. This event is a great opportunity for schools and families to encourage safe road user behaviour, not just one day but every day.
Brooke Keevers
Principal
URStrong Family Workshop
We are providing an opportunity for parents to attend an ONLINE Language of Friendship parent-child workshop on Wednesday 14 June at 6:00pm. Tyson Greenwood (Director of URSTRONG) will teach you and your children skills + language to foster healthy, feel-good friendships.
Registration Required: CLICK HERE to register
We believe that empowering our students with these skills will create a culture of kindness at our school and we hope you can attend.
Assistant Principal News
Focus in on writing
Our BNPS staff engaged in a whole-school, twilight session of professional learning this week, focussed on writing. Teachers explored the new NSW English syllabus, particularly the area of ‘Creating Written Texts’. We analysed the similarities and differences between the old syllabus and the new, as well as the progression of skills from Kindergarten to Year 6 in writing.
Time was spent sharing students’ writing samples and discussing evidence of strengths and areas of need for individual students. This collaborative discussion is critical to ensuring consistent teacher judgment of writing, in which there are many features and layers of skill to consider.
Our amazing staff were so focussed we even started to reflect on and refine our current assessment tasks and rubrics. These resources are essential to helping teachers identify the ‘where to next’ for each individual writer in their class. They provide important feedback to students about their progress and are often used by the students themselves to self reflect or peer assess their writing in class.
We are excited to start using our new knowledge and materials over the coming weeks and continue working in the writing space throughout the year.
Jenni Reinhardt
Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction
School News
ICAS
We will be providing students with the opportunity to participate in the world-renowned ICAS competition this year.
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. Balgowlah North Public School will be offering opportunities for students to participate in the Writing, English, Science and Mathematics competitions this year.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
If you are interested in entering your child into ICAS or wish to find out more about the competitions please visit the website below:
Learn more about ICAS here. (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas)
How to participate in ICAS:
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:
- Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas) 2. read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Parents-PPS-TsCs_final.pdf)
- Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)
- Enter our school’s access code – TAL937
- Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.
After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.
ICAS Results and Certificates
We will send home your child’s ICAS certificate when we receive it. The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”, that you and your child need to enter the Results Portal.
ICAS Dates at BNPS 2023
Writing | August 10th |
English | August 17th |
Science | August 21st |
Mathematics | August 30th |
Please ensure you register for ICAS via the PPS by July 17th.
Mothers Day Breakfast
Thanks to everyone for joining us for the Mothers day Breakfast!
Library News
Lunchtime At The Library
The library is open on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at lunch time for reading, games, drawing and Lego.
The Week Ahead
Thursday 18 May Harbourside Music Festival 6.30pm-8.00pm
Monday 22 May Whole School Assembly 1.45pm-2.30pm
Tuesday 23 May Sydney Writers Festival
Wednesday 24 May Stage 3 Incursion
Thursday 25 May Zone Cross Country
Sports News
Cross Country
What a fantastic day we had last Wednesday 10 May for our school cross country carnival. A gorgeous sunny day not too hot – perfect for a run! All of the participants did so well and it was wonderful seeing them strive to achieve their personal best. Congratulations to Koala house for their overall win on the day - see point scores below. Thank you so much to all the parents who were able to come and support the children. Particular thanks to Eve H and Kim P for their volunteer efforts at the carnival.
The Zone Cross Country will take place on Thursday 25th May. Students who came 1st through to 6th in the 2km and 3km races will represent BNPS at the zone carnival. 7th and 8th places are reserves and will be contacted if they are needed for the zone carnival.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Class Snapshot 3H
Waste Free Wednesday
Congratulations to 2MR for winning the K-2 Waste Free Wednesday and to 3V and 3H for winning the 3-6 Waste Free Wednesday
P & C News
Band News
Canteen News
Sushi orders - remember the cut off time for ordering Sushi is 8:45am and Sushi is available on Wed & Thurs. In the event you need to cancel an order past cut off time please ensure you do so by calling the canteen before 10am.Kind regards, Mel & Alex
Community news
School Sponsors
