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

Wellbeing Week
Smiles, laughs and lots of rainbow colours as we celebrate Wellbeing Week. Starting the day with music, the teacher wellbeing team have created lots of fun activities over the week including a school art installation!

We look forward to seeing many of you at our URStrong zoom workshop tonight at 6pm.

Thank you also to the P&C parents who have organised the BNPS P&C Trivia Night on Saturday night. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

School Safety
We strive to provide a safe,inclusive and engaging school environment for our students. Sport and play are an integral part of a child’s physical, social and emotional development and we are so lucky to have extensive school gounds that allow our students the space and opportunity to play and be active.

Balgowlah North is an open school with public access to the site outside of school hours.This enables our broader community to benefit from access to the school grounds. Unfortunately, this can occasionally pose challenges for our school.

Recently we have had material illegally dumped on the school site and incidents of graffiti, tagging and vandalism to school property. We are also aware of children playing on school grounds, without supervision, in unsafe and potentially dangerous ways.

Whilst our staff are constantly monitoring the school, we have a large site and we need the assistance of all students & parents to help identify any issues and bring this to the attention of the teachers or office staff. Police will have a more visible presence on afternoons and at night on the weekends.

Our students understand that if they see something in the playground that is unsafe or not usually at school to let a teacher or adult know. If you could please reinforce this message at home in your conversations as a family that would be greatly appreciated.

We have a P&C working bee coming up on the 25th of June. It would be great to have as many of our parents and students as possible joining us on this day. There will be plenty to keep us busy- working around the green grove, gardening, mowing and whipper snipping.

Northern Beaches Learning Alliance HPGE Workshops
Today we are hosting 24 students from primary schools across the Northern Beaches for the Stage 1 HPGE Robotics workshop. Hosted by Olivia Wakelin and Steph Rooleht, this workshop provides an opportunity for students identified as having high potential in this domain to work together on a fun morning of critical thinking and problem solving. Our school is being represented by Summer C, Clark Z, Ben C and Lily M.

The Northern Beaches Learning Alliance is working together this year to provide enrichment opportunities across a range of curriculum areas. Last week we were very proud to send Oscar G and Finn C to a music workshop hosted by Narraweena Public School and Benji T and Claire Z to a Visual Arts workshop at Beacon Hill Primary School.

We are enjoying the winter sunshine and looking forward to a busy, engaging and exciting final few weeks of Term 2.

Brooke Keevers
Principal

School News

Wellbeing Week
Tuesday marked the beginning of Wellbeing week and Rainbow Day at BNPS. It was lovely to see so many students adding a splash of colour to their uniforms, and the rainbow dots really brightened up the playgroud. Many thanks to those of you who contributed a gold coin donation for Kids Helpline.

‘What Matters to You’ when you're hanging out with friends?
Imagine feeling left out constantly, not being able to hang out with your friends doing all of the fun activities. Being left out…

You're seeing photos of them having fun without you. At school talking about their amazing weekend, once again left out…

Don’t make others feel this terrible way, stop it from happening. The next time you are hanging out with your friends, take a minute to think about what they want to do and how you can include them in your activities. You have to make sure that everyone can access the space you're using and make sure you're being inclusive and safe because many people aren't as fortunate as we are, so don't take things for granted, and be respectful of others.

Kindness is a main requirement of a healthy friendship. Being kind means to care for others whether they are your friends or not. If there is a problem don’t ignore or retaliate, be compassionate and respect their emotions whether you like it or not. Put yourself in their shoes and think about their life behind their family and school. Be an upstander. Being kind can make a big impact on a great friendship. When a problem occurs, make sure you are listening to your friends and what they have to say.

When hanging out with your friends in public, be considerate of the space around you. Be safe, respectful and responsible at all times. When you think your surroundings and friends aren’t making great decisions don't be a follower be your own leader. Have fun but remember to be safe and think of your surroundings when at home and in public. They are always two sides to a story.

So, what friendship matters to you, a healthy, great and fun friendship which is a kind, trustworthy, and appreciation of other people’s views. Unhealthy friendships make you feel upset, sad, miserable and lonely. So, make sure you're being inclusive because many people aren't as fortunate as we are, so don't take things for granted, and be respectful of others.

That’s what matters…

Charlie O, Lila B & Sophie R

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.

Bear Pit
Each year our school participates in the Bear Pit Public Speaking competition,a prestigious annual competition for students in the Manly electorate of primary schools. Now in its 14th year, Bear Pit promotes confidence in speaking in front of an audience and the development of public speaking skills.

This year, students in Years 3-6 will have the opportunity to work on a draft of their speech in class in weeks 9 and 10 of Term 2. They are then asked to work on their speech over the school holidays and come to school in Week 1 of Term 3 to present it to their class. Each student will be assessed on their speech and three students from each class will be chosen to participate in the Stage finals. Stage finals will be held on the following dates:

Stage 3- Thursday the 27th of July

Stage 2- Friday 28th of July

One winning representative from each stage will be awarded the honour of representing Balgowlah North Public School at the finals on Friday the 4th of AUgust. The final competition will take place at NSW State Parliament, Macquarie Street, Sydney.

Topics for 2023

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4

I can help my community by…
It’s important to help others because…
What sport would you like to see added or removed from the Olympics and why.

Time Limit: 3 minutes with a bell at 2 minutes

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6

Is digital technology making kids’ lives better?
If I could meet anyone from the past, present, or future who would it be and why?
To me freedom means…

Time Limit: 4 minutes with a bell at 3 minutes

K- 2 students will have the opportunity to participate in a public speaking competition in their class speaking and listening programs during Term 3. Further details will be sent home next term.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Our school is participating in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD Data Collection). This Data Collection is taking place in government, Catholic and Independent schools across Australia, and will provide valuable information about supports required for a broad group of students. This will enable Australian and State governments to better target support and resources in schools. This will help the school give our students the support they need.

The definition of disability for the NCCD is based on the broad definition under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The NCCD Data Collection is not limited to students with diagnosed disabilities and includes a broad range of health and learning conditions that our school provides ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support.

Rachel Ridley

Merimbula Jazz Festival
Finn C had a great time in Merimbula at The Merimbula Jazz Festival. He ended up performing in 5 x 1-hour sessions over the weekend. Quite an effort but he enjoyed it!

The Week Ahead

15 June Regional Cross Country
15 June Maths Olympiad - Contest 2
17 June P & C Trivia Night
19 June NBLA Writers Workshop
27 June Primary Debating Challenge
29 June School reports go home

Sports News

NSWPSSA Netball Knockout
On Wednesday afternoon the Balgowlah North Senior A netball team played in the 3rd round of the NSWPSSA Netball Knockout. The team of Scarlett P, Jess D, Josie P, Helena F, Charlie O, Darcy Y, Addie B and Evelyn S demonstrated a very high skill level and lots of enthusiasm to beat a determined Harbord Public School 28 -12. We were very proud of your sportsmanship and conduct on the day. Thank you to our injured Sophie R for doing the scoring for us. We will look forward to round 4 against Mosman Public School on Friday next week.

Susie Stock

Library News

I am very excited that we will be welcoming Maryam Master to our school next Tuesday to chat with our Year 5 and 6 students about her life coming to Australia and her wonderful and diverse writing career. Maryam gave an inspiring and engaging presentation at the recent writer’s festival which our students loved. She has two wonderful books suitable for year 5 and 6 students. Students can order signed copies of Maryam Master’s books from the following link:

https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/maryam-master/

The Children’s Bookshop will deliver the books to our school (free delivery). Alternatively, you can call The Children’s Bookshop directly on 9571 1897 to order and pay over the phone.

Premier’s Reading Challenge
Well done to the following readers who have successfully completed the reading challenge:

Year 1 - Harley A, Clark Z
Year 2 - Walter F, Hugo M
Year 3 - Thomas B, Faith G, Thomas G, Eddie S
Year 4 - Jasper C
Year 5 - Olivia C, James J
Year 6 - Chloe H, Mila K, Emily M

Debbie Horsley - Teacher Librarian

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Class Snapshot - 4HL

Waste Free Wednesday

P and C News

It's time for the annual BNPS Disco on Thursday June 22nd! This is the biggest fundraiser for the BNPS band program, and is always a fun-filled night for the students. This year’s theme is 'Tropical’, and each ticket will include tropical themed accessories for your child, as well as a drink.The K-2 disco is 4:30pm-6pm and Year 3-6 from 6:30pm to 8pm. Please note that dinner is not provided as dancing and fun are the priority, so please don't send your child hungry! If you think your child may need support on the night (loud music and lots of energy) please feel free to stay for the duration of the event.

If your child is attending Koolkuna on this evening and you purchase them a disco ticket please advise Koolkuna directly and they will arrange drop off.

Green Grove Working Bee
Please come and lend a hand to get a few things done around our school!
Bring the family & enjoy a BBQ after! Please sign up using the link below:

BNPS School Community: Balgowlah North School Community Working Bee (signupgenius.com)

Koolkuna News

Winter Uniform
As we approach the Winter months, we require all children to be wearing either a jacket, jumper or vest when participating in any outdoor activities prior to 9am and after 4:30pm. Please ensure adequate clothing is packed for your child so they do not miss out on outdoor activities.

Vacation Care Bookings
Use the My Family Lounge App to find the bookings tabs labelled "Vacation Care K-2" and "Vacation Care 3-6" where you will be able to book each child in for the days requested. When the day turns purple your child is successfully booked in for that day. If the day is red the day is fully booked. Please email us at kkoshc@sustainableoshc.com.au to be placed on the waitlist.

Community news

School Sponsors

Northern Beaches Wealth

Newsletter Term 2 Week 8 2023