Newsletter Term 3 Week 2 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."
Congratulations to Josie P at the State Cross Country Championships
Principal's message
Congratulations
What a wonderful opportunity for Josie P and Issac R to compete at State Cross Country Championships last Friday. An incredible effort, talent and dedication to their sport. Josie also won a bronze medal as part of the Sydney North team and Isaac will be representing NSWPSSA in Canberra at the Cross Country Championships. Congratulations to both students!
Congratulations to Isaac R at the State Cross Country Championships
Wonderful News
Such fantastic news this week with the appointment of many of our temporary teachers to permanent positions. Permanency provides teachers with security, supports staff retention and ensures greater consistency for schools, builds community and connections which improves outcomes for our students.
Congratulations to Olivia Wakelin, Steph Rooleht and Jenny Mercer on appointment to full time positions. Congratulations to Kerry Kelly on permanent part time and to Sally De Hennin on her permanent position as a Student Learning Support Officer. Great news for our Balgowlah North community.
NAPLAN
On Thursday the 27th of July our NAPLAN results will be sent home with your child. Please keep an eye out in bags for the envelope. P&C meet next week at 7.30 pm in the school library. Olivia Wakelin will present information on our school results.
NAPLAN individual student report information for parents and carers 2023
2024
The year is zipping past! Later this term we commence planning for 2024. At this point in time we have 55 kindergarten students enrolled already for 2024. This is a very promising sign! If you know of any local families who have still to complete their application please let them know they can do so.
If you know that your child will be leaving at the end of 2023 it would be greatly appreciated if you could complete the google link below. This gives us a chance to think about the class and school structure for 2024.
Education Week
We look forward to celebrating Education Week next Thursday the 3rd of August. The school bands will play on the deck from 8am, the library will be open from 8.30am to purchase a book. Grandparents are welcome to attend on the day. The canteen will have some options for morning tea if you would like to share this opportunity with your child.
Hope to see you in the playground, at P&C or during Education Week.
Kind regards
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Assisstant Principals News
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
Information for parents and carers
What is phonics?
Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds and is vital in learning to read. Some children struggle with learning to read so it is important that these children are identified quickly so teachers can plan for any specific support they may need
What is the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check?
The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check is a short, quick assessment that tells teachers how your child is progressing in phonics. It is designed to be administered after students have had enough time at school to learn most of the phonic code, but with enough time to make sure interventions and targeted teaching can still make a difference. Your child will sit with the class teacher and will be asked to read 40 words aloud. These words include 20 real words and 20 nonsense words. The test normally takes a few minutes. If your child is struggling the teacher will stop the check. The check is carefully designed not to be stressful for your child.
Why use nonsense words?
The assessment includes pseudo or nonsense words to see if the student is able to use their knowledge of blending to read a word rather than their memory of having seen that word before.
All Year 1 students at Balgowlah North Public School will sit the Phonics Screening Check during Week 4, 7th-11th August, one-on-one with their own classroom teacher. Your child’s Year 1 teacher will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have around the Phonics Screening Check.
Jenni Reinhardt
School News
Choir Rehearsal in the City
This week the choir had a great day rehearsing all our songs for the Festival of Choral Music Concert which will be performing with many other students from across the state at the Opera House on Tuesday 15th August. Tickets went on sale Tuesday 25th July - parents of choir members make sure to check your email for instructions on how to purchase tickets.
Lights Up Drama Festival
We were excited to receive this recognition for the great work of our students participating in the 2023 Drama Festival.
Athletics Carnival Track and Field Results 2023
What a fantastic day we had on Thursday last week for this year’s athletics carnival - lots of sunshine and smiles! Congratulations to everyone who took part and thank you to the parents who were able to assist on the day with timekeeping. The students competed in a variety of events with their age group including running events, vortex “javelin” throw, poison ball, novelty relays and tug-of-war. The teachers were extremely impressed with the teamwork and effort put into all the events by our students.
The Zone athletics carnival will take place on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 August at Narrabeen. The top 3 placegetters for 100m and the top 2 placegetters in field events, 200, and 800 m will proceed to the zone carnival.
Kerry Kelly and Anna Harris
Sports News
On Monday 24th July, 30 of our Year 5 and 6 students attended the Manly Warringah Schools Basketball Gala Day. It was the first time Balgowlah North has participated in this competition. A huge thanks to the parents who were able to come along and assist with team management and support for the teams. The competition across all divisions was very strong and our teams competed admirably. Two penalty shoot outs in the girls competition had us on the edge of our seats! Special mention to the girls 2 team who made a semi-final. Our girls 1 team also achieved highly and only lost one game (to the eventual competition winners).
I am pleased to report that at the end of the day, our school came away with a trophy for the most enthusiastic school! Congratulations!
Kerry Kelly
Basketball Coordinator
Girls team
Boys team
Girls semi finals team
Waste Free Wednesday
Congratulations to 1C, 1M, 2MR and 5M for winning Waste Free Wednesday in Term 2 Week 10
Congratulations to KM and 5M for winning Waste Free Wednesday in Term 3 Week 1
Admin News
Excursions and Incursions
When we receive a permission note for a school event, can we please ask that you read the note carefully. These notes will always include detailed information and should be able to answer most of your questions.
Many thanks
Admin Team
The Week Ahead
27 July Opportunity Class Placement Test
27 July Maths Olympiad
27 July Stage 3 Bear Pit Finals
28 July Stage 2 Bear Pit Finals
31 July Education Week
31 July Year 6/Kindergarten Buddy Activity
1 August Musica Viva Incursion K-6
2 August P & C Meeting 7.30pm in the Library
3 August Education Week (Book fair, Open classrooms, Creatives Arts performances and Morning Tea - see flyer for details).
Library News
Class Snapshot -6/5H
Positive Behaviour for Learning
P & C News
The next P&C meeting will take place on Wednesday 2nd August 7.30pm in the Library
All welcome to attend.
The Year 2 parents are busy organising Term 3's fundraising event ... the hugely enjoyed and anticipated Outdoor Movie Night.This is a fun family event on the school grounds for school families. More details will be released soon, but for now, save the date! Friday 8th of September - gates will open at 5pm.
This is a limited capacity event and the tickets sold out very quickly last year!
Canteen News
Education Week Morning Tea
Please don't forget to order your morning tea via Flexischools by Tuesday 1st August for the morning tea on the 3rd August.
Thanks
Canteen
Koolkuna News
This year, we will be celebrating the NSW OSHC Educators’ Day on Wednesday 26th July 2023. The 2023 theme is OSHC Educators: At the Heart of the Community
OSHC Educator Day gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable work our OSHC Educators undertake everyday and their wonderful contribution to the education, wellbeing and healthy development of the children in their care. OSHC Educators aim to be inspirational educators, role models and mentors to the children, and to contribute to our wider BNPS community.
Sustainable OSHC has been part of the BNPS community for 5 years and we value the relationships we have built & the support we have received from the families & the staff at BNPS. It is a key part of our success in delivering a high quality service & we thank you.
Koolkuna OSHC Admin
Community news
Interschools Snowsport Championship
“During the school holidays five students competed in the Northern NSW/QLD/ Regional Interschools Snowsport Championship at Perisher. Jess and Abbey M, Van H, Archer C and John S all proudly represented BNPS in the Alpine and Ski Cross events. The snow conditions were great and everyone had an awesome time, racing with a grin on their face!
Congratulations to Van who made it through to the State Champs for Alpine GS! Good luck Van!
School Sponsors
