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

NAPLAN 2023 Results
At Balgowlah North Public School we value the importance of reflecting on data to provide us with insights into the progress of our students. Our teachers work together to collaboratively review NAPLAN data in line with other forms of assessment to have conversations about how we can support and enrich learning for all students.

Earlier this term we received the 2023 NAPLAN results for Years 3 and 5. This year, NAPLAN results were reported using proficiency standards which replace the previous reporting of student NAPLAN results using numerical bands and a national minimum standard.

Students’ results are measured against 4 levels of proficiency - Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support.

We are very proud of our NAPLAN results as they represent our ongoing dedication to improving our pedagogy and classroom practice and we want to acknowledge and celebrate the success of our incredible students through sharing some of our results.

We had the vast majority of our student cohorts achieving above the national standards:

Year 3:
75% above the national standard in Year 3 Reading
73% above the national standard in Year 3 Numeracy
75% above the national standard in Year 3 Writing

Year 5:
79% above the national standard in Year 5 Reading
79% above the national standard in Year 5 Numeracy
75% above the national standard in Year 5 Writing

Many of our students achieved tremendous success, achieving ‘Exceeding’ in at least one of the assessment areas:

46% of students in Year 3 reaching Exceeding in one or more assessment areas
60% of students in Year 5 reaching Exceeding in one or more assessment areas.

As teachers, we also know that success comes in many forms, and we want to acknowledge the cohesion we saw between students identified as Developing, or Needs Additional Support and our internal Learning and Support Data of students being supported through intervention support, Personalised Learning Plans or Quality Differentiated Teaching. As a school our strength is not only identified by our high achievers, but also by the support we provide to all students, no matter where they are in their learning progress.

K-2 Bear pit Public Speaking
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, all students in Years K-2 presented a speech to their own class. Three students were chosen from each class to present their speech to the whole grade. Then one student from each grade will present their speech at the K-2 assembly.

Congratulations to Donovan B, Ellie S and Julian M who have been chosen to present their speeches at the K-2 assembly in week 7. The following students were class finalists and presented their speeches to their grade:-

KR Mina W, Evie G, Donovan B
KM Noah C, Archie M, Stella C
KC Lex B, Claudia B, George S
1C Jacob P, Henry R, Harper M
1M Clark Z, Harvey G and Camille S
1ES Emilia C, Isla A, Ellie S
2/1P Seren B, Tilly D, Sina C
2MR Sadie S, Freddie L, Rex G
2A Julian M, Hugo M, Ava M

Book Week and Father’s Day breakfast
We look forward to celebrating all our wonderful dads and special friends at the breakfast next Thursday from 8.00am. Our bands will be playing on the deck and our canteen has provided a fabulous breakfast feast that can be ordered online. If you have time to stay and enjoy the Book Parade at 9.15am that would be fabulous!

Leaving in 2024
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 plan the class and school structure for 2024.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevF22CKG1yS5KMZ1AMyGn3PQMaXy1yuaIhyPMA6FRRWOVZSg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Brooke Keevers
Principal

Assistant Principals News

A Snapshot of Instructional Leadership in 3-6
In 3-6 classrooms this term, we have been working on embedding enriching activities that provide students with opportunities for productive struggle when faced with complex problems. We are using a co-teaching model to facilitate opportunities for our students to think like mathematicians by applying creativity and reasoning to problem solving. There has also been a focus on developing student capability to self-assess their knowledge and skills and engage with tasks that allow them to progress in their learning.

Rachel Ridley
Assistant Principal

School News

Festival of Choral Music
Hundreds of kids, harmonies of voices, all brought together to sing as one. The room filled with a buzz of excitement as everyone entered the Opera House. The rehearsal started and voices penetrated the room. Our amazing conductor Rachel started us off with the fun jazzy song called “Rocketing Through The Stars”, (and Bill the pianist played along amazingly to the songs). The band practiced with us, finding their own tune and stunning kids with how amazing they are. After a long rehearsal and many tips we were finally out and people went to dinner and then came back. Soon the auditorium filled with people waiting for our first song. The very well practiced synchronized choir worked perfectly following Rachels hands. There were amazing bands and Choirs performing as well as us. There was the stage choir, the junior choir, senior choir, the sydney orchestra, the sydney band. The rest of the songs we sang were The Captain’s Tale, Bandyrowe, Adiemus, Shooting Star, Go for Broke, Over the Sea to Skye, Homeward Bound, Someday and last but not least Naughty from the Matilda musical. A thundering round of applause echoed through the room, what a fun night it was.

Scarlett P & Chloe H 6/5H

K-1 Fun Sports Carnival
Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students had a great time yesterday at our K-1 fun sports carnival.

Kindergarten 2024 Information Session
Tonight we will be hosting a virtual information session for families with students commencing at our school in Kindergarten in 2024 from 5-6pm.This will be an opportunity to find out more about our school as well as the orientation and transition to school program. Please find details of the virtual session below, login using a zoom account:
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/64982783367?pwd=SE9ObGc5QWdiSlVQNU5zdU5UNnFHdz09

Meeting ID: 649 8278 3367
Passcode: BNPS

Sascha Carroll
Assistant Principal Early Stage 1

Sports News

Girls Soccer
Last Friday the junior girls soccer girls team competed in the grand final of the PSSA competition against Cromer. All the girls put in a huge effort on a very wet pitch! Thanks to all the parents who were able to come and cheer them along. The senior girls narrowly missed out on making the final, but were there to cheer on the juniors. The final score was 1-3 in favour of a strong Cromer team. Congratulations to all the junior soccer girls on a wonderful season! We are so proud of you. Runners up patches were distributed at lines on Monday morning.

Kerry Kelly

Senior A Netball
Last Friday begun with rain and high wind for the grand final of PSSA winter sport. The Balgowlah North girl’s senior ‘A’ netball team had finished the preliminary rounds first on the ladder with an unbelievable 10 wins. After easily accounting for Curl Curl in the semi-final, we were facing the mighty Harbord team.

Our girls Scarlett P, Sophie R, Jess D, Josie P, Charlie O and Darcy Y combined well to get the ball into our goal shooters Sophia C and Evelyn S who were making the score count. The girls played with great heart and determination to finish the day as winners. Brilliant effort girls!

Thank you to Helena F and Addie B who have been part of this amazing winning team. We are all very proud of you.

Junior A Netball
The Junior A netball team played an outstanding game last week. The team worked really hard and the final score of 11-8 really did not reflect how close the game actually was.

Abbey, Alice, Frankie, Bonnie and Isabelle worked cohesively to get the ball down to our amazing shooters Lexi and Grace. Short, sharp passes and Alice’s excellent lobs worked really well. Congratulations on an amazing effort. We are all so proud of you and how hard you all tried.

Winter PSSA uniforms
Can families please wash and return Winter PSSA uniforms to coaches on Friday 25 August. Many thanks
Kerry Kelly

Admin News

Lost property
Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled with your childs full name.

Waste Free Wednesday

Library News

Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge has now finished. It was so fantastic to see so much enthusiasm from many of our students for completing the challenge this year. Congratulations to the students who most recently finished:

Year 1 – Zach W
Year 2 – Liam D, Jake I
Year 3 – Innes R, Oscar S
Year 5 – Julian C, Cooper I, Bronte S
Year 6 – Mae I

Book Week Poster Competition
I have already received some fantastic entries for our poster competition this year. If students would like to enter, please make sure all posters are submitted by this Friday, August 25. Winners will be announced next Monday morning lines.

Calling All Keen Book Coverers!
We have a number of new books to be covered. If you would like to help out with this can you please email me on deborah.horsley1@det.nsw.edu.au
All help appreciated!

Class Snapshot 4/3W

Positive Behaviour for Learning

The Week Ahead

23 & 24 August Zone Athletics Carnival - Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation (9.15am - 2.15pm)
23 August Kindergarten 2024 Parent Information Session 5.00-6.00pm
28 August Book Week celebrations
29 August Author visit - Gus Gordon
30 August ICAS- Maths Assessment 9:30am
31 August Fathers Day Breakfast and band performances 8.00 -9.00am
31 August Book Week dress up 9.15am
31 August Fathers Day Stall - throughout the school day

Koolkuna News

Please find attached the 2023 Winter Vacation Care Program. Bookings are now open via the My Family Lounge App. 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.

Please ensure you book in early to avoid disappointment!
Koolkuna OSHC Admin

P & C News

Movie Night
Tickets for Movie Night on sale through Flexischools. All food, including the Movie Bag for kids, needs to be pre-ordered through Flexischools. Please support the Movie Night Raffle too - many amazing prizes up for grabs from our generous and supportive community.