Newsletter Term 3 Week 7 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."
Well done to all our Zone Athletics participants!
Principal's message
Tell Them From Me
The Tell Them From Me survey is completed twice a year by students in Year 4 to Year 6. It includes nine measures of student engagement, categorised as social, institutional and intellectual engagement. For each aspect of engagement, students were asked to indicate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a number of statements, such as "I get along well with others at school." Their scores were scaled on a 10-point scale. The report is broken into three aspects: social, institutional and intellectual engagement.
Social Engagement
Students who are ‘socially’ engaged are involved in the life of the school, this involvement gives them a sense of belonging at school and increases academic motivation.
81% of our students have a positive sense of belonging
94% of our students participate in sport and extracurricular activities (5% higher than NSW norms)
93% of our students have positive relationships. (8% higher than NSW norms)
Institutional Engagement
Students feel that what they learn at school is related to their long term success and this is reflected in behaviour, effort with homework and in the classroom.
93% of students value school outcomes (3% above NSW norm)
91% of students display positive behaviour at school (8% above NSW norm)
46% of students have positive homework behaviours
Intellectual Engagement
Intellectual engagement entails an emotional and cognitive investment in learning, solving complex problems, using thinking skills and is closely linked to motivation.
90% of our students display high levels of effort. (2% above NSW norm)
89% of students connected to quality instruction.( 3% above NSW norm)
65% of students displayed high levels of interest and motivation.
This survey has unpacked some interesting findings. As part of our reflection point as a school we will be investigating further students' values and attitudes around homework and interest and motivation when tackling challenge in learning.
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.
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Assistant Principals News
In the context of English, stage 3 teachers are committed to offering demanding and appealing experiences that inspire every student to realise their academic capabilities. The curriculum follows a two-year cycle, thoughtfully structured around various stages of learning to ensure a well-rounded educational journey covering all our outcomes. Over the last two years interactive and enjoyable activities have also been integrated into English lessons through collaborative activities involving teachers and Year 10 students from The Forest High School.
Themes like displacement, resilience, and triumph over challenges serve as common threads binding together various forms of media, including novels, picture books, speeches, and short films. Through these mediums, students have been encouraged to assess the impact of the texts, identifying how they combine and position the readers' perspective.
Through our novel studies programs, the students have investigated the narrators' identities and motivations, questioning the authority these voices bring to their stories. Last term’s theme of Refugees offered the opportunity to bring an element of engaging practicality, by going on an excursion to the Whitlam Institute, ‘Refugee in the Neighbourhood’. This excursion offered our students the chance to encounter authentic voices and witness the real-world context that mirrors the stories they explore.
Susie Stock
School News
HPGE Mathematics workshop
On Monday, two of our BNPS students, Liam and Seren, had the opportunity to take part in a Beaches Network Stage One HPGE Numeracy workshop at Brookvale Public School. They utilised their mathematical knowledge and reasoning skills to work collaboratively with peers from other schools, engaging in real world problem solving tasks. It was fantastic to see both of our students employ the critical and creative thinking skills that are so vital to learning in mathematics. Both students represented our school proudly, displaying respectful, responsible behaviour. Well done Liam and Seren!
Amy Mussett and Claudia Mete
Stage One teachers
Kindergarten Writing
Students from KR produced some wonderful writing based on their learning about seeds. Below are some excellent examples from Jaikah S and Jason Z. Well done!
Eliza Ross
Sports News
Zone Athletics Results
The zone athletics carnival was held on Wednesday and Thursday last week. What a fantastic couple of days we had at Narrabeen Sports Academy. We are very proud of the efforts, achievement, and sportsmanship from our students. Thank you to all the wonderful parents who came along to support our representatives. I am excited to report that our school won the competition handicap trophy for the day! WELL DONE BNPS! Congratulations to Josie P who was runner up in the 12 Year Girls age champion.
Students who finished top 6 listed below:
Kerry Kelly, Anna Harris and Ellie-Kate Richardson
Friday Sport (Years 3-6)
NSW PSSA Netball Knockout
Last Friday the day dawned brightly for the NSW PSSA Netball Knockout Regional Final. After easily accounting for all the other teams in the PSSA and Knockout competitions the Balgowlah North Senior A’s had won an incredible 16 games straight and were heading up the coast to play Bateau Bay Public School. The team of Scarlett P, Jess D, Sophie R, Josie P, Charlie O, Darcy Y, Sophia C, and Evelyn S demonstrated a high skill level and lots of enthusiasm but were unfortunately beaten 31 - 26. Girls, what a journey! You have shown grit and determination during this tournament. I have been very proud of your sportsmanship and conduct throughout the season. A big thank you to Lucy Orth who helped me transport the girls throughout the tournament.
Admin News
School Grounds
The school ovals and courts are under Community Use Agreements with local community sporting groups throughout the year. Summer season is Manly Warringah Junior Cricket Association. Winter is Seaforth Netball and Seaforth Soccer Clubs.
AFL NSW will be holding workshops on the oval in Term 4.
Waste Free Wednesday
Congratulations to KM, 1M, 2MR and 3V for being this week's Waste Free Wednesday
Library News
Book Week Poster Competition
Congratulations to all students who participated in our Book Week Poster competition this year! The entire collection will be posted on our library walls for all to enjoy. Our winners this year did an especially great job of capturing and reflecting this year’s theme, Read, Grow, Inspire, in their posters. Well done to Harper 1C, Eddie 3V and Darcy and Emily 6S.
Gus Gordon
This week we welcomed Australian author, Gus Gordon to our school to help celebrate Book Week. During our library lessons this term students have been listening to and enjoying his books, which made his creative presentation even more enjoyable. As well as sharing how he goes about creating books, he also demonstrated his talent in illustration. The students were very engaged and asked some great questions.
Book Parade
Don’t forget our Book Parade is this Thursday August 31st at 9:15am. Students are invited to dress up as their favourite book character. Parents are also welcome to come and watch.
Class Snapshot 2/1P
Positive Behaviour for Learning
The Week Ahead
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
4 September Stage 1 Field of Mars excursion
7 September Maths Olympiad Contest 4 10.20am
7 September Indigenous Literacy Day
8 September P & C Movie Night
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.
Band News
Battle of the Bands – Sunday 17 September
Join us at our annual Battle of the Bands where local primary school bands battle it out of the Battle of the Bands Trophy.
Also on offer will be a sausage sizzle, baked treats and a raffle to raise funds for our fabulous band program.
School Community news
Manly Dam Series - Powerful Owl Project
Australia’s largest owl is the Powerful Owl, with a wingspan of 140cm!
These beautiful creatures live around Manly Dam. Maybe you have seen one or heard one near you. Discover more about these magnificent raptors from a birding expert and learn about the Powerful Owl Project.
Manly Dam Series - Powerful Owl Project | Northern Beaches Council (nsw.gov.au)
School Sponsors
