Newsletter Term 4 week 9
Principal's report
Celebrations Continue…
What a fabulous two days celebrating our students. Lovely to see smiles on dials as students were acknowledged for their commitment, hard work and excellence. An opportunity to hear from our fabulous bands and watch our dance group perform. We have certainly missed the performing arts this year, let’s hope we will be able to provide more opportunities for our students to sing, play in their bands and dance in 2021!
Tomorrow will be our last K- 6 assembly for the year where we will present all certificates, banners and medals for 2020.
Our new student leadership team was announced yesterday. I am pleased to announce the following-
Captains: Annie Barnes and Caleb Munro
Vice Captains: Lucy Rae and Max Warnes
Prefects: Indie Orth, Harry Simmonds, Amali Elepano, Max Tomlin
Sports captains:
Kangaroos: Jack Hargreaves and Emily Ray
Wallabies: Lachie Sheather and Katie Hill
Wombats: Spencer Young and Harriet Webster
Koalas: Jacob Roberts and Isla Robinson
Thank you to all our students who ran for a leadership position. We will have an induction ceremony early in 2021 when the students take up their new roles.
Student Leadership 2020
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the current school leaders. School captains Zara Durkin and Bede Kirwan and Vice Captains, Caitlin Ravell and Jamie Van Schie. Thank you to our prefects Georgia Margetts, Teya Cranley, Parker Dylan and Saxon Flack. You have shown dedication and commitment to the student leadership positions and you had been fantastic role models for all the younger students in our school. I wish you all the best for 2021.
Our Sports captains have also led with passion and commitment. They have shown persistence and versatility as their roles have diversified over 2020. Thank you Jake Medved, Holly Gallacher, Ben Tucker, Eve Burke, Rory Parker, Archie Hannan, Matilda Stoddart and Joe Stoddart.
Year 6 Farewell and Year 6 Final assembly
Thank you to the Year 6 parents and their flexibility with organising the Year 6 Farewell. This is a special occasion for our students and it is fantastic that we have had so many teachers volunteer to attend, supervise and assist with this evening for the students.
The final Farewell Assembly for Year 6 will be held on Wednesday 16th December under the COLA at 2.30pm. We would like to invite one parent from each family to attend. Parents are to remain seated for the entire assembly. Please bring your phone to sign in on our QR code. Students will complete a Guard of Honor and be dismissed from their classroom at 3.00pm. After the assembly, please make arrangements to meet your child outside the school gates. Thank you for your understanding as we manage these days and adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Important dates for your Diary
Last day of Term 4 2020, for students will be Wednesday 16th of December. School will be non-operational on Friday the 18th of December. School will recommence for teachers on the 27th of January. The first two days of Term One will be School Development Days.
Students 1-6 will commence on Friday the 29th of January 2021. Kindergarten students will be commencing on the 3rd of February following their Best Start interviews.
Communication
From 2021 we will be using the Schoolzine app. Please see attached information as to how to download to your device. We will not be using the School E News platform after the end of this year.
OC Placements for 2021
Please be aware that the OC offers will have a very tight turn around. Parents will be emailed when the results are released, offers will lapse if parents do not respond in time.
Mid-January 2021 – Placement outcome information is sent to parents and schools. Parents with offers must respond within one week.
Brooke Keevers
Principal
DoE COVID SAFE SUMMER PACK
As we come closer to the end of the school year, we’d like to extend our thanks to you, our parent community, for demonstrating so much resilience and patience towards the circumstances we faced together. We strived together to get the best outcomes for our students despite the pandemic and you have stayed by our side the entire time. Thank you again.
We will be sending a COVID-safe summer pack to each student before the year ends. The contents of the pack will help students maintain healthy hygiene practices and to stay COVID-safe during the school holidays.
Here are some quick tips to help you and your families stay COVID-safe during the school holidays:
- Encourage your children to use their packs whenever they leave the house
- Meet outdoors whenever possible and wear sunscreen
- Meet in small groups
- Encourage good hand hygiene practices and remind your children to cough and sneeze into their elbow
- Keep up-to-date with the latest health information by monitoring the NSW Government websiteExternal link
From all of us at Balgowlah North Public School, be safe and enjoy the school holidays.
Dance ensemble 2020
Obviously 2020 surprised us with some unexpected challenges. After an extensive audition process in Term 1, 15 girls were chosen to be members of the ensemble. 5 from Year 5 and 10 from Year 6. With many exciting opportunities ahead, we began developing our dance technique and Group performance piece. This year’s routine was inspired by the style of musical theatre legend choreographer Bob Fosse, performed to current music hit ‘Feel it Still’ by Portugal, The Man.
The girls worked tirelessly through every Thursday lunchtime to develop the style, timing, and precise formations required for the routine. Students were measured, costumes were designed and created, then it all came to an abrupt halt. Festivals, public performances and the ‘School Spectacular’ were cancelled as school moved online. This made it impossible to continue with our current rehearsal schedule and put a pause on the routine. After an extended break we returned ready to undertake the challenges before us. We were able to perform at the ‘Bear Pit’ presentation at school and had a special video recording session for an online school competition, ‘Dancelife Unite’. After receiving positive reports, fantastic marks and a Highly Commended in the state competition we qualified for the National Competition where we were awarded a National Merit.
After a difficult year I would like to recognise the students continued dedication and enthusiasm despite the challenges. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with these truly delightful girls and wish them all the best in their dancing futures.
Jillian Freede
Deputy Principal's report
Presentation Days
Thank you to our teachers, students and parents who attended the 'reimagined' presentation days under the COLA. It was lovely to be outdoors in the breeze and to able to welcome invited parents onsite for the first time since Term 1. We are appreciative that our parent community understood and abided by the 'one parent per award recipient' rule and moved on and offsite quickly.
Junior Band
We still have many spaces available for our Junior Band in 2021. If any student is considering learning to play an instrument and joining our band program, we would love to have you on board. Our numbers are significantly lower than usual heading into 2021, so if you are on the fence about your child joining the program we strongly encourage you to make the leap and reach out to the band committee for all information (bnpsband@hotmail.com). Our Junior Band is supported by our outstanding conductor, Mr Angus Bullough, and he ensures the students develop a love of learning their instruments and learning to play together. Our Junior Band performed at the Stage 1 presentation day, so there may be a few students who have finally seen a live performance who may now be more interested than they were earlier in the year.
Holidays!
The 2020 school year is about to finish and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers, administration and ground staff, our students and our parents for their support through a difficult year. COVID has certainly thrown challenges our way, but nothing was insurmountable, thanks to the support of the staff and community. I hope you all have a restful break and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.
Belinda Norrie
A/Deputy Principal
PBL
Be Respectful
Weekly focus:
We care for all technological equipment
What it looks like:
- Review the school’s Digital Citizenship Agreement found on google doc/T: drive
- Use only when directed by the teacher
- Use how you are directed by the teacher
- Log off at the end of each session
- Carry equipment safely from room to room
Library News
Premier’s Reading Challenge Certificates
At this week’s K-6 assembly our Gold and Platinum Premier’s Reading Challenge certificates will be presented. Congratulations to the following students for completing the reading challenge for four years in a row and receiving their gold award: Finn Clifford, Alexander Conrie, Xavier Cotty, Jack Donald, Matthew Dunn, Chloe Gaudry, Jacob Green, Chloe Holmes, Mila Krncevic, Emily Margetts, Scarlett Purdy, Lewis Randall and Ruby Thornely. It is my great pleasure to be presenting the following students a platinum award for completing the challenge for seven years in a row: Zara Durkin, Alexis Harvey, Liam Lidgard, Josie Mercer, Jessica Oakhill and Caitlin Ravell. Keep up the great reading.
Summer Borrowing
If you would like the opportunity to borrow for the summer holidays please register at the following link. Students who are registered will be able to borrow books on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Borrowing for the holidays is just open to students in Years 3, 4 and 5.
https://form.jotform.com/203345982348058
There are still many overdue books. Please help your child to find and return their books this week.
Slapstick and mime workshop
On the 4th of December students attended a performance and workshop by renowned Sydney Performance Artist, Dennis Clare. Stage 1 students were an audience to the world of mime, learning the basic skills and tricks of the trade. From the correct way to hold an object such as an apple and a cup, to the skills of eating and drinking in mime, this culminated in mastering the art of ‘The Box’
Stage 2 were given insight to the dramatic form of Slapstick. Ideas such as misdirection, comic timing and physical comedy were all highlighted. The ‘Bow and Arrow’ scene was particularly entertaining. Students interacted with the artist and both stages were treated to a performance by Mr Clare featuring the imaginative use of ‘silver tunnels’ demonstrating humour and creativity.
The incursion was a fantastic opportunity to summarise the students’ knowledge of these dramatic forms examined in class and witness the skills of a professional.
Manly Dam excursion
Year 2 enjoyed a great day out walking to Manly Dam last Thursday. We observed Indigenous Art, shelters and the war memorials as part of our history unit. We also had a thrill walking across the Manly Dam wall and observing water levels and pipes, supporting our science unit, “Water for Life”. Thank you to all of Year 2 for such a great day!
Waste Free Wednesday
Congratulations KRS, 5S & 6Z all 100% waste free!
Green Grove
We need volunteers to help look after our chickens in the Green Grove over the holidays. Please use this link to sign volunteer.
Green Grove Seedling Sale
Last Friday, some Green Grove helpers and Sadie set up a seedling sale outside the K-2 gate. We brought down some little seedlings, fresh tomatoes and homemade pesto that we made in the Green Grove. We had seedlings such as tomatoes, basil, beans and corn.
The Seedling Sale was very popular. We made $119.60! Each plant was $2 and you could get 3 for $5 (the pesto was $5 as well). The basil was probably the most popular.
At the start of it all there weren't many customers and helpers but as it got closer and closer to the 9o'clock bell there were more and more customers and helpers. So many people wanted to buy some!
Evelyn Schmidt 2E
Our Green Grove
Every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime we have a wonderful Green Grove to go to. Sadie is the runner and helps us if we get stuck or confused.
In the green grove we spread mulch, pick flower bunches, water plants and look after chickens. If we are lucky we might find an egg.
The Green Grove is a lovely place. The food that we grow is delicious and healthy but you can’t pick everything off the bushes. It needs time to grow. This is a place to see nature and have a breath of fresh air. This place is to remember and respect.
Some people are new but you can’t just give them easier jobs. You have to include them in everything.
We love the green grove.
Louisa Olofinsky 2E
Dates for your diary
09-11 December
- Year 5 camp to Bathurst
09 December
- Learning lab party
10 December
- Year 2 incursion Bricks4kidz
11 December
- Year 6 Graduation dinner
14 December
- Kindergarten end of year celebration
- Year 1 excursion to Woolgoolga park
- Years 3,4 & 5 surf education at Manly beach
16 December
- Year 6 farewell assembly
- Last day of term 4
27-28 January 2021
- School development days
29 January
- Start of term 1 for Year 1-6 students
We need volunteers to help look after our chickens in the Green Grove over the holidays. Please use this link to sign volunteer.
P&C news
Legacy Bricks
It was fantastic to see the brick pavers finally laid in the October school holiday. They look amazing! Thank you to everybody who contributed to this project. Click on the following links to view a short video clip and an aerial photo of the area. You can zoom in on the photo to read the bricks. Thank you so much to Angus Bullough for giving his time to film and put together the images.
The Legacy Brick Team
Community information
Sponsors
