Newsletter Term 4 week 5 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."

Principal's message

Connections
During the last two weeks our school has opened its doors to The Beaches Network of leaders. I’d like to acknowledge our staff and the continued focus on improvement for our teachers and leaders. Our Assistant Principal Curriculum leaders with Jenni Reinhardt met last week to share our journey with mathematics over the past 18 months. These meetings are important as they build connections, skills and learning opportunities for our curriculum leaders across our schools.

Thank you to Katherine Evans, Jess Hardy and Meghan Parsons who invited the leadership team from Brookvale PS to observe their classrooms and experience our Quality Teaching Rounds. Our staff work together in triads to regularly observe and provide feedback to each other on the elements of Quality Teaching. Providing opportunities for schools to see this in action provides feedback to us and strengthens our processes as well as providing growth for The Beaches Network leaders.

On Monday we hosted 28 Assistant Principals, 3 Principals, 3 Deputy Principals and our Director of Educational Leadership for a day of Leadership Learning. Our teaching staff across Year 3 to 6 opened their classrooms for learning walks. These opportunities provide us with feedback on how we are going and give us an opportunity to reflect and connect our leadership learning back to the classroom as our students are always our focus. Working across our network of schools provides opportunities for leaders to grow, connect, reflect and analyse research that underpins quality leadership.  

2024
As we move towards the end of the school year this is an opportunity to foster a culture of embracing challenges and opportunities for change. Building resilient students who are able to navigate friendships, build connections with new friends and build relationships with different teachers provides opportunities for them to move outside of their comfort zone. It is important that as parents you guide this transition by engaging in positive conversations to support your child with this process. 

Thank you to the parents who have sent through requests for their child for next year, this process is now closed. Trust that as educators we understand our students and we will ensure that classes are equitable and provide challenge for all students so they can grow emotionally, academically and socially.  Change can be uncomfortable, it is our role to work with you to give your children the gift of resilience and personal growth. It is through these experiences that they learn, adapt and become better equipped to navigate life challenges, build independence and become autonomous learners. 

Students not returning for 2024
If your child will not be returning in 2024 could you please complete the google link below. This information is very important because it has an impact on our class structures and staffing of the school.

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

Kind regards

Brooke Keevers
Principal

Assistant Principals News

Technology in Stage One ~ A Snapshot
All the classes in Stage One have been excited to have the opportunity to work with an additional type of technology this semester, our Dash robots. 

Dashbots are exciting, hands-on learning tools for students, targeted at teaching creative problem solving and computational thinking. They help students learn fundamental concepts of computer science and processes relevant for 21st century skills.

Using the drag-and-drop visual programming tools, ‘Path’ and ‘Blockly’, on the iPads Year 1 and 2 students have been bringing their Dashbot to life. Students read, predict and create algorithms through coding on the iPad. They have completed creative, open-ended tasks and challenges and are beginning to experiment with the many possibilities of programming robot behaviours and reactions.

Students have had opportunities to link their new skills with various areas of the curriculum, practicing project-based learning for core subjects like mathematics, science, and English. What better way to boost your creative writing skills, than to use a Robot Storyteller. 

Engagement and motivation has been notably high, with Dashbot also teaching students empathy, cooperative play, teamwork, patience, resilience, persistence and taking risks.

We love using the Dashbots in Stage One.

Jenni Reinhardt

School News

Congratulations to all of our award recipients from this weeks assemby.

BNPS Music and Dance Performance Showcase Night - Important Information

Date: Wednesday, November 22nd
Time: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm: All K-2 Students Perform
          6:45 pm to 7:45 pm: All 3-6 Students Perform

We are thrilled to invite you to the upcoming BNPS Music and Dance Performance Showcase, a night filled with music, dance and individual talent. Mark your calendars for Wednesday November 22nd and get ready for an unforgettable evening at our school hall.

We feel extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and talented teaching staff who are passionate about nurturing our students' music and dance abilities. Our students have actively engaged in selecting music, organising sound and choreographing their own movements. This event is truly special, especially after years without the opportunity to perform, and it's a chance for all our students to shine on the stage while sharing their unique ideas and talents. We are confident that the showcase will be a spectacular evening filled with joy, creativity and inspiration.

To ensure the event runs smoothly and is a success for all our students please read the following information.

Dress Rehearsal:
There will be a dress rehearsal during the day on Wednesday 22nd. This rehearsal also serves as an opportunity for students to support and cheer on their fellow performers, creating a sense of camaraderie and excitement. Students are required to wear their costume to school and will remain in it for the day.

Attendance RSVP Required: 
Due to limited space in our school hall each family will be allocated 1-2 seats. We kindly ask you to complete the Google form to indicate your attendance. This is essential to ensure all families have an equitable chance to be part of the audience. To RSVP, please visit https://forms.gle/sLGcXwFs1howsS6K8  and submit your response.

Seating:
Audience seats are strictly limited to 1-2 carers. Only small babies/toddlers may sit on laps. Please remain seated during the performance. Aisles are to remain clear at all times. Hall doors will open strictly at 4:50 pm for the K-2 showcase and 6:35pm for the 3-6 showcase. Students will be in the class item as well as the finale. Please structure your family arrangements for the night accordingly.

Holding Rooms:
School students are not permitted in the audience. School students will be supervised by school staff for the duration of the performance in holding rooms. Holding rooms will be staffed from 4:30 pm. At the end of the performance, staff will walk students back to their holding room. As this is a school event, teachers are responsible for students until children are collected by parents. Parents/carers will sign out and collect their child/ren from their holding rooms. Students are unable to leaveo with another family unless the request is in writing.

Photography & Filming:
Photography and filming are strictly prohibited to protect the privacy of all children. Please ensure your phones are on silent for the duration of the performance. We are endeavouring to look into the option of  live-streaming.  More information will be distributed closer to the event.

Costumes: 
Costumes for the performance will be provided in Week 6, but there are a few basic items that students will need to wear from home. Please ensure you have the required items.

Costume needed by each child from home

KC - Black T Shirt/ Black Shorts/Pants/Bike Pants
KM - Black shorts/pants/skirt/leggings etc
KR - black shorts
IES - Board shorts/bright shorts/bright coloured shirt, white sandshoes, small backpack/bumbag
1C - Denim shorts (girls), socks and sneakers|
1M - Winter school skort (Girls) and Navy shorts (boys) and black school shoes
2/1P - White t-shirt, black shorts/skirt/leggings, black school shoes and white socks
2A - Denim jeans or shorts
2MR - White trousers (boys) and Black Jazz Shoes (girls)
3H - Black top/ t shirt and black shorts/ bike pants
3V - Black socks with black school shoes (girls) black shorts, black shirt, black socks, black shoes (boys)
4HL - Black top ad black shorts 
4/3W - White t-shirt
5M - black shoes, white socks, black dress (girls) and black shoes, school shorts (boys)
5R - board shorts
6/5H - white t-shirt and denim jacket
6S - white socks and sneakers (girls) and white collared shirt, black pants and black school shoes (boys)

Thank you for your ongoing support and we can't wait to see you on November 22nd. 

Mrs McAllister and The BNPS Creative Arts Committee

(Mrs Pond, Mrs Harris, Mrs. Lewis &  Mrs Keevers)

Poetry - Stage 3
Students in Stage 3 have been analysing the language, features and techniques used in poems to create original, meaningful and imaginative poetry. Here are a couple of offerings from Year 5: 

I met a man
I met a man
Tired but joyful
A bag
Filled with rubbish
“What's the bag for?”, I ask
“For the park to be clean”, he said
“Just the park?”, I ask
“For everyone”, he said
“Just a bit of rubbish won’t hurt” I said
“It will” he stated.

Darcy C. 5M

Homelessness
I saw a boy washing a car,
I tried talking to him but his mind was afar,
I rapped on his shoulder and he looked at me,
He looked quite strange as far as I could see.
“Why are you washing the car?” I said,
“Because some people can’t sleep in a bed.”

Charli K. 5M

Sports News

NSW PSSA All Schools Track & Field championships 
Congratulations to Isaac R who won a gold medal in the 11 years boys 1500m and a bronze medal in the 800m. He also made the final of the 200m.

Isaac and Jamison S will travel to Launceston, Tasmania to represent Balgowlah North Primary School & NSW PSSA at the Australian All Schools Track & field championships at the end of this month.

Admin News

Waste Free Wednesday

Class Snapshot - 2A

Positive Behaviour for Learning

The Week Ahead

Band News

Instrument Tryouts for Band 2024
We were delighted to see the enthusiasm and talent of our future musicians at the instrument tryouts last week for Band 2024.  The students rotated through all the instruments so the tutors could get a good idea of what instrument will give them the best chance of success.

If your child missed out, we are holding catch up try outs.  So if your child is interested in joining the band in 2024, we will arrange an  instrument tryout, please contact bnpsband@hotmail.com.   Read all about band and fill in the Expressions of Interest form on the band website:  https://bnpsband.wixsite.com/website/general-8

Join Our Strings Program 2024 – Parent Information Session – Thursday 16 November 8.15am
Current Kindy and Year 1 (Year 1 and 2 in 2024) children are invited to join our string program and learn a string instrument. You can read all about our String program on our website https://bnpsband.wixsite.com/website/about-3.  We will be holding a parent information session on Thursday 16 November at 8.15am – 9am in the Library.  Bring your coffee, sit back, relax and listen to a performance our current string group plus you will hear all about the program and have time to ask questions too.

Enquiries to bnpsband@hotmail.com .  We hope to see you there.
Band Co-ordinator

Koolkuna News

The Koolkuna 2023/2024 Summer Vacation Care Program will be released this Friday, 10^th November. Please keep your eyes peeled for an email from Xplor with the program attached. 
All Vacation Care Bookings must now be requested via the Xplor Home App.

Please use the Xplor Home App to find the bookings tab and book into the appropriate sessions labelled "Vacation Care K-2" and "Vacation Care 3-6" where you will be able to book each child in for the days requested. Please refer to the Casual Booking Instructions if you require assistance. When a solid orange circle is displayed above, your child is successfully booked in for that day.

REMINDER: if your child is currently in Year 2 going into Year 3 in 2024 - please book them in to "Vacation Care Years 3-6" from January. 

Changes or cancellations will be accepted up until 2 weeks prior to your booking and must be requested via Email.

If the day is fully booked, you may request a space via the Xplor Home App and will be automatically added to the waitlist. Please do not try and book your child into the other group.

If you are having any difficulties in accessing the Casual Booking Platform via the Xplor Home App - please email Koolkuna OSHC immediately so that we can assist you. 

Koolkuna OSHC Admin

P & C News

P&C Fundraising Information Evening
Each year the P&C raises funds to support the school across a range of initiatives, from funding PSSA sports uniforms to co-funding the installation of solar on the roofs of the school. The P&C hosts various events throughout the year for this cause and it is the Year 2 parents who are annually tasked with coordinating the events. On Wednesday, 29 November at 7.00pm - 7.30pm at the school library, there will be an information evening for the 2024 Year 2 parents, to gain an understanding of the fun events planned for next year, and how you can get involved. So please diarise this date and come along and get involved. Help support the future growth of our school.

Final P&C Meeting 2023
The final P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday, 29 November at 7.30pm at the school library. We welcome your attendance as we discuss the wrap up of the year and plan for the year ahead. 

Dad's Night Out
A reminder that the Dad's Night Out is this weekend. Tickets are selling fast. Get your tickets on Flexischools.  

School Community News

Help support Isaac R and Jamison S compete at the National Athletics Championships in Tasmania.
Isaac and Jamison will be selling raffle tickets on Thursday morning 9 November at the school gate. Tickets are $5 each and there are some great prizes to win. 1^st prize is an Apple iPad Pro! Isaac and Jamison head to Tasmania at the end of November to represent NSW at the Championships. Good luck boys!

School Sponsors