Newsletter Term 1 week 3 2024
"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
Road Safety
We welcome many new families to our school from Kindergarten to Year 6. We hope that you are all settling in and getting to know the families of our school. Just a couple of reminders about student safety.
We have a crossing on Bardoo Ave that all parents and students should be using to cross the road. We have had parents using the car park and crossing the road on the corner which is very dangerous. Please ensure you are modelling the behaviour you would expect your children to use as they become more independent. For the next two weeks we will not have a crossing supervisor, please be aware of this.
Band programs are back on in the mornings. It is great to see so many of our students taking up these opportunities. Once again at band rehearsals can parents please ensure they are not parking over the staff parking entry or parking in the No Standing zones on Bardoo Road. The entrance to the carpark is tricky at the best of times, this makes it very challenging for everyone. Teachers arrive at school between 7.00 and 8.00am which is often the most congested time. If we can all show consideration for everyone that would be appreciated.
Class Parents
Thank you to the parents who have completed the EOI. We are missing class parents for the following classes. KE, 1M, 1SE, 4/3P, 4/3W, 6/5H and 6/5M. Please fill out the link below if you are intersted. The teachers value this role and rely on the class parent to build connections across the parent body of the class.
Have a lovely week,
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Assistant Principal News
APC&I - Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction for 2024
The APC&I position is a leadership role focusing on literacy and numeracy, curriculum and assessment and on improving teaching practices across the school. I have been employed in this role 3 days a week to support the teachers and students in Years K-6 at Balgowlah North Public School.
At its core, the Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction maintains an explicit focus on the leadership of effective, evidence-informed literacy and numeracy teaching and assessment practices for improved student learning outcomes across the curriculum.
2024 is a big year for teachers in 3-6 as they are beginning to implement the new syllabuses for English and Mathematics. K-2 will continue to teach and refine new practice in this space working with Mrs Ridley.
As part of my role, I am working 1:1 with teachers to identify and make small changes to their teaching practice in order to make big impacts on student learning outcomes. The APCI position is an exciting role and I am looking forward to working with 3-6 teachers and getting the opportunity to work with all the students at our wonderful school.
Julia Gough
Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction
School News
Yarning Circle Before
Yarning Circle After
Curiosity and Outdoor Learning Program
Did you know student engagement can be strengthened through innovative curriculum implementation? This term at BNPS our Stage 1 students have the opportunity to take their learning outdoors. Lessons in all Key Learning Areas will be explored utilising team teaching and our local environment as a resource tool. Our first lesson saw all Year 1 and 2 classes utilising the Yarning Circle that has been built in the playground for their learning which had an English and Environmental focus (see the before and after Yarning Circle photos). It was great to see the thoughtful and enthusiastic participation demonstrated by the students.
Katherine Evans - Program Coordinator
Admin News
Health Conditions
Please advise the school immediately if your child has a contagious disease as we have students/staff/community members who are immunocompromised.
Merit Certifcates and Awards
Please see the image below for details on how our award system works. Mini Merits certicates go to the class teacher and once your child gets 5 Merit Certificates they can bring them to the office.
Admin Team
The Week Ahead
Monday 19 February 3-6 Assembly
Tuesday 20 February Meet the Teacher afternoon: K-2 (3.15pm-3.45pm) and 3-6 (3.45pm-4.15pm)
Wednesday 21 February 3-6 School Swimming Carnival + Year 2 students turning 8 in 2024
Wednesday 21 February P & C Meeting
Friday 23 February Kindergarten Parents drinks
Monday 26 February K-2 Assembly
Friday 29 February Scripture, Ethics and additional activities begin
Band News
Join our 2024 Band Program – register NOW
Our bands will be starting back at rehearsals soon and we are keen to see more students join us.
Being part of a band and playing an instrument is a wonderful experience with so many benefits in addition to learning a new skill.
We are still accepting new members from years 3-5.
If your child would like to join the band please read about Band on our website https://bnpsband.wixsite.com/website
Questions? Send us an email and we will be in touch: bnpsband@hotmail.com
Strings Program – register online
Our string will begin this week (Thurs 5 February) on Thursday morning in the Library.
If you would like your child to join our string group please go to the website to register and for more information https://bnpsband.wixsite.com/website and access the string section
Enquiries can be made at bnpsband@hotmail.com.
P & C News
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Welcome to the second hand uniform shop!! For those who are new to our school, BNPS has a second hand uniform shop available to all families. 100% of the money raised from sales goes directly back to the P&C and helps to provide resources for our children and the school.
The shop is open weekly, on Wednesday’s, between 2.30pm – 3.15pm and all items are $10.We are located on the front verandah (Manning Street side)-Just look for the clothing racks!
Credit card facilities available. Cash also accepted. To make this whole process possible, we need your uniform donations. Please only donate items that are in good condition (would you put it on your own child?). We would also appreciate items being washed before being donated and please only donate items that are the current BNPS school uniform. All uniform donations can be dropped to the office at anytime. Please keep an eye out on the ‘North Balgowlah Community Group’ and ‘NOBAhood’ pages on Facebook for reminders of when we are open. Thanks in advance for your support.
Eve Harvey
P & C Meeting
The first P&C meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday 21 February at the school library. It’s a great opportunity to get involved and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible. If anyone has any agenda items they’d like raising at the meeting, please email Cath Mcmillan at pandcbnpssecretary@gmail.com
Treasurer position
In more P&C news, we are sad to be loosing our wonderful Treasurer Lisa Forster, who is stepping down from her role after many years of service. Thank you Lisa.This means that the Treasurer role is immediately available for election. If you have any financial experience and can spare some time to join our committee in this role going forward, we’d love to hear from you to discuss further- please reach out to Karen (quincylane@outlook.com)
Koolkuna News
Bricks 4 Kidz - Kindy - Year 6
On Wednesday afternoons in Term 1, Koolkuna will be joined by the incredible Bricks4Kidz team for a super fun “Gadgets & Gizmos” program. Each hour-long class is a fun, enriching experience for your child where they will build a new project each week using the classic lego bricks. From a spinning top to a spin art model, kids will love playing with their creations!
Payment can be made by following this link: Bricks 4 Kidz Permission Slip
Dates: Term 1 Week 3 - Week 10 (14th February - 3rd April)
Time: 3:45 - 4:45pm
Cost: $140/child for 8 week program
School Community News
School Sponsors
