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

School Improvement Plan
Thank you to our school community for engaging in the consultation process over the past 6 months through P&C, surveys, engaging in dialogue and feedback. We are now moving towards the completion of our draft Balgowlah North Public School Plan for 2024 - 2027. Over the next few weeks we will communicate projects and our focus for this year.

Our Vision
Our vision at Balgowlah North Public School is to develop resilient, thoughtful, curious and collaborative students. Students who are lifelong learners, able to challenge themselves, create connections and contribute positively to our world.

By fostering our motto 'Love of Learning', this ensures every student and teacher is part of a community of continuous improvement. Curiosity and creativity in the learning culture is underpinned by high expectations with opportunities for collaborative practice and feedback. Our school is a place of quality teaching, learning and behaviour. We embrace diversity and pride ourselves on ensuring every student is known, valued and cared for.

Strategic Direction 1

Student Growth and Attainment|
To maximise student learning growth in English and mathematics and build strong academic success through effective, evidence-informed teaching, opportunities for challenge with high expectations for all.

Strategic Direction 2

Fostering resilient, curious, thoughtful and collaborative learners.
We aim for an optimal learning environment for all by strengthening student engagement, student voice and student wellbeing. We will provide our students with the skills to grow and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Strategic Direction 3

A collaborative, connected culture of engagement
To maximise student learning growth, teachers collaborate to ensure a deep understanding of student learning. Teaching and learning programs are adjusted, to ensure a culture of continuous engagement with a focus on differentiation.

SRC at BNPS
In line with our growth in student voice and leadership development for students of all grades, we are restructuring the SRC this year. The SRC will be split into two groups (Years 1-2 and Years 3-6) and be managed and developed by our Student Leaders for 2024. There will be teacher mentors to assist them with their roles, however, these are, at their core, student-led initiatives. The 3-6 group will run, like in previous years, with a more formal format, allowing for the sharing of ideas and thoughts from their class peers with the addition of a more significant role in charity fundraising and student wellbeing. The 1-2 group will be a stepping stone towards this more formal set-up, with meetings running in a yarning circle format to share ideas and with the opportunity to run similar but independent programs and activities for K-2 students. Please note that Kindergarten students will spend the year learning about the SRC, its role and how they participate through class sessions with their Year 6 Buddies.

Our Student Leaders who will be managing and leading the SRC for Semester One are:
3-6: Olive B, Lachie P and Finn E
1-2: Kahlia M, Amelia S and Charlie B

Our Student Representative Council for Semester One are:

1M Isla M & Parker C
1SE Mila R & Neve S
2/1C Charlie H & Matilda G
2A Isla A & Charlie B
2HL Florence F & Benjamin H
3R Chloe M & Noah B
4/3P Matthew C & Ionie M
4/3W Manon D & Luca D
4M Claire Z and Eddie S
5V Emily S & Asher S
6/5H Emilia H & Jasper C
6/5M Jack O & Freya v R
6S Hugo D & Kloe L

Sensory Garden Upgrade
Wonderful news, we will begin the upgrade to our Kindergarten and Year One play spaces over the next few weeks. The landscaping and redesign will take around 6 weeks, pending weather. We are hopeful that we will be using this at the start of term 2. Thank you to our wonderful P&C for their financial contribution to the project and all the feedback that we had from parents, teachers and students to get this project off the ground.

We will communicate the logistics of the work over the next week. Access will still be available to the playground space and classrooms.

Concept design:

Kindergarten Parents Night
Our parents night was a huge success and very well attended. We want to express our gratitude to the hosts, Gemma and John Philipsz who opened up their home to our new families, and put on a fabulous event. A big thanks also to our parent helpers Kimmi Baesanu. Jo Oakes, Eve Harvey and Caroline Heathcote who all helped make this event so special.

Swimming Carnival
Thank you to our wonderful students, teachers and parents for a fabulous day at the pool last Wednesday. Thank you in particular to our team of teachers who organised the day. Ellie-Kate Richardson, Deb Horsley, Jenny Mercer and Kerry Kelly.

Kind regards
Brooke Keevers
Principal

School News

2024 BNPS Swimming Carnival
Our school swimming carnival was held last Wednesday 21st February. The early morning drizzle cleared up to a lovely warm day and the carnival went ahead successfully. Thank you so much to all the parents who volunteered to timekeep - your assistance enabled the smooth running of the carnival and is much appreciated! Special thanks also to Ruth Coates, our swimming official who volunteered her time and expertise. All competitors swam brilliantly and showed lots of house spirit throughout the day! I’m sure there would have been a few tired bodies after all their efforts. Congratulations to Edward G who set a new school record in the 10 yr boys 50m Freestyle and to Millie G for new records in the girls 12yr 50m Freestyle and the 50m Backstroke. Congratulations also to Amelia S for a new breaststroke 12 yr girls record and Nic H for a new individual medley record! WOW - what amazing achievements.

Well done also to Jamison Sheather who has been classified as a multiclass athlete by Swimming Australia and will go through to zone to compete in every event. Good luck!

Results

CONGRATULATIONS WALLABIES!!!!!!

Kerry Kelly, Deb Horsley, Ellie K Richardson and Jenni Mercer
Swimming Carnival Coordinators

Award Winners
Congratulations to all of our students receiving awards at the first assembly of term 1.

Student Leaders
“Team building tasks put our brains to the test when collaborating with student leaders from other schools. Spectacular fun.”

Talon D and Olivia C

Curiosity and Outdoor Learning Program
Much discussion was shared by our stage one students as they sought to find objects in the school environment that were both built and natural. It was interesting to see how some areas had more natural objects than others and trying to determine why this was so. We recorded our findings using a Venn Diagram.

Our vocabulary was further enhanced through a mindfulness activity undertaken last week which involved listening to nature’s noises while lying down calmly relaxing. Our improved sentence detail reflected our use of onomatopoeia.

“Outside I heard kookaburra's laughing and rain splashing. I also heard leaves softly rustling and trees loudly swaying from the strong wind.” - Aston 1SE

Katherine Evans - program coordinator

Learning Support
We will be running a Stage 1 Learning Support Information Session on Tuesday 5 March at 2.15pm. Please complete this form if you would like to attend:

https://forms.gle/Ef6RKg9TigogXuSP7

Admin News

School Bytes
Absence notes for your child can be sent directly through the School Bytes Parents Portal.

Parking at Kiss and Ride
Please remember there is no parking at kiss and ride between 8.30am and 9.30am.

Health Conditions
Please advise the school immediately if your child has a contagious disease as we have students/staff/community members who are immunocompromised.

Admin Team

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Class Snapshot - 4/3W

Library News

Thank you so much for visiting the library last Tuesday at ‘Meet the Teacher’ with your child.! Your commitment to fostering a culture of reading and exploration is truly commendable. It's fantastic to see the enthusiasm the students have for borrowing books and diving into new worlds. And a special shoutout for bringing library bags – their organization makes my job easier and ensures everyone can enjoy the treasures our library holds. Here's to many more adventures in reading together.
Amanda Mason

Waste Free Wednesday

The Week Ahead

Thursday 29 February ES1 Parent Home Reading Workshop 9:30am Library
Thursday 29 February Scripture, Ethics and additional activities begin
Friday 1 March PSSA Round 1
Monday 4 March Halogen Youth conference (Student Leaders, House Captains, Band Captains)
Tuesday 5 March Minilit Parent Information session 2.30pm-3.00pm
Saturday 9 March P & C Parents night out
Monday 11 March Zone Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 19 March School Photos

P & C News

Kindy Drinks
A big BNPS welcome to the kindy parents of 2024! Thank you to our hosts, Gemma and John, who put on a fabulous event. The community thanks you for your generosity in hosting the night.

A friendly reminder to the kindy parents that our Green Grove needs ongoing love to keep it in productive order for the kids and the community, so step up and lead a working bee in the Green Grove.

Parents Night Out
Tickets are selling fast so don't miss out on a great night out! Get onto Flexischools today and order your tickets. Don't forget to grab some raffle tickets too!

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

Koolkuna News

Just last week, Delilah got to take on a new adventure to the Terry Hills Animal Hospital for her annual checkup. She got her nails trimmed, an inspection of her general health (which is looking amazing) and even got a whole new meal plan!

It seems Delilah enjoyed her worms a little too much and so you may have noticed she has started to have more greens in her food bowl!! Interestingly, just like us, Delilah also needs a versatile diet to incorporate proteins, natural sugars, fruits & vegetables.

She sure loves seeing everyone throughout the mornings & afternoons, we're all so happy that everyone shows such interest in her. Please feel free to pop in and say hello to Delilah whenever you wish.

Koolkuna OSHC Admin

Canteen News

Please find below our latest menus!

School Community News

NBSC Cromer Campus open night
An open Night will be held on Tuesday March 26^th from 4pm to 7:30 pm. This has been rescheduled and some families may not be aware of the new date.
Principal talks and school tours commence at 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Bookings are not required.