Newsletter Term 1 week 7 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
Zone Swimming Champions!
Wow we’ve done it again! The third year in a row, Balgowlah North has won the Zone swimming carnival for the Manly zone. A huge achievement, we are an incredible school that aims high in all our endeavors whether it’s in the pool, on the track, performing in concerts, fundraising for others.
Well done to all our students for displaying such heart, persistence and sheer hard work. Our parents who support their children, providing opportunities for them to excel and be the best they can be. Thank you to Elli Kate Richardson and Kerry Kelly for organising and managing the team on the day, and all our parents who cheered our students on! THANK YOU.
Congratulations to Millie G who was awarded 12 year girls age champion of the meet.
We had 2 relay teams make it to regionals this year. Congratulations to our Junior Boys - Nic H, Edward G, Billy B, Toby S and our senior girls: Meg A, Freya VR, Millie G and Amelia S.
Relay Team Results
Junior Girls: 6th
Junior Boys: 1st
Senior Boys: 4th
Senior Girls: 1st
We are so proud of everyone who competed.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN commences today. Please check the parent calendar in Schoolbytes for the days that students will be sitting the tests. Our makeup will be Friday the 22nd of March and Monday the 25th of March. We wish our students all the best, we KNOW that they will do their best!
BNPS P&C Parents Night Out
A huge thank you to the wonderful Prue Jackson and Rachael Riddington for organising such a great event! These events take a lot of hard work from our volunteers, so thank you again.
Sporting Success
Congratulations to Charlie B in 6/5M who recently trialled and was successful in gaining selection for the Sydney North Regional Boys Hockey team. He will go on to compete at the State championships in Newcastle in May. Congratulations Charlie on this wonderful achievement! Kerry Kelly our wonderful sports teacher has the privilege of being the coach and convenor for this team. Good Luck Sydney North!
kind regards
Brooke Keevers
Principal
School News
Working with Coding and Robotics
Throughout Term 1, Stage 2 students have been working with their peers, classroom teacher and Mrs Mason in robotics and coding. They have been set a task, working in small groups, fostering teamwork and interpersonal skills while tackling complex challenges with confidence. One exciting aspect of our project involves creating imaginative texts and coding Spike, our main character, to navigate through captivating stories. This has not only sparked creativity but also developed coding skills in a fun and interactive way.
Students have been encouraged to embrace critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity skills—the 4Cs essential for success in the 21st century. Moreover, students have had the opportunity to set their own success criteria, empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey. Additionally, they will receive valuable feedback from both teachers and peers, further enhancing their skills and understanding.
Year 5 Peer Mediation
On Wednesday last week, Year Five and our teachers spent the day in the hall and learnt about Peer Mediation. This is part of the leadership program, teaching us skills for next year. We did fun activities such as building with marshmallows and spaghetti and cooperating to pick the box in the Island Dilemma challenge. Peer mediation is where the Year fives go down to the junior area and help some of the younger kids learn to solve their own problems. I’m looking forward to being a Peer Mediator.
Will J 6/5HOn Wednesday Year 5 (and the teachers) went to the hall to learn about peer mediation. The day was about team building skills and learning about how to act during peer mediation. The activities included a build challenge, my (team got the most artistic) and a role play game with scenarios that might happen on the playground. I can’t wait for Peer Mediation to start.
Benny 6/5HWe were excited to come to school in mufti and begin the day. We couldn’t contain our excitement as we entered the hall ready to learn about how to be the best peer mediator possible. The day included participating in team building activities to learn about listening to others and negotiation. Highlights of the day include, building marshmallow towers, the human knot and performing role plays. We learnt that being a peer mediator includes listening, showing empathy, staying calm and being safe. We look forward to our time as a peer mediator on the playground.
5V
Year 6 Bridge Design Project
On Wednesday 6th March we had a task to build a bridge made of paddle pop sticks, tape and hot glue. Our bridge had to be 40cm wide and 12cm tall while also withstanding a 500gm weight on it. We wore mufti, researched on types of bridges, and answered 6 questions. It was fun to work in a group and collaborate with other classes instead of ourselves.
Reid E and Hugo D 6SLast Wednesday year 6 participated in a STEM Day. We were challenged to build a bridge out of paddle pop sticks. We only got certain materials. We got sticky tape, a hot glue gun, a ruler for measurement and lots of paddle pop sticks. The bridge had to be able to hold 500 grams of weight. The bridge had a lot of flaws including how the materials given weren’t very strong and the fact that the bridge had to be 40 centimetres in length and 12 centimetres of the ground. We enjoyed this day very much and thought it helped with collaboration. We would like to thank the teachers for all their help.
Cooper M and Julian C 6SLast week all the year 6 classes joined together for a day-long collaboration project. The aim of the project was to create a bridge out of paddle pop sticks, using hot glue and tape to bind it together. The bridge had to be 12 centimetres in height and 40 centimetres in length without supporting pillars and be able to hold 500 grams of weight, even though all the bridges were able to hold one kilogram of weight. We got into groups of 4-5 students throughout all three year 6 classes and started brainstorming ideas for our own unique bridge design. After recess we were ready to build! Using all our brain power we began to bring our dreams to life. We all loved it so much lots of us even came in at lunch to continue our builds! We would all make excellent engineers!
Meg A and Aven L 6SOn Wednesday 6th of March the whole of year 6 wore mufti in honour of Collaboration Day. The purpose of the day was to work together to accomplish one main goal - to build a bridge with paddle pop sticks, tape, glue and a ruler for measuring. It was to be 40 cm in length with no support and be able to withstand the weight of 500g, while being 12cm off of the ground. During the day we had to persevere, compromise and try hard to achieve our goal.
Before we designed our bridges, we watched a video about the strongest shape that is used most in construction. That shape is a triangle and everyone, therefore, used that shape in their design. We researched about all of the different types of bridges that were used around the world and we were given questions to complete before we were able to construct our bridge. We found it challenging to complete our task with our given materials, but we persevered and achieved our goal in the end.
Olive and Josh 6/5H
World’s Greatest Shave & Zany Hair Day
On Thursday the 28th of March the Year 6’s will participate in the World's Greatest Shave. They can choose to cut, colour or even shave their hair to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation, an organisation who help people going through blood cancer. On the same day K-5 will be doing Zany Hair Day. Where you get to come to school with a wacky, crazy, and cool hairstyle. Be creative, have fun and express yourself. In the morning K-6 come together and K-5 will watch Year 6 students either cut or shave their hair. It’s going to be a crazy day with even more crazy hairstyles. Remember to bring a gold coin donation. This will also go to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Julian C and Isabelle G
School photos at BNPS
Brush up the black shoes and get your best smiles ready. School photos are nearly here! They will occur on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024 (Week 8). Students will have their individual and class photos on this day, as well as sibling photos.
To view prices and pay online, please go to www.theschoolphotographer.com.au and enter our school code, found on the flyer: X1336EL52B
Please be aware when purchasing photos that if you have chosen for your child’s photo not to be published, they will not be included in the class photos. An individual portrait will be taken for school records, which is available for you to purchase if desired.
Also, we will not be providing a make-up session for absent students on the day. Sibling photos will occur at lunchtime. In some cases, if the class photos are running ahead of schedule, we will start the sibling photos earlier. This will be announced over the loudspeaker in all classrooms. It is a good idea to notify your children if you are wanting them to have a sibling photo to prevent confusion on the day.
Sports News
School Sport Term 1
School Sport has kicked off this term with opportunities for students to learn and build skills in basketball, AFL, netball and lawn bowls.
PSSA Round 2 results
Admin News
Medical needs
Please ensure that any medical plans and medications that are required for your chil/ren are up to date and are provided to the office.
Updating your personal details
Please advise the office if you change your email, phone number or address.
Many thanks
Admin Team
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Class Snapshot - 3R
Waste Free Wednesday
Congratulations to this weeks winners KE
Congratulations to this weeks winners 4M
The Week Ahead
Thursday 14 March NAPLAN Reading Years 3 & 5
Monday 18 March NAPLAN Conventions of Language Years 3 & 5
Monday 18 March K-2 Assembly 2.30pm
Tuesday 19 March School Photo Day
Wednesday 20 March NAPLAN Numeracy Year 3
Thursday 21 March NAPLAN Numeracy Year 5
Monday 25 March 3-6 Assembly 2.30pm
Monday 25 March Harmony Day wear a splash of Orange with your uniform
Thursday 28 March Worlds Greatest Shave and Zany Hair Day
P & C News
Koolkuna News
Dear Families,
This is a reminder, sign up for the final 4 weeks of Bricks 4 Kidz from Wednesday 13th March from 3:45pm. Please follow the link below if you wish to sign your child up for this incredible activity!
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!
Dates: Term 1 Week 3 - Week 10 (14th February - 3rd April)
Time: 3:45 - 4:45pm
Cost: $80/child for 4 week program
Dear Families
Please find attached the 2024 Autumn Vacation Care Program. Bookings are now open 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" or "Vacation Care 3-6" where you will be able to book each child in for the days requested. When a solid orange circle is displayed above, your child is successfully booked in for that day.
Changes or cancellations will be accepted up until 2 weeks prior to your booking and must be requested via Email.
If your Xplor Home account is currently showing as “Inactive” – please contact Koolkuna OSHC on kkoshc@sustainableoshc.com.au to reactivate your account.
Koolkuna OSHC Admin
Canteen News
Please find below our latest menus!
School Community News
NSW Touch Junior State Cup
Four representatives from year 4, Frankie J, Alice O, Lexie B and Edward G played for Manly Warringah in the U10 Girls and U10 boys teams at the Junior State Cup conference in Dubbo.
They all played so hard and did us very proud making it through to the semi finals on Sunday!
Australian MTB Interschools
Year 5 students, Austin S, Henri O and Will R and Year 3 students Lachie V, Lucas M and Oscar B competed in the Australian MTB Interschools competition that took place in Thredbo last week. The year 5 team competed in 4 races - Downhill, Flow, All Mountain and Pump Track. Will made the finals for pump track and placed 12th. For the King of the Hill competition that required competitors to compete and finish all 4 races, Will placed 29th and Henri placed 54th. The year 3 team competed in Flow, All Mountain and Pump Track.They all had a great time and will be back next year!Overall they ranked 97th out of 285. A phenomenal result with just 6 students competing. Well done!!!
NBSC Cromer Campus open night
An open Night will be held on Tuesday March 26th 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.
School Sponsors
