Newsletter Term 1 week 9 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

It has been a beautiful week of Autumn sunshine and rich connection here at Balgowlah North. On Monday our school was dappled in orange as we celebrated Harmony Day. Providing our students with the opportunity to recognise the diversity of our school, community and country is such an important part of us fostering a generation that values inclusiveness and respect. We are passionate about creating a school where students truly understand what it means to feel a sense of belonging and can feel connected to the place we come together to learn and grow. 

Tomorrow we will take part in the World’s Greatest Shave- an event that has become an institution for the Year 6 students of Balgowlah North. We are so proud of our students’ passion for this project and the commitment our school community has to supporting the Leukaemia Foundation every year. We can’t wait to see all the zany hair styles and cheer our Year 6 students on as they shave, cut or colour for a tremendously worthwhile cause.

A final reminder to please ensure you book in for your parent teacher interviews which will be held in Week 11 of this term. Bookings are available on the Schoolzine platform and bookings will close at 5pm on Tuesday the 2nd of April. 

As we head into the long weekend, I would like to wish our families a Happy Easter filled with joy. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday where we will hear of their camping trips, easter bunny visits and special family gatherings they have all been very much looking forward to this week.

Brooke Keevers
Principal

Assistant Principal's News

Important Attendance Update for all Families
We are reviewing our attendance procedures in accordance with NSW DoE Attendance Policy. 

Please ensure you make yourself familiar with the following attendance procedures that will be implemented from Term 2:

Parents or carers are required to explain the absences of their children from school promptly.  

The school will contact the parent or carer of any student absent without an explanation by the next school day. Your absence notification will be sent via email from School Bytes. 

An explanation for absence must be provided to the school within 7 calendar days of the first day of any period of absence. If no explanation has been received within 7 days, the student’s absence is unjustified. Unjustified absences will appear on your child’s school report.

From Term 2, all student absence notifications must be sent through the School Bytes parent portal.  SchoolZine will no longer be a recognised platform for communicating student attendance. 

DoE attendance policy and procedures can be found here:

https://prod65.education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2005-0259

School News

Easter Baskets

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

Assemblies
Assemblies are important events in the Balgowlah North Public School community. They are opportunities for us to come together and celebrate learning, resilience, effort and achievement. Parents and friends are always welcome at all assemblies throughout the year, with students looking forward to familiar faces smiling back at them. 

The content of the assembly varies, including presentations of awards and sporting ribbons, class performances and presentations as well general student notices and updates. 

We alternate K-2 and 3-6 assemblies on Monday afternoons, with the addition of two K-6 assemblies per term. Information pertaining to which assembly type it is, can be found in the school newsletter as well as via the school calendar (available through Schoolbytes). Your class parent will let you know when your child’s class is presenting the assembly.

ANZAC Day
On Friday, April 12th at 9:15am, Balgowlah North will hold a special assembly in the hall to commemorate Anzac Day. Each class will create a wreath which will be presented by the SRC during the service. We look forward to commemorating the contribution and sacrifice of veterans and serving personnel.

Wakakirri 2024
We have over 100 students in years 3-6  participating in Wakakirri this year highlighting their talents in senior dance with tap, junior dance, boys only dance, drama and visual arts. Our team have been working extremely hard to develop a relevant and engaging story-dance to present at the showcase. After auditing resources we already have like costumes, the students have expressed interest in performing a story dance about the Manly area and in particular the little penguins. To enrich the students' understanding we had a visit from a volunteer penguin to provide us with more information and ask questions. The students were inspired by all the stories he shared and the items he showed us. We have some great ideas now and can’t wait to start composing our story dance. 

The Waka team - Eliza McAllister, Anna Harris, Eliza Ross, Stephanie Rooleht, Claudia Mete and Michelle Mandalidis

Our Hip Hop Incursion is next week!
On Tuesday 2nd April, students will participate in an hour-long interactive session in the hall where they will listen to music, appreciate their dance movements and have an opportunity to join in. The incursion will take place in the school hall and all stages will be participating in this incursion. The cost for the incursion is $10.00 and has been included in your Term 1 Statement of Account. This can be paid online via schoolbytes.

We are looking forward to an exciting learning experience.
Mrs McAllister

Sports News

PSSA
Last week was Round 4 of Summer PSSA.  Summer PSSA will now pause until week 8 of term 3 when the summer season resumes.  There will be no PSSA training from this week until the end of term.  We are currently surveying students to help determine which winter sports we will be able to offer. Students will sign up to trial for winter sports in the coming week and trials will be held in the last 2 weeks of term 1 and the first two weeks of term 2.  

Cross Country - Date for the diary
With the school holidays approaching, it’s the perfect time to get those running shoes out and begin some running practice.  Our school cross country will be held on Tuesday 14th May - Week 3 of Term 2.

PSSA Round 4 results

School Swimming Carnival Champions

Library News

Dr. Seuss books are like windows into whimsical worlds, where imagination knows no bounds and creativity takes flight! From the zany rhymes to the vibrant illustrations, each page invites readers of all ages to embark on unforgettable adventures. Whether it's a journey with the Cat in the Hat, a lesson in environmentalism with The Lorax, or a tale of perseverance with Horton, Dr. Seuss's timeless stories captivate hearts and inspire laughter. Their playful language and timeless messages continue to resonate, making them cherished classics that spark joy and ignite imaginations wherever they're read!

Admin News

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Class Snapshot - 5V

Waste Free Wednesday

The Week Ahead

Thursday 28 March                        Worlds Greatest Shave and Zany Hair Day
Friday 29 March                             Good Friday
Monday 1 April                                Easter Monday
Tuesday 2 April                               Hip Hop Dance Incursion
Tuesday 2 April                               Year 2 Swim Scheme begins
Tuesday 9 April                               Parent Teacher Meetings   
Wednesday 10 April                        Parent Teacher Meetings   
Friday 12 April                                 ANZAC Day Service 9:15am

P & C News

Koolkuna News

Dear Families,

Koolkuna wishes everyone a lovely Easter break and enjoy the long weekend! We hope the Easter Bunny delivers the goods!

Please remember that if your child will not be attending on Thursday 28th March or Tuesday 2nd April, that you mark these absences via the Xplor Home App.

Canteen News

Please find below our latest menus!

School Community News

The NSW Health Go4Fun Program will take place at Brookvale Public School in Term 2, 2024.  
Go4Fun is a free NSW Health program for children aged 7 to 13 years and their families. Run by trained health and community professionals, it’s a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life. 

Program information:  

• 10 weeks throughout Term 2  
• Wednesdays, 1 May to 3 July, 4-6pm at Brookvale Public School
• Group learning and fun game-based activities focused on living a healthy lifestyle

 The benefits of Go4Fun include: 

• Better overall health
• Improved self-esteem and confidence
• Improved team work and communication
• Improved diet that means better concentration, moods and behaviour
• Improved sporting skills and fitness

 Since 2017, the NSLHD Go4Fun programs have positively engaged with 233 families. What parent’s are saying about the program –

• “We found the program to be really rewarding, it gave my child a true source of ownership and belonging with a new group of friends”.  
• “The program keeps reminding us how to choose a better and energetic life.”

 For more information visit Go4Fun, email NSLHD-Go4Fun@health.nsw.gov.au or contact 8797 7296.

School Sponsors