Newsletter Term 3 week 2 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

Public Education Week

Next Monday marks the beginning of Public Education Week. We will start the day with a gathering on the front playground, where we will ceremoniously bury a time capsule created last year. This time capsule captures a snapshot of Balgowlah North Public School and is set to be opened in fifty years. All welcome to join us for this short assembly.

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Visual Arts Showcase ‘Proud to Belong’, as part of Public Education Week Celebrations, promoting creativity, skill development and a sense of community. This is where our talented young artists will have the opportunity to proudly display their creative masterpieces! From vibrant paintings to imaginative sculptures and more, this event promises to be a celebration of creativity and imagination.

Visual Arts is an important aspect of the K-6 Creative Arts curriculum and gives students opportunities to explore, observe and create visual artworks whilst exploring various elements and processes to communicate ideas.

Join us as we admire the artistic achievements of our students and encourage their passion for the arts. It's a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and appreciate the talents of our budding Picassos and Van Goghs!

Date: Week 3 - Thursday August 8^th  2024

Showcase Viewing Times: 8:15 - 9:00am & 3:00pm - 3:45pm

Band Performances; 8.00 - 9.00am on the deck

Location:  BNPS School Hall

Open classrooms 9.00am - 9.45am followed by morning tea at 10.00am. Parents are welcome to bring something to share with your children.

Personal Potential

Teachers engaged with Dr Andrew Martin for another twilight session yesterday.  Our focus for the afternoon was on the connection with cognitive load theory, and how working memory and long-term memory process information, perform tasks, receive information and solve problems. Having a deep understanding of learning theories assists us as educators develop opportunities for learning using explicit instruction but balancing this to create opportunities for students to reflect, create, develop curiosity and take ownership of their learning as they grow and develop to become independent learners.

Our focus this term is on building opportunities for our students to reflect and build their thinking skills through the curriculum tasks that they engage with. 

Student Voice

Thank you to all our community who participated in the recent survey on the Student Leaders voting process. In line with the results of the survey findings (which was inclusive of students, staff and the wider school community) we will be continuing with the current process of allowing students to vote, based on merit, for one male and one female student in the Year 6 Student Leadership roles. 

It was clear from the findings that the community as a whole preferred this model at this time and it will continue for two years until the next policy re-evaluation period. Also clear from the findings, was a desire for other leadership areas to move to a primarily merit-only based selection. Therefore, from this semester onwards, we will have a new streamlined SRC voting procedure. The SRC committee, along with bringing forward thoughts and contributions from their classes, are responsible for planning and implementing a wellbeing activity and a fundraising activity during their 6 month tenure.  

Over these first two weeks of the semester, students are able to approach their teachers and signal if they would like to put themselves forward to be an SRC representative for the class. They then present to the class, verbally or in a written format, why they would make the best choice for the position, making specific reference to the school's values and learning dispositions. The class then votes, making choices based on careful consideration. The two students with the highest number of votes will represent the class for this semester.  

Please note, this year we introduced a new SRC format, which involves separate meetings for infants and primary, with the groups being led by Year 6 Student Leaders, supported by a teacher mentor to help grow and develop our students' leadership experience and skills.

Jamison Sheather

Congratulations to Jamison who competed in the National Swimming Championships on the Gold coast. 50m butterfly - 1st, 50m backstroke, 1st 200 IM - 1st, Mixed freestyle relay - 1st, 50m breaststroke - 3rd, 100m freestyle - 3rd and 50m freestyle - 4th. Incredible tenacity, grit and determination to achieve such incredible results. We are very proud of you Jamison.

Brooke Keevers
Principal

Assistant Principal's News

This term, The APC&I role will continue to have a  strong focus around K-6 Mathematics. After our inspiring Term 3 Staff Development day with  prominent educational leader Pam Harris, the teachers are excited to start implementing practical strategies and techniques to improve mathematical instruction and student learning outcomes in their classrooms. 

Fostering Pam Harris’ innovative approaches to math instruction will help to develop students in their ability to conceptually understand mathematical concepts rather than rote memorisation. We are excited in our quest to continue making school wide improvements in teaching, learning and classroom practice. 

Julia Gough
Assistant Principal

School News

Bear Pit
Each year our school participates in the Bear Pit Public Speaking competition, a prestigious annual competition for students in the Manly electorate of primary schools. Now in its 15th year, Bear Pit promotes confidence in speaking in front of an audience and the development of public speaking skills. 

This year, students in Years 3-6 will have the opportunity to work on a draft of their speech in class in weeks 1 to 3 of Term 3. Speeches will go home at the end of Week 3 and students are then asked to practice their speech to present throughout Weeks 4 and 5 in class. Each student will be assessed on their speech and finalists from each class will be chosen to participate in the Stage finals in Week 6.

One winning representative from each stage will be awarded the honour of representing Balgowlah North Public School at the finals on Monday the 16th of September. The final competition will take place at NSW State Parliament, Macquarie Street, Sydney. 

Topics for 2024

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4

• “If I were a cartoon character"
• “What I learned from my pet”
•  “Epic pranks I have pulled so far”

Time Limit: 3 minutes with a bell at 2 minutes

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6 

• “The one thing I know about eating healthy foods” 
• “Interesting reasons why we laugh”
• “Life through a dog’s eyes”

Time Limit: 4 minutes with a bell at 3 minutes 

K- 2 students will have the opportunity to participate in a public speaking competition in their class speaking and listening programs during Term 3.

Maybe a Miracle performance Incursion

On Thursday 15th of August, all students will be attending MAYBE A MIRACLE!  a new educational musical adventure from Perform Education and in partnership with The Children’s Book Council of Australia, to celebrate Children’s Book Week® 2024 and the theme Reading is Magic.

A highly interactive musical exploration of making the most of even the most ordinary situations and a celebration of the power of positive thinking. MAYBE A MIRACLE! is a joyful leap into the world of imagination that books inspire every individual to be part of, while featuring a selection of the 2024 CBCA Short Listed books to help point the way.

 If you wish to find out more about the  ‘Maybe a Miracle’ performance you can access their website via the link below:

https://www.performeducation.com/aus24-book-week-in-schools

Curiosity and Outdoor Learning

Come along to the Art Show next week to see our finished nature streamers on display!

6/5M Class Snapshot

Sports News

Basketball Gala Day

On Monday, July 29th, BNPS Year 5 and 6 students participated in the Warringah Basketball Gala Day.  It was a fun and active day for all involved.  Thank you to the parents for organising transport and thanks to those who were able to support the teams on the day.   Our school was represented by two boys' teams and two girls' teams. Both girls' teams made it to the semi-finals, where they faced each other in a thrilling match which was decided in extra time with a golden basket!  The winning team reached the final and played a very competitive game in narrowly losing by just one point.  One of our boys' teams also reached the semifinals.  All our teams performed exceptionally well and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship throughout the event. We were impressed by the leadership displayed by the captains and many of our senior students on the day.  Congratulations to all our BNPS basketball players!

Kerry Kelly and Meghan Parsons

Athletics Carnival Field Events

The finals for High Jump and Long Jump will be run  (weather depending)  in Week 3 of term.  
If your child has been selected in these finals please ensure they are prepared with sports uniform and runners for the following days:

Monday 5th August 
Junior Girls Long Jump
Junior Boys Long Jump
Junior Boys High Jump
Junior Girls High Jump
11 Year Boys High Jump
11 Year Girls High Jump
Senior Boys High Jump
Senior Girls High Jump
11 Year Boys Long Jump
11 Year Girls Long Jump  (OR Wed 7th if time runs out)

Wednesday 7th August
Senior Girls Long Jump
Senior Boys Long Jump

Creative Arts

Music incursion - Musica Viva: Water Rhythms 

The musicians of Taikoz are coming to our school next Wednesday 7th August. Through an engaging one hour workshop  with dance, rhythm, soundscapes and improvised movement, we will be immersed in the Japanese culture. Students will learn how they can listen to music in new ways to create dances and music of their own, and express themselves meaningfully through movement. Please ensure you have paid your term fees for this exciting incursion!

RYUJI HAMADA TAIKO, SHINOBUE, PERCUSSION
HARUKA KUNIMUNE TAIKO, PERCUSSION
BRIDGET MCALLISTER DANCE

Mrs McAllister
Music and Dance Teacher

Library News

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to Edie T, Lachie A, Amelia M and Tess P who have completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2024.

A reminder that the challenge concludes on Friday 23 August 2024

Scholastic Book Club Orders

All orders for Scholastic Book Club need to be submitted by Friday 9th August

Teacher Picks!

Mrs McAllister’s favourite picture book is:

‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’  by Giles Andreae

Gerald is a giraffe who simply can't dance. Try as he may, his long, spindly legs buckle whenever he starts to boogy. Every year he dreads going to the Great Jungle Dance - until one night when he finds his own special music…  - Amazon

‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ follows the journey of a giraffe who has no confidence but then learns to rise above the opinions of others to stand out in the crowd in the jungle and be himself - Mrs McAllister

Admin News

Positive Behaviour for Learning

The Week Ahead

Wednesday 31 July     Athletics Carnival
Wednesday 31 July     Wakakirri Dress Rehearsal 3:15pm
Friday 2 August           Year 5 Dance Sport 
Thursday 8 August    Public Education Week Open Day
                                    Showcase Viewing Times: 8:15 - 9:00am & 3:00pm - 3:45pm BNPS School Hall
                                    Band Performances: 8.00 - 9.00am on the deck         
                                    Open classrooms: 9.00am - 9.45am followed by morning tea at 10.00am. 

Waste Free Wednesday

Congratulation to 5V and KE Waste Free Winners for Week 2 Term 3

P & C News

Koolkuna News

Koolkuna OSHC would like to remind all parents that next week we will be practicing our Lockdown procedure each day for both the morning and afternoon. If you happen to arrive during the process there will be an educator out the front of the centre who will be able to go inside and collect your child for you during the afternoons and sign your child in during the morning. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us !

Jiu Jitsu - Kindy - Year 6

Jiu Jitsu Permission Slip
On Tuesday afternoons in Term 2, Koolkuna will be joined by the SJJA Manly coaches who will be running a Jiu Jitsu program designed to develop the children's basic jiu jitsu skills, knowledge and gross motor skills. Each week, the children will learn new positions and grappling holds aiming to develop their balance, strength and also the respect culture of Jiu Jitsu using a variety of fun and engaging games. Their approach caters towards kids of all ages and have a strong ability to keep them engaged.

Dates: Term 3 Week 4 - Week 10 (20th August – 24th September)
Time: 3:30 – 4:30pm
Cost: $80/child for 6 week program

School Community News

Snowsport Recap 

Throughout the first Monday and Tuesday of the school holidays, John S, Jake I, and I competed in the Regional Interschools Snowsport Championships at Thredbo. Each event had over 60 competitors, and we participated in both Alpine (downhill) and Skier Cross races.

John and I narrowly missed qualifying for State Championships in our individual events. Well done to John and Jake who placed 8th in the Skier Cross event

Congratulations to Jake I for finishing 13th in both Alpine (downhill) and Skier Cross and we wish him luck in the upcoming State Championships later in August.  Best of luck also to John S who will also be competing in the Cross Country at State, which will be held at Perisher.

Cooper I

School Sponsors