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

Celebrations
What a brilliant week we had celebrating our wonderful students and their amazing Visual Arts programs. I’d especially like to acknowledge all the work of our incredible staff. These events require thorough organisation, commitment and passion. Providing opportunities for our students to shine celebrates the values of Public Education, where everyone belongs. A particular thank you to Alice Pond who has led the team of teachers through the vision behind the showcase through to the day of celebration - Thank you.

We continue our celebrations with Book Week coming up and our wonderful Wakakirri performance is fast approaching.

Get ready for an enchanting week of literary celebration. This year, our theme is "Reading is Magic," where we believe in the transformative power of books.

Book Fair
One of the highlights of the event is our highly anticipated Book Fair.

As a school community, we have been incredibly fortunate to receive generous donations of books over the years, enriching our library and classrooms with a wealth of knowledge and imagination. This year, we are excited to take our gratitude a step further by pledging to donate all books purchased at our upcoming Book Fair to a charitable cause—the Share-A-Book (SAB) program. SAB provides new and quality pre-loved books to Indigenous, refugee, and marginalised communities in need of resources.

This decision reflects our commitment to giving back and spreading the joy of reading beyond our school walls. Through this initiative, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, ensuring that the gift of literature continues to inspire and empower individuals in need.

We encourage everyone to purchase a book at the fair to be donated to this cause. Join us in celebrating the spirit of generosity and the magic of reading as we embark on this special journey together!

All students who purchase a book to donate to the Share-A-Book program will receive a wooden bookmark that they can decorate, as well as have a chance to participate in the “Guess the Number of Lollies in the Jar” competition. They will also be able to write a special message to the future reader of the book they have donated. Please note that prepayment and tap and go will be the only forms of payment available. More information will be shared next week.

Please support this wonderful cause. More information on the Share-A-Book program can be found at the following site.

https://alnf.org/program/share-a-book/

If you are able to spare some time to help with the Book Fair on Wednesday 28th or Thursday 29th August from 8.15-9am and/or 3pm-3:30pm, please send the office an email.

Maybe a Miracle Performance
On Thursday 15th August, 2024 all students will be attending MAYBE A MIRACLE! a new educational musical adventure from Perform Education in partnership with The Children’s Book Council of Australia. This is to celebrate Children’s Book Week® 2024 and it's theme of 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 Shortlisted books to help point the way

Celebrate books at the Father’s Day breakfast
We invite all dads and special friends to pop into their child’s classroom from 9-9.30am to read their favourite book with their child, or perhaps continue reading a text from school. Our students love books and they love spending time with YOU!

Daily storytime in the Yarning Circle
Teachers are excited about providing these lovely opportunities to share a yarn in our wonderful sharing circle. We look forward to celebrating Book Week with you!

PSSA Netball Knockout
On a beautiful, sunny Wednesday morning, the Balgowlah North Senior A netball team played in the quarter-final round of the NSWPSSA Netball Knockout. The team of Abbey M, Freya van R, Sophia C, Sammy D, Louisa O, Tess P, and Evelyn S showcased excellent skills and boundless enthusiasm, securing a victory over a determined Gymea Bay Public School with a score of 33-14! We are incredibly proud of your sportsmanship and conduct on the day. Well done, team! We look forward to the semi-final against Terrigal Public School in the coming weeks.

Traffic
Just a reminder that Mons Rd has a no stopping zone. This is to ensure our students are able to safely cross the road. Please check the signage before parking your car. The council rangers are aware of this issue and they will be checking on this regularly.

Enjoy the week everyone,

Brooke Keevers
Principal

Assistant Principal's News

Do you know the importance of reading with your child?

Research shows that the frequency of reading to children at a young age has a direct impact on their schooling outcomes. Parents are their child’s first educators and play an important role in developing literacy skills. Taking the time to read with your child on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile! If your child is tired or restless, keep the session short – approximately 5 minutes. When they are feeling up to it, you can extend the time. 5 to 10 minutes every day is better than one 20-minute session a week.

There is an important role for parents in the development and educational performance of their children. Parental reading to children increases children’s reading and other cognitive skills at least up to the age of 10–11.

Studies have shown that reading to children 3-5 days per week (compared to 2 or less) has the same effect on the child’s reading skills at age 4-5 as being six months older. Reading to them 6-7 days per week has the same effect as being almost 12 months older.

We encourage all parents to read with their children every day. This can be listening to your child read aloud a decodable or home reader, shared reading of a picture book or novel or your child listening to you read aloud.

Sarah King
Assistant Principal

Class Snapshot 1SE

Sports News

Athletics Carnival Track and Field Results 2024
What a fun day we had on Wednesday last week for this year’s athletics carnival - it was great to dodge most of the rain and be able to complete the events after the earlier postponement. Congratulations to everyone who took part and a massive thank you to the parents who were able to assist on the day with timekeeping. I want to especially thank Eve Harvey who has volunteered at every single swimming, cross country and athletics carnival for close to the last decade. The teachers were extremely impressed with the teamwork and effort put into all the events by our students. There was some impressive running including a new record of 31.28 in the junior girls 200m - congratulations to Frankie J! Congratulations also to Louisa O for new records in both the High Jump at 1.31m and Shot Put at 7.73m. Edward G smashed a long-standing record in the junior boys Shot Put. The new record is a whopping 10.18m!

Congratulations Wombats!
The Zone athletics carnival will take place on Monday 26 August at Sydney Olympic Park. The top 3 athletes for 100m and the top 2 placegetters in field events, 200m, and 800m will proceed to the zone carnival.

Athletics Team - Anna Harris, Sascha Carroll, Kerry Kelly, Deborah Horsley

Sports Report

Creative Arts

Music incursion - Musica Viva: Water Rhythms
The musicians of Taikoz came to visit us on Wednesday 7th August. We watched them dance, create music and were immersed in Japanese culture. Students joined in creating music of their own, and expressed themselves making movements.

‘The show was amazing and we saw the dancer on her head. It was awesome!’ - Amelia KP

‘Thank you for coming to our school Water Rhythms. We loved the Shinabu flute and Taiko drum’ - Freddy KP

‘My favourite moment was the Seaweed Music and Dance and also the ‘Like A Ripple’ song. We did some great activities in class and the dance moves were fast.’ - Mariel 2A

Mrs McAllister
Music and Dance Teacher

Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Sam H and Grace H who have completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2024.
A reminder that the challenge concludes on Friday 23 August 2024.

Teacher Picks!

Mrs Saunder’s favourite picture book is:

‘Room on a Broom’ by Julia Donaldson This magical tale about friendship and family follows a kind witch who invites a surprising collection of animals to join her on her broom. - ABC Iview

“This was one of my children’s favourite bedtime stories and they loved the rhyming”.- Mrs Saunders

Admin News

Parking
For safety of our school community please adhere to the parking rules on the streets around school.

Manning Street - If you are bringing your child onto the school grounds in the morning, please do not park in the kiss n drop area. This area is only for those pulling over briefly to let children out.

Mons Road - Please adhere to the signage on this road

Kindergarten 2025
Please note the Parents Information Session will be held next Tuesday 20 August at 5pm online. Details have been emailed to all enrolled families.

Reminder to anyone with siblings commencing Kindergarten next year, please submit your enrolment asap. Online Enrolment Application (nsw.gov.au)

Please see the flyer below for important dates and if you would like to book a tour call the office on 9949 4499.

Admin Team

Positive Behaviour for Learning

The Week Ahead

Thursday 15 August ICAS English 7.45am
Thursday 15 August Maybe a Miracle Incursion
Monday 19 August K-6 Assembly 1.45pm
Tuesday 20 August Kindergarten 2025 Parents Information Session 5-6pm
Thursday 22 August Wakakirri Performance 7.15pm
Monday 26 August Book Week begins
Monday 26 August 3-6 Assembly 2.30pm
Monday 26 August Zone Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 27 August ICAS Maths 7.45am
Tuesday 27 August Stage 2 Bear Pit
Wednesday 28 August Stage 3 Quarantine Station Excursion
Wednesday 28 August P & C AGM Meeting 7.30pm

Waste Free Wednesday

P & C News

Christmas Carnival Volunteers
The carnival planning is now well and truly underway now! Thank you to our amazing team of organisers.
Do you love being part of the school community? The P&C would love the school community to help out with the planning and event management on the day of the event. There are volunteering opportunities now available. Please register your interest using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EAEA923A2FECF8-50658414-bnps

Koolkuna News

Wednesday, 31st August was OSHC Educator Day
OSHC Educator Day gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable work our OOSH Educators undertake every day and their wonderful contribution to the education, wellbeing and healthy development of the children in their care. OOSH Educators act as inspirational educators, role-models and mentors to the children and contribute to our BNPS community. A special shout out to Educators; Sam, Meila, Morganne, Chloe, Sam. G, Molly, Izzy & Angus

Medications
If your child has a medical condition, please ensure that we have any required medication as we do not have access to medications stored in the school.

Koolkuna OSHC