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 News

World’s Greatest Shave
This year, BNPS Year 6 students are again proudly participating in the Leukemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave, a much-loved event on the school’s calendar and a remarkable initiative that unites communities nationwide for people facing blood cancer.

We have a strong history with this event, having participated for almost 15 years and raising tens of thousands of dollars for the cause, at one point becoming the highest raising primary school in the country!

We need your help
It’s not only Year 6 that can get involved, our students K to 6 will be involved through our Zany Hair Day. Blood cancer has touched many of our families personally, if you would like to donate. Here’s how you can help:

Sponsor our team: Our dedicated students, teachers and staff are ready to make a bold statement by shaving, cutting or colouring their hair, all in the spirit of solidarity. You can show your support by sponsoring them. Find our school team and contribute online at https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/BalgowlahNorthPS

Supporting our Zany Hair Day: On Thursday the 3rd of April with a gold coin donation.

What is the World's Greatest Shave?
The World's Greatest Shave is an annual event organised by the Leukaemia Foundation, aimed at raising funds to support families facing life with blood cancer. This year, our school is again getting behind this incredible cause and we invite each and every one of you to be part of this meaningful journey.

Why Join the Cause?
Participating in the World's Greatest Shave is more than just a fundraiser; it's a chance for us to come together as a community, teach our children the value of empathy and solidarity, and make a real impact in the lives of those affected by blood cancer.

Let's Spread the Word!
We encourage you to share this exciting news with family and friends and let's make the World's Greatest Shave a resounding success at BNPS. Together, we can contribute to the vital research, support services, and care provided by the Leukaemia Foundation.

Thank you for being a part of this meaningful journey.

Warm regards,
BNPS Year 6 2025

Term One Invoices
Term One invoices will be sent out today with an explanation of how we use these funds. As always, if you have any difficulties meeting the cost of the programs, please contact me so that we can see how to ease this burden. All conversations are extremely confidential.

Swimming Carnival
Our school swimming carnival was held last Wednesday, March 5th. It was a lovely warm day for all the students to have fun cheering and swimming. Thank you so much to all the parents who volunteered to time keep - your assistance enabled the smooth running of the carnival and is much appreciated! 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 Liam D for a new record in the 10-year boys 50 metre freestyle. Liam also broke the record in the Junior Boys backstroke. Congratulations also to Joshua S for a new record in the Junior Boys butterfly.

School News

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, 18th March, 2025 (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: X1289EL54B

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.

Please submit all photo orders by Friday, 14 March, to enable the school to schedule class and sibling photo sessions on the day.

**3R enjoying some place value Mathematics!**

Curiosity and Critical Thinking

What our photos tell us

Last week Stage One students spent a wonderful time exploring our school using technology to film and photograph features they felt were special. Why is it important to have these features in our school? What might appeal to new students? We are lucky to have so many wonderful things to share!

Katherine Evans

Kindergarten RSVP link below:

https://forms.gle/417xMuuXQYcAGGkD9

Congratulations to our winners 2HL, 3W and 5M

Stage 3: Peer Mediation
Our Year 5 "Peer Mediation" initiative emphasises the development of skills, values and attitudes essential for Balgowlah North Public School student leadership. This program is designed to aid our kindergarten students in navigating conflict situations by fostering mutual understanding and enabling practical dialogue. Through one-on-one conversations, participants learn to lend a compassionate ear and collaboratively develop solutions beneficial to all parties involved.

Our workshop in Week 8 on Thursday 20th March engages students in activities centred around problem-solving, conflict resolution, active listening, and effective communication. By incorporating various key leadership principles, the program empowers students to translate their thoughts into action, thereby nurturing them into impactful leaders.

They learn to be role models for other students to follow by:

Identifying the qualities of effective leadership and acknowledging their personal strengths.
Grasping the impact their leadership can have within their school community and among their peers.

Striving to cultivate positive relationships and support networks.
Developing resilience and the ability to navigate challenges effectively.
Mastering teamwork and cooperation skills.
Embracing enjoyment and fulfillment in their endeavours.

Sports News

2025 BNPS Swimming Carnival
Our school swimming carnival was a great success, and the rain held off! Please see the results table below.

Zone Team
The Zone Carnival will take place at Warringah Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 19th March. Students who are highlighted in yellow, will represent us at the carnival. We wish you the best of luck.

House Points Score:

CONGRATULATIONS WALLABIES!!!!!!

Kerry Kelly, Hunter Kelleher and Jenny Mercer

Swimming Carnival Coordinators

PSSA Round 2 Results:

PBL Week 7

Admin News

Student Department emails
If you need your child's email address this can be found on the "Dashboard" of your School Bytes Parent Portal, at the bottom on the page under "Student details".

Emailing the school
When you email the school, please include yours and your child's surname.

Student Contact Details
Please ensure you email the school if you have any changes to your contact details, email, address or emergency contacts

Administration Team

Library News

Premiers Reading Challenge
The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. If you need help using the website and the answer cannot be found on the PRC Support site, please contact - prc@det.nsw.edu.au

The 2025 Challenge dates are as follows:

Challenge opens: Monday 24 February 2025

Challenge closes to students: Friday 22 August 2025

Students use their DoE login details – the same one they use to access computers and the internet at school.

For more information and an updated booklist please check the Premier’s Reading Challenge website https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc

URL for Student Experience Site: https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/

Students are welcome to come to our library at lunchtime at 1:15pm (second half lunch) on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They will have the opportunity to play with Lego, draw or read books. Students can also borrow at this time.

The library is seeking any bulk plain paper that students can draw on during this time. If you have any, please drop it into the library or school office. It would be much appreciated.

The Week Ahead

Thursday 13 March NAPLAN Reading
Thursday 13 March Kindy Parents Reading Workshop
Friday 14 March NAPLAN Language Conventions
Monday 17 March NAPLAN Numeracy
Tuesday 18 March School Photos
Wednesday 19 March Zone Swimming Carnival
Thursday 20 March Peer Mediation

P & C News

1. Parent's Night Out
A huge thank you to the fundraising team of Lee-Anne, Bec, Shemin and Sammi for organising a fabulous event. It was a fantastic vibe and a very successful event!

2. Save the Date - Trivia Night
Please save the date for the next big event on 21 June 2025. We look forward to seeing you all there!

3. Sponsorships and Donations
We are always looking for new sponsors for our events. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Dan Brabant on 0434 004 797 for further information.

Canteen News

Koolkuna News

Books for Africa is our chosen non-profit charity for Term 1. We kindly ask you to take a moment to clear your bookshelves and donate any unwanted children’s books. We have already had some amazing donations so far and thank the community for all of their support so far!Please drop off at Koolkuna OSHC - next to the parent Sign In/Out Area

OSHC is very excited to welcome back, Motiv8 Sports as part of the After School Care Curriculum for Term 1 after such amazing feedback from the families who participated in 2024! Term 2 Additional Activity

Motiv8 Sports - Kindy - Year 6
On Thursday afternoons in Term 1, Koolkuna OSHC will be joined by the Motiv8 Sports Team who will be running sports clinics to provide an opportunity to learn new skills across a range of sports and develop healthier lifestyle habits. Each clinic emphasizes on fun and inclusion, with inflatable obstacles, prizes and music to pump you up when participating in Flag ball Battle, Ultimate League, Gauntlet, Sponge Wars, Super Soccer, Super Sports Challenge and a final week Party Face Off.

Time: Thursday 3:30-4:45pmCost: $100/child for 6-week program $20/child for a one-off session
Dates: Term 1 Weeks 4-10 (27th Feb - 4th April
Please send an email to kkoshc@sustainableoshc.com.au or come to the service to enquire.

School Community News

Huge congratulations to Will R, Henri O and Austin S competed in the Mountain Biking Interschools Competition last week held in Thredbo.

They came 3rd in the Pump Track race (Will made it to the finals). They were awarded a 3rd place for their team and given a podium plaque. They also came 5th in the All-Mountain Race, came 7th in the Flow Race and placed 7th overall in their division out of 92 schools! A phenomenal result given they didn't qualify for any points for the Cannonball Race.

Well done to Ben H who represented Queenscliff SLSC as member of the U9 mixed relay team that won gold at the NSW State Nippers Carnival this morning! His U9 boys relay team placed 5th in the State.