Newsletter Term 1 Week 10 2025
"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
Annual School Report - 2024
We are pleased that our annual school report has been finalised and is now available for our community to view. This report highlights the many accomplishments of our students and the collective efforts that have contributed to our success as a vibrant school community over the past twelve months. Thank you for the unwavering support you provide to us every day; it underscores our strength in unity.
As outlined in our Balgowlah North School Excellence Plan, we are committed to fostering an environment that nurtures the development of lifelong learners. Together, we are equipping our students with the skills and mindset needed to embrace challenges, forge meaningful connections, and make positive contributions to our ever-evolving world.
We believe that through collaboration and a shared vision, we are not only enhancing the educational experience of our students but also laying the foundation for their future successes.
Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.
Parent Teacher Interviews
We look forward to this opportunity to connect with you, gain insight into your child, discuss their learning goals and how we can work together on areas of growth. Bookings close Friday 4th of April.
ANZAC Day Poppies
Poppies will be on sale Thursday 10th April at the flagpoles in the front entrance of school from 8.30 to 9am. The cost is $5, Cash Only please. Thank you for supporting our Veterans.
ANZAC Day Assembly
On Thursday, April 10th 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.
Student Safety
I would like to take a moment to address an important matter regarding parking in our teacher car park during student drop-off times. The safety of our students is our top priority, and it is important that we all work together to model correct behaviour for our students.
Recently, we have noticed an increase in the use of the teacher car park for dropping off students. While I understand that mornings can be hectic, I kindly ask that parents refrain from using this area for drop-offs. Our teachers enter school from any time between 6.30 am until 8.30am in the morning. It is a tricky access point as I’m sure you are aware as we have just had the gate repaired following a truck backing into it.
As role models for our students, it is crucial that we demonstrate safe and responsible behaviour, reinforcing the importance of following school guidelines. I encourage all parents to utilise the designated drop-off zones and follow the traffic rules around the school.
Respectful Community Relationships
It’s wonderful to see our students enjoying their time together when they gather at our local shops and forming friendships and reconnecting with old friends within our community.
However, I have received some feedback regarding a few instances of inappropriate behaviour during these gatherings. To ensure our students continue to represent Balgowlah North School positively, I kindly ask that you engage in a conversation with your child about the importance of demonstrating respectful and responsible behaviour in all settings, including the community.
We have had a fabulous term of learning and engagement, our students have engaged in many wonderful opportunities within their classrooms and also in the myriad of extra curricular activities as well.
My favourite moment this week has to be listening to our new choir sing The Greatest Showman, so wonderful!
Enjoy your week,
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Assistant Principal's News
Cross Country 2025
Our cross-country carnival will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday the 6th of May, so the upcoming school holidays are the perfect time to start training for this event. All students in Years 2-6 will have the opportunity to participate in this event.
The distance students of each age group will run in our cross country are as follows:
Student turning 11,12 or 13 in 2025 - 3km
Students turning 8*, 9 or 10 in 2025 - 2km
Students turning 7 or 8* in 2025 - 1km
*Students turning 8 in 2025 have the option of participating competitively in the 2km race or just for fun in the 1km event to learn the course. If they wish to participate competitively, they will run the full 2km against the 9-year-olds and the top 6 runners from the combined age group will move on to the zone competition.
Students in Kindergarten and Year One will participate in cross country running as part of their school sport program.
Further details of the running order of this event will be published early in Term 2. An alternative date will be communicated if the cross country is postponed due to inclement weather.
Parent Helpers:
If you are available to assist with course supervision on the day, please complete the form below:
School News
Choir, the ultimate team sport
Congratulations to the enthusiastic students of the BNPS Yrs 2-4 Choir for an outstanding debut performance at the whole school assembly this week! This is a testament to their commitment, by attending all morning rehearsals and regularly practicing at home.
If your little one is thinking of joining, Ms Saab welcomes students for a ‘trial’ at any time. Come along to 1SL any Thursday morning from 8.15-8.45am. If they are ready to commit, parents are asked to give permission on the SchoolBytes app (a note was emailed to parents yesterday).
The Choir will perform at all whole school assemblies, as well as select special events (such as the Anzac Day assembly next week).
Ms Saab
Creative Arts Corner - Week 10
Cultural Dance and Creativity in Our School
At our school, students have been exploring the vibrant world of dance, embracing movements and traditions from a variety of cultures. From the graceful gestures of traditional Asian dances to the rhythmic beats of African and Latin styles, students have developed an appreciation for the diversity and richness of dance around the world.
Beyond appreciating established dance styles, our students have also been encouraged to create their own dances, using their creativity and personal experiences to bring new movements to life.
This week students have the opportunity to perform in the hall to Mrs McAllister and their class peers. Performing is an important outcome for Creative Arts and plays a crucial role in dance education. Students build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and have an opportunity to share their hard work. Whether it’s starting in a small classroom setting or a larger school event, these performances allow students to celebrate their achievements.
We are passionate about offering these performance experiences and are proud of our students for embracing this opportunity with enthusiasm and resilience. We all look forward to seeing their creativity and confidence continue to grow this year.
BNPS Dance and Music Google Classroom: Join by using this code - va2bp75
Mrs McAllister - Dance and Music teacher
Year 5 Peer Mediation
I loved peer mediation. It was fun, engaging and I learnt a lot. The purpose of it is to teach Year 5 students about helping younger children with their problems and if they get hurt. I learnt how to cooperate with others, even if they weren't my friends. I learnt how to help a friendship fire and how to be a peer mediator. My favorite part was the role playing and the marshmallow and spaghetti tower game. I enjoyed it immensely. I hope the next year 5 students will enjoy it as much as I did.
Katya R
The purpose of peer mediation is to help younger children solve their problems and to help them be friends again. All while having fun. The fun part about being a peer mediation is helping kindergarten; you never know when you might make a friend. Kindergarten learns to ‘Treat others how you want to be treated’. If something is minor, you help or let them resolve it by themselves. But if something is major, you have to go talk to a teacher about it and help them resolve it with help.
Tom B
We learnt a lot of new skills and ideas in peer mediation training. From collaboration to teamwork and how to help younger students. We discussed how to be kind, how to help out the k-2 situations and how to be a good peer mediator. My favourite thing was the marshmallow tower when we had to work as a team and try to build the tallest tower using only uncooked pasta and marshmallows. It was so much fun and a great collaborative activity. We also did a roleplay to learn how to act like a peer mediator. It was fun to do an act with friends. It was a very fun day.
Aria B
In peer mediation training we learnt how to solve fights and how true friends behave. We also made a raw spaghetti and marshmallow tower to improve teamwork and cooperation. To practice problem solving we imagined what to do if we were on a plane that crash landed in the water and we had to swim to a nearby island… but there was a catch, the crates that were on the plane were now floating in the shark infested water and we only had enough time to grab one. To finish the day, we put on a play to show and acted out playground scenarios.
Kora P
Year 6 STEM Team Building Activity
Last Wednesday, Year 6 took part in an exciting STEM Day challenge, sparking curiosity and problem-solving skills. The task was to design and build a bridge using straws and paddle pop sticks, with only a limited set of materials: sticky tape, a hot glue gun, a ruler for measurements. The bridge needed to be at least 40 centimetres long, stand 12 centimetres above the ground, and support 500 grams of weight.
The students faced some challenges, particularly with the strength of the materials, but through research, experimentation, and collaboration, the groups refined their designs and found creative solutions. This hands-on experience deepened their understanding of maths and engineering concepts and the importance of collaboration and teamwork.
Susie Stock
Quotes
We challenged ourselves to build an aesthetically pleasing, sturdy and strong bridge. Austin S
Our group built a new concept of the Spit Bridge having an abundance of excitement and fun. Henry Y
I was in a group with Lachie T, Finn R and Cooper M and our challenge was to make a sturdy and strong bridge that was also aesthetically pleasing. There were some challenges like hot glue gun burns and the pillars the bridge had to stand on but overall, it wasn't that hard. We worked on the bridges all day and ours turned out to be able to hold more than 500 grams and the top could bounce off objects. All our hard work paid off to be a complete success of the assignment. It was a lot of fun. I learnt that triangles are the strongest shape and hold a lot of weight.
Ayrton K
This bridge building day was a wonderful day for all the year 6’s. We had to build strong, stable and aesthetically pleasing bridges that could hold over 500g, some bridges could hold over 3 metal water bottles and still stay strong. We learned that triangles are very useful for all builds, even ones made of popsicle sticks because they can withhold lots of pressure. Most people had an idea of making a truss bridge which is mostly made from triangles, but all our bridges had something unique and special about them. All of us had fun and everyone worked well as a team making sure everyone had a turn of building parts of their bridge.
Eva B
Yesterday we all challenged our creative minds to put together a supported, stiff and most importantly stable bridge. We all joined together the best ideas we had and worked as a collaborative team to make sure our bridges were made of greatness. After taping, gluing, sticking and a few burnt fingers later our bridges were built closest as we could get to perfection. As we piled up the weights onto our structures, nerves floated around in the air. Would it hold? We had succeeded and we were so happy to know that our bridge was a success.
Alice L
Sports News
Cross Country
It's time to think about starting your running training. Our school cross country carnival will be held (weather depending) early in Term 2 on Tuesday 6th May.
PBL Week 10
Admin News
Medical
If you have listed a medical condition on your enrolment form that requires treatment at school we will need documentation for this treatment to be administered eg: Asthma plan, Anaphylaxsis, Allergy and Request for Student Health Support at school
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 the surname of the child you are emailing about and the parent surname so your correspondence can be sent to the right person.
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
The Week Ahead
Thursday 3 April World's Greatest Shave and Crazy Hair Day 9am
Monday 7 April 3-6 Assembly 2.30pm
Tuesday 8 and Wed 9 April Parent Teacher Interviews
Thursday 10 April Poppy sales at the flagpole 8.30am CASH ONLY
Thursday 10 April Anzac Day Assembly 9.15am in Hall
Friday 11 April Last day of Term 1
Monday 28 April Uniform Shop open 10.30 - 12.00pm
Wednesday 30 April First Day of term 2 for Students
P & C News
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!
Uniform Shop
The second hand uniform shop will be open between 10.30 - 12pm on Monday 28th April.
Sponsorships and Sponsorship 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.
Green Grove
This week children visiting the Green Grove enjoyed repotting their seedlings into bigger pots with more soil. This will increase the seedlings chance of survival as they have more space to grow & need a bit less care over the autumn school holidays. After the holidays we will be planting them into the garden beds & enjoying watching them grow even more!
Children also made nature jewellery using leaves, flowers, bark & twine. And as always, the chickens got lots of attention & cuddles!
If your child is interested in helping with gardening, caring for chickens & getting their hands dirty they are welcome at The Green Grove at lunchtimes on Tuesdays (with parent Cate Webster) and on Thursdays (with Mrs Evans). Next week will be our last session this term and we will begin again in Term 2, however Cate will be running the session on Monday lunchtimes (Mrs Evans will continue on Thursdays).
Also, if your family are interested in helping out with the chickens and garden on weekends and weekdays afternoons please contact Cate. We would love some more assistance! Cate: 0422037732.
Canteen News
Koolkuna News
Dear Families,
Please find attached the 2025 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.
School Community News
School Sponsors
