Newsletter Term 2 Week 6 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
Attendance
Consistent attendance plays a vital role in academic achievement, social connection, and long-term success. When students are at school, they are engaged in rich learning experiences, building friendships, and developing routines that support lifelong learning.
Even a few days away from school can disrupt a student’s progress and impact their confidence. That’s why we encourage families to prioritise being at school, on time, every day—unless unwell.
The image below, clearly shows how the ‘odd day off here and there’ can have a significant impact on a child’s learning over a year. We are here to support you in developing positive attendance patterns for your child and always encourage parents to make contact with the school early if your child starts to experience reluctance to attend school so that we can work together to support them.
Premier’s Debating Challenge
Yesterday, round 1 of the 2025 Premier’s Debating Challenge saw our debating side compete with Manly Vale PS. BNPS Team Manning (negative) were successful winners on the topic, ‘that every class in primary school should adopt a dog or cat as a class pet’.
Congratulations to Aria B., Lydia P., Laila W. and Claire Z!
Team Manning will continue challenging other schools over the coming weeks.
Chris McCall,
Debating Coordinator
Operation Art
Well done to Billie T, Benji T, Olivia P and Madeleine S for having their artwork selected to be part of the Operation Art Exhibition this year. Operation Art is an initiative of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in association with the New South Wales Department of Education. This is a chance for children to have their artwork displayed alongside that of other students from across the state in various exhibitions. Selected pieces will ultimately be donated to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
State Rugby 7’s Cup
On Thursday 29th May, our senior boys competed in the State Rugby 7’s Cup at Boronia Reserve, Hunters Hill. The team of Arkie A, Henri O, Harvey R, Will R, Austin S, Toby S, Sam W, and Henry Y delivered a gutsy and skillful performance, rising to the challenge despite the chilly, overcast conditions.
Despite the cold weather and playing five games in a day, the boys showed resilience and heart, dropping only one match in their Pool A games to qualify for the division 3 ‘Bowl’ semi-final. In a thrilling game, they secured a hard-fought win, earning a place in the Bowl division final. Although they lost the game, the focus was on showing up, working hard, pushing past comfort zones, playing with ferocity and our boys absolutely delivered.
Congratulations to all BNPS players for their dedication, determination, and exceptional sportsmanship-it was an inspiring day of rugby. Thank you to the parents for your support, and a special thanks to Rod Anderson for his leadership in the team’s success.
Susie Stock
Assistant Principal's News
WriteOn 2025
The annual WriteOn competition is an exciting opportunity for budding young writers in our school community. Through the competition, students develop skills in writing to express their ideas and may become published authors.
The competition is for students in Years 1 to 6. Students create an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using the stimulus provided. The new stimulus for WriteOn 2025 is the quote:
“Could they be changing?”
Each year, winners are celebrated at an award ceremony and their entries are published in ‘The Best of WriteOn' anthology. The 2024 version of the anthology is now available for purchase from the NESA Shop.
All entries must be submitted to the school via email by 3pm on Friday 13th. The entries will be judged by a panel and the school will enter the strongest piece of writing from each stage.
For any enquiries about WriteOn 2025, please see Mrs Ridley.
School News
Congratulations to our KP students for their creative designs
Kindergarten Enrolments 2026 - Help Us Spread the Word!
Exciting times are ahead, we kindly ask for your help in spreading the word to friends and neighbours who have little ones ready to embark on their educational journey next year. Our enrolments are officially open, and we have a school tour scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th. This is a fantastic opportunity for prospective families to explore our vibrant school, meet our enthusiastic student leaders, and begin forging connections within our community.
If you have a child currently attending Balgowlah North and a sibling who will be joining us next year, please take a moment to fill out the online enrolment form linked below. We have a wonderful lineup of connection events planned for the upcoming terms, and we can’t wait to welcome our new families. Thank you for your support in making our community even stronger!
Curiosity and Outdoor Learning
Last week BNPS Stage One students went exploring in our school grounds to collect data on all the creatures they could find. They were searching for different patterns, shapes, colours and anything else that would give them inspiration to create an artwork out of nature.
Can you see the variety of living things that were located depicted in our artworks in the photographs? Some were very well camouflaged and we even found the remains of hatched creatures on tree trunks! These were very fascinating for all of us to see!
Class Snapshot - 6/5H
Sports News
Manly Warringah Schools Basketball Gala day
Our school has the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Manly Warringah Schools Basketball Gala Day on Monday 28th July. Students in Years 5 and 6 are invited to trial for teams. Please note that if they are successful in selections - parents will need to provide transport to and from the NBISC in Warriewood on this day. There will be an approximate cost of $50 per student for all selected competitors.
Mrs Kelly will be holding basketball trials for Stage 3 students on Thursday 12th June.
Boys Trials at 8am
Girls Trials at lunch time (after eating bell)
PSSA Netball Knockout
On Wednesday afternoon, the Balgowlah North Senior A netball team competed in the third round of the NSWPSSA Netball Knockout. Despite facing many challenges against a bigger, taller, and stronger opposition, the team delivered an outstanding performance. The team — Tilly E, Frankie J, Freya R, Alice O, Abbey M, Sasha H, Alice L and Allysa S showcased remarkable grit and determination, seizing a 10 - 8 victory against Cherrybrook Public School. I am incredibly proud of their sportsmanship throughout the afternoon. A big thank you to Lucy Orth and Susan Egan who helped transport the girls. Well done, team!
Susie Stock
PSSA Round 3
Library News
This week, the library was bustling with excitement as kindergarten took a wild and wonderful journey into the book How to Move a Zoo by Kate Hartman. This engaging story captured the imaginations of our young readers as they discovered the real-life logistics of relocating zoo animals—from elephants to penguins!
Through lively read-alouds and thoughtful discussions, students explored how different animals have unique needs when it comes to travel. We asked big questions like: How do you safely move a giraffe? What does a polar bear need to stay comfortable during transport? These conversations sparked curiosity and a deep sense of empathy for animals.
But the learning didn’t stop with reading!
To bring the story to life, students became zoo transport engineers. Using LEGO bricks, they designed and built their very own transportation vehicles for various animals. Whether it was a sturdy crate for a lion, a chilled trailer for a penguin, or a long-necked giraffe hauler, each LEGO creation reflected thoughtful planning, creativity, and teamwork.
Scholastic Book Club Orders
All orders for Scholastic Book Club need to be submitted by Tuesday 17th June.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Edie T, Ellie S and Lottie S who have completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2025.
Admin News
Parent Volunteers
For any parent wishing to volunteer in a classroom, assist with excursions or get involved with school activities please contact the office and we can assist you in completing the Declaration form online.
Because you are a parent, you only require the Non-Child Related Work Declaration, and this can now be done online. We do not require you to obtain a WWCC from Service NSW.
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 form 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".
Administration Team
PBL week 6
The Week Ahead
Thursday 5 June World Environment Day
Monday 9 June Public Holiday - School Closed
Friday 13 June Regional Cross Country
Sunday 15 June P&C Working Bee
Monday 16 June K-2 Assembly 2:30pm
Tuesday 17 June Years 5 & 6 Interrelate
Saturday 21 June P & C Trivia night
Tuesday 24 June Years 5 & 6 Interrelate
Thursday 26 June Band School Disco
P & C News
Green Grove Working Bee Sunday 15th June
“Bring your tools and lend a hand, bring the family & stay for a bbq”.
Please include the following sign up link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050944AFAC28A6FD0-56829636-green#/
Eco Warriors
Congratulations to our Food Scrap Friday winners
Green Grove
The children had lots of fun in the sun today, planting more winter plants into the garden beds. We planted kale, broccoli, silver beet, snow peas, garden peas, broad beans and lettuce. We also used brainstorming skills, measurement and team work to finish off the net domes over the gardens which will keep pests away. The garden is looking fantastic & we can’t wait to see how it all grows over winter. Hopefully we will soon have lots of healthy vegetables to give to the canteen which they can use in the food.
Thank you to Sue, Phoebe & Jasper’s grandma who has helped us in the Green Grove over the past couple of weeks & shared her knowledge & passion for gardening.
Koolkuna News
2025 Winter Vacation Care Bookings are now open via the Xplor Home App.Important Note: When adding a new booking, please only select the session “Vacation Care K-2 or Vacation Care 3-6” - DO NOT SELECT “REQUEST A SPACE”. This ends up duplicating the booking where you will receive a notification of rejection.Please use the Xplor Home App to find the bookings tab and book into the appropriate sessions 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.
Koolkuna OSHC Admin
School Community News
Building a Reading Culture at Home
We are excited to be hosting the "Building a Reading Culture at Home" evening in our School Library on Wednesday 2nd July from 6-8pm for parents and students. Places are limited so book your spot now - $5 per adult, $2 per child under 12
https://www.tfhsuniformshop.com.au/pages/building-a-reading-culture-at-home
The evening will include:
- Keynote speaker - Jane Caro (ex-Forest High student)
- Northern Beaches Library presentation
- Book stalls
- Everyone receives a free book
- Children's Art & Craft Activities
- Refreshments provided
Building a reading culture at home – TFHS Uniforms
School Sponsors
