Newsletter Term 1 Week 10 2021

Principal's report

Thank you

Thank you to the school community for the continued support of our wonderful school. Our Colour Run fundraiser has passed the $10 000 mark and continues to rise. It’s going to be a close finish for the winning class! To maintain Covid safe guidelines we will have a taped off area that can be accessed via Mons Road. One parent/family is invited to attend. QR codes will be placed on the bunting tape. You might like to bring a rug to sit on. Please ensure you bring your phone so that you are able to QR code in.

A big thank you to Chris Mc Call and Amanda Mason who have worked hard behind the scenes to create this fun opportunity for our students to conclude the term.

Staffing Changes

There will be some changes to the staffing structure of Balgowlah North Public School that will come into effect next term. Our Acting Deputy Principal, Ms Belinda Norrie, will be taking secondment from our school to work at Mona Vale Public School as Acting Deputy Principal.This is a fabulous opportunity for Belinda to work in a larger, complex primary school setting.  During the period of Ms Norrie’s absence from our school in terms 2 and 3 of this year, Ms Rachel Ridley will be Acting Deputy Principal. Ms Susie Stock will take over the role of Assistant Principal for Stage 3 for the next two terms. Mr Lachlan Stewart will be teaching 6RZ on Monday-Wednesday. Mr Michael Zeppel will continue teaching 6RZ on Thursday and Friday. 

‘Opportunity class in 2022’

Opportunity classes cater for academically gifted and high potential students who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic and social level. Successful students will usually have to leave their current school to enrol in a school with an opportunity class for Years 5 and 6.

Testing and assessment

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered mainly on the combined results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test and school assessments. Students who wish to be considered for opportunity class placement will sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

How to apply

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 5 opportunity class entry in 2022, you need to apply between Tuesday 20 April 2021 and Friday 7 May 2021. You will need to access the online application at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5 .

 You must not use the child’s email address.If you do not have internet access, you could apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Team for assistance after Tuesday 20 April 2021.

You must submit only ONE application for each student. Further information is available in the link below.

School returns

Students return on Tuesday the 20th of April. Our students and teachers have worked very hard this term. We hope that our students, families and teachers have time over the break to recharge and reconnect with family and friends.

Brooke Keevers

Principal

Deputy Principal's report

As noted in Mrs Keevers’ message, I have accepted a secondment at Mona Vale Public School for Terms 2 and 3. This is an exciting opportunity to continue to grow as a leader in public education and learn how other schools also lead quality teaching and learning programs. I have been a member of the BNPS community since 2013, as a classroom teacher and assistant principal, acting deputy principal, and as acting principal. It has been nearly nine years of amazing teaching, learning and leading in our beautiful school. I am excited to challenge myself to get to know a new community, new students and new teachers. I look forward to returning in Term 4.

What Works Best

Our last two visuals from the What Works Best research centres on Wellbeing and Collaboration. These two are shared together as they very much sit together. We value collaborative relationships with our community, our neighbouring schools and schools in other networks, with the incredibly important goal of ensuring the student wellbeing is at the centre of our decisions. 

NAPLAN Practice tests

This week and last, our students have had a go at the practice NAPLAN tests. The practice tests ensure that we get to test and check our technology, whilst allowing the students to become familiar with the platform. Students have also accessed the public demonstration site to learn more about some of the tools available to help them in the test. 

NAPLAN is scheduled for Term 2, Weeks 4 and 5. Years 3 and 5 students will have a timetable scheduled for the tests throughout the two weeks. This will be published in an upcoming newsletter.

It is important that all students sitting NAPLAN have brought headphones to school. Please ensure these are of reasonable quality. 

Tell Them From Me

As noted in previous newsletters, students in Years 4 - 6 will be completing the student survey through Tell Them From Me. This is a completely anonymous survey, and the student responses assist us in evaluating some of our practices. If you would prefer your child to opt out of the anonymous survey, please see the office for a note.

Belinda Norrie

A/Deputy Principal

Assembly awards

Halogen Youth Leadership Conference

There we were sitting in a huge auditorium with over 100 schools, proud to call ourselves leaders of our school and the future. We were ready for some inspiration. After we learn a fun dance to get everyone focused, the first speaker comes up onto the stage.

 Lachie Smart has a very inspirational story, teaching us to never give up and to always learn from failure and believe in yourself. His story was about how he made his dream come true by being the youngest person ever to fly solo around the world.

Anastasia Woolmer was the next speaker and taught us that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. She is a two-time memory champion and her Australian record still stands at eighty-six digits. She wasn’t planning to become a two-time memory champion; her dream was to be a professional ballet dancer. Anastasia was never academically gifted and she found out the value of hard work when she went to University for economics. Anastasia failed hard on the first test because she never payed attention in school. But after studying for hours on end she was one of the best students in the University. After reading a book about memory Anastasia spent her time learning memory techniques and became the best memory athlete in Australia.

Jimmy Rees, better known as Jimmy Giggle is the star of a famous kid’s TV show called Giggle and Hoot. He always liked to do things silly and his drama teacher encouraged that. Jimmy taught us that no matter what anyone says always follow your dreams.

David Campbell (The son of famous Australian rock star, Jimmy Barnes) has been an actor, author, singer, radio host and now father. He was raised by his grandmother and didn’t know that he was the son of a famous rock star until he was around 15. David loved singing but didn’t want to live in his father’s shadow so he entered a singing competition to go to Broadway and he ended up winning. Even though he was a good living on singing on Broadway, he was still majorly unhappy due to the fact that he was living very far away from home. David ended up leaving his Broadway career and coming back to Australia. He tried everything that life threw at him and that’s how he became one of the best entertainers in Australia. His grandmas’ wise words were ‘Never forget where you came from.’

We had a great day and heard many inspiring stories with different messages on how you can achieve your dreams. All of these inspiration leaders did have one main message. Work hard, learn to adapt, be persistent and give it a go!

By Amali Elepano and Max Tomlin

Swim scheme

Last week all Year 2 students participated in the School Water Safety Program. Over the 5-days, students developed their water survival skills and ended the week wearing their pyjamas in the pool to demonstrate these skills.  Rain or shine, the students entered the water with a smile and a determined attitude.  We are so proud of everyone!

Alice Pond SWS Coordinator

S afe in the water

W ater races

I mportant to learn

M eeting new people

M entally healthy

I mproving your skills

N ever give up

G iving your best!

Acrostic poem by Abbey 3/2P

Sports news

Friday afternoon PSSA teams enjoying the sunshine at Bantry Bay.

Debating

Masters Academy are again running the debating club here at Balgowlah North.

Invest in your child’s speaking skills and confidence.

Debating and public speaking are great catalysts for learning invaluable communication skills.

Although not all students will go on to compete in debating and speaking competitions, all students will need to master active listening, critical thinking and learn to communicate effectively.

Through the practice of debating and public speaking, students will learn persuasive language, critical thinking and logical thinking skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of key knowledge areas, such as health, economics, history, law, politics, media and current affairs.

We teach these key life-skills through activities, teamwork, discussions and participation in classroom debates at your school.

Enrol now for term 2: enrol.mastersacademy.com.au

Sessions will be held in 5M on Wednesday mornings at 8:00 am (Term 2, Week 3).

Waste Free Wednesday winners

Winners were KM & 5R. Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Band news

Concert Band Shines ...twice!

Concert Band children shone on Monday morning when they performed for students arriving at school and then later in the day at Recognition Assembly.
Concert Band Conductor, Natasha Roumanoff said' "The students played awesomely, I was very proud of the tight and accurate performance they gave with a really great sound.  
"I think it was fabulous for the other students in the school to hear what can be achieved at the highest level in the band program."
Adding to the success of the performances was an army of parents who helped to set up and pack down the bands in two locations. A huge thank you to the many helpers and supporters.Special thanks to Michelle Wood for gathering and managing the volunteers.
We are looking forward to more performances in Term 2.

Dates for your diary

01 April 

• Colour run K-6
• Last day of Term 1

19 April

• School development day

20 April

• Students K-6 return for the start of Term 2

World's greatest shave & crazy hair day

On Wednesday the 28^th of April, BNPS will once again be supporting the World’s Greatest Shave campaign.

Students from Kindergarten to Year 5 are asked to participate in Crazy Hair Day and bring a gold coin donation for the Leukaemia Foundation. Year 6 students will have the opportunity to shave, cut or colour their hair as part of our school fundraising campaign. Further information about Year 6’s involvement is available on the school app.

This is a longstanding tradition for our school and we look forward to a day of fun and fantastic hairstyles as we support this tremendously worthwhile cause.

P&C news

Community information

Canteen news

As nod to the coming holiday we will have Hot Cross Buns available at the canteen until the end of term.  They will be served warm with a little butter.  You can find them in the snack section on the flexischools app.

Finger crossed that the wet weather eases and the kids can get back to PSSA sport this Friday.  Don't forget to add the PSSA alert if your child has an order on Friday.

Alex and Mel

Koolkuna

Casual Bookings 

Currently Koolkuna is experiencing a high volume of last minute Casual Bookings. While we appreciate the irregularity of families current working conditions and we have the available places, under regulations, we must staff the centre at a ratio of no less than 1 Educator : 15 children.  

It is not always possible to roster an extra staff member at the last minute so we respectfully ask that you give us as much notice as possible so we do not have to turn you away. 

Alternatively we encourage you to make a permanent booking which can be terminated with only 2 week’s notice.  

Combined Martial Arts 

Koolkuna has had an overwhelming response from families for the Combined Martial Arts Program on Wednesday afternoons in Term 2. We are so excited for Ben from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Manly to come and teach us the fundamentals and benefits of this martial art.  

This program will focus on developing humility, determination and strategic thinking through exploration, movement, problem solving and self-defense.  

Don’t forget to book in for this awesome activity! Permission Slips can be found on the Koolkuna Website.  

Koolkuna Cluckers 

Koolkuna is volunteering to take on the responsibility of feeding and caring for the beautiful chickens up in the Green Grove. Each morning and afternoon, the children are provided the opportunity to join an educator up in the Green Grove to ensure the chickens have enough feed and water. This is a great learning initiative for the children to take ownership and hold a sense of duty in providing basic needs for the chickens.  

Kind Regards

Koolkuna OSHC Admin Team

Mob: 0400 774 697 | admin@koolkunaoshc.com.au

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