Newsletter Term 3 Week 7 2021
"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 report
Thank you to our students, staff and parents for your continued adaptability, positivity and resilience. I am incredibly proud to be part of a strong, supportive community, who understand the complexities of the pandemic and the impacts that this has on everyone. Thank you for your kindness and for supporting one another. I have very much appreciated the feedback that parents have shared with us over the past few weeks. Once we have further guidance from the Department of Education as to any more changes to ‘Home Learning’ we will once again reflect upon and refine our programs to continue to meet the academic and emotional needs of our students at this time.
Book Week
Each year since 1945 the CBCA has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. This year Book Week looks a little different. From home we can still celebrate this special week and participate in the celebrations. Thank you to our wonderful librarian Deb Horsley for organising some fabulous activities for our students to engage with this week. I will enjoy seeing the students virtually this week.
Student Leaders
Thank you to Mrs Stock and the student leaders. We met together virtually last Friday to continue to move forward with their leadership projects. Look out for our student leader video clips that they will be sharing with our whole school community. Our student leaders have a strong active voice within our school.
P&C
Next P&C meeting will be next Wednesday 1st September, keep an eye out for details on the app. Thank you to the P&C for providing community messaging around no access to the grounds during the pandemic. We very much appreciate the parent support we have received within the wider Balgowlah community. We have had significantly less vandalism and security breaches over the past few weeks. It has been very much appreciated.
Take care everyone
Brooke Keevers
Principal
School news
Thank you
With confirmation that our lockdown will continue for the remainder of Term 3, I wanted to extend a large thank you to our parent community for your ongoing support. We value your role as our partners in this journey and sincerely thank you for your commitment to supporting our remote learning programs. We understand that you are all doing what you can and that looks different for every family- and that’s ok. We understand the juggle, we understand the challenge, we understand that some days are tough. It is so encouraging to have our teachers feeling supported as they continue to work tirelessly to ensure learning can continue remotely. We welcome constructive feedback and are always here to discuss questions, concerns or ways we can support you in making things work in your context. Ultimately, it is in these difficult times that our community is strongest when we work together. Thank you for hanging in there! You all deserve a virtual Mini Merit for your ongoing efforts at home!
In the theme of wellbeing week, we encourage you to also take a moment for yourselves to replenish and recharge.
You may also find the following resources useful:
https://www.parentline.org.au/
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Wellbeing Wednesday
This week will be the first of our Wellbeing Wednesdays, where we encourage students to have a ‘lighter day’ and make sure they turn their screens off at lunch time. This is our day to recharge, connect with our families and take a breath. We look forward to seeing some photos of what you get up to on SeeSaw or your Google Classroom.
URSTRONG
If you have not already, we encourage everyone to log on to URSTRONG,and spend some time exploring the resources that support our new K - 6 friendship program:
In keeping with our wellbeing theme, we also love the URSTRONG scavenger hunts that can be shared with friends via Facetime to keep students connected while they enjoy some time in nature.
https://urstrong.com/resource/green-time-scavenger-hunt/
Rachel Ridley
R/Deputy Principal
Book Week Book Fair
Have you had a chance to check out our book fair? As part of our celebration this year we are holding an Online Book Fair. 10% of all sales will be donated back to the school for further book purchases. Books will be posted, free of charge, to your home.
You may also donate to the school library by adding the ‘Donation’ items to your cart. You may also donate specific books by noting ‘Donation to School’ in the comments before paying on the website. The book fair can be found at the link below and is now open. Happy reading!
https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/book_fairs/
Deborah Horsley
Teacher Librarian
Jersey Day is coming!
- When: Friday 3rd September
- What: BNPS Students (and their families) are encouraged to wear their favourite sporting team’s jersey for the day. Don’t have one- no problem! Just wear your favourite T-shirt for the day and be ready for Mrs Kelly’s exciting sporting challenges. This s a great opportunity for our students to take a break from their regular home learning program and engage with some fun physical fitness activities to get them moving and smiling.
The origins of Jersey Day: Jersey Day is a wonderful initiative that raises awareness for Organ Donation. Students are asked to wear their favourite sporting jersey for the day and begin the conversation about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor. BNPS will not be focusing on this aspect of the day, however it may be a conversation you wish to have as a family. You can find out more about jersey day here: https://www.jerseyday.com.au/
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Music
Congratulations to Scarlett B on her outstanding achievement with the cello. Scarlett is a member of the String Ensemble at school.
Scarlett recently did her AMEB Grade 5 repertoire cello exam and received an A distinction for it. Below is a link of one of the pieces she performed for her exam. She's now working on Grade 6 cello repertoire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3t8tIqHCzU
Jackson A is in Year 3 and is a member of the Junior Band. Jackson is to be congratulated on his commendable performance on the drums.
Band Update
Junior Band’s online video is taking shape - there is still a fair bit to do but the students are so excited to share it with the BNPS Community when it’s ready. Thanks to Conductor, Mr Bullough for coordinating this initiative. Senior Band and Concert Band will also be compiling a video. We can’t wait to see them.
Musical Achievements
Congratulations to the following students on their recent music success:
James R achieved a B+ in Grade 3 saxophone exams
Scarlet B achieved an A result in her Grade 5 violin exams
Clementine R – successfully auditioned for a place in the Arts Alive Combined Schools Band – an extension opportunity for students of public schools.
If you have music exam results or successes you would like to share with us please e-mail bnpsband@hotmail.com.
Raffle Tickets are on Flexischools now! Just $2 a ticket!
To raise money for the BNPS Band we have this unisex cross body bag up for raffle!
We haven't been able to have a cupcake stall or a disco this term, so we are holding a raffle instead! For $2 a ticket, you will go into the draw to win this cross body bag. It is made from a music themed cotton with black vinyl accent and a black vinyl strap.
It would make a great low cost gift for you music tutor or music fan! Purchase your tickets now on
Raffle closes on Thursday 9 September! The Band Program thanks you for your support!
Dates for your diary
23-27 August
- Book week
01 September
- Remote P&C meeting
03 September
- K-6 jersey day - focusing of fitness and fun
08 September
- STEM day - interesting science challenges
15 September
- Create and connect day - celebrating the arts
P&C news
P&C meeting
And just like that the weeks have rolled by and it's time for another P&C Meeting.
The next one will take place WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER at 7.30pm REMOTELY
Please register your interest at pandcbnpssecretary@gmail.com - in order for the meeting link to be sent to you.
Community news
Care packages to remote Indigenous communities near Dubbo
Please consider joining a local initiative that is partnering with Bamara – an Indigenous programme supported by the Department of Education in Dubbo. They are aiming to put together care packages to be sent to Indigenous communities in Western NSW, in particular to the communities of Goodooga and Nanima.
Sadly COVID-19 has devastated these Indigenous communities, and in particular the children within these communities. Remaining isolated is very difficult for many of these families coupled with low resources.
Below is a list of what's desperately needed although other suggestions are welcome.
- Colouring books
- Puzzles
- Textas
- Lead pencils
- Erasers
- Masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Anti bacterial cleaning spray (or wipes)
We are aiming to get the first package away as soon as possible. If you are interested in helping, there will be a black labelled box to place cleaned goods in at 29 Waterview Street, Seaforth to allow for contactless drop off.
In times like these, it is always nice to be able to unite with those less fortunate and show kindness. Thank you for your support. Jen Barnes (0413 235 788)
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