Newsletter Term 3 Week 10 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."
STEM science day was amazing!
Principal's report
Celebrating success
What a lovely way to finish our term celebrating our students at our assemblies on Monday. It is lovely to see all the faces of the students and the smiles as their names are acknowledged for their fabulous efforts and achievements this term.
Congratulations to the following students who were acknowledged for their creative writing responses in our Writing Competition- Old Worlds, New Worlds,Other Worlds.
As we received so many entries, we split the 3-6 category into Stages 2 and 3 and have awarded 3 winners per category. Congratulations to the following students -
K -2 Bonnie L, Abbey McM, Neve M, Stage 2 Jackson A, Siena R, Jessica McM, Stage 3 Annie B, Talia T and James R. We hope you enjoy reading their responses which have been published in our newsletter.
Mrs Ridley and I were also given the opportunity to adjudicate the Stage 3 Bear Pit competition yesterday. Congratulations to the following students Erin R, Clementine R, Tyla H and Indie O for making the finals - a huge achievement, well done!
As you can imagine the teachers have had to make adjustments to the format this term and this has looked different for each stage and age of students. Presenting in the virtual space is a very different way of presenting for our students. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the students in Stage 2 and Stage 3 and their commitment to taking up the opportunities that were presented to them this term.
Thank you
Thank you to our student leaders Max and Lucy for putting together this little video for our school community.
Our student leaders have continued to meet via zoom this term and they are continuing their planning for a new school mural on behalf of the students in Year 6 2020 and our current Year 6 students. Year 6 students usually gift a present to the school and we are all hoping that we will be able to make this happen next term.
P&C Trivia Night
Thank you to our amazing P&C for pulling together a fun night of trivia for our school community on Saturday 18 September. I am sure this will be a great opportunity to connect again and support our wonderful school.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrd-2srzguHdYW_cENlpjy8lq2MN-x2fGB
More details are further on in the newsletter!
Term 4
Just a reminder that school commences again on Tuesday 5th October after the long weekend. We will continue with ‘Home Learning’ until we commence the transition back to school. I thought I’d share some of the feedback we have received from our parents this term.
I am so pleased with how much engagement he is getting from her. She is doing a fabulous job managing all the technology, keeping the kids engaged, and explaining the tasks well so that the day flows much easier for parents!
Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank your amazing staff for everything they are doing to support students during this lockdown period. The learning opportunities and support provided for our son Will is just amazing and the meaningful and ongoing feedback is just incredible.
We are so grateful to be part of this wonderful community. We hope you and your staff are staying well and taking care of themselves and their families during this time.
He checks in with us weekly, is constantly suggesting books and other online resources we can use for our son and is just generally making us feel very supported in this home schooling program!
Camille is incredible managing a zoom call with a group of 1st graders who discovered backgrounds and filters... It's hilarious to watch sometimes but she's so calm and somehow - magically - manages to keep them on topic.
Not returning to School in 2022
Thank you
Thank you to Yenny Huang for all her work with the Strings program. We wish her well as she awaits the arrival of the newest addition to her family.
I’d especially like to acknowledge the hard work, courage and dedication of the school leadership team this term - Mrs Rachel Ridley, Mrs Jenni Reinhardt, Ms Patricia Vitale, Mrs Alice Pond, Mrs Susie Stock and Mrs Sarah King. They have led their teams with compassion and collaboration to provide high quality teaching and learning ‘Home Learning’ programs ensuring that our students are always central to all our decisions that we make. They listened to feedback, trialled a variety of approaches and continued over the course of the term to provide differentiation, variety and layers of individualised support to our students and families where needed. - I am proud to lead such compassionate and committed educators - Thank you.
Thank you to the school community for your continued support, trust and collaboration. We have had a very positive term. Our students have grown more resilient, been challenged, learnt new skills and stayed connected with each other and their school, despite the challenges that we have had to overcome. I hope that you are all able to take some time out to relax and recharge the batteries with family and friends in the beautiful environment in which you live.
Stay safe everyone
Brooke Keevers
Principal
School news
Sponsorship of the P&C Trivia Night
Our premier sponsor is Andrew Lutze of Cunninghams Real Estate. He and all the Cunningham's team have always been great supporters of BNPS P&C events and we are delighted to have them back again as our major event sponsor.
We are also thankful to Wavescape Orthodontics who are once again sponsoring a BNPS P&C event.
Our sponsors are pivotal in making these events happen and we are extremely grateful for their support.
Thank you from the P&C
ICAS Update
The ICAS assessment window has been postponed to accommodate students’ planned return to school in Term 4. We have rescheduled our school ICAS tests to the following dates:
Science: Thursday 11th November
English: Monday 15th November
Maths: Wednesday 17th November
At this point time, we are awaiting an update on the Writing assessment. This test is marked by leading expert markers in a professionally supervised marking centre with fixed dates. ICAS are looking for an alternative assessment window for the Writing test and will advise Sydney schools of the revised details as soon as possible.
NAPLAN
We are still awaiting the NAPLAN 2021 Student results. We anticipate these will arrive early in Term 4 and will distribute them as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience in awaiting your child’s results.
Bear Pit
We have been so proud of the way all of our Stage 2 and 3 students have adapted to the virtual space and delivered their Bear Pit speeches via Zoom this term.We understand this is a new skill and presents new challenges, but our teachers have been so impressed by how adaptive and resilient our students have been in participating in this program in its new format.
This year, the traditional competition format has changed in response to our Home Learning Programs and what teachers felt best met the needs of their students. Stage 2 students have delivered their speeches to their classes and have been provided with feedback from their teacher. There is no stage competition for Stage 2 students in 2021.
Stage 3 have maintained the competition element, with each Year 5 and 6 class selecting three finalists who presented their speeches to their stage cohort in Week 9. From this presentation, the Stage Finalists presented their speeches to their peers, teachers, Mrs Ridley and Mrs Keevers on Tuesday the 14th of September. Unfortunately, there will be no interschool final this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Stage One will proceed with the Bear Pit program when they return to school in Week 4. Speeches will be written and rehearsed at school and delivered in Week 5. There will be no at-home component and no competition this year, it will just provide students with the opportunity to have explicit instruction in composing a formal speech and presenting it to an audience.
Kindergarten have decided not to participate in the competition in 2021. Our students have had other opportunities to demonstrate their speaking and listening skills over the course of our Home Learning Program and we look forward to being able to implement the Bear Pit competition for our younger students again in 2022.
Science Day
We had such a tremendous response to our Science Day last Wednesday the 8th of September- it was so wonderful to see our students engaged in creative problem solving and hands-on learning. Please see later in the newsletter some snapshots from the day.
Writing Competition- Old Worlds, New Worlds,Other Worlds
We were absolutely blown away by the calibre of entries into our Book Week Writing competition. We are so proud of every student who submitted their work for consideration and felt truly privileged to be able to read such extraordinary pieces of writing.
Here are the winning entries for you to enjoy:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1biFYStys89XoqD-O8mbaP_jDujK5SE0vw6dD4L-3GQU/edit?usp=sharing
Rachel Ridley
R/Deputy Principal
Weed spraying Balgowlah North Public School
Please note that the grass areas of the school including the oval will be sprayed for weeds and clover on Saturday 18 September 2021.
This will be an all day event.
We ask the community to limit their use of the grounds during this time to allow for the spray to take effect.
If it rains it will be postponed to the next Saturday 25 September.
Thanks you for your assistance with this project.
Colleen Tobler
Office manager
Drama
Music & dance
Arts & Craft
Today is Create and Connect Day!!
What an exciting end to Term Three!
We are all looking forward to viewing many of your creative posts in visual arts, music, dance or drama and sharing on Google Class, SeeSaw and in the newsletter.
Family Fun Reminder
Details of “Recreate a Famous Artwork” have been included in today’s create and connect powerpoint and grid activities for K-6.
Mrs Malar and Mrs Ridley
The Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge has now finished for 2021. Well done to the following readers who have now completed the challenge: Kindergarten - Evie H; Year 1 - Nicolas H, Kora P; Year 3 - Jack O, Logan P; Year 4 – Sienna R; Year 5 – Chloe G; Lucy O; Year 6 Toby K. Challenge certificates will be sent to the school in term 4 and students will be presented with them.
Please make use of our online reading opportunities during the holidays:
Storybox Library - created for children to view stories by local authors and illustrators, being read aloud by fantastic storytellers. Log in details – Username: booksbnps Password: books https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/
EPlatform by Wheelers – download the app or access at https://balgowlahnorthps.wheelers.co/ and log in using your DET username and password.
As always, the NSW State Library has a wonderful variety of online workshops for students. Some of these include poetry writing, art and craft lessons and author talks. https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/learning-home
Deborah Horsley,
Teacher Librarian
Cyber Security Awareness Month
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and the Department have released a new online safety program, Cybermarvel, which includes an abundance of resources for parents to ensure your child is safe when online. Particularly relevant during remote learning since students are spending more time on devices and the internet.
Below are a few of the useful resources that you might like to explore yourself or with your child over the holidays:
Digital Citizenship - Parents articles and resources https://www.digitalcitizenship.nsw.edu.au/parents-articles
This resource hub contains a variety of useful articles and resources for you to help successfully maintain your child’s cyber safety. Explore different topics including, but not limited to:
- Healthy technology use
- Leaving a digital footprint
- Managing screen time
- Searching and sorting information effectively
- The 4Rs: respect, resilience, responsibility and reasoning
Cyber safe families
https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/wellbeing/technology/cyber-safety
This website provides an overview of cyber safety tips to maintain student wellbeing with technology as well as links from the eSafety Commissioner.
Being a Good Digital Citizen - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju9aOc2MLyo
This kid-friendly video describes what it means to be a good digital citizen.
Olivia Wakelin
Teacher
Wonder Recycling Program
A huge thank you to all the BNPS families who brought in their bread bags to recycle! The program is now closed at school, but you can still recycle you soft plastics at REDcycle collection bins at major supermarkets. You can locate your nearest REDcycle bin here:
https://www.redcycle.net.au/where-to-redcycle/
Thanks again for all the support despite challenging circumstances in NSW. Together NSW participants have saved over 1 500 000 bread bags from landfill!
Kerry Kelly
Music
Congratulations Rose in Year 5 on gaining honours in your Grade One classical guitar exam. What an outstanding achievement!
Click on the link to be mesmerised with Rose playing Spanish Romance and Sunrise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kTNvvbz55M
Click on the link to hear Junior band member Cameron practising a well known tune on the clarinet during online learning. Great work with articulation and tempo Cameron!
Margaret Malar
Music teacher
Band/Strings Update - Reasons to Celebrate
It’s time to celebrate with a performance from our Junior Band of Buglar’s Dream, heralding the end of Term 3 and the holiday break. The band members and Mr Bullough are delighted to bring this performance to you and hope that it puts a smile on your face.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p18ovez5q3c6a8n/BNPS%20-%20Buglar%E2%80%99s%20Dream.MP4?dl=0
We will finish this term with online celebrations in our rehearsals. The students have been wonderful with attending rehearsals and staying focussed. To thank them, a small army of helpers delivered treats to doorsteps and letterboxes throughout the suburb (and a bit further afield) to ensure everyone received their thank you gift.
A huge thank you to Mrs Roumanoff and Mr Bullough for maintaining momentum and enthusiasm for the online band rehearsals. Online rehearsals are much harder to prepare for and manage - they are exhausted but very proud of the students for what they have achieved.
In exciting news, Yenny Huang, our String Ensemble Conductor, is leaving us temporarily to take maternity leave! The String Program has been fortunate to have Yenny sharing her expertise and guiding the program. Another conductor will be taking on the string conducting role for Term 4 and Term 1 next year. We are looking forward to meeting the new ‘string baby’ and will welcome Yenny back when she is ready to return in 2022.
Our Concert Band and Senior Band members are producing some online performances too to be released next term. Keep an ear out for them!
Caroline Fechner
Band manager
Term 3 2021 award recipients
Medal winners
Isla McM & Isla R
Banners
Oscar L, Arabella K & Isla McM
Principal Award
Bronte S, Tully O'B, Katya R, Ted K, Sasha H & Tyler D
Citizenship awards
Orla is a friendly, caring, and thoughtful student who always treats her peers and teachers with the utmost respect. She can be relied upon to carry out sensible tasks and roles around the school, embracing school activities and responsibilities with enthusiasm. In class, Orla is incredibly supportive of her peers, offering guidance and providing genuine encouragement. Being such a driven student, Orla consistently sets high goals for herself and works diligently to achieve her personal best in all that she does. She truly demonstrates all of the positive qualities that we hold dear and value at Balgowlah North Public School and is an exemplary role model and ambassador for our school. Orla is an absolute delight to teach and an extremely deserving recipient of this Citizenship Award.
A cheerful and friendly student, it is always a pleasure to see the smile on William’s face as he enters the classroom each day and participates in school activities. Full of enthusiasm always, both in and outside the classroom, William is an inspiration to all his peers. The effort he puts into all he does seems limitless, resulting in achievements to be proud of. William assumes responsibility well and is a very dependable student, proven by his reliable representation of 3E in the Student Representative Council. An outstanding participant in all online learning activities, William's consistent conscientious behaviour and attitude make him a highly valued member of Balgowlah North Public School. Well done William!
Lucas has consistently shown outstanding citizenship skills and he is a resilient learner who is constantly absorbed in his study. He has demonstrated perseverance when faced with challenging learning tasks from home. Lucas is characterised by kindness, grace, compassion, humility and seeking justice for others. His nurturing and gentle nature helps to create a harmonious environment wherever he is. Lucas is resourceful and he is good at asking questions which supports his learning. He often imagines new possibilities. Finally, through his resourcefulness he is able to capita lise on the facilities avai lable to him inside and outside the classroom. Lucas you are a wonderful ambassador for Balgowlah North Public School and truly worthy recip ient of this Citizenship award.
Lucy Rae has consistently demonstrated outstanding citizenship skills over the past seven years. Her nurturing and gentle nature helps to create a harmonious environment wherever she is. Lucy is a reliable student with a strong sense of pride and justice. She puts the needs of others before her own and never seeks recognition for her efforts. Lucy honestly appreciates the accomplishments of her peers and embraces school activities with enthusiasm and responsibility. Lucy sets a very high standard and works confidently and diligently to achieve her goals. She takes pride in Balgowlah North Public School and is an excellent role model and a truly wonderful citizen. Lucy’s dedication to learning and hardworking nature make her a pleasure to teach. She is most deserving of this prestigious award. Congratulations, Lucy!
Dates for your diary
15 September
- Create and connect day - celebrating the arts
17 September
- Last day of term 3
- registrations close for trivia night
18 September
- P&C remote trivia night
4 October
- Labour day public holiday
5 October
- Start of term 4 - remote learning
P&C news
Koolkuna
Dear Families,
UPDATED EMAIL ADDRESS
Koolkuna has recently updated our email address to: kkoshc@sustainableoshc.com.au - please save this new email address to your contact list as well as double checking your junk emails to ensure you are receiving all of Koolkuna's updates and information regarding COVID-19, Bookings, Vacation Care & more!
UPDATED 2021 SPRING VACATION CARE
Unfortunately, we are unable to have external providers come onsite this upcoming Vacation Care period. Please find attached our Updated Spring Vacation Care Program to reflect this.
Kind Regards,
Koolkuna OSHC Admin Team
Mob: 0400 774 697 | admin@koolkunaoshc.com.au
Community news
Genius hour
Did you know 1 in 8 kids in Australia go to school hungry? We can help change that by donating snacks for lunchboxes for the Eat Up charity. Please drop off individually wrapped and nut free lunchbox snacks at my house 4 Water Reserve Road. I will leave a tub out the front for contactless drop off. Thank you for supporting kids in need - Tyla Hill 6M
Thank you so much! Can't wait to see you at school!
-Tyla Hill
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