Newsletter Term 1 Week 4 2022
"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
Thank you to our teachers for organising and delivering our parent information sessions last night and tonight. Thank you for the questions that were submitted prior to the sessions. These answers have been included in the presentations. Please remember this is a time to find out about grade organisation, curriculum, expectations for this stage of learning. It is not a time to discuss individual students. Grade newsletters were sent home on Monday with detailed information regarding class schedules and an overview of the term. Please take the time to read this information prior to the parent information sessions.
COVID Update
To keep our parent community aware, we have 3% of our student numbers reported as positive cases across the school this week. Thank you for continuing to support us through the use of rapid antigen tests at home and encouraging your children to wear masks when in the classroom at school. Masks are available every day for our students to wear. We continue to have enhanced cleaning, hand sanitiser, and ventilation available daily.
As I am sure you are aware, covid is also having an impact on our teaching staff and their families. At Balgowlah North our leadership team work collaboratively with their teacher teams to create quality programs that deliver curriculum and outcomes.
We have clear processes in place to ensure that the class programs continue whether the class teacher or casual teacher is teaching the class. At all times students are provided with a professional university-trained teacher who can deliver curriculum and manage student wellbeing.
At this point in time schools in NSW need to be flexible in their approach to staffing as we are not always able to have the consistency of one teacher at such short notice, but there will always be consistency of supervision of students and teachers, student wellbeing and curriculum delivery.
When a teacher is away for more than a week due to leave entitlements, parents will receive an email communicating this information.
Covid Guidelines
As we now are starting to have students and community members who have recovered from covid, please see below Health Guidelines in regards to this.
What if I am exposed to someone with COVID-19 again?
People who have recovered from COVID-19 have a low risk of getting it again in the 28 days after you are released as most people develop some immunity (ability to fight the disease).
If you come into contact with someone with COVID-19 within 28 days after you are released, you will generally not need to self-isolate or get a test unless you have symptoms. If you come into contact with someone with COVID-19 more than 28 days after you are released, you will need to self-isolate, test and follow the advice in the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 and Get tested for COVID-19 factsheets.
However, if you have been released from isolation before other positive cases in your household, you will not need to self-isolate or test unless you develop new COVID-19 symptoms.
Swimming carnival
We are looking forward to holding our swimming carnival next Monday 21 February. Please be aware that due to cohorting requirements there is not enough space for social distancing for parents as well as staff and students around the carnival pool. Any parents attending will not be allowed to mingle with staff or students but be expected to stay in the cafe area and inside the general public area of the pool. Those parents who are voluntary time keepers have been asked to attend only for the period when they will be involved with the events.
PSSA
Please see below information pertaining to PSSA teams. This is an important learning opportunity for our students. Supporting your child through this process is appreciated. To read our Sport procedures please click on the link below
Selection of PSSA Teams
Trials will be held for each sport in which Balgowlah North PS participates. All students will be notified of PSSA trials at Monday lines or assembly or by PA announcements on the day of extra trials, if deemed necessary. Parents will be notified of upcoming opportunities for their child to trial for a PSSA team through the school newsletter and/or website.
Places available on the teams are limited by the type of sport being played and the number of teams allowed in the competition. Most teams will have two reserves.
The selection process is based on a number of trials, usually spread over a two/three week period, as set out by the coach.
Selection into a team is competitive and students will be selected on the basis of a number of attributes demonstrated at the selection trials.
The teacher may base his/her selection process on the following:
ability/skill level
sportsmanship
team work
behaviour
The ability to perform as a member of a team is paramount in this selection procedure.
Children do not have to participate in sport out of school to be eligible to try out for a team.
Skills and experience gained outside of school may be considered.
All selections made are final and at the discretion of the coach and school sport coordinator.
All children selected in a team will have equitable time on the field/court during games whenever possible.
Training sessions for PSSA teams are usually held during lunchtimes or before/after school. Times for each team practice will be determined by the teacher in charge of the team at the beginning of the season.
Students who do not adhere to the code of conduct may incur a suspension or an exclusion from their team. Students whose parents do not comply with the parent code of conduct may also incur suspension or exclusion from their team.
MiniLit Information session
MiniLit is a special teaching program from Macquarie University, designed for young children in Years 1 and 2 who have been identified as needing a little extra support in learning to read. Our MiniLit program is led by Mrs Amanda Mason and Ms Cassie Cowburn. They will be working with small groups of four or five children for four or five days per week in the Learning Lab. Mrs Mason and Ms Cowburn will be working with small groups for 40 minutes a day, using the carefully structured MiniLit program materials.
Each MiniLit lesson has three main components:
- Sounds and Words Activities – where children learn to pay attention to the different sounds in words and to associate them with the letters of the alphabet
- Text Reading – which gives children the chance to practise their new skills
- Story Book Reading – which involves the teacher reading and discussing a story book with the students, to help improve their vocabulary and comprehension.
Research completed over the last five years has shown consistently that students make remarkable gains following MiniLit instruction. For children who are struggling to learn to read, intervening early is the best way to stop reading problems from becoming more established.
An information session on MiniLit will be held with Mrs Mason via zoom on Thursday 3rd March at 5pm. All welcome to join.
Topic: MiniLit information session
Time: Mar 3, 2022 05:00 PM Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/65310078166?pwd=Mm5nSHA0b3pRQWtuQi9zQlhmTE5mUT09
Meeting ID: 653 1007 8166
Passcode: 734980
Take care everyone
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Message from the P&C President
Dear Teachers, Parents and Families of BNPS,
For those new to the school, or not really sure the purpose of the P&C, “the objects of a P&C Association are to; promote the interests of the school by bringing parents, citizens, pupils and teaching staff into close co-operation; assist in providing equipment required by the school”. We meet twice a term (generally week 3 & week 8) to discuss any pressing matters, but more specifically what initiatives we can work together with the school to enhance our kids experience while at BNPS.
- The installation of the SOLAR panels that somehow in my mind actually look impressive, and sends a great message to not only children but the community, that renewable energies are a responsible sustainable method to power our school, and with the added benefit of providing plenty of learning opportunities. A massive thank you to Therese Ravell & Anthony Melov for really being the driving force behind this project, securing funds through grants and working with various organisations to ensure the project is fit for purpose. This project has been ongoing I think for almost 2 years, and they have been ably supported by the school and an army of other volunteers, so thank you again for your hard work and persistence!
- The installation of interactive boards in 12 class rooms. The P&C invested over $45k to ensure that everyone classroom had interactive boards for the start of this year. These funds have been generated over the years through various fundraising opportunities so again it shows how when we work together and raise funds, we can invest these back into the school.
There is plenty of other work happening behind the scenes whether it is Sadie and the Green Grove, ensuring our kids can get their hands dirty understanding the importance of growing and looking after gardens; or supporting our budding musicians through the band program we really are trying to ensure the kids at BNPS have as many opportunities to learn and grow.
We as a committee always welcome any feedback/suggestions on how we can continue to support the school, so feel free to reach out to us pandcbnps@gmail.com or come to the P&C meetings.
Regards,
Richard Wokes
School news
ICAS
We have received the certificates for the students who participated in the ICAS assessments in 2021. These will be awarded to students in our Week 5 assembly. High performing students will have their name published in next week’s newsletter.
If you wish to access further details of your child’s result, you will need to use the TAP ID and PIN provided to you by ICAS to enter the results portal. If you require assistance locating your TAP ID and PIN please contact ICAS directly on 1800 931 775 or icasassessments@janison.com.au
Parents are reminded that ICAS is an external assessment that is designed to recognise academic excellence based on a students ability to apply their classroom learning to new contexts, using higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. Our teachers are not able to provide analysis of student performance.
Kindergarten Home Reading Information Session
Our Kindergarten students will soon embark on our home reading program to support the literacy skills they are developing in the classroom. We will be running a Home Reading Information session for any parent who would like the opportunity to find out more about how to support their child with their reading and sight words at home.
This session will be held via Zoom on Wednesday 24th February 9:30am. You can access the session via the link below:
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/64105446341?pwd=eHJEdnBrZFdQT1d6U1lFY1IrYlNHdz09
Meeting ID: 641 0544 6341
Passcode: 450791
Sydney Children's Choir
Congratulations to Lucy Oakes for being selected for the Sydney Children's Choir, Junior Performing Choir. She was just one of 47 children to be offered a position in the choir for 2022. Well done, Lucy an amazing accomplishment!
Rachel Ridley
Deputy Principal (Acting)
Library news
Online Platforms
Our school has a number of excellent online platforms for accessing quality literature from home. These include our extensive EBook and Audio Book collection. This is available by downloading the EPlatform by Wheelers app. Students use their school username and password to borrow a book. There are books in this collection for all reading ages.
Storybox Library is another fantastic resource for listening to quality picture books read out loud. Each story is accompanied by engaging follow up activities. Our school details are -
username: booksbnps, password: books
We also subscribe to Clickview, which is a comprehensive, regularly updated video library aligned to the primary curriculum. Clickview is also accessed with students' school username and password.
Deborah Horsley
Teacher Librarian
Welcome to Creative Arts for 2022! This term students are participating in weekly Dance lessons with Mrs McAllister. We have already started learning about performing, composing and appreciating dance. Lessons include a warm up/stretch, explicit teaching, learning activities, reflection time and a cool down/meditation. The learning will also have a focus on Aboriginal Dance and students will continue with Music in Term 2.Extra Curricular opportunities available for students:Students might like to audition to join the following groups. More information to follow;-Concert Band - Monday morning and Thursday lunch-Senior Band - Tuesday and Thursday morning-Junior Band - Monday lunch and Wednesday morning-Beginner Strings - Thursday morning-Choir for Y3-6 - Tuesday lunch (Hall with Mrs Harris and Mrs McAllister)-Senior Dance Group Y5 and 6 - Wednesday lunch (Hall with Miss Rooleht and Miss Ross)-Drama Ensemble Y3 and 4 - Wednesday lunch (Dance/Music Room with Miss Witton, Mrs Short and Mrs McAllister)*Operation Art - All gradesWe are looking forward to a busy and exciting term in Creative Arts.
Eliza McAllister
Teacher
Band news
Join our Fabulous Band ProgramWe are thrilled that our band students are back to rehearsals at school after two terms of zoom rehearsals last year. All our band rehearsals were filled with the energy and excitement of students who are glad to be back playing their instruments together in person! The conductors and parents were happy too
Playing an instrument has so many benefits – physical, social, brain development and much more. There is research that shows how playing an instrument can make you smarter! Read it here.
We welcome our new Band Director, Mark Strykowski who will be conducting Junior and Concert Band. We are already seeing the benefits of his expertise.
We would love to see more students join our band program. For details and registration please go to the website: https://bnpsband.wixsite.com/website under Join an Ensemble or send an e-mail to bnpsband@hotmail.com.
Caroline Fechner
Band coordinator
PBL
Dates for your diary
16 February
- Stage 1 Parent information session - 5pm
- Stage 3 Parent information session - 6pm
- P&C virtual meeting - 7.30pm
21 February
- School swimming carnival
23 February
- Kindergarten introduction to home reading and sight word parent workshop on zoom
24 February
- Year 5 Leadership training
Second Hand Uniform Shop
Welcome to the second hand uniform shop!!
For those who are new to our school, BNPS has a second hand uniform shop available to all families. 100% of the money raised from sales goes directly back to the P&C and helps to provide resources for our children and the school.
All items are $10.00 each, with the exception of things like hats, library bags, etc. which are only $5.00 each!!
As Covid still restricts parents on school grounds, the second hand uniform shop now uses an online ordering system. All orders can be emailed through to: bnpsuniformshop@gmail.com
Please ensure you include your child’s name and class with the order.
Orders are filled on a weekly basis and placed in the office for collection by your child. Please note, the office is only accepting cash payments, and we would appreciate you trying to send your child with the correct money.
Reply emails will be sent advising when items are ready for collection, what items are / are not available, and the amount owing for orders that can be filled.
To make this whole process possible, we need your uniform donations. Please only donate items that carry the current school logo and are in good condition (would you put it on your own child?). We would also appreciate items being washed before being donated and please only donate items that are the current BNPS school uniform. All uniform donations can be dropped to the office by your child at any time.
Please keep an eye out on the ‘North Balgowlah Community Group’ and ‘BNPS uniform shop’ Facebook pages for reminders of when orders are due, and any updates to opening details.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Brooke Krncevic and Vanessa van Rijswijk
(Second Hand Uniform Shop Volunteers)
Ethics
Call for volunteers
Is it ever okay to break a promise? How should we treat other living things? Is it okay to be greedy? What does it mean to be an ethical consumer?
Sarah
Advertising
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