Newsletter Term 4 week 3
‘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
School Improvement Plan
At P&C tonight I will be spending time discussing the process that we have been working through to develop our new Strategic Improvement Plan. The DoE vision for all schools in NSW is the pursuit of excellence and equity for each and every child. Our plan will inform the next three years and our major strategic directions. The DoE has specified that our first Strategic direction is ‘Student growth and attainment’. Over the past term teachers have been pausing to question, reflect and analyse our school data in student wellbeing, English, mathematics, and science and technology. We have surveyed students, and evaluated where the school is at, in this point of time. During this term we will be reaching out to our parent body to engage with us to communicate your aspirations for our school. This will assist us in creating a shared vision. Our Strategic Improvement Plan will impact every student, every teacher and every leader, every year at BNPS.
Community concerns
Balgowlah North is a vibrant, connected community. It is very concerning to have local residents ring to complain about the behaviour of our students. We understand that our students love to meet up and connect with their friends after school. I would appreciate parents reminding their children about their behaviour around the local shops. Particularly bike behaviour and respect of elder residents and community members. The Stage 2 and 3 teachers have spoken to the students and reminded them of our PBL rules. If parents could please continue these conversations at home this would be greatly appreciated.
Please also take the time to speak with your children about safety when riding their bikes or walking around the neighbourhood. We cover proactive behaviours through our PDHPE lessons, but as parents please report immediately to the police any community concerns you may have.
Student Wellbeing
As parents and educator’s student wellbeing is central to all that we do in developing the skills our students will need to live rewarding lives in a complex world. It is important for parents and teachers to work together to help our students develop and maintain healthy relationships. We develop resilience in our students by assisting them in navigating conflict with kindness. I have received many emails over the past few weeks in regards to friendships and class placements for 2021. As educators we will make informed decisions for all our students based on each individual students social, emotional and academic needs. Social and emotional growth, navigating and creating friendships is an important part of student growth. We value the trust you place in us to do what is best for all our students in preparing for 2021.
P&C Pavers
Thank you to our amazing P&C for the fantastic paving that was completed in the holidays. We are very lucky to have the support of the school P&C and the fantastic physical resources that are available for our students.
Panel Selection
At times there may be the need for a parent representative to be part of a merit selection process when employing new staff. If you are interested in completing the online panel training please email the school email balgowlahn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au - attention Mrs Keevers.
Senior Dance troupe
What a fantastic opportunity for us to have the senior dance group perform for us. We hope you enjoy their performance.
Brooke Keevers
Principal
Deputy Principal's report
Band
Thank you to the parents who attended the Band Information evening on Thursday night last week. If you missed this meeting and are interested in your child joining the band program, please email bnpsband@hotmail.com for all information regarding instruments, fees and schedules.
Attendance
We are constantly monitoring attendance and remind our community that attendance at school is compulsory and absences must be explained. You can submit at absence note through our app.
Reports
Reports will go home on Friday, 11 December. These reports are back to our usual full, graded report. Please ensure you keep copies of all reports as many high schools require them for Year 7. If you have misplaced your copy and require the office to access our archives, please allow one week from the time of notifying the office.
Kindergarten and Year 1 Sports Morning
We are looking forward to our sports morning next week. Please send students in Kindergarten and Year 1 to school in their sports uniform.
Mangahigh Maths
We are trialling a new online mathematics program called 'Mangahigh' from Years 1 - 6. Teachers will be using this in class and may set some tasks for homework. Your child will be given a login and password. This is a free trial and we will make a decision regarding online maths learning for 2021 towards the end of the year.
Year 6 Camp
We are grateful that the Year 6 camp can now go ahead after securing a last minute booking at Outdoor Education 'Adventureland', near Forster. The Year 6 students are very excited and we are looking forward to an exciting camp. Miss Vitale, Mr Zeppel and I will be accompanying the students. Please ensure the all forms are returned as a matter of urgency.
Class snapshots
Premier's debating challenge
2020 Premier’s Debating Challenge – Knock out finals series
As Team Manning had topped their zone, they advanced to the state-wide knock out finals series.
The topic debated was ‘that every school should put the smartest kids into a separate class’.
Unfortunately, BNPS were narrowly defeated by the negative team representing Maroubra Bay PS.
Jess, Zara, Caitlin and Max – a great team effort and well played!
Chris McCall, Debating Coordinator
PBL
Weekly focus: We use devices only when directed by the teacher and only access content for learning
What it looks like:
- Only use the device assigned to you
- Only access your own files and websites directed by your teacher
- Use devices at the right time
- Report any concerns to your teacher immediately
Dates for your diary
28 October
- Remote P&C meeting
02 November
- Kindergarten puppetry incursion
03 November
- K-1 Sports morning
04-06 November
- Year 6 camp
05 November
- Kindergarten 2021 virtual information session 4-5pm
06 November
- Kindergarten 2021 Orientation #1 9.30-11.00am
Band news
If you currently have a child in band/strings, please complete this form about returning in 2021. Please complete by Thursday 29 October.
https://forms.gle/XNSP3EAZw3AapXL26
RETURNING TO BAND / STRINGS IN 2021 Confirmation of place in band/strings for 2021forms.gle
WANT TO JOIN BAND / STRINGS IN 2021?Please complete the following form by Friday 30 October https://forms.gle/Y11mALftFTW2zZHk8
JOINING BAND /STRINGS IN 2021JB/SE EO 2021forms.gle
Koolkuna
Dear Families,
Each year Koolkuna creates a Quality Improvement Plan in which we document areas of Strength and Key Improvements sought across 7 Quality Areas.
Our Quality Improvement Plan is located at the sign in/out area of Koolkuna for your viewing. In response to our Assessment & Rating Feedback, Koolkuna is seeking parents and families’ opinions in regard to specific areas noted by the assessor.
Please follow the link below to access a 10 question survey to assist us in incorporating parent and family ideas and values within our Quality Improvement Plan.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GZZLBKB
If you wish to provide any further suggestions for improvement, please contact the Koolkuna office or feel free to submit anonymous feedback in the QIP box at the sign in/out desk.
Kind Regards
Koolkuna OSHC Admin Team
Mob: 0400 774 697 | admin@koolkunaoshc.com.au
Community news
Ethics Volunteers
We are urgently seeking volunteers who are available about an hour each Thursday morning to prepare and deliver an ethics class at our school. Volunteer ethics teachers receive training and support as well as the chance to contribute to our school in a rewarding way. Lessons are thought provoking and are designed to enhance children’s critical thinking and moral reasoning skills. You will help teach children to make decisions based on logic and evidence, rather than out of habit or peer pressure while giving them practise at forming and expressing their own ideas. If you or anyone you know might be interested (e.g. grandparent, neighbour) visit primaryethics.com.au or email the Primary Ethics Coordinator Susan Gray at bnpsethics@gmail.com to find out more.
Susan Gray
Primary Ethics Coordinator
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