Balgowlah North Public School eNewsletter

"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."

**Love of Learning - Challenge, Creativity, Connections**

Principal's message

Father’s Day

It was so lovely to welcome our dads, grandfathers and father figures to school last Thursday for the Father’s Day Breakfast. A true community event, we had our amazing canteen with Mel and Alex churning out bacon and egg rolls, with help from Ashley our General Assistant while our bands and choir showcased their musical talents. Thank you to our teachers who jumped in to assist. As this was the first BBQ in three years we have taken away a few learnings so that we can improve the logistics for next year! Thank you all for your good humour and support.

The Father’s Day Stall was also a huge success, with 468 gifts sold and making $2,700 for the school P&C.

This week we are celebrating School Administration and Support Staff (SASS) Recognition Week. This provides us with the opportunity to show our gratitude to the wonderful team who are the backbone of our school community.

Our SASS team is integral in making sure our school is the wonderful place it continues to be for staff and students. Not only do they ensure the efficient management of school financial and organisational functions, but they manage their administrative demands whilst also being the first port of call for parents with questions and offering comfort and reassurance to students with sick tummies and scraped knees. They are in classrooms supporting teachers in meeting the needs of our students and working tirelessly to provide ongoing care for our school grounds, buildings and facilities to ensure we have a happy, safe place to play and learn.

Staffing Changes

From Friday the 9th of September until Friday the 23rd of September Rachel Ridley and Jenni Reinhardt will be relieving Principal. (Rachel Mon - Thursday) Jenni Reinhardt (Friday). Sarah King will relieve as Deputy Principal (Monday - Thursday) Julia Gough and Mariana Souza will take the class at this time. Ms Olivia Wakelin will supervise Stage 2 during this period.

These times provide opportunities for our Assistant Principals to build their capacity and understandings of other areas across the school. At this time I will be learning side by side with Diane Mc Gonigle Principal of Pleasant Valley Elementary in Nanaimo Vancouver Island Canada, as part of the Leading Educators Around the Planet program. Having the opportunity to strengthen my leadership and learn from colleagues is an important aspect to my role as lead learner in the school. I look forward to sharing my experience with you in Term 4.

Kind regards

Brooke Keevers

Principal

In recognition of all our wonderful SASS, unfortunately we were unable to capture them all in a photograph!

Shara Wright - Student learning and Support Officer

Anne Parkinson-School Administration Officer

Ashley Gualter - General Assistant
*‘I love working at BNPS because of the kind, caring and nurturing team I am proud to be a part of. I am passionate about finding ways to improve the learning space for our community’.*

*Debbie Elder*
*-School Administration Officer*
*“We are a great team at BNPS and I love contributing to such a fantastic school community’.*

Kerrie Nugent - School Administration Officer

*Amanda Baker (SAO), Colleen Tobler ( Business Manager), Ruth Skeeles (SAO)*
*Colleen- “ Every day provides opportunity for challenge and reward as we work together to meet the needs of our students”.*
Amanda - " I have worked at BNPS for 17 years and have seen many changes during this time; what has remained consistent is the passion, dedication and genuine care the whole staff has for the students and community, it truly is an exceptional school".
Ruth - " I love BNPS - I wish my children could come here but we are out of the catchment area".

Helen Brady - Student learning and Support Officer
*“I feel lucky to work at BNPS and be part of such a wonderful school who care for their students wholeheartedly”.*

Sally De Hennin - Student learning and Support Officer

Deb Allcroft - School Administration Officer

School news

NAPLAN Results

Students in Years 3 and 5 received their NAPLAN results last week. If you have not received your child's NAPLAN report please contact the school office.

NAPLAN results are measured at a student level against an assessment scale in each of the areas tested. The scales span all the year levels from Year 3 to Year 9, and are divided into 10 bands. Not all bands are reported for each year level. The Year 3 report shows bands 1–6, the Year 5 report shows bands 3–8.

The second lowest band at each year level represents the national minimum standard for students for that year level. A result at the national minimum standard indicates that the student demonstrated the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate fully in that year level.

The information that is included in the student reports is determined for all students across Australia by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

NAPLAN provides teachers with useful information about a student’s progress that is always analysed in the context of a broader range of ongoing assessment conducted at school. It is also important to acknowledge that the intention of NAPLAN is to provide an overview of knowledge and skills in relation to a national average and is not intended to be an isolated measure of ability.

You may find the following information on interpreting your child’s NAPLAN report helpful:

FAQs NAPLAN individual student report 2022

Please contact your child’s Class Teacher if you have any further questions about their progress.

Check-in Assessment for Year 6

During Week 9, Year 6 students will participate in the Check-in assessment.

The Check-in assessment is a NSW Department of Education online literacy and numeracy assessment available to support schools to assess and monitor student learning.

The assessment can supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing in literacy and numeracy and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs.

All students complete assessments in reading, writing and numeracy.

Students are asked to bring headphones or earbuds that plug into a computer to enable them to hear audio during the assessment.

What is a Learner? Community Feedback form.

We are looking for feedback about the language we use around being a learner and how that integrates with the PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) at BNPS. We value feedback from the community in this process. Please take a minute to click on the link and type in 5 words that come to mind to describe a learner.

https://forms.gle/RgidWo2JbmxCzkubA

Kindergarten enrolments

Kindy 2023 enrolments are open, if you haven't already enrolled for 2023 please complete the online enrolment.This year, as every year it’s particularly important for us to confirm enrolments in all grades for 2023 as student numbers directly impact our staffing.

If you know you will be leaving the school at the end of the year can you please complete the form below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg2Ol25PJX-AwIixymfrfxh7Y9Uq58GQvOU2qzIAQ1Fln3_g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Rachel Ridley

R/Deputy Principal

Year 5 Forest High enrichment program

Throughout Term 2 and Term 3 some of our lucky Year 5 students have been participating in The Forest High Enrichment Program with a number of other schools from around the Northern Beaches. Students were taught by teachers across a number of subjects offered in high school from woodwork to science and even cooking in TAS.

With the completion of the program, our students presented some of the things they enjoyed the most from their favourite subject in front of parents, teachers and principals as well as their peers. Ruby T and Chloe W presented some wonderful information about what they had learnt in their drama classes, providing a short demonstration. Asha H recited a poem she had written as a part of English class addressing the topic of global issues. Oscar G passionately presented a poster he had made about all the different aspects of Japanese culture and language.This was from his time studying Japanese as a part of the language program offered at The Forest High School. Noah S, who was unable to attend on the day, presented his favourite scientific experiments that he completed during the program to his Stage 3 peers back at school last week.

All of our students spoke confidently and represented our school with impressive respect and responsibility. We are very proud of the wonderful feedback The Forest High School teachers have provided about our students as well as the things they have achieved whilst participating in the enrichment program.

Lachlan Stewart

Library news

Book Week Poster Competition

Thank you to all students for submitting a Book Week Poster this year. There were a huge selection of creative designs, which made choosing a winner very hard. Well done to Ava K from 2M, Lucy O from 6S, Mia R and Mae I from 6/5M for creating the winning posters. The other entries are on display in the library.

Deborah Horsley

Teacher librarian

Australian museum

Last Tuesday, Year 2 had a fascinating day exploring at the Australian Museum. We learnt about living things alive today, right back to creatures that lived millions of years ago.

Did you know that palaeontologists look closely at the teeth, bones and features of fossilised dinosaurs and compare them to animals today to help discover what these prehistoric animals looked like, their behaviour and diet?

There was so much to see at the museum!

Year 2

Pen Pal Connection

Earlier this year, towns across the country were heavily impacted by flooding. The Lismore region was significantly affected with many schools having to close temporarily. This term, 3M have partnered up with schools in the Lismore region, including Upper Coopers Creek Public School to form a pen pal connection. Students really enjoyed brainstorming ideas to include in their first letter, writing about themselves, their hobbies, life at Balgowlah North and including lots of questions for their pen pal. 3M look forward to receiving their own letters soon!

Miss McIndoe

Quarrantine station

The week ahead

05-09 Sept Book week

Band & strings open rehearsals - all welcome to come & listen

08 Sept Book week parade

Maths Olympiad #5

Strings ensemble performing at the Festival of Instrumental music

14-15 Sept Year 6 check-in

16 Sept P&C movie night

Band news

Ensembles Program News

This week is DIAL week at our band and string rehearsals.

It’s a great way to start learning about our band and strings program and understand what a wonderful activity it is for your children to be involved in.

Tuesday morning – Senior Band

Wednesday morning – Junior Band

Thursday morning - Senior Band

Thursday morning – Beginner Strings in the Library

If you can’t come along this week then we’d love to see you next week too.

Caroline Fechner, band coordinator