Principal's Message

The constant stream of activities at Ben Venue continues. In the past fortnight, students have been involved in interschool debating, a Stage 3 STEM activity day at ASC, Stage 2 athletics workshops, class Thalgarrah visits, a touch rugby gala day, choir Eisteddfod performances, Kindergarten gymnastics and the Magic Week gala in Sydney.

 

This week, we recognise Mabo Day, Kindergarten will continue their gymnastics program, our chess teams will compete in the NSW Junior Chess League, netball and football trials will be held, and our Year 6 leaders will begin community service visits to residents of an aged care facility.

2025 enrolment

In the past weeks, I have had the pleasure of meeting with 25 prospective 2025 BVPS Kindergarten students. In recent years, we have been unable to accept all non-local enrolment applications, as our total student enrolment has been at the cap set for our school. With this in mind, I encourage any current or future Ben Venue families seeking 2025 enrolment to contact our office sooner rather than later.

Changes to our communication platforms

To improve our systems for communication with families, we have been developing our use of School Bytes. The School Bytes Parent Portal now contains the following information and services:

• Quick and easy digital permission for school activities
• Online payment portal
• Academic reports from Semester 1, 2024
• Attendance records and the ability for families to explain absences online
• School newsletters
• Digital alerts and reminders for families

With the following feature coming soon:

• Individual student support plans
• School calendar

To avoid duplication of information and to more effectively utilise school funds, School Stream will no longer be used by Ben Venue from the end of this term. The notifications that previously were distributed through School Stream will now be provided through School Bytes.

It is therefore important that all families have access to the School Bytes Parent Portal and app. If you have not already, please download the free School Bytes app in the coming weeks. By using this app, you will be informed of critical information.

Click here for a guide on how to set up your parent account and link your children

To download the app, search for ‘School Bytes’ in your app store, or use these direct links for Apple or Android phones.

University of New England School Acquisitive Art Prize

Congratulations to Year 5 student, Charlotte Ford, for her success in the 2024 University of New England's School Acquisitive Art Prize (UNESAP). Charlotte has been selected as a finalist for her beautiful watercolour piece, 'Deer in a Forest'. Charlotte's work will now be professional photographed, framed and included in the Let’s Hang It! exhibition.

The opening of the 2024 UNESAP Let’s Hang It! exhibition will be held at 6pm on Friday 26 July 2024at the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale and the exhibition will be on display until Sunday 11 August 2024. Prize winners will be announced at this time.

Homework

Several years ago, Ben Venue PS made the evidence-based decision to cease assigning regular homework, instead encouraging reading, connection with family and play. I recently came across this ABC News article, which makes for interesting reading for anyone wanting to know more about our approach to homework.

Recognition assembly

Families are invited to an assembly in the hall at 2:15 pm on Wednesday 5 June, to recognise the work that has been occurring in classrooms, as well as students who have represented Ben Venue in cultural, academic, sporting and service fields.

Athletics postponed

Families of all students attending our athletics track events will have received an email notification of a change of date and venue. Please check for this information in you inbox. This change was outside of our control; however, we apologise for any inconvenience the postponement may cause.

Data collection on communication & recognition of achievement

(This information has appeared in the past two newsletters.)

Having implemented our new approach to recognition and awards for over a year, now is a good time to check in on the perceptions of our community. More information and a greater response rate from our community is required to help us evaluate our approach and inform our next steps. Often the feedback we receive is from a minority with strong beliefs in either direction, and we miss the opportunity to develop an understanding of the average perception and opinion. The more representative the data we can collect, the more our decisions as a school will meet the needs of all our families. I ask everyone reading this newsletter to please complete a 2-5 minute survey on experience with, and perceptions of Ben Venue's approach to recognition of student effort and achievement. 

This survey will remain open until the end of Term 2. Results will be shared only if the minimum response rate is achieved.

Cam Pryce

Principal