Welcome to Week 4, Term 4.

Ben Venue authors

Last term, Stage 3 students created picture books as part of their English learning program. In creating the books, students were focused on the use of symbolism, imagery and salience in their stories of hope. Many students produced very high quality work. Below I have shared the picture book created by Olive Russell, which I believe is outstanding.

Ben Venue performers

This week, a group of talented Year 6 Ben Venue dancers are performing in CAPERS - an arena-style arts production involving 2500 students from public schools across the New England. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience a large-scale arena-style production with professional lighting and sound and is the only arena-style production held in rural NSW.

Individual and team success

Congratulations to our girls soccer team for their sportsmanship and success on their road to becoming North West regional champions. See Mrs Tanner's report of the girls final game in the completion in a following section of this newsletter.

Congratulations to our Ben Venue Blue debating team, who continued their run of victories with a win against Armidale City PS in the regional final round on Friday 24 October. See the full report in the Debating section of this newsletter.

Congratulations to Lucy Witham who, in Week 2, competed at the state athletics in in shotput at Homebush.

The Bike Bus is growing

Our Wednesday and Friday Bike Bus is attracting more students each day. We enjoy a great start and end to the day, sharing fresh air, exercise and friendly banter. All students are welcome to join either the Willow Tree Park or Curtis Park pelotons.

With additional supervising adults, we will be able to add a route from Norris Drive and possibly even from UNE. If you are able to commit to supporting this initiative in either the mornings of afternoons, please contact the school office to speak with me.

2026 requests

Families wishing to request pairings, separations or specific teachers for their child in 2026 are now invited to do so by emailing their request to benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au. Please email with the subject line, '2026 request'. Requests will be accepted up to 23 November.

While we do attempt to accommodate all preferences, conflicting requests are often made and multiple classroom dynamics need to be considered when forming classes. As such, we do not guarantee that requests will be met.

Not returning to Ben Venue?

If you are moving away from Armidale and your child/children will not attend Ben Venue in 2026, I ask you please to complete this very short form. This is not required for students moving to high school.

I greatly appreciate your time in completing this very short survey, as it helps us to effectively plan for the beginning of next year, ensuring we have the required staff for classes, while remaining within our operating budget.

125 Years Celebration

125 years of Ben Venue education will be celebrated on and around Friday 7 November. Activities for students will include an experience of teaching methods from the past, involvement in games that were historically popular in schools, and a 'Past and Future' themed disco. Students are encouraged to begin thinking of how they may wish to dress to represent education and/or fashion of the past, or what the students of the future may wear to school.

Activities for students and the community will include an assembly in which we will open a time capsule from the year 2000 and compile items for a new time capsule. Following the disco, a tour of the school will be offered to former staff and students, followed by a choir performance and fireworks display for the entire community. We hope you'll join us.

Friday 7 November

10:30 am - Assembly open to BVPS families and retired staff

11:10 am - Morning tea for retired BVPS staff

5:30-6:30 pm - Sausage sizzle available for purchase

6:30-7:30 pm - Student 'Past and Future' disco

7:30 pm - Principal's school tour for retired staff and former students

7:50 pm - Choir performance

8:00 pm - Fireworks display

New website

The Ben Venue website has just been relaunched with a new look and updated information. Content will continue to be added to the site over the coming weeks. Our new school website can be found at https://benvenue-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/.

Future planning and feedback survey - Closing Sunday 9 November

Following External Validation, Ben Venue will now develop the next School Excellence Plan for 2026-2029. We are seeking your feedback to help inform our thinking. Please take 5 min to complete a short survey by scanning or clicking on the QR code.

Cam Pryce

Principal

Cricket