A Message from Keir and Emma

“We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, the first people to dream, create, wonder, dance, play and learn on this breathtaking land. This land was cared for and respected for tens of thousands of years. The First Nations people lived in companionship with the animals and the life on this land. We acknowledge that this is stolen land and we pay our respects to elders, past, present and emerging.” 

Rayma Atkinson (2023 Suzanne Peterson Award Recipient)

Inquiry Cycle 2 - ‘We Live in a Network of Stories’ 

Next week everyone at BNWPS will move into our second Inquiry cycle for 2025. This Inquiry cycle is titled ‘We Live in a Network of stories’, and the School Wide Key Understanding (SWKU) for this Inquiry is; 

Sharing stories helps us learn and connect to ourselves, people and places. 

This Inquiry explores the History and Geography elements of the Victorian Curriculum, as well as our constant focus on Personal and Social Learning. 

As always, you might like to explore this SWKU at home. Some interesting discussion points over dinner might be; 

• What is the story of our family?
• Who are we inspired by? What is their story?
• What is the story of our house, street or local area?
• What is the story of Australia?
• What is the story of a toy or object from your home? 

Last week, teaching teams planned the learning and teaching for this cycle of Inquiry. Each team has designed three Big Ideas that ‘translate’ this SWKU into learning that is specific to their year level and reflects the complexities of the curriculum at that particular level.

In the coming weeks, teams will also send out their Learning Itineraries through Sentral. These Itineraries outline the learning that orbits around just one big idea, and will include important information for families such as the Mentor Texts students will be exploring, and the Maths focuses that will be explored. Each chapter of the Inquiry (each big idea) will have its own Learning Itinerary, so make sure you keep your eyes on your Sentral notifications. 

This cycle, we are also experimenting with linking the Learning Itineraries to the front page of the newsletter, so if you are unable to find or access your Sentral link, you will be able to follow the link each week in the newsletter. 

Body Safety Sessions 

Last Thursday evening, Body Safety Australia facilitated a parent and carers information session about the Unique You program that our Middle and Senior students will be participating in over the next five weeks. The session outlined the concepts that will be covered throughout the course, which teaches students about respectful relationships and sexuality education. We know that participation in these classes often prompts lots of questions and a want to discuss what’s been covered. Our classroom teachers will be in attendance at each of the sessions, and will facilitate follow-up discussions with their class. If you would also like to talk to your child at home, the timetable below outlines the days and times when they will be participating in their Unique You sessions.

Autumn Family Day 

It was lovely to see so many visitors attending our Autumn Family afternoon on Friday. There is always such a buzz around the school when we have the opportunity to invite parents/carers and families into the classroom to share the processes and products that come from our learning. We hope you all enjoyed your time in the learning spaces!

A huge thank you to the CET group for their wonderful High Tea. How good were the scones?! 

Another example of how great the BNWPS community truly is.