Principal's Message

Welcome to Week 4, Term 4. Teachers are in the thick of organising end of year events for our students, beginning preparation of academic reports and planning for 2023 and the implementation of new syllabuses. Please remember to let us know as soon as possible if you will be moving away at the end of 2022. Accurate information allows us to plan effectively for the new year.

New England Sings

Congratulations to all Ben Venue students who participated in the NECOM New England Sings concert. The long group rehearsals and school-based practice that students put in allowed them to sing as part of ensemble combining 38 schools from as far east as Coffs Harbour and west to Bourke.

Thank you to Mrs Porter for fine tuning our singers, and to Mrs Jansons, Mrs Pryce and Mrs Bishop for helping to coordinate student movements on the day.

Change to the final day of term

A change has been made to the final day of school for students in all NSW public schools. Students will now finish school on Friday 16 December 2022. This is due to an additional School Development Day announced for staff across public schools. School Development Days allow our staff to participate in professional learning that was put on hold due to COVID-19 staffing pressures and to plan ahead for 2023 as we work to implement new syllabus requirements. 

With this change, we ask that you arrange alternative care for your child on Monday 19 December.

The Christmas sugar rush

The end of the year will be upon us before we know it. At this time, it is always lovely to see students' desire to give tokens of appreciation and holiday spirit to their peers. In advance, I ask that the following considerations are taken into account:

• Many students have dietary requirements that prevent them from eating lollies.
• Feedback from a number of families indicates that the stream of sugary treats disempowers parents and carers in their management of a healthy diet for their children.
• Increase in sugar consumption has a clear and detrimental effect on students' ability to learn and get along with others.
• Financial limitations place many families in the position of not being able to reciprocate gifts, which impacts upon relationships and self-esteem.

Should families wish to arrange small Christmas gifts for classmates, please consider low cost or hand-made cards, or perhaps contributing fruit to the end of year class celebrations. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Yarning circle planting afternoon - this Thursday

Please see the message below from Mr Portell and Mr Cotter:

Over the past year, the Ben Venue Yarning Circle has been slowly moving towards completion. So far, interested students have been involved in designing the outdoor space, earthworks and stone features have been completed, and the gardening club has been busy mulching and preparing the site for planting. Our native trees and shrubs are now ready to plant, and it is with great excitement that we call on interested students and families, especially those from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and gardening club, to help landscape the area.

When: Thursday 3 November 2022

Time: From 3.30pm until completed

Where: BVPS Yarning Circle (Erskine Street entrance)

What to bring: Gardening clothes, gloves, hat, water bottle

We look forward to seeing as many families or individuals as possible. Your efforts in establishing this important space will be greatly appreciated and help us to create a welcoming environment in our school where everyone can feel an increased sense of belonging and community. 

Mr Portell and Mr Cotter

2023 class placement

Each year, teachers work diligently on the complex task of creating functional class groupings for the new year. We aim to create classes with an even mix of boys and girls, academic and social development levels, and behavioural and learning support needs, while also accounting for friendships, separations and other student needs. 

Each year, we offer families the opportunity to make requests for special consideration in the class placement process. Requests for special consideration should be made via email to benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible, and before Tuesday 15 November. Please be aware that requests are sometimes conflicting, and not all requests can be accommodated.

Parent TTFM survey 

Mrs Howlett advertised in previous newsletters an opportunity to provide your perspective in a range of areas relating to schooling, via the Tell Them from Me Survey. This is an externally created and analysed survey which our school elects to use to measure progress and inform further work. I encourage everyone to complete the survey, which closes on Friday 4 November. The more responses we receive, the greater our understanding of the perspectives of our families. Click here to complete the parent Tell Them from Me Survey.

Selective High Schools

Applications for entry into selective schools Year 7 in 2024 are now open. Please see the information attached below for further information, and be aware of the application timeline, which is strict. This process is for application to enrol in all types of selective schools and classes, including Aurora College. Aurora College is a selective virtual school, which caters for high potential and gifted students in regional and remote schools.

Cam Pryce

Principal