Principal's Report

I think it is fair to say that the whole school community is feeling a huge sense of relief now that dates have been set for students to return to school.

As advised previously, there will be restrictions on access to the school site for anyone other than immediate school staff and students. Parents/carers will not be permitted in the school grounds when dropping or picking up their child/ren.

Further details including guidelines for keeping everyone as healthy and as safe as possible will be communicated in due course.

Online Bayside Schools Climate Action Summit

Last week six students from Years 5 & 6 were lucky enough to participate in the Online Bayside Schools Climate Action Summit which is summarised beautifully by Skye M (Year 5).

On Wednesday, May 6th, the Bayside School Climate Action Summit was held. Myself and five other students from years five and six were offered the chance to attend the Summit online because of COVID-19. Bayside City Council Mayor, Cr Clarke Martin spoke first about how seriously the council are taking climate change and the ways in which they and we all can make a difference. We then heard from environmental psychologist Dr Susie Burke, environmental educator, Sharron Hunter and youth climate activists Mia and Lil, who are students at Firbank Grammar. We learnt about what climate change is and how we can take climate action at home and at school. Kids may make up 27% of the population now but they make up 100% of the future. It’s our community, our planet and our future and we all must act! The panel shared inspiring stories of young people taking action and answered lots of our questions.

During the workshops I learnt a lot about what we can do as a school or in our own homes to help the environment such as:

• Turning off taps, lights and other devices that use electricity when you are not using them.
• Re-using and recycling paper.
• Having Nude Food Days at school and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
• Cleaning up rubbish in our school, community and at the beach.
• Walking to places that are nearby or riding your bike or scooter to school which makes you fitter and stronger and helps the environment by decreasing your carbon footprint.
• Making a small garden in your backyard to grow your own food like tomatoes and carrots.

“If the human species specialised in one thing, it’s taking on the impossible. Do something extraordinary.” Paul Gilding

Skye M (5B)

I would like to thank Mrs Graham for her time and effort in coordinating this unique opportunity for our students.

Schools Combine for Online PD

On the evening of Tuesday 6 May, staff from three schools combined online for a professional development activity hosted by The Resilience Project. The focus was staff wellbeing  during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Carolann Clifford (BNPS Wellbeing Officer) organised this event for our staff and the teams from Sandringham and Sandringham East Primary Schools. It was an extremely successful gathering of 140 educators from three schools.

Technological platforms have enabled this form of communication to evolve at a very rapid pace in the world of education. At a recent meeting with the Manager of IT Support in schools for the South Eastern Victoria Region (SEVR), it was stated that teachers had achieved in 4 weeks what they believed would take 4 years.

Lesson Plans & Live Connections

I would like to congratulate the staff on the quality of the Lesson Plans that are going out daily and thank those who have taken the time to pass on their appreciation. The following snapshot of the feedback summarises exactly what all teams have been striving to achieve and makes the hard work worthwhile.

• I’ve been very grateful for the way the learning program has been structured and communicated, my daughter can easily relate to it and she’s (for the most part) embracing it, and with a 6 month old and toddler also at home it’s been manageable for me to teach. 
• I have felt very supported by the lessons that have been sent via compass. The school program is easy to follow and has a great variety.
• The lessons again were well set out and easy to follow and full of engaging activities.
• I'm loving all the visual representations and examples which has been a great visual help. 
• Thank you for providing easy to follow plans and activities that are enjoyable, as well as engaging and challenging. We are very grateful.
• The videos are engaging and have brightened our days.
• Also, a big thank you to the specialist teachers for their organised lessons. They are easy to follow, and the children have enjoyed them. I have learned a thing or two from watching on!!

William P (1A) is really missing school so he made a LEGO school with a playground, two classrooms and even an office - well done William!

I would also like to congratulate the staff and students in Years 2 - 6 for participating in a number of successful live Teams connections throughout the week. Although this style of interaction does not suit all, it has been very pleasing to hear that those who were able to connect, conducted themselves well and valued the experience.

School Ground Works

The school grounds are looking amazing following the recent resurfacing of the Basketball Court and newly laid turf on the oval.

A new external sound system has been installed following a successful grant application prepared by Jenny Baird (Teacher Assistant) and the entrance is now awaiting some beautiful student art now that we have a display area!

BNPS Rainbow Montage Project

I would like to thank the Junior Council and our Wellbeing Captains for their lovely initiative to create a colourful memory of our home learning experience. Please show your support and make sure all photos are uploaded by Friday 22 May.

Please see the 'Rainbow Montage Project' page of this newsletter for further details.

Mother’s Day Stall 

Thank you again to Anna Holmes, Ros Wells and Katie Baker for their work on the Mother's Day Stall which, sadly, had to be cancelled. We know that much of the work was done before the day and we truly appreciate  your effort.

Hopefully this means less work for you all in 2021!

Curriculum Day & OSHC

As you will be aware, Monday 25 May is a whole-school Curriculum Day in all government schools. Our Outside School Hours Care Program  will be operating to assist our working parents – to secure a place, please email OSHC.

As advised on Compass yesterday, it is also essential that you email OSHC  if your child/ren will NOT be attending care so that we can update our rolls accordingly. Please be assured that any Term 2 cancellations will not jeopardise your permanent place in care.  

Support for our Sponsors

Although our Fete has been postponed to 5 December, many of our sponsors kindly donated items to our Silent Auction which went ahead as planned. Please shop local and support our sponsors where you can. 

Important Dates

Monday 25 May

Curriculum Day

Tuesday 26 May

Prep, Year 1 & 2 students return to school

Monday 8 June

Queen's Birthday (Public Holiday)

Tuesday 9 June

Years 3 - 6 students return to school

Friday 26 June

Last day of Term 2

In Closing...

I was delighted to be chosen as the recipient of a 'thank you letter for someone in the community' which was part of a Year 6 Resilience Project task. It really did brighten my day.

"I commend the involvement of the school and delivery of the Resilience Project and other mental health positives such as mindfulness and meditation....it is a real positive for the child’s whole development...WELL DONE!!

Finally, although this has been an extremely challenging time for all concerned, it has provided us all with the opportunity to learn new skills and new ways of working. We are confident that this short period of time will not affect students academically. The most important thing is for them to feel safe and loved.

Sherril Duffy

Principal