BNPS Newsletter

Principal's Report

To inspire students to be lifelong learners and take risks with their learning, pursue their interests and flourish under our guidance.

Recently staff were given the opportunity to put forward their ideas for our School's Vision The ideas were then formulated into the above statement which is now proudly on display in the staff room.

BNPS Community Welcome

Thankfully the weather was kind this time around for our 'Welcome Event' last Friday (22 March). We are thrilled that parents enjoyed the opportunity to mingle in a relaxed environment.

The picnic last night was amazing! So well put together, great job! BNPS sure does know how to make everyone feel welcome, all the families I was with loved it! 

I would sincerely like to thank Mrs Audrey Fine (Music Teacher) for organising the wonderful entertainment, sharing her many talents and giving so freely of her time on the night.

I would also like to thank the staff members who assisted at the 'Fruit Tube' stall, helped with setup/pack up and had a great time dancing with students and families.

 

Of course, a BNPS event would not be the same without the always popular FAC BBQ - thank you Windsor and team for sweating it out at the BBQ.

 

2019 School Disco

The School Disco was held on the same night as our welcome event and I would sincerely like to thank our wonderful Disco Organisers; Claire Nicholls, Sally Powell, Helen Moore, Bernadette Gooda and Amy North for their hard work in organising this event. Special thanks to the Year 2 Teachers for the use of their rooms and to Kelly Szabo from OSHC for making it possible for after care students to attend and for being so accommodating.

 

 

From the DJ, decorations, special lighting, body art and competitions to external entertainment, a photo back drop, glow items, a 'chill out' space and zooper doopers, the organisers had thought of everything to make it a most memorable night for our very lucky students. 

 

Thank you also to the many parents who helped with setup/assisted on the night and to Cameron Duncan who created the fabulous disco photo backdrop (pictured below).

 

 

Finally, thank you to the following organisations for providing entertainment at various times throughout the evening:

  • Beaumaris Secondary College - African drumming
  • Trivical Dance Academy -Troupe Performance
  • Mentone Girls' Secondary College - Aerobics solos
  • Sandringham Secondary College - Aerobics group

Online Learning Task Feedback Forms

In response to parent feedback and in line with our commitment to electronic communication, this term we introduced ONLINE Learning Task Feedback Forms. 

It is great to see parents engaging in their child's education and appreciating the time and effort the Classroom Teachers put into providing ongoing feedback and work samples:

It was great to see my child's work & read the feedback given. I like the new electronic feedback forms.

  • It was great to see the first draft, and then the corrections taken into the final letter
  • Thank you for the encouraging feedback. 
  • I really enjoyed our discussion about how you created the task and why you chose the characters.
  • I didn’t realise my child was so good at spelling!
  • We are trying to encourage more care and attention to handwriting at home also.
  • Great idea! Would like to see my child use more exciting words...will work on it at home.
  • My child seemed to really enjoy this task! We talked about structuring his sentences a little better to make them easier to read and try to include more information.

Student names omitted for privacy reasons.

 

One parent even commented that her children enjoy doing Learning Task Feedback forms more now that they are electronic.

 

It is important that online learning task forms are completed (within 7 days of the feedback being released) to acknowledge receipt and ensure that goals for future learning are identified.

Use of Class Contact Lists

I would like to remind all parents that Class Contact Lists must ONLY be used to facilitate the co-ordination of play dates, birthday parties, coffee mornings and dinners etc. The privacy of all families is paramount and as such, the lists must NOT be used for advertising businesses or selling items etc.

2019 School Council

The Office bearers for our 2019 School Council were elected at the AGM on Wednesday 20 March 2019 - please see the '2019 School Council' page of this newsletter for details. I look forward to working with the 2019 Councillors and thank all members for their willingness to serve our community in this capacity.

I would also like to thank our outgoing Councillors: PJ Clarkson, Matthew Taylor and Michelle Keogh who have given so freely of their time and expertise for the benefit of our school community.

Staff Professional Development

This term staff have participated in many staff development opportunities including: 

  • SMART Spelling
  • Literacy
  • Library
  • The Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV)
  • 21st Century Learning
  • Essential Assessment
  • Scriibi (6 + 1 Traits of writing)
  • Cafe and Daily Five Literacy Program
  • NAPLAN
  • Trauma Informed School Communities
  • OH&S Modules
  • Mandatory Reporting

I would like to thank the staff for their commitment to keeping abreast of the latest in teaching and learning.​​

Looking Ahead...

The annual Fathers' Activity Club (FAC) Bowls Night is being held tomorrow night (29 March) and I would like to thank Windsor Knox (FAC President) for organising this great social opportunity for all BNPS dads.

In the spirit of continuous quality improvement, I encourage you toCOMPLETE OUR TERM 1 FEEDBACK & SUGGESTIONS SURVEY.

 

Term 2 ends on Friday 5 April at 2.30pm. Please note the earlier finishing time and ensure you have made arrangements for your child to be collected from school. 

Please support our wonderful Junior Council by sending along a gold coin donation for the Monash Children's Hospital on the last day of term and encourage your child to wear a 'Touch of Easter'. Junior Council would also like to support The Royal Children's Hospital  Good Friday Appeal - please see the 'Junior Council News' page of this newsletter for more information.

 

As this is the last edition of Waves for Term 2, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and relaxing break. Term 2 commences on Tuesday 23 April at 9am and I look forward to welcoming everyone back for another great term of learning.

 

Sherril Duffy

Principal