Principal's Report
'Education is a continual process, it's like a bicycle...if you don't pedal, you don't go forward.' - George Weah
In addition to downloading your child's report (available on Compass on Thursday), I encourage you to take the time to reflect and discuss the written feedback provided by your child's teacher on Learning Tasks and your child's goals for future learning.
Personal learning goals are about improving students’ learning and achievement and building students’ capacity to learn. They are about students becoming active participants in the learning process, empowering them to become independent learners, and motivating them to achieve their full potential.
Previous research into the motivation and efficiency of students has indicated that students who set their own working goals tend to achieve more than when working on goals set for them by the teacher. Students who set their own learning goals have more confidence to take on more challenging tasks, regardless of their ability. Their motivation to improve and master a task is improved and their self-esteem remains strong, even in the case of failure.
When students are assisted to delve into their own thinking and learning processes, they are drawn to think about the effectiveness of the strategies they used to achieve the learning goals they set. Planning what to do, monitoring progress towards achieving it and evaluating the outcome can help students take more control over their thinking and learning processes and equip them with learning to learn skills.
Farewell
Jack Canty, Teacher Assistant, will be leaving us on Friday to pursue a career with Victoria Police. I would like to thank Jack for his valuable contribution across the school, in particular, for his enthusiasm at our House events. Jack wrote and choreographed chants for each House which have been put to very good use this year. Jack will certainly be missed by students (and staff) at the upcoming Athletics Carnival!
I wish Jack all the best in his new career endeavours.
Our Cross Country Champion
I would like to congratulate Kiara M (6B) on making it through to the Cross Country State Championships. This is a huge and very well-deserved achievement. Kiara is an outstanding athlete and swimmer and should be commended for her effort, passion and commitment.
Kiara, I wish you the best of luck for the next level of the competition and hope you enjoy this amazing experience.
Student Voice Badges
On Thursday 13 June I was very pleased to present our Student Voice team with their badges. The Student Voice team give up their lunchtimes to pursue their roles and responsibilities and are doing a wonderful job.
Wes M - 4A absent
Receipt of Emails
As you will appreciate, we receive many emails each day. If you have emailed the school recently, you will have received an email to let you know that your email has been forwarded to the appropriate staff member.
This new initiative has been implemented by the Office ladies and I would like to thank the many parents who have passed on their thanks and positive feedback.
The BNPS email account is monitored throughout the school day and teachers are required to check their email twice daily.
Staff Professional Development
It's not only our students who are continually learning. Once again staff have participated in many Performance Development opportunities this term including:
- PYP Planning
- The Resilience Project
- Literacy (Misty Adoniou)
- CAFE Planning Workshops
- ICT/21 CLD
- First Aid Training
- Inquiry Teaching
- OH&S Modules and Mandatory Reporting
- Mathematics Association Victoria (Jennifer Bowden)
- Bike Education Training
Year 6 PYP Exhibition
The Year Six Exhibition (24 July) is fast approaching and we are looking forward to seeing the students in action in the Senior Learning Centre. An extraordinary amount of work goes into the preparation of this significant event which showcases the essential elements of the PYP and the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
There is an invitation to this event in this Newsletter and I strongly encourage the whole school community to attend.
Visitors from South Korea
Speaking of the PYP, we are often asked to host visitors from schools who are commencing their PYP journey. This morning three supervisors from the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education (DMOE) in South Korea toured the school and observed our classrooms in action.
They were most grateful for our advice and to have direct access to a role model PYP school.
Our Fete Sponsors
There are a lot of costs involved in organising a Fete, in particular the rides which range from $1,000 - $4,000 each (approximately $15,000 in total). We are THRILLED to have Lexus of Brighton on board as our first Gold sponsor, and F45 Highett and a_space as Silver sponsors. Please consider our Fete Sponsors first when looking for suppliers of their respective goods or services so we can support those who support us.
Of course we mustn't forget our 2018 Fete Sponsors, in particular our 'Platinum' sponsors; 13CABS, Lakeside Financial Services & Domicile Building Design, for which we were very grateful.
Our Very Special Community
I would like to thank the 2019 Gala Committee for all of their hard work behind the scenes to bring to you, what promises to be a spectacular night on Saturday 24 August. I would also like to thank Cameron Duncan for the very 'eye-catching' flyer - it looks amazing!
I am constantly amazed at what parents are able to bring to our community with their skills and support. As communicated on Compass recently and in our newsletters throughout 2018, the proceeds from our 2018 Fete were put to very good use:
- Blue-Bots for the Preps to Year 2 students
- Spheros for the Year 3 and 4 students
- Lego WeDo Kits for the Year 5 & 6 students
- Tablet/stylus devices for our Year & 6 students
- Installation of the mounds, sandpit, yellow slide and synthetic turf around the new building.
Without the hard work of the 2018 Fete Committee and support from the school community, this would not have been possible.
On that note, I would like to thank the many parents (and staff) who have joined the 2020 Fete Committee as well as everyone who has signed up to organise a stall - we are off to a flying start!
Building & Ground Works
Work continues around the school with new shelving in the Year 2 classrooms, roller blinds in Year 6, a new screen in the Year 6 bag shed and a protective barrier on the cross bars of the undercover Assembly area. The exterior of the main building will be painted along with some window repairs, and various repairs will also occur in the Art Room and Bike Shed.
Although there was a delay in receiving the soccer nets, they have now been installed and I would like to thank Windsor Knox (FAC President) for arranging this.
Happy Holidays!
Term 2 has been another busy term and it would be remiss not to mention the efforts of our staff. Their enthusiastic involvement ensures our students are provided with wonderful opportunities in a caring and supportive manner to encourage and challenge our students.
I would like to wish all students, staff, parents and families a safe, restful and relaxing holiday and hope that you have the opportunity for some quality family time together during this holiday break.
Term 3 will commence on Monday 15 July at 9am and I look forward to welcoming everyone back.
Sherril Duffy
Principal