Congratulations to placegetters and age champions from the regional athletics trials. Congratulations to all K-2 students who participated in last week's cross country run. Congratulations to the BVPS Blue debating team, who progress to the second finals round of the Premiere's Debating Challenge. Congratulations to our girls soccer team, who today won their regional final against Hillvue PS 3-0.

In the final week of this term, we have our Creative Arts Showcase. All families are invited to attend. Students resume school on Tuesday 14 October.

2026 Kindergarten transition

It was lovely to welcome our first Kinder 2026 transition groups to Ben Venue last week. Students enrolled for Kindergarten next year will participate in the transition program, continuing throughout Term 4.

Thank you to leaders Emily, Scarlett, Sofia, Hazel and our guest pirate, Vincent for helping to welcome our visitors.

Academic success

This term, I had the pleasure of reporting on the positive results of our students in this year's NAPLAN assessments. Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students have now completed the Check-in reading and numeracy assessments, and our school has again performed well. Our students have achieved reading results surpassing statistically similar schools in all year levels and in three of the four year levels in numeracy. This is a further indicator that on average, Ben Venue students perform at levels above students in other schools of similar background. Congratulations students and teachers!

125 years celebration

Did you know, that 85 years ago, a fence separated Ben Venue boys and girls, preventing them from mixing in the playground? This is the 125th year in which Ben Venue PS has been educating students and, thankfully, the school has made many changes and improvements in its approach to education in this time.

On Friday 7 November, we plan to celebrate this milestone and the changes that have occurred since the school's establishment in 1900. In the week leading up to the Friday, students will engage in activities developing understanding of how education and life has changed. Please save the date of 7 November, on which day we will hold an assembly (including opening of a time capsule and locating a new one) and open classrooms, as well as a BBQ, disco (past, present and future themed) and fireworks in the evening.

We are currently seeking the loan of any old Ben Venue uniforms, photos and memorabilia to include in our display. Please contact the school office if you have items that may be of interest.

BVPS Bike Bus

Starting in Week 1, Term 4, the Ben Venue Bike Bus will run on Wednesdays and Fridays along the following routes:

Curtis Park (between the carpark and creek) at 8:20am - following the bike path along Dumaresq Creek to Erskine Street near the intersection with North Street, then up Erskine Street to school.
Willow Tree Park (off Cookes Rd) at 8:20am - following the bike path behind MacDonald Drive and Centennial Close to Erskine Street near the intersection with North Street, then up Erskine Street to school.

At the start of the bike path between 53 and 57 Norris Drive at 8:20am - following the bike path along Rockvale Road, Merinda Place, then along Taylor St to school.

The Bike Bus will reverse it's routes in the afternoons, departing Ben Venue between 3:15pm and 3:20pm.

Those interested in joining the Bike Bus should note the following information:

All participants will be required to wear a helmet and one of the provided high-visibility vests when joining the Bike Bus. A short safety briefing will be delivered at the start of each route.
Students can join the group along the route, though collection times may vary depending on the speed of our younger cyclists.
Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring the supervision and safety of students on their departure from the Bike Bus. The group will not stop to wait for hand over to families in the afternoon.
In the event of cancellation due to weather conditions or shortage of supervising adults, a message will be posted to School Bytes at 8:00am.

For the Bike Bus to run, we are required to have a teacher supervising each route and a second adult assisting. Thank you to Mr Osborn and Mrs Boyce who have volunteered to supervise routes with me. We currently are seeking support to supervise the Norris Drive and Willow Tree Park routes. If you are able to assist, please contact me via the school office.

The Bike Bus is a joint initiative of Ben Venue and Dr Casey Mainsbridge, Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education at the University of New England. The intention of the Bike Bus is to support the development of sense of community, and student health and fitness through active travel to and from school.

Early arrivers

Finally, I wish to provide a friendly reminder that teachers commence duty at 8:40am each day. Students arriving at 8:00am are unsupervised for a full 40min each morning. The PCYC before and after school care service operates every day from the Ben Venue hall and currently has vacancies for new enrolments.

I wish all Ben Venue students and families a safe and enjoyable break. We look forward to commencing a busy Term 4 on Tuesday 14 October.

Cam Pryce

Principal

Mango Mania