Dear Parents,

Our Cross Country was held last Friday in sunny and warm conditions. The course around the school was a grueling one, although our children handled it well. Congratulations to all of our children on their participation. Many children completed the course and some got half way through it. I was so proud of all the children for having a go. Well done to the first 4 place getters in each age group who will now move on to the Bathurst District Carnival to be held on Friday 12th May, 2023. Due to a couple of children being absent for the District Carnival, other placegetters, in order of finishing positions, will be asked to represent our school. A full list of the actual team will be published soon.

The first 4 placegetters in each age group were;

8/9 years girls - Sophie McPhee, Lily Guihot, Joselyn Robb and Ava Bartholomew

8/9 years boys - Jax Brennan, Frankie Shoemark, Will Skein and Ethan Robb

10 years girls - Heidi Lyle, Hailey Milne, Kaylee Elsenburg and Charlotte Morris

10 years boys - Harvey Glasgow, Max Naylor, Cruz Fischbeck and Christian Mena Taylor

11 years girls - Alexis Hickey, Adelaide Fulthorpe, Elena Noonan and Charlotte Falconer

11 years boys - Beau Francis, Caleb Byrne, Lachlan Abbott and Theo Lyle

12/13 years girls - Lara Glasgow, Ruby Cole, Poppy Shoemark and Sienna Love

12/13 years boys - Kyle Tredinnick, Tom Hamer, Wiley Wynne and DArcy Hair

Opportunity Class 2024 - Year 5 - Parents of our current Year 4 children would have recently received a message through the Sentral Parent Portal regarding the Opportunity Class Placement Tests for Year 5 in 2024. Opportunity classes are for primary school students who have high academic potential or are intellectually gifted.

They provide an environment where students can learn and make friends with classmates of similar ability. This can benefit a student’s academic progress and also their wellbeing.

Opportunity classes are offered in Years 5 and 6, with parents/carers applying in Year 4.

Students who are successfully placed will usually have to leave their current school to enrol in a school with an opportunity class for Years 5 and 6. Opportunity classes are just one of the ways that we cater for our high potential and gifted students.

Testing and assessment

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test. Students who wish to be considered for placement are required to sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Thursday 27 July 2023.

How to apply

Parents/carers must apply online between Thursday 30 March and Monday 15 May 2023 at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/oc.

Please contact the school if you require any additional information.

ANZAC March - Tuesday 25 April 2023 - The Bathurst RSL Sub Branch commemoration of the Community ANZAC Day Service are continuing the participation of children in the 10:15 am march. To signify the passing of the Anzac Spirit to the current generation, they will again honour our children by allowing them to lead our march. As in previous years, it is proposed that children march as a single group behind a banner claiming, “The Anzac Spirit, our children – our future.” School Banners may be carried within the group. The children will be accompanied by the Bathurst RSL City Youth Band and members of the Bathurst SES. Children attending are to be in full school winter uniform at the RSL Club, Rankin Street, Bathurst by 9:45 am for a 10:10 am march off.

Uniform Policy - In 2023, we have made the commitment to update our School Uniform Policy. The Uniform committee, once formed, will look at all components of our current school uniform including summer, winter, colours, hats and school bags. To form the committee, we need interested school community members to review the policy, survey parents and children, hold focus groups, collate and present data and findings to the school community and then update the current policy and devise a plan moving forward. If any parent is interested in being part of the Uniform committee, would you please contact the school and speak with Mrs White.

Easter Hat Parade, Raffle and Easter Hats - A reminder that our Easter Hat parade will be held on Wednesday 5th April from 12.00 noon - 1.00 pm under the COLA at school. Easter raffle tickets went home last week. Please send tickets and money into the front office once they are sold. There are more sheets of tickets should any family require them. Simply call into the office to collect them. Any families wishing to donate Easter eggs towards the raffle prizes can do so by sending them to school with children. Every day we are acknowledging children and their donations at morning assemblies. A reminder that Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 are to make their Easter Hats at home. We can't wait to see the Easter Hat creations.

Attendance - our school data for the past week remains steady at;

The current attendance rate for our school is 93.4%.
76.9% of our children are attending more than 90% of the time.
23.1% (105 children) are attending below 90% which is putting them educationally at risk.

A few important reminders;

Our School Disco will be held on Friday 31st May in the McMullen Hall. The K-2 Disco will be held from 5.00-6.30 and the 3-6 Disco will be held from 6.30-8.00. Entry is $2 and a BBQ/Zooper Dooper and lolly/drinks/glow sticks stall will be operating. All funds raised from the Disco will be used to pay for the cost of Trixie, our School Assistance Dog.
The K-2 Easter Hat Parade will be held on Wednesday 5th April at 12.00 under the COLA. All parents and friends are welcome to attend. Don't forget to start creating those amazing Easter Hats at home!
The Stage 2 Heritage Walking Excursion will take place on Wednesday 5th April from 9.15am-12.00noon. Notes have been sent out through the parent portal for this activity.
Our School ANZAC Service will be held on Thursday 6th April at 10am in the McMullen Hall
The Last Day for Term 1 is Thursday 6th April

If any parent has any concerns regarding any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kate White

Principal