Principal's Report

TERM 1 DRAWS TO A CLOSE

The term has certainly flown by and well done to everyone (students, parents & staff) for what has been a very successful term.  Things to like about the term have included:

  • 2 productive pupil free days before the kids started.
  • Successfully transitioning to our school new preps and students in other year levels.  
  • Welcoming a big group of new staff, all who are throwing themselves into their work and doing an excellent job.  They have each been very well supported by their teams. 
  • Overall, the term has been very settled, both in classrooms and the yard.
  • Holding a successful Meet and Greet evening.
  • The fete was a huge success and was a great way to return to major events.  Whilst raising a good amount of money, it also got a lot of parents involved and helped build community spirit and pride in our school.
  • We’ve had some great sporting events, including the 3-6 Aths back in week 7 and the district aths last week, finishing off with the inter-house cross country today.
  • Our grade 6 teams are up and about and doing great things.  That will keep these kids engaged and connected to the school, which is crucial later in the year.
  • We managed NAPLAN with a minimum of fuss and anxiety.
  • We had some great excursions, including the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, GRIP Leadership Conference and visit to the Grand Prix.
  • We have continued the self-reflection that began in term 4 last year, as we head into a School Review.  We’re now really well placed to work through the school review next term and develop a well-informed Strategic Plan to provide direction for the next 4 years. A big thank you to the parents that joined one of our four parent forams over the past week. We had some great discussions which helped us build an understanding of school performance from a parent perspective.
  • We are making progress in the Mental Health & Wellbeing space.  Narelle Sullivan, Jarrod Rogers & Will Georgiou and have done a power of work in this space and are providing considerable support to individual students and families.

This work has set us up nicely for the 3 terms ahead in 2023.  There is plenty planned for term 2, including:

·         School photos on April 27 and 28.

·         Some kinder visits.

·         A Book Fair in week 2.

·         The Mother’s Day Stall.

·         Education Week (May 15-19).

·         Lots of kids competing at the district cross country on May 12 and then inter-school winter sports competitions (football, netball & soccer)

·         More rehearsals for students participating in VSSS (Victorian State School Spectacular).

·         Some minor incursions and excursions.

·         Rounding off the term with Parent Teacher Interviews and some activities to celebrate Naidoc Week.

GOOD LUCK DAVE

We wish Dave all the best as he moves into the Acting Principal job at Lucas Primary School.  After doing such a good job as Acting Principal at Delacombe PS last year, it was unlikely we’d keep Dave for long.  Dave’s work at BPS has been very much appreciated and know he’ll do an excellent job at Lucas.  Nicole Phillips will step into the Assistant Principal (Teaching & Learning) role for terms 2-4.  A selection process is underway to select a replacement for Nicole.

LAST DAY OF TERM

Don’t forget the kids are invited to come along in casual dress and to bring along a gold coin donation.  Proceeds will go to the Ballarat Animal Shelter, a charity chosen by our VOTS Team.

 

Dismissal time is 2:30pm on Thursday.  We hope you all get a chance to relax and enjoy some family time over the break.  Lots of families head off camping over easter and hope the usual perfect weather at this time of year comes through for you. 

 

School returns on Monday, April 24, but then the Anzac Day public holiday means there is no school on Tuesday April 25.

EASTER HARVEST

Mark and Maria had 18 children turn up for some work in the garden during the lunch break yesterday. The children were told the work for the day was to harvest an easter crop.  As you can see from the photo, the kids were delighted with the task at hand. 

 

Mark reported that the real highlight was towards the end when one child had only one in hand but then another found the last of the eggs and proudly presented it to his classmate. 

Mark said the smiles on both children lit up the sky.