Welcome to Term 4 - always a very busy time of year. In this fortnight, 2026 Kinder transition continues, we have our K-2 athletics carnival, Kinder responsible pet ownership incursion and additional high school transition for EAL/D and Aboriginal students.

Creative Arts Showcase

In the final week of last term, our Creative Arts Showcase shone a literal and figurative spotlight on the many creative and performing arts talents of our students. It was a wonderful celebration of our students. Thank you to Mrs Porter, Mrs Howlett, Miss O'Hara, Miss Campbell, Mrs Pryce and Mrs Farmer for your work in making the evening such a success.

Debating

Our Ben Venue Blue debating team has continued their run of victories in the Premier's Debating Challenge. Last week, the team overcame the arguments of Tamworth Public School in the regional semi-finals, convincing the adjudicators that 'schools should allow parents to come to classes'.

Congratulations to Claudia, Michaela, Bowie and Ethan, who will this week take on Armidale City PS in the regional final, competing for the right to represent the region in the state finals.

Soccer

Today, our girls soccer team represented the North West Region, playing against Hastings PS in Port Macquarie. The girls played well and the game was close, with the scoreboard reading 0-0 going into extra time. At the end of the game, Hastings PS were declared winners based on short corners.

Throughout the competition, our girls team have represented Ben Venue with outstanding teamwork and sporting attitudes. Well done, girls. We are all proud of you!

The Ben Venue Bike Bus

It was wonderful to see the number of riders on joining our Bike Bus grow significantly in the first week of its operation last week. We look forward to more and more students joining, and hopefully the addition of more routes.

125 Years Celebration

125 years of Ben Venue education will be celebrated on and around Friday 7 November. Activities for students will include an experience of teaching methods from the past, involvement in games that were historically popular in schools, and a 'Past and Future' themed disco. Students are encouraged to begin thinking of how they may wish to dress to represent education and/or fashion of the past, or what the students of the future may wear to school.

Activities for students and the community will include an assembly in which we will open a time capsule from the year 2000 and compile items for a new time capsule. Following the disco, a tour of the school will be offered to former staff and students, followed by a choir performance and fireworks display for the entire community. We hope you'll join us.

Friday 7 November

Time TBC (approx 10:30 am) - Assembly open to families and retired BVPS staff

11:10 am - Morning tea for retired BVPS staff

5:30-6:30 pm - Sausage sizzle available for purchase

6:30-7:30 pm - Student 'Past and Future' disco

7:30 pm - Principal's school tour for retired staff and former students

7:50 pm - Choir performance

8:00 pm - Fireworks display

Future planning and feedback survey

Following External Validation, Ben Venue will now develop the next School Excellence Plan for 2026-2029. We are seeking your feedback to help inform our thinking. Please take 5 min to complete a short survey by scanning or clicking on the QR code below.

Tree removal

Towards the end of the school holiday period, two large gum trees were removed from the yarning circle area. While it was disappointing to lose these trees, the removal was based on an arborists assessment of structural damage to the entirety of the trees, caused by the snowfall. The trees were deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to students and infrastructure.

Staying hydrated

As we come into the hotter months of the year, it is a good time to check that your child has a serviceable water bottle and is aware of the importance of drinking plenty of water through the day. At all times, students are permitted and encouraged to bring a water bottle into class with them.

Please be aware that a heatwave warning is current for our area.

Evacuation Drill

All schools conduct lockdown and evacuation drills each year. Ben Venue is due to hold a drill and will do so in the coming fortnight. Any inconvenience and disruption to learning will be brief.

Cam Pryce

Principal

Mango Mania