Principal's Message
Quadrangle Opening
Last Thursday was a significant day for our school. We were pleased to welcome the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education the Hon. Ben Carroll, along with the member for Northern Metropolitan Sheena Watt, to open our upgraded quadrangle space. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the brilliant work done by students and staff as a part of our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. Our SWPBS student leaders led our guests on a tour of the school, highlighting how we work together to explicitly teach and acknowledge the positive behaviours we expect in our school, converging at the quadrangle.
The opening itself was a wonderful moment of connection for our community. The cheer when the ribbon was officially cut (with no less than golden scissors...) will stay with me as the culmination of a lot of hard work by so many community members. We know when we work together with a clear goal, we are a powerful community who can move mountains to improve the experience of our students.
Lunchtime Disco
We finished the week with an example of how we acknowledge the efforts of students - our lunchtime disco! Students earned this disco by practising the expected behaviour 'right place, right time'. Staff had taught our students that 'right place, right time' means ensuring your actions are appropriate for what is happening around you; that you are focussed on working during class, that you are in line ready to begin learning after play, that you are having fun and engaging with friends at breaks.
Our target of reaching 500 examples of 'right place, right time' was reached earlier this term. The disco was the acknowledgement for this effort, it was brilliant to see so many students (and staff!) dancing together on the basketball court to celebrate what we had achieved together.
Look out for a brand new whole-school SWPBS goal coming soon!
National Week of Action against Bullying
This week is the National Week of Action Against Bullying- a time to raise awareness, build understanding, and take action to prevent bullying and strengthen inclusion in our school. At BNPS we take this issue very seriously, and work alongside students and families to ensure all are safe and ready to learn at school.
This year’s theme, Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up, encourages staff to empower our students with the confidence, empathy, and language to recognise bullying, respond respectfully, and take positive action to support others. Our staff will be working with our students to ensure they are empowered to take action, and that they are supported by our staff.
If you ever have concerns about your child's wellbeing at school, please don't hesitate to reach out immediately to your classroom teacher, or a member of the wellbeing team (Leah, Jenelle, Katrina, Lina and myself).
Pop ups @ BNPS
Did you know students are able to run their own lunchtime activity at BNPS? Our lunchtime pop-up program is a chance for students to share a skill or share some knowledge, engage with peers in a subject they are passionate about, and practise leadership skills in a supported environment.
I was helping out with a drawing pop-up on Friday, and was impressed by the level or preparation and care taken by the student leaders, and with the engagement shown by students as they worked together in the art room. Pop-ups range in focus from drawing to gymnastics, drama to science, card games and origami.
Pop-ups form an important part of the multi-tiered system of supports we have in place for our students, providing alternate play activities and opportunities for students to share and celebrate their strengths.