Principal's Message

Quadrangle Upgrade Update

I am pleased to let you know the planned upgrade for our quadrangle will begin construction very soon! If all goes to plan, construction will commence over the Term 1 holiday period.

The upgrade will transform our quadrangle into a purpose-built regulatory play space. It will be an area to have some time alone, to chill out with a book, to move to if you have had a disagreement with a friend or conflict in a game. Having a designated space for regulation in our yard will be an important component of the school's social and emotional curriculum. It will assist us in teaching students how to recognise when they are dysregulated and what their options are to ensure they are safe and able to work towards re-engaging positively in play.

It is likely the construction will last the duration of Term 2. However, we have been able to ensure the demolition phase will happen in the holidays. This will enable classes to continue their learning uninterrupted. There will be some changes to pick up and drop off areas, which we will communicate in time. In further good news the 'Wick will be able to remain open throughout the construction period.

It is important to recognise the community members who assisted in 2023 in writing the original grant proposal for this space. Without this work we would not have been successful in securing the funding.

Harmony Week

From this Monday March 17th to Sunday March 23rd, we celebrate Harmony Week - a time to embrace the rich diversity that shapes our community. Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world – from the oldest continuous culture of First Nations peoples, to the 49% of Australians who were born overseas or have a parent who was.

Harmony Week provides a meaningful opportunity to engage students in conversations that deepen their understanding of cultural diversity, foster empathy, and encourage the celebration of the unique traditions, perspectives and contributions of different cultures. Teachers will take this opportunity to incorporate Harmony Week into their classroom and guide students in developing respect for cultural diversity - an essential focus of the Intercultural Capability curriculum.

NAPLAN

This week we are finalising the annual NAPLAN testing for our Grade 3 and 5 students. This testing is an important measure for the department of education and for individual schools. We use it to identify areas of strength and areas for future focus in our school improvement journey.

Having said this, it is only one measure of student achievement. At BNPS we have a rigorous assessment schedule that enables us to know where all students are on the learning continuum. If you would like more information about your child's strengths and learning goals, please reach out to their classroom teacher.