Principal's Report 

Welcome to Week 3 of Term 3. It is hard to believe that, in just seven weeks, I will have been Principal of BNPS for an entire year. In some ways it feels like only yesterday that I arrived, and in others it feels as though I have always been here. 

Over the past year I have come to know many of our students, families and staff, and I have developed a deep appreciation for what this community values. I know I have landed in a very special school.

One of the highlights of the past fortnight was working alongside our Parents & Friends Association at the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on Sunday. Thank you to Nat, the entire P&F team, and all the volunteers for the incredible energy and commitment you continue to invest in our school.  The funds raised will support the next stage of our classroom furniture upgrades. We raised an incredible amount of approx. $4500.00

 It was wonderful to see so many BNPS families stop by—I spent much of the middle of the day happily assembling sausages! The funds raised will support the next stage of our classroom furniture upgrades.

Speaking of furniture, I have to say the new learning spaces in Years 3–6 look fantastic. Attractive, well-maintained classrooms communicate to students that their learning matters. If we expect children to respect and care for their surrounds, we must model that ourselves. I have been delighted to see the pride our students are already taking in these refreshed spaces. Well done, everyone.

Last week we welcomed visitors from Japan who were travelling through Australia to learn more about explicit instruction and what it means to provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum. These are two important areas of focus at BNPS, and it was fascinating to hear what stood out to them. They commented on the consistency of learning across classrooms and the strong sense of equity throughout our school.

For our staff, this has become second nature. Collaboration is simply part of who we are. Teachers work together because they are committed not only to the students in their own classroom, but to the success of every child at BNPS. It was another moment that made me incredibly proud to serve as your principal.

Over the coming months, I will begin fundraising for a new perimeter fence around the school. My intention is to complete the project in stages, beginning with the section along Wood Street from Reserve Road to the staff car park. It will take time, but every significant project begins with a first step.

My motivation is simple: student safety. We have explored several avenues for funding without success so far, but I will continue advocating for what I believe is a fundamental requirement for every school—a secure perimeter. 

As part of the project, we are planning for the section beside the basketball courts to be four meters high. This should significantly reduce the number of balls leaving the school grounds, making games safer and reducing interruptions.

Prep 100 Days

Our prep students celebrated 100 days of school on Wednesday by participating in many activities throughout the day, including an activity with their Year 5 Buddy. It was so lovely seeing the students enjoy this day and their smiles as they left for the day under a guard of honor made by the year 5 students. 

Year 6 Exhibition

Yesterday, our Year 6 students presented their PYP Exhibition. I am impressed by the depth of thinking and curiosity our students demonstrated. Their inquiries explored topics including chemicals in cosmetics, overfishing, racism in sport, and the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence - I believe I heard that AI might cause the 'end o the world as we know it'. I came away with a strong sense that our students care deeply about the world around them and are willing to grapple with complex issues. 

It was also wonderful to see so many parents and grandparents attending to celebrate their learning. Thank you to the Year 6 teachers who worked so hard to make the ideas a reality, and congratulations to all of our Year 6 students. We are incredibly proud of what you have achieved.

This week we also celebrated OSHC Educator Day. Kelly and her team provide outstanding care for our students each and every day. They know our children well, care deeply for them, and are an important part of helping every child feel known, safe and valued. Thank you for everything you do for our school community.

During the school holidays, a great deal of work took place behind the scenes to prepare our school for Semester 2. New carpet was installed in 6C, 3A received a fresh coat of paint, repairs and painting were completed in the Year 3 area of the Middle School building, new shelving was installed in our Literacy Storage Room thanks to the Fathers Club, Vincent spread fresh mulch around our playgrounds, and our new classroom furniture was delivered and installed.

I would particularly like to thank Nicole Rainsbury, Tania Maxwell, Nicola Hajncl and Vincent Wienckowski for the enormous amount of work they contributed to these projects. 

Much of what they do happens quietly, often outside normal working hours, and can easily go unnoticed. Their dedication makes a significant difference to the quality of our learning environment.

Susie's Singers

Congratulations to Susie's singers who sang beautifully at their recent performance. 

Superstars on the rise!

Dental Van

We were very fortunate to welcome the Australian Dental Health Victoria mobile van to our school recently. Their team provided dental checks for many of our students, helping to promote good oral health and identify any concerns that may require further attention. It was a valuable service and we are grateful for the opportunity it provided for our students to access professional dental care in a convenient and supportive environment. Thank you to the Australian Dental Health Victoria mobile van team for their time and support to student wellbeing.

Extended family holidays: If your family is planning an extended holiday during the school term, please let us know beforehand. We can then discuss what learning your child will miss and ensure the absence is correctly recorded as Principal Approved in Compass.

At the end of last term, the Department of Education contacted me regarding our attendance data. While I do not believe our students are absent more often than those at similar schools, I have discovered that some family holidays have not always been communicated to us, meaning they have not been coded correctly. The message is simple: we want every child at school, on time, every day they can be. Regular attendance gives children the very best opportunity to learn and thrive. If you are planning to be away, please let us know so we can ensure our records accurately reflect the reason for the absence.

Thank you, as always, for the partnership you continue to show in supporting our school and your children's learning.

I wish everyone a wonderful few weeks until our next newsletter. Stay safe, stay engaged, and if there is ever anything you think I should know, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Warm regards,

Julia Stoppa

Principal