Principal's Message
Today we celebrated Education Week with a showcase of all that is great in our school and public education in general. Congratulations to all students who proudly presented their learning during our open classroom session and at our assembly. Thank you to all who were able to attend.
Congratulations also to our Kindergarten students, who recently celebrated 100 Days of Kindergarten, and showed off what they would like to be when they grow up.
Thank you to Mrs Porter, Mrs Howlett and Mrs Farmer for giving up their time to provide our Opera House Choir singers the opportunity to perform in Sydney last week. Thank you in advance to Mr Osborn, Mrs Howlett, Mrs Watson, Mrs Pattison, Mrs Farmer, Mrs Hunt, Mrs Porter and Mrs Pryce for committing their whole week from next Monday to support the Stage 3 excursion to Canberra.
2027 Kindergarten
In the very near future, the first of our 2027 Kindergarten transition opportunities will occur. So far this year, I have met with 65 families seeking Kindergarten enrolment at Ben Venue in 2027. If you have a future Ben Venue student at home and have not yet had an enrolment interview and tour, please contact our school as soon as possible. Any families who are unsure whether their enrolment application can be accepted as a non-local family, I encourage you to make an appointment with me via our reception on 6772 4263.
Erskine St collection point
Families utilising the supervised collection point on Erskine St are asked to support the efficient flow of traffic by displaying clear names of the students being collected in the vehicle windscreen. Visibility into vehicles from the supervision point is not good, and staff often cannot identify drivers due to reflections and glare. Keeping this collection point moving efficiently reduces the risk of vehicles queuing illegally beyond the collection zone.
Drivers are also asked to please not stop in the carriageway of Erskine St in an attempt to cut into the line of waiting vehicles. This causes confusion and occasionally elicits aggression from other motorists, increasing the risk of a traffic incident that may cause injury to a student or member of our community.
Results of Stage 2 camp survey
Recently, I sent a survey to all families who will have children in Year 3 or 4 in 2027, seeking feedback on plans for next year's Stage 2 camp. While many families were in favour of the proposed Lake Keepit camp, a significant number responded that a lower cost option would be required for their child's attendance. We are therefore investigating alternative options, in an attempt to balance quality of the experiences students have access to with the feedback we have received relating to costs.
Active and Creative Kids vouchers – new voucher now available for families receiving FTB
The Active and Creative Kids voucher program helps NSW school-aged children (aged between 4.5 and 18 years) from low to middle-income families to participate in sport, recreational, creative and cultural activities. Eligible parents, guardians and carers receiving the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) can register for two $50 vouchers per child each year to help cover participation costs.
Follow our school on Facebook
Follow our P&C on Facebook
Cam Pryce
Principal