Dear Parents,

I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter period and long weekend. The weather was perfect for spending time outside and with loved ones. We have lots still occurring as Term 1 draws to a close. 

Early this week, we published our 2023 Annual School Report. I encourage all parents to read through the report, which is available through the link below or on our School Website. https://reports.sparo.schools.nsw.gov.au/annual-report/2023/1150/2023_Bathurst_Public_School_Annual_Report.pdf

Several of our children attended the Fossil and Mineral Museum on Tuesday as part of the program offered to curate an exhibition for the Local Schools Local Stories cabinet.

The work of our children tells the story of the Bathurst Region and is an opportunity to try different writing styles for a different audience and to create props and objects of interest to complete their words. Congratulations to all of the children and Mrs Rutherford on their involvement in this project

Last week, the Stage 2 Sydney Excursion was published on the Sentral Parent Portal. This year's Stage 2 Excursion will be a day trip to Sydney to explore the historic precinct around The Rocks on Tuesday 2nd July. Students will become 'dirt detectives' at "The Big Dig" and learn what it was really like for the convicts who lived in The Rocks during the early years of the colony. The cost of the excursion will be $106, which will include bus travel, activities and an early dinner from Subway. If parents would like their child to attend this excursion, please give permission and pay the fee through the Sentral Parent Portal.

Congratulations to Charlotte Falconer and Will Simeonidis on their selection in the Western Girls and Boys PSSA Hockey Teams. Both Charlotte and Will will travel to Newcastle in May to compete in the NSW PSSA Hockey Championships. Well done, Charlotte and Will.

Congratulations to Hannah Skein on her selection in the Western Girls PSSA Cricket Team. Hannah will play in the NSW PSSA Girls Cricket Championships in Bathurst in October. Great work, Hannah.

Our School Spec dance troupe and D'Arts Dance ensemble have been busy rehearsing for their audition session, which was videoed today. Thank you Mrs McClements for the work you have done preparing the groups. Thank you Mr Datt for videoing both groups. We should hear in early Term 3 as to whether we were successful in obtaining spots at the 2024 Schools Spectacular.

Our Girls Touch Football Team has been trialing over the past two weeks. The team has been selected and consists of Tearani Cowell, Charlotte Falconer, Adelaide Fulthorpe, Alexis Hickey, Kempsey Holman, Billie Lindsay, Heidi Lyle, Charlotte Morris, Cindy Ngo, Sarah O'Brien and Shadow players - Hannah Skein, Joselyn Robb and Elena Noonan. Our team plays their first game on Thursday 2nd May against Bathurst South Public School. We wish them the best of luck in their round 1 match.

Unfortunately, due to the wet weather forecast for Thursday and Friday, we have postponed the School Cross Country until Wednesday 10th April at 12.00. All children 8 years and older are eligible to compete. The children have been practicing the course around the school and are looking forward to running the Cross Country. We welcome parents and friends to come and support us on Wednesday.

Our School Disco has also been postponed due to the rain predicted on Friday. We are as disappointed as the children, but the children having fun, staying safe and dry were paramount when making this decision. We hope to hold a disco at a later stage.

Good luck to our School Cricket Team and Mr Thackray who play their Round 2 match against Bathurst South PS next Tuesday 9th April. We look forward to hearing the results.

Attendance Report for Week 9

Congratulations to KM and 2/3F for 100% attendance last week. Our classes with no unexplained absences last week were 5/6B, 1G, 3-6R, 1C, 4/5D and 3-6B.  Well done to those classes and a big thank you to the families for sending explanations on the day of the absence.  Remember, the parent portal app is a fast and convenient way of letting us know your child is absent. 

Our attendance rate has continued to climb and remains above the state and network. Although there has been no change in the percentage of students attending >=90%, we can celebrate the reduction in the number of students attending below 85%. 

If any parent has concerns regarding any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kate White

Principal