Dear Parents,

This week, all students are participating in activities in and outside of the classroom to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The 2024 theme is "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud". We have loved our NAIDOC Week activities so far. Over 110 children attended the NAIDOC March in William Street on Monday. They then enjoyed a sausage sizzle lunch in the park. On Tuesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the Local Elders. It was terrific to meet many of our grandparents, aunts, uncles and hear their stories and ideas and thoughts for education. Throughout the week, many children have been engaged in TIG games. Tomorrow, Friday 13th September, we will be working on our Bush Tucker garden in our newly formed NAIDOC garden. In class, we will also be learning about our new school artwork that has been developed by Shona Kennedy. The children will then go on to paint their own replica and frame it. Further TIG games will occur later in the day. Parents are welcome to join the children to assist with these activities. Thank you to Mrs George, Ms Carr, Mrs Abbott, Ms Roberts, Mrs Goninan and Ms Puebla for their coordination of our celebrations this year.

On Monday, we had 20 pre service teachers from various universities visit our school as part of the Beyond The Line program. This program gives university students the opportunity to visit regional and rural schools in the hope they may return to these areas to work after they graduate.  All of our visitors loved Bathurst PS, enjoyed spending time with the teachers and children and believe Bathurst would be a wonderful school to teach at. We might see some of these teachers back in the near future.

Congratulations to our Year 6 children who spent the day at either Bathurst High Campus or Kelso High Campus during their transition to High School program on Wednesday. Our children had a terrific time familiarising themselves with the High School environment and routines. Thank you to Miss Reedy, Mrs White, Miss Barber and Mrs Mitchell for supporting the children on Wednesday.

The clothing pool will be open this Friday 13th September from 8.30am-9.30am. 

A reminder that supervision at school commences at 8.30 am each morning. Any child that is dropped off at school before this time are required to sit in the foyer until teachers commence supervision on the playground at 8.30 am. Alternatively, ASPIRE OSCH provides supervised before-school care on our grounds. ASPIRE can be contacted on 0467 561 543.

Our annual Swimming Program note has been published through the Sentral Parent Portal. The dates of the Term 4 10-day Swimming Program for 2024 at the Bathurst Aquatic Centre are Monday 25th November - Friday 29th November and Monday 2nd December to Friday 6th December. The cost of the annual program is $130.00. Parents can give permission and make regular payments through the Sentral Parent Portal. Final payments and notes will be due by Friday 1st November, 2024.

We believe student learning, wellbeing and success are best when working together. Please do not hesitate to contact the school to discuss any concerns you may have.

Kate White

Principal