Principal's Report 

With just over two weeks left of term, I find myself in awe of the changes and growth I have observed in our little school. I visited Year 2 and heard all about their book study, 'The World's Most Pointless Animals' by Philip Bunting, and was amazed by the vocabulary the children are using to express their newly acquired facts. The handwriting I saw, and the precise annotation in the students' workbooks are beyond expectation!

I had a fascinating conversation with some Year 6 students about their novel, 'Skellig' by David Almond, and found them able to discuss authorial intent and reader perspectives, which is something I am accustomed to discussing in a VCE English class - not what I had expected to find at primary school. I am deeply impressed - so much so that I have now read the book and am hoping they'll be willing to discuss it further.

Speaking of Year 6, I visited their camp at Phillip Island on Tuesday. I want to thank the staff who go without sleep or rest for three whole days so that students can have this experience. I must also extend my deepest thanks to Kerryn and Jason (parents) who voluntarily attended camp to help out. They got in amongst it, taking their turn on the flying fox and the giant swing along with the kids - it was a joy to watch. 

Our students were stunning. The whole day I was there I witnessed them step up and help others out, try something a little scary, lead a team to win the raft building contest, and just generally run around and be great kids. What a lot of energy they have!

This week, Mrs Gill and Ms Maxwell joined me for a whole day of learning from Dr Brian Poncy (USA) about maths fact fluency, and the positive impact it has on students' ability to develop confidence and creativity in maths. There are three big, equally important things students need to have success - procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and fact fluency. We learned that fact fluency has the potential to reduce the cognitive load students must expend in order to think about procedures and concepts. 

It was a long and challenging day for us as adult learners, but we have come away feeling inspired about how we might continue to build on the ways we work with our students in maths, and how we can improve outcomes for everyone, sometimes with just a few minutes per day. Watch out for more information on this throughout the year.

I am looking forward to our school Fete on March 28. I have signed up to be dunked with water and to help out on one of the stalls. I know our students are excited about it and want to thank the Parents and Friends of BNPS who are working extremely hard to make the day a success. Time is a precious commodity, and you are giving your time so we can raise money for things that will benefit all of our current and future students. 

I know it was over a week ago, but I wanted to make mention of International Women's Day on March 8. Each year I try to reflect on a woman who positively impacted my life. For some reason, this year I thought about two women I went through Air Force basic training with. We were just three women in a squadron of 52. Both of these women were already mothers like I was, but with very different origin stories. They joined the military because they were uneducated and unskilled - I was already a fully qualified musician with two university degrees behind me. They knew that training and skills were the way forward for them and their children, which the military would provide if you could handle the environment.

When I think of these women, I try to check my privilege; I look at the essential work we do in primary school that sets young people up so they can make genuine choices in life. I am proud of the work I do, and I am proud of the people I do it with.

Annual Privacy Reminder For Our School Community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ privacy policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy, Policies – BNPS

describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. 

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use [Microsoft 365/ safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using [Microsoft 365/, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

Student Free Days 2026

Please note that the following dates have been formally approved by School Council as Student-Free Days.

• Friday May 1
• Tuesday June 9
• Thursday December 17 and Friday 18 December

On these days, students will not be required to attend school.  OSHC will be operating on these days.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to another exciting fortnight ahead.

Julia Stoppa

Principal