Principal Team Message

Hello BRPS Community,

"You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed the smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk.

So don’t wait to be kind. Don’t wait for someone else to be kind first. Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change. Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it."

Our School Values

The world continues to throw up challenges including conflict, a decline in mental health and associated support structures, social isolation and challenging economic conditions, just to name a few. Any one of us could be impacted by any of these things at any given time. 

It is therefore incredibly important that we continue to build connection and a sense of belonging within our school community to support one another, and especially to provide the best possible opportunities to the students of our school. 

We are therefore excited to announce the introduction of our new school values: Kindness, Aspiration, Respect, and Integrity. 

These values will serve as the foundation of our school community and will guide us in all our endeavours, both inside and outside the classroom, including curriculum, policies, practices, and interactions among students, staff, and parents.

Throughout this year staff and students will be working together to develop a shared understanding  of what the values look like in our school and how they can be integrated into all aspects of school life. 

We have commenced this term with a focus on the character strength and core value 'kindness'. Treating each other, our teachers, our classrooms and our learning with kindness and respect creates a positive and supportive environment. 

We encourage all members of our school community to treat each other with empathy, compassion, and understanding. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and we strive to foster a culture where everyone feels valued and supported.

ANZAC Ceremony

Thank you to Year 6 students Hunter, Millie, Jack, Josh, Issy, Abby, Kiki, Sam, Lily, Tamiesha, Max T and Kaiah for confidently leading the BRPS students and community through their participation in our commemorative ANZAC ceremony. The ceremony marked the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli and recognised the service of all Australians who serve in war or peacekeeping operations.

Year 6 Canberra Tour 

Last week our Year 6 students completed a very successful camp and tour of Canberra. Visits to Parliament House, The Electoral Education Centre, The Australian War Memorial, a guided tour along ANZAC Walk, The National Gallery of Australia, The High Court of Australia, The Canberra International Sports & Aquatic Centre (Swim & Slide), The Australian Institute of Sport, and Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre all supported our students understanding of Civics and Citizenship and the democratic principles underpinning our nation.   

I would like to sincerely thank the Year 6 teachers, Chris Badman, Adam Littlehales and Cass Morgan, as well as Nicole Large, Steph Burns, Belinda Kay and Emily Harvey, for the outstanding organisation of the trip and supporting and caring for the students whilst being away from home and their loved ones over what are three very big and long days.   

Update - Capital Improvement Projects 

Stadium Bathrooms and Sports Store

In exciting news the building works are mostly complete, two months ahead of schedule. We are expected to accept handover of the building soon.

Sports Court Resurfacing

Contracts for the sports court resurfacing project are close to being finalised. We are hoping that the project will be completed in the September term break. 

2024 School Council - AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Black Rock Primary School will be held on Thursday 16 May at 6.30pm in the staff room. The 2023 Annual Report to the school community will presented at this meeting, along with an overview of the future direction of the school.

Parents are invited to attend and join in the discussion. 

Mother's Day Lunch

The Mother's Day Lunch is next week, Friday 3rd May at the Sandringham Yacht Club. Ticket sales will close on the evening of Tuesday 30th April.   https://www.trybooking.com/CQICG 

The afternoon will see an array of entertainment, laughter, surprises and of course some amazing raffle prizes. Please see the separate newsfeed sent this week for all the details.

2024 Student-Free Days

Each year government schools are provided with four student-free days for professional development, school planning and administration, curriculum development, and student assessment and reporting purposes. The first day of Term 1 is a student-free day in all government schools to allow for appropriate planning to take place for the arrival of students. The remaining three student-free days are determined by each individual school.

Teachers are also granted one Professional Practice Day (PPD) per year from 2024 onwards. Schools have the option of scheduling the PPD as a common, student-free day which we are electing to do this year. School Council has confirmed the following student-free days for the remainder of 2024: 

• Mon 29 Jan - Curric 1 (Statewide) 
• Fri 8 Mar - Curric 2 (Curriculum Focus - Writing) 
• Fri 31 May - Curric 3 (Report Writing) 
• Mon 11 Nov - PPD (common - student free) 
• Fri 20 Dec - Curric 4 (End Year Handover and Preparation) 

CEET Meeting

Our next CEET meeting will be held in the staffroom at 7 pm on Tuesday, 30th April. BRPS Community members are welcome.

2025 Foundation Enrolments

Our 2025 Foundation Information was held on Tuesday 23rd April, with the first school tour held the next day. 

Thank you to our current Foundation teachers who joined Emily and I to share what we have to offer with prospective families. The teachers spoke with incredible passion and expertise about our school.

School tours and classroom open mornings are scheduled throughout May. If you are aware of any families that are seeking a school for next year please direct them to our website for information about these events and the enrolment process. 

Sibling Enrolments

Sibling enrolments for Foundation 2025 are now open. Please advise us of any sibling enrolments at your earliest convenience. Existing families are most welcome to attend the upcoming open Foundation classroom  sessions 

We hope you have a wonderful month ahead!

Sam Tyndall

PRINCIPAL

Emily Harvey

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL