Principal's Report
Hello BRPS Community
Wow, hasn't Winter arrived in a hurry! I hope everyone is staying warm. This edition of the newsletter celebrates some outstanding individual and team achievements by students from across the school.
Cross Country
Whole-school House Cross Country - Mon 20 May
For the first time, all students from F-6 were able to compete in our House Cross Country. The event was held in true cross country conditions (cold with a sprinkling of rain!) on Monday 20th May and the age level events were a very competitive affair, with the top competitors winning their way through to the District Event.
Our Foundation to Year 3 students were super-excited to dress in their House colours and compete in the event for the first time. The junior school students didn't seem to mind the rain at all and loved being cheered on by all the senior school members of their House.
Thank you to Mr Fox and all of the teachers and parents who braved the elements to ensure such a successful event!
Thanks also to parents Lou and Michael for their dedicated efforts to train our students in the run club on Wednesdays and Fridays each week.
Special Commendations
A special commendation should go to Toby G from Year 4 for his incredibly caring and selfless act during one of the boys' races. Toby's friend became unwell and was struggling during the race. Toby slowed down to support his friend and run with him, and in doing so sacrificed his own chances of finishing in a position to qualify for the next level. We're very proud to recognise Toby's generosity and care towards his fellow school mates and we were able to reward him with a special entry into the District event.
There was a similar situation in the District event whereby one of our Year 6 boys was unwell during the race and Ben B from Year 6 stopped to help then ran out the rest of the race in support. What a superb act of sportsmanship!
District Cross Country - Tue 28 May
Congratulations to our District Cross Country team who again competed and won both the overall and aggregate trophies in the Seaside network competition. We're very proud of the way our students represented our school and the result was a testament to the mix of talent and dedication evident amongst our student group.
A big highlight was the huge cheers from the whole team for Heidi from Year 3 as she made her way down the home straight!
A full report is included in the sport page of this newsletter.
Susan McLean Cybersafety Evening - Review
Parenting in the 21st century requires you to be able to parent in the digital space. Technology is firmly entrenched in our lives and that of our children so we need the tools to deal with issues as they arise.’ Susan McLean
Thank you to the 80+ parents who attended the Black Rock Primary School parent cybersafety evening with Susan McLean.
Students and parents need a greater awareness of the dangers of the internet was the message clearly delivered to all in attendance and built on the information shared with school staff and Year 3-6 students in workshops earlier in the day.
Susan said that two main problems were prevalent – cyber bullying and premature use of social media.
She said the most common platforms were Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok.
Some of the key points were:
- If there is an ability to communicate through an online platform, it will be misused.
- There is no such thing as a safe platform. It’s a safe user.
- The problem with cyberbullying is that the abuse happens outside a school environment and between students from different schools.
- Cyber safety is a social issue that requires a community approach.
- A “very large” number of primary school students were lying about their age to sign-up for social media accounts. Most have little understanding of the risks and often parents are in the dark, too, or do not want to know because it is easier to just say yes.
- Communities, including schools and parents working together, need to instill respectful online behaviours and encourage young people to speak up.
If you weren't able to make the evening please try and start up a conversation with someone who did. The closer everyone in our community is to being on the same page with the issues discussed, the more we can support the safety of our students. If you would like to find out more, please explore the following links:
www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/
Reconciliation Art Prize
Congratulations to Lily F and Alice S who were amongst 5 finalists in the Years 4 - 6 Primary School Category in the Bayside Council Student Reconciliation Week award on Saturday. The competition required students to paint a picture on ‘What Reconciliation means to them’ and Alice’s painting won the $500 prize. The artwork is currently on display in Bayside Corporate Centre, 76 Royal Ave, Sandringham during Reconciliation Week this week, until 3 June.
www.bayside.vic.gov.au/news/new-student-awards-celebrate-reconciliation
Congratulations - Baby News
Congratulations to Rosie Drinan and husband Tim as they recently welcomed Black Rock PS staff's fourth new baby into the world this year.
Amelia Mary came into the world last week weighing 5lb 6oz (2.4kg). A little smaller than expected, but with plenty of personality! Everyone is well and couldn't be happier.
2020 Enrolments
New enrolments across all year levels for the 2020 school year are now being taken. Our four information mornings have been very well attended
Sibling enrolments are now open, please collect an enrolment form from the office.
Have a great fortnight.
Sam Tyndall
PRINCIPAL