Principal's Report

Hello BRPS Community,

Open Afternoon

Our open afternoon on Wednesday 1st March was incredibly well attended, with students relishing the opportunity to welcome parents and carers into their learning spaces and share their pride in the learning they have been engaging with since the beginning of the school year. It was wonderful to provide the opportunity for parents and carers to connect with their child's teacher/s and continue building supportive relationships between home and school. 

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is celebrated around the world on March 8th. This week I would like to thank all of the women in our own BRPS community who are outstanding in both their career and volunteer roles, providing high-level expertise and countless contributions towards supporting the learning, wellbeing and development of students across the school on a daily basis. 

It's also fitting that the recent high-level achievements of some of the girls in our school are highlighted in this newsletter. 

Harmony Week 

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. It’s a time to reflect on the importance of respecting each other and our differences. It is a week of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in Harmony Week activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it.

We will be engaging in Harmony Week activities across our whole school in the week commencing Monday 20th March. 

Thank you - Mobile Phones & Attendance

Last week we highlighted the Student Mobile Devices and Attendance policies, as well as outlining revised processes that took effect on Monday 6th March. Thank you to all of our families who have supported the implementation of those processes in full. We understand that it takes time for new habits to develop, however by working together we can ensure that we embed great habits that maximise learning time for the benefit of all in our school.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students do. Previously held in May each year, from 2023 onwards the NAPLAN test window has been brought forward to March between Wednesday 15 March and Monday 27 March. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals and can be used to improve student achievement. 

Schools have now fully transitioned from paper-based to computer-based assessments with all schools completing NAPLAN tests online in 2023. All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

The Year 3 & 5 teams have been busy completing additional professional learning to support students to prepare for this new mode of delivery. The full NAPLAN schedule, including opportunities for make-up tests, is provided to the families of participating Year 3 & 5 students separately.

2024 Foundation Enrolments

Our 2024 Foundation Information night will be held in the first week of Term 2, on Wednesday 27th April. School Tours will take place weekly from Weeks 1-5. 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 for Foundation 2024 will open on Monday 24th April. 

Year 6 Leadership Presentation

What a fantastic milestone it was to gather all students and staff together, along with many parents, to our whole-school assembly on Monday 13th February to formally introduce our Year 6 Leaders to the school community. Year 6 is a special year and one in which students have the opportunity to take on extra responsibility and independence as they prepare to transition into secondary school.

Our Year 6 Leaders are a wonderful group of students and are role models that set the standard for every other student in the school to look up to. They often represent our school at public events and so far this year have proven to be a group with strong camaraderie, a strong connection to the school and a desire to help make BRPS an even better place than it is now. 

We look forward to watching our Year 6 students grow and develop as leaders and learners throughout the year. 

School Council 

The BRPS Council nomination period has closed. We received three parent nominations for the three vacant positions, with all three nominees accepting membership on our school council for a two-year term. 

Laura Anderson (parent of Jack in Year 4 and Marlo in Year 1) and Debbie Halas (parent of Boston in Year 3) continue as councillors after joining last year, and we also warmly welcome Nives Zubcevic-Basic (parent of Oliver in Foundation) as a new council member. 

Laura, Debbie and Nives join Cheryl Toner, Ari Jenshel and Nick Vakrinos to make up the 6 parent members of our council.  

Carmen Smith (parent of Toby in Year 4 and Billy in Year 1) is stepping down as a councillor and we sincerely thank her for the valuable contributions made over the past twelve months. 

Sports Achievements

Seaside District Swim Carnival!

A huge congratulations to the Black Rock Swim team who competed at the Seaside District Carnival on Thursday 2nd March, finishing in second place overall.

The Carnival was held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, with students from Black Rock swimming against the other 7 schools in the district, displaying great sportsmanship, talent and determination.

Kingston Division Swimming Representatives

Best of luck to the following students who finished 1st in their race at the Districts and will now go on to compete at the Division Swimming Carnival on Tuesday the 14th of March: 

Eloise A, Emily B, Kaiah F, Lucinda G, Zali G, Zahra H, Leah M and Ava P.

We wish them all the best and will keep the BRPS community updated with their efforts.

School Sport Victoria - State Cricket Team

Well done to Kiki D (Year 5) who has been trialling for selection in the Girls 12 & Under Victorian State Cricket Team. Kiki has progressed to the final 50 competitors and will complete the next trial at the MCG on Tuesday 14th March.

Congratulations Kiki, what an experience it will be! We wish you the best of at the next stage.

Term One Community Events 

Welcome Picnic & Running Colour

We hope to see as many families as possible on the oval on Friday 24 March for our first community event of the year - the Welcome Picnic and Running Colour! We've already put in an order for fabulous weather and now we just need everyone to join us and have some FUN.   

Easter Hat Parade

We're also looking forward to finishing off a successful Term 1 with our world-famous 'Easter Hat Parade' on Thursday 6th April at 9.15am.

Other News....

School Photos 

School photos will take place in Week 8 on Tuesday 21st March. Please place the date in your diary.  

Enjoy the long weekend and have a wonderful fortnight.

Sam Tyndall

PRINCIPAL