The Year That Was...
A reflection from Mrs Duffy...
As the 2019 school year draws to a close, I would like to acknowledge and commend each and every student for their personal progress and growth.
Our students are the focus of all that we do, and they constantly impress us and continue to be wonderful ambassadors for our school. Only yesterday we received a call from a member of the public commending the Year 6 students on their lovely behaviour whilst on excursion for their 'Big Day Out'.
In 2019 our very lucky students have been involved in a huge range of learning opportunities and experiences from Robotics competitions to Digital Technologies projects and have articulated their thoughts, ideas and passions through their positive 'Student Voice'.
We have celebrated many successes in all areas of the curriculum, made it through a number of school audits and assessments, hosted a number of visitors and implemented several new initiatives and programs - all geared towards providing the best possible learning outcome and environment for our students.
A snapshot of the Year 2019 follows.
Special Events & Activities
We held many wonderful community events and activities:
- 'Be You' Day
- Welcome Event
- Run4Fun Colour Explosion
- Student Disco
- Cybersafety and eSmart Weeks
- The Resilience Project Parent Information Evening
- Cyber Safety Parent Information Evening
- ANZAC & Remembrance Day Ceremonies
- Mother's & Father's Day stalls
- BNPS Gala Night
- Book Parade
- Outdoor Movie Night
- Mini Market
- Weet-Bix Champion School Breakfast
- Junior Council organised events such as Footy Colours Day and Touch of Xmas Days and other events supporting various charities (see 'Charity Support' below)
- Special Prep events (Grandparent's Morning, Mother's Day Pampering, Father's Day Morning, 100 Days at School celebration, Cubby Day, and an Old Fashioned Dress-up day)
- Carols Night
Teaching and Learning
We engaged in high level teaching and learning and I commend the staff on their application to their own professional development. Student progress and achievement was monitored and communicated through both formal and informal interviews and reports:
- Meet & Greets (Term 1)
- Parent-Teacher Interview (Term 2)
- Student Led Conferences (Term 3)
- Semester Reports (Term 2 & 4)
- Ongoing feedback via Learning Tasks
Parents and students alike also enjoyed the 'Open Classroom' opportunities throughout the year.
Incursions & Excursions
In addition to our whole-school Resilience Project incursion, St John Ambulance First Aid in Schools Program and Camp Quality Incursion (Year 1 - 3), students participated in the following year level incursions and excursions which were a highlight for many.
PREP
Cyber Safety & Bullying Prevention, Responsible Pet Education, Kids Car Education, Police Visit, Fire Education, Art and 'Under the Sea' Drama Toolbox incursions and an excursion to the Aquarium.
YEAR 1
Hockey Clinics, Fairytale Fiasco, Car Expo, Pizza Making, Travelling Kitchen, Art and Japanese incursions and an excursion to Werribee Zoo.
YEAR 2
Pen Pal Activities, Billy Carts, Dance Around the World,Art and Japanese incursionsand an excursion to IMAX/Museum.
YEAR 3
Aboriginal Virtual Reality, Traffic Education, Creative Space, Art and Japanese incursions and an excursion to the Melbourne Zoo.
YEAR 4
Body Investigators, Media Roadshow, Art, Japanese and Virtual Reality incursions andan excursion to Cook's Cottage & the Immigration Museum.
YEAR 5
Immigration Journeys,Art and Japanese incursions, Sandringham College Dance Showcase, Beaumaris Secondary College Variety Show and excursion to the Melbourne Zoo.
YEAR 6
History Toolbox, Metro Trains, Art and Japanese incursions, Secondary College Musical & Transition event, ‘Girls on the Go!’/’Rock and Water’ Wellbeing Program and excursions to the Shrine and Scienceworks/Planetarium.
Students also went on local walks and enjoyed various presentations and visits from external educators and BNPS parents.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Many extra-curricular activities and programs were made available to our students including:
- Lunch Clubs
- Early Morning Maths (Y4 - 6)
- Choir (Y3 - 6)
- School Band (Y4 - 6)
- Flute & Recorder Ensembles
- Singing Lessons (Y2 - 6)
- Instrumental Music Program
- Bike Ed (Y4 & 5)
- Swimming Program
- Exhibitions (Y4 - 6)
- Leadership Program (Y3 - 6)
- Student Voice Team (Y4 - 6)
- Camp (Y4 - 6)
- Sports Lessons via OSHC
- Premiers' Reading Challenge
- Art Installation Group (Y6)
- Buddy Program (Prep/Year 5 & Year 1/Year 6)
Sports
Students from Year 3 – 6 participated in the following House Sport carnivals, with many making it through to the District, Regional and even State level of the competition.
- Swimming Carnival (Y4 - 6)
- Cross Country Carnival (Y3 - 6)
- Athletics Carnival (Y3 - 6)
Our Year 5 & 6 students also participated in weekly Inter-school Sports with fantastic results including the Mixed netball team who made it all the way through to the State level of the competition! It was also the first year that a team was entered in the Netball Victoria Schools Championships Tournament thanks to the Stickland family.
All students are to be commended on their effort and sportsmanship.
Charity Support
The Junior Council led by Mrs Silvi Levine and Mrs Kate Boston, have had another active year initiating action to support the following charities:
- Pinchapoo (Pyjama/Onsie Day) - collection of hygiene products
- Monash Children’s Hospital (Touch of Easter Day) - $525.10
- Cancer Council (Crazy Hair Day) - $744.95
- OzChild (Christmas Wishing Tree Program) - over 500 gifts!
A total of $7524.40 was raised at the Year 5/6 Mini Market and was shared in equal thirds by the States School Relief Fund, Make-A-Wish Australia and RSPCA Australia.
The Year 6 students also sold merchandise to support the ANZAC & Legacy Appeals and families and the Junior Council supported student initiated collections including a 'Blanket & Winter Coat Collection' and the Sacred Heart Mission's 'Give a Frock' campaign.
Supporting charities instils in our students, the importance of a social conscience and demonstrates 'Action' which is central to the PYP.
Very Proud!
Once again I am blown away by what has been achieved in 12 months and very proud to be the Principal of Beaumaris North Primary School. Thank you everyone for making BNPS such a wonderful place to work and learn.