This week at BBPS: Lots going on at school at the moment, and we thank our staff for their continued enthusiasm and facilitation of high quality learning experiences. Special thanks to Amy Chisholm for leading our recognition of our First Nations People.

NAIDOC WEEK: ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’

Students took the time this week to engage in a series of lessons focussed on building further understanding of Australia’s history and our First Nations People.

Tomorrow we acknowledge this week with a free dress day, promoted by our Year 6 in response to a request from one of our students in Year 3. With a focus on cultural diversity, and linking into NAIDOC week, all students are invited to come dressed in the traditional dress of their country of origin. We encourage our students to wear either the colours of national flags or national costumes or to wear something that celebrates their culture. Students in free dress are asked to bring a gold coin donation – with proceeds going to both the Grade 6 Graduation, and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Thank you in advance for supporting this cause.

Environmental Captains Update

‘We value community at BBPS and are grateful for the neighbours we have in our local area and how they look out for our school . You may have noticed the new fences we are progressively doing on our boundary. A big shout out and thank you to Patrick our neighbour on Windermere who very kindly painted the new boundary fence. As you can see from Will and Spencer, a smart finish for our citrus grove. Many thanks also to Shane who ensures our grounds are kept neat, tidy and safe.’

PRODUCTION: Thanks for supporting our students to come this week ready for Dress Rehearsals. Next week students will need to again bring their costumes as we will be recording the show – 'Break a Leg' everyone.

We are currently looking into options for a live stream premiere date to be confirmed!

REMEMBRANCE DAY: Congratulations to our grade 4 students who facilitated a respectful virtual assembly to honour Remembrance Day this week. An outstanding effort.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Our Grade 6s were thrilled to receive letters from residents at Hamble Court Nursing Home this week. Students have struck up a pen pal this term, when we would normally visit and participate in the Arts and Crafts program. We thank the Hamble Court community for building connections with us.

UPSTANDERS: All the best to our Grade 5 Upstanders, who launch their project next week as part of Wellbeing Week. Our network schools will be connecting virtually to build community understanding of taking action and being an upstander online. A padlet link will be shared with you next week via the newsletter to access the resources.

MEET our new guide dog trainee GRANT: We have welcomed another guide dog in training into our community this week, with Amy Chisholm again taking on the role of carer for one very adorable ‘Grant’.

EASING RESTRICTIONS: With easing restrictions across Metro Melbourne, our operational guidelines continue to be adjusted. As of November 10:

Details from the operational guidelines

What this means for BBPS

Ensure consistency with physical distancing measures to reduce congestion.

Staggered starts and finishes to continue.

Visitors to schools continue to only be people delivering essential school services

Allied Health and DET staff permitted

Schools must not conduct on-site school tours for prospective students and families

Check out our virtual tour

School photos are permitted

School photos Monday 7th December 2020.

Kinder to school transition – small group kinder to school transition activities are permitted, with a maximum group size of 10 people. There must be no intermixing with other students at the school.

Prep Orientation will still take place early December. Timetable to be communicated via padlet

next week.

Year 7 transitions – as above

Secondary Schools will be in contact with families as appropriate.

Any virtual transition sessions can be accommodated from school, please liaise with Amy or Naomi.

End of year events or large gatherings: Face-to-face year level assemblies can occur for students and staff only, no parents or other external visitors can attend. Whole school assemblies and other non-essential large gatherings must be postponed or adapted through online broadcasts.

Next virtual assembly is:

23 November

Whole School Production will be live streamed: Date to be confirmed

No (Sadly) Whole School Christmas Party this year

Year 6 Graduations are permitted face to face in Victorian schools. Students from the graduating year level and staff can attend in person. Parents/Carers and other family members or friends cannot attend in person but could engage via an online broadcasting of the event.

Many thanks to the Parent Organising Committee for their creativity with this one in honouring our students.

Excursions can resume across Victoria for all schools.

Teachers are in the process of confirming any events planned for the rest of this term.

In particular, Grade 3-6 teaching teams are planning alternative programs for students. Keep an eye on Compass for further details.

We of course will keep you updated should we receive any further adjustments following November 23rd.

Thanks to families who have notified us already. If your child is not returning to Brighton Beach Primary School in 2021 can you please let Benita know via email at brighton.beach.ps@education.vic.gov.au

with “2021 Student not returning” in the subject line. This greatly assists us with our planning for next year.

Community News