What a week as we have all frozen through each day, please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for the wet and cold weather - I know what a challenge it is from my two though!

Open Night

How fabulous was our open night! Great to see so many families there celebrating the great things happening around the school. We were also joined by over 30 new families who will be joining the BPS community in 2024.

Congratulations to our raffle winners on the night and a big thank you to TheirCare for donating the prizes.

Thanks to the team of parents from the P&F who ran a very successful sausage sizzle on the night.

Mid-Year Soiree - Wednesday 7 June - 6.30pm

Our next exciting event is the Mid-Year Soiree held on Wednesday 8th June. The soiree begins at 6:30pm in the Gym. I encourage all families to support our band program, our Friends of the Band have arranged an amazing raffle and a great piece of Indigenous art donated by Will Fowles MP will be auctioned on the night (pre-bids can be made at the office).

Performers will include our:

* Training Band

* Concert Band

* Symphonic Band

* Beginner Guitar Ensemble

* Advanced Guitar Ensemble

*Choir

We're very much looking forward to seeing as many people in the audience as possible! Please see the band page for full details.

Congratulations Radin!

A big congratulations to Radin from 3S who recently completed a chess tournament at Balwyn North Primary School. Radin is to be commended on an outstanding performance representing our school and bringing home the bronze medal too!

Unwell Students at school

As per my compass message last week we ask parents and carers to continue to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of any illness. Any student who is unwell should continue to remain at home. This is about keeping students healthy and well in our school and reducing the spread of both COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

I also want to acknowledge a perfect storm of COVID, flu, other illnesses, and a state-wide shortage of emergency teachers, please be aware that we are taking steps, as necessary, to continue our commitment to do everything that we can to have students remain on site. This may include splitting classes, utilising specialist teachers and Marianne or myself taking classes, these approaches will only be implemented if absolutely necessary.

I thank you in advance for your understanding as the school navigates this challenging period.

Parent Teacher Interviews

As we finish up Term 2 we will hold our Parent-Teacher interviews. Further information will come out early next week regarding these, as in previous years these will take place via webex.

13th June - Reports to parents (incl. instrumental)

15th June - Parent Teacher interviews 3.45-7.45pm

22nd June - Parent Teacher interviews 3.45-7.45pm

Annual Report

The Annual Report to the School Community an opportunity to share the year’s achievements and progress with the school community. This includes reflecting on the school’s performance and explaining the positive impact of school improvement efforts on student outcomes.

I am really pleased to share our Annual Report for 2022 with our community. Some excellent results, highlighting our continued focus on Teaching and Learning. Our focus on writing continues and I am pleased to see in the majority of areas we are outperforming similar schools. I would also highlight that our growth in students from year 3 to 5 NAPLAN results showing a very strong improvement with students achieving 'High' growth showing a very strong result and great improvement of how we are stretching and challenging all students.

The Resilience Project

Throughout 2023, we will continue to work closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community. The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.

Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you.

The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience with some new content: Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness,Connection & Vulnerability. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support your childrens' learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers. This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.

View the first presentation of the series here:

Part 1 - Hugh talks about embracing the season you are in-https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh-martin/

In this presentation, Hugh shares his realisation of the importance of embracing the season (chapter) you are in at the present moment. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Health & Wellness

COVID 19 vs Cold vs Flu