BRPS iNewsletter

Principal's Report

Hello BRPS community,

This is the final newsletter for the year. The school has been alive with celebratory activities for families, students and their teachers as we head into the final day.

 

BRPS Carols

It was wonderful to see so many family and friends at our Christmas Carols last Thursday night. The singing showcased on our community stage was magnificent and it was wonderful watching all the students, parents, families and teachers enjoying such a special night. I would like to thank Mr Murnane & Mr Fox for producing the evening and all of the teachers for participating and preparing the students so well.  I would also like to thank Mrs Timms for organising the sausage sizzle and raffle, as well as the the parent helpers who helped out in that area. It was a great way to celebrate such a successful year at the school.

 

Year 6 Graduation Events

What an uplifting week it has been for all involved in the Year 6 graduation events this week. The graduation evening on Tuesday was a true celebration of a remarkable group of students who really are ready to spread their wings and 

move from the comfort and familiarity of their primary school and take on the challenge of entering secondary school.

 

I would like to sincerely thank the Year 6 teachers, Bec Nolan, Steve Muller and Hayley Rings for their enormous and tireless efforts to prepare the students not only for these events, but also throughout the entire year - they have certainly demonstrated their readiness to move into secondary school.  I would like to wish all of our graduating Year 6 students a very fond farewell from Black Rock PS.

Mobile Phone Policy 2020

The Department of Education has introduced a new state-wide Student Mobile Phone policy for 2020 and beyond. Due to these changes, we have updated our Student Mobile Phone policy to align with the new regulations.

 

MAIN CHANGES

1. All phones (including devices like watches with wifi and cellular access) must be switched off once you have arrived on school grounds.

2. All devices are to be stored in either your child’s school bag in the classroom or in a new secure storage facility at the school. This choice is entirely up to families but if the phone is stored in the office it must be clearly labelled with your child’s name and home group.

3. Devices can be accessed at the end of the school day once students have been dismissed.     

Grounds & Facilities Improvements Over the School Holidays

School Improvement Projects

The school will undertake  works over the summer school holidays, including the following: 

  • The five Foundation classrooms will be repainted. All of the rooms will have a fresh, new look and be ready for our the start of the new school year. Our condition and assessment report lists this work as one of our highest priorities. Other rooms across the school will be prioritised for upgrades throughout 2020/21.
  • We will also be reshaping and landscaping the driveway/entrance area at the corner of Ferguson St and Bayview Cres. This will make the entrance safer and more inviting for students, families and visitors entering the school. It is also necessary infrastructure as we move into the next stage of our Urban Agriculture program next year

Oval Development

Of course the oval development continues to be at the forefront of School Council discussions. Bayside Council is currently tendering for a design which we expect to be updated on prior to school returning for 2020.

Aside from Bayside Council processes, School Council will be prioritising at least minor upgrade works to occur in 2020. 

 

Ongoing Projects

Over the last few years the school has invested heavily in projects to improve the learning and playground environment. Projects have included the:

  • Creation of the Outdoor Eco Education Centre and outdoor classroom spaces, incorporating the beginnings of the Urban Agriculture project (including horticultural outreach program)
  • Significant development and resourcing of the STEM Centre and ongoing development of curriculum programs in this area (including 'Adopt an Engineer' undergraduate support program)
  • Community stage and natural playscapes
  • Installation of new basketball towers and rings
  • Installation of the new flag pole area

The school plans to invest even more into our facilities in 2020, we will update you with details about the projects as early as possible when they are confirmed.

I would like to congratulate the School Council for their prudent money management and the Fundraising Committee for their incredible efforts fundraising over the last few years, as well as the generous voluntary contributions provided by families from across the school, all of which have allowed us to undertake these projects that benefit all students and the entire school community. 

Goldstein Award

Congratulations to Year 5 student Clare Thompson who was this year's recipient of the 'Goldstein Award'. Presented to Clare by the Federal Member for Goldstein, Mr Tim Wilson MP, at Monday's assembly, the Goldstein award is named in honour of suffragette Vida Goldstein and recognises Year 5 students from across the electorate who best embody the values of 'Progress, Service & Respect'. 

Clare is an incredibly worthy recipient that we are very proud of, and was recognised for:

  1. Throughout 2019, she has proven herself an outstanding and valuable member of the Black Rock Primary community. 
  2. She shows dedication to achieving excellence across all areas of the curriculum and takes on challenges with determination.
  3. She is a very well rounded student as she has also represented the school in cross-country and swimming.
  4. She consistently demonstrates her kind, caring and respectful nature towards her peers, younger students and teachers on a daily basis.

Farewells

Our classroom, specialist  and support teaching structure for 2019 is now finalised. There are changes as some of our teachers are off starting/continuing family leave and others are taking up other opportunities. 

Georgia Treu (4T) will be following her passion and taking up a Visual Arts specialist teaching position at another school. 

Rebecca Checkley (1R)  will not be taking up a classroom teaching position next year as she starts her new family.

Harriet O'Connor (1O) & Nikita Williams (2D) are also taking up other opportunities in 2020. I would like to sincerely thank and extend our appreciation to the leaving teachers for the dedication, commitment and positive impact they have provided to our school during their time here.

I am excited to welcome our new classroom teaching appointments of Christina De Maio (Foundation), Abigail (Abi) Henderson (Year 1) and Rose Thompson (Grade 5). 

I would also like to welcome back Steph Thorpe, Kim Taing and Katrina Hutchins into part-time roles after a period of family leave.

2020 Dates

The 2020 Term, Public Holidays & Event Dates page, including curriculum days, camps, fete and swimming programs (where known) have been placed on the following pages. Of course, these dates can also be found on the Compass Calendar which will be updated regularly. 

Happy Holidays

Although I hope to catch up with many Black Rock families tomorrow, if I don't see you I hope you have a safe, relaxing and joyful summer holiday period spent with family and friends! Wishing you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2020.

 

Sam Tyndall

PRINCIPAL