Junior School
The past few weeks have been challenging, as I was injured, had surgery and am now juggling some time on campus with working from home. All of the children at Springwood and Wentworth Falls have been impressed with my knee scooter, though I declined joining Tour de Vallee on Tuesday!
Our “Tour” bike races at Wentworth Falls and Springwood over the last week were fabulous events! The children had an absolute ball dressing up and racing to be crowned winner. The prize for ‘First’ in a race was a full baguette and the prize for “Second” was a half baguette! Part of the joy for the day was to look back on old photos and see friends, siblings and teachers enjoying the event for nearly 20 years.
I was joined at Springwood’s Tour de Vallee by Mr and Mrs Barrett. These special visitors are the parents of alumni and deeply connected to our school, despite their daughter having graduated Year 12 quite a few years ago now. Visiting for the Tour was special as so many of the old archive photos showed Mr Barrett in the yellow jersey leading many of the races at Springwood, year after year. The Barretts spoke so fondly of their daughter’s time at Springwood, then Wentworth Falls and are deeply thankful for the family’s connection to the school.
We can’t do what we do without our parents and grandparents. Thank you to those parents who join us for P&F events, volunteering their time and energy to raise funds for all the “extras” we want the children to have. Thank you to the parents who come along to support our students as they perform, and run, or swim and sing. And thank you to all the grandparents, often helping with drop offs and pick ups, forming essential parts of the “village” that busy parents need to raise children in this fast paced world. You are appreciated.
We have more special events and exciting things in our calendar yet – I look forward to seeing you at the Nativity, as Year 6 graduate and on Presentation Day. I hope to sing carols on the lawn with you and say prayers of thanks for such a wonderful first year at BMGS. I’ll be the one on the knee scooter, decorated for Christmas by the children!
Mrs Rachael Newton
Head of Junior School
Tour de Montagnes Bleues and Tour De Vallee
On Friday the 4th November we had a wonderful Tour de Montagnes Bleues bicycle race and on Tuesday, 8th November we had our amazing Tour de Vallee. There was great excitement as we cheered on all of our participants and applauded them at Presentation in the hall afterward each event.
Congratulations to all competitors and spectators. You made these special days hugely success and so much fun. French dress-up was super, ooh la la!
Thank you again to Mrs. Newton; to our Maintenance Team for all of your hard work; to all parents, grandparents and friends who attended and supported our students; to Mrs. Mamo who made the most delicieux chocolat chaud/hot chocolate; to all of the staff teaching and non-teaching for your wonderful support; to my student helpers in Wentworth Falls and Springwood un grand merci.
We are already looking forward to fun and safe cycling in 2023!
Merci, Madame O’Hara
Stage 2 Excursion to Royal Botanical Gardens
Stage 2 visited the Royal Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, 1st November, to learn what life was like for the local Aboriginal people before the British arrived in 1788.
The students recounted what they found most interesting:
Robert S: Learning that only Aboriginal people were allowed on the land where Mrs Macquarie’s chair is.
Ari R: We learned how Aboriginal people made spears out of things in nature.
Madeleine R: The British were excessive with the amount of lashes they inflicted on the convicts.
Abbie J: The English thought it was going to be winter in Australia when they arrived in January.
We were so lucky to have had such amazing weather.
Mrs Lori Gerrard, Mr Luke Carr
Stage 2 Teachers
P & F Association Fun Run
On Friday 18th November the P & F will be holding our bubble Fun Run. This year we are encouraging children to wear a loud t-shirt to jazz up the experience a little - otherwise a House shirt or Sports shirt are fine. Please note the times for the Fun Run for all students are:
- Early Learning 12.30pm (Whilst Pre-K are not usually at school on a Friday, students are encouraged to join if they can)
- Primary 1.00pm
A BBQ lunch will be provided for all children.
Early Learning parents can collect their child from the oval at 2:50pm and children who are due to return to Springwood will be back in time for pick up.
If you haven’t received a Fun Run link then head to the link below to sign up under our School banner www.schoolfundraising.com.au
The class that raises the most funds at each campus will be treated to a Pizza Party lunch the following week. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will join forces due to class numbers.
Prizes must be ordered in your on-line profile (even if you have only fundraised cash) by 5:00pm Sunday, 20th November. Prizes are due to be delivered approx. 2 weeks after the event.
We need you!
We also need some helpers for the day to encourage the children from start to end of the course and of course cook and prepare the BBQ for our hungry fun runners. If you have any questions about the Fun Run, please contact your Campus P&F Representative or the School Office.
Kind Regards
BMGS P&F
Junior School Basketball
Term 4 - Week 5
On Monday, 7th November, the BMGS Swish were up against the Sharp Shooters, who are also at the top of the ladder with the Swish and what an entertaining game it was. BMGS Swish got an early lead as a result of awesome defence and more accurate shooting. The boys were playing really well as a team and were great at getting the ball down their end. I was on the bench and I was absolutely glued to the game. There was awesome sportsmanship, great plays and some very impressive breaks with layups. The boys are completely worth of their top place on the ladder and I felt lucky to be able to watch such an entertaining game. Congratulations to Dillon for all his coaching. I’m confident there will be, at the very least, a Semi-Final for this team next year.
Also on Monday, the BMGS Slam Dunks played an awesome game full of awesome teamwork. The girls scored their highest result in a game so far with every player on their team scoring a basket. The cheers that went up in the crowd when they scored were awesome. It was great to have Isabella Rossiter present for her first game. Isabella scored a couple of baskets and it was great to have a bit more height for the team. The girls were great at defence, despite having much taller opponents and their feistiness is something that is a bonus on the court. Congratulations to Mrs Lord for all her input. It was great to see the team has improved under her coaching.
On Tuesday, the BMGS Stars played a very competitive game against their opposition. There was a lot of running up and down the court as layups and shots were not scored and rebounds were grabbed by the opposition. The game was quite low scoring with only a 3 baskets going in. With two subs on the bench, the players were rotated every five minutes but while they were on the court, they went pretty hard. Congratulations to all the players for sharing the ball around and playing as a team and having lots of fun. We had a 6 all draw.
Mrs Lori Gerrard