A Message from Hannah & Keir

We would like to acknowledge and honour the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which our school stands. We pay our respects to all First Nations elders, past present and emerging.

Planning 

Over the last two weeks of the term, we have been running an alternative timetable as our teams of teachers meet to plan for term three teaching and learning. Teachers spend these days together in their teams looking at and diving deeply into Curriculum Documents, BNWPS documentation such as the Literacy and Numeracy Scope and Sequence, and (most importantly!) anecdotal and standardised data that helps teachers understand where students are at as a cohort, and where they need  to focus the learning. Planning days are also big days for specialist teachers, as they take a cohort for a whole day and are able to dig deeply into their own curriculum and learning. 

COVID vaccination guidelines in schools

Over the weekend, new guidelines for COVID vaccination mandates were released in the media. This change states that from the start of Term 3, staff in mainstream schools will no longer be required to meet vaccination requirements to attend work. There are no changes to the requirements for staff in specialist schools as mandatory vaccination requirements remain in place for those working with vulnerable people. There has been no further communication with schools about the vaccination status of visitors or volunteers on-site, but we will communicate these changes as soon as we are made aware of any. 

Winter Solstice 

This year, as you may have already heard; BNWPS will be celebrating the Winter Solstice with the much-awaited premiere of the 2021 Creative Artists' Film.

Back in In 2021, as part of the Creative Workers in Schools program, using music, dance, wearable art, costume and circus, Johanna Fairley, Tara Gooding and Erick Mitsak completed a residency at BNW. This feature film, featuring the 2021 cohort, explores the Eastern Kulin seasonal calendar. It also highlights the importance of The Arts. 

The event will be held at school from 5:30pm until 7pm. Screening will commence at 6pm sharp. There will be a sausage sizzle and a bar with drinks for sale but please feel free to bring along your own food (no BYO alcohol). We will also have the new pizza oven fired up, so that attendees can sample a delicious wood-fired pizza. 

Please make sure you wear warm clothes - its going to be a cold evening!

E-Cargo Bikes

After a strange couple of years, life seems to have returned to normal, and the school drop off and pick up routine is back in full swing. As a Ride & Stride school, we want to allow more families the opportunity to try out alternative school-run options to cars for those that live further, lead busy morning schedules, are concerned about their children riding independently, or simply want to try out something different.

Over Term 3,  Moreland City Council will be offering 20 families a free, four week trial of an e-cargo bike. Electric bikes are able to get you further distances faster, and the bikes can carry up to two children safely & securely. Through your four week trial, you can travel to school, work, the park and back home again quickly, safely and sustainably.

We’ll be offering pop up test rides at the school on Friday 24th from 8am - 10am and 3pm - 5pm. This is a great opportunity for you to come and try the bikes and get more information. The bikes will be provided by Lug+Carrie, you can find out more about who they are here.

WMM group chat

In pre-COVID times our main school event to attract new families (and main fundraiser), was the Winter Magic Market. A wonderful combination of food, arts and entertainment and fun activities - it was an experience that celebrated and showed the world our community. Hundreds of parents from across our community came together to run a wide variety of stalls and activities. The school was lit with fairy lights, fire pits and decorations and an exhausting but wonderful time was had by all.

So, the question I put to you as a community is "Are we ready or able to bring a version of it back on Saturday 6th August?" 

Last year School Leadership, School Council and CET started to develop plans for a smaller, less intense event keeping the things which we can do easily and that bring us joy. Ideas included outsourcing some of the food stalls to local businesses, keeping the activities that could be run easily such as the inflatables on the oval and focussing our attention on refilling the BNW bucket.

If you are interested in being part of a team to get something up and running again please come along to our online meeting on Wednesday, 22nd June at 7.00pm till 7.30pm. This will be a very casual chance for us to see who is interested in helping create our community moment and start some brainstorming - no one will be roped into a life-time contract, we promise!

Having coordinated it for five years 2015-2019 our School Council President, Tanya Pittard knows both the joys and tribulations that come with managing a large event, however with a great team the work becomes play and a truly rewarding opportunity to get to know some of the amazing "get in there and get stuff done" parents we have at this school. This is her final year as part of the school community, I'd love to see a group of parents work with her to build a team to take on some version of this event that brings so much joy to our students.

Tax Time Announcement

Dear Parents & Caregivers of BNW,

In the usual way of time-flying it is again almost the end of the financial year. We would like those of you who feel you are able to, to please consider making a contribution to the school’s tax-deductible building fund. Donations to the building fund are used to make improvements to our school grounds, to foster a warm and welcoming environment designed to inspire and engage.

Donations have assisted in funding the priority projects. Projects such as:

● The Sprout & OSHC kitchen amalgamation and extension

● The CET storage area

● Maths and Literacy resources storage areas

● Supporting improvements to breakout and specialist learning areas

The building fund provides crucial funding to support works across the school buildings, meaning that locally raised fundraising and grants applications can focus on outdoors projects such as re-installation of the productive garden and chicken coop, shade sails and improving the outdoor seating and furniture.

How does a tax deduction work? Why should I make a contribution to the BNWPS building fund?

Example: If your only income in your tax return for 2021-2022 is a salary of $65,000. You can donate $70 to the school building fund, which is officially recognised for tax purposes. Your taxable income is therefore $64,930 ($65,000 minus $70). Making a donation to our building fund will effectively reduce your taxable income and may increase the amount you receive back in your tax return.  

Plus your donation will assist to complete the many projects outlined in the school masterplan still awaiting funds.

Sounds great! How do I make the donation?

Contributions to the building fund can be made by EFT, credit card, cash and cheque. EFT details: 

Brunswick North West Primary School

BSB- 063-150

Account no: 10047335

Please put the family name and reason for payment in the payment reference box. eg. “Building Fund - Smith’ Or ‘BF – Smith’ Cheques should be made payable to the ‘Brunswick North West Primary School.’ 

Minimum deductible amount is $2.00 and a tax deductible receipt will be issued to contributors.

So get in quick and reduce your tax liability! Please contact the office if you have any questions or require any assistance.

We would like to wish every member of our school community a restful and restorative holiday break. Remember (from last week’s newsletter!) that there is more than one way to rest.