From the Principal and Assistant Principal 

Thank you

The students have quickly adapted to school routines and enjoy reconnecting with their teachers and friends face to face. There is a sense of calm at school. 

On behalf of all staff we extend our sincere thanks to all parents and carers for their understanding and readiness to adapt to processes and protocols in place for the return to school.

Our community has been very respectful of procedures in place at BPS. Our procedures are in line with Department of Education and Training guidelines for all schools. 

The classroom program includes includes a combination of wellbeing activities to help the students readjust to school life and explicit teaching across the curriculum.

We want to keep everyone happy and healthy and keep the school open.

Your cooperation and understanding at this time is very important.

Thank you for your support.

Minister Merlino's announcement this week

Parents and carers may be aware of the announcement made this week by the Minister for Education James Merlino about funding for tutors to provide additional support to  students in 2021.  All schools await further advice and guidelines from DET regarding the  implementation of this program in 2021.

Parent Opinion Survey 2020

The Parent Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. All parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. This year, the Parent Opinion Survey will be conducted from Friday 16th October to Friday 13th November. Parent login and password details will be sent to individual families by COB tomorrow.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. These include: Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha), Hindi, Japanese, Somali, Turkish, Punjabi and Greek.

The survey results will be communicated to parents through annual report. 

Please call the school office if you would like more information.

Bringing Birthday Party Food to School

We wish to advise our parents, carers and students that we are currently unable to distribute any kind of birthday food or other items amongst classmates and friends at school.

We understand that under normal circumstances, it was common for parents, carers and students to bring along food items such as cupcakes or chocolate frogs, for their child to share with their classmates as a way of celebrating their birthday at school. It was a lovely gesture, on a special day. 

However we are operating in different times and we are unable to continue this custom at the moment, until advised otherwise.  Schools have been advised by The Department of Education and Training that the sharing of food should not occur.

Going forward we will continue to celebrate birthdays at school however without the sharing of food or other items.   We wish circumstances were different however at this stage we must do everything we can to adhere to what is expected of us.

We know our students may be disappointed.  We hope our families understand and we ask that you talk with your children about this. Rest assured we will immediately advise families when this expectation changes.  Again, thank you for your understanding during these unusual times and we look forward to reinstating this option when circumstances change.

Whole School Assemblies

With the resumption of all year levels on-site, we will begin running whole school assemblies virtually via Webex. They will continue to be lead by our school captains and held on a Friday at 3pm.

Parents and carers are invited to join. Please use the below link to access the assembly and please remember to remain on mute.

We will begin tomorrow, Friday 16th October, at 3pm. 

https://eduvic.webex.com/meet/hollowood.ellen.g

Quote of the Week: Adaptability

"To adapt is to move ahead."  Byron Pulsifer, Author.

Gratitude and Mindfulness

What are three things that went well for you today?

What are the best things that happened to you today?

Who are you most grateful for and why?

What are you looking forward to most about tomorrow?

Sheryl Skewes                                       Ellen Hollowood

Principal                                                  Assistant Principal