In this coming fortnight will see the commencement of the Stage 1 gymnastics program, An Evening with ACOS, O'Connor Year 9 students visiting for a sports coaching session with Stage 2 and Round 4 of the Premiere's Debating Challenge.

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with School Bytes and quickly returned digital permission notes.

Ezidi Black Day

Last Thursday 3 August marked the 9th anniversary of the 2014 massacre and abduction of Ezidi people on Mount Sinhar, Iraq. Mrs Howlett, Mrs Divall and I attended the commemoration on Thursday afternoon in representation of Ben Venue PS. We believe that it is important that our support for the Exidi community is represented, and it was clear in the memorial that the Ezidi community appreciates the support and acceptance of Armidale.

An Evening with ACOS

An Evening with ACOS rehearsals and performances will occur this week. Tickets to the concert are now sold out.

For the evening performance on Thursday 10 August, students will be transported to ASC by private coach. They are to meet at the BVPS library at 5pm dressed in full school uniform.

Parents are asked to please observe the requirements to only collect students at the end of the evening and only from the designated collection point (see map). This procedure is in place to protect the safety of our children.

After the performance, Ben Venue students will be assembling in Area B in the ASC courtyard and can be collected by parents from this area only. Please look out for the Ben Venue school banner.

Please be aware that on-site parking is very limited and you may need to park in surrounding streets.

Learning Showcases

Thank you to everyone who was able to visit classrooms last week for our Education Week Learning Showcases, and in Week 2 for the 100 Days of Kindergarten celebration. As always, it was wonderful to see students sharing conversations about their learning and progress with such pride.

Stage 2 Excursion

Thank you to our teachers and support staff who made the Stage 2 excursions to Coffs Harbour possible, through their organisation and planning, and giving up time with their families overnight.

2024 Kinder enrolment

If you are aware of parents of 2024 Ben Venue Kindergarten students within the school's catchment area who have yet apply for enrolment, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible. Due to enrolment caps and predicted large numbers in the middle and upper years, our capacity to accept non-local 2024 enrolments will be diminished, resulting in a smaller than usual Kindergarten intake. For this reason, applications for enrolment should be submitted as a matter of urgency.

PSSA athletics representatives

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent the Armidale Zone at the North West Athletics in Tamworth on August 30:

Shaelinta Baines - 8 yr Girls 100m

Thomas Goodare - 8 yr Boys 100m

Ally Robson - 9 yr Girls 100m

Caleb Davies - Jnr Boys 200m, Jnr Boys Discus, Jnr Boys Shot Put, Jnr Boys Long Jump, Jnr Boys High Jump, Jnr Boys Relay Team

Chase Gordon - Jnr Boys 800m

Bill Andersson - Snr Boys 800m, Snr Boys Long Jump, Snr Boys High Jump

Hugh Aiken - Snr Boys Shot Put

Jesinta Young - 11 yrs Girls High Jump

James Graham - Jnr Boys Relay Team

Chase Gordon - Jnr Boys Relay Team

Thomas Goodare- Jnr Boys Relay Team

Cam Pryce

Principal

Parents & Citizens Association