Principal's Report

Welcome back and what an amazing start last week. It was wonderful to see the incredibly settled nature across the school and focus on learning, which was very evident. We have another big year in front of us and we have plenty to be proud of at BPS.  Our teaching and learning programs are second to none.  

If your home has been anything like mine, we have had two very tired boys and often at the end of the school day hard to get too many updates about their day, below is a quick article of 50 questions, rather than asking "How was your day?" - we really try to avoid asking that question, even  a question about recess or lunch can bring out some different stories about school.

Information Night

A big thank you to those families who attended our information nights this week. It's a great opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and here more about the upcoming year. With the consistence approaches we have across our school means the transition from year to year for students is generally quite straight forward and we look forward to the milestone moments in each year level.

Parent Teacher Exchange

These meetings are for parents to provide information to the teachers with specific learning needs or requirements, some families may choose that they do not need to attend and the questionnaire may be sufficient.

A reminder that these are not intended to be a parent-teacher meeting.

There has also been an extensive handover between your child's teacher and last year's teacher to ensure that the transition is smooth and that the 2023 teachers have a sound understanding of the needs of your child. 

Please book in a time via Compass conferences (same as mid-year interviews), if you feel that the questionnaire is not sufficient.

A questionnaire about your child has been distributed by your child's class teacher on Compass.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches 

We expect all students to exhibit exemplary online behaviour both in and out of school. At school, students use digital devices and technology regularly and are learning about the appropriate use of these.  It is Department of Education policy that students keep their digital devices in the office during school hours.

Smart watches are able to be switched to 'School Mode' (Do Not Disturb) between the times of 9am - 3.30pm - allowing them to function only as a watch and therefore do not have to be handed in. These devices are not permitted or required on school camps and excursions. All, and any, communication should be directed through your child's teacher or the school office. If students are found to be using them for communication during the school day they will be required to hand them to office daily.

SunSmart

A reminder that as per our SunSmart policy from the 1st September to 30th April. ALL BPS students are expected to wear hats during recess and lunch and for all outdoor activities, especially Physical Education. Students not wearing hats are to sit under the shade seating on the Schoolhouse.

With the warm weather about, it is vital that all students wear their school, SunSmart hat when outside.  Students should also be drinking water regularly and taking breaks from play if they are getting too hot. We would appreciate these reminders being reinforced at home.

Parent Volunteering for 2023

We are always incredibly grateful for the work that parents, grandparents, friends and family members do for our school over the year. Many thanks to our volunteers who keep many programs afloat and enhance the learning and wellbeing of our students. There will be many and varied activities, special events and programs that require volunteer helpers next year so please connect in with surveys and volunteer offers as they come to light in the newsletter. 

Annual privacy reminder for 2023

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

Please take time to read our school’s collection notice, found on our website .

We ask parents to also review the guidance attached below on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. 

PERSONAL GOODS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL AT OWNER’S RISK 

Student accident insurance/Ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school.

Recently the Department of Education communicated to schools a need to remind communities of the following information regarding student accident and ambulance cover and also about personal goods insurance.

The Department of Education does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.

This applies to students, staff and members of the public.

This can include mobile phones, electronic games, iPads, laptops, toys, musical instruments, sporting equipment and bicycles parked on school grounds.

Students and staff are discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school.

The Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance for students.

Parents and guardians are generally responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs.

Student accident insurance policies are available through private insurance companies to cover medical expenses not met by Medicare.

Schools and DoE are not able to advise parents on whether to purchase such an insurance policy or which policy to purchase as individual families have differing needs.

2023 STAFF LIST

00G – Kirsten Goss 

00S - Vicky Soldatos  (Team Leader)

00T – Lou Tribolet

1FR - Kaye Fraser & Michelle Robinson 

1P - Zoya Pavloff

12B - Wendy Bennett 

2B - Zoe Bartus (Team Leader)

2S - Kelly Sotiriadis & Jacqui Carfi

3P – Michael Pitinga 

3SF - Steph Storto & Kirralee Felicite

34L - Daniel Liebrich

4A - Amanda Chetcuti

4C - Emily Chau (Team Leader) 

5A - Fiona Arthur

5B - Sue Battista

5W - Simone Wood

6DF – Michelle Fabris & Krystle D’Amelio

6F - Danielle Fountain (Team Leader) 

6S – Danae Sage

Art - Liz Dixon (Team Leader)

LOTE - Yi Zhang

Music - Lisa Shacklock

PE - Merissa Pickford

Patch - Trinity Parker

Chaplain - Carly Cassidy