Banksmeadow News

Welcome to the 2017 school year and of course a special welcome to all of our new families. I am delighted to be appointed as Principal of Bankmeadow Public School. I have learnt that the Banksmeadow community have worked hard in recent years to introduce a number of excellent initiatives to support our students. I am very excited to support and develop the great work being done but also to introduce some new initiatives at BPS. I am leading a wonderful group of educators that have already shown their dedication and willingness to work collaboratively with each other and with our wider school community. I look forward to getting to know the students and their families as we work together to provide a great year of learning for all students.

The students will be in their 2016 classes today (Monday) as we are close to an additional class and we need to confirm numbers before we officially form our 2017 classes. If we remain at ten mainstream classes, the classes will be -

Pre School Pelicans Mrs Steinmann (M,T,W,F) /Mrs Pollock (Th)

Pre School Kookaburras Mrs Royston (M,W,Th,F) /Mrs Pollock (T)

KB - Mrs Bragg

KT - Mrs Twitchings

1R - Ms Jessica Rafty

1/2S - Mrs Sharma

2M - Ms Morgan

3L - Mr Livesey

3/4B - Mrs Hayden (nee Baker)

4/5M - Mr Merrick

5/6B - Ms Brown

6M - Mr Murphy

K6WS - Mrs Waldron (M,T,Th)/Mrs Shul (W,F)

K6L - Ms Langdon

K6M - Ms Marwood

RFF - Ms Fahey

Library - Mrs Macdonald (one day) / Ms Johnstone (two days)

Reading Recovery - Ms Johnstone

Learning Support - Igal Schwartzman

Counsellor - Cheryl Herden

We have a number of new staff with us this year. I welcome Ms Rose Morgan as a permanent member of staff and Mr Guy Livesey, Ms Jessica Rafty and Ms Amy Johnstone. I am delighted to have them join our team. Ms Brown is moving up to the primary school from the pre school this year and we congratulate Ms Baker on her recent marriage and welcome her back as Mrs Hayden.

Mrs Jack is continuing her leave and so our Assistant Principal positions will be -

Pre School - A relieving position for Term 1 will be shared by - Mrs Steinmann and Mrs Royston

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1- - Mrs Bragg

Stage 2 and Stage 3 - Mr Murphy

Support Unit - Mrs Waldron (M,T,Th) and Ms Langdon (Relieving for Mrs Waldron (W,F)

Kindergarten students begin school on Wednesday 1st Februrary (siblings) and Thursday 2nd February (non siblings). All Kindy parents are invited to the old hall (near the office) for morning tea on Thursday morning after 9am. This event is hosted by our P and C. It's a great opportunity to meet other parents and we promise to have a box or two of tissues on hand!

The annual school swimming carnival is approaching fast. It will be held on Monday 6th February at Botany Pool. A note will be sent home today with all the necessary details. The carnival is for all students in Years 3 - 6 and any of our Year 2 students that turn 8 this year and are confident swimmers.

Selected text books are used in each of the classes at Banksmeadow Public School. This year, these text books will be for sale on a special "Text Book Day" to be held on Friday 3rd February. On this day, a representative from the Harpers (our text book supplier) will visit the school. Students will be required to bring their money on that day to purchase their books. Please note that no money will be collected through the office.

This company have worked with our school for some time and has provided quality sports programs. This term the program will commence in Week 3. Permission notes will be sent home soon.

Years 3 - 6 will participate in a gymnastics program on Thursdays.

Years K - 2 will participate in a ball skills program on Fridays.

We are very fortunate to be able to participate in a music education program provided by the Australian Children's Music Foundation. The students in P-2 and Support Unit will have half hour music lessons with Mr Brad Burgan each Monday. Students in Years 5 and 6 will have music lessons with Ms Rachel Scott on Tuesdays. Students in Years K - 6 will also have the opportunity to participate in choir on Tuesdays. This program will begin in Week 2.

The band, dance, singing and guitar programs will continue to run this year. Starting dates for each of these programs will be confirmed soon and further information will be published in upcoming newsletters.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs Fiona Dixon

Principal