Banksmeadow Public School

e-news 2016

Term 2, Week 1

In This Issue

- Assistant Principal Appointment

- Opportunity Class Placement for Year 5 in 2017

- SMS System

- Interrelate Evening

- Dance News

- Guitar Lessons

- Kindergarten Finishing Time

- Lining Up Before School

- Chess Club

- Mother's Day Stall

- Full Time Preschool Placements

- ANZAC Day assembly

- Working Bee - CHANGE OF DATE

- Preschool Applications for 2017 - REPEAT

- P&C News

Welcome back to everyone for Term 2! This term is shaping up to be another busy one, with lots of opportunities and great learning experiences planned for all classes. I hope everyone had a very enjoyable holiday break and were able to spend time with your children and families.

I will be sending our weekly newsletter out at the beginning of each week, instead of on Fridays for this term. Each newsletter will contain a wrap up of the previous week's events and reminders for the coming week. Copies of our past newsletters can be found on our school's website under the 'Communication to Parents' tab.

Thank you to Mrs Bragg and Mr Murphy who spent time over their holidays to begin updating the school's website. There are many new photos and relevant information for families. Each class has been allocated their own page within the website. These pages will be updated over the next few weeks with information and evidence of some of the learning experiences of each class. Visit our website to have a look http://www.banksmeado-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Our ANZAC Commemoration Assembly was held on Wednesday. It was a lovely celebration and an opportunity to pay respect to the many men and women who have bravely represented our country in the armed forces. We heard a lovely singing performance from our Year 3-6 classes to commemorate the occasion. Thank you to Rachelle from ACMF who taught and guided this wonderful performance. Rachelle has been with our school during Term 1 and has taught the students a variety of singing techniques and songs. Unfortunately she will not be unable to continue working with our school into Term 2. She has been a valued addition to Banksmeadow Public School and we are very sad to see her leave us. We thank Rachelle for her time and efforts with our students. We will welcome another member of ACMF next week to continue our singing lessons.

Don't forget our many important events this week:

- The Cross Country will be held on Thursday from 9:30am

- PSSA trials for soccer, rugby league and netball will be held on Friday @ 9:30am

Assistant Principal Appointment

In the last weeks of Term 1, a selection process was held to recruit a new permanent Assistant Principal. Mr Brendan Murphy was relieving in this position last term. I am pleased to confirm that he was the successful candidate through the merit selection process. An enormous congratulations goes to Mr Murphy on this achievement. He is an extremely dedicated member of our staff and will be an integral member of the executive team.

Opportunity Class Placement for Year 5 in 2017

Applications for Opportunity Class Placements for Year 5 in 2017 are now open. Parents must apply online www.schools.nsw.edu.au/ocplacement. Please return your Intention to Apply to the school as soon as possible. Online applications close on Friday 13th May. Please note that no late applications will be accepted. If you have any questions or are unable to lodge your application online, please see Ms Hoskins before the closing date.

SMS System

Our new SMS system is now up and running and you can expect to receive your first text message reminder soon. This system is a tool to improve communication and will help you to keep track of important events. This system is of no cost to parents and messages do not require a reply. If you had previously decided to opt out of this SMS alert system but have changed your mind and would now like to receive them, please see the school office at your convenience. It is important that we have your current contact details so that you can receive all texts. If your details change at any time please notify the office.

Interrelate Evening

Every two years, Banksmeadow Public School hosts an evening presented by Interrelate. This evening provides an opportunity for parents and children in Years 3-6 to attend and learn about issues relating to personal relationships. It can be a great ice breaker for topics which may otherwise be difficult for parents to discuss with their children.

The Interrelate evening will be held on Tuesday 31st May from 6:00pm. There will be two sessions:

* Session 1 - Where did I come from? (Years 3-6) @ 6:00 - 7:00pm

* Session 2 - Preparing for Puberty (Years 5-6) @ 7:15-8:15pm

Notes containing information regarding payments will be sent home this week. Please return payment by Tuesday 24th May.

Dance News

There will be no dance rehearsals in Week 1 of Term 2 due to the School Development Day. However, an extra lesson will be scheduled in Week 2. Lesson times in Week 2 will be as follows:

Juniors - Tuesday and Wednesday morning

Seniors - Monday and Tuesday lunchtime

Guitar Lessons

There will be no Guitar lessons in Week 1 of Term 2. Lessons will resume as normal in Week 2.

Kindergarten Finishing Time

Kindergarten will now finish school at 3pm each afternoon. Please collect your child from the Kindergarten classrooms at 3pm each day.

Lining Up Before School

To ensure the safety of all students, the staff have decided that all classes from Years 1 - 6 will line up under the Basement COLA when the 9am bell rings. Classes will be collected from there by their teacher. Please assist teachers by reminding your child that they are to meet under the COLA and wait in two lines for their teacher (this includes on Monday morning before assembly).

As Kindergarten students are still getting used to morning routines, they will continue to line up at the Kindergarten classrooms. On arrival at school, Kindergarten students should play on the asphalt outside the hall or under the Basement COLA, and then move to the Kindergarten rooms when they hear the bell ring. The teachers will be there to assist them in case they forget.

Chess Club

Chess Club will begin this term. It will be held in the library each Friday during lunch time. This year the Chess Club will be run by Miss Marwood. She will be taking teams to the chess competition meets throughout the term. Teams will be constructed so that every student gets the opportunity to compete, and matches will be held outside of school hours. Students who wish to join the team can register their interest in Week 1.

Mother's Day Stall

The Mother's Day Stall will be held on Friday 5th May (Friday, Week 2). Please note that due to the availability of volunteers, this date has changed from the date published on the original note sent home last term.

The success of the stall relies on the generosity of our families, and the P&C are asking for each student to please donate a present to the stall. It would be appreciated if you could wrap your gift in clear cellophane paper so that the students can see what they’re purchasing. Gifts will range from $1-$15.

If you are available to volunteer your time to wrap any unwrapped presents (on Thursday 4th May) or to help serve at the stall on Friday, please email the P&C (bpspandc@hotmail.com) or let Ms Hoskins know. Dads, this would be a great opportunity for you to volunteer and spoil our fabulous mums!

Gift ideas include: thermos/coffee mugs, wrapped lollies, socks, garden gloves or other gardening items, bags, wallet, key ring, perfume/Lotion gift sets, gloves, towels, games, chocolates or savoury snacks, books/magazines, jewellery, photo frames, candles.

Full Time Preschool Placements

Full time placements for those families who have taken up the offer will begin in Week 1 of Term 2 (Wednesday 27th April). Please ensure that all fees are up to date before this time.

ANZAC Day Assembly - REPEAT

An assembly will be held to commemorate ANZAC Day. This assembly will be held on today at 12pm. All community members are invited to attend.

Working Bee – CHANGE OF DATE

A school Working Bee has been scheduled for Term 2. There has been a change of date to the originally scheduled one. Our working bee will now be held on Sunday 15th May.

The aim of this Working Bee is to tidy up and weed some of the gardens within our school. By doing a thorough job on this day, it will make the areas more manageable for the future. We would love as many volunteers as possible…all gardening skill levels welcome! Please put the date in your diary and come along on the day to join our community. We are also looking for donations of a variety of plants. If you are able to assist in this area, please see Ms Hoskins or Mrs Twitchings. More information and confirmation of times will be published next term.

Preschool Applications for 2017 - REPEAT

Applications for students wishing to enrol at Banksmeadow Preschool in 2017 will be accepted from Monday 2nd May (next week). Students must turn 4 by 31st July 2017 to be eligible to attend the preschool. We will be offering flexible days for enrolments, with a possibility of full time (5-day) placements depending on enrolment numbers. Please see the school office or contact Mrs Bragg or Miss Hoskins next term if you require further information.

P&C

P&C Email

bpspandc@hotmail.com

Please send us your email address if you would like to be on the P&C circulation list.

Welfare Policy

The school has recently revised our Student Welfare Policy. Interested parents are encouraged to attend the next P&C meeting on Monday 2nd May to consult with selected staff about the policy.

Next P&C Meeting

Monday 2nd May, 7pm in 6M demountable classroom. Everyone welcome!

Dates for the Calendar

TERM 2

WEEK 1

Monday 25th April

ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 26th April

School Development Day - Teachers return

Wednesday 27th April

Students return

ANZAC Day Assembly @ 12pm

Thursday 28th April

Cross Country @ 9:30am

Friday 29th April

PSSA Soccer, Netball and Rugby League trials @ 9:30am

WEEK 2

Monday 2nd May

P&C Meeting @ 7pm

Tuesday 3rd May

Debating Workshop

Wednesday 4th May

Thursday 5th May

FLIP Sports begins for Years 3-6

Friday 6th May

Mother's Day Stall

FLIP Sports begins for P-2

WEEK 3

Monday 9th May

Tuesday 10th May

NAPLAN - Years 3 & 5

Wednesday 11th May

NAPLAN - Years 3 & 5

Thursday 12th May

NAPLAN - Years 3 & 5

Friday 13th May

PSSA begins

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