e-News

Read on to find out about:

• Great start to 2015
• Staff News
• P&C Meeting
• Flip Gymnastics and Skills
• Parent/Teacher Interviews
• Art Club
• Band
• PSSA Sport Trials
• Guitar Lessons
• NRMA Science and Road Safety day

February

• Friday 6 - PSSA school trials
• Tuesday 10 - Parent/Teacher Meetings
• Mon 16 - P&C Meeting
• Mon 23 - ESPSSA Rugby League and Soccer Trials

March

• Tues 24 - NRMA Science & Road Safety Day

What a great start to 2015!

The school year at Banksmeadow PS has started smoothly with a very positive feel. I have visited many of the classrooms this week and our children are already very settled and engaged. I’d like to welcome all our current and new families to Banksmeadow for 2015. Having only just arrived at our school this week, I am very grateful for the warm welcome you have all given me.

As you are all aware, Cathy Lucantonio has been offered the position of Relieving Principal at Croydon PS this term. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate her and we wish her all the best in her new role. I have come from South Coogee PS as a Deputy Principal and I feel very fortunate to have been asked to relieve as Principal at Banksmeadow PS in Cathy’s absence. I have heard so many positive stories about Banksmeadow PS over the years and now that I’m here, I understand why this school is held in such high esteem in the educational community. It is a credit to the entire community, staff, parents and of course, our fantastic students.

You may also be aware that one of our most experienced Assistant Principals, Mrs Sharen Jack, is working three days per week this year which creates an opening for a Relieving Assistant Principal position on Thursdays and Fridays. Following and Expression of Interest process, I’d like to congratulate Mrs Annie Whittaker on earning the position of Relieving Assistant Principal. Mrs Whittaker will fulfil this role for the remainder of 2015 and will do an outstanding job.

The first P&C Meeting for 2015 will be held on Monday 16th February at 7pm in the school library. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a part of the school community for many years or only just arrived…..All parents are welcome to attend. See you there.

To enhance our PDHPE programs throughout the school in 2015, K-2 will be undertaking a skills program for term 1 whilst 3-6 will undertake Flip Gymnastics. Notes have been distributed and payment is due 12 February. No student will be able to undertake these programs after this date unless payment has been received.

Parent-Teacher meetings will be conducted next week (week 3). Please return your time request to your child's classroom teacher as soon as possible to ensure teachers can accommodate an appropriate time.

Notes have been distributed this week for Art Club in Term 1. This will be held lunch times for Years 5 and 6. Those interested need to ensure their notes are handed in as soon as possible to ensure their position.

Band lessons start at school next week.

Tuesdays 8am - Senior band Rehearsal

Wednesdays - Tutorial lessons will begin for all students. A Junior band practice will also be scheduled as part of the day's timetable.

All enquiries for lesson payments should be directed to Directions in Music.

Students who have requested to hire a school instrument should receive their instrument in the next week. If there is a delay, students can still attend the first lesson. All band students should bring a display folder, a pencil and rubber and any additional equipment they may need for their instrument to the lesson each week. Drummers and keyboard players can use the school equipment.

PSSA sport trials will be conducted this Friday on the school oval during school time. Students can elect to trial for Softball, AFL and Cricket teams. It is a requirement of PSSA sport that payment is received in advance for bus travel. Those students who do not pay for PSSA sport will undertake school sporting activities.

When: Tuesday Lunch - Beginners

Thursday Lunch - Seniors

Cost : $12 per week with the option to pay by the term. All lesson payments go directly to the teacher at the beginning of each lesson. The school office do not collect the money.

For purchase of guitars & bags, we suggest you buy direct from ebay or Sunburst music (www.sunburst.com.au) located on Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee. Alternatively, you can visit Allans Music on Botany Rd, Alexandria. We sell picks & other assorted paraphernalia.

On Tuesday 24th February, our school will be hosting an NRMA Science & Road Safety Day, a new road safety program that will be delivered free of charge to our school by the National Roads & Motorists’ Association with the aim of helping our students stay safe of the road.

This program involves students participating in road safety shows in the hall and completing road safety workbooks in the classroom to help the road safety messages stick.

The shows combine important road safety message with science. Messages such as “Wear their seatbelt” have a greater impact when children have a stronger understanding of the forces they experience when travelling in a car and what could happen to them should the car stop suddenly in a crash. In the science show, a crash test dummy – an egg – memorably shows children how a seatbelt works to restraint passengers in a crash and more importantly why a seatbelt must be worn on each trip.

Parents play a vital role in keeping their children safe, and so we would like to invite you to come and watch the first show of the day at 9:15am in the hall to see what your children are learning and how you can reinforce these road safety messages at home.

After the day, your child will be bringing home the NRMA road safety workbook they have completed in class so take the opportunity to speak to them about what they have learned and what they can do to help keep their friends and family safe. Within each workbook is a 4-page parent insert on child road and bike safety for you as a handy reference guide at home.

The program is now in its second season and 40,000 students already enjoyed the program while learning more about road safety. We are one of 100 schools across NSW and ACT to be chosen to host a day in Season 2 and with your help we aim to make it a great success.

Email: banksmeado-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.banksmeado-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Location: Corner Trevelyan and Wiggins Streets, Banksmeadow
Phone: 9316 9608
Twitter: @banksmeadowps

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