Banksmeadow Public School

e-news 2016

Term 3, Week 6

In This Issue

- Book Character Parade

- School Photos

- ICAS Spelling Test

- NAPLAN Results

- Father's Day Stall

- Tell Them From Me Surveys

- The Partners in Learning Parent Feedback Survey

- Open Night and Kindergarten Orientation - REPEAT

- P&C News

The first half of the term has gone by very quickly and the second half also promises to be a busy few weeks. Last week, our Junior and Senior dance groups blew us away with their performances at Showcase. The groups were fabulous and we are very proud of their efforts. Thank you again to everyone who helped to make the performances so special - Ms Vicki, Mrs Bragg and Ms Stone, as well as the following people for their contributions to costumes and props - Colleen Fraser, Lisa Nicol, Nicole Ngapoula, Kylie Jordan and her mother. The costumes and props enhanced each performance and we appreciate the time it took to create them. See below for some photos.

Students also participated in Science Week activities throughout last week. Many of our students were very interested in a talk given by "Science Steve" from the Australian Centre for Field Robotics. He spoke about some of the robots, drones and droids that are used in his line of work.

This week we have many things happening, including the Zone Athletics Carnival tomorrow. All students must wear their full school sport uniform (ESPSSA jumpers are allowed). Please meet Mr Murphy at school at 8:00am. The carnival will go ahead even if the weather is poor. Good luck to all students who are attending.

Our Book Parade will be held on Wednesday morning at 9:00am and I know many students (and teachers) are excited to dress in their costumes. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

School photos will be held on Thursday - see further down the newsletter for more information.

The K-2 Athletics Carnival will be held on the school oval from 9:15 until about 11:00am. Parents and relatives are invited to attend to cheer on our younger students.

Our Open Night is coming up soon (Thursday 1st September). If you have any relatives, friends or neighbours who may be interested in enrolling their child at Banksmeadow Public School next year, please encourage them to come along for a tour of the school and to hear about the many programs we offer. We are now accepting Kindergarten enrolments for 2017.

Ms Hoskins

Acting Principal

Don't forget the important events this week:

* No dance lessons this week. They will resume in Week 7.

* Zone Athletics Carnival on Tuesday - full sports uniform, including a school hat, must be worn.

* Book Parade @ 9am on Wednesday - don't forget to dress up as your favourite book character!

* School photos on Thursday. Don't forget your photo envelope and money, and wear full school uniform

* Infants Athletics Carnival on Friday

* No PSSA this Friday

* Donations for the Father's Day Stall are now being accepted in the school office

* It would be appreciated if all invoices could be finalised before the end of the term please

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Book Character Parade

To celebrate Book Week this year at Banksmeadow, we are holding a book character parade. Children can dress up as any character from a book. If you are stuck for ideas, have a look online. The parade will be held on Wednesday 24th August at 9.15am. All entrants will have the opportunity to win a prize. Please send your child to school in their outfit. They can remain in it for the day or bring their school uniform to change into.

Hope to see you there.

Carol Macdonald

School Photos

School photos will be held this Thursday 25th August. All students are expected to be in full school uniform, including black shoes. Class photos will be taken first, followed by special groups and family photos. Special groups that will have their photo taken on the day will include: Junior and Senior teams for AFL, Rugby League, Softball, Cricket, Soccer and Netball; Band; Debating; Student Leaders; SRC and House Captains. These group photos can be purchased at a later date.

Family photos must be ordered prior to the day. Please collect a Family Photo envelope from the school office and return before Thursday.

ICAS Spelling Test

Well done to all students who participated in the ICAS Spelling Test. Congratulations to the following students who received awards: Merit - Zain; Credit - Tate and Kane; Distinction - James C. All certificates will be presented at Wednesday's assembly.

NAPLAN Results

Results from the Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN tests have arrived at school. Parents and carers may collect their child's results from Ms Hoskins on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Any results not collected by Wednesday will be posted home. Please note that results will not be handed to students.

School Grounds

Over the past few weeks, many students have been remaining at school to play on the basketball court, the fort or the field long after the 3pm bell rings. While we understand that students love spending time at school, it would be appreciated if families please exit the school grounds once parents have met with their child/ren. Students who remain at school to play in the grounds will be asked to go home.

Father's Day Stall

Father’s Day is fast approaching so it’s time to spoil the special men in our children’s lives!! We will be holding our fabulous Father’s Day Stall on Friday 2nd September. Our children really enjoy this experience but we really need your support so there is enough gifts for all the students to pick something special. It would be greatly appreciated if you would wrap your gift in clear cellophane please.

If you are able to help on the stall on Friday 2nd September, or help wrap gifts on the Thursday before, please email Sarah Monahas at bpspandp@hotmail.com or call on 0412 017 292

Gift prices will range from $1.00 to $15.00

Some Gift Ideas include: - Thermos ǀ Coffee Mugs ǀ Wrapped Lollies ǀ Socks ǀ Hat/Cap ǀ Gardening Gloves or other Gardening Items ǀ After Shave Gift Set ǀ Sports Towel ǀ Games ǀ Stubby Holder ǀ Chocolates ǀ Fishing Accessories

Banksmeadow Public School P&C thanks you for your continued support

Tell Them From Me Surveys - REPEAT

This term, our school will participate in a Department of Education initiative: the Tell Them From Me student feedback survey for Years 4-6. The survey aims to help improve student learning outcomes and measures factors that are known to affect academic achievement and other student outcomes. The focus of the NSW-wide survey is on student wellbeing, engagement and effective teaching practices.

You may remember that our students also participated in a Tell Them From Me student survey in Term 1 this year. Asking students to complete the survey twice in one year allows us to identify trends in student responses as well as track engagement and motivation across the school year.

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents

The survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide us with valuable and quick feedback on what they think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help improve how they do things at school.

The survey is confidential and participation is entirely voluntary. It is conducted online and will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. The survey will be administered during school hours on a date between 28 August and 21 October.

A consent form about the survey is being sent home with students. If you do not want your child or children to participate, please return the form to school by 26 August. Copies of the form and FAQs are available from the website above.

The Partners in Learning Parent Feedback Survey - REPEAT

This Term, our school will be participating in the Partners in Learning parent survey, another part of the Tell Them From Me suite of surveys (student, teacher and parent surveys) on student engagement. The survey asks parents and carers questions about different factors that are known to impact on student wellbeing and engagement.

Running this survey will help our school understand parents’ and carers’ perspectives on their child’s experience at school. These include: communication between parents/carers and staff, activities and practices at home and parent/carer views on the school's support of learning and behaviour. This valuable feedback will help our school make practical improvements.

The survey is conducted entirely online at home or on public computers. The survey will typically take 15 minutes or less to complete and is completely confidential. The parent survey will be conducted between 22 August and 21 October. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary, however, your responses are very much appreciated.

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents

Open Night and Kindergarten Orientation - REPEAT

Dates have been set for our annual Open Night and Kindergarten Orientation Days. If you have relatives, friends or neighbours who may be interested in enrolling their child at Banksmeadow Public School next year, please encourage them to come along to our Open Night to learn a little more about the school. Dates are as follows:

Open Night - Thursday 1st September

Kindy Orientation Morning - Wednesday 14th September

'Kids Into Kindy' Transition Program - each Tuesday from Week 1 (11th October) to Week 6 (15th November) of Term 4

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.

Next P&C Meeting

The recruitment process for the Principal's position at Banksmeadow Public School is now about to start. Sue Shelley, the Director of Public Schools NSW, Botany Bay Principals Network, will be convening a panel to undertake the recruitment process, and this panel will include a community representative.

There will be a Special P&C Meeting held in order for the community to vote on who the panel representative should be. This meeting will be held on Tuesday 30th August at 7pm in Mr Murphy's Year 6 demountable classroom. Sue Shelley will be attending in order to explain the process and answer any queries that anyone may have.

Please note that training for the panel will be provided by the department if the representative is not yet trained.

The next regular P&C meeting will be held on Monday 19th September, 7pm in 6M demountable classroom. Everyone welcome!

Dates for the Calendar - TERM 3

WEEK 6

Monday 22nd August

Tell Them From Me Surveys open

Tuesday 23rd August

ESPSSA Athletics Carnival (Day 2)

Wednesday 24th August

Book Parade @ 9am

Thursday 25th August

School Photos

Friday 26th August

NO PSSA

K-2 Athletics Carnival

WEEK 7

Monday 29th August

Tuesday 30th August

Wednesday 31st August

Thursday 1st September

Friday 2nd September

Other Dates For Your Calendar...

Wednesday 31st August: Big Band Bash

Thursday 1st September: Open Night

Friday 2nd September: Father's Day Stall

Thursday 8th September: Dance Fever Challenge Night

Tuesday 13th September: Sugar Workshop; SEPSSA Athletics Carnival

Wednesday 14th September: Kindy Orientation Morning

Wednesday 21st September: Crazy Hair Day (SRC Fundraiser)

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