Pigeon Post

2023 Volume 1 Issue 10

PLEASE NOTIFY THE SCHOOL OF A CHILD'S POSITIVE CASE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Acknowledgement of Country...

Useful links can now be found at end of this issue of the Pigeon Post...👇

From the Principal's Desk...

Check out our Easter Hat Parade on Instagram @balmainps

Our 'Arts, Culture & Communities' and 'Sustainability' ministers had the difficult task of choosing winning hats from each stage. The categories were: *creativity and *a twist of sustainability. Thanks so much to the P&C for the book voucher prizes!

So proud of you, Miles!

We received some special feedback from a parent who was helping out at the Cross Country Carnival recently:

‘Just wanted to call out Miles for something aside from his running 

He came along without being called to check on X (with the breathing issues)

Told me who he was, spoke gently to him,

Then ran full speed to you and back with the inhaler in about 12 seconds 

No fuss, just got on with it.

 I think he deserves some recognition , great work. 

Cheers

Carlo’

If you're not sure who Miles is, he's a Year 6 student, a 'Health, Fitness & Wellbeing' minister, as well as one of our Prime Ministers!

Wow! What a star! We are so lucky to have such a selfless, caring leader and student at our school. We're all so proud of you! 😊

2022 Annual Report

School annual report

As per departmental requirements, the 2022 Annual Report has been published to the school's website (due Thursday 6 April 2023).

The annual report provides an account of our operations and achievements throughout the year. It is the result of rigorous self-assessment by staff, parents and carers, as well as student leaders.

The annual report provides a detailed account of:

  • the progress we have made to provide high-quality educational opportunities for every child as set out in the school plan
  • the impact of our strategies for improved learning
  • the benefit to all students from resources including equity funding
  • our operations and achievements throughout the year.

Our Cross Country winners!

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

What is 'Positive Behaviour for Learning'?

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) is an evidence-based framework that brings together the whole-school community to contribute to developing a positive, safe and supportive learning culture. The framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.

When PB4L is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:

  • reduced inappropriate behaviour
  • increased time focused on instruction
  • improved social-emotional wellbeing
  • positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
  • support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
  • a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time

Award System Overview...

Student Leadership

Our Sustainability ministers present to the P&C...

P&C...

P&C Calendar

P&C April Minutes

Download

Sustainability Ministers' Presentation to the P&C

Download

P&C Financial Management Principles

Download

P&C Membership form

Download

Connect with Balmain PS...Wonder what's goes on at our school? Follow us on Instagram for daily content, both through posts and stories...

The week that was...

Follow us on Instagram

Keep up with what's happening @ Balmain Public School

https://www.instagram.com/balmainps/


IF YOU SEE A COLOURED CIRCLE AROUND OUR SCHOOL LOGO, DON'T FORGET TO TAP ON IT, FOR OUR LATEST STORY...you've got to get in quickly, as it disappears after 24 hours!

SOME OF OUR STORIES ARE SAVED AS HIGHLIGHTS...

To see what else we've been up to this week, head over to @balmainps!

SkoolBag is our main comms @ Balmain PS...

***SKOOLBAG IS OUR MAIN FORM OF COMMUNICATING WITH YOU***In case of urgent/important communication, notifications via the Skoolbag app on your phone will keep you informed***

To ensure you receive all communication via SkoolBag, please have the app downloaded on your phone, with the notifications turned ON.

Although the school pushes out notifications via the app and email, there may be times when an important message may be missed as emails may sometimes not be checked regularly.

If there were to be an emergency, (hopefully not), information would be pushed out via SkoolBag.

If you need assistance downloading the app, please see below...

https://www.moqproducts.com.au/skoolbag/installation-instructions/

From the Office

**SCHOOL RESOURCE FEE NOW DUE: In order to assist Balmain Public School teachers’ curriculum delivery of high-quality education for all students K-6, various school-based programs are organised by each stage team. All programs, which may vary from stage to stage, are an integral part of students’ learning. *Note: this is NOT the P&C Voluntary Contribution/Levy.**

2023 Schedule of School Resource Fees

Download

Dropping something off?

Please label item/s with their full name and class.

Incorrect Payments 

There have been some instances where people are paying twice for items, or the incorrect amount. Please check prior to making an online payment.

Absences

If your child is absent from school please email the school balmain-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or balmainps@gmail.com, or alternatively enter it on the SKOOLBAG APP. Always include your child's first and last name and class in the SUBJECT LINE, so they can be forwarded promptly to the class teachers.

Kindy Parents/Carers

Sometimes children have 'accidents'. Where possible, we provide them with a clean dry change of clothes. Please keep spare underpants and socks in their bag, just in case.

Dropping off/collecting your child

If you are collecting your child early or dropping them off late, please come to the Office window on Eaton Street. Squeeze 'Bill' the Duck and we will organise a note for the student.  Also, if you are dropping anything off for your child, please ensure all items are LABELLED with full name & class.

Payments online

If you are paying for excursions etc, please go to the School website and click on the 'make a payment' tab and follow the prompts. You can also pay through the Skoolbag app. Also, at the top of each week's newsletter, under 'Useful Links', there is a tab, 'Make a payment'.

Change of address/contacts

If you have moved recently or changed Emergency Contacts or mobile numbers, please email the Office so details can be updated.

Financial Difficulties

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the office or Mrs Lambos.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Every TUESDAY (starting Tuesday 2 May) - NUDE FOOD TUESDAY

Every FRIDAY (weather permitting) - AWARDS ASSEMBLY

Please leave your furry friends at home...

Every FRIDAY - Uniform Stall

Order items online here

The best way to order new uniforms is online and they will be delivered to children's classrooms each Friday morning.

Come to the uniform stall if you need to try items on for size.

Second Chance items are available the first Friday of every month during the school term. 

If you would like to volunteer to help, please either email us at balmainpsuniforms@gmail.com or sign up via the link

Located on top floor, via Miss Pauline's Garden entry.

Every FRIDAY - The School Canteen: Special request for parents and carers to cancel their lunch orders if their child is not going to be at school for lunch, by texting 0416 786 603 with their child’s full name and class. In return, an sms will be sent back to confirm the order has been cancelled and all monies returned in full to the child’s Spriggy school account.


P&C Meetings - via Zoom and offsite (in-person) @ 7pm

Meeting dates:

  • Wednesday 3 May
  • Wednesday 31 May
  • Wednesday 28 June
  • Wednesday 2 August
  • Wednesday 6 September
  • Wednesday 11 October
  • Wednesday 8 November
  • Wednesday 6 December

Opportunity Class - Year 5 2024

TUES 25 APRIL - ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE

Loyalty Square @ 6am

WED 26 APRIL - FIRST DAY OF TERM 2

WED 26 APRIL - ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION ASSEMBLY @ 9AM

THURS 27 APRIL - Plastic Free Boy @ Balmain PS!

TUES 2 MAY - NUDE FOOD TUESDAY begins!

AWARDS

LEARN LIVE LEAD awards

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisNicholas Qexcellent effort and concentration reading all by himself!
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersLily Kalways being a helpful and kind student
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldSylvie Hher bright personality and wonderful start to Stage 1!
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettKian Ddemonstrating an incredible work ethic in all aspects of school life
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisAnna Jan excellent turtle design brief
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaIvy Wher meaningful contributions to our class discussions on being anti-racist
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperLeonardo Pdemonstrating consideration for others and kindness during our class discussions
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerAlec McEhis effort and enthusiasm in maths this week when learning about 2D shapes
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L BurkeFrederique Rher enduring positivity and enthusiasm in all areas at school
5/6 Couscous - Ms F ChiangRosie Fher sustained perseverance in her maths warm up investigation, and for her persistent diligence in class
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixLachlan Hhis information packed presentation on nuclear energy and dedication to learning
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanJad Ja consistent and impressive effort on his homework this term
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyAdhiraj Bhis enthusiasm and energy in Footsteps! Rock on!
Library K-2 - Ms M WhelanJuliet K 1/2Aworking hard in library and in class
Library 3-6 - Ms M WhelanRosalind C 5/6Rborrowing and reading lots of library books
PDHPE K-2 - Mr S BaumannIvy N 1/2Aalways embodying amazing leadership and sportsmanship
PDHPE 3-6 - Mr S BaumannHarrison S 3/4Moutstanding achievement in the cross country
STEAM K-2 - Mrs S LoxtonMatilda H 1/2Ppromoting sustainable solutions when designing a vehicle
STEAM 3-6 - Mrs S LoxtonRose W 3/4Bbeing inclusive of others and demonstrating a high standard of work
STEAM 3-6 - Mrs S LoxtonZachary K 3/4Cdemonstrating enthusiasm and persistence in all STEAM projects
STEAM 3-6 - Mrs S LoxtonNatasha G 5/6Eoffering a helping hand when observing someone in need

CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - TEACHER CHOICE

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisMillie BHelpfulness - following 'The Balmain Way' and offering to help others
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersSummer Cbeing a brilliant listener who always asks thoughtful questions
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldMaxwell SHelpfulness - his cheerful nature and helpful demeanour
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettAudrina LFairness - demonstrating fairness and compassion in all aspects of school life
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisMischa YTeamwork - communicating well in a group during investigations
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaJaren ZTeamwork - always working with other people in a fun and productive manner!
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperEdward HTeamwork - his warmth and enthusiasm when working in a team with his friends
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerSaxon RHumour - bringing his playful, funny and vibrant nature into everything he does at school
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L BurkeLuca LHumour - using his humour to face each day with light-heartedness and fun!
5/6 Couscous - Ms F ChiangEmmie BLeadership - always being a responsible and respectful learner in and out of the classroom
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixNatasha GCourage - always being willing to stand up for her beliefs
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanAddie NPerspective - understanding and appreciating the views of others
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyAshton GBravery - being a kind, moral and empathetic person when faced with challenges

House Points...

Positive Pete Winners

This week's winners...

SPOTLIGHT ON...

K WHEAT(IES)!!!!!

Our awesome Kindergarten class K Wheat(ies) had a super fun and exciting first term in 2023. They got used to new routines, made a bunch of new friends, and jumped right into learning. Our little investigators have been busy with design briefs, taking turns as focus children, and keeping their learning spaces neat and tidy. This week, they even had a blast showing off their cool, creative and eco-friendly hats in their very first Easter Hat Parade!

K Wheat(ies) enjoyed a special treat when Taronga Zoo came right to the school, bringing many animals along! They got to hear amazing traditional stories and songs from Brewarrina Elder, Uncle Colin Hardy. They've been shaking it up with the Footsteps dance program and having a great time with our specialist teachers for PDHPE, art, STEAM, and library classes. Plus, they celebrated Harmony Day, making our school an even more welcoming and friendly place for everyone.

We're super proud of our K Wheat(ies) for rocking their first term! They've earned a nice break, and we can't wait to see what Term 2 has in store for them. We're sure they'll keep growing, learning, and making more friends as they keep exploring the wonderful world of school.

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

UNIFORMS

Balmain Public School children are expected to wear full school uniform, including a school hat, every day. All children are required to wear full school uniform when representing the school on excursions, at sporting events or at cultural activities.