Acknowledgement of Country...
IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS A POSITIVE TEST RESULT, THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD *MUST SELF-ISOLATE* FOR 7 DAYS, EVEN IF NEGATIVE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.
PLEASE NOTIFY THE SCHOOL OF A CHILD'S POSITIVE CASE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
For students who are isolating...
DoE Digital Learning Packs...
Although teachers won't be able to provide work to students, please find a link to the NSW DoE's digital learning packs, specifically designed for students K-10 who are isolating.
They are timetabled and your child will be able to work through them at their own pace.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/learning-at-home/2022-digital-learning-packs/primary
Note: Please do not hand this work in to your child's teacher, as it will not be marked.
From the Principal's Desk...
Ask and you shall receive...
We all know the true value of reading and enriching our minds...none more so than Ms Whelan, our librarian! During the recent P&C meeting (held each first Wednesday of the month during school the term), it was unanimously agreed upon that the library should receive funds to purchase new, quality books.
Ms Whelan, in true form, immediately started chipping away at the funds, purchasing some exciting new books to inject onto the library shelves. To listen to her read one of these new books, head over to our Insta account, @balmainps!
We look forward to sharing more books soon!
We are fortunate to have a P&C who are so supportive of our students and wonderful school! Huge thanks to our P&C! We are #grateful!
How can you support our school? Support our P&C...the first event has already been organised - Welcome Drinks on Thursday 31 March. Book now through www.flexischools.com.au
Mrs Maria Lambos - Principal
Connect with Balmain PS...Wonder what's goes on at our school? Follow us on Instagram for daily content, both through posts and stories...
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 EMBLEM, 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!
SCHOOL RESOURCE FEES ARE NOT VOLUNTARY FEES
Trying to pay your child's School Resource Fees online, via SkoolBag or our website? Please note, these fees are NOT voluntary but, rather, essential, in order to complement your child's learning. For 'Payment Type', choose 'Subject Contribution' and in 'Description', please type 'School Resource Fees' and add amount, as per Schedule...
Please note that Parent Online Payment (POP) is managed by the DoE, not our school. Many schools have 'Voluntary School Contributions', which is why this option exists. Our P&C controls the voluntary contribution aspect. P&C donations ARE NOT TO BE MADE VIA SKOOLBAG OR OUR WEBSITE.
ORDER YOUR HOME-MADE ANZAC BISCUITS NOW!
To launch the start of 2022 Year 6 Fundraising Campaign for the kids' graduation celebrations, we are running a YEAR 6 ANZAC BISCUIT DRIVE! Keen Year 6 students and parents are ready to bake some delicious home-made ANZAC biscuits. Delivery is expected to be made in class on Friday April 8th (last day of term). Order: 5 for $5, 10 for $8, 20 for $15, or 35 for $20. Place your orders via www.flexischools.com.au. Cut-off time is FRIDAY APRIL 1st, 9pm. Thank you in advance from the 2022 Year 6 Cohort!
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/
How can we be of assistance today?
ALL Emails / permissions etc MUST include the student's FIRST NAME / LAST NAME & CLASS
Please remember that if you are collecting your child early for an appointment or dropping them off, please ensure you allow extra time for your child to be located and brought down to the office.
If your family details, circumstances have changed, ie: address, mobile numbers, separations, court orders etc, could you kindly email the school so records can be updated. This will ensure correct people are contacted and all relevant information is passed on correctly.
When paying for anything on your child's account to the school, please make sure you haven't already paid, to avoid unnecessary refunds.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the office, or Mrs Lambos, to arrange alternate options.
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 or for Second Chance items.
Located on top floor, via Miss Pauline's Garden entry
No check-in required
Every FRIDAY - The School Canteen
Monday 21 March @ 9am - Harmony Day Assembly
HARMONY DAY ASSEMBLY (weather permitting)
You are invited to our Harmony Day Assembly, weather permitting, under the COLA, on Monday 21 March at 9am.
What is Harmony Day?
Harmony Day, which is observed each year on March 21, celebrates diversity, aiming to foster inclusiveness, respect and the idea that people of all different cultures can make a valuable contribution to society.
The official colour of Harmony Day is orange, although your child may also wear suitable and appropriate cultural dress.
Friday 25 March - 1/2C & 1/2D families
Tues 29 & Wed 30 Mar - School Photos - PRE-ORDER NOW
PLEASE WEAR FULL-SCHOOL UNIFORM - ONLINE ORDERS ONLY
Thurs 31 Mar - P&C Welcome Drinks - Buy your tickets from FLEXISCHOOLS NOW!
Thursday 31 March - Dress-Up Day for Flood Relief
Wednesday 6 April @ 9am - ANZAC Day Commemoration
Wed 6 Apr - P&C Meeting @ 7pm via Zoom
Fri 8 Apr - LAST DAY OF TERM 1
Fri 8 Apr @ 9am - EASTER HAT PARADE!
Mon 25 Apr @ 6am - ANZAC Day Dawn Service
Tues 26 Apr - School Development Day - NO STUDENTS
Wed 27 Apr - Term 2 commences!
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.
To order uniform items, click on the link:
https://bps-uniform-stall.square.site/
LEARN LIVE LEAD awards
| K Guppies - Mrs L Goodridge & Mrs F Bowman | Sebastian K | being a superstar, who always shows the 'Balmain Way' |
| K Marlin - Mrs B Mikhail Bryant | Zoleena F | her hard efforts writing words |
| 1/2 Cultivate - Ms F Chiang | Julie V M | her creative bunny made out of 2D shapes! |
| 1/2 Dugong - Mr D Carlton | Gabriel R | his amazing effort in creating a story about his hero saving the day |
| 1/2 Jellyfish - Ms L Jennett | Orson J-S | his positivity and resilience when completing challenging tasks |
| 1/2 Penguin - Ms S Parsons & Ms A Davis | Lulu S | her amazing effort in creating a story about 'Fairy the Cherry' |
| 3/4 Channichthyidae - Ms A Cooper | Nate J | working hard and being an absolute superstar all week long!!! |
| 3/4 Pufferfish - Mrs A Pitman | Lily O | her demonstrated skill and enthusiasm during our lessons on 3D objects |
| 3/4 Wrasse - Ms K Withers | Henry R | his enthusiasm for all learning and his mathematical ingenuity |
| 5/6 Betta Splendens - Mr S Baumann | Luca L | insightful contributions when discussing prejudice in history |
| 5/6 Flying Fish - Ms N Ferguson | Lina S | making an effort to share her ideas with others |
| 5/6 Koi - Ms K Barcenilla | Nathan T | showing confidence in his listening, speaking and understanding of the English language |
| 5/6 Rock Lobster - Ms R Reedy | Sam C | his ability to lead with strength and kindness |
| 5/6 Sunfish - Mrs A Sun | Annita Z | her consistent determination to achieve her very best |
| LIBRARY K-2 - Ms M Whelan | Zara S 1/2J | listening and reflecting on library stories |
| LIBRARY 3-6 - Ms M Whelan | Maxwell S 5/6R | being a keen library monitor |
CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - GRATITUDE
| K Guppies - Mrs L Goodridge & Mrs F Bowman | Indigo C | being thankful for her home and seeing her friends at school |
| K Marlin - Mrs B Mikhail Bryant | Athaar I | being thankful to his peers and teachers |
| 1/2 Cultivate - Ms F Chiang | Thomasina D | truly appreciating those around her and showing them respect |
| 1/2 Dugong - Mr D Carlton | Mischa Y | showing great awareness and appreciating the work of her peers |
| 1/2 Jellyfish - Ms L Jennett | Camilla K | always showing respect and care for her class mates and class resources |
| 1/2 Penguin - Ms S Parsons & Ms A Davis | Oliver H | always showing appreciation to his teachers and peers |
| 3/4 Channichthyidae - Ms A Cooper | Nina B | always displaying her authentic appreciation for others |
| 3/4 Pufferfish - Mrs A Pitman | Charlotte R | for always showing appreciation and kindness to others |
| 3/4 Wrasse - Ms K Withers | Ernst D | showing gratitude towards his new classmates and extending kindness to his teachers |
| 5/6 Betta Splendens - Mr S Baumann | Frederique R | showing appreciation and kindness towards her classmates |
| 5/6 Flying Fish - Ms N Ferguson | Rosie F | being empathetic and forgiving towards others |
| 5/6 Koi - Ms K Barcenilla | Josie A | showing genuine appreciation and acceptance of herself and those around her |
| 5/6 Rock Lobster - Ms R Reedy | Marium S | her readiness and appreciation to learn! |
| 5/6 Sunfish - Mrs A Sun | Blake R | a humble and considered approach to learning |
POSITIVE PETE Awards
Thanks to Ms Burke, who organises the collection and distribution of the Gelatissimo ice-creams, as well as takes the fab photos!
Positive Pete Winners!
ES1 - Samuel G KM; S1 - Patrick Y 1/2J; S2 - Harry S 3/4W; S3 - Amelia W 5/6F & Cormac K 5/6K
1/2 Dugong have been working on their creative writing and drawing by creating a short comic strip...
Charlotte: My villain stole all the reading eggs logins and my hero saved the day by finding her lair and hacking the villain’s computers.
Eamon: In 1/2Dugong we are writing about superheroes and villains. My villain stole the sun.
Nathan: My villain has stolen all of the crystal power. The crystals are used for building.
Charlie: The problem in my story is that the Joker had stolen all the money from the bank.
Come teach ethics at Balmain Public School
Come teach ethics at Balmain Public School
We are building an ethics program at Balmain Public School with lessons delivered by Primary Ethics volunteers.
In ethics, students explore everyday issues suitable for their age. They learn to listen closely to each other, to disagree without putdowns and to think carefully as they form their opinions.
We have children on waitlists for Stage 1 and Stage 2 and want to give them the opportunity to take part in ethics. To do that we need more volunteers to teach.
You can teach ethics if:
- You’re interested in what children think and you have an interest in learning
- You’re willing to learn how to use our lesson scripts to ask children ethical questions
- You can remain neutral and give the children space to think
- You’re available each school week at 10am on Fridays – you’ll need about an hour each week to prepare and give the scripted lesson
- You complete our free training and pass background checks
You will join a great community of Primary Ethics volunteers – at Balmain Public School and across NSW. You’ll have the rewarding opportunity of listening to the fantastic students at our school and helping them grow. You’ll develop new skills yourself – facilitation skills, plus skills in communication and active listening.
Primary Ethics provides free, comprehensive training with online self-paced learning plus trainer-led workshops (by Zoom or face-to-face).
Curious?
Visit www.primaryethics.com.au
Or contact Dean Hillan (dean.hillan@gmail.com)
