Pigeon Post

2022 Volume 3 Issue 9

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

Acknowledgement of Country...

School Resource Fees

School Resource Fee

Link to Google form here:

https://forms.gle/qr6XRcki6G71BUSq7

Download

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.

HAVE YOU ENROLLED YOUR SIBLING YET?

From the Principal's Desk...

A HUGE Success!

The recent Scholastic Book Fair had an incredible circa $4400 worth of sales, including a lovely collection of books that are being donated to our library! This means that the school will also benefit, receiving $1444.50 worth of resources! Amazing!

This comes after donations totalling $2960 to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation were made, as well as $2928.80 for the Year 6 Balmain Bazaar, amounting to over $10,200! This all occurred in the same week!

What an absolutely generous community we have, not only helping your own children and school, but also helping others! #community #grateful #heartisfull

Maria Lambos - Principal

Balmain Public School students will look like a real team for the next representative sporting event. Huge THANKS to Natalia, Audrey's Mum, who did the research and sourced these singlets, as well as to our P&C, for purchasing them! Go Team BALMAIN!

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

Are you saying GOODBYE to our Balmain family for 2023?

We love all our family members equally, but know that sometimes we have to spread our wings and leave the coop...

If your child (not currently in Year 6) will be leaving and you have yet to let the Office know, please email balmainps@gmail.com, with their full name and, as well as the intended last day of school at BPS.

Dropping something off for your child? Please label item/s with their full name and class...

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

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.


Thursday 22 September - Public Holiday

Normal lessons will resume on Friday 23 September

Friday 23 September - LAST DAY OF TERM 3


Monday 10 October - TERM 4 COMMENCES for students


Friday 28 October - HALLOWEEN DISCO

Friday 18 November & Saturday 19 November - ART SHOW


PSSA (Primary Schools Sports Association)

SOCCER

SOCCER

Senior A Team

We played a great game against Rozelle.  We won 6-0. We scored 2 goals in the first half and 4 in the second half. The person of the match is Luca L. He scored 2 goals and assisted an amazing goal by Jacob Ali. Honourable mention to Oscar F who also scored 2 goals.  We can do this again in the final next week. Go Balmain!!!

Captain: Maxi N-W


Senior B Team

Today we had an extremely close game against Rozelle. We unfortunately lost 3-2 in extra time. The player of the match was Alex S who was amazing in midfield and helped keep the pressure on Rozelle. An honourable mention to Billy T for scoring 2 amazing goals. This ended up being a unfortunate result, but we can fight back from it and win next week. GO BALMAIN!!!!!

Captain: Svanik D


Senior C Team

Today we versed orange grove and we unfortunately lost 5-0 everyone gave their fully effort but the player of the match is Ryan P as he observed the match and gave his best trying to get to the finale. Everyone did their best and used all the energy for this game.

Captain: Jayden Y


Junior Team

The player of the match is Hamish. He played really good and tried his best. He also played as goalie and was really good at that too. We versed the Orange Grove A team which was pretty hard but every one tried their best.

Captain: Markus A

PCYC (Police & Community Youth Clubs)

🧘‍♀️ 🕺 🥊

🥊 Boxercise 🥊

Captains: Saoirse & Sierra 

Today was our last lesson and we did boxing and had fun and afterwards we played ship shark shore, after we played tug of war. Our boxer of the week was Harrison because when we did the partner boxing on the bags he was focused really well


🕺 Dance 🕺

Captains: Ada & Rose

It was extraordinary because we finished our dance and that made me feel very excited. Jordan is nominated as the best dancer because she was working well together and acting really excited and energetic. We ran around the room trying to tap coloured lights and we got to take photos at the end! 


🧘 Yoga 🧘 

Captains: Demi & Adhiraj 

Today we did games and we also did like meditation. We all felt calm and relaxed. Our yoga person of the week is June because she tried new poses and was tried her best.

Lachie took part in his team and they ended up making an AMAZING story that was really entertaining and he worked really well with them. 

AWARDS

LEARN LIVE LEAD awards

K Beluga - Ms R BonneyZachary B-Nhis wonderful postcard design, including a fantastic drawing of a whale!
K Guppies - Mrs L Goodridge & Mrs F BowmanBailey Shis enthusiasm with writing during word work!
1/2 Bluebottle - Ms L BurkeNathan Tchoosing to help his peers and for being a responsible member of 1/2B
1/2 Cultivate - Ms F ChiangHamish Ohis enthusiastic contributions in class discussions, and for showing kindness to his peers
1/2 Jellyfish - Ms L JennettMia Cher commitment to creating high quality poems
1/2 Penguin - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisBea Hstriving to create her best work in both spelling and maths
3/4 Channichthyidae - Ms A CooperIvy Wher exceptional contributions during discussions about science and history
3/4 Pufferfish - Mrs A PitmanAli Klifting his game and showing an improved effort in his classwork
3/4 Wrasse - Ms K WithersNiamh Fher concerted effort to increase her writing output in her most recent information report
5/6 Betta Splendens - Mr S BaumannLiz Calways being polite and having a mature, positive attitude
5/6 Flying Fish - Ms N FergusonAmelia Wher outstanding level of responsibility and reliability in her performance of leadership roles
5/6 Koi - Ms K BarcenillaMia M-Cmaintaining an improved focus in Mathematics
5/6 Rock Lobster - Ms R ReedyJemma H-Sshowing confidence and curiosity when learning new mathematics concepts
5/6 Sunfish - Mrs A SunSophie Bbeing organised and proactive in her learning, across all subjects

CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - TACT

K Beluga - Ms R BonneyAbigail Cworking hard to solve problems with her peers in a calm and respectful manner
K Guppies - Mrs L Goodridge & Mrs F BowmanAudrey N D'Malways using kind words and thinking about the feelings of others
1/2 Bluebottle - Ms L BurkeFelix Jrealising that sometimes, words are not needed and getting on is the way to go
1/2 Cultivate - Ms F ChiangAri Tbeing sensitive to how her words and actions affect others
1/2 Jellyfish - Ms L JennettOrson J-Sindependently solving problems using his words in a respectful, calm and kind manner
1/2 Penguin - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisPoppy Bcollaborating with peers during maths in a kind and sensitive manner
3/4 Channichthyidae - Ms A CooperLeo Yinteracting with his peers conscientiously and with empathy
3/4 Pufferfish - Mrs A PitmanEvie Rhaving a warm and friendly nature, and just getting on with others
3/4 Wrasse - Ms K WithersRosalind Calways handling situations maturely and diplomatically!
5/6 Betta Splendens - Mr S BaumannFrederique Rher kind and positive interactions with all her peers
5/6 Flying Fish - Ms N FergusonBen Cshowing resilience when dealing with difficult situations
5/6 Koi - Ms K BarcenillaCharlotte Hnavigating through situations honestly, while considering others and their feelings
5/6 Rock Lobster - Ms R ReedyCharlie Fdemonstrating a purposeful approach to communicating clearly with others
5/6 Sunfish - Mrs A SunAdelaide Ndisplaying a keen sense of social awareness

Best Class @ Assembly Award

Each week, a mystery teacher will choose the class that has followed the 'Balmain Way'. They will be entitled to 10 minutes extra play!

And the winner is...(drumroll please!)

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!

Due to PSSA and PCYC, Positive Pete winners will receive their ice-cream on Mondays!

Our Week 8 winners...

Spotlight on...

5/6 BETTA SPLENDENS!!!!

5/6 Betta Splendens have been working their way through the ‘Seven Steps to Writing’. The below are some of the examples of those wanting to share their work. These are in various stages, some in the very early stage, others have been built upon to be a part of their story.

SHOW, DON'T TELL - Telling is quick, but ultimately unconvincing. Showing, on the other hand, is much more powerful. Our job as writers is to create pictures in the brains of our readers. That’s what ‘Show, don’t tell’ is all about...

As the moon shines, whispering wind rushes through my room. I lay on my bed when I turn off my lamp on the bedside table. I look for a comfy spot as a touch of a shadow pounces onto my skin. My parents had already left the house so I was dealing with this on my own. Visible dark figures run around my room when I feel crawling on the sheets. I couldn’t move and I shivered with fear. I then try to shut my eyes close, forget about it and lie still as the night passes.

Jacob A


As Jake pursed his lips together, he could feel his teacher nerves like laser beams penetrating through his head after the test. The teacher’s beady eyes walked around the classroom, collecting test papers, his sweat dripping down his forehead, as he wondered what his teacher was pondering about. As Jake’s hands clenched into sweaty fists, he could no longer hold what he had wrongly committed.

Marco M


It perched above a cracked stone gate with many untranslated runes on it. It lifted up its brown, dusty wings as if to tell me who’s the boss. It had piercing amber eyes, two pointy black ears and brown, grey, and black feathers encompassing its whole body.

Luca L


The green vines tangle upward, an impossible phenomenon. The almost glowing vines of luminous green bursting upwards towards the seemingly solid clouds. Leaves bigger than our house, greenery as bright and stunning as a light. And impossible height to grace this majestic marvelling spiral. Oh and food will no longer be an issue.

Jack O


The enormous frigid waves smashed my ship, there was shouts and screams on the deck below as the boat tilted from side to side. I had never seen a sea so vicious and hungry for a ship, I couldn't control it against the powerful current pulling slowly, attacking us from side to side. I looked off the captain's deck into the pitch black, hoping to see something just something, no, someone who could help us in this foggy, dark, hungry, angry sea. I peered into the distance for what felt like a lifetime, until finally I saw it and then I realised, my wish would be the death of me, there in the distance was an island unscathed by the touch of humanity, lined with a sharp rocky shore.

Dante S


“Quick!” I yelled at my mob as they all scrambled around trying to wipe the blood off of the floor . I could hear the police sirens as I signalled for my mob to move faster. There was nowhere we could put the bloody rags. Then I heard a hard knock on the door. As I opened the door to the police I started crying hysterically. “Help me! Please! They just murdered my friend!” As I turned to look at my men, staring at me in shock, I snuck a smirk at them and turned back to the police, still crying.

Tash G


8 slender legs twitch and twirk as it’s tantalisingly close eyes mirror my distorted reaction and my wildly askew facial features. Suddenly it’s unpredictably jerking and twitchy movements come to a sudden halt as if it’s searching for something,.. But what? It’s razor sharp dagger fangs glint in the yellowish lamplight. Suddenly at breakneck velocity it dashes towards me.

Ryan R


Soft gushes of wind blew my dark hair around. The sudden swift motion of dark shadows caressed the reflecting ocean. I gasped as I grazed my fingertips across the cold water, dropping tiny bits of worm. Hundreds of hungry little fish danced around the water, nibbling on the miniature bits of food. I smiled to myself, and quickly went on to row my tiny boat.

Frederique R


The creature's long spindly legs twitched as it inched closer and closer to me. I could now see its eyes as dark as the night sky. The small fangs were as sharp as a dagger and they looked as if they could penetrate my skin. Eight legs crept closer and closer and suddenly saw the creature right next to my head.

Julia B

TIGHTENING THE TENSION - In narrative writing, you create tension by gradually building up the challenges faced by the characters using the pebble (small problem), rock (medium problem), boulder (main tension scene) approach...

Pebble: My ship has a hole

Rock: It starts to sink

Boulder: I'm stuck inside

Harriet J


Pebble: I hear creepy growling noises from behind me.

Rock: I see a giant shadow on the floor.

Boulder: The shadow starts coming closer, then something grabs my shoulder and pulls me by my waist.

Bonnie D


Pebble: I am getting shouted at and I don’t know what is happening.

Rock: Buildings are collapsing, and everyone has disappeared, what is happening.

Boulder: I am trying to run but there is nowhere to go, my eyes are stuck closed, I am hopeless.

Resolution: I open my eyes and find I am in a hospital in a nearby city that hasn’t been destroyed.

Lauren B


Pebble: I hear a weird hissing noise behind me. I turn around to see a hole in the boat. I looked around for something, but there was nothing.

Rock: My boat’s sinking fast, I grab the lantern and hold it close to my chest, feeling it’s warmth. I closed my eyes and prepared to die.

Boulder: I opened my eyes, where am I? Looking around I saw lots of fish and a huge mouth wide open, swimming towards me.

Remi O


Pebble: Suddenly I woke up on a beach with sand all in my mouth.

Rock: I looked behind me and saw footsteps but now one was there.

Boulder: I looked behind me again and there a person was with a smiling grin on his face.

Mia B


Pebble: I sprint up the stairs to search through draws to throw them under the floorboards next to the fireplace.

Rock: The doorbell rings, an echoing silence spreads across my house, I open the door, It’s the police!

Boulder: The police barge inside searching in cupboards and draws. As I thought they were about to leave one of them lifted up the floorboard. They found my stash.

Estelle D

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

YOUNG AT ART SYDNEY

The Peninsula Engagement Program is being relaunched at Balmain Campus in 2022. The Peninsula Engagement Program (PEP) is an enrichment, extension and transition program for high potential and gifted primary students. PEP has been designed in response to demand for programs which cater for the many high ability students on the Balmain peninsula.

Term 4 enrolments NOW OPEN!