As I begin my very first newsletter submission for Balnarring Primary School I would like to send out my most heart
felt thanks to the school community for being so welcoming towards me. I have been so impressed to see our
students showing how proud they are of their school, the care they have for one another and what a great job
they do when learning in their classrooms and specialist classes. It is really important to me to make time to get
to know everybody and experience all of the great things that happen here at Balnarring Primary School. During
a visit to our Foundation classes I was delighted to see the fantastic writing they were doing. It is hard to believe
that these students only started school this year! Well done to Sandy, Rafferty and Chloe from Mrs K’s Foundation
Class who shared their f writing in front of the whole class.

We have started the term with reviewing our focus on The Balnarring Way with particular emphasis on:
• I am confident to use my voice as I learn and play
• I am a cooperative team member
• I am aware of our precious environment

I have seen the Balnarring Way unfold in classrooms as staff and students set up classroom routines for the
beginning of term and as students play in the yard. I would like to thank those students who have included me in
their innovative play. I have seen cubbies being built, bridges being constructed, games of tiggy and of course
lots of footy.

This week our Year 3 and 5 students who participated in NAPLAN will receive their individual student report.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and
allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN is just
one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by
teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’
educational progress. Should you have any questions regarding the NAPLAN report for your child, please do not
hesitate to reach out to their teacher.

We are getting closer to the due date for 2025 Foundation enrolments to be submitted. I would like to
encourage any families who have younger siblings that will be starting school next year to please send through
enrolment papers. I would also like to encourage our families to spread the work about our fabulous school to
prospective families, I would love to meet them and take them for a tour.

Bethany Jackson
Principal

Child safety and wellbeing at Balnarring Primary School information for families and the school
community

Balnarring Primary School is committed to providing an environment where students are safe and feel
safe.

Our child safety framework includes policies, codes and procedures that explain how we support and
maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students and protect them from harm. These documents are
available on our website: https://balnarringps.vic.edu.au

We are also committed to continuous improvement of our child safety framework. We are currently
reviewing our child safety policies and practices to ensure they are up-to-date and effective.

Our students and families are important partners in this process. We welcome your feedback or ideas
on ways we can improve our approach to child safety and wellbeing.

If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact us at [email protected]

Kind regards,

Krysha Renison
Acting Assistant Principal

Mushroom Meltdown! 80% of Balnarring Grade 2 Students Dislike Mushrooms!

In a recent survey of 50 Grade 2 students, a whopping 30 have never dared to try a mushroom. The
main reasons? “Squishy,” “Gross,” and “Slimy” were the top complaints. It seems our little scholars aren’t
keen on the humble mushroom.

But here’s a fun twist: 100% of them are blissfully unaware that their clever parents have been sneaking
mushrooms into their bolognaise all along!

So, why are we talking fungi? Balnarring students have been selected for the Australian Mushrooms in
Schools Program. As budding citizen scientists, our Grade 2 students will be:
• Growing mushrooms for harvesting
• Collecting data on mushroom growth

Learning about the anatomy of mushrooms and their role in ecosystems

This also ties in nicely with the Grade 2 Investigations topic “Food and Me”.

With any luck, by the end of this term, we’ll have our Grade 2s cheering for
mushrooms instead of booing them.

Stay tuned for the great mushroom transformation!

Erin and Kate

Wellbeing News

The ‘Balnarring Way’ is to

. Respect and care for self

. Respect and care for others

. Respect and care for the environment

As part of Balnarring’s wellbeing values– ‘The Balnarring Way’, we will be bringing you regular updates of positive wellbeing initiatives that are happening around our school!

Look at these students showing The Balnarring Way at the end of Term 2…

I am resilient as I embrace challenges– Across the school during Performing Arts sessions, the students have
been composing songs and instrumental arrangements and performing in front of their classmates. It has been
wonderful to see students embracing the challenge of performing in front of an audience; this is such an
effective way of building self-confidence and student voice.

I show pride for my school– During our recent assembly, all students took part in a singing performance to
show our parents the songs we have been learning in Performing Arts this semester. The pride the students
showed, and the passion they put in when singing, really made the performance a stand out, impressing staff,
parents and carers alike.

Our Term 3 focuses are-