Ibis Flyer

Balnarring Primary School
10 August 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians and students,

As we embark on another exciting week at Balnarring Primary School, there’s plenty to celebrate and look forward to. Our school community is bustling with activity, and we’re delighted to share some highlights with you.

Crazy Hair and Sock Day:

On the 21st of July we had our crazy hair and sock day! There were so many creative hairstyles and socks, it was so hard to choose winners. All of the students had fun participating in the lunchtime games, with many winning some great prizes! We managed to raise an amazing amount of money towards new artworks, with a total of $866.60! What an achievement. Thankyou to everyone who donated and supported our day. Junior School Council

Year 5 and 6 Body Education with Kelly Nash:

Our Year 5 and 6 students have been engaging in an enriching Body Education program led by the talented Kelly Nash. This learning experience has allowed our students to explore and better understand the amazing human body. We’re thrilled to see their curiosity and enthusiasm as they delve into this important aspect of their education.

Foundation Fun: 100 Days of Foundation Celebration and Swimming Begin:

Our youngest learners in the Foundation classes have been having a blast celebrating 100 days of their prep journey. The excitement and joy were palpable as our little ones marked this significant milestone. Additionally, we’re pleased to announce that our Foundation students have taken their first strokes in the pool as they embark on their swimming program. Safety, confidence, and fun in the water are key focuses as our students dive into this valuable life skill.

Disco Delight and Gratitude:

A massive round of applause and gratitude goes out to the Balnarring Parents and Friends Group for organising a fantastic disco event this Friday. It is heartwarming to witness how excited our students are, the chatter in the playground about the disco has been non-stop. We also extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff members who are generously volunteering their time to make this event possible.

Upcoming Highlights: Wakakirri Performance and Jodi Richardson Talk:

Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated Wakakirri performance, where our students will showcase their creativity and talent on stage. The excitement is building, and we can’t wait to witness their outstanding performances.

A friendly reminder that tickets for the Jodi Richardson talk on children’s anxiety are selling out fast. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights into supporting our children’s emotional well-being. There will be a reminder on compass with a link to Jodi’s website so you can listen to a podcast or two.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school community. We’re proud of the vibrant and engaging learning environment we’ve built together. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.

Warm regards,
Philip O’Reilly
Acting Principal, Balnarring Primary School

SUPERVISION AT SCHOOL

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL HOURS, AND STUDENT FREE DAYS

Supervision before school commences at 8.30 am and after school until 3.30 pm.

There is no supervision on Student Free Days.

Playground update

Exciting news just in! Play safe will commence our playground works on Monday 14th August. From conversations with them, it seems that once they begin, the process will take roughly 2-3 weeks in total. Please stay tuned for more information on our grand opening.

We are all really looking forward to this new addition to our playground.

Shelter In Place Works Have commenced

You may have noticed the temporary fencing around the gym. Works have commenced on our Shelter in Place to ensure that it is compliant with fire regulations. The project will take place in stages, and we are coordinating with the company, Boogalla Group to ensure the least amount of disruption to our programs.

We are also fortunate that in addition to this, the Boogalla Group will be giving “The Shack” a much-needed paint.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Anne McDonald
Assistant Principal

Student Led Conferences

Dear parents and carers,

On Tuesday 5th September and Wednesday 6th September we will be holding individual, 10 minute, Student Led Conferences from 3:30 – 6pm. These conferences are designed to enhance communication, foster ownership of learning, and promote a collaborative partnership between students, parents, and teachers.

Student Led Conferences represent a departure from the traditional parent teacher conferences, where teachers relay information about your child’s academic progress and behaviour. In contrast, during a Student Led Conference, your child will have the opportunity to take the lead in discussing their learning experiences, achievements, challenges, and growth.

The purpose of these conferences is threefold:

Student Ownership of their Learning: Encouraging students to actively engage in their learning process is crucial for their overall development. By preparing and presenting their accomplishments, goals, and areas for improvement, students take ownership of their education and develop important life skills such as communication and self-reflection.

Communication: During Student Led conferences, students are responsible for presenting their own progress and accomplishments. Presenting their work and discussing their learning journey boosts students’ self confidence. They learn to speak in front of an audience, share their accomplishments proudly, and respond to questions and feedback with assurance.

Celebrating Growth: The Student Led Conferences celebrate not only academic achievements but also personal and social growth. Students can highlight how they have improved their problem-solving skills, time management, and interpersonal relationships, which are all important aspects of their holistic development.

During the conference, your child will share some work of which they are proud. This will differ between year levels but may include samples of their work or a game or activity they have engaged in at school. You will have the opportunity to ask your child questions, provide positive reinforcement and share in their success.

Closer to the date we will let you know when COMPASS bookings will be open. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education.

Warm regards,
Krysha Renison
Learning Specialist

What activities are coming up?

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DATES SOMETIMES CHANGE AND UNFORSEEN EVENTS MAY BE ADDED.
CHECK COMPASS NEWSFEEDS FOR UPDATES.

Click the button below to download the calendar. 

PARENT FORUM – MOVING KIDS FROM ANXIETY TO RESILIENCE – DR JODI RICHARDSON 

19th October – Balnarring Hall

Somers Primary School and Balnarring Primary School are excited to present a parent forum with one of Australia’s leading experts in managing anxiety and amplifying children’s wellbeing, Dr Jodi Richardson. Jodi is the best-selling author of ‘Anxious Kids’ and ‘Anxious Mums’, a wellbeing science consultant, creator and host of the award-winning podcast ‘Well, hello anxiety’ and a respected media commentator. The 90 minute session with Jodi will focus on understanding anxiety, how to identify anxiety in children, what anxious children need from their parents, how behaviour patterns develop and lead to avoidance, how to move anxious kids forward, and when and where to seek professional help. Tickets are on sale via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dr-jodi-richardson-moving-kids-from-anxiety-to-resilience-tickets-676486698927