Pigeon Post

2023 Volume 2 Issue 3

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

As per current DoE website...

Acknowledgement of Country...

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

From the Principal's Desk...

Happy Mother's Day...

To all our Mums and Mother figures in our lives, both here on Earth, and flying high with the angels, wishing you a very Happy Mother's Day!

📸: Kimberley West @kimbowest - Pinterest 

Watch our Mother's Day BBQ Breakfast reel (video) @balmainps

Maria Lambos | Principal

Huge congratulations to Ariana (Ms Davis), Jesse & little Harper, on your very special day! 💗💗💗

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Thank you for supporting our 'Wear Your Favourite Outfit' Day...a total of $488.75 was raised! 🙌 All proceeds will go towards the composting & recycling program!

P&C...

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...

Head over to our Instagram account: @balmainps

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

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...

Compass Education - our NEW communications platform from Term 2

Have you downloaded the Compass app yet?

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**Please note: The School Canteen is NOT linked to Compass. You'll need to continue ordering through Spriggy**

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

To ensure you receive all communication via Compass, 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 Compass.

Letting us know your child is absent via the Compass app...

Instructions for adding an ATTENDANCE APP...

Download

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

**NEW: K-6 LIFE SKILLS Program**

Emotional wellbeing has a major influence over a student's readiness to learn. Students of all ages need skills in identifying, communicating and managing emotions, building resilience and positive relationships. The Life Skills program is based on a combination of curriculum, frameworks, strategies and psychology. Specialist teachers will visit the school and work alongside classroom teachers to deliver 8 x lessons as part of a tailored unit for our school context. The unit focuses on identifying, communicating and managing emotions.

Dates for Term 2: 

o Week 4: Wednesday 17 May + Thursday 18 May 

o Week 5: Wednesday 24 May + Thursday 25 May 

o Week 6: Wednesday 31 May + Thursday 1 June 

o Week 7: Wednesday 7 June + Thursday 8 June 

Dates for Term 3: 

o Week 2: Wednesday 26 July + Thursday 27 July 

o Week 3: Wednesday 2 August + Thursday 3 August 

o Week 4: Wednesday 9 August + Thursday 10 August 

o Week 6: Wednesday 23 August + Thursday 24 August

Each session will run for approximately 45 mins, with each class receiving 8 lessons in total. 

COST: $40.00 per child 

Please complete this form: https://forms.gle/amb5BZnjs5M1b1kr9 by Tuesday 16 May

Every TUESDAY - 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 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

SUN 14 MAY - Mother's Day

AWARDS

LEARN LIVE LEAD awards

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisMillie Bexcellent participation and taking great care with her school work
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersAaron Mbeing an enthusiastic learner who brings kindness to our classroom
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldEmily Kpersevering during challenging tasks
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettIsabel Sdemonstrating a resilient mindset, taking on and applying feedback to her procedure writing!
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisAbigail Can excellent design brief in Investigations
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaMarla Hher developing enthusiasm and competitive spirit during class sports!
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperLily Oinsightfully and gently helping to support her friends during learning tasks
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerOscar Linteresting and thoughtful contributions to discussions and classroom activities
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L BurkeEloise Dher positive attitude and enduring sunny personality everyday
5/6 Couscous - Ms F ChiangEve O'Cher consistently high effort and outstanding work, particularly in maths and spelling
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixMillie Oconsistently doing her best work, and working well in a team
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanBryson Hhis responsible attitude and sense of leadership this week. Well done!
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyAojun Zgoing above and beyond in all classwork!

CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - BRAVERY

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisElsie Himproved confidence when speaking in front of the class
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersNoah Bshowing incredible courage and strength at school
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldPaloma Ldeveloping confidence to speak in front of the class
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettZoe Ataking on new roles and responsibilities in our classroom
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisDavid Jconfidently reading to a large group
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaCassius Scontributing sensitively and thoughtfully to our discussions, building on our trusting and inclusive space
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperCooper Hdeveloping his ability to speak confidently and clearly in front of a very big group
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerMillie Wcontinuing to work on her public speaking goal and gaining confidence to share her ideas with peers
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L BurkeJuma Mfor jumping straight back into all his learning tasks
5/6 Couscous - Ms F ChiangMarkus Acourageously and keenly sharing his ideas in class, even when he feels unsure
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixSonja Acontributing consistently to class discussions and being open to new experiences
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanAvianna Bbravely sharing her thought processes and answers with the class
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyOlivia Qbeing open to trying new experiences

House Points...

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!

NUDE FOOD TUESDAYS WEEKLY WINNER

Each week, Baa-bara the Sheep will stay with the class that has the highest percentage of nude food in their lunch boxes. They will be entitled to 10 minutes extra play!

Positive Pete Winners

This week's winners...

SPOTLIGHT ON...

5/6 COUSCOUS!!!!!

In 5/6 Couscous, we’ve loved working both sides of our brains so far in Term 2. In maths, we’ve been learning about conversion in volume & capacity, and using the area model to multiply. In writing, we’ve been practising the 'Super Six' strategy of prediction before we get into our novel for the term, 'Bridge to Terabithia'. In music, we’ve been learning the notations and durations of different notes and rests.

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Here’s a snapshot of what some of us had to say!

Music 

Harriet - I liked making up the beats 

Zara - I liked clapping it 

Eirlys - I liked that we made the beats together as a group harmoniously 

Maths 

Rohan - I am proud that I was able to convert from different volume and capacity measurements quickly and confidently 

Eve - this extension maths warm up was really fun and challenging 

Arwen - I like my maths work because I have learned so much just in a term and a half! I have figured out so many different strategies and it has made everything so much easier!

Demi - I liked using the area model because it was fun but I was learning! 

Writing 

Ziggy - I liked being able to write about something I liked, which was made up creatures

Sierra - I enjoyed writing down my predictions and illustrating my predictions. This helped me get my head around the novel before we start reading it. 

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.