Pigeon Post

2023 Volume 2 Issue 5

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

Acknowledgement of Country...

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

From the Principal's Desk...

Cough, cough, splutter, splutter...

I have, unfortunately, succumbed to the dreaded COVID this week! Whilst trying to 'go with the flow' and recuperate, and not do anything 'work-related', I cannot help but slowly, through intense brain fog, work on the newsletter.

It always gives me joy to see what incredible things our students, teachers and classes get up to, on a daily basis. The platform of Instagram also allows for a daily insight into the life of Balmain Public School.

I sincerely thank Mrs Nancy Riley, who has confidently and expertly stepped into the role of relieving Principal whilst I'm away. I know I leave the school in safe hands, as she steers this fabulous ship, with the support of all teachers and staff at Balmain. What a team...thank you!

Yesterday, Mrs Riley and Mrs Archibald were involved in a Curriculum and policy monitoring (CPM) meeting, along with the Director, Educational Leadership, Iron Cove Network, Mr Simon Paterson, along with a team from Forest Lodge PS, hosted at our school. The CPM team joined the group via a Teams meeting.

CPM meetings are an 'internal assurance process of the department regarding the implementation of policy and curriculum in schools. CPM looks at compliance within a school improvement context and provides opportunities for professional dialogue and sharing amongst schools.’

Thank you, Nancy and Emma, for doing such a great job!

I can't wait to be well enough to return!

Maria Lambos | Principal

Our school bells, both morning and afternoon, from Friday 26 May to Friday 2 June, will be playing, 'Took the Children Away', by Uncle Archie Roach

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following video contains images of deceased persons.

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Took the Children Away - Uncle Archie Roach

This story's right, this story's true

I would not tell lies to you

Like the promises they did not keep

And how they fenced us in like sheep

Said to us come take our hand

Sent us off to mission land

Taught us to read, to write and pray

Then they took the children away

Took the children away

The children away

Snatched from their mother's breast

Said this is for the best

Took them away


The welfare and the policeman

Said you've got to understand

We'll give them what you can't give

Teach them how to really live

Teach them how to live, they said

Humiliated them instead

Taught them that and taught them this

And others taught them prejudice

You took the children away

The children away

Breaking their mothers heart

Tearing us all apart

Took them away


One dark day on Framingham

Came and didn't give a damn

My mother cried go get their dad

He came running, fighting mad

Mother's tears were falling down

Dad shaped up and stood his ground

He said, "You touch my kids and you fight me"

And they took us from our family

Took us away

They took us away

Snatched from our mother's breast

Said this was for the best

Took us away


Told us what to do and say

Told us all the white man's ways

Then they split us up again

And gave us gifts to ease the pain

Sent us off to foster homes

As we grew up we felt alone

'Cause we were acting white

Yet feeling black


One sweet day all the children came back

The children came back

The children came back

Back where their hearts grow strong

Back where they all belong

The children came back

Said the children came back

The children came back

Back where they understand

Back to their mother's land

The children came back


Back to their mother

Back to their father

Back to their sister

Back to their brother

Back to their people

Back to their land

All the children came back

The children came back

The children came back

Yes, I came back

Archibald William Roach, First Nations singer-songwriter, guitarist and campaigner.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

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Congratulations, Mrs Archibald!

Congratulations to Mrs Emma Archibald, who recently applied for, and won, through the DoE's open merit interview process, the substantive position of 3 x day/week Assistant Principal position at Balmain Public School, commencing at the start of the 2024 school year.

The 3 x day/week position became available when Mrs Annabel Sun (on maternity leave in 2023) won the role of 3 x day/week APCI (Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction) position, needing to relinquish 3 days of her regular AP position to take up the new role from 2023.

Mrs Archibald brings a wide range of educational skills, knowledge and experience to this position and we look forward to her being part of our 'Balmain Family' in a permanent capacity!

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Student Leadership

In case you missed our National Sorry Day Assembly this morning...

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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

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!

STUDENT REPORT TIME IS COMING...IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW...

**IMPORTANT: In line with being sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint, semester reports will no longer be printed and sent home with your child. It is important that you have downloaded the Compass app and have logged in. You will receive additional information in due course. You will also be able to save your child's reports to your hard-drive, as well as to print them, should you so desire.**

HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED THE COMPASS APP YET?

Make sure you download the app for easy access to our comms platform, Compass!

***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.

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

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

FRI 26 MAY - NATIONAL SORRY DAY

SAT 27 MAY - SAT 3 JUNE - NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

WED 31 MAY - P&C Meeting - via Zoom and offsite (in-person) @ 7pm

Meeting Details

Wednesday 31st May 2023, 7pm - 8:30pm

In person (upstairs at The Royal Oak Hotel, 36 College St, Balmain) or via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83847685711?pwd=Q1JuYjNwOVlwR2FSa0FiVXdzcGtxdz09

Meeting ID: 838 4768 5711

Passcode: 118956

One tap mobile

+61871501149,,83847685711#,,,,*118956# Australia

+61280156011,,83847685711#,,,,*118956# Australia

P&C May Minutes 030523

Draft until ratified at next meeting...
Download

P&C June Agenda 310523

Download

FRI 16 JUNE - P&C Winter Wonderland Disco

Details to follow...

Volunteers needed for the P&C Winter Wonderland Disco!

TUES 20 JUNE - Have a Yarn

For our First Nations families...

Please RSVP here

FRI 30 JUNE - Last Day of Term 2

FRI 30 JUNE - Semester One Student Reports will be accessible via COMPASS only - NO PRINTED REPORT COMING HOME

In line with being sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint, semester reports will no longer be printed and sent home with your child.

It is important that you have downloaded the Compass app and have logged in. You will receive additional information in due course.

You will also be able to save your child's reports to your hard-drive, as well as to print them, should you so desire.

TUES 18 JULY - First Day of Term 3 for students

SOCCER

Balmain Juniors

Our first Juniors game was tough! We lost 6-1 to Leichhardt Juniors and the MVP was Harrison because he made some good passes and was the only one to score. 

⁃ Aidan B

Balmain A

The A team had 2 amazing matches and worked as a team really efficiently. Our first match was against Orange Grove and the score was 4-4 draw. Our second match was against Kegworth and we won 2-1. The player of the first match was Rohan for two amazing goals. The second game's player of the match was George for always being in space. Great performance from everyone.

⁃ Sonja A

Balmain B

Well done to all of the team today! We lost 2-1 in a tough match against Leichhardt Public School. The player of the match is our goalie, Caelan, who saved some tough shots. Without Caelan, we would have lost by much more. Well done to Caelan for a great match!

- Indi M & Addie N

Balmain C

Well done to everyone in Balmain C. Everyone played really well and showed great sportsmanship. The player of the match this week is Ernst. Ernst did really well as goalie for the whole game and saved multiple goals. Great work everyone. 

- Marcus A

NETBALL

Juniors

Our team played really fairly and we looked after each other. We played Leichhardt PS, who won 2:0. The wind made it very challenging for us to shoot but we had fun. Sophie W was player of the match for showing incredible resilience.

- Anya B

Senior A

We played Annandale North and won 8-4. Everyone tried really hard and had a great game. Eva was player of the match because she was always there when we needed her, like at centre pass. 

- Capri S & Arabella S

Senior B

We had a really great game against Kegworth, winning 24-0. Player of the match was Liya who did some excellent passes. 

- Bonnie D

Senior C

We played Annandale C, who were really challenging! They scored 22 goals and although we tried our best, we didn’t manage to score any goals. Our player of the match was Annabel L. 

- Avianna B

Boxing 🥊

Today we learnt how to jab and we learned how to cross. And we also had boxing gloves and had to touch each others shoulders and knees to practise turn blocking. 

Most valuable boxers: Silas & Emily

- Brandon & Liya

Dance 🕺🏽

To warm up we did a game where we had to find colours with buttons. Everybody had to listen and tap the lights. We did a sassy trumpet dance and it was really fun!

Most valuable dancers: Izzy & Lily

- Annita & Daniel

Yoga 🧘🏽‍♀️

After a warm up, we did these poses and after that we did a ball throwing game and she was banging the drums and we had to pick poses! After that, we did a bell game to make sure we didn’t make any noises. 

Most valuable yogis: Charlotte & Yasna

- Gabriela & Lachlan

We had a great time for our first School Sport session today! We enjoyed a game of 'Rob the Nest', where we worked in teams to strategically attack and defend against other teams, then we played a game of relays that required balance and focus. We are excited to learn more games with each other throughout the rest of the winter sport season!

AWARDS

LEARN LIVE LEAD awards

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisMiles Kdoing a wonderful job of counting on and back in mathematics
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersSienna Ther perseverance in mastering the art of writing
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldZachary Bchallenging himself to extend his writing to create a detailed mini-book
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettSophie Ralways demonstrating the Balmain Way in the classroom and on the playground!
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisAdam Fcareful, neat writing
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaBen Hhis dedication to his learning by always seeking to master his skills
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperOllie Pcreative and critical contributions during mathematics
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerEthan Rhis sustained effort and focus in mathematics
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L BurkeMia M-Cproviding an interesting, engaging and creative speech on the topic of connections
5/6 Couscous - Ms F ChiangOdin Sbeing courageous and completing an impromptu speech despite feeling nervous
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixLauren Benthusiastically contributing to class tasks and consistently doing her best work. Well done!
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanAngelina Zan excellent Multicultural Perspectives speech!
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyGemma Kgiving a thoughtful and intelligent multicultural public speech

CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - PERSPECTIVE

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisSophia Jher excellent contribution to discussion after reading 'The Speedy Sloth'
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersTeddy Cpeering beyond problems to see solutions!
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldCharlie Nbeing mindful of the perspectives of others during class discussions
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettMaris Ksharing his perspectives in class and providing evidence to support his opinions
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisDuke Lsharing the perspective of others in groups
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaAri Tunderstanding the perspectives of others to nurture her friendships
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperLennon Lkeeping his mind open to other viewpoints and considering the differing perspectives of his friends
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerFelix Jbeing a supportive friend and celebrating other's success
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L BurkeVivienne B-Nseeing the point of view of others and being open to listening and sharing ideas
5/6 Couscous - Ms F ChiangCaelan Acalming down and seeing a friend's point of view during a conflict
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixKai McBsharing his insights during class discussions and his experiences with multiculturalism in his speech
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanMatthew Lshowing he can step back and reframe his perspective
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyTina Mhelping a peer in need and understanding their feelings

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...

3/4 CAVATAPPI!!!!!

This week in 3/4C has been a high-octane public speaking experience! We have stepped out of our comfort zones and into the wild, wild world of public speaking. We listened to over 50 prepared and impromptu speeches!!! Everyone was able to overcome their nerves, and stand tall and proud as they delivered their speeches. Well done to everyone in 3/4C, and to our two finalists Henry and Lily O! We've also been learning to use the algorithm in addition and subtraction, painted beautiful Kit-Teas in art, read our class novel Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence, and excitedly participated in our first week of PSSA, PCYC and School Sport!

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.