Pigeon Post

2023 Volume 4 Issue 9

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

Acknowledgement of Country...

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

Thank you for your understanding...

From the Principal's Desk...

Thank you and goodbye...

With great sadness, this year we will wish goodbye to the Rutgers family, as Imogen (Year 6) will graduate and move onto Balmain High School. The Rutgers family have been invaluable members of our little community over the last 11 years.

Lyndal, mum of Ava (‘19), Theo (‘21) and Imogen (‘23), has selflessly donated countless hours of her personal time, assisting the school in numerous endeavours. Over the years, Lyndal has served as the P&C Secretary, had a central role in establishing the school’s Direction in Music Program and, alongside Josie Simpson, founded the school’s uniform shop, which has raised close to $100K since inception.

In fact, Rob Taubman (former Balmain PS P&C President) notes that Lyndal was instrumental in the introduction of many fundraisers. Whatever new ideas were introduced, Lyndal reliably supported and endorsed, and was able to calmly look forward and see what was needed to get something done.

As a Parent on the P&C, Lyndal’s greatest feature was her quest for the school to be a happy place of learning, to support and incentivise educators, and to respect the frameworks and expected roles a P&C roles a P&C was to play in the public school setting. It was always apparent that this was all intended for the benefit of everyone at BPS.

While saddening that the family is graduating, we are deeply grateful for the selfless contribution Lyndal and her family have made to the school. We have it on good authority Lyndal is continuing to make a huge contribution at Balmain High School.

Thank you and best wishes, Lyndal and Rutgers Family.

On Behalf of:

Balmain Public School & Community, Balmain P&C Executive, Balmain Public School Uniform Shop committee & Rob Taubman (Former Balmain P&C President)

Could you be teaching ETHICS at BPS in 2024?

ETHICS @ BPS...

In ethics, students explore everyday issues suitable for their age. They learn to listen closely to each other, to disagree without putdowns, and to think carefully as they form their opinions.

In 2024, Balmain Public School is in need of an additional volunteer ethics teacher, so that every child opted into ethics can be taught.

You can teach ethics if:

  • You’re interested in what children think and you have an interest in learning
  • You’re willing to learn how to use our lesson scripts to ask children ethical questions
  • You can remain neutral and give the children space to think
  • You’re available each school week on Fridays at 10.10 – 10.40am – you’ll need about an hour each week to prepare and give the scripted lesson
  • You complete our free training and pass background checks.

 You will join a great community of Primary Ethics volunteers – at Balmain Public School and across NSW. You’ll have the rewarding opportunity of listening to the fantastic students at our school and helping them grow. You’ll develop new skills yourself – facilitation skills, plus skills in communication and active listening.Primary Ethics provides free, comprehensive training with online self-paced learning and trainer-led workshops (by Zoom or face-to-face).Curious? Visit www.primaryethics.com.au 

Or contact Renee Alborough, Ethics Coordinator - balmainethics@gmail.com

PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! We're collecting plastic bottle lids for a special project. Please wash and dry instead of recycling. There is a collection box in the foyer, outside the office. Thanks so much for your help!

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...

Check out what we've been doing this week. 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...

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Student Leadership

HUGE CONGRATS to our current student leaders, as well as student leaders elect, who orchestrated and delivered an incredible whole-school picnic on Thursday! A great day was had by all, especially for our Year 6-Kindy Buddies!

Check out the Buddies pics on Insta @balmainps

P&C...

Follow our P&C on Insta @balmainpspc

Team P&C

P&C Membership form

Download

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

***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

YOUR ASSISTANCE IN FINALISING ANY OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

**HOW TO MAKE A PAYMENT via COMPASS**

1. When you access your Compass App, you will now see 'Payments Centre' on the top right...

2. Tap on 'Click here for more information'...

3. Any DUE or OUTSTANDING payments will be visible here...tap on the arrow...

4. Tap on 'Continue'...

4. Tap on 'Process' to pay...

YOUR ASSISTANCE IN FINALISING ANY OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

MON 11 DEC | Year 6 Graduation

TUE 12 DEC | Celebration of Learning

K-2 Assembly

9:30 - 11:00 am 

Performances: Choir & Senior Strings

Stage 2 Assembly

12:00 - 12:45 pm 

Performances: Choir & Senior Band

Stage 3 Assembly

1:30 - 2:45 pm 

Performances: Choir & Senior Band

Venue: COLA (as for assembly)

All award recipients' families have been notified

WED 13 DEC | Salvo's Christmas Giving Assembly

Venue: COLA (as for assembly)

THU 14 DEC | Stage 2 & 3 Talent Show

Students only

FRI 15 DEC | Last Day of School

Leavers' Arch @ 2:55pm

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 the ground floor, next to the ConneXion Hub.

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 | 1st Wednesday (usually) of each month within the school term

Meeting dates for 2024:

TBC

AWARDS

LEARN LIVE LEAD awards

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisElsie Hbeing a super-duper reader, who always puts in an excellent effort!
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersNoah Bhis brilliant dancing at the whole-school picnic and for always coming to class excited
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldMaxwell Shis positive attitude towards learning
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettIsabel Sher outstanding commitment to learning this year!
1/2 Lasagne - Ms N LydonAudrina Lbeing a excellent team player and displaying positivity this festive season!
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisCicely Ccreative and critical thinking during investigative learning
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaHalle N-Wher consistent effort and helpful attitude in our classroom
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperBrandon Dhis cheerful attitude and improved ability to self-regulate when things go wrong
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerOscar Lconsistently looking out for others and being a positive and supportive member of our class!
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L Burke & Mr T KimVictoria Rconsistently working well in all her learning tasks at school
5/6 Couscous - Ms A MannionEmmie Bher skill and patience when editing the year 6 video
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixMillie Obeing a conscientious learner and a caring friend
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanAsher Phelping teachers out during our busiest time of year!
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyPanya Sbeing a team player and considering the needs of others
Art K-2 - Mrs F BowmanTed D KGconsistent effort and creativity in the art room
Art 3-6 - Mrs F BowmanAlec McEconsistent effort and creativity in the art room

CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - TEACHER CHOICE

K Gigli - Mrs L Goodridge & Ms A DavisCharlie DPerseverance - working hard on his writing, even at the end of a busy term
K Wheat(ies) - Ms K WithersAjay WPerseverance - his excellent growth in reading
1/2 Angel Hair - Mrs E ArchibaldBea HBravery - taking on challenges and stepping out of her comfort zone
1/2 Jowar - Ms L JennettJake GHelpfulness - always showing his helpful and caring demeanour!
1/2 Lasagne - Ms N LydonLeo SGratitude - showing his appreciation for the wonderful holiday activities this week!
1/2 Pappardelle - Ms S Parsons & Ms A DavisSovereign MJoy - approaching every aspect of school life with enthusiasm
3/4 Bigoli - Ms K BarcenillaMia PCreativity - never being afraid to explore artistic choices to make her vision come to life!
3/4 Cavatappi - Ms A CooperHarry SJoyfulness - performing with heart and soul during his retelling of Cinderella
3/4 Macaroni - Ms R McListerSophie GCourage - her clear and confident performance playing Goldilocks
5/6 Bucatini - Ms L Burke & Mr T KimEmily LHumility - letting her accomplishments speak for herself and being considerate of others feelings
5/6 Couscous - Ms A MannionRohan CResourcefulness - demonstrating problem-solving skills and creative thinking when designing props for school play
5/6 Egg Noodles - Mr G ElixPatrick FEnthusiasm - engaging eagerly with his passion project
5/6 Pearl - Mrs A PitmanBen HCuriosity - his genuine love of learning and finding out about the world around him
5/6 Ragi - Ms R ReedyRosalind CLeadership - leading and guiding her peers during our class play

House Points...

CONGRATS to BLUE GUM, who were the WINNERS of the OVERALL house points this year! Their prize was to have a fun activity session with ZING Activ! Not only did they have a GOOD TIME, Blue Gum had a GREAT TIME! Check out the reel on our Insta page @balmainps

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!

Positive Pete Winners

This week's winners...

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.