'From 8 November all schools will operate on updated Level 3 settings for the rest of Term 4, with additional activities allowed in a COVID-safe manner.' NSW Department of Education
*KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION/ORIENTATION - following COVID-safe measures. This will be communicated to families involved only.
*EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - before and after school ONLY. Our Community Users have been offered a 5 week agreement, from Mon 8 Nov - Sat 11 Dec. We will communicate which activities will be re-starting.
*EXCURSIONS - outdoor excursions will be allowed. Planning for Year 6 has commenced.
*ASSEMBLIES/PRESENTATIONS - our end-of-year events, such as Year 6 Graduation and Celebration of Learning may continue outdoors, following COVID-safe plans.
*KISS & DROP/STAGGERED PICK UP
*NON-ESSENTIAL VISITORS NOT PERMITTED, including parents and carers
*ANY VISITORS ONSITE, indoors and outdoors, MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED, including parents and carers.
Acknowledgement of Country...
Enrolling now for Kindergarten 2022!
ORDER YOUR 2021 YEAR BOOK NOW!
From the Principal's Desk...
Sweet sounds...
There has been such a spring in everyone's step since returning to school earlier this term as Level 3 Plus!
Level 3 is just around the corner, with additional allowances coming into effect. For more details, click on the following link: Term 4 Roadmap - from 8 November
As I walk around the school, I just savour the sweet sounds of students and their teachers interacting, playing outside, socialising and having chats. Although singing is not permitted at this stage, it's so lovely to hear and watch our students dancing and moving to music with our Ms Biggins.
I so look forward to the days when we will be able to have our bands and strings ensembles back onsite, the days when we will be entertained at morning assemblies! It's great to know that learning from home didn't hinder the lessons or rehearsals...we can't wait to hear you in real life!
'Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.' - Stevie Wonder
Maria Lambos - Principal
Mid - Term Update
Well done to everyone for your fantastic efforts over the first half of this term. Each student has continued to make excellent progress during our lessons and rehearsals, and we can't wait to hear how amazing it will sound when we're all back playing together!
Throughout the lockdown period, playing our instruments has become one of the most rewarding things we could do - a break from school work, an outlet to do something creative, and a fun way to interact with different people.
Over the next few weeks, we will continue to play lots of fun music, with a variety of games and activities to keep things interesting. We will be encouraging mini performances during lessons and rehearsals from any students who would like to show off their skills!
Younger musicians will also be working on their skills in preparation for moving up to the next level in 2022.
Keep up the good work everyone - you have a lot to be proud of. See you online!
Happy Diwali! ? Let there be light out of the darkness, peace, love and happiness in your life and across the world!
Your tokens of appreciation, although so heartwarming and generous, especially during this time, please know that this kind gesture is neither necessary, nor expected. Staff are very appreciative of your generosity, however, as per the DoE's 'Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Procedures', the token of appreciation must adhere to the following:
- Value - up to $50 ONLY per student
- NO cash or negotiable instruments such as cash vouchers, 'pre-paid cash' and 'EFTPOS' cards, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), shares or money orders
- Gift cards are acceptable as a gift of gratitude, as they are considered non-cash vouchers that must be used as specific retailers and cannot be converted to cash eg David Jones, Bunnings, Tara Dennis - a gift card cannot exceed $50 per student
- Alcohol - MUST NOT exceed a value of $50
Connect with Balmain PS...Wonder what's goes on at our school? Follow us on Instagram for daily content, both through posts and stories...
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 EMBLEM, 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...
Create an Instagram account to follow us...
Instagram App for Android and iPhoneDownload the Instagram app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).Once the app is installed, tap to open it.Tap Sign up with email or phone number (Android) or Create new account (iPhone), then enter your email address or phone number (which will require a confirmation code) and tap Next. You can also tap Log in with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.If you register with your email address or phone number, create a username and password, fill in your profile info and then tap Next. If you register with Facebook, you'll be prompted to log in to your Facebook account if you're currently logged out.Instagram.com from a computer:
Go to instagram.com.Click Sign up, enter your email address, create a username and password or click Log in with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.If you register with an email address, click Sign up. If you register with Facebook, you'll be prompted to log in to your Facebook account if you're currently logged out.Instagram.com from a mobile browser:
Go to instagram.com.Tap Sign up, enter your email address, create a username and password or tap Log in with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.If you register using an email address, tap Sign up. If you register with Facebook, you'll be prompted to log in to your Facebook account if you're currently logged out.If you sign up using email, make sure that you enter your email address correctly and choose an email address that only you can access. If you log out and forget your password, you'll need to be able to access your emails to get back into your Instagram account.Note that if you created your account recently, people on Instagram may see that you have a new account.
Learn more about keeping your account secure.
To follow @balmainps...
- Tap/click on 'search' (magnifying glass)
- Type in balmainps
- Tap/click on 'Follow'
To see what else we've been up to this week, head over to @balmainps!
We raised $322.90! THANK YOU!
Pyjama/comfy clothes mufti...
FROM THE OFFICE - Please ensure you ALWAYS write your child's FULL NAME and CLASS when emailing the school, or dropping items off. Thank you.
If and when you are picking your child/ren up early, please come to the office window on Eaton Street and "squeeze" Bill our duck. We will have the students brought down to the Office. Thanks.
Until further notice...
Until further notice:
- Kiss & Drop - using both Gladstone Park & Eaton St gates
- Staggered pick-up - Gladstone Park gate & basketball
Gladstone Park gate:
*Please ensure you maintain physical distancing and stand back from the gates, allowing teachers space to navigate students' safe return to their parents/carers
Basketball court:
**Only students/teachers are to assemble on the basketball court. Please maintain physical distancing around the outside perimeter of the court. Do not crowd around the court entry
| 2:50pm | Kindergarten - KG & KM | Gladstone Park gate* |
| 2:50pm | Stage 1 - 1/2A, 1/2C, 1/2F & 1/2K | Basketball court** |
| 3:00pm | Stage 2 - 3/4H, 3/4L & 3/4P | Gladstone Park gate* |
| 3:00pm | Stage 3 - 5/4R, 5/6B, 5/6C, 5/6P & 5/6Y | Basketball court** |
Your understanding and patience in this matter is much appreciated.
SkoolBag is our main comms @ Balmain PS...stay connected!
To ensure you receive all communication via SkoolBag, 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 you need assistance downloading the app, please see below?...
SkoolBag installation instructions
All students are expected to be at school unless they are unwell. Do not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms.
- If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you will be sent home and must not return to school unless you have either:
- isolated for 10 days, when no medical certificate is available
- a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free.
Once you have received your negative COVID-19 test results, please send a copy to the school via email.
Intention to apply for Year 7 placement in a selective high school in 2023
Selective high schools cater for academically gifted students with high potential who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic standard. Selective high schools help these students to learn by grouping them with students of similar ability, and by using specialised teaching methods.
The Selective High School Placement Test, for entry into Year 7 in 2023, will be held on Thursday 10 March 2022.
If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2023, online applications open on Tuesday 19 October 2021 and close on Wednesday 17 November 2021.
- You need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student’s email address)
- There are no paper application forms. If you do not have internet access, you could apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can directly contact the High Performing Students Team for assistance
- You must submit only ONE application for each student
- You must apply before the closing date
Detailed instructions on how to apply, as well as the link to the online form will be available at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7
-----
If you intend to make an application for your child:
- Complete the attached '2023 Intention Form'
- Email your completed form to balmainps@gmail.com with the subject line: 'ATTN: Mrs Sun - Intention to Apply SHS 2023 - Student full name'
- Send this completed form to the school by Wednesday 17 November
-----
Please remember that this '2023 Intention form' is NOT the official application for entry to a selective high school. The school CANNOT apply on your behalf.
The online application will open on Tuesday 19 October.
 |
Selective High School Placement Information
Download
|
New Ethics Classes Coordinator needed at Balmain Public School
Dear Parents and Carers,
Could you be an Ethics Coordinator for Balmain Public School?
Our current ethics coordinator is moving on at the end of this year after 4 years of volunteering in this role so, we are seeking a new volunteer so that classes can continue next year. Ethics classes began at Balmain Public School over 8 years ago and are currently available for children from Kindergarten to year 6, with 11 classes currently running on a weekly basis.
The ethics coordinator communicates with school staff, supports ethics teachers and liaises with Primary Ethics, the not-for-profit organisation approved to design curriculum and training for the program.
This role provides a great opportunity for a working parent who might be unable to volunteer during school hours and is a rewarding way to engage with the school community. Times are flexible, requiring approximately 1-2 hours per week. Online training is provided.
In ethics classes, children learn how to think logically, disagree respectfully and support their arguments with evidence, rather than act according to blind habit or peer pressure.
Children discuss topic such as:
- imagining how others feel
- how do we treat living things?
- what is laziness?
- how do we disagree in a respectful way?
- fairness
If you are looking for an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to our school, please visit https://primaryethics.com.au/volunteer/ethics-coordinator/
And/or contact Abby Futcher who is the current coordinator, on 0404 494 158 or at talk2arabella@gmail.com
Wednesday 10 November - P&C meeting @ 7pm via Zoom...
Details to follow...
Thursday 11 November - Remembrance Day
From Monday 15 November - Book Fair
Hello Balmain!
Please join us at our Book Fair.
During the week commencing Monday 15 November, our school will have a variety of age-appropriate texts for sale, kindly provided by Scholastic Book club for students to purchase.
Students will be given the opportunity to browse the book fair in their weekly library time and there will be access to the library each morning between 8:30-9:00am to take a look.
Students will not be able to bring in cash, however, they will be given a paper wish list at the book fair, which they can bring home with book information and pricing. The purchases will then be made online using EFTPOS or credit and you will receive an order number.
Students can return this slip to the library to pick up their book orders!
The best part of this is, every book you buy helps our library with reward points to purchase books for our school collection.
If you would also like to donate a book to our library that you have purchased, your family name plate will appear in the book to show our appreciation and your child will be the first to borrow it!
It is exciting and always a pleasure to encourage our readers.
See you at the Book Fair!
Chief Reading Officers and Book Fair Gurus, Ms Whelan and Ms Bowman
Wednesday 17 November - Opportunity Class Placement Test
Wednesday 17 November - Applications close for Selective High School placement in 2023
Call out to all young artists!
Are you an aspiring young artist? Contact mamaswitheasels@outlook.com.au
Monday 22 November - PRIMARILY FUN
Wednesday 8 December - P&C meeting @ 7pm via Zoom...
Details to follow...
Wednesday 15 December - Reports go home
Thursday 16 December - Last Day of Term 4!
NO CANTEEN OR ASSEMBLIES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
LEARN LIVE LEAD awards
| K Gentle - Mrs Goodridge | Sefer K | improved focus and sharing kind comments during discussions |
| K Mellow - Mrs Mikhail Bryant | Alex Q | being a helpful classroom member! |
| 1/2 Altruism - Ms Cooper | Sophia K | working extremely hard and showing maturity in the classroom |
| 1/2 Compassion - Ms Chiang | Aidan B | working diligently in literacy rotations and persuasive writing. Fabulous effort Aidan! |
| 1/2 Friendship - Ms Ferguson | Lola B | getting down to business with her persuasive writing! |
| 1/2 Kind Kids - Ms Karstrom | Leo P | his fantastic persuasive writing. Thinking of 3 outstanding reasons and quotes to support why 'TV is bad for your health!' |
| 3/4 Harmony - Ms Holt | Annabel L | entertaining ideas and originality through play script writing |
| 3/4 Leopards - Ms Jennett | Emily L | working hard during mathematics to master the split strategy |
| 3/4 Phoenix - Ms Parkes/Mrs Bowman | Sierra R | making Ms Parkes laugh with her eccentric portrayal of the fourth pig |
| 5/4 Rainbow - Ms Reedy | Elise G | her playful, energetic and excited return to school! |
| 5/6 Belong - Mr Baumann | Alexander L | his constant positive attitude to his learning |
| 5/6 Calm - Mr Carlton | Hayley Y | her great research into her information report for ProjectNEST |
| 5/6 Poppies - Ms Pitman | Wenwen Z | presenting an excellent, independent F2L project |
| 5/6 Yin & Yang - Mrs Sun | Shuhan L | demonstrating flexibility and solutions-focused thinking for her F2L project |
| K-2 Art - Mrs Bowman | Margot B 1/2K | creative and considered design work on her sugar skull |
| K-2 Art - Mrs Bowman | Gabriel R 1/2C | excellent focus and creativity |
| 3-6 Art - Mrs Bowman | Dante S 5/6C | consistent effort and application in the art room |
| 3-6 Art - Mrs Bowman | Aitan M 3/4L | returning to our art room with a creative and positive approach |
| K-2 STEAM - Ms Barcenilla | Lulu S KM | identifying pushes and pulls as forces, in different examples! |
| 3-6 STEAM - Ms Barcenilla | Demi G 3/4P | her leadership and selflessness in supporting her peers with their STEAM projects when their groups are away |
CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - TEACHER CHOICE
| K Gentle - Mrs Goodridge | Maxwell S | being a peaceful chicken by playing and working calmly with all class members |
| K Mellow - Mrs Mikhail Bryant | Mischa Y | being brave and taking risks in her learning |
| 1/2 Altruism - Ms Cooper | Evie R | Leadership - organising her classmates when completing a project |
| 1/2 Compassion - Ms Chiang | Anya B | Respect - always waiting her turn to share, and listening to her classmates respectfully |
| 1/2 Friendship - Ms Ferguson | Ari T | Joyfulness - enthusiastically creating her cake description in persuasive writing |
| 1/2 Kind Kids - Ms Karstrom | Yunxi L R | Helpfulness - supporting her peers and resetting our learning space with enthusiasm |
| 3/4 Harmony - Ms Holt | Imogen J | Creativity - using humour in her writing to compose engaging scripts that the whole class could enjoy |
| 3/4 Leopards - Ms Jennett | Juma M | creating an excellent and highly engaging drama performance! |
| 3/4 Phoenix - Ms Parkes/Mrs Bowman | Charlotte R | has demonstrated perseverance by completely nailing her spelling words this week |
| 5/4 Rainbow - Ms Reedy | Vivienne R | Bravery - being brave, open and personable with others during Year 5 Integration |
| 5/6 Belong - Mr Baumann | name | his perseverance in completing challenging tasks when he applies himself |
| 5/6 Calm - Mr Carlton | Luka H | his truthful, honest and kind approach to learning |
| 5/6 Poppies - Ms Pitman | Selina L | producing an excellent creative product for her F2L project |
| 5/6 Yin & Yang - Mrs Sun | Ryan P | Bravery - displaying his growing confidence when presenting to the class |
Positive Pete Winners!
Thanks to Ms Karstrom, who organises the collection and distribution of the Gelatissimo ice-creams, as well as takes the fab photos!
ES1 - Siena T KM, S1 - Ivy W 1/2F, S2 - Claudia P 3/4L, S3 - Charlie F 5/6P
And the winner is...(drumroll please!)
Uniform Stall
Under the current guidelines published by the Department of Education, the uniform stall will be operating via online ordering only.
Orders placed before 8pm October 21 will be packed and delivered to the office for collection. (Orders for current Kindy and Year 1 students will be delivered to the classroom.)
All orders after this time will be packed and delivered to classrooms after students return on October 25 (with the exception of any orders for new students starting 2022).
Exchanges and returns can be arranged by emailing the uniform stall volunteers: balmainpsuniforms@gmail.com
Thank you!
Now we are finally back at school, KG have loved catching up with all of their friends!
Investigations: Ruby and Zara were the reporters on Wednesday and wrote spooky addition stories to present to the class.
Investigations: George, Charlie and Eamon have been busy with box construction - "I am making a pet zoo". - George; "I am making a hut with hotels". - Charlie; "I am making a zip line". - Eamon
Investigations: Zara and Madeleine made necklaces and mixed paint to make them bright and colourful.
Investigations: Sage and Zach followed instructions to make Lego constructions all on their own!
Annabel, Lane and Roland have been busy using the app 'Draw and Tell' to select icons, resize pictures and record their voices.
In mathematics, KG have been doing lots of revision. We went outside to investigate volume and capacity. KG filled and emptied containers with water and estimated the number of number of containers it would take to fill another. Does a taller container always hold more than a wider one?
Last week, we dressed up for Halloween mufti!
Look at Annabel, Queenie, Ruby, Zoe and Siena's clever writing!
This week we are focusing on having good manners. We read 'Interrupting chicken' by David Ezra Stein and talked about lots of ways to be a peaceful chicken!
KG found that there are many ways such as listening to others, sharing, raising your hand to speak and playing calmly. They worked cooperatively in groups to sort ideas to make a class chart. What peaceful chickens!
OUR BPS COMMUNITY HELPS OTHERS...
Jude and Maxim are participating in the World's Greatest Shave to help raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation!
Millie is taking part in The Sudsy Challenge, helping to shine a light on homelessness and raising funds and awareness to support people doing it tough...
Cathy is helping to raise funds for SupportAct - artists, artist managers, crew and music workers who are doing it tough!
