Pigeon Post

2021 Volume 1 Issue 7

Acknowledgement of Country...

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From the Principal

Welcome back!

It was so lovely to be able to open up the Gladstone Park gates on Monday morning, after having taken down the 'Kiss & Drop' sign, to be able to welcome our parents and carers back onsite! It certainly has been a long time...

At this stage, we will be having brief Community Assemblies on Wednesdays, as well as our Awards Assemblies on Fridays, both weather permitting.

Please remember that if you are coming into our playground in the mornings and/or afternoons, that you continue to observe the physical distancing requirements. Thank you.

Maria Lambos - Principal

Important messages...

YOUR OBSERVANCE OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES IS APPRECIATED

Current COVID-19 advice

Feeling unwell?

As per the current NSW Health and DoE guidelines, Students and staff with flu-like symptoms will need to provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result before being permitted to return to school.

Symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore/scratchy throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of taste
  • Loss of smell

Other reported symptoms can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Runny nose
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Loss of appetite

Should your child present with any of the above symptoms, please arrange for a COVID-19 test. A 24-hour home pick-up COVID-19 test can be organised by going to the following link:

https://covidtestsydney.com.au/

Once you have received your negative COVID-19 test results, please send a copy to the school via email.

From the Office

How can we be of assistance today?

***ALL VISITORS (EXCLUDING DROP-OFF & PICK-UP) TO THE SCHOOL MUST GO DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE, CHECK-IN USING THE SERVICE NSW COVID SAFE CHECK-IN QR CODE, AS WELL AS THE SCHOOL'S CHECK-IN PROCEDURE***

If your family details, circumstances have changed, ie: address, mobile numbers, separations, court orders etc, could you kindly email the school so records can be updated. This will ensure correct people are contacted and all relevant information is passed on correctly.

Please remember that if you are collecting your child early for an appointment or dropping them off, please ensure you allow extra time for your child to be located and brought down to the office.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the office, or Mrs Lambos, to arrange alternate options.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Every FRIDAY

Go to www.flexischools.com.au to place your order

For any food/menu queries please feel free to contact us directly via email :

info@theschoolcanteen.com.au.

Alternatively, you can call Kirsty on 0416 786 603 and we will be happy to assist.

Kirsty and Jason Feliciotto – The School Canteen

Every FRIDAY

HARMONY WEEK - 15-21 March

'Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.'

Students are encouraged to wear an orange t-shirt on Wednesday 17 March. All shades of orange are welcomed! Students to wear regular school uniform, with the exception of their t-shirt. 

Friday 19 March - National Ride 2 School Day

Thursday 25 March - Years 3-6 X-Country Carnival

including Year 2 students turning 8 years in 2021

Friday 26 March - P and C Welcome Drinks - 7-10pm

EASTER HAT PARADE/S

We are currently working out the logistics of how to hold an Easter Hat Parade event, whilst ensuring we remain COVID-19 Safe. The school will be required to have a COVID Safety Plan, which would include the requirement of keeping record of all onsite visitors. This will mean a double check-in - Service NSW QR code, as well as school-based QR code - for each and every parent/carer that enters onsite for the parade. Although we would love to celebrate with our entire community, realistically, we would most likely be unable to hold a K-6 event, as we have 368 students, with the potential of 700+ adults, as well as school staff. It would logistically be impossible for adults to practise physical distancing in this situation. We will most likely need to hold separate events. We will notify you of additional information, once we have finalised plans for the event/s. Please note that community involvement will be dependent on the weather. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Thursday 1 April - Last Day of School for Term 1

Monday 19 April - Staff Development Day - NO STUDENTS

Tuesday 20 April - TERM 2 - Students Return to School!

SAVE THE DATE - Stage 3 Camp - 23-25 June

Friday 25 June - LAST DAY OF TERM 2

FROM YOUR P&C

ACTION REQUIRED - CONTACT DETAILS FOR CLASS REPS

Thanks to the parents/carers who volunteered to be the Class Reps for each class this year.

The Class Reps' first task is to collect your contact details for disseminating relevant information throughout the year. The school and class teachers are unable to provide this information to the reps, due to privacy reasons.

Thank you to those of you who have already completed the Google Form. If you have yet to do so, please click on and complete the relevant short Google Forms for your child/ren's class/es, at your earliest convenience:

KG - Gemma Puplett (George McG's Mum) & Nicola Stephenson (Leo's Mum)

https://forms.gle/BNDEdjSrvLW112tKA

KM - Janelle Barnes (Dot & Molly W's Mum) & Jean Mostyn (Cicely C's's Mum)

https://forms.gle/zxUG5TcruhQ2qSEv7

1/2A - Arabella Futcher (Henry Yr2) & Claudine Keskin (Emily Yr1)

https://forms.gle/SpLVq1Y7RQkMbj2u5

1/2C - Olga Voronina (Anna Yr2) & Tara Smith (Harrison Yr2)

https://forms.gle/kXriFwD4FhgEcTah7

1/2F - Felicity Bowman (Lola Yr1) & Jason Ockerby (Hamish Yr2)

https://forms.gle/uPfGxBLWHQgo5Fj86

1/2K - Kirsty Galpin (Jasper Yr1) & Veronica Collins (Cooper H Yr2)

https://forms.gle/vtceuLegkHRPQEZT8

3/4H - Renate Harris (Lachlan Yr3) & Mamata Phadke (Vivan N Yr3)

https://forms.gle/upBgrTtadzBpzPX69

3/4L - Jenifer Finucane (Mila Yr3) & Lauren Rutherford (Zara Yr4)

https://forms.gle/GErvpw7okFAbMyfU6

3/4P - Muriel Chen (Odin S Yr3) & Dimity Brown (Thomas M Yr3)

https://forms.gle/AF9WWeaQAP46q1nd9

5/4R - Cindy Scheule (Lina Yr5) & Kristenne Pickles (Alfred V Yr5)

https://forms.gle/mAgyHMxtNjkj6vwW6

5/6B - Clare Rumboll (Emily Yr6) & Cliff Philipiah (Logan Yr6)

https://forms.gle/8WTZfREoLqzzXFq86

5/6C - Jacqueline Roberts (Drew K Yr6) & Vanessa Thompson (Ruby Yr6)

https://forms.gle/eg9FWdHwQk1jzyYq7

5/6P - Aly McCarthy (Johnny Yr6) & Cressida Griffith (Clara N Yr5)

https://forms.gle/upwp9H2CC9P2i7Wk9

5/6Y - Peta Joyce (Henry Yr6) & Becky Zhou (Eamon W Yr6)

https://forms.gle/cXqSNcwboZuZ1riv9


School Uniforms

Order uniform items here

For any size exchanges, please:

1. Email the uniform stall with the details of the exchange, at: balmainpsuniforms@gmail.com

2. Return the items to be exchanged to the school office, clearly marked with Student name, Class and EXCHANGE

3. Replacement items will be packed and re-delivered to your child's classroom

Orders will continue to be packed and delivered for collection each week, until we are able to reopen the stall.

Thank you!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Our uniform stall is a P&C initiative, run entirely by parent volunteers, to benefit our school community!

Ordering: Orders are being packed and delivered to classrooms weekly.

  • Please include your child's name and class for delivery
  • Secondhand items can be ordered through the online store
  • There is no order pickup from the stall or the office, unless by prior arrangement
  • Appointments can be made to visit the stall in order to try on items for size. Details can be found on the school website.

Orders can be placed online at the following link:

https://bps-uniform-stall.square.site

Stock levels: Due to COVID-related delays continuing to affect our suppliers, a small number of items are out of stock. We are receiving deliveries each week, and this stock is quickly being added online. Outstanding items are being packed and delivered to class as they are received. If a longer delay is anticipated for an item, we are moving quickly to source an alternative through a second supplier where possible, to minimise the impact on the school. If you cannot see an item you need, please email the stall volunteers to enquire: balmainpsuniforms@gmail.com

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you would like to volunteer to help at the stall, please email us!

AWARDS

LEARN LIVE LEAD awards

K Gentle - Mrs GoodridgeMaxwell Scompleting all tasks in class and assisting others
K Mellow - Mrs Mikhail BryantCharlie Nhis positive attitude towards leaning
1/2 Altruism - Ms CooperElla Sworking hard to solve a tricky problem in mathematics
1/2 Compassion - Ms ChiangLily Jworking hard to solve a tricky problem in mathematics
1/2 Friendship - Ms FergusonTom Rconsistently following the Balmain Way in all areas of school life
1/2 Kind Kids - Ms KarstromSophie Gher fabulous labelling of continents in Geography!
3/4 Harmony - Ms HoltMillie Opersevering with homework to the best of her ability
3/4 Leopards - Mrs LoxtonGabriela B Spersevering with homework to the best of her ability
3/4 Phoenix - Ms ParkesOliver Dhis improved sense of maturity and focus across all subjects
5/4 Rainbow - Ms ReedyMicah Chis mature and purposeful approach to learning
5/6 Belong - Mr BaumannLexie Bher superlative kindness and patience with others
5/6 Calm - Mr CarltonAlesha S-Dleading by example and supporting her buddy
5/6 Poppies - Ms PitmanMarium Sdemonstrating an empathetic understanding of the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal Peoples
5/6 Yin & Yang - Ms YauZac Cbeing a positive role model to others
LIBRARY K-2 - Ms WhelanEmerysn P KMlistening to stories

LIBRARY 3-6 - Ms Whelan

Matthew X 3/4Lhelping other children
STEAM K-2 - Ms BarcenillaLane W KGhis lively contributions to class discussions!
STEAM 3-6 - Ms BarcenillaArkie E M 5/6Bbeing a cooperative, caring and enthusiastic student in all STEAM lessons
ART K-2 - Mrs BowmanEllie S 1/2Abeautiful watercolour work and great focus
ART 3-6 - Mrs BowmanWill B 5/6Bexcellent application and line technique
MUSIC K-2 - Ms BigginsHamish D 1/2Abeing able to sing 'My Highland Goat' with ALL the right words
MUSIC 3-6 - Ms BigginsHarriet J 3/4Lher fantastic musicality and can do spirit

CHARACTER STRENGTH awards - FORGIVENESS

K Gentle - Mrs GoodridgeSage Tshowing understanding towards her classmates
K Mellow - Mrs Mikhail BryantAlex Qbeing an understanding friend
1/2 Altruism - Ms CooperHalle N-Wforgiving a friend after an argument and doing great partner work
1/2 Compassion - Ms ChiangMarla Haccepting a friend's apology after a disagreement
1/2 Friendship - Ms FergusonCara Sbeing a gentle friend who shows empathy towards others
1/2 Kind Kids - Ms KarstromBrandon Dearning to apologise genuinely
3/4 Harmony - Ms HoltGrayson Ccalmly accepting an apology from his classmate when his sharpener was damaged
3/4 Leopards - Mrs LoxtonJuma Mbeing resilient and showing patience towards others in the classroom
3/4 Phoenix - Ms ParkesGeorge Bhis generosity of spirit and sense of empathy when understanding others actions
5/4 Rainbow - Ms ReedyJayden Yunderstanding the value of the forgiveness and showing strength of character
5/6 Belong - Mr BaumannLogan Psharing her compassionate and empathetic nature to others
5/6 Calm - Mr CarltonMac Fshowing his maturity in a difficult situation
5/6 Poppies - Ms PitmanWenwen Zbeing resilient and showing patience towards others
5/6 Yin & Yang - Ms YauRyan Pdemonstrating resilience when experiencing a 'little a'

POSITIVE PETE Awards

Thanks to Ms Karstrom, who organises the collection and distribution of the Gelatissimo ice-creams, as well as takes the fab photos!

PHOTO GALLERY: This Week's Positive Pete Winners

And the winner is...(drumroll please!)

Spotlight on...

3/4 LEOPARDS!!!!

This week, in 3/4L, we have been learning how to show, rather than tell, in our narrative writing. Students began their research with a trip to Gladstone Park; here they carefully observed and analysed people in the park to determine how they were feeling and what about their body language and actions made this evident. After documenting their findings, students were asked to choose a feeling and prepare a short performance showing, rather than telling, the class how they felt. We've discovered that 3/4L students love a bit of drama in the classroom and find that it inspires their writing immensely, helping their audience feel moved by their carefully chosen words.

3/4 Leopards how, rather than tell...

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD