1

NEWSLETTER Phone: 9484 8844 26 March 2019 Fax: 9484 8200

P & C Meeting – Wednesday 15 May 2019 7:30 p.m. – Library Website: www.beecroftpublicschool.com.au Email: beecroft-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Principal’s Report Harmony Day – Be You @ Beecroft ‘Harmony Day was established to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity and to be a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.” Harmony Day is all about togetherness and kindness, about sharing experience and knowledge. In a small but meaningful way this day of celebration - of respect for diversity - works to create the conditions that erase fear and create friendships.’ Mark Scott, Secretary DoE. Last Thursday we celebrated Harmony Day 2019 and launched the rebranded KidsMatter Framework, ‘Be You’. To celebrate the ‘Be You’ message students created their own unique self-portrait. The 878 individual portraits form a huge mural covering the front office: a symbolic message that at Beecroft Public School EVERYONE BELONGS. Thank you to Ms McDonnell and the BeYou team of teachers who created this be-you-tiful art installation.

2

P&C STEM Workshop Last week some of our teachers showcased the department’s Stemshare kit, Lego Robotics. These kits have enabled students to develop their digital and technological capabilities, which are integral to learning in every syllabus. Students in 3-6 have had hands on experience coding and experimenting with the Blue-Bots, DASH robots or Lego We-do 2.0 robotics. The lessons are engaging and spark student curiosity while also allowing for the development of vital future-focused learning skills: collaboration, problem-solving, critical and creative thinking skills. Thank you Mrs Robbins, Mrs Justic, Mrs Robinson, Miss Fowler and Miss Hogarth for showcasing the StemShare kits and for talking about your experiences this term.

3

Operation Art Touring Exhibition On Wednesday 20 March Yuxi 2H and Eric 3J were invited to attend the opening of the Operation Art Touring Exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. Their artworks were chosen from hundreds of student artworks from around NSW to be part of this exhibition of 50 artworks. The exhibition can be viewed at the AGNSW until 31 March and will then tour around NSW. The artworks will then be permanently displayed at the Westmead Children's Hospital. At the ceremony Yuxi and Eric met Dr Michael Brydon, CEO of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, who spoke to them about their artworks. Yuxi and Eric can be very proud of their achievements.

School Accounts Last week our school office emailed our 2019 Semester 1 Statement of Accounts to parents and carers. Many families have been quick to pay using the online payment system. We have also attached copies of two letters with detailed instructions and information regarding excursions, levies and voluntary contributions. Please refer to this important information. If you have any questions regarding your account or if you are experiencing genuine financial difficulties, please contact Mrs Julie Tracy or the front office staff who are always happy to assist you or discuss payment options. Thank you again for your ongoing and generous support of our school. Tanya Rose Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report Year 3 and Year 5: NAPLAN Online 2019 NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy – important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us make sure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Between Tuesday 14 May and Friday 24 May our school will participate in NAPLAN Online. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format. To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the public demonstration site.

4

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher. For more info:

• How to support your child during NAPLAN • information for parents and carers • Watch a video that explains NAPLAN Online • Subscribe to ACARA’s monthly parent newsletter, Parent Update

Harmony Day from the perspective of 1W We can learn so much from our children. Harmony Day means to be kind to our friends. It doesn’t matter if we look different. I like to be kind. Valli, 1W Harmony Day is a day we celebrate other people’s diversity and understand their cultures. Emily, 1W Harmony Day is a day that we are kind to everyone in the whole wide world and help others celebrate and understand different cultures. Nathaniel, 1W We understand and are kind to different cultures. Even though they have different skin, faces and how they look, it doesn’t matter if we are different. Yonny, 1W Karan McDonnell Deputy Principal

Eco Corner Report Harvesting Time The knights are now well into the agricultural routine and get straight into harvesting all the beautiful veggies, taking them to be weighed and allocating the right bags before selling them to the parents at pick up. Each week the groups take it in turns to weigh and sell while all the knights harvest, fertilise and water the gardens as required. The work isn’t complicated but the knights enjoy getting their hands dirty and working at producing something. And they all love selling the produce on to the parents on Fridays. This week the knights will be planting in the old bell garden and finishing off planting in the lower gardens and heritage garden. We look forward to seeing if the French carrot seeds so carefully planted by Spencer, Sam and Benny successfully germinate.

5

Ben the Green Garden Guru In knowledge we grow

P&C News P&C News P&C News P&C News P&C News

Message from the President March P&C Meeting Wednesday 20 March 7:30p.m. Thank you to the large numbers of parents who attended last Wednesday's monthly P&C meeting. Thank you also to those class parents who attended the class parent briefing given by Adam and Lisa beforehand.

6

During the monthly meeting the last of the P&C motions were voted on and passed in regard to this year’s budgets for our Sub-Committees. We also had updates from our canteen, uniform, and BOOSH subcommittees, as well as updates on what is coming up with the events being run by the social committee. Our principal Mrs Rose, Mrs Robbins and Mrs Justic enthusiastically supported by the technology teachers, presented some of the new technologies STEM devices that were being trialled with our children at school, to help foster an understanding of robotics and programming. These were from the STEM Share Kit currently on loan to BPS, which included Blue-Bot, DASH, Lego We-Do 2.0 and were returned last Friday 22 March 2019. After a lengthy debate, a motion was raised for the school to review and provide a breakdown of what technologies are most applicable to our school environment and purchase these to the amount of $10,000. This will be voted upon at the May P&C meeting. Motions were also raised to continue with the Mulitlit program by providing $30,000 over the next two years, and providing $30,000 for servicing or replacing interactive whiteboards as required. The P&C has been funding both the replacement of IWBs and supporting the multilit program over the last few years, and these motions are a continuation of this support. State Election BBQ 23 March - Thank you to all our volunteers Last Saturday saw the first of our two election BBQs for the year. A huge thank you to the three teams of volunteers who served our community and school so well. Thank you to Jason and Louise, Michael, Wayne, Matt (our human billboard and resident DJ), Emma, Jennifer, Lindy, Alison, Virginia, Kristy, Lawrence, Scott, Natalie, Ritu, Fang, Peter, David, Gard, Lisa, Nathan, our student rep Lucas and our ever present helping hand principal Mrs Rose. Thank you also to the parents who popped in to say hi and support our BBQ by purchasing breakfast, brunch or lunch. The P&C cleared $750 from the sale of 100 egg and bacon rolls and 300 sausage sandwiches. Fabulously successful BBQ.

7

Working Bee - Volunteers Wanted - Sunday 7 April In two weeks the school holds the first of its two working bees for the year. The aim of these working bees is to carry out maintenance on, or add to, our children's playground environment. This working bee we will be finishing off the garden at the Copeland Road grass area and memorial garden, as well as trimming lots of the trees and shrubs around the school. We will also be staining the wooden benches and attending to some repairs in the school veggie garden. Lots of work to be done, and all made easier by many hands. All skills, tools, and helping abilities required. Children welcome as well. To aid with the work, a BBQ lunch is provided. Working bee is on from 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. Let me know if you can help for some or all of the time. Working Bee Volunteers Required For the school Working Bee on Sunday 7 April, we are looking for 4 volunteers to bring their own aprons and tongs, and assist in cooking up the sausage sandwiches from 12:00p.m. Also, if there are any keen bakers who would love to bake some yummy treats for our workers, your help would be greatly appreciated. If you can help, please contact Lyndal (Class Parent of KP/4L) at lyndalvanhooft@gmail.com Mother’s Day Gift Update We have had a few enquiries from parents, particularly all the wonderful mums, regarding whether or not there will be different presents available to order, via Qkr! for Mother’s Day. The answer is YES, each class will be working on a special, creative gift, with their class teacher, to give you for Mother’s Day! Hence, if you have more than one child at the school, as long as they aren’t in the same class, you will be able to receive a different, individual gift from each! Just a reminder that each gift will cost $10.00. Students will be able to pre-order the special surprise gift for their mother, grandmother, step-mother, Auntie, or Carer through Qkr! from Monday 17 March to Friday 29 March 2019 (late orders cannot be accepted). We look forward to sharing this extra special Mother’s Day surprise with you!

Caroline Choong, Mel Hogan and Natalie Turner Mother’s Day Coordinators

Upcoming Events: P&C General Meeting: Wednesday 15 May at 7:30p.m.in the Library Working BBQ Volunteers Wanted - Sunday 7 April

Ben McSweeney P & C President

Canteen News - Phone 9980 7255

Harmony Day

What a great day! To celebrate Harmony Day last week, the canteen sold orange jelly cups with a little rainbow on top! It was so good to see all the children getting a well-deserved treat and remembering that Harmony Day is about inclusiveness. Our amazing Event Coordinator, Donna D, went well above and beyond to demonstrate this.

When we had sold out of the jelly cups, Donna had willingly taken down all the names of over 130 children who had missed out on the day and made the jellies up on that day to be handed out on the next day (Friday). It is a huge thank you and shout out to Donna for doing this.

8

Volunteers We are always looking out for more volunteers to help out at the canteen. It a very simple job, the hardest of which may be how to put all the requested ingredients in between two slices of bread. It is only once a month and can be from as little as two hours. We really need the numbers on Thursdays and Fridays. So please come to the canteen to put your name down. It'll be fun. Or bring a friend and make it fun! Roster for the upcoming week Wednesday 27 March: Saroj T, EXTRA VOLUNTEER NEEDED ANYTIME Thursday 28 March: NO ONE ON ROSTER Friday 29 March: NO ONE ON ROSTER Monday 01 April: NO ONE ON ROSTER Tuesday 02 April: Alison F, EXTRA VOLUNTEER NEEDED ANYTIME

I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic the whole event has been and how generous our team of volunteers are.

A huge thank youalso to the team of mums who willingly volunteered their time to help with the finishing touches and to sell to the very eager kids.

So thanks to the A-team:

Nina G, Jenine R, Lydia vdP, Danielle L, Justine S, Kelly P, Hala Y and Belinda V.

9

If you are rostered on and cannot commit, please arrange for someone to cover your day. Please try and let either myself or the Managers know to help organise the weekly roster. If you are still having difficulties, please phone the Canteen Managers, Jenny or Julie on 9980 7255. Thanks. Belinda Varndell info.bps.canteen@gmail.com Canteen Convenor

Lost Property

Lost Property Roster Thank you to the class parents who have sorted out the lost property area. 6N is rostered on to sort lost property this week. Any concerns, please email: bpsclassparent@gmail.com Adam Fusca Class Parent Coordinator

Uniform Shop

Hours: Wednesday 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. Thursday 9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. Winter uniform is not available yet. As soon as we receive our stock, it will be in the newsletter. Helping in the shop this week: Wednesday 27 March - Jen M Thursday 28 March - Melanie M

10

Next week: Wednesday 3 April – Zahra M Thursday 4 April – Shannon L Sherri Cooper Uniform Shop Convenor beecroftpsuniform@gmail.com

School Banking

Regular Hours: Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The banking team was put to good use last week serving jelly cups and counting coins. Despite that distraction, we still had 136 bankers depositing their hard earned pocket money, and redeeming their virtual tokens for reward items. Alice Clayton

0408 628940 BeecroftSchoolBanking@gmail.com

BOOSH

Hello Booshies!!! The chickens are here! Come and watch them hatch and learn how to care for them. They will be with us for Weeks 9 and 10. Vacation Care Vacation Care is almost fully booked. There is a lot of availability on Friday 26 April. If you are a new family looking to book one day, please hand your form in to us so we can create an account for you.

11

BOOSH Page 2 Parent Committee Meeting Parent meetings are a great opportunity for families, especially those new to Boosh, to meet other parents and be involved in the running of the centre. All Boosh families are welcome, you do not have to be ‘on the committee’. Meetings are held in Boosh at 6:30p.m. Our next meeting is next week, Tuesday 2 April. Special Afternoon Tea This week’s special afternoon tea is Mini Pizzas on Tuesday afternoon. This Week’s Photos Harmony Day crafts including our ‘Where does your family come from’ map, Boosh Yoga and our newest Baby Booshies (chickens!). Have a great week! UPCOMING DATES: Vacation Care open for bookings for current Boosh families – Now! April Parent Committee Meeting – Tuesday 2 April at 6:30p.m. in Boosh Mel and The Boosh Team 9980 8224 admin@boosh.com.au

12

Band News

Only four more sleeps until the Intensive Band and Strings Weekend! It promises to be a fun weekend of music making, culminating in a concert on the Sunday afternoon – the debut performance of the 2019 Training Band. Please make sure that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of rehearsals to allow time to sign in and set up. The Band Committee will be undertaking a stocktake of the sheet music and is seeking assistance from parents on both Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March to sort and file music - no experience necessary! Please email your details to beecroftpsensemblecommittee@gmail.com if you are able to assist and you will be contacted with further details. Upcoming Events

Date Event Details Sign in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each day. Saturday 30 March, 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. (Stage Band, 12:00p.m. start) Sunday 31 March, 12:00p.m. – 3:40p.m.

Intensive Band and Strings Weekend

Who: All band and string ensembles Where: at school Concluding concert: Sunday 2:40p.m.

Thursday 4 April, 7:30p.m. Band and Strings Subcommittee meeting

Staff room

If you have any questions, please contact your band coordinator. For general inquiries, please contact the secretary. Megan Hobbs therealmeganhobbs@gmail.com Secretary

String Ensemble News

Intensive Band & Strings Weekend – 30 & 31 March 2019 Please find the schedule for string ensembles as below:

Ensemble Saturday 30/3 Sunday 31/3 Advanced Strings 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. 12:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. Intermediate Strings 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. 12:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. Training Strings N/A 1:00p.m. – 3:30p.m.

Combined Concert 2:30p.m. – 3:30p.m. ALL FAMILIES ARE WELCOMED!

RSVP Typeform

13

Please note the attendance to this event is compulsory, and parents need to complete the RSVP Typeform (https://bpsstrings.typeform.com/to/De69cx) to confirm attendance if they have not done so. Sign In / Out Procedure Please arrive at the registration desk 15mins early to sign your child in. A signed copy of Code of conduct form must be submitted at registration. IBSW Parent Roster Volunteer parents are needed to assist the ensembles of both days. Please click on the link below to sign up for coverage: IBSW Advanced Strings: http://signup.com/go/jzMbTfX IBSW Intermediate Strings: http://signup.com/go/WovOFwe IBSW Training Strings: http://signup.com/go/qZmMDqS ‘Meet & Greet’ afternoon tea There will be a ‘Meet & Greet’ afternoon tea on Sunday 31 March between 2:00p.m. – 2:30p.m. for all strings parents (Training, Intermediate and Advanced), just before the concert. This is a great opportunity for parents and families of the string groups to get to know each other. Please bring a plate of food to share (nut free as per school policy). Weekly Rehearsal Parent Roster Volunteer parents are needed to support the smooth running of each rehearsal. Please remember to sign up to the weekly parent roster if you haven’t already: Advanced Strings: http://signup.com/go/BtZixuD Intermediate Strings: http://signup.com/go/wkThHSQ Training Strings: http://signup.com/go/PwxgKfw String Ensemble Application for 2019 Beecroft Public School Strings Program welcomes new players of all levels, from Year 1 to Year 6, who play violin, viola, cello and double bass. The String Ensembles perform at festivals and events throughout the year. There are three Strings Ensembles to suit the needs for different levels of players: Training Strings: for beginners with limited techniques and skills. Rehearsal is on every Thursday 8:15-9:15a.m. Intermediate Strings: for students with minimum 1.5 years’ private tuition with basic music reading skills. Rehearsal is on every Monday 8:15-9:15a.m. Audition required prior to joining. Advanced Strings: for more accomplished players with a minimum of 3rd grade standard (or equivalent) on their instrument. Rehearsal is on every Thursday 7:45-9:15a.m. Audition required prior to joining. For more details, please refer to the BPS Band and Strings Program Handbook 2019. To make an enquiry or book an audition, please contact the Strings Coordinator on StringsBPS@googlegroups.com. Term 1 Events

Ensemble Event Location Date Time Training Intermediate Advanced

Intensive Music Weekend Beecroft PS 30-31 March (Saturday to Sunday)

Sat 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Sun 12:00p.m.-3:30p.m.

Term 2 Events

Ensemble Event Location Date Time

14

Advanced Strings McDonalds City of Sydney Eisteddfod The Concourse, Chatswood 17 Jun TBA

Intermediate Strings Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival Pittwater High School 22 June TBA TBA

Advanced Strings Croydon FOIM Croydon PS 24 June TBA Advanced Strings Opera House FOIM Sydney Opera House 29 July TBA

Fei Gao Strings Co-ordinator StringsBPS@googlegroups.com

1S Easter Egg Hunt Please come along to our Easter hunt on Saturday 13 April at 10:00a.m. A note and email was sent home to you with details. Siblings welcome. Please bring a small plate of food (in accordance with the school’s food policy) to share or to dilute all the chocolate eggs that they find. Have a great week, Malama

2A Play Date We would like to invite all the parents/carers and children of 2A to join us for our first play date on the Village Green on Thursday 11 April, straight after school has finished for the day. Please bring a plate of food (in line with BPS Anaphylaxis Policy - nut free) to share for afternoon tea. Siblings are more than welcome to join in the fun! Mel

Social gathering for 2H children and parents

We would like to invite the parents and children of 2H to join us for our first playdate on the Village Green on Friday 29 March, straight after school has finished for the day. Please bring a plate of food (nut free) to share for afternoon tea. Siblings are more than welcome to join in the fun. Peter & Amy

2P Play in the Park We would like to invite all the parents/carers and children of 2P to join us for our first play date on the Village Green on Friday 29 March straight after school. Please bring a plate of food (nut free) to share for afternoon tea. Siblings are more than welcome so come along and meet your new class! Kate and Camilla 2P Class Parents

15

2G Play in the Park/Easter Egg Hunt

We would like to invite all parents/carers and children of 2G to join us for a Play in the Park on Thursday 4 April from 3:25p.m. We will be having an Easter Egg hunt for the children and siblings are welcome. Please bring a small plate of food or a few Easter Eggs to share (nut free please). We look forward to seeing you! Paul and Su 2G Class Parents

4L Play in the Park Please come along to the Village Green at 3:25p.m. on Thursday 4 April. A wonderful opportunity to get together prior to the school holidays. Please bring a small plate of food (in accordance with the school’s food policy) to share. Jane and Lyndal Class Parents 4L

Community News Beecroft Public School, as a service to parents, will advertise community events that may be of interest. Beecroft Public School does not necessarily endorse or sponsor the events and accepts no responsibility for the management or organization of these events.

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24