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NEWSLETTER Phone: 9484 8844 2 April 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 Recognising Outstanding Achievement Each term we recognise outstanding achievement at our PBEL Silver assemblies. Award recipients and their families should be extremely proud. Being formally awarded a Silver award is an honour that recognises that each student has demonstrated excellence, responsibility, respect and participation, not just once but four times. At the Silver assemblies last Wednesday, I spoke about the importance of the PBEL value of ‘participation’. Participation can be really challenging for students, especially when it involves doing something that is hard or difficult. Many of us love to participate, when we are doing something that is easy but what we try to encourage at school is for every student to push themselves outside of their comfort zone. When we try new things, take sensible risks and make mistakes this is when real growth and learning happens. On the flip side, participation also means making space for others and encouraging others to participate. Participation is one of the four PBEL values that we recognise at our award assemblies. Congratulations to our Term 1 award recipients. Congratulations also to our Year 2 SRC leaders who made their debut leading the K-2 Silver Assembly so confidently last week. Our senior student leaders continue to be exemplary role models for their younger peers and I thank and congratulate them as well.

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Intensive Band and Strings Weekend Music was in the air all weekend at Beecroft Public School, as our five bands and three string ensembles participated in the annual Intensive Band and Strings weekend. One aspect of developing a genuine passion for any creative talent is that of persistence and more often many painstaking hours of practice. Our Band and Strings students spent the weekend dedicated to enhancing their skill and having some fun as well. Again, it cannot be overstated- these opportunities are offered because volunteers give generously of their time so that the children of Beecroft can flourish. Congratulations to the 223 students who participated in the weekend. According to many proud parents, you all sounded amazing. Thank you to the Band and Strings committee lead by Janine Kissick, Sally Stewart, Sheau Fang Low and the countless volunteer parents, tutors and teachers who made the weekend a huge success. Thank you also to Mrs Irene Robbins and Mrs Fiona Johnson for going above and beyond their normal roles in supporting the Band and Strings program over the weekend.

Training Band It was also a significant time for the Year 3 students who joined the band program. After 5 weeks of small group tutorials where students have learnt how to care for and play their instrument of choice, the Training Band has only just started rehearsing as a group under the leadership of Mr Tim Ferrier. Their first group performance on Sunday afternoon was certainly an exciting time for the students and a proud moment for their parents. Congratulations Training Band.

The Easter Hat Parade is almost here… Beecroft Public School is preparing for the annual K-2 Easter Hat Parade. We invite families to join us on the Mary Street Grass on the last Friday of term at 10:30a.m. Some people recognise Easter as a religious event, whilst others see it as a part of an Australian cultural celebration. At Beecroft Public School, we see Easter celebrations as part of Australia's beautiful cultural fabric. Celebrating cultural diversity and difference is an important value for adults to teach children. We look forward to sharing this event with you and your children.

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Congratulations Ms Kirk Congratulations to Ms Eloise Kirk and her partner on the birth of their baby girl Anna Luiza weighing 3.7 kg. It is always such a joy to welcome another baby into the Beecroft PS extended family. Congratulations! 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. 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

Karan McDonnell Deputy Principal

ANZAC Day

As ANZAC Day is in the school holidays this year, students and staff at Beecroft Public School will commemorate this special occasion next Wednesday 10 April. This year we will be holding two separate assemblies; the assembly for Kindergarten to Year 2 students will commence at 12:00p.m. and for Primary classes at 2:00p.m.. Both assemblies will take place in the School Hall. Parents are welcome to attend either assembly. Students who belong to a Service Group within the community e.g. Scouts, Guides, Girls’/Boys’ Brigade etc are encouraged to wear their service uniform to the ceremony. Students may also bring a small posy of flowers. These will be displayed as a sign of respect at the school flagpole.

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Mrs Kay O’Brien Assistant Principal

Easter Hat Parade

This year Beecroft Public School will be holding an Easter Hat Parade on Friday 12 April at 10:30a.m. on the Mary St Grass. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. There will be a designated area for the parents and friends to sit. We will provide limited seating for the elderly on the concrete area under the trees, so bring a picnic blanket or folding chairs and come along and admire all the colourful Easter Hats. The P&C will be selling some delicious hot cross buns with tea or coffee for morning tea. There will also be a special Book Fair from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. The Book Fair will be set up in front of the library. It is a perfect opportunity to buy some quality literature for your children and support the school at the same time. This year the Year 6 buddies will be involved in making their Kindergarten buddies’ hats and Year 5 have been asked to help Year 1 to make their hats. This is a special time when the different stages can work together. The Year 2 children will be looking forward to making their own hats. Thank you to all the wonderful parents who sent in craft materials which enabled the children to decorate their hats with their buddies. Thank you in anticipation of your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Easter Hat Parade. The Kindergarten Teachers

Sports Report Sydney North Area Swimming Carnival – Thursday 28 March Congratulations to all the Beecroft Public School swimmers who participated in the area carnival last Thursday. There were many wonderful results and the students who attended should be very proud of their results! Well done Jacinta Z, Jennifer L, Liam Z, Riley M, Dominic Z, Nathan A.Y, Benjamin S, Thomas M, Wesley P and Aden J. You represented your school and zone with great sportsmanship and pride. Congratulations to the following students who progress to the State Carnival next week: Riley M – Junior Boys Age Champion and swimming in the Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley. Liam Z, Benjamin S, Nathan A.Y and Aden J - Senior Boys Relay Team (who broke the area record!) Liam Z - 12 yrs. Freestyle

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Beecroft Zone placed 4th overall at the carnival. What an outstanding effort by all competitors!

3-6 Cross Country Carnival This year, the Cross Country Carnival will take place in Week 1 of Term 2, 1 May (back up day Tuesday 7 May) at George Kendall Riverside Oval, Ermington. All students will be participating in the event, running the relevant distance for their age. 8, 9 and 10 years will run 2km, and 11, 12 and 13 years will run 3km. Students have been training at school as best as possible due to the warm weather and rain of late. To maintain your child’s fitness level, you may wish to go on a run during the school holidays at a local park. On the day of the carnival, the children will travel by bus to the oval. Students in Years 3-6 must be at school and in their classroom by 9:10a.m. to have their class roll marked. The carnival should conclude at approximately 1:00p.m. with all students returning to school by 2:00p.m. for scheduled afternoon lessons. Permission notes were sent home last week. Could you please have your child return their note as soon as possible to their class teacher. If you are able to assist at the carnival, could you also complete the section on the permission note and return it to Mr Blair’s blue tray. Mr. Blair will make contact with you over the next week to outline your job at the carnival. If your child is an asthmatic, please ensure that they carry their puffer with them as they run the course. The weather can be quite unpredictable at the carnival; please assist your child/ren in packing warm layers of clothing, a rain jacket (no umbrellas) and something to sit on as the House areas are shaded and tend to be a little damp under foot. There will not be a canteen operating at the carnival, nor lunch orders on the day. Please pack enough food for the day; the children tend to be a little hungrier than usual after their race! A rough guide as to when each race is held is as follows: All students walk the course for familiarisation between 10:00a.m. and 10:30a.m.

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12/13yrs – 10:45am 11yrs – 11:15am 10yrs – 11:45pm 8/9yrs – 12:15pm

Please be aware that this is an estimation of times; we may run under or over time due to unforeseen issues arising. Parents are very welcome to join us for the day, perhaps sharing a picnic lunch with your child/ren! Mrs Joanne Justic Sport Coordinator

From the Library

Over three hundred BPS students are now officially participating in the PRC – and no wonder! Fun, voluntary reading? Everybody wins! Did you know that the PRC website has a Support Page to answer any questions about the Challenge? Information on the Support Page includes: How to Add a Book to a Student Reading Record if You Are Logged in as a Student How to Search for Books on the PRC Website Please direct any questions about your child’s individual login to their class teacher. This year, the PRC has introduced the new PRC Student Site that allows students to filter searches, create reading lists and enter books that they’ve read. There’s even a feature that continues to tally the number of books read by a student in addition to the number they need to read for their PRC challenge. Navigating print and digital texts…learning effective Search…a love of reading for pleasure – just three of the things that a great school library can help our students achieve.

The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.

- Elizabeth Hardwick

Reading: it’s the way to grow!

Ms Bowyer Teacher Librarian

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Special Religious Education News

Eco Corner Report Busy times for the Knights So much to do for the knights last week in the garden. With rain forecast for the weekend, it was a perfect time for the knights to plant seedlings in the last remaining empty veggie garden beds. The knights planted capsicum, cauliflower, broccolino (the new broccolini), rainbow silverbeet and spinach. All the veggie beds are now full of seedlings which should be ready for harvesting in second term. The knights also harvested the first crop of string beans, capsicums, spinach and rocket. A huge thank you to Rose’s dad, Mr Sedgwick (who works for Yates), who has donated to the garden knights many bags of veggie seeds for the knights to plant in the garden. The knights will be planting these seeds this Friday. More produce available this Friday at pickup for $2 a bag.

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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 Working Bee - this Sunday 7 April 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. This week the school holds its first of 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, the entrance memorial garden, and creating a new garden opposite the new “Avenue” playground, 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

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by many hands. All skills, tools, and helping abilities required. Children welcome as well. To look after the energy requirements of the hungry workers, a free BBQ lunch is provided with yummy cakes. Working bee on from 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. Just a reminder about daylight saving ending– don’t forget to put your clocks back one hour. Let me know if you can help for some or all of the time. Working Bee BBQ 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 that would love to bake some yummy treats for our workers, it would be greatly appreciated. If you can help, please contact Lyndal (Class Parent of KP/4L) at lyndalvanhooft@gmail.com Photos of the fun we had at the last working bee last year

Upcoming Events: Working BBQ Volunteers Wanted - Sunday 7 April from 12:00p.m. P&C General Meeting: Wednesday 15 May at 7:30p.m.in the Library

Ben McSweeney P & C President

Canteen News - Phone 9980 7255

Hot recess daily

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We are coming to the end of term one and today at least, the weather has taken a turn towards chilly! At the canteen we will sell a hot recess every day ranging from garlic bread to a cheese toastie, for as little as 50c a serve; until stock lasts, and they don’t last long! So send your child along with some spare change and they can chow down on a warm piece of bread, with topping. Reminder for term 2 Phone orders received after 9:25a.m. will incur a $1 surcharge. All orders over the phone or from children not having their lunch are to be settled as soon as possible. Thank you. Roster for the upcoming week Wednesday 03 April: Fang S, YiLing Z, NO ONE ON PM Thursday 04 April: Kirsty S, Barbara B Friday 05 April: Nadya H, Jacqueline M Monday 08 April: Alison M Tuesday 09 April: Alison F, Christine H 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 0458 214 041

Arts & Crafts Program

Arts and Craft update – Term 2 The brochure for Term 2 Arts and Crafts is attached – prices to be confirmed in next week’s newsletter. Please note that Bricks 4 Kidz will change to FRIDAYS in term 2.

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Qkr! will open for enrolments on Wednesday 10 April (week 11) AFTER 9:00P.M. and close during the holidays (Sunday 21 April). When you enrol please check that you’ve chosen the right year class for your child, as there are not always places available if children need to be swapped over. Maret and Helena maretti34@hotmail.com

lanhe2211@gmail.com

Lost Property

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

Uniform Shop

UNIFORM SHOP CLOSED THIS WEEK Due to unforeseen circumstances the Uniform Shop is closed this week. Winter uniform can be ordered using our mail order service. If we are not able to complete your order, any outstanding items will be put on a back order for you. Orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom or we can contact you to collect it when it is ready.

Hours: Wednesday 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. Thursday 9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. Helping in the shop this week: Wednesday 3 April – CLOSED Thursday 4 April – CLOSED Next week: Wednesday 10 April – Vicki K Thursday 11 April – Lucinda B Sherri Cooper Uniform Shop Convenor beecroftpsuniform@gmail.com

School Banking

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

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New reward items will be available in term 2. If you have 9 or more tokens, you can pre-order these items in the last week of term 1.

Alice Clayton 0408 628940 BeecroftSchoolBanking@gmail.com

BOOSH

Hello Booshies!!! As we celebrate the start of April, many families were surprised to see Boosh celebrating Christmas on Monday morning! Were you an April Fool?!? Challenge Week is on at Boosh. Push yourself to your limits and challenge your mind! 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 TONIGHT Tuesday 2 April.

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BOOSH Page 2 Adopting Baby Chicks All of our baby chicks are available for adoption, and some families have already registered their interest. Chicks must be collected by Thursday afternoon as they return to their home on Friday. Adopting chicks is also open to Non-Boosh families; please contact Boosh if you are interested. Remember that 50% of the chicks will be roosters and there is no official way to tell between the two at this age. Are you able, and prepared to, keep roosters on your property? Staffing Changes We have said goodbye to a few of our long-term staff over these past few months, and we have brought in a few new faces! There will be a few more changes over the coming months. We wish all of our departing staff good luck and welcome our newest Educators with open arms! Special Afternoon Tea This week’s special afternoon tea is Toasties on Wednesday afternoon. This Week’s Photos Holding baby chicks is the most popular activity; knitting club is going strong; Christmas returns to Boosh on April Fools Day! Have a great week! UPCOMING DATES: Vacation Care days available to book – 26 April is the only day left available April Parent Committee Meeting – Tuesday 2 April TONIGHT at 6:30p.m. in Boosh First Day of Vacation Care – Monday 15 April Note that Boosh is closed on Friday 19 April, Monday 22 April and Thursday 25 April

The Boosh Team 9980 8224 admin@boosh.com.au

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Band News

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Intensive Band and Strings Weekend! Children, parents, tutors and conductors all came together for a fantastic weekend of music making, culminating in the concert on Sunday afternoon. It was particularly special to see the Training Band and Training Strings ensembles performing together for the first time. Well done everyone! Upcoming events The Band and Strings committee will be meeting this Thursday 4 April, from 7:30p.m. in the school staff room. Please come along and help to support this wonderful program. New members are always welcome. For this meeting, we are particularly interested in feedback about the IBSW and what can be improved. Come along on Thursday, or email your feedback to: beecroftpsensemblecommittee@gmail.com. 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 – What an amazing success! Thank you to all string students for your hard work over last weekend. What beautiful pieces of music you have presented to us! A big thank you to all the teachers, conductors, tutors, and last but not least, all the parents, for your great support for and commitment to this program. Our kids cannot deliver what we experienced at the Sunday Concert without you. Along with our experienced Intermediate String Ensemble, as well as our even more talented Advanced String Ensemble, our newly established Training String Ensemble delivered their very first performance in the concert, too! With their heads held high, the little ones presented us what they have learnt over last 6 weeks and it is such a pleasure for us as parents to see them growing and shining in this program! Well done everyone!

Intensive Band & Strings Music Weekend 2019

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Weekly Rehearsal Parent Roster A volunteer parent is 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 level of players: Training Strings: for beginners with limited techniques and skills. Rehearsal is on every Thursday 8:15-9:15a.m. Open for application at the beginning of each year. 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 2 Events

Ensemble Event Location Date Time 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

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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

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

3N Play in the Park

We would like to invite all the parents/carers and children of 3N to join us on the Village Green on Wednesday 10 April straight after school. A plate of food (nut free) to share for afternoon tea would be appreciated. Siblings are more than welcome. We look forward to seeing you there! Julia and Alison 3N Class Parents

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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.

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