Dear Newsletter Readers,

Spring is here, and we have been implementing many great things that take advantage of the improvement in the weather. Increased lunchtime clubs and more outdoor learning have been great to see!

We have also been discussing using our newsletter to help communicate more about how we do things at Bourchier Street to make our school as awesome as possible. I wanted to use this newsletter post to talk a little bit about restorative practices.

The immense amount of research about Restorative Practices informs how we handle conflicts at our awesome school. Recently, there has been a growing recognition of the limitations of punitive measures and a heightened appreciation for the positive impact of restorative approaches.

Understanding the Difference: Punitive vs. Restorative

Punitive punishment involves imposing consequences with the aim of punishing individuals for their actions. While it might offer immediate compliance, it often fails to address the underlying causes of behaviour and can perpetuate a cycle of negativity. Restorative practices, on the other hand, focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships. It emphasizes empathy, accountability, and collaboration, leading to long-lasting positive change.

Key Benefits of Restorative Practices

Empowerment and Accountability: Restorative practices empower all parties involved, allowing them to actively participate in finding solutions. Instead of feeling isolated by punishment, individuals have the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and contribute to making amends.

Relationship Building: Restorative approaches foster open communication and understanding. By bringing people together to share their perspectives and feelings, these practices lay the foundation for stronger relationships built on trust and empathy.

Addressing Root Causes: Rather than merely addressing surface-level behaviours, restorative practices delve into the root causes of conflicts. This holistic approach addresses the needs and circumstances of everyone involved, reducing the likelihood of repeated incidents.

Creating a Positive Environment: Punitive measures can create an environment of fear and mistrust. Restorative practices, however, promote a culture of inclusivity, support, and personal growth, leading to a more harmonious community.

Long-Term Impact: By focusing on personal growth and understanding, restorative practices contribute to lasting behavioural changes. This approach equips individuals with valuable skills for conflict resolution and communication.

We believe that the key to a great school is having great relationships! The restorative approach prioritises student safety and nurturing relationships. We want all students to develop empathy and collaborative skills. We believe remaining committed to restorative practices will help us become a community that thrives on understanding, accountability, and mutual respect.

I hope everyone has a great week, and as always, if anyone has any ideas, concerns, questions or anything at all, please let me know!

Kind Regards,

Gary D'Arma

Our staff love any opportunity to dress up, and there was a great variety of costumes for our book week parade.

Just in case you missed seeing the pictures earlier, here they are!

Our students did a fantastic job dressing up for book week.

We had a great turn out for our Father's Day Breakfast. We hope all our dads enjoyed their Fathers Day!

Our junior indigenous students were invited to attend the Ashefest Festival yesterday. They spent their time joining in on traditional indigenous games and enjoyed a sausage sizzle lunch.

We have a variety of activities for our students to enjoy during lunch.

The girls in Bead Club had a great time during the week and made some awesome creations!

Your family is asked to participate in the 2023 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey (previously known as the Parent Opinion Survey.

· The survey will be conducted online and only takes 20 minutes to complete.

· The survey can be completed on any internet enabled device (desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone) and is compatible with most browsers.

· The survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023.

· The survey is available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Please follow the instructions below to complete the survey.

To complete the survey, simply:

1. Click on the link below or copy and paste the text into your browser. This link will take you directly to the survey.

https://www.orima.com.au/parent

2. Select the School and Campus name below.

School Name: Bourchier Street Primary School

Campus Name: Bourchier Street Primary School

1. Enter the School PIN below.

PIN: 756250

4. When complete, please click on the tick button at the end of the survey to submit your answers. Please note that the survey will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity.

Thank you for taking the time to participate. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Questions?

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any general queries about the survey. For specific technical or participation-related queries, you may also contact the department or the supplier administering the survey, ORIMA Research.

· Should you have any technical queries regarding the Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey, please do not hesitate to contact ORIMA Research on 1800 654 585 (toll-free during business hours), or by email: pos@orima.com.

· Should you have any participation or survey-related queries, please contact the school, or the department by email: school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au.

Yours sincerely,

Gary D’Arma

We would like to invite parents/carers to participate in the Thriving Kids & Parents School Project.

The project offers 3 free, high quality, evidence-based parenting seminars to help parents and schools support children’s learning and wellbeing.

The three interconnected seminars focus on an important set of strategies that will help you guide your child’s behaviour, manage everyday worries, and build healthy peer relationships. Attending all three seminars will provide you with the strategies you need to best support your child’s development and help them thrive now and into adolescence.

Click on the link to register https://exp.psy.uq.edu.au/tkpsp/

If you wish to collect your child(ren) early from school you must contact our front office prior on 5821 3488 to advise what time.

The office staff will arrange for your child(ren) to be waiting at the front office at the required time.

Having notice avoids any disruption to our students learning time in the classroom.

Please try to arrange any appointments outside of school hours (8.45am-3.15pm)

Your child’s attendance at school is critical for their learning and development.

The wearing of school uniform helps children develop a sense of identity with the school community.
The school uniform helps promote a positive image of both students and the school to the general community. The wearing of school uniform promotes equality.

The school uniform is to be worn during school hours, while traveling to and from school, and when the students are on school excursions.

All school uniform must be clearly named so that lost items can be identified.

Jackets and hats can be purchased from the school. Several retail shops stock the entire uniform. The school endeavors to provide pre-loved items at the cheapest possible cost.

Please refer to our Student Dress Code Policy

Click on the link to donate towards this great cause https://www.footycoloursday.com.au/fundraisers/bourchierstreet/footy-colours-day-2023-school

Just a reminder to keep up the payments for the Year 6 Canberra Camp via QKR or phone the office to make a payment over the phone.

The Canberra trip is a highlight for the Year 6 students and incorporates many educational activities and some fun experiences such as a pool night, Questacon, rock climbing and a visit to AIS.

Mr Nick Teague has two vacancies for students wanting to learn the guitar at school. Nick has a degree in Visual Arts, in which he was able to do an elective subject called Comprehensive Musicianship for a year and a half, and received honors for his Fourth Grade AMEB Classical Guitar exam. He is also involved in Gospel music. Nick teaches a range of guitar styles, from Heavy Metal, Rock and Pop, through to Classical Guitar.

- Lessons are run at school and during class time and lunch-time.

- Students eligible: Gr3–Gr6 (but Nick reserves the right to take on younger students, if they are of a particular level of ability).

Parents may email Nick for details on: nick.d.teague@gmail.com

Please do not pull into either STAFF CAR PARK to drop your children off or pick them up.

The staff car park is out of bounds and choosing to use these areas is endangering
our children.

We have many teachers entering and exiting the car park before and after school, so this is a child free zone.

The Balaclava Rd. child care centre is a private park, so please refrain from parking there.

Kiss & Go

This is designed for parents to pull in, say goodbye to their children and exit within
2 minutes. Parents are not to leave the car. The council will be monitoring time
limits and will issue fines if parents are not adhering to the rules.

Please respect other people’s private driveways, and adhere to parking signage or you may receive a fine.

Thanks so much

Every child is welcome to our Breakfast Program each morning (except Monday), from 8am to 8.40am.

We serve toast, milo & fruit cups for all kids. Something warm just before they go into class during winter, is great for the kids.

This is just a top up, even if they have already had breakfast at home. It is OK for them to come and enjoy the atmosphere with their friends to have just a little more breaky.

When your child is absent from school, please log onto the parent portal, COMPASS and enter the absence along with the reason.

You need a username and password which has been distributed to families, but we can easily resend you the logon details by phoning or emailing the front office Bourchier.ps@education.vic.edu.au

Refer to the instructions below

We have had reported cases of students with live head lice so we are asking parents to be vigilant and check your child/ren’s hair.

We do regular checks at Bourchier Street and any child that is found to have live lice, parents/guardians will be contacted for the child to be collected and treated before returning to school. On returning to school the child will be checked again by staff. This is in accordance with school policy.

Children with long hair are required to

have it tied back.

Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test). Where a parent/carer informs the school by phone or written notification, the school should complete the Schools COVID Case Management Tool.

Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.

Please ensure that your child’s, clothes, lunch box, drink bottle and property are CLEARLY named. All named property will be returned to the student in the classroom. Unnamed items will be sent to lost property in the hall foyer.

Parent payment can be made via QKR

Parent Payment $220 per student

Excursion Levy $75 per student (exlude if you have HCC & completed CSEF form)

If you have a Health Care Card and claimed CSEF, you will receive $125 credit which can be used for camps and excursions only.

Our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program allows devices to be brought into the school, and connected to our secure network

Our school has an online BYOD portal organised by JB-Hifi where you can access discounted rates on approved devices. THE PASSWORD IS BSPS23

If you would like more information on the program, please visit the BYOD page on our website or open the attached BYOD toolkit for parents.

Click here for BYOD PARENT HUB

Often Bourchier Street communicates to our families via the Compass app, important information of what is happening within the school. Sometimes you are prompted through your email to open important news items. Please make sure your email is up to date, so you do not miss valuable information. Please phone front office 58 213 488 if your email address needs updating. If your child is absent from School, please logon to Compass to document this.

Every family needs to download the Qkr! app which will enable you to pay school payments, purchase hats/jackets, order lunch through the canteen and purchase tickets for special productions etc.

Simply download on your phone and you will see how easy it is to manage!

https://www.bourchierps.vic.edu.au/projects-3

Attached is the updated Parent Payment Arrangement Policy which was approved by School Council.

Bourchier Street Primary School has a zero tolerance of any form of child abuse. The school is committed to acting in children’s best interests. The safety and wellbeing of children at this school is our highest priority. We want children to be safe, happy and empowered.

Email: bourchier.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Website: bourchierps.vic.edu.au
Location: 1-19 Bourchier Street, Shepparton VIC, Australia
Phone: (03) 5821 3488
Facebook: facebook.com/bourchierps
Twitter: @bourchierps