Happy Newsletter Day!

It has been a fantastic couple of weeks here at Bourchier Street! Last week's Book Fair was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who visited and purchased books. There were so many wonderful titles available, and I know lots of students now have new books to enjoy in the coming months. As a result of the Book Fair, we've raised credit to purchase even more books for our classrooms and library, which is exciting for our growing readers!

Our Foundation classes also completed a week-long swimming program at Aquamoves. Many students made incredible progress in such a short time. A big thanks to the parents who helped organise students before and after the lessons. With summer approaching, it’s a good reminder of the importance of water safety. Well done to all the young swimmers!

At last Friday’s assembly, we took a moment to say farewell and thank you to Gael from Shepparton Kiwanis, who presented her final round of Terrific Kids awards. Gael has supported our school and others in the community for years, and we wanted to recognise her contributions. A big thank you to Gael and the Kiwanis Club of Shepparton for their continued support!

This week, some of our Year Five and Six students are attending Somers Camp, a nine-day adventure that offers a range of great experiences. We wish them all the best for a fun and enriching time!

Our teachers have been immersed in professional learning on the teaching of vocabulary. Educational consultant Andrea Hillbrick has been working with our team, planning lots of explicit vocabulary teaching. Andrea brought along some brilliant new picture storybooks that we are all excited to share with the students.

As we begin preparing classes for 2025, I’d like to remind families to submit any special requests in writing to bourchier.ps@education.vic.gov.au. Alternatively, feel free to call the office to chat with a member of our leadership team.

Lastly, don’t forget about the upcoming Colour Run! We’ll be celebrating different ways to look after our wellbeing. Students can wear a white T-shirt to participate in the colour fun, and there are plenty of exciting activities planned for the day.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to catching up with you soon!

Many Thanks,

Gary Darma

The Foundation students had a wonderful time at Aqua Moves for their Swimming Lessons. During the session all the students continued to develop and improve their swimming knowledge and skills. It was wonderful to see the students get out of their comfort zone and try new things and seeing how proud they were of their achievements.

Some of the skills the students learnt or developed were safe entry into the pool, going under the water, blowing bubbles, floating, kicking and using their arms and learning some of the different strokes.

All the students did a wonderful job.

BSPS students have been working hard throughout the year creating beautiful pieces of art.

Recently at the Shepparton Show students had work displayed in the Arts and Crafts pavilion. Several students Artwork won first and second places whilst others received highly commended awards.

It was fantastic to see students’ art on display. Congratulations to all the students who entered and to those who won awards.

Despite the tough weather last week, our students had a great day representing Bourchier Street at the Regional Athletics in Albury. We were thrilled to bring home some medals! Congratulations to Edi and Fletcher Hicks for qualifying for the State Championships in two weeks—best of luck to you both!

Well done everyone!

Show off your drawing skills in our exciting competition! Simply freehand draw anything you like—whether you're a student or staff member —enter for a chance to win an amazing prize. Submit your artwork by Thursday, 31st October, and winners will be announced during assembly on Friday, 1st November. Let's start drawing!

It is important to remind everyone that wearing hats during lunch and recess is compulsory. Being sun smart helps protect students from harmful UV rays, which can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Lets work together to ensure our students stay sun smart this term.

The Education Department have started sending out the emails regarding the $400 bonus! Please keep an eye out and check the junk box regularly.

The School Saving Bonus provides a one-off $400 to help Victorian families cover the costs of their kids’ school uniforms, textbooks, excursions and activities.

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE UP TO DATE

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

• in October, to verify your email address
• in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.

We’re excited to share some delicious new additions to our canteen menu! We now offer:

• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Garden Salad with French Dressing

These options are perfect for a fresh and healthy lunch!

Please remember that all canteen orders must be completed by 9am via the QKR app.

For your reference, we’ve attached the updated canteen menu to the newsletter.

Thank you for your support, and enjoy your meals!

To help with budgeting, we've included a suggested payment schedule. You have the option to pay the full camp fee upfront or follow the payment schedule, as long as the camp is fully paid by final payment date.

This plan makes it easier for families to plan ahead and help manage finances.

Year 6 camp details are still to be finalised, but dates of camp are listed below for you to mark on calendar.

2025 YR 3 Billabong Ranch Camp 28th – 30th April 2025- $370

• $ 128.00 – 11th October 2024 - Deposit

• $ 90.00 – 8th November 2024 – Second Payment

• $ 90.00 – 6th December 2024 – Third Payment

• $ 62.00 - 21st February 2025 – FINAL PAYMENT

2025 YR 4 Melbourne City Camp – 17th – 19th MARCH 2025 - $340

• $115.00 – 20th September 2024 – Deposit

• $115.00 – 8th November 2024 – Second Payment

• $110.00 – 21st February 2025 – FINAL PAYMENT

2025 YR 5 Angahook Camp19th – 21st March 2025 - $480

• $150.00 – 20th September 2024 – Deposit

• $120.00 – 8th November 2024 – Second Payment

• $120.00 – 6th December 2024 – Third Payment

• $90.00 – 21st February 2024 – FINAL PAYMENT

PLANNING IN PROGRESS FOR YR 6

2025 YR 6 Canberra Camp – 24th – 27th NOVEMBER 2025

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 BSPS25

Direct Link: https://byod.jbhifi.education/auth?code=BSPS25 or scan the barcode below.

If you would like more information on the program, please visit the BYOD page on our website.

Arriving to school on time is crucial for both students and staff. It sets a positive tone for the day, ensures that you don’t miss important instructions or activities, and demonstrates respect for the school community’s time and schedule. Here are a few tips to help ensure timely arrival:

1. Prepare the night before: Lay out clothes, pack your bag, and prepare lunch the night before to avoid morning delays.

2. Set an alarm: This will help give you ample time to get ready and commute to school.

3. Stay organized: Keep track of your schedule and any special activities or events that might require you to arrive earlier than usual.

Being on time helps create a structured and efficient learning environment for everyone involved.

If a parent/guardian needs to pick up their student early from school for an appointment or any other significant reason, please notify your child’s teacher or the front office, with as much notice possible.

Often students are in a specialist program or out of the classroom, so if no notice is given it puts pressure on the office staff when trying to find students whilst answering phones and tending to sick bay.

Please be mindful as we have quite a few students leaving school early which interrupts the classroom as well as their learning time so please avoid this when possible.

Parent payment can be made via QKR

Parent payment $220 per student

Excursion Levy $80 per student

If you have a Health Care Card and claimed CSEF, you will receive $150 credit which can be used for camps and excursions only.

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. Shepparton 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

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.

Please note that the Balaclava Road Child Care Carpark is a private carpark, please avoid parking there at all times.

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

Did you know Bourchier St. has an e-library?

Students are able to borrow books to read on their ipad.
You can access the e-library via the website below:

Search Bourchier St. Primary School
Visit our library
Sign in details will be your child’s cases code and the password is ebook01
Or download the App

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!

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools "Privacy Collection Notice below.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy below, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

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.

Bourchier Street Policies

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