Dear Families,

As we move through Term 2, we are excited to share some of the wonderful activities and updates happening at Bourchier Street Primary School.

Nature Documentaries by Year Four: Our Year Four students have been hard at work creating nature documentaries. This project has not only enhanced their literacy skills but also allowed them to explore their creativity and teamwork.

Hands-on Learning Program: A new group of students has joined our hands-on learning program. They are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to develop new skills in our Kid’s Shed, which is a fantastic initiative to promote practical learning and engagement.

Lunchtime Clubs: Our lunchtime clubs and activities have expanded this term. From footy skills to art and writing, these clubs provide a wonderful space for children to explore their passions, connect with others, and even show leadership by supporting younger students.

Shade Structure Project: We are thrilled to announce that a new shade structure will be installed during the school holidays. This will provide much-needed shaded areas for our students to enjoy during their outdoor activities.

Student Wellbeing Initiatives

The Resilience Project: Our recent webinar on digital wellbeing was a great success, providing families with practical tips and strategies to promote healthy screen time habits. Circle time continues to be an essential part of our daily routine, focusing on gratitude, empathy, and emotional literacy.

Community Involvement

Parent Focus Groups: We are planning to run parent focus groups to gather your valuable input on what makes Bourchier Street Primary School special and ideas for improvement. Your feedback is essential in helping us create the best possible environment for our students.

We are incredibly proud of the achievements and ongoing efforts within our school community. Your involvement and feedback are vital in helping us continue to grow and improve. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Bourchier Street Primary School a wonderful place for our students to learn and thrive.

Warm regards,

GARY D'ARMA

Last week we were so lucky to have professional dancers Troy and Elena from the Australian Ballet come to our school and work with our year four classes. Together they have explored different warm up and cool down practises to get their bodies ready for physical activity. They have learnt ballet technique and ballet specific dance steps, as well as explored and choreographed routines based on the much-loved story of Alice in Wonderland. On Friday, they performed their routines to some Foundation and Year Three students. All students were then captivated by a performance by Aus Ballet dancers. We are so incredibly grateful to the Aus Ballet Outreach program for coming up to Shepparton for the week to share their passion for dance with us!

Last week was National Simultaneous Storytime. Everyone around Australia stopped at 12pm and read the book Bowerbird Blues. Such a great book with a strong message of looking after our environment.

We have an important update regarding our school canteen menu.

After careful consideration and in response to ongoing profitability concerns, we have made the decision to adjust the prices of our canteen items. This marginal price increase is the first canteen price increase in several years. This change will help us continue to provide a five day a week canteen service to our students.

The new prices will take effect on Tuesday, June 11th.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we implement these necessary adjustments.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Attached is the update price list that will take affect 11th June.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the school dental van had to postpone coming to our school until the 3rd-7th of June 2024.

Australian Dental Health NSW is visiting our school in Term 2. The initiative provides Dental Health Screens, checkups, cleans, and preventative and restorative care (fillings) at school.

The Dental Service is self-funded by Australian Dental Health NSW and the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). Our students can therefore receive dental coverage by Medicare and Free Dental Health Checks.

Every student will be handed a dental form, please complete and return it to school. Our front office will also have spare forms if yours has been misplaced.

Join us in taking a proactive approach to our student's health and well-being.

As the cold weather arrives, so do coughs, colds, stomach bugs and other respiratory illnesses.
It is important that we practice good hygiene, such as washing our hands, hand sanitiser, and using tissues when we cough or sneeze.
If your child is away due to sickness, please update their absence via our Compass App.

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.

If you have a NEW Health Care Card, please complete CSEF application form attached below.

Families who have a Health Care Card are eligible to claim $150 PER STUDENT for Camps, Excursions and swimming, and money is paid directly to the school.

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. 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

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 BSPS24

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.

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