Dear Families,

Happy New (School) Year! I hope that after the holidays you and your family are refreshed, inspired, and ready for all the possibilities that 2024 has in store. Yesterday marked our first day with all of the students for the year. It was fantastic to have everyone back and there was plenty of smiles and amazingly positive energy throughout the school. The Foundation students had a fabulous first day and there were very few tears, mainly from parents!

We had a great year and a positive finish to 2023. I wanted to thank again the families and staff that have moved on from Bourchier. It takes a lot of people to create a successful school and we want to express our gratitude for your continued support throughout the past year.

All staff started this week on Monday. We had a great day of professional learning. We have welcomed lots of new staff to the school to begin the year. You will see lots of new faces in the school. I encourage you to say hello to any new member of staff as they are all very keen to get to know the kids and help them thrive! In 2024, as in every year we are committed to a culture of continuous improvement – both individually and as a community.

Next week we are planning a BBQ welcome evening on Thursday the 8th of February. Please come along! Classrooms will be open at 4pm and a BBQ will be served from 5pm with the evening concluding at 6pm. We would love to see everyone at school. Please RSVP your attendance in the link listed further down in the newsletter!

At this stage we are looking to hold fortnightly whole school assemblies in the hall on a Friday. Please keep an eye out in this and future editions of our newsletter for dates and times. We will be holding our first assembly tomorrow afternoon. It will be a short welcoming assembly and will kick off at 2:45pm in our hall. On Friday the 16th of February our Student Leaders will be introduced in an assembly at 2:30pm.

Community Spotlight: We want to showcase the amazing individuals who make our community special. If you or someone you know has a story to tell, an achievement to share, or a passion project worth highlighting, please reach out – we'd love to feature you in our upcoming newsletters.

Your Feedback Matters: As the year progresses, your feedback remains invaluable to us. We are always keen to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas on how we can be great. Feel free to reach out anytime!

Thank you for being an essential part of our great school. Here's to a year filled with growth, connection, and shared successes. Wishing you a fantastic start to 2024!

With gratitude,

Gary D'Arma

Please RSVP for our Welcome Evening next Thursday, the 8th of February. Classrooms will be open for families to take a look from 4pm and a BBQ dinner will be available from 5pm. This evening provides a great opportunity for parents to meet our staff, meet other families and ask any questions they may have. We hope to see you there!

Click here to RSVP for BBQ

Hello, my name is Ryan and I am one of the Grade 3 teachers for this year. I grew up in Mooroopna and completed my tertiary education at La Trobe University in Bendigo. I have a strong passion for sports, especially basketball and football. I am also a die-hard Carlton supporter. As this is my first year at Bourchier Street Primary, I am really looking forward to becoming part of the school community. My goal for 2024 is to create a fun and safe learning environment so that students enjoy their learning and being in the classroom.

Hi I’m Connor, this will be my second-year teaching and I’m very excited to be starting at Bourchier Street. I am a Shepparton local and attended school at Notre Dame College, also playing local sport here for many years. I absolutely love my cricket, spending a lot of my free time enjoying playing and training. I’m really looking forward to building relationships with the students and families here at Bourchier Street, as well as learning from the fantastic staff that are already established at the school.

Hello BSPS families, I am Todd Broadbent one of the Foundation Teachers for 2024 and I am incredibly excited to begin here at Bourchier Street PS.

This is my eleventh year of teaching with my previous ten years being at Specimen Hill PS in Bendigo. I have made the move to Shepparton to be with my partner Tayla.

This will be my fifth-year teaching Foundation as I taught Foundation at my previous school. I previously taught Physical Education for 6 years which I thoroughly enjoyed but I have loved moving into the classroom.

I am originally from Bridgewater where we have a family farm. Outside of school I like to listen to music, be as active as possible either running, going to gym, bike riding or playing volleyball and I love going to the MGC to watch my beloved Melbourne Football Club.

Hi, my name is Sarah Leigh and I am an Occupational Therapist who has been working in the special education setting for almost 14 years. I’m looking forward to an exciting 2024 in my new role at BSPS, where I will be collaborating with a range of staff and getting to know students of all different grades across the school.

I am passionate about prompting student engagement and creating fun and inclusive environments to enable all children to succeed at school.

Outside of work I am a mum to 2 wonderful girls that keep me busy. I love a good cup of coffee and enjoy competing in endurance sports including long distance running and triathlons.

Hello everyone! My name is Soraya. I am in my third year at Uni, studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education.

Before I got a position at Bourchier Street, I was just next door at Balaclava Road Childcare Centre, working as a Kinder assistant.

My dream when I was younger was to be a teacher and I have been working with children for 7 years now, still absolutely loving it. I hope to one day have my own class!

When I am not studying, you will find me reading a book, going on adventures, catching up with friends and drinking coffee!

I look forward to meeting you all.

My name is Elizabeth and I am a mother to 3 incredible children - Paige, 7, Isla aged 4 and Austin, our dynamite 2 year old. My husband and I were both born and grew up in Shepparton and care a lot about our local community and being able to give back.

I am excited to be a part of Bourchier Street Primary School in an Education Support role, allowing me to help contribute to the growth of the students and to achieve the best version of themselves.

As a family, we enjoy being able to get away in our caravan as much as we can, spend time at Anglesea and love doing this beautiful life together.

My names Kade O’Dwyer I’m 19 years of age. Here’s a little bit about me, it’s my first year at Bourchier St Primary School and I’m very excited for it. I love to stay active and fit and maintaining a healthy life style. I live in Numurkah and play footy there for the blues.

Hey everyone, I'm Jack I am 20 years old from Numurkah and I enjoy many things but a standout for me would be playing and watching sports including basketball, footy, soccer, golf and many more. I currently play football at the Cobram Tigers Football Netball Club which is great because I also go for the Richmond Tigers in the AFL. In my free time you would most likely catch me trying to keep active in some sort of physical activity like fishing, golf or at the gym. In school my favourite subjects where PE and Science because they are not only fun but very interesting. At Bourchier Street Primary School I am hoping to help create a happy safe a fun learning environment for all Parents, Students and Staff and help the students find enjoyment in their schoolwork and be proud of what they can achieve academically. Thank you all for having me in your great school community and I can't wait to have fun learn with you all at Bourchier Street.

Hello, my name is Ella. I am 21 years old and currently studying to become a teacher. I play netball for the Shepparton Swans and I’m also coaching. This year I’ll be working within the year 2 area and I’m looking forward to seeing how I can help all the students become the best they can be. I’m really excited for this year!

Hi, I’m Raeley. This year my role at Bourchier Street is education support. I am currently in my second year of uni at La Trobe in Shepparton, studying primary teaching. My interests include spending time with friends and family, also watching netball and footy, especially Essendon. I’ve always loved spending time with young children, so I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone as well as working alongside some of the students, helping them to learn and grow.

Shepparton News will be taking class photos on Monday 19th February for a special Foundation feature. Be sure to be on time with your beautiful smile!

All stationery and materials will be in the classrooms for students on their return in 2024.

Stationery is included in the Parent Payment along with ICT/Stem/Subscriptions & events.

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.

It is vital that we have correct information for each student for communication and in case of an emergency.

Student Information Update forms will be sent home with every student, but the “Eldest Child’s” form is the only one that needs to be returned if there are NO changes or if the changes relate to the whole family.

· If NO CHANGE TO DETAILS please return the eldest child’s form only

· If CHANGES RELATE TO WHOLE FAMILY please return eldest form only

· If CHANGES VARY BETWEEN STUDENTS IN SAME FAMILY, please return individual forms

Please return forms as soon as possible!

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.

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.

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