Dear Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and high spirits. We are very pleased to be reunited this week with the kids after our mid-year holiday period. I wanted to share some details on things we have been focusing on this week.

This week many year levels have launched engaging units of work related to poetry. Students will explore the beauty of language through various poetic forms, encouraging their creativity and self-expression. It is awesome to see the kids getting excited to learn as they discover the power of words. We would love you to talk about Poetry with your child and share some of your favourite poems with them. In future newsletters, we will be sure to share examples of what the students have been producing.

Some of our classes have absolutely loved Minecraft lessons as a part of our specialist STEM program. Students are not only having fun but also enhancing their problem-solving, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills. The students have been building houses within designated ‘neighbourhoods’ and have a range of criteria they are working towards to achieve success.

Our kitchen garden program continues to produce yummy nutritional delights! This week students have had the opportunity to cook polenta muffins using the best high-quality ingredients. I managed to sneak a taste this week and I can personally vouch for the quality of the food!

Our new look library is slowly taking shape with a fresh, modern look that aims to inspire our kids to develop a love of reading. We have new front-facing picture storybook display shelves which the kids love.

Students' Semester One reports were published before the school holidays, if you would like to discuss your child's report with your teacher to please make contact with them on Seesaw to arrange a time. As always thanks for your support! We value your participation and partnership in your child's education and if you would like to reach out about anything, please do!

Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead!

Warm regards,

Gary D'Arma

Students in Grade 1 and 2 have just started learning how to code using Code.org. They are using the ‘Blockly’ form of coding where they have to connect blocks together to tell an object what to do. The students are picking it up very quickly!

During investigation time the FLA children enjoyed hand on literacy and numeracy activities!

Our Grade 6 students are now more than half way through their last year in Primary School.

This 2nd half of their year is very important. Let me encourage you as parents and carer's of our grade 6 students to keep listening and chatting to them, helping them to make good decisions these last few months of their primary school life.

Please let them know that you are proud of who they are and what they have achieved.

I personally want every grade 6 student to have a fantastic memory of their primary school life.

It is my intention to keep helping students during term 3 & 4 to have healthy relationships with their peers & to complete all the class work that their teachers sets.

At any stage you have concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at school and I can follow up your requests.

I look forward to watching and preparing you children for secondary education and their big future.

Richard Poole

Chaplain Poole

Pie Drive order forms were sent home earlier this week with the eldest child. A pdf copy is attached below for you to print if you require extra copies.

Tatura Hot Bread is famous for their award-winning Vanilla Slice and all products will be freshly baked and suitable to go straight into the freezer, if you wish.

To increase your order, encourage work colleagues, family and friends to order. The more you order the more you help our school.

Make your choice from the list sent home or in the newsletter, and pay for your order via QKR or CREDIT CARD. Remember to return your order form to front office.

Thanks for supporting our school.

Just a reminder to keep up the payments for the Year 6 Canberra Camp via QKR or phone the office to make 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 8.45am.

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.

Please make it a priority to arrive at school on time.

Music 8.45am - students make their way to class.

8.55am - class begins.

Thankyou

It is extremely important for our school to keep strict attendance records. If your child/ren arrive to school after 9am they MUST come into the front office to get signed in otherwise our records could show them as absent.

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