Bourchier Mail
School Newsletter - 18th Edition - 7th November 2024
CALENDAR
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you well! We've been buzzing with activity here at school, and if you’re following our social media channels, you’ve likely seen some of the highlights. If not, I encourage you to follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay connected with all the exciting events and updates.
For those who enjoy catching up through the newsletter, you’ll find plenty of photos and recaps of our recent activities—thank you for staying engaged!
As always, we welcome any feedback you may have. If you’d like to chat about the work we’re doing or discuss any ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can book a time to meet with me by giving our friendly front office staff a call. Pat and Lisa are also both available for catch ups if required.
Take care,
Gary Darma
COLOUR RUN AND WELLBEING DAY!
On Friday we enjoyed lots of great activities to focus on our wellbeing. We participated in year level yoga which helped us feel grounded and calm during the sessions. We were lucky enough to have Miss Peters let us experience our new silent disco headphones which were very fun for both students and teachers. To end our day, we had our whole school colour run. This saw our oval full of colour and lots of smiling faces. It was wonderful to see our school community coming together to celebrate a great school event.
POPPIES FOR SALE MONDAY - $2
SCHOOL SAVING BONUS $400
As shared with you previously, parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025 will receive the one-off School Saving Bonus $400 support.
Before the end of November, the Department of Education will send you 2 email communications for each of your children enrolled in Victorian government schools.
The 2 emails from the Department of Education will:
1. Confirm your email address by late-November.
2. Provide you with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code.
If you do not receive a confirmation email from the department by late-November, please check your spam or junk folders and contact Bourchier Street Primary School if needed.
PLEASE MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO HAVE YOUR CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS ON OUR SCHOOL DATA BASE.
NEXT ASSEMBLY
SUNSMART SCHOOL
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.
2025 FOUNDATION TRANSITION - TOMORROW
Canteen Update
Reminder to try some delicious new additions to our canteen menu!
- 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!
2025 CAMP DATES AND SUGGESTED PAYMENT SCHEDULES - 2nd payment due!
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
BYOD
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.
ATTENTION JUNIOR SCHOOL
Arriving to school on time
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 you’re picking your student up early
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 AND STATIONERY FOR 2025
Attached below is the costs of the 2025 Parent Payment Arrangements.
Excursion Levy has been increased to $100 which will include a “Major Excursion” so there will now be no extra payment requested. CSEF can be used to cover this – for those who don’t receive CSEF they can use their School Saving Bonus.
Parent payment can be made via QKR
Parent payment $220 per student
Excursion Levy $100 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.
SCHOOL UNIFORMS
All children are expected to wear full school uniform
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
CLEARLY NAMED ITEMS
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.
Balaclava Road Child Care Centre
Please note that the Balaclava Road Child Care Carpark is a private carpark, please avoid parking there at all times.
Bourchier Street Playgroup
Student Absence Using Compass
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
BOURCHIER STREET E-LIBRARY
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
Compass
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.
Qkr!
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!
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE AT BSPS - 0447 010 696
COMMUNITY NEWS
ANNUAL PRIVACY REMINDER FOR OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
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.
Child Safe Policy
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.
LINK FOR ALL BOURCHIER STREET SCHOOL POLICIES
About Us
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