Dear Families,

I must admit there are times when I am left unsure what to write about in this fortnightly newsletter. Please let me know if anyone has any feedback about what they want to hear!

I sat down recently to write a few words just after I had watched an episode of 'Ted Lasso'/ I don’t watch a lot of TV but at the start of the year someone (I can’t remember who) suggested I give the series a try. After only a couple of episodes, I immediately started thinking about school and thought about how the show correlates with many of our goals. The series centers around an American football coach navigating the world of English soccer, and offers us valuable lessons that can be applied right here at Bourchier and I thought I would share a few of my takeaways:

1. Kindness as a Driving Force:

Coach Ted Lasso's unwavering kindness and optimism remind us that our interactions set the tone for our community. Just like the coach's influence on his team, our actions and words shape the experiences of our students. At BSPS we want to cultivate an environment where kindness is a driving force in all that we do and that is why we attempt to fill our days with countless affective interactions where kindness and empathy is modelled to all students.

2. Embracing Challenges:

The show's characters face a fair share of challenges, much like we do in our daily lives. Whether it's a tricky math problem or a tough sports match, Ted Lasso teaches us to face challenges with resilience and a positive attitude. We aim to embrace the challenges we face at school as opportunities for growth and learning.

3. Building Meaningful Relationships:

Ted's emphasis on relationships highlights the power of connections. Just as he builds a strong bond with his players, we have the privilege of building lasting relationships with our students. We believe positive relationships underpin all the work we do.

4. The Importance of Teamwork:

The soccer team in the show thrives when it's members work together towards a common goal. At Bourchier St Primary School, our students, staff and families are part of a bigger team – the school community. When we collaborate, share ideas, and celebrate each other's successes, we create an environment where everyone can flourish.

5. Growth Mindset:

Ted Lasso's optimism and belief in growth highlight the power of a growth mindset. Similarly, we encourage our students to approach their lives believing in their potential to learn and improve. Learning is after all one of our espoused values and guides all of our interactions.

6. Celebrating Diversity:

The show's diverse cast reminds us of the richness that comes from embracing different backgrounds and perspectives. One of the fantastic features of our school is its diversity. At every opportunity, we want to celebrate that and create an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected.

If you have seen the show, you will know what I am talking about! If you haven't- it doesn't matter (Disclaimer- Ted Lasso is not for kids!) we just want everyone to know that by infusing kindness, embracing challenges, fostering meaningful relationships, promoting teamwork, cultivating a growth mindset, and celebrating diversity, we'll believe we will make our school awesome and create a nurturing and empowering environment for our students to be their best!

Wishing everyone a great couple of weeks and as always please feel free to get in touch if have any ideas, comments or questions!

Gary D'Arma

On Thursday the 10th of August the Year 2s travelled to Bendigo to visit the Golden Dragon Museum as we had been learning about China and their culture and traditions for a part of our Inquiry unit. We had an absolute blast learning all about Dai Gum Loong (meaning Big Gold Dragon) who is one of the largest Chinese Dragons in the world. We also got to see Loong who was the original Chinese Dragon that was used in the 1901 Federation and is 123 years old! We had the best day!

What a way to finish off their poetry unit in Year 4! Writing poems outside in their pjs after enjoying a hot choccy.

Last Friday 3 of our students joined up with some students from other schools to form a Hockey team to compete in the Region Hockey 7s tournament. The students played very well together and showed amazing team work and leadership skills throughout. After the 5 rounds we just missed out on making the final, finishing the day in 3rd place. We’ll done to all involved.

On the menu for Year 3 in Kitchen Garden:

- Mixed vege and cheese frittata

- Banana and oat pancakes

- Buttermilk pancakes with raspberry butter

The year 4s have had a busy week in kitchen garden.

Making homemade gnocchi topped with a tomato, onion, silverbeet and basil sauce. A delicious olive oil sauce that was soaked up by the little dumplings!

The silverbeet was even harvested from our vegetable garden!

The meal was completed with focaccia that was also homemade.

The Cadbury Chocolate drive will be raising funds for our playground.

Boxes need to be prepaid through QKR!. There are two different options available to purchase.

Boxes will be distributed to the eldest child on Friday 1st September.

We would like to invite parents/carers to participate in the Thriving Kids & Parents School Project.

The project offers 3 free, high quality, evidence-based parenting seminars to help parents and schools support children’s learning and wellbeing.

The three interconnected seminars focus on an important set of strategies that will help you guide your child’s behaviour, manage everyday worries, and build healthy peer relationships. Attending all three seminars will provide you with the strategies you need to best support your child’s development and help them thrive now and into adolescence.

Click on the link to register https://exp.psy.uq.edu.au/tkpsp/

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. Several 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 click on the link to RSVP for catering purposes Father Day Breakfast Poll

Dress up as your favourite book character, walk the red carpet and enjoy the fun activities.

The parade will start at 9.15 am on the asphalt.

Family and Friends are most welcome!

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

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.

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