balga primary school newsletter newsletter: 5 11th march...

Balga Primary School Newsletter

Balga Primary School A: 11 Fernhurst Crescent, Balga 6061 P: (08) 9344 2602 E: [email protected]

Friday 12/04/2019

Students last day

Tuesday 30/04/2019

Students return for Term 2

Wednesday 1/05/2019

Kindy students return

Monday 6/05/2019

P & C Meeting 2pm

Wednesday 8/05/2019

P & C Mothers Day Stall

Wednesday 22/05/2019

Book Fair 8.30 am to 12noon

Tuesday 14/05/2019 to

24/05/2019

NAPLAN testing online

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

TERM 1 HIGHLIGHTS

I look back at our calendar and reflect back on what an eventful term we

have had! Working together, we have certainly achieved a lot. The Early

Childhood classes have settled in well and there has been a focus on

healthy eating, developing social skills, learning about families, fine motor

and oral language development.

Teachers have worked hard to implement a whole school explicit

vocabulary program while the Year 2 to 6’s have introduced Elementary

Maths Mastery to support students to learn their basic facts and mental

maths strategies. Our support staff have provided innovative intervention

programs aimed at addressing any gaps in learning to ensure all of our

students are best placed for success.

Our established Science program goes from strength to strength with Mr.

Schulz integrating the use of digital technologies to support the learning

and assessment of the WA Science Curriculum. Miss Dempsey-Lees has

successfully introduced our new LOTE: Indonesian program which is

being trialed in middle primary. Mr Chiappalone has been busy supporting

teachers and students to prepare for NAPLAN online testing to be held

early next term.

At Balga PS we are constantly looking for ways to showcase our student’s

talents and this term they performed during Harmony Day celebrations,

class assemblies and the Inter-School Science Quest. On Friday our Year

6’s visited Balga Senior High School to learn about their afterschool

Technology and Robotics club. This is a free program which provides a

bus service to transport them to and from school. Please return your

child’s form if you are happy for them to be involved.

I would like to thank the whole school community for getting behind the

‘200 Days of Reading Initiative’, this has been successful in fostering a

love of reading and ensuring that our kids are reading more regularly. We

are seeing impressive gains as students fly through the levels.

11th March 2019 Newsletter: 5

From the Principal’s Desk

Anika Blackmore



We have been successful in recruiting some new community members to our School Board who possess a

range of expertise and skills to support the direction of our school. To date, we have struggled to find parents

who would like to be on our Board. It is important that we have some parent representatives to ensure that your

perspectives and ideas are put forward! It is also a great way to learn about the programs happening in the

school. Please have a chat to me to learn more.

The P&C hosted a welcome to new families Long Table community event and coordinated the Easter Raffle.

Due to their previous efforts for fundraising we were able to offer our Year 5 & 6 students the chance to attend

a 3 Day Camp. This experience was exciting and fun, whilst fostering essential skills such as: team building,

resilience, problem solving and independence – skills that will benefit our students as they complete their final

years of primary school and transition to high school. Students tried activities such as fishing and archery (some

for the first time) and many discovered natural talents that they never know they had. Thank you to Mr Stankovski

for the meticulous planning and organization and to the hardworking staff (Mr Schultz, Ms Stack and Mrs Norris)

who gave up time with their families to attend.

This camp would not have been possible without the generosity of Xceed Real Estate and the Balga Markets

who were the major sponsors, each contributing $2000 to further subsidize the cost of camp for our students.

These donations were essential to ensure all students were given the opportunity to attend!



Congratulations to Mrs Gill who won the permanent Manager of Corporate Service position at our school. In the

short time that Mrs Gill has been here she has established effective working relationships with our school

community and her financial background has made her an asset to the team.

Anika Blackmore

ANZAC Service

On Thursday 11 April, Balga Primary School held a commemorative ANZAC service. We were joined by Army

cadets from the Morley unit, and representatives from the Nollamara RSL, who addressed the assembly and

played the bugle. Other special guests included school board members, P & C members and local aboriginal

network coordinators. The student councillors led the service respectfully and this was echoed in the way all

students behaved and reflected on the sacrifices made by the Australian defence forces. I thank all the

community members, parents and carers who also joined us for the service.

From the Deputy’s Desk

Anthony Chiappalone



200 Days of Reading

It was fantastic to hand out lots of awards to those students who have achieved 50 days of reading this term.

These students have been reading at home and school consistently and it’s really paying off. There are also

many students who are close to achieving the first milestone of 50 days, so keep up the great work. Once

students achieve a milestone they will be recognised at the next student assembly. Thank you to all the parents

and carers for motivating their child or children and reading with them on a regular basis. Well done to the

following students for reaching 50 days of reading this term.

Edu-Dance

Edu-Dance commences in week one and week two of term two! I know the students are excited about learning

the new dances and being able to perform towards the end of term. There are still some students who have not

returned permission slips or paid the subsidised amount yet. Please return these to your teacher as soon as you

can, or see the office staff for a new note if you have lost yours. We hope to see many parents and carers at the

performance on Thursday 4 July at 2.30pm.

NAPLAN

For students in years 3 and 5, the NAPLAN Online period is from Tuesday 14 May to Friday 24 May (Week 3

and 4 of Term 2). It is important that students in years 3 and 5 arrive on time during the NAPLAN period as

assessments begin at 9am. If your child is absent, there will be catch up sessions conducted during this period.

For more information on NAPLAN, you can collect an information flyer from the office or find out more online at

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support.

Anthony Chiappalone

Friday 12 April 2019 Bring a Gold Coin Donation

To Support

Dominic S

Aaliyah V

Shelda S Jamaika H

Mutahhir S

Jessica A

Sarah H

David S

Slayde P

Maabel D

Blut Paw Ywah Hay

Louise H

Eh Ku Wah

Christina F

Arnel V

Mudit P

Daania S

Christopher S

Soe K'Maung

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support



EASTER RAFFLE WINNERS

Shelda S Room 7

Mrs Gardiner

Aaidah c Room 1

Jacob C Room 10

Mrs Dunn Room 4



Years Five and Six Point Walter 2019 On Monday the 3rd of April, the year 5/6 students went to camp at Point Walter. We had three days full of exciting activities, which were designed to challenge us, and develop team-work and leadership skills. Our first activity involved being put through a number of team challenges, including having to use three wooden planks to get a team across an imaginary river! After, we went to the river to build rafts that we paddled around a short course. A highlight of the camp was getting to go on the Flying Fox, which was an exhilarating experience. Later that night, we devoured our lasagne and cream puffs, before settling in to watching a movie on the big screen. That was just the first day!

On the second day, we woke up at 7a.m and had a delicious continental breakfast. We started our day with archery, followed by orienteering, and then a swim in the pool. Next, a group of us went to the river to go fishing. We had some luck and managed to catch a trumpeter and lots of blowies. For many of us, it was the first fish we had ever caught! That night, Mrs Norris played a variety of team games and challenges to promote cooperation, communication, and team-work. We had a blast!

As the final day arrived, we woke up early and participated in Ultimate Sports. The students had a final pool session where we had to build a raft out of foam noodles and paddle across the pool. We failed miserably on our first attempt, our boats resembling crushed 5-minute noodles. As our raft building improved, we eventually made it across the pool. We learned that when solving problems in groups it is important to listen, communicate, and accept everyone’s opinion.

We had a fantastic time on camp and did not want to leave!

Thank you to Xceed Real-Estate and the Balga Markets for your kind donations, which helped us raise enough money to go on camp. We also greatly appreciate the fundraising efforts of the P & C, who work hard each year to support our camp.

Thank you, Mr Stankovski, Mrs Norris, Ms Stack, Mr Schultz, and Mrs Blackmore for taking us on camp!

Year 5/6 students



Long Table Dinner

Community Event

!



Herb Graham Recreation Centre Visit Coaches G and Logan paid us a visit from Herb

Graham Recreation centre. Logan and G run after school and weekend sport clinics for kids. The

students from each class were able to show the coaches the skills we have been practicing over the last couple of weeks finishing the term of sport with

lots of basketball games. Enjoy your break students and keep healthy safe and active

P&C NEWS

Results for our AGM

PRESIDENT Marion Ferguson

VICE PRESIDENT Clint Godley

TREASURER Sarah Simpson

SECRETARY Shelley Devey

LONG TABLE DINNER APRIL 3RD

Thank you to everyone who attended. It was a lovely night with some amazing food.

EASTER RAFFLE

Thank you to everyone who donated easter eggs and brought raffle tickets. We raised $340 from

raffle tickets.

Congratulations to all the winners.

TERM 2

Colour Fun Run, Dress Up Day and Mothers Day Stall.

New members are always welcome

Don't forget to join

Balga primary mums and dads page on Facebook

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Our school will be participating in the Earn and Learn Program. Start collecting your stickers, bring them in and put in box in the front office.



COMMUNITY NOTICES

balga primary school newsletter newsletter: 5 11th march...

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