1

Phone 6772 4263 – Email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website – Facebook – School Stream

Ben Venews

Principal’s Message Week 3 Term 1

I would like to warmly welcome Mr Alex Portell to the Ben Venue teaching team. Alex has over 11 years experience

working at The Armidale School, has educated his own children here and is an ex Ben Venue student himself. Alex is

currently on a temporary contract on 2L. I look forward to working with Alex and have no doubt he will be a valuable

addition to the team.

Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival

Our school Swimming Carnival will be held tomorrow, 12 February. Please be aware that this carnival serves as a

qualifying event for the PSSA Carnival. Therefore, all the events conducted on the day are 50 m or longer. Due to the

number of participating students and the need for several heats per age group as well as the number of teachers

required to run the carnival, we are not able to conduct shorter races. Novelty events do occur throughout the day.

Please let Mrs Watson know if you are able to assist with these events. Once again, because the number of teachers

required to conduct a safe aquatic activity is significantly higher than other carnivals we do not have enough staff

members to remain at school; therefore all 3-6 students will need to go to the pool on this day.

NB: All students competing in the 100m events are required to catch the first bus leaving Ben Venue.

Bus Timetable

As you are aware a new Edwards bus timetable is in operation. Please direct any concerns directly to Edwards at

admin@edwardscoaches.com.au or call 6772 3116.

Information Evenings

These evenings are an opportunity to hear about the processes and expectations of each particular stage. You will find

out about homework expectations, returning of notes, excursions, units of work etc., as well as how to make contact with

your child’s teacher should you wish to discuss a matter relating to your child. These sessions are very beneficial and I

encourage you to attend and ask any questions you may have. At all times we aim to keep you fully informed. These

evenings are not however an opportunity for a parent teacher interview about an individual child. Should you wish to

touch base with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment to meet with them so you have their undivided

attention. Likewise, teachers are very busy in the mornings and often have duties or meetings in the afternoon. To

ensure you are given the time you deserve, please arrange an appointment to avoid being disappointed if the teacher

cannot see you at the beginning or end of the day.

Kindergarten will hold its own information session and welcome BBQ on Wednesday 19 February.

Student prefect receives badge

Alex Harris who was voted in as a prefect in 2018 today received his badge. He recited the prefect pledge in front of 3-6

students and his mother and younger brother. I welcome Alex to the team and am fully confident that he will be an

exceptional leader.

Wednesday 13 February Thursday 14 February

Stage 1 5:30pm-6:15pm

Stage 2 5:30pm-6:15pm

Stage 3 6:15pm-7:00pm

Phone 6772 4263 – Email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website – Facebook – School Stream

Colour Run

The Colour Run is back after a brief hiatus in 2018! This year the P&C are trialling a new timeslot and will be introducing

some more challenging activities. There will even be a sausage sizzle dinner and canteen facilities on offer. Students are

asked to gain sponsorship from family members, friends, and neighbours to ensure they win loads of valuable prizes. All

they have to do is bring in their sponsporship forms and money on 1 March 2019 and complete the obstacle course as

many times as they can in the timeslot provided.

Wearing an old white Tshirt that can be ‘colour bombed’ is all part of the fun! Adults and toddlers can join in the fun for a

cost of $5.00. I look forward to seeing many students, parents and grandparents completing the obstacle course. I will

also be making a cameo appearance!

Private Music Lessons

Whilst we try and support students with keeping abreast of their music lessons, we do not encourage private music

lessons during school lesson times. Please try to make a time for lessons before school, after school or during lunch

times. Of course all lessons are subject to room availability, which can prove challenging with every room in use.

If it is impossible to avoid clashing with a school lesson, parents will be required to sign a form indicating that they are

aware their child is regularly missing a lesson and therefore there will be gaps in the outcomes covered.

Cupcake Day

On Tuesday and Wednesday next week our student leaders will be selling cupcakes to raise money towards their Young

Leaders Excursion. Students in K-2 will be able to purchase a cupcake for between $1.00 and $2.00 at recess on

Tuesday 19 February and Students in Years 3-6 will be able to purchase a cupcake on Wednesday 20 February for

the same amount.

Payment Options Listed below are some payment options that you may be unaware of or have not considered which reduce the need to

find those small sums of money each time a permission note comes home.

These two options have been implemented to make payments for school activities easier for parents and carers.

Fees in Advance is a prepayment method where money is receipted against the parent or carer and may be used to

pay for activities for any student associated with them. Excursions and in-school activities may then be paid for from

‘Fees in Advance’. The parent or carer can tick the box on the permission note, asking for payment to be receipted from

‘Fees in Advance’.

Parent online Payment allows payments to be made through the Ben Venue Public School’s website. This option ena-

bles parent or carer to make payments from home or work and a receipt is generated immediately.

From the Ben Venue Public School’s website select the ‘Make a payment’ tab and follow the instructions. You do not

need your child’s Student Registration Number but you will need a reference number or date of birth. In most cases the

date of birth is used. Please ensure the payment description clearly defines the activity being paid.

We are happy to accept payment as cash and cheque and we also have EFTPOS available in the front office. Please do

not send your child to school with your credit card in order to make payments.

Statement of Account

In the next couple of weeks a ‘Statement of Account’ will be sent home to all families. The ‘Statement of Account’ will

include the Voluntary School Contribution of $50.00 per student or $100.00 per family and $10.00 per student for the

Reading Eggs subscription. A ‘Statement of Account’ will not be printed if these payments have already been made. The

Voluntary School Contribution is used to purchase school resources to support our students. In previous years we have

purchased smartboards and robotics.

Lou Moffatt

3 Phone 6772 4263 – Email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website – Facebook – School Stream

Cyber Safety Presentation

Players of the NRL came to deliver a presentation on Cyber Safety last Tuesday, students listened

intently and at the end of the session had the opportunity to chat with players.

House Captains 2019

Oxley Sturt

Captain Denman Abbo Samantha Marshall Captain Leo Wright Meya Kershaw

VC Luca Azara Anika O’Brien VC Samuel Kpayah Indianna Fuller

Cunningham Blaxland

Captain Austin Johns Skye Vaughan Captain Bryce Hemsworth Chloe Inman

VC Logan Clarke Jade Butler VC Byron Kollosche Indy Edwards

Phone 6772 4263 – Email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website – Facebook – School Stream

Congratulations to all our students listed below

YOU CAN DO IT— K-6 STAR STUDENTS

KF Zahra Powles-Steed KG Addison Briggs KC Greta Mulready KB Max Clee

1H Phoebe Kennedy 1D Milla Sutton 1G Joe Friedman 1/2S Charlie Hamel

2L Bill Andersson 2M Ayshah Asiri 2B Nora Mulready 3E Xavier Moloney

3L Alynyah Moran 3/4F Oliver Belson 4S Angel Edmonds 4G Caleb Flanagan

5H Rhys McDonald 5P Oscar Armstrong 5T Dominic Butler 5W Harley Stewart

5/6R Leo Wright 6B Millie Lehman 6M Madison Collins

Kindergarten Report

Congratulations to all our Kindergarten students for transitioning into school life with confidence. It has been a

pleasure welcoming students and their families to Ben Venue. We have been delighted to see many new friendships

formed and students settling quickly into the new school routines.

Some highlights from the week are playing in the Kindergarten playground and visiting the library and music room.

Students will begin borrowing books from the library this week and will need to remember their library bag to do so. KF

and KG have library every Tuesday and KC and KB have library every Wednesday.

We look forward to sharing more information about the year ahead at our upcoming Parent Information Evening on

Tuesday 19 February. A note with more information will be coming home during the week.

Melanie Bulmer, Prue Campbell, Heidi Gray and Fiona Clayton

3E

Welcome to Year 3! It is exciting to enter a new phase of school life with many new procedures and opportunities to embrace. I

encourage all students to have a go at all the new opportunities open to them such as trying out for sporting teams, Junior Choir

and dance groups.

For many students this swimming carnival will be their first and, although this event can be daunting for some, it is important to

join in, either by swimming or cheering for their house. Students have also been involved in voting for their House Captains for

the first time.

3E students are settling into class routines quickly and are getting to know their new classroom, teacher and classmates. We

have discussed and set class rules to provide a guideline for expectations of behaviour and we are learning about the power of

the word ‘yet’. For example, “I don’t know it yet, but I can strive to improve!”

Thank you to all parents and caregivers who have provided their child with all their required supplies. It really does help them to

feel organised and ready to learn if they have the necessary equipment. I look forward to meeting parents and caregivers at our

information night this week but if you are unable to attend, I hope to meet you soon.

Kerrie Edmunds

5

Ben Venue - Where great things are always happening

Phone 6772 4263 – Email benvenue-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website – Facebook – School Stream

Community Notices Safer Drivers Course 23 March 2019

The Safer Drivers Course is designed for learner drivers to help them prepare for driving solo when they graduate to their provisional licence. It teaches young drivers ways to reduce road risks and develop safe driving behaviours. Norths United Football Club Free skills session for Juniors Sunday 17 February 2019 10:00am -12:00pm Phil Wheaton Oval, Erskine Street Armidale. Followed by a free BBQ. Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box Parents will find information on the five food groups, what constitutes a healthy lunch box, sandwich filling ideas, snack ideas, swaps for unhealthy snack foods, recipes and tips at www.healthylunchbox.com.au Farrer Open Day This is an opportunity to tour the campus and see what Farrer can offer your son Wednesday 20 February 8:30am - 2:00pm For further information on any of the above notices, please come to the front office.

Uniform Prices There has been a rise in the cost of some uniform items, please refer to the new prices below

Jacket $75.00 Hat $11.00

Tie $12.00 Library Bag $10.00

P&C News

Welcome to all new and returning families to Ben Venue in 2019. We are looking forward to another amazing year of community and fundraising events. If you would like to know more about the Ben Venue P&C you can visit the Ben Venue Parents & Citizens Association face book page or contact Hannah Coddington ahcoddington@bigpond.com or 0427 758 350 or Melody Parkes melodyparkes@live.com Notices

• Wednesday 6 February at 6:00pm Ben Venue P&C Meeting at the Armidale City Bowling Club. Please email Melody Parkes if you would like a copy of the agenda melodyparkes@live.com

• Wednesday 6 March at 6:00pm Ben Venue P&C AGM at the Armidale City Bowling Club. All positions will be declared vacant. Please consider 2019 nominations for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Treasurer & Grounds Committee (4 members).

• Friday 1 March the Colour Run will be held. Registration from 3:25pm. First race at 3:45pm. Sponsorship forms can be handed in on the day or prior to the event.

• Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 6:00pm the P&C AGM followed by an Ordinary Meeting will be held at the

Armidale City Bowling Club. All positions will be declared vacant. Please have your nominations ready prior to the meeting.

• Friday 8 March at 9:20am Parent Club will be held in the Ben Venue School Library. All families, friends, toddlers and babies are very welcome. Come along and meet some new people, enjoy some morning tea and do some tasks to help out at the school.

The P&C will be providing a light supper at the Parent Information Evenings this week. To prepare we will meet at 2:00pm in the canteen on Wednesday. We will also need some assistance to carry the supper to the relevant classrooms at 5:00pm. If you are able to help or would like to know more please email me ahcoddington@bigpond.com or phone 0427 758 350.

School Banking School banking has started. Students wishing to participate please return bank books by Tuesday each week.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY...

MICHAEL SINGLETON

For all your real estate requirements

whether you are selling or leasing, contact

the expert team at Armidale Town and

Country Real Estate

184 Beardy Street Armidale

LOVE PAINT PTY LTD

Multi award winning master and decorators.

Domestic, industrial, commercial, wallpapering and

maintenance painting.

Phone: 6772 4430 or 0402 838 692

Email: jeffreylove@bigpond.com

WESTSIDE ESPRESSO

Café and takeaway open

Mon- Fri 7:00am 5:00pm.

Sat -Sun 8:00am-2:30pm.

Coffee, smoothies, fresh juices,

frozen yogurt, and hot foods.

Located at the Harvey Norman Centre

local call : 5713 0003

ARMIDALE BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

Kids from the age of 5 will develop self

confidence, athleticism and learn self control

techniques.

Mon-Wed 4:15pm– 4:45pm

at 251-257 Mann St

www.armidalebrazilianjiujitsu.com.au

Phone: Head Coach Felipe Faria: 0423 957 976

HUNTS CARPETS AND BLINDS

Hunts Carpets and Blinds is your

one stop shop for all floorcoverings

and window furnishings.

Located at 217 Mann Street Armidale

info@huntscarpets.com.au www.huntscarpets.com.au

Phone: 6772 6766or 0427 903 656

Zenith Roofing Zenith Roofing is

owned and

operated by Mitchell Colyvas. Mitch has over

10 years of experience within the roofing

industry and is extremely passionate about

his work. We offer a range of services and

pride our business on quality workmanship,

honesty and reliability. Our success is based

on extensive experience, passion and

knowledge of the industry.

Phone Mitch : 0434504465

FRIDAY ONLY

Orders must be phoned through by parents, please refer to schoolstream for the 2019 pricelist

Pie and drink $6.00

6772 8528

After School Care and Vacation Care available

through PCYC for children aged 5 to 12 years.

Please contact Sarrah at

armidalecc@pcycnsw.org.au or 6772 1023 to

obtain an information pack.

TERM 1 2019 CALENDAR Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Week

2

11.2

12.2

Swimming

Carnival

13.2

Parent

Information

Evening

14.2

Parent Information

Evening

15.2

Week

3

18.2

19.2

Cupcake Day K-2

20.2

Cupcake Day 3-6

21.2

Zone Swimming

22.2

Week

4

25.2

26.2

27.2

28.2

1.3

Parent Club 9:10am

Colour Run

Week

5

4.3

Regional

Swimming

5.3

Science and

Engineering

(Selected

Students)

6.3

7.3

8.3