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Ben Venews
Principal’s Message Week 2 Term 1
Welcome to another exciting year at Ben Venue! I hope that everyone found an opportunity to rest and
recharge over Christmas. We certainly needed recuperation after the year that was 2020.
This year, we welcome Ingrid Jansons to the teaching staff. Miss Jansons will join the Stage 2 team on
Year 3 and will be taking over from Mrs Edmunds, who we are fortunate to have working in a learning
support role for 2021. The learning support team, headed by Mrs Ann Lewis, will be seven strong this
year, as we work hard to support students to get back on track with their learning after
the disruptions of last year. Kerrie Edmunds, Kate Frizell, Rebecca Hunt and Kellie Divall combine with
SLSOs Marlene Simpson, Sacha Jarmin, Taylor Shing-Kelly, Linda Kirk and Renee Russell in learning
support roles.
We also welcome Mrs Wassman to the executive team. Mrs Wassman, who has previous Assistant
Principal and Instructional Leader experience will be leading Stage 2, while Mrs Howlett relieves in the
Deputy Principal position for 2021.
With such strong teaching, support and executive teams, I very much look forward to working with all
staff and parents to ensure a successful year of learning for our students.
Class groupings
As communicated at the end of last year, the first two weeks of this term will be a trial period, in
which teachers will make necessary decisions relating to appropriate class groupings. In this time,
some students may be moved between classes, based upon student numbers and classroom
dynamics. I thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the best possible class structures
for a successful year. Please be reminded that this is not a further opportunity for parent requests. This
opportunity was provided in Term 4 of last year.
Class teaching positions are as follows (stage leaders names are shown in italicised text):
Kindergarten – Sonya Rogers (KR), Fiona Clayton (KC), Tabatha Wain (KW)
Stage 1 – Nicole Frost (1F), Eliza Drozdowski (1F), Katie Hunt (1H), Rebecca O’Hara (1R), Shelli
Morse (2S), Mebby McClelland (2M), Alex Portell (2P), Heidi Gray (2G)
Stage 2 – Elizabeth Wassman (3/4W), Sue Lye (3L), Amanda Swain (3S), Ingrid Jansons (3J),
Rhiannon Trott (4T), Melanie Bulmer (4B)
Stage 3 – Jeanenne Gale (5/6G), Lyn Burgess (5B), Prudence Campbell (5C), Karen Watson (6W),
Anne-Maree Pattison (6P)
Year level information and meeting your teacher
Arrangements for sharing of information between teachers and families early this year are
being discussed this week. A note regarding this will be sent home soon.
Phone 6772 4263 – Email [email protected]
Website – School Stream
Ben Venews
2021-2024 School Improvement Plan
This year, we enter a new four-year improvement planning cycle. With detailed information available to
us from the external validation process of late last year, as well as our internal and external academic
and wellbeing data, we are in a strong position to make informed decisions regarding the directions for
our school improvement plan.
Last year, the teaching and executive teams thoroughly analysed data from our external validation
report, NAPLAN trends, Check-in Assessments, Tell Them From Me wellbeing data and attendance
data, triangulating this with anecdotal evidence and observations to form an understanding of
the current position of our school in a range of areas. Our situational analysis, coupled with evidence
of what works best in school improvement have led us to develop the following three improvement
areas:
Growth and Attainment Connection Educational Leadership
Growth & Attainment incorporates our literacy and numeracy targets; Connection focuses on
student relationships, connectedness and student voice; while Educational Leadership represents
our work on developing a strong culture of educational leadership at all levels.
Our draft plan will be presented to the P&C for feedback early this term. I encourage anyone with an
interest in helping to shape our strategic directions to attend the meeting, which will be advertised
soon.
The newsletter is changing
This will be the final edition of the newsletter in its current form. We will now move to a new digital
platform for the fortnightly newsletter. Paper copies will still be available on request via the school
office. We anticipate that the new newsletter will offer improved functionality and be easier to view on
a range of devices.
Swimming Carnival
The year 3-6 swimming carnival will be held on Tuesday 9 February (Week 3). Due to COVID-19
guidelines, there will be some changes to how the carnival operates. Permission notes will be sent
home with further information soon.
As in previous years, we are seeking parent volunteers to assist with timekeeping. If you are able
to help, please send a note into school addressed to Mrs Watson.
School assemblies
2020 was certainly a year of learning in response to unprecedented demands. As a school, we have
learnt a great deal from the response to COVID-19. One of the key learnings that we will take forward
into 2021 is the value of uninterrupted teaching time.
Ben Venue will continue to be a place where ‘great things are always happening’, and we will maintain
our focus on providing a rounded education, in which academics are complimented by sporting
pursuits and the creative arts. However, we will find opportunities to decrease disruptions to student
learning.
Phone 6772 4263 – Email [email protected]
Website – School Stream
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Cam Pryce
Ben Venews
One such opportunity is in the restructuring of school assemblies. Minor awards, such as Year
Awards, will be presented at fortnightly assemblies in front of stage groups of students and teachers.
These will be recorded and made available to families via School Stream. Major awards, such
as Principal’s Awards will be presented at K-2 and 3-6 assemblies in front of students, teachers and
families (depending on the relevant COVID-19 health advice). These major assemblies will commence
in Term 2 and will be held every five weeks. School groups, such as choir and dance groups will have
the opportunity to perform on these occasions. These major assemblies will also be recorded and
made available on School Stream.
This change will reduce class disruptions and values the time of parents, students and teachers.
School Stream A reminder that School Stream will remain our primary means of prompt communication. I strongly recommend that all families download the app to stay informed of alerts, reminders, excursions and assembly recordings.
Communication School Stream, recorded assemblies and the fortnightly newsletter are the primary methods in which Ben Venue communicates broadly with parents and the community. For communication relating to individual students, class teachers or members of the executive team may phone parents/carers to discuss learning, wellbeing or behaviour. Additionally, academic reports are distributed at the end of Terms 2 and 4, and three-way (parent-student-teacher) interviews will be held in Term 1.
For parents/carers wishing to discuss learning, wellbeing or behaviour of their child, the primary point of contact is your child’s class teacher. In some cases, matters may escalate from the class teacher to the Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal or Principal. However, class teachers are best positioned to answer any questions and work with you to resolve issues relating to your child. If you wish to speak to your child’s teacher, please contact the office to arrange a telephone interview or face-to-face appointment.
COVID-19 Situation Update Parents and carers should be reminded that students must not attend school if they are unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms. Students must return a negative COVID-19 test and be symptom free prior to returning to school.
Under updated Department of Education guidelines, parents and carers can enter the school to: • purchase or pick up uniform items
• meet with school staff with an appointment
• drop off students for Kindergarten, Years 1 and 2
• attend parent orientation meetings for Kindergarten and information evenings for all year/stage groups
Water fountains and bubblers in schools can now be turned on. However, students are still encouraged to bring water bottles that they can refill throughout the day.
Phone 6772 4263 – Email [email protected]
Website – School Stream
Phone 6772 4263 – Email [email protected]
Website – School Stream
Deputy News
Welcome back! I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our returning families, our 2021
Kindergarten students and families and to our new students who are joining us for the first
time this year.
2021 is already shaping up to be a great year at Ben Venue. It was wonderful to see the
students motivated to start the new school year and excited to meet their new teacher and
classmates. In my visits to the classrooms on Friday, I saw many students enthusiastically
participating in the various activities the teachers had planned to ensure the students’ first
day of school was a positive and welcoming one.
Road safety - Arriving at school safely
Please remember to follow all road safety rules when coming to and from school. Using the
zebra crossing on Erskine St, the student crossing on Rockvale Road and the pedestrian
crossings at the lights on the Marsh St intersection are the only safe ways to
cross the roads to the school buildings. Please discuss this with your child to ensure they
are following safe practices and behaviour on the footpath and when crossing the road. For
more information, go to the families section at safetytown.com.au .
I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with the Ben Venue school
community, staff and students and wish all families a happy and successful year ahead. I am
sure it will be another productive and dynamic year at Ben Venue.
Lana Howlett
Phone 6772 4263 – Email [email protected]
Website – School Stream
Ben Venue Library 2021
Welcome back to 2021. The structural component of our library renovation is now complete! Students now have access to two breakout rooms and a Makerspace, designed to provide students with a collaborative learning environment to design and work on creative projects.
Due to COVID-19, some of the library borrowing rules for Term 1 2021 will be different from previous years. Please see below for our library rules.
Library Rules
• students require a library bag to protect their books • students may borrow 2 books at any given time • books can be borrowed for 2 weeks (extensions will be given for longer texts) • books can be taken home • lost or badly damaged books may incur a replacement fee • all books will be quarantined in the library for up to 24 hours before being
placed back on shelves for reborrowing • students must wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before browsing in the
library
Students will be able to visit the library at second-half lunch on their rostered day only, to avoid the mixing of cohorts as per NSW DoE COVID-19 guidelines.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you
Mrs Sarah Pryce
Teacher Librarian
6772 4263
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BVPS Swimming
Carnival
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District Swimming
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TERM 1 2021 CALENDAR
Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Phone 6772 4263 – Email [email protected]
Website – School Stream
FRIDAY ONLY
HOT DOG AND DRINK $5.50
Orders must be phoned through by parents by
Thursday afternoon
6772 8528
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