Heights Happenings – 2022 – Term 4, Week 11

Farewell

It is sad for me and our school community, but I am so happy for Sue Dalrymple and Kylie Laidler who will be retiring at the end of this year. What an amazing career they have had in teaching, Sue Dalrymple 37 years in the Education Department and 26 years at BHPS…Kylie Laidler with 30 years in the Education Department and 22 years at BHPS respectively.

There is no doubt that the school has indeed been fortunate to have such vibrant highly valued staff. You couldn’t get two staff that are always so passionate about kids and their education and their ability to support students to reach beyond what they believed themselves capable of, never accepting less than their best. They both challenged students daily with their thinking, decisions, actions and goal setting. I know that you will join with me to thank Sue and Kylie for their dedication to BHPS over many years, their passion and love for teaching their students and the impact that they had with many students at the school is immense.

Classes

We have now locked in the make-up of our classes for next year. In 2023 we will have 24 classes: 4 x prep, 4 x year 1, 4 x year 2 and 3 x all other year levels.

Staffing 2023

We interviewed early this term for 3 positions and appointed James Dean, Melanie Casey and Jake Blennerhasst and we are thrilled with these three appointments and welcome them into our Boronia Heights community.

• Karen Evered has tendered her resignation from the beginning of 2023. We wish her all the very best with her new journey in Cairns.
• We wish Sarah Appleby a fabulous year, she is planning to travel around Australia in 2023
• Dianna Sutterby will be returning one day a week to share German with Vicki Cook
• Ellie Gibson is expecting her second child in February and will only be with us for a few weeks in 2023, we wish her every happiness with their second beautiful baby
• Sarah Weichert will be returning from family leave for 2 days a week
• Gemma Weir will be returning from LSL for 2 days a week
• Ilusia Koronczewski will be returning full time from tutoring
• Sam Dunkinson will be returning for 3 days a week from tutoring
• Kate Wardlaw will be increasing her time fraction to 4 days a week in tutoring

The 2023 workforce plan is tabled below

Our Specialist team consists of:

Whole School Production – 2023

Securing a venue for our school production next year has been challenging.  We have been able to book Besen Centre, Mount Scopus College, Burwood on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th July. All year levels will be involved with the Prep-4 students split over the two nights (1/2 on Wednesday, 1/2 on Thursday), performing a chorus group item / song within the show, and the 5/6s performing as the major chorus groups and lead roles. Pop those dates in your diary!

Farewell to our 2022 Year 6 Students

The Year 6 students attended their Graduation Celebrations on Monday 13th December. This is a celebration of their stories, recognition of the journey that each of them has walked to be here, a celebration of the accomplishments, the sacrifices, the tears and disappointments, the friendships and the camaraderie. It is a recognition of the support of families, friends and of the many teachers they have had along the way. It was a wonderful celebration and a chance to say congratulations and well done to our graduating class of 2022.

I would like to congratulate our Year 6 students on completing their Primary School education and graduating from Boronia Heights as mature and responsible students who are now ready to begin the next exciting chapter in their lives. I would like to wish them all every success and happiness in the future and hope that they make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. Remember to always try your best, have fun and keep smiling. You should all be very proud of your achievements and the fabulous students that you have become.

The organisation that staff and parents put into celebrating the end of year graduation is huge. I would like to thank staff and parents who have worked with absolute passion and enthusiasm to support our graduation day. Thank you to our parent committee who have supported Year 6 staff and Vicki Cook for her leadership and organisation for the day.

BHPS Artist Legacy Award

Every year a BHPS artist is awarded the Artist Legacy Award. This student is chosen from our Monet of the Week award winners.  Their artwork is purchased by the school to keep on display as inspiration for future artists to aspire to.

Our winning recipient for 2023 for this award goes to Ayla B for creating an eye-catching, colourful parrot using the technique of dry felting.

Congratulations Ayla well done.

Xmas Concert

A very special congratulations to all of our students who performed in our Xmas concert, singing their hearts out with their amazing collection of Christmas carols.  I was extremely proud of all our students who performed beautifully and with confidence.  A huge thank you to Mr. Fox and classroom teachers who worked with their students. Thanks to everyone involved. Thanks for your participation on the night, it was great to have our community altogether. Thank you to everyone who made a donation on the night, all money collected goes towards purchasing new storage cupboards in the music room.

Curriculum Days 2023

• Friday 27th January- Glenn Pearsall- Educational Consultant
• Monday 24^th April – Writing
• Friday 9^th June – Numeracy
• Monday 6th November – Report Writing

School Council and Sub-Committees

I would like to say a special thank you to all of the members of our School Council. It is a big commitment being on Council and being involved in making decisions that impact the education of the students at our school. Their dedication and overall input into school operations is greatly valued and appreciated. Every Year our school council work extremely hard, this year was no exception we all have been able to achieve a great deal for the school.

I would also like to say a special thank you to the School Council sub-committee members. These committees include Finance, Education, Buildings and Grounds and Hubsters. School Council members, parent volunteers and staff make up these committees and they attend regular monthly meetings throughout the year.

All of these people volunteer their time to contribute in numerous ways to improving the education of the students at our school. Thank you so much.

Retiring members

We would like to thank Morten Windfeld-Lund for his dedication and love for our school and his can-do attitude and massive support of this school, especially volunteering on camp. We will especially miss your humour and positivity for Boronia Heights Primary.

A huge thank you to Mick Holden who has been a parent representative on School Council for 4 years AND a whopping 16 years on Building and Grounds committee. He has been willing to complete many projects by himself and also organised and brought along many willing helpers to support different projects around the school, such as making BBQ stands, cooking BBQ’s, making rock walls, cleaning up the school, removing fallen trees, pest control in offices and classrooms just to name a few things.  If there was a storm or wild weather that we needed to check the school grounds Mick would be up at the school surveying the area ready to go to work.  Mick, we thank you for your dedication and love for this school, your passion to get in there and get the job done has always been your mantra. Your extraordinary support for our school community and contribution has made this school a wonderful place to be.  Thank you and wishing you the very best.

Thank You to our School Council Team in 2022:

Amazing Readers in Year 1

Congratulations to our amazing Year 1 students who achieved 300 or more nights of reading! I was honoured to celebrate a special morning tea with them today. What great examples of motivational students and inspirational readers they are!

Thank you

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff, teaching and non-teaching for making this school the amazing educational environment that it is. I would like to thank the students because they are our top priority and have done us proud, and to our parent community, thank you for your ongoing support this year. Schools are only as good as the people involved, our students and our parents are our best ambassadors.

All students will be dismissed from the front of the school on the netball court on Tuesday 20^th December at 1:30pm. Final assembly will start at 1pm on the netball court. School will resume for students in Years 1 to 6 on Monday 30^th January. Preps will complete assessments and interviews at the beginning of the year and will begin full time on Friday 3rd February.

Have a Safe and Happy Christmas with your loved ones and take some time to enjoy some quality time with your family. I look forward to 2023, as we have many wonderful plans already in place. We are indeed a very fortunate school and have many things to be grateful for, thank you to everyone for their partnership and support and time that you have given to the school, whether it has been in fundraising, parent helper, gardening and grounds support or going on excursions, we have thoroughly enjoyed the time and effort that you have given.

Take Care.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Leanne Jennings

Principal

Year 4 Bike Education

Bike Education is really fun and you can learn to ride and the safety rules. The teacher will be there if you need help with riding or if you fall. The Bike Ed helps you with your confidence with riding and helps with your physical health.

– Emma M

Student of the Week

CARE Ticket Winners

2023 Parent Payment Information

2023 Parent Payment information was sent this term. Click here to access a digital copy. The COS portal for book pack orders is now open. Login information is found in the Parent Payment information packs.

Orders placed before 9th January 2023 will be delivered to your home prior to Term 1 commencement.

Do you have a Health Care Card?

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

You can download the form here.

Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Secondhand Uniform

We have tubs of secondhand school uniform available outside the Chaplain’s Office.

Name Your Belongings

We know you treasure your uniform and books. Please remember to label all uniform, books and belongings coming to school. Like most years, we have had an incredible amount of lost property through the year. The majority was unnamed, along with illegible tags. We would love lost items to boomerang back to your kids.

A huge thank you to my lovely House Captains this year, as always, the P.E. program can’t run without the support I have from these students throughout the year. Thank you for cutting up puzzle pieces at the start of the year, to helping me each week set up 3/4 and 5/6 sport, for helping me with prep transition and getting Interschool Sport ready. I have appreciated working with each one of you and wish you all the best next year in High School.

Below are some words from each House Captain and their experiences this year.

LOCKWOOD

Zahra

I loved being the House Captain of Green house. It was an amazing experience. There were a number of things I particularly enjoyed about my role, especially filming the assemblies and helping out with the prep transitions. The position was more difficult than it seems but learning and achieving success really boosted my confidence. Being a house captain opened up many opportunities and made my year a lot more fun!

Max

Having the opportunity as a House Captain has given me a great experience. Taking responsibility and gaining maturity, enjoyment working with Miss Russell and fellow house captains, also rewarding as I was able to help younger students develop new skills and learn new games.

PHIPPS

Kobe

I like being a House Captain because I get to help out with setting up for 5/6 and 3/4 sport. I learnt to be better at teamwork and help people when they need it. My favourite part about being a House Captain is that I got to work and be with my friends while helping Mrs Russell.

Malaki

Being a sport captain is a big responsibility and it takes time to get used to at first. Sometimes it’s stressful filming assembly’s and setting up active club and getting to school before any other students for term 2&3 but it gets easier over time it’s a process that takes a while it’s enjoyable, fun, exciting and it’s worth it. I loved having the opportunity to be a sport captain with my friends for my last year of primary school. I am thankful for the chance to be leader and represent my school boronia heights primary school.

MONTANA

Campbell

My name is Campbell Butler and I had the privilege of being one of your 2022 Montana (Red) house captains. I have wanted to be a house captain for a very long time because I love sport and it is a good way to be more involved in sport. I was very proud when I got the position and I have tried very hard to be a good leader for the school community and Ms Russell. I have enjoyed representing the school in many sporting activities and assisting in the prep transition and watching how excited they are to start school next year. I am sad to leave my position as house captain and I hope I have made you all proud. I wish the new leaders all the best next year. I hope maybe one day I can be house captain at my high school using all the skills I have learnt at BHPS. Thanks Guys.

Caden

Hello, I’m Caden and I’m one of the 2022 House Captains. I have loved being a Montana house captain. I have learnt so much over the past year and it’s hard to pick just one favourite part! I loved filming assembly, Active Club, 5/6 sport, 3/4 sport setup and going to school early to help with interschool sports. But the best part is just helping the whole school, along with 7 other people who are good at assisting, being great friends and being good house captains. I am so grateful to attend Boronia Heights in 2022 so I can experience the best moments, whether it is being silly, or helping kids at their primary school orientation, or just simply being with my best mates!

LANDSCAPE

Thomas

I’ve had many years at Boronia Heights and through out all those years I loved PE. When I got the chance to become a house captain I jumped at the chance. This year as a house captain for BHPS I got to, speak at assemblies, I love public speaking so it was it was really good practice. I also got to lead, jumping a bit out of my comfort zone but it was really good experience. I also had the chance to chat with my peers, I didn’t know much about my fellow house captains but now we’re good friends. Being a house captain, I had to set up ¾ and 5/6 sport on Tuesday and Wednesday lunch times giving me time to talk to my peers letting me know more about them. At assemblies I got to hand out awards to others students. Being a house captain has brought me so many happy memories that I’ll remember forever. I’ll miss not being a house captain at BHPS.

Ethan

Being a House Captain is really fun. There are many things I enjoyed doing. I loved filming for assembly and absolutely loved speaking in front of the whole school at the last live assembly. I learned to be responsible and many other good traits. My favourite thing about being a House Captain was being a leader of the whole school.

Taylah Russell
Physical Education & Sport Coordinator

Can you believe it!!!

This is the LAST Newsletter for 2022.

And on that note, The BHPS Community Hub, aka The Hubsters, would like to thank ALL of the school community for a wonderful year of fundraising. This includes all of the Students, Parents, Guardians, Families, Community Groups, Businesses and of course the School Staff, who donated, participated and helped throughout the year at the many different events.

A flashback to some of the 2022 Events:

The Easter Raffle, with all those donations and prizes WOW.

Mother’s Day Gift Stall, many happy mums, carers and nans.

Federal Election Day Sausage Sizzle and Bake Sale, so many yummy baked goods.

Cadbury Chocolate Drive, all those chocolates.

Father’s Day Gift Stall, lucky dads, carers and grandpas.

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, complete with rain.

Student Discos, lots of dancing in the gym.

Twilight Market Night, with such an AMAZING turn out of volunteers and patrons. Even with the rain.

The Colour Run, with so much colour, laughs, smiles and of course stained clothes.

And the last event of the year, the Annual Christmas Concert and Raffle. What a GREAT evening of songs, laughs and colour.

Thanks to ALL of the events this year, we, the School Community have raised over $36,000 towards new playgrounds for the school. This is an AMAZING result.

All of these events and more could not have gone ahead without the parents, family members and staff who volunteer their time as a member of the BHPS Community Hub. Many of the events took days and even months to prepare to ensure they were successful.

I would like to personally thank each of the members for all their hard work, encouragement, ideas and making our meetings a fun, happy time.

We take this opportunity to INVITE you all to join the Hubsters, help us with the events of 2023 and work together to ‘Bring the Unity into The BHPS Community’.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a safe New Year.

Leia Barrett and The Hubsters