Heights Happenings – 2023 – Term 2, Week 6

Swimming

Over the last two weeks our Year Prep to 4 students have attended swimming lessons at Knox Leisureworks pool in Boronia. I went down to the pool last week to see the Year 4s kids swim and they seemed to be loving the experience. Swimming is such an important activity to learn, especially where we live because of the many beaches and pools available to us in a short distance from our homes. The swimming lessons we do at school are important in developing confidence and safe behaviours in the kids when they are around water. The school has had some great feedback from Knox Leisureworks and I’m confident we will use them again in the future.

I was also very pleased to hear from two members of the public who were at the pool while our students were doing their swimming lessons. They remarked on how beautifully behaved our children were and what a credit they are to our school. It is so nice hearing messages like this – it just reinforces how great our kids really are!

Prep bags 2023 survey

Each year, the Department of Education gives every Prep student attending a Victorian government school a bag full of goodies to celebrate this milestone in their education journey. The information and educational resources in the bags are designed to help Prep students and their families thrive from the start of Term 1.

The department is inviting parents and carers of current Prep students to participate in a short survey about the 2023 Prep bags, by 5 pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.

Your feedback will help the department learn what families liked about the Prep bags and what can be improved in 2024. You can have your say at 2023 Prep Bags – Evaluation Survey.

The survey takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous. For more information on this year’s Prep bags, refer to Prep bags.

National Simultaneous Storytime

The National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual evert that happened on Wednesday 24^th May this year. I was lucky to be the guest storyteller this year and I absolutely loved the experience. Every year a picture storybook is chosen by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and read to students around Australia at the same time. This year’s book, “The Speedy Sloth” by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie, was all about a sloth who competed in a running race. Now, we all know that sloths aren’t exactly known for their speed, but nevertheless the main character, Spike, tried her hardest to compete in the race. The moral of the story is that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s the amount of effort you put in that determines your success. For Spike, she became the fastest sloth to have ever raced, and that made her a winner in the eyes of her family and friends.

Playgrounds update

There is considerable work underway to improve the playgrounds around the school. In late 2021, we received notification from the Minister for Education, James Merlino, that we were successful in receiving $200,000 for an inclusive playground in the senior play area. No doubt this was, and still is, an exciting project for our senior students. Unfortunately, the work to rebuild this playground is taking a lot longer than anyone expected.  The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) are the government organisation responsible for managing the building works, not the school. This means that there are many aspects that we cannot control, especially when it comes to selecting contractors and timelines for completion. Please be assured that Mrs Hodgson, Mrs Jennings and I have been seeking some assurances from the VSBA on many occasions. Hopefully in the next few weeks we can announce that work will begin soon on the Inclusive Play Space.

On a more positive note, I am pleased to report that Mrs Hodgson has been in communication with another playground builder, Safe Play Australia, to rebuild the Year 1/2 and Year 3/4 playgrounds. The company put a proposal to School Council in the meeting on May 1st and Council accepted it, meaning that the design work can get underway. Safe Play Australia developed a child-friendly survey that asked the kids about the kinds of equipment they would like on the playground. The company will use their feedback to customise the design to suit the wishes of the kids. All going well, these playgrounds should be completed by the end of the year.

Reconciliation Week & National Sorry Day

We were all so proud of our school captain, Mitchell, when he spoke at assembly to mark the significance of National Sorry Day on Friday 26^th May. Mitchell used his words to educate all of us about the hurt that was caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who were forcibly removed from their families. On the 26^th May 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a formal apology, on behalf of all Australians, to the Stolen Generations of Indigenous Australians. This is the significance of National Sorry Day.

This week also marks Reconciliation Week which is a special time when we learn about and celebrate the friendship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. During this week, we remember two important events: the 1967 vote that made things fairer for Indigenous people, and the Mabo decision that recognized their land rights. Reconciliation Week helps us understand and respect each other’s cultures and history. Through activities and discussions in classrooms, our children learn about Indigenous traditions, and work together to make things fair and equal for everyone.

The school has recently received funding to install a map of Australia that shows the traditional lands, languages and nations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This will be framed and placed in a prominent location, with pins signifying the mobs our First Nations students are from. I look forward to seeing this when it’s completed.

Curriculum Day – Friday 9th June

Just a reminder that Friday 9^th June is a Curriculum Day, which means the children can have an extended long-weekend given that Monday 12^th June is the King’s Birthday public holiday. While the kids are at home, our staff will be doing some professional learning in the teaching of mathematics. They will be hearing from Andrew Lorimer-Derham who describes himself as “a passionate educator and inventor who relentlessly creates unique ways to spread the love of mathematics.” Our aim is for the teachers to come away with ideas to engage the children in fun, imaginative and playful mathematics activities that will boost the problem solving skills of the kids. OSHClub is available on the day. Please contact them for a booking.

Mat Anderton
Acting Principal

Showcase Concert 

Last Thursday we held our first instrumental showcase concert for 2023. We had a record 46 items, showcasing the breadth of talent we have at Boronia Heights, as part of our instrumental program. This included students playing violin, bass guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboard, piano and of course, our vocal groups who learn singing with Mrs. Batt. As always, our talented students blew me away with their skills, and kept the audience spellbound for two hours. We are very lucky to have such an extensive instrumental program at our school. Our next showcase concert will be at the end of the year, in November. Thanks to all the students who performed and Adrian Batt and Rob Miles, who assisted with sound, setup and pack up.

Simon Fox

Music & Drama Teacher

Library News

We had a fabulous time last Wednesday for National Simultaneous Storytime when Mr Anderton read The Speedy Sloth to us in the gym. A great story shared brings connection, helps children with reading and writing skills, development of language and communication. Students enjoyed the special story of the sloth who never gave up and achieved his dream, at his own pace, to finish a race. Thank you, Mr Anderton, for such a great event!

Scholastic Book Club catalogues came home last week. All orders can be made via Loop on the Scholastic website or cash payments in an envelope with your completed order form. Please hand cash orders to the office. Our Book Club each term aims to support reading at home with the latest books at great prices. When you purchase a book through Book Club it also supports our reading at school, as we receive a percentage of commission to purchase new books for our Library.

Book Club Orders are due by: FRIDAY 2ND JUNE

Keep adding every book you read into the Premier’s Reading Challenge! We have over 200 students who have completed the challenge so far and 2B in the lead for the pizza lunch prize! We have read a total of 14,652 books so far this challenge. Well done BHPS! We have 100 days of the challenge to go.

Next term in August, we will have our Book Week celebrations. Book Character dress up day will be held on Friday 25^th August. The upcoming holidays are always a good time to think about costumes and get creative with ideas. Students can wear a costume that represents their favourite book character, this could be a t-shirt, decorated hat or a whole outfit.

Happy Reading!

Our Library is accessible here: https://au.accessit.online/BRN10/#!dashboard

Production Volunteers Needed     

Hello wonderful community, we are looking for 5 parent volunteers (with Working with Children checks), to assist at our amazing school production, July 19th AND July 20th. Superstan main cast need some support with hair and makeup, alongside Miss Hansen, Miss Ferris and Mrs Bentley. If you would be able to lend a hand at 6pm before the production starts (so you won’t miss the show), please email us or come and see us ASAP.
We are hoping our volunteers would be able to attend our full dress rehearsal at school, July 13^th, 9-1pm, for a practice run. However, if you are not able to attend the rehearsal, but still help on production nights, we would still greatly appreciate your help.

Please note this important information:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

All volunteers who wish to help in the classroom or at school events are required to have a current working with children check, and have read and signed the schools Child Safe – Code of Conduct Agreement.

If you have not already done so can you please use the link below to complete these details.

Please click here to complete the Child Safe – Code of Conduct Agreement. This form must be read and filled out by each adult for the safety of our children.

NOTE: This process needs to be completed each year due to department of education policy updates

Thank you from the Superstan Hair & Makeup team,

Eliza Hansen, Sarah Ferris and Leanne Bentley

eliza.hansen@education.vic.gov.au
sarah.ferris2@education.vic.gov.au
leanne.bentley@education.vic.gov.au

District Cross Country

On Friday 19/5 at Jells Park, we had 60 students representing BHPS at District Cross Country. Once again, a big thank you to Lauren Porter and Jackie Gould for helping on the day, as well as Miss T for attending.  Congratulations to Patrick.B, Sophie.D, Levi. F, Gaia.G, Owen. H, Ruby.J, Hannah.K, Lani.M, Callan.W and Qianna.Y for progressing to Division Cross Country at Jells Park on the 2^nd of June. We look forward to hearing how you go!

Hockey Incursion

We were lucky enough to receive funding from Sporting Schools Victoria this Term. The Grade 5 and 6’s have enjoyed starting their 4 week Hockey Incursion in P.E. Learning safety rules and the fundamental skills of Hockey to prepare them for the last two weeks of the incursion. Thank you to Hockey Australia for coaching our students, they have loved it!

School Swimming (Year 2 and 4)

Last week, we had our Year 2 and 4 students attend Knox Leisureworx for our School Swimming Program. Read below to find out what they got up to during their five fun filled days of learning:

The Grade 2’s had a wonderful week of swimming lessons at Knox Leisureworks last week. They thoroughly enjoyed practicing their skills such as soldier kicks, torpedos, floating, freestyle and backstroke. On Thursday the Grade 2’s loved having their fun swimming day where they got to play water basketball and go down the HUGE green slide. Well done to so many of our students that were initially frightened to go down the slide but pushed themselves out of their comfort zone. On our last day, we learnt all about water safety and felt what it was like to wear our clothes in the pool. The grade 2’s learnt the best way to keep themselves safe if they fall into water or how to help another person who may need assistance in water. Well done on a great week of swimming, Grade 2’s!

The Year 4s had a wonderful time at swimming and enjoyed practicing their swimming and water safety skills. Thank you to all the parents who came along to show their support. Students also enjoyed the ‘fun day’ which included games and the waterslide.

“It was fun, and the instructors were really nice.” Harper A 4B

“It was amazing to swim at a different pool this year.” Samuel 4C

“I thought that swimming was an amazing experience for students to learn a lot of skills.” Zoe E 4A

“It was really good for beginners to get into swimming and learn how to swim” Byron 4A

“I think that it was good for everyone to get better at swimming.” Amelia 4A

“Fun day was really fun!” Alex 4C

The Prep, 1 and 3 Swimming School Program is being run this week. Find out what they got up to in the next school newsletter.

Interschool Sports Helpers (Grade 5 & 6)

We are still all in need for many for parent helpers at our Interschool Sports Days coming up on the 6/6 and 15/6. Please email Taylah.Smith3@education.vic.gov.au if you are able to assist. You must have a current WWCC.

Wonder Recycling Program

Just a reminder that BHPS is taking part in the Wonder Recycling Rewards campaign this year!
Help us collect EMPTY bread bags so we can earn points to redeem on new RHS sports equipment (they don’t need to be bread bags from the Wonder brand). All you need to do is keep your empty bread bags and send them to school with your kids! Collection point is at the front office. Let’s get collecting!

Collections close 7th July

Congratulations are in order!

A big congratulations to our very own Kayla Carro who has successfully made it into the U12s Girls SSV Blue Team for 2023. We are all very proud of you and can’t wait to hear how you go on the 8/6!

Taylah Smith
Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

CARE Ticket Winners

Student of the Week

*Student consent to publish not received.

COMPASS – How to Fill Out the Code of Conduct

Prep 2024 Enrolments

Boronia Heights Primary School is now accepting enrolments for students commencing school in 2024. Enrolment Forms are available at the office or on our website. To secure your child’s enrolment, please submit your application as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted by Friday 28th July. If you have friends and family who are wanting to enrolment their child for 2024 please let them know to get their enrolment in 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.