Heights Happenings – 2023 – Term 3, Week 3

“The Amazing Adventures of Super Stan” Production

What an incredible two nights we had last week for the school production of “The Amazing Adventures of Super Stan”. The whole school community was in awe of the talent on display, with our students putting on a spectacle the likes of which I haven’t experienced in my career in education.

From the very first auditions in October last year to the moment the curtain went down on Thursday night, it was clear that everyone involved poured their hearts and souls into this production. The show’s success is testament to the importance the Boronia Heights PS community places on The Arts.

On Wednesday night I had the chance to go backstage to see the show in action. What I noticed was how supportive our Year 5 and 6 students who had main cast roles were to the students performing on stage. They cheered (albeit very quietly) and gave High 5s when the kids finished their items, and even danced and sang along during the performance. Any one of the main cast could easily have filled in any of the roles – that’s how good they were. I want to send a special mention to Cooper Lowerson (playing Frank “The Crumblie”) who ended up taking on two roles at once on Thursday night after one of the lead roles became unwell and couldn’t perform. He was so good that it wasn’t obvious to the audience that he was acting both roles.

Our biennial productions provide a platform for our students to explore their creativity, build self-confidence, and discover new talents. Beyond the actors and actresses on stage, our school productions involve many skilful hands including set designers, costume creators, tech crews, and costumers all working together harmoniously like a well-oiled machine.

We are so lucky to have a passionate, dedicated and talented performing arts teacher in Mr Simon Fox. His expertise in directing and mentoring our young actors and performers was evident in the confidence and skill the kids displayed on stage. Mr Fox has an incredible ability to coordinate every component and bring so many moving parts together into a harmonious whole. The school community is greatly appreciative of his work.

To the many people who helped put the show together, on behalf of the school I say, “Thank you”. Extra-special mentions must go to parent volunteers Leia Barrett, Bec Moussa, Gina Gaglio, Len Simpson and Stephen Geddes who helped with sets and props, costumes, backstage coordination and lighting. Your assistance was invaluable.

I’d also like to give special mention to Mrs Lynda Hunt who made all the raffle prizes and souvenirs which raised $1000 for the school. Words cannot express how amazing you are!

Congratulations to the winners of our raffle.

We look forward to 2025 when we put on our next school production.

Weeding Bee

On Monday 31 July, the Buildings and Grounds Committee is holding a short Weeding Bee from 3.00-3.30pm, before school pick-up. We are asking for volunteers to help us rid the school of weeds, one section at a time. We aim to have the garden beds surrounding the senior basketball court and between Block A and Block B weed free. If you could bring the implements that you may need (gloves, buckets, trowels etc) we would be grateful as the school only has child sized gloves etc. We will be on hand to show which are weeds and which are plants if you are not sure.

We hope to see many of you there, many hands make light work!

Looking after our neighbours

I’ve received some messages from our neighbours who have had a few issues with people parking across their driveways and onto their nature strips during school drop off and pick up times. I can understand their frustration, so I’d like to remind everyone to please look after our neighbours by respecting their property. The residents of Montana Ave have raised some concerns about people blocking driveways on basketball training nights. If your child trains with the Boronia Buffaloes and you happen to use Montana Ave, can I please ask that you be conscious of the residents of that street by ensuring they are able to come and go from their properties.

All the best to Mrs Weichert

I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Mrs Sarah Weichert and family as she begins maternity leave, with her baby due to be born in a few weeks. Mrs Weichert has been teaching Grade 3C this year alongside Ms Hindmarsh. She will be replaced on Wednesdays and Thursdays by Mrs Megan Levey for the remainder of the year. We can’t wait to see Mrs Weichert and her new baby boy when he arrives.

Chocolate Drive

Families who chose to participate in the Cadbury’s Chocolate Fundraiser should have received their box on Wednesday or Thursday. I’d like to thank you in advance for helping raise money for the school. This is a major fundraiser for the year, and we are extremely appreciative of your support. Just a reminder that all money must be returned to the school by Friday 25^th August.

Have a great week!

Mat Anderton
Acting Principal

Year 5s Show Respect

In recognition of this terms CARE Value of RESPECT, Year 5s have been learning about the different ways to show RESPECT. We choose to focus on GRATITUDE and who better to show gratitude to than our wonderful office staff. Students collaborated on making a thoughtful card which was signed by the entire year level.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the buzz around school with School Production last week. It brought the school community together. Kids singing and performing, parents being involved with costumes, staff doing things like make up and making raffle prizes for the event. I think we were all smiling and singing along during both performances which were absolutely amazing.

Naturally, I also saw the whole range of emotions from kids (and staff and parents!) as before, during and after the performances. Excitement, pride, bravery and joy, as well as nervousness, tiredness, frustration, anger and fear. Talking through these emotions, all of which are valid, is essential.

I have been exploring the topic of Change with a group of Year 3 students. We have discussed the changes that they are going through (change of Grade, moving house, parents separating, family members or pets dying) and both the good and bad aspects of change. We have also talked about how change is inevitable, and therefore we need to develop skills to deal with it. During ,my most recent session with the kids we looked at building our confidence, believing in ourselves and giving things a go, and how confidence can help us when things change in our lives.

The kids of course could talk a lot about the need for confidence to be in the school production. Having to stand up on a stage in front of all those parents is a huge deal for some of our students. Believing in yourself and giving things a go is something that we as staff and parents can model to children to help them have the confidence to do it themselves. I know that I for one am stepping out of my comfort zone by making craft with the kids during my Friendship Spot at lunchtime. I thought it would be fun to make pom poms! I often hear the kids say, ‘This is too hard’, ‘I can’t do this’, ‘Will you do this for me?’ which gives me the opportunity to talk them through how to do it for themselves step-by-step, to give it a go, to push themselves, to persevere even when it felt like it was taking forever, as well as learning from their mistakes. My first pom pom did not turn out!

Below are a couple of articles which you might find interesting on building resilience in our kids as well as why our kids are more anxious post-COVID – and what we can do to help them.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/special-matters/202303/are-kids-experiencing-post-covid-long-anxiety

https://www.maggiedent.com/blog/little-things-are-big-things-building-resilience/

Sarah McIntosh
Student Welfare

CARE Ticket Winners

Student of the Week

Monet of the Week

Monets of the Week Term 3 Week 1

Year 5&6 – Identity Masks

The Year 5 & 6 artists planned and designed a mask that communicates their unique self and identity. They used modroc to mould an interesting facial form and a range of materials to bring their ideas to life. Each part of the design was carefully created to symbolise an important part of their identity.

Superstan Photos Available

Gavin D Andrew has taken many photos for our production of Superstan. These include the photos that were on display in the foyer (listed as Superstan Studio Photos) as well as photos during the performances. Amongst the Studio photos are individual photos of all the leads – as well as small group shots.  For the larger groups, there are smaller, class photos to enjoy. When viewing the photos from the performances, Gavin photographs with 3 cameras, so make sure you scroll right to the end to make sure you have seen all images from all three cameras.

All photos are uploaded “as is” from his cameras and are processed only once purchased.  You can now view and/order these photos at his secure merchant website.  All information is below.

Here is the direct link: https://gavind.fotomerchant.com/categories/boronia-heights-primary-school

Click on your production Password is: please check Compass

DISCOUNTS CODES

5-9 digital files – 25% off – code: 18IDSDIGI5

10+ digital files – 33% off – code: 18IDSDIGI10

5-9 prints – 10% off – code: 18IDSPRINT5

10+ prints – 20% off – code: 18IDSPRINT10

DISCOUNT PERIOD FINISHES on Sunday, JULY 30th, 2023

Turnaround is normally 2 weeks (even on digital files)

Any questions please contact Gavin D on: 0412 246012 or mrg@gavind.com.au

National Science Week

As a way to celebrate National Science Week (August 12 – 20^th), a home based STEAM challenge will take place in the lead up to it. In short, students aim to design and build a structure that can protect an egg from cracking. If you are interested, please read the attached flyer for more detail. There will be a prize for the best design and highest recorded drop (without a crack).

Good luck and have fun designing and building with this Science Week challenge!

Carlos Milan

STEAM Teacher

Library News

Book Week Celebrations – August 19^th – 25^th

This term we have our Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week and we will be celebrating with an author visit, pop-up Book Fair and dress up day. On Friday 25th August students and staff can come along dressed as their favourite Book Character and we are securing a wonderful author to visit. We had booked Patrick Guest who unfortunately is very unwell in hospital. We will notify our families as soon as possible on who the new author is. We look forward to seeing everyone’s costumes on this very special day!

Our annual Book Fair will begin on Monday 21st of August and finish Friday 25^th August. This pop-up book shop will be open to students during their library session where students can bring cash in a named envelope to purchase new, fantastic quality and popular books. Junior and senior fiction books, activity packs, journals, picture story books and non-fiction books will all be available for as little as $2 and up to $25. Book Fair will also be open to families between 3.30pm and 4pm each day, in the Library. In order to run a smooth and successful Book Fair we are asking for parent volunteers to please help after school each day. If you are available and able to support us as a cashier, can you please fill in the form below and return it to the school office or email me at leanne.bentley@education.vic.gov.au  Cash and EFTPOS will be available at the fair. Your time and support is always greatly appreciated.

Please note: All volunteers are required to hold a current Working with Children’s Check and have completed the online form here  This Child Safe – Code of Conduct Agreement must be read and filled out by each adult for the safety of our children.
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I can help out at the Book Fair on these days (please tick the days you are available):

Name:                                                                                                  Contact number:

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Premier’s Reading Challenge

42 days to go!! Make sure you have entered all the books you have read this year into the Premier’s Reading Challenge website! Certificates of Completion will be given out during term 4. The winning class of the pizza lunch will be announced once the challenge is closed and they will enjoy their yummy lunch during term 4.

Here are the details on how to login and add books at home.

Logging in with a Challenge passcode

Your teacher will give you a Challenge username and passcode. Keep them in a safe place.

If you lose or forget your Challenge passcode, ask your Challenge coordinator (Mrs Bentley) to generate a new one for you. Go to the Challenge application. https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge?Redirect=1

1. Select the Login links then School/Student button.
2. Select the VPRC login option.
3. Enter your username and password.
4. Select Login.

Adding books to your reading list

1. Select Search Books in the side menu.
2. Enter the book’s name, author, series name or ISBN number in the search field.
3. Select the Search button.
4. Find the book you want from the search results and select the book title. This will open the book details.
5. Select the +Add book button.
6. Return to your Dashboard from the menu, click on Finish underneath each book you have added.
7. The books you have finished will then be verified by Mrs Bentley

The books will appear in your reading list on your dashboard.

Students can log into Accessit (our Library system) from home, to view the books they have borrowed in Library and add them to the Premier’s Reading Challenge too. Once logged in, click on your name and select my borrowing details, then borrowing history.

https://au.accessit.online/BRN10/#!dashboard

Happy Reading!

Leanne Bentley
Librarian

Interschool Sports Helpers Needed (Year 5 & 6)

We are looking for helpers for the upcoming Summer Interschool Sports days on the 29/8 and 14/9. If you are interested in helping out, please send an email to Taylah.Smith3@education.vic.gov.au. You must have a current WWCC and have signed the school code of conduct (this needs to be completed annually).

Wonder Recycling Program

A huge well done to everyone for bringing in their plastic bread bags for the Wonder Recycling Program. We collected two whole boxes and received 1200 points to spend on sporting equipment for our school. Our collections have been delivered to Wonder’s recycling partner APR Plastics where they manage the recycling process. APR Plastics empty the cartons and recycle the boxes. The plastic is then processed into an oil that can be reused to create food grade packaging, creating a circular economy.

Girls Division Soccer Team

On the 18/7 we had our Year 5/6 Girls Soccer team represent BHPS at the Division Soccer event. We came 4^th out of 8 schools. A huge thank you to the Mr Blennerhassett for coaching the girls. We are so proud of you ladies!

Hooptime Tryouts

We have held our Senior Hooptime tryouts and teams have been selected and stuck on the Gym door. Senior All Stars training has also begun, as this year the Senior All Stars team have a separate day to the rest of the Future Stars and Rookies which will be held later in the Term.

Senior All Stars Day – 3/8 Boronia Basketball Stadium

Senior Future Stars/Rookies Day – 7/9 Dandenong Stadium

Junior Hooptime Day – 6/9 Dandenong Stadium

Junior Tryouts will be held on the 31/7, 3/8 and 7/8. The teams will be selected and put on the Gym door at the end of Week 5.

Training schedules for Senior Future Stars and Rookies as well as all Junior teams will be placed on the Gym door as well to remind students. Students are expected to be at all training sessions.

If you are interested in coaching or scoring for your child’s team, please email me at Taylah.Smith3@education.vic.gov.au. You must have a current Working with Children Check and have signed the school code of conduct (this needs to be completed annually).

Taylah Smith
Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

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 as places are filling fast.

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.

Chocolate Drive

Father’s Day Stall