Olympic Celebrations

I hope you’ve been enjoying the Olympic Games as much as I have. I look forward to this time every four years because not only is it enjoyable to watch our Aussie’s do well, it also gives the teachers a chance to teach the kids about different countries, sports, flags, national anthems and the amazing achieves of athletes, past and present.

Over the last few weeks, the kids have engaged in activities in their own classrooms as well as in multi-age groups. In week 1, they learned about the history of the Olympics going right back to the ancient games in Greece over 2700 years ago! They also discussed the meaning behind the Olympic Rings (each ring represents a continent), their colours (national flags contain at least one of those colours), the Olympic Games that have been held in Australia and some background knowledge about France. The highlight was the Opening Ceremony which was held last Friday afternoon where the kids represented a country and dressed in the national colours of that country.

It’s important we recognise significant events such as the Olympics because improving the general knowledge of the students helps them develop comprehension skills. We align our curriculum programs to concepts that relate to the Olympics, such as reading and writing about the biographies of athletes. It’s also a whole lot of fun!

Attendance update

Earlier this year I mentioned that I’d regularly update the school community about how our attendance rate is going. Here’s how things are looking so far:

• 13 students (3%) have had 0 absence days. Well done!
• 286 students (56%) have had 0.5 – 9.5 absence days
• 160 students (31%) have had 10 – 19.5 absence days
• 36 students (7%) have had 20 – 29.5 absence days
• 19 students (4%) have had 30+ absence days

Based on the way we’re tracking, it is anticipated that the average number of absence days per student is predicated to be 18.6 days. This is something we absolutely must turn around. Last year the figure was 17.

We need your help please.

I realise that this year has been a particularly bad one for illnesses. If your child is unwell, we expect they will stay home to recover. If we put medical illness aside, the next highest reason for student absence is “Parent Choice – unauthorised”. If student attendance is to be improved, the way it’s done is to ensure that your child comes to school every day and on time provided they are well enough to attend.

This brings me to late arrivals. As of today, with the exception of grade 6, every year level has already had more days late to school than all of last year. Arriving late to school has a profound effect on academic progress. Teachers do a daily review of previous learning and provide explicit instruction about new concepts and skills to learn at the beginning of every lesson. If kids miss this vital part of the lesson, they are having to play catch up and it puts them further behind.

I’d like this message to be a Call to Action. If students arrive at school every day on time, they are given the best opportunity to improve their academic, social and emotional learning.

Bullying No Way: National Week of Action

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence has a new name—Bullying No Way: National week of action.

Bullying No Way Week, which is happening 12 to 16 August, is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative and connects schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Everyone belongs’.

When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It’s about embracing who we are, respecting everyone’s differences and standing up together against unkindness.

Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We’re encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.

At Boronia Heights Primary School, we do not tolerate bullying in any forms. Our approach to tackling bullying is to be proactive in educating children about how to treat each other with respect and kindness. It’s also worth acknowledging that when incidents happen that impact the health and wellbeing of students, we are responsive and develop plans to address the behaviour. Kids should know what to do and who they can talk to when bullying occurs.

Throughout Bullying No Way Week, the kids will have discussions about what bullying is and isn’t, how to recognise it and know what to do when they experience it or see it happening. It’s also important that when we talk to children about “bullying”, there is an understanding that children are growing and still learning how to interact appropriately. When they say or do things that might be mean, nasty or hurtful, it doesn’t necessarily make them a “bully”. It’s the behaviour we should focus on modifying as opposed to labelling them as a “bully”.

Ultimately, we want bullying in all its forms to stop. This week will shine a spotlight on the steps we can all take to manage these behaviours effectively.

Kind regards,

Mat Anderton
Principal

CARE Ticket Winners

Care Award Winners – Term 3 – Respect

Junior School Council  News

Last week the students received some of their wet day timetable activities and games that they asked for. Over the last two years, the Junior School Council have raised money to buy items off the students Wishlist to give them fun activities to do on a wet day. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated and a special thank you to Kmart Chirnside Park who gave us a discount which allowed us to buy more and also collected them all for us. The staff and manager were extremely helpful. We still have some money left to buy those last few things on their lists so there will be more to come. Thank you again for everyone’s donations. Mrs Cook, Miss Turcinovic and the Junior School Council.

Library News

Book Week Celebrations are coming – August 19^th – 23rd

On Monday 19^th August, we will start with our Book Character Dress up day. Students can come dressed as their favourite Book Character and we will hold a whole school parade at 9.15am. We welcome our school community to come along and have some fun with us as we share our costumes. You may like to decorate a hat, decorate a t-shirt or use any items you have at home to represent your book character.

On Thursday 22^nd August we have an incredible incursion with a live production, Maybe a Miracle! Perform Education will provide us with an educational musical adventure linked to this year’s Book Week theme, Reading is Magic. The production will run two sessions, Prep – 2, aimed at junior students and a 3-6 production for senior primary students. This incursion has been booked with an early bird fee for families of $8.10 per student. More information will be sent home soon.

Our annual Book Fair will begin on Monday 19th of August and finish Friday 23^rd of August. The Book Fair 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 $30. 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 help us out after school each day, for half an hour. If you are available and able to support us as a cashier, supervising and supporting queries, 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 Your time and support is always greatly appreciated.

Cash sales and EFTPOS will be available at the Book Fair.

________________________________________________________________________________

I can help out at the Book Fair on these days (please tick the days you are available):

Name:                                                                                                  Contact number:

Happy Reading!

Leanne Bentley

State School Spectacular

Science Week 2024

Mountain Highway Intersection Upgrade Update

We’re hard at work continuing the Mountain Highway, Colchester Road, and Albert Avenue intersection Upgrade in Boronia to improve traffic flow and safety.

The project will remove the existing roundabout into a signalized intersection with new lanes and better crossings for everyone. We’ll commence the next stage of our works from next week, here’s all you need to know:

What’s Happening:

• When: Night works from 8 PM to 6 AM, Sunday, August 4 to Friday, August 16 (No work on August 9 and 10).
• What: Removing the roundabout and traffic islands, laying temporary pavement, and setting up new traffic arrangements.

What to Expect:

• Noise & Lights: Expect some noise and lights while we work.
• Traffic: There may be delays and detours. Please follow signs and traffic controllers’ instructions.
• Pedestrian detours in some areas: Our traffic controllers will be on site to safely guide students around any temporary footpath closures
• Busses: There will be no impact to the 690/967 Bus route

Detours:

• Stage 1: Closure on Albert Avenue south of the intersection.

• Stage 2: Closure on Colchester Road north of the intersection.

Daytime Traffic: Normal traffic flow will resume during the day.

Contact Us: If you have questions, call or text 0400 400 091 or email Alchestercommunity@bild.group. For more details, visit VicRoads’ website and search for the Alchester Village Intersection Upgrade.

Bild Group

This week, I had the pleasure of going to my other school’s Grade 4 camp. We went to Phillip Island where, under clear blue skies and in warm sunshine, we enjoyed doing lots of outdoor activities as well as seeing the penguins.

It was interesting to watch the students gradually get used to having downtime and to slow down. It took them a while to get their heads around having free time, with no screens, and figure out what to do with themselves and with their school mates. It did not take them long.  Soon they were walking around the campsite, playing soccer and other ball games together, sitting and doing colouring in, chatting with one another and the staff, tidying their cabins and playing card games. It was especially good to see them play all together on the beach, getting their feet wet, building sandcastles, playing beach cricket, collecting sea shells and walking along the water’s edge. And they had a lot of fun on the local playground.

I was reminded of the importance of letting children be, to figure out how to entertain themselves and for them to just be left to play. Once the children were given some direction, and options of activities to do, they were off and having fun.

Check out the list of ideas below to get your family out and about and warmed up this winter:

• Get active:

Visit one of the many playgrounds around Yarra Ranges – Have you been to the new playground at Belsay Reserve, Chirnside Park? here you will find giant climbing frames, a flying fox, swings and a great path for scootering around,that will surely get you moving and warmed up. Look out for the big hot air balloons.

Where: Kimberley Drive, Chirnside Park

• Enjoy the Movies:

THE KOALAS takes audiences on a journey into the lives of individual koalas, led by charismatic characters – Wonnie, Bexley, Tom, Baz, Coral and adorable joeys Hope and Pala. From the unfolding stories, we witness the unique characteristics of koalas, their bond with their young, and the wildlife carers who dedicate their lives to these animals.

Where: Warburton Arts Centre, Warburton and The Memo, Healesville

Further information here

• Connect with Nature:

Take a walk around Birdsland Reserve, which has 2 big ponds and plenty of wildlife. This child friendly reserve is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors. Can you see the ducks, perhaps spot a cow across the paddock, and maybe even a platypus or wombat?

Accessible walking path, toilets, drinking tap, BBQ and shade.

Where: Mt Morton Rd, Belgrave South

Further information here

• Winter Waterfall:

Take a walk to visit the stunning La La Falls in Warburton. Enjoy the magnificent mana gums, lush rainforest and fresh air as you walk along the track.

Distance: 3.2 km return/moderate. No toilets available – closest is Warburton Township

Where: 25 Irruka Rd, Warburton

Further information here

(Information taken from Yarra Ranges Council Newsletter)

Sarah McIntosh
Student Welfare

Prep – Year 3 Olympic Incursion

Our Prep-Year 3 students were extremely lucky to have Paralympic Gold medallist (and BHPS parent) Andrew Harrison come into the school recently to share his journey and Paralympic experience. And in an extra special treat, he brought with him a couple of his medals for the students to see up close. We are so grateful to have had this visit just days out from the start of the Paris Olympics. Thank you Andrew!

Following Andrew’s presentation, the students also got to hear about Liselle Paris’s story of being chosen to carry the Olympic torch in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics as well as seeing the actual torch. Thank you Liselle and the Paris family for coming in over two weeks so that all of our students could see the torch. We really appreciate it.

Division Soccer

Congratulations to our Boys’ Soccer team who more than held their own at the recent Knox Division finals.

In their round robin matches they beat Bayswater West 4-3, lost to Heany Park 1-2, and beat St Lukes 2-0. This saw them finish 2^nd in their group and progress to the semi finals. Unfortunately they lost their semi final 0-2 to Bayswater South. Well done boys and thank you to Mr Blenner for all of his coaching efforts!

Shae Warren
Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

Year 5 and 6 Inclusive Play Space was officially opened this week with Jackson Taylor MP.

Leah Hodgson

Assistant Principal

A big thank you to all those who volunteered for our disco on the 26^th July, particularly Rachel, Holly and Shirani for their awesome organisational skills. The children had an amazing time!!

The Father’s Day Stall is coming, a COMPASS post will be coming soon.

Look out for a request from our Hubsters for volunteers for our fantastic Market Night. Details coming soon.

Twilight Market

Our Twilight Market is locked in for the 25th October 2024. Click here to follow the event page on Facebook. If you know a business who would be keen to sponsor the event, please contact us on 9729-2614.

The Entertainment Book