Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

We have had a wonderful start to 2018. All our new teachers, new students, returning teachers and returning students settled well into our routines and great learning has started happening. On top of the great learning in classrooms we are putting into place which complement the curriculum and enhance learning too. We will advertise these through Sentral and on the noticeboard at the back (playground side) of the Admin Block. We are also in the process of reinvigorating the Stage 2 and 3 Friday school sport program - to offer more exciting sport opportunities for all.

Please look at the important dates below for upcoming events. There are always exciting things happening at Berala Public School. This term these include the swimming carnival, Swim Scheme for Year 2, Welcome BBQ, Footsteps, Harmony Day and a Stage 2 Opera House excursion. Please note that all parents are welcome to our first P&C meeting on Thursday 15 February at 9am.

We will keep building on all the wonderful programs and initiatives we already have to make sure we deliver on empowered learning for all our students.

Wishing all our students, families and staff a successful 2018.

Dr A Mandel

The 2018 school year started on Monday 29 January with teacher professional learning. We started with a very competitive game of Kahoot ... can you guess which teachers won? Then we looked at critical and creative thinking and comprehension. This was followed by thinking about Number Talk, but the favourite session of all was the introduction to our fabulous new kitchen. Every student will get to cook this year ...sometimes using the kitchen, sometimes using 'Cook in a Box.' We hope that all of our students will then cook for you at home!

During Week 1 our seven Kindergarten teachers worked hard to assess our 136 Kindergarten students using the new version of the Best Start Assessment. These assessments help ensure a great start to learning and on Monday and Tuesday our new Kinder cohort started their school journey. There were lots of smiles, some tears but more than anything lots of excitement.

By the end of this week we will move into our permanent classes. This year our classes will be named as Kinder, Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 with an endangered animal name. Endangered animals were chosen as this theme has many links with our curriculum including history, geography and STEM; as well as the general capabilities. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about endangered species. For example, did you know that the three-toed sloths have highly flexible neck that allows rotation of head for 270 degrees in both directions? Sometimes parents and teachers could benefit from this flexibility.

Thank you to all the families that have already paid for their children's SCHOOL LEARNING PACK and for the SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS. Please come and see the office if you have any queries about the SCHOOL LEARNING PACK.

Today was the first day of the eight week Footsteps program For Stages 1, 2 and 3 (Years 1 - 6).

It's amazing how quickly a new dance can be learnt. If you haven't signed up yet, it is not too late. Please send in your note and $20 tomorrow.

The Coles Sports for Schools program is back for 2018 and Berala Public School is joining in! The program gives schools across Australia the opportunity to earn sports gear just by collecting vouchers from Coles. This program starts TOMORROW. Please bring yuor vouchers to the front office and place in the Sports for Schools box.

Week 2

Wednesday 7 February for 10 weeks

Footsteps Stage 1, 2 and 3

Week 2

Thursday 8 February

Swimming Carnival

Week 2/3

Friday 9 February or Tuesday 13 February

Forensic Workshop

Week 3

Thursday 15 February

P&C Meeting - 9am, Staffroom

Week 3 - 10

Friday 16 February for 8 weeks

Swim School

Week 4

Wednesday 21 February

Welcome BBQ - 5pm

Week 4

Friday 23 February

Final day for School Learning Pack payment

Week 4

Friday 23 February

School Contributions due

Week 7

Wednesday 14 March

P&C AGM, 7pm in Staffroom

Week 9

Monday 26 March

School Photos

Week 11

Wednesday 11 April

Billionaire Boy – Sydney Opera House Stage 2

Please note that this is the only newsletter that will be printed. You can access the newsletter on our website, on Facebook or through the school app.