Berala News
Term 2 - Week 4 - 2023
We value student voice at Berala PS
ANZAC Day holds a significant place in the hearts of students, as they actively participated in commemorating the heroic sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. With utmost reverence, students engaged in various activities on ANZAC Day to honor the fallen soldiers and acknowledge their profound contribution to the nations' histories. From attending our school ANZAC service to creating heartfelt tributes, these young minds displayed a deep understanding and appreciation for the courage and resilience exhibited by the ANZACs. Through their participation, students not only paid homage to the past but also internalise the values of courage, mateship, and remembrance, fostering a sense of national identity and inspiring future generations to cherish the legacy of the ANZACs.
We value student engagement in sport at Berala PS
In term 1, students participated in cricket, basketball, t-ball and softball. The girls junior and senior cricket team were proud of their undefeated record. In term 2, students are participating in netball, rugby league, soccer and newcombe ball.
PSSA provides opportunities for primary students to participate in competitive sport while learning important skills of team work and being a good sport.
Updates from BPS
Staff Development Day , Term 2
At the commencement of this term, all staff participated in a professional learning and development day. The focus of the day was Aboriginal Education. Staff engaged in professional learning to ensure a focused effort on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and to increase knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal histories and cultures.
New Staff
We have had some new staff join our school this term;
- Louise Hamer, Deputy Principal (replacing Kat McMaster when she goes on maternity leave)
- Ashleigh Davis, Deputy Principal (temporarily filling the existing vacant Deputy Principal position) transitioning from her classroom position over the term.
- Tamara Curtis filled our new classroom teacher position and will commence in the next few weeks.
- Nisrine Arabi has been appointed as a permanent teacher and is working on 5L
- Bree Vernon has been appointed as a permanent teacher and working across K-6.
Ms Laura Dunn has retired from Berala Public School and we wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.
External Validation
- Each year, a group of schools are nominated to participate in an external validation process. This provides an opportunity for schools to discuss their judgements about their practice – and the evidence that underpins them – with a panel of peers. Embedding effective self-assessment practices will mean that schools are well positioned to identify and annotate their most significant pieces of evidence for submission to the validation panel.
- Our school has been nominated and will present our External Validation submission in week 7 to a panel from the Department of Education.
- This process will help us to develop a new school plan which will be include planning with staff, students, parents and the community.
- I look forward to sharing more updates with you once we complete this process.
Federal Government Grant
- Our school has been successful in applying for a Federal Government School Upgrade Grant for shade structures. We look forward to seeing this upgrade in the school this year.
Check-in Assessments
- During Term 2 students will participate in the Check-in assessment. The Check-in assessment is a NSW Department of Education online literacy and numeracy assessment available to support schools to assess and monitor student learning.
- The assessment can supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing in literacy and numeracy and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs. Students with a disability may receive the same level of support during the assessment they would normally receive in the classroom.
- The assessment will be scheduled for our Year 4 and Year 6 students during Weeks 4 to 7 (between 15 May to 9 June 2023).
National Walk Safely to School Day
- Thousands of primary school students across the country are getting ready to put their feet first for National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 19 May.
- National Walk Safely to School Day is a community initiative that aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of our children.
Road Safety
You can help keep children safe by remembering the following:
- drop your child off and pick them up on the school side of the road
- never call out to them from across the road - it is very dangerous
- always take extra care in 40km school zones
- follow all parking signs - these help keep your child as safe as possible
- park responsibly even if it means you have to walk further to the school gate
- never double park - it is illegal and puts children at risk
- never do a U-turn or a three-point turn outside the school as it puts children at risk of harm
- model safe and considerate pedestrian and driver behaviours to your child
- always give way to pedestrians particularly when entering and leaving driveways.
P&C Meeting
- The next P&C will be held on Thursday 18 May at 5pm in our school hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Robyn White
Relieving Principal
Parent Workshops
Parent Workshop - K-2 Speech Therapy
- At Berala PS we employ a Speech Therapist to work with students and teachers to enhance the speaking and listening skills of our students. Most schools do not offer Speech Therapy sessions. Our Speech Therapist has prepared an information session for parents and carers to attend to learn about their role in classrooms, provide strategies that can be useful to support your children and explain the benefits of group therapy.
Date: Week 6, Monday 29 May from 2.30pm - 3pm
Location: School Hall
Parent Workshop - Library and Literature
- Our Librarian Ms Thomson will present a parent workshop about the benefits of reading to and with your children. The workshop will include the type of books your children can read and how they can access Library books. Book samples will be available for all age groups.
Date: Week 8, Wednesday 14 June at 9.15 am - 10am
Location: The Community Hub.
School Upgrades
Building Works Update
We have been fortunate to have some of our major building works and repairs approved and commence this year.
- The roof on Block A building has been completed and scaffolding removed. This has been a major upgrade for our school and ensures that our classrooms are free of leaks and can be used by all.
- The middle playground upgrade is now complete with a fenced area, retaining walls and synthetic grass. The students have enjoyed this space as a quiet area playing games with each other.
- 3-6 toilets are going to be upgraded with a complete refurbishment. This is an exciting project that will commence during the next school holidays.
Berala Public School 100 Years Celebration 2024
- In 2024 Berala Public School will be celebrating 100 years in education. In preparation for this event a committee will be established that will consist of staff representatives, parent representatives and community representatives.
- Meetings will commence from Term 3, 2023 as this will require some forward planning and organisation.
- If you are interested in being on the committee please complete the google form HERE or use the QR code by Friday 2 June.
Attendance
Daily attendance is most important for our students to develop a consistent pattern of behaviour. The diagram below shows how absences impact on your child’s education opportunities throughout their school life time. When your child misses school, they miss important opportunities to learn, build friendships and develop life skills.
Early Arrivals and Late Pick Ups
At Berala PS, the safety and welfare of our students is the highest priority.
- For the safety of your child, please ensure that they are not at school prior to 8:30am unless attending Camp Australia. There is no teacher supervision prior to 8:30am. Staff will contact the parents of students who arrive prior to 8:30am to discuss alternative arrangements so that we can ensure no student has their safety compromised by being unsupervised.
- If you arrive after 9.15am in the morning, we request that that you walk with your child into the office to sign them into school.
- We understand that from time to time, parents may be a few minutes late picking their child up from school, however this should not be a regular occurrence. Please phone the school office if you are going to arrive after 3:10pm. All gates except the Harrow Road office gate are locked at 3:10pm. If you arrive at school after this time, please present at the front office to pick your child up. Thank you for working with us to help ensure the safety of every student in our school.
Positive Behaviour For Learning (PBL)
Positive postcards and phone calls are a great way to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of students. By sending positive postcards and making positive phone calls we believe can have a significant impact on students, boosting their self-esteem and motivating them to continue putting forth their best effort. It also helps to build positive relationships between students and teachers, creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment.
Look out for the positive postcard in the mail!
Aboriginal Education Update
On Wednesday 3 May, four students from our Berala Public School First Nations group, Deadly Dingoes, were invited to attend an Indigenous day conducted by Cumberland Council at Prospect Hill. During the day, the students experienced a Smoking Ceremony, a didgeridoo display, an explanation of a series of artifacts, learnt a dance, crushed ochre to paint their faces and participated in some fun Indigenous games. All the students enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot.
Engaging our teacher leaders in professional learning
On Friday 31 March, Ms Bober, Mrs Johnstone, Mrs Vragalis and Miss Davis attended the annual Women in Educational Leadership conference in Darling Harbour. There were four keynote speakers including: Dr Jana Pittman, Dr Gill Hicks, Professor Veena Sahajwalla and Simone Walker. Our teachers spent the day listening to inspiring stories of women defying the odds and having the power to succeed. There were many messages that teachers reflected on during the day including “having the confidence to fall, means you have the ability to get back up” and “few things are impossible to those who apply themselves rigorously to their activities… but belief is key to thriving”. Teachers walked away feeling inspired and motivated to transfer their learning into the classroom, where we create a culture of students who aren’t afraid to fail, after all as Dr Jana Pittman stated, "to fail is just the First Attempt In Learning (FAIL)".
DATES FOR TERM 2
Playgroup
Weekly
- Wednesday 9am -10.30am
- Friday 9am - 10.30am
Location: Berala Public School - Before & After School Care Building
Term 1 English Classes will be held:
Weekly
- Tuesday 9am -11am
Location: Berala Public School - Before & After School Care Building
For more information contact: Firdus 0426 480 892
COVID-smart measures - Information for parents, carers and students
Students and staff should continue to stay home when sick
- Students, staff and visitors should only attend school when they are symptom free. We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow the guidance issued by NSW Health. We will continue to send home students or staff displaying symptoms.
Uniforms
School App
Did you know that you could also send your absent notes via the app? This will save you heaps of time and is easy to do!
About Berala PS
Email: berala-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Website: berala-p.schools.nsw.gov.au
Location: 216 Harrow Road, Berala NSW, Australia
Phone: 02 9649 7146
Facebook: facebook.com/BeralaPublicSchool