Bourchier Mail
School Newsletter - 19th Edition - 16th November 2023
CALENDAR
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
As we approach the end of the year, we find ourselves on the brink of significant transitions here at Bourchier Street Primary School. It's a time filled with anticipation, celebration, and a touch of uncertainty, as changes unfold within our school community.
Change is an inevitable part of life, and particularly in the world of school. Each year at Bourchier Street Primary School, we bid farewell to familiar classrooms and teachers, making way for new experiences and challenges. While this is a time of excitement and growth, we recognise that change can evoke feelings of nervousness and anxiety, both for students and their families.
At Bourchier, supporting your child's well-being is part of our core business and we want to address any issues to help foster mental resilience. As we navigate these transitions, we always try to talk positively about transitions and encourage open communication with students about upcoming changes.
As a school, we are dedicated to helping our students navigate change in a healthy and constructive manner. On the 12th of December we will conduct an Orientation Day. Students will participate in a session with next years teacher and class. Our 2024 Foundation students have attended five separate transition sessions that give them a chance to explore the school, meet staff members, and familiarise themselves with their future learning environment. Additionally, our Year six students will embark on visits to their secondary schools in December to ensure a smooth transition.
If you observe that your child is struggling with the emotional aspects of these transitions, we encourage you to reach out to their classroom teacher for support and reassurance. Together, we can make this transition a positive and enriching experience for every student.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's schooling journey.
Warm regards,
Gary Darma
SENIOR PRODUCTION
They say “third times a charm” and after rescheduling the date for the Senior School Production twice during the year the third date stuck. We spent approximately 8 weeks creating and rehearsing our masterpieces for the Eastbank stage. Having not been able to put on a production since before Covid there were some nervous students. The community buzz around the event was amazing and just what we needed to perform an amazing show. A highlight for me was hearing many students’ side of stage after their performance saying “that was the best” and asking “can we do that again?”
Thank you to the whole Bourchier community for getting around and supporting the school production, I hope you enjoyed watching the children perform!
Dani Williamson
Year 4 chickens
Adorable, fluffy, tiny and cute were some of the adjectives that were used to describe our chicks.
We are so lucky to have them!
T20 Blast Cricket
Good luck boys.
kitchen garden
School payment & stationery for 2024
All stationary and materials will be in the classrooms for students on their return in 2024.
Stationary is included in the Parent Payment along with ICT/Stem/Subscriptions & events.
Parent payment can be made via QKR
Parent payment $220 per student
Excursion Levy $80 per student
If you have a Health Care Card and claimed CSEF, you will receive $150 credit which can be used for camps and excursions only.
Bookclub
It's nearly a wrap for 2023!
Book Club Issue 8 is now open and catalogues have been handed out. It's full of books to spark magic and joy in students so they read more for fun, including
- Christmas and Holiday Gift Ideas
- Hot New Releases
- Over 350 Summer Reading Ideas
- Big Savings on Packs
- $3 Value Books, and much, much more!
Book Club - Parents | Scholastic Australia
Orders close Friday 1st December
The easiest way for families to order and pay for Book Club is to use the online LOOP platform. Please use the link to register and start your order www.scholastic.com.au/loop
LOOP is also available as an app, for both apple and Android devices.
For cash payments, please ensure you have the correct money in a securely sealed envelope with your completed order form and child’s details.
School Hats are available in S/M size only
Unfortunately our supplier has had distribution problems, and we have only received S/M size. You can go to the uniform shops in Shepparton to purchase a Bourchier Street Hat in the mean time. Students can wear an appropriate hat from home in the interim.
Foundation to Year 5 students NOT returning to Bourchier Street PS in 2024
If your child/ren is in Foundation to Year 5 and will not be returning to Bourchier Street next year, can you please contact the front office as we need to attend to the administration
documents, and this will also effect allocating students to classes.
Picking your child up early from school?
If you wish to collect your child(ren) early from school you must contact our front office prior on 5821 3488 to advise what time.
The office staff will arrange for your child(ren) to be waiting at the front office at the required time.
Having notice avoids any disruption to our students learning time in the classroom.
Please try to arrange any appointments outside of school hours (8.45am-3.15pm)
Your child’s attendance at school is critical for their learning and development.
All children are expected to wear full school uniform
The wearing of school uniform helps children develop a sense of identity with the school community.
The school uniform helps promote a positive image of both students and the school to the general community. The wearing of school uniform promotes equality.
The school uniform is to be worn during school hours, while traveling to and from school, and when the students are on school excursions.
All school uniform must be clearly named so that lost items can be identified.
Jackets and hats can be purchased from the school. Several retail shops stock the entire uniform. The school endeavors to provide pre-loved items at the cheapest possible cost.
Please refer to our Student Dress Code Policy
Recruitment Night Future GSSC Year 7 Students
Studies have shown that students who learn musical instruments tend to achieve more academically. This is why every year we will present an opportunity for Year 7 students to join our Music Program.
The instruments being taught at the school are;
Woodwind; Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto, Tenor and Baritone
Saxophone.
Brass; Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba
Percussion;
Strings; Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Voice & Piano
Parents and students are invited to come and sign up at our Recruitment Night in the GSSC Theatrette 6pm on Monday 27th November. You will be entertained by music students and see all of the instruments and have an opportunity to discuss your child’s musical education with teachers and an industry representative.
Enrolment in the program will take place on the night so if you are interested in the program and cannot make it to the meeting please call me for an information sheet and application form.
Bourchier Street Playgroup
YEAR 6 CANBERRA CAMP Tuesday 28th November - Friday 1st December 2023
Just a reminder to keep up the payments for the Year 6 Canberra Camp via QKR or phone the office to make a payment over the phone.
The Canberra trip is a highlight for the Year 6 students and incorporates many educational activities and some fun experiences such as a pool night, Questacon, rock climbing and a visit to AIS.
Students being dropped off and picked up from School
Please do not pull into either STAFF CAR PARK to drop your children off or pick them up.
The staff car park is out of bounds and choosing to use these areas is endangering
our children.
We have many teachers entering and exiting the car park before and after school, so this is a child free zone.
The Balaclava Rd. child care centre is a private park, so please refrain from parking there.
Kiss & Go
This is designed for parents to pull in, say goodbye to their children and exit within
2 minutes. Parents are not to leave the car. The council will be monitoring time
limits and will issue fines if parents are not adhering to the rules.
Please respect other people’s private driveways, and adhere to parking signage or you may receive a fine.
Thanks so much
A healthy dish to create!
BSPS Breakfast Program - Donations appreciated
Every child is welcome to our Breakfast Program each morning (except Monday), from 8am to 8.40am.
We serve toast, milo & fruit cups for all kids. Something warm just before they go into class during winter, is great for the kids.
This is just a top up, even if they have already had breakfast at home. It is OK for them to come and enjoy the atmosphere with their friends to have just a little more breaky.
Student Absence Using Compass
When your child is absent from school, please log onto the parent portal, COMPASS and enter the absence along with the reason.
You need a username and password which has been distributed to families, but we can easily resend you the logon details by phoning or emailing the front office Bourchier.ps@education.vic.edu.au
Refer to the instructions below
Alert!!! Head Lice
We have had reported cases of students with live head lice so we are asking parents to be vigilant and check your child/ren’s hair.
We do regular checks at Bourchier Street and any child that is found to have live lice, parents/guardians will be contacted for the child to be collected and treated before returning to school. On returning to school the child will be checked again by staff. This is in accordance with school policy.
Children with long hair are required to
have it tied back.
CLEARLY NAMED ITEMS
Please ensure that your child’s, clothes, lunch box, drink bottle and property are CLEARLY named. All named property will be returned to the student in the classroom. Unnamed items will be sent to lost property in the hall foyer.
BYOD
Our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program allows devices to be brought into the school, and connected to our secure network
Our school has an online BYOD portal organised by JB-Hifi where you can access discounted rates on approved devices. THE PASSWORD IS BSPS23
If you would like more information on the program, please visit the BYOD page on our website or open the attached BYOD toolkit for parents.
Compass
Often Bourchier Street communicates to our families via the Compass app, important information of what is happening within the school. Sometimes you are prompted through your email to open important news items. Please make sure your email is up to date, so you do not miss valuable information. Please phone front office 58 213 488 if your email address needs updating. If your child is absent from School, please logon to Compass to document this.
Qkr!
Every family needs to download the Qkr! app which will enable you to pay school payments, purchase hats/jackets, order lunch through the canteen and purchase tickets for special productions etc.
Simply download on your phone and you will see how easy it is to manage!
Before/After school care at BSPS 0447 010 696
community news
Thank you to our supporters!
link for all Bourchier Street school policies
Attached is the updated Parent Payment Arrangement Policy which was approved by School Council.
Child Safe Policy
Bourchier Street Primary School has a zero tolerance of any form of child abuse. The school is committed to acting in children’s best interests. The safety and wellbeing of children at this school is our highest priority. We want children to be safe, happy and empowered.
About Us
Email: bourchier.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Website: bourchierps.vic.edu.au
Location: 1-19 Bourchier Street, Shepparton VIC, Australia
Phone: (03) 5821 3488
Facebook: facebook.com/bourchierps
Twitter: @bourchierps