The Buzz
Term 4 Week 4 2024

News and updates from 

Botany Public School

Regular school attendance is essential for both student learning and wellbeing. Coming to school consistently helps children build strong routines, which promote stability and confidence. When students attend regularly, they not only keep up with their lessons but also feel more connected to their classmates and teachers, fostering a sense of belonging and security. Developing this steady routine early on supports academic success and personal growth, setting students up for a positive school experience. Thank you for prioritising your child’s attendance—it truly makes a difference!

Wearing the school uniform is an important part of building pride and a sense of belonging within our school community. It also ensures students are easily identifiable and dressed appropriately for learning. A reminder that school hats are a key part of our uniform and essential for sun safety—students are expected to wear their hats at every playtime to protect them from harmful UV rays. Please ensure all uniform items, especially hats and jackets, are clearly labelled with your child’s name to prevent loss. Thank you for helping reinforce the importance of wearing our school uniform each day!

This Friday, we’re excited to celebrate Vanessa Cahill, our dedicated school counsellor, in honour of School Counsellor and School Psychologist Recognition Day. This year’s theme, "Little Moments, Lasting Change," beautifully captures the heart of the work our counsellors and psychologists do each day. Through moments of listening, understanding, and connection, Vanessa has supported our students, families, and staff in recognising their strengths, addressing their needs, and building resilience.

Vanessa, we are incredibly grateful for your skills, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. Thank you for all you do to support our school community.

Thursday 7 November: Remembrance Day Assembly 2pm

Friday 8 November: Piano Club (JWH 8:30am)

Thursday 14 November: SRC Mufti Day

Thursday 14 November: Kindergarten Orientation 1 (JWH 9:30 -11am)

Tuesday 19 November: End of Year Concert

Wednesday 20 November: P&C Canteen Day

Thursday 21 November: Kindergarten Orientation 2 (JWH 9:30 - 11)

Wednesday 27 November: Volunteer Afternoon Tea (Library 2pm)

Wednesday 27 November: Year 6 Jamberoo Excursion

Tuesday 3 December: P&C Meeting (Library)

Thursday 5 December: Presentation Day (JWH 9 - 11am)

Friday 6 December: Piano Club (JWH 8:30am)

Friday 6 December: P&C Christmas Markets

Thursday 12 December: Year 6 Farewell (JWH 5 - 7:30pm)

Monday 16 December: Whole School Picnic (Booralee Park)

Tuesday 17 December: Reports go home (Email and Parent Portal)

Wednesday: 18 December: Last day for students

Thursday 19 December: School Development Day (Staff only)

2025

Friday 31 January: School Development Day (Staff only)

Monday 3 February: School Development Day (Staff only)

Tuesday 4 February: School Development Day (Staff only)

Wednesday 5 February: School Development Day (Staff only) 

Thursday 6 February: School resumes for Y1-6 students

Thursday 6 & Friday 7 February: Kindergarten Best Start

Monday 10 February: First day for Kindergarten students

There have been some changes to Term 1 start dates for 2025, please see the diary dates above.

Botany PS Remembrance Day assembly will take place in the Johnny Warren Hall on Thursday 7 November at 2pm. All community members are welcome to attend this service.

From 2025, the placement tests for selective high schools and opportunity classes will move from single version paper-based tests to computer-based tests.

Applications will be open each year from November to February (the following year) for both selective high school and opportunity class placement. Parents and carers will still apply online using the Selective high school and opportunity class placement application website.

Applications for selective high school and opportunity class entry in 2026 will be open from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025. There will be no late applications due to the longer application period, and the application closing date being closer to the test dates and logistical constraints around organising test centres and devices.

This change to the application period means that parents and carers will now need to apply for opportunity class placement when their child is in Year 3 (or by the end of Week 4, Term 1 when their child is in Year 4). This change applies to students currently in Year 3. For selective high school placement, parents and carers will continue to apply when their child is in Year 5 and can now apply when their child is in year 6 until the end of Week 4, Term 1.

Please visit the DET website for more information https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools

Operation Art is an initiative of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in association with the New South Wales Department of Education. 50 artworks were selected to be displayed in The Art Gallery of NSW along with a small handful of other artworks to be displayed in a range of important organisations and offices in NSW. 

Of the two artworks chosen from our school to be submitted into the Operation Art program, one artwork was selected to be displayed at the Office of the Children’s Guardian. Congratulations to our Stage 3 students Aurelle D (Year 6) and Ivory J (Year 5) for their artwork 'Dark in the Deep Sea' for being selected.

We are proud of all students who participated in the Operation Art program this year and congratulate Aurelle and Ivory for their amazing artwork being selected and displayed at the Office of the Children’s Guardian.

Ms Gable

Tomorrow, we're excited to welcome Martin from School Bands Australia to give a live demonstration of various instruments that students might enjoy learning as part of the Botany Public School Band. This opportunity is open to students in Years 3-6 and registrations for the 2025 band program will open following the demonstration.

In week 6, on Tuesday, 19th November, Botany Public School will be hosting our End of Year Concert. The theme this year is Animal Kingdom, and each dance item will be based around animals. More information about class costumes will be provided however, please note it is anticipated that costume items will be easily found at home, for example all black, denim etc. We look forward to an exciting evening of performances! 

Tickets are selling fast and there are now limited seats available. Please follow the link below to purchase your tickets.

https://www.thejuniors.com.au/product/botany-public-school 

Congratulations to all of the students and staff who completed this year's Premier's Sporting Challenge. 

The Premier's Sporting Challenge is to encourage students to participate in more physical activity more often. In Term 3, The teachers at Botany Public School encouraged all students to engage in as much activity as possible, with exercise at school and at home being counted in their log books.

We are proud to announce that we have successfully completed the challenge with all classes receiving 'gold' awards or higher. Each student who participated in the challenge will receive their personalised award toward the end of Term 4.

Well done Botany Public School!

Ms Gable

This year, students from Grades 2 to 6 were invited to participate in the highly competitive ICAS competitions. These assessments gave students the opportunity to test their skills and knowledge in various academic areas. We are proud of all the students who took on this challenge.

Special congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performance:

High Distinction (Top 1% in Australia):

• Leanna - Science

Distinction (Top 10% in Australia)

• Nia - English and Science
• Aidan L- English and Science
• Sam - English 
• Leanna - Mathematics

Well done to all participants for their hard work and commitment to learning!

Laura Dowsetthill - Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction

Last week Leo E. and Ivory J. represented the Sydney East Regional team at the NSW PSSA State Athletics Championship. Both students worked incredibly hard and we are so proud of their efforts! Leo competed in the Junior boys multi-class 100m, 200m, 800m and shot put. After a brilliant 800m run, Leo is through to Nationals! Ivory competed in high jump and after jumping 1.30m, placed an impressive 19^th out of about 40 competitors. Congratulations Leo and Ivory!

Shannon Bligh 

We warmly welcome parents and grandparents from our community who have been involved at our school in any capacity this year, to attend the annual ‘Parent Helper - Thank You Afternoon Tea’ to be held on Wednesday 20 November from 1pm in the school library.

We would love to see you all there to thank you for being part of our wonderful community.

Students participating in PSSA Sport depart school at approximately 9.30am Friday. Please make sure students wear full uniform including a school hat and bring a drink bottle. 

Please note if you place a lunch order for your child they can pick it up from the office when they get back at 12.30pm.

The next P&C meeting will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday 5 November in the school library from 6.30pm - 8pm.

We are seeking a volunteer to play Santa at our Christmas markets! if you are interested or know anyone who is, please contact the P&C at botanypublicschool@pandcaffiliate.com.au 

Contact the P&C for more details bpspcmarketstall@gmail.com