The Buzz
Term 4 Week 2 2024

News and updates from 

Botany Public School

Welcome back to school after a well-deserved spring break! As we dive into Term 4, we are looking forward to an exciting and productive finish to the year. With fresh energy and focus, we’ll be working together on some fantastic projects and preparing for end-of-year celebrations.

Last term, I had the pleasure of hosting a special Principal’s Morning Tea, where I spent time with students who truly exemplified our school’s aspirations. These students have shown dedication, kindness, and a positive attitude, making them wonderful role models for their peers. Together, we snuck into the staffroom, where we enjoyed a variety of delicious treats, including a homemade hedgehog slice, which was a big hit. It was a lovely opportunity to connect with these students and celebrate their achievements in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. I look forward to our next Principal's Morning Tea at the end of the year.

Last term, Stage 2 had a fantastic time learning about dingoes as part of their English unit on Wandi. At the end of the unit, each student wrote me a heartfelt letter, urging us to sponsor a dingo at the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary. In their letters, they highlighted the important role dingoes play in maintaining Australia’s ecosystem. You can read some of their impressive work on display in the school office. Some representatives from Stage 2 will be taking their fundraising ideas to our SRC to try to persuade them to support this wonderful charity.  

This term, we’ve updated our school awards system to align with our new aspirations and rules. Friday awards will now recognise students who exemplify our school aspirations in their daily actions. In addition, students who apply our school rules to navigate challenging situations may now receive a School Rule Award, which can be given by any staff member at any time. Finally, our Achievement Awards, presented during assemblies to celebrate outstanding learning, have received a much-needed design refresh.  

As we approach World Teachers' Day on Friday 25 October, I would like to to celebrate the remarkable expertise and dedication of our teachers, whose skill and passion shape the lives of our students every day. Your knowledge, care, and unwavering commitment to education are deeply appreciated. A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful P&C for providing a special morning tea for the staff to enjoy. 

Students have had an exciting start to the term as they watch Sam, our talented professional artist, bring our new courtyard mural to life. Sam has worked closely with the P&C and sought valuable input from our Student Representative Council (SRC) to design a piece that beautifully showcases the unique local flora and fauna that make Botany PS so special. A huge thank you to our P&C for their incredible fundraising efforts that made this mural possible, and a special thanks to Aasa for spearheading this wonderful project! 

Thursday 24 October: P&C Canteen (Afternoon tea)

Friday 25 October: World Teacher's Day

Friday 25 October: PSSA Summer Sport begins

Tuesday 29th October: P&C Meeting (Library)

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 resumes for Y1-6 students

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday 5 February: Kindergarten Best Start

Thursday 6 February: Kindergarten half day (9:30 - 11:30am)

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. Tickets will be available to purchase through The Juniors Kingsford website next week and the link to tickets will be provided to the community at this time. 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! 

Last term, our Public Speaking finalists visited Eastlakes Public School to compete in the regional competition. Congratulations to all our students who participated, and a special mention to Constance E., who won her competition with an outstanding impromptu speech on overcoming her fears.

Constance will now proudly represent Botany Public School at the Metropolitan South and South-West Public Speaking Grand Final, to be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Berala Public School.

We are pleased to see more of our students choosing to ride their bikes to school! As a reminder, bike racks are available near Johnny Warren Hall for those who wish to ride bikes or scooters to school.

Please note that students bringing bikes or scooters are required to wear helmets in accordance with NSW laws. Additionally, we kindly ask that all students dismount at the school gates and walk their bikes or scooters through our busy school grounds to ensure everyone's safety.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be welcoming local preschools to visit Botany Public School, giving students an early glimpse of life at 'big school'. Last week, we were excited to host All Stars Preschool, and soon we look forward to visits from John Brotchie Preschool, Hippos Friends, and Botany Bay Preschools. During their visit, students will spend time in our school library with Ms. Doherty, our current Kindergarten teacher, where they’ll enjoy a chat about starting school and share a story or two. We hope these visits will help next year’s Kindergarten students feel safe, confident, and excited about their transition into school life.  

A huge congratulations to Joss Q and his family who recently received their Australian citizenship at a Bayside Council ceremony. 

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 P&C are holding a canteen day at recess (1.35 - 2pm), donations of baked goods are greatly appreciated.

If you are able to help on the day, please sign up here https://volunteersignup.org/PKWBR

Special thanks to Richard for organising the custom aprons too - they were a very nice touch!

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

Recently, we posted on our social about an exciting new project underway in the school courtyard. Our students, as well as some of the parents and community, may have seen the progress and met our wonderful mural artist, Sam, who cheekily tricked the kids with initial doodles and sketches before the real outlining began. He's been fabulous with students asking questions and sharing the process with the school community. We hope you are all as excited as we are to see the final result! 

We’re celebrating the last term of the year, in true TeamKids style! 🤩

Get ready for non-stop FUN with the most EPIC events and activities.

Join the adventure TODAY! Book NOW - www.teamkids.com.au/venues