Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome
Welcome to this edition of our newsletter. I trust our Banksia families had an enjoyable and relaxing break and are ready for a busy but celebratory Term 4. Traditionally, this term is a hectic one as teachers work to finalize assessments for the year as well as plan culminating events for their class and year level. Please, in the weeks ahead, make sure you keep up with any developments by reading our emails, social media posts and teacher messages published on their platforms as we do not wish to have any students, parents or community members missing any opportunities to celebrate our achievements.
Parent Teacher Interviews
During this week, we have commenced parent teacher interviews. We have not scheduled specific times for these as we understand the need for flexibility for all involved at this time. If you have not scheduled a time and you wish to have an interview, please contact your child’s teacher directly or leave a message at the office.
Teacher Learning
Last week, we had teachers visit from Mt Kilcoy to observe the way we plan our curriculum and the pedagogy we use to ensure student achievement. These teachers were highly impressed with both the standard of teaching and learning in our classrooms and the willingness of our staff to share their experiences and their resources. We are very proud of the high-quality work that we do at Banksia and it is great to be able to share this with other state schools. Thank you, Mrs Stewart, Mrs Thorburn and our teachers for providing this learning opportunity.
Education Week
Week 4 of this term is Education Week and Banksia Beach State School will be conducting a variety of special events to celebrate this. During this time, we will have our school reading and maths challenges as well as performances by our bands, choirs and dance troupes. Please stay up to date with any messages about these and other exciting events during this week.
End of Year Awards and Badges
As the end of this year draws upon us, many students look forward to celebrating their achievements through awards and other forms of recognition. One example of this is our student badges and these can be achieved in the areas of Sport, Performing Arts, Academics, Citizenship, Attendance and Behaviour. If your student is eligible for one of these badges, or requires their badge to be updated, please ensure this procedure is completed in the coming weeks. If badges are left until later in the term we cannot guarantee that they will be returned until the new school year.
Students in Years 1 to 6 will also be eligible for Gold and Silver Academic Awards based upon their semester two report card.
A gold award will be presented to students who achieve an ‘A’ in both English and Maths and a minimum of another three ‘A’s in other key learning areas.
A silver award will be presented to students who achieve:
1. An ‘A’ in either English or Maths and at least three other A’s
2. A ‘B’ in English and a ‘B’ in Maths and at least three other A’s
3. An ‘A’ in English and an ‘A’ in Maths and only two other A’s.
These awards will be presented at the sector awards ceremonies in Week 9 along with class awards for Most Improved, Citizenship, Maths and English.
2022 School Leaders
The process for determining our 2022 school leaders has commenced and those students interested will have been provided with the appropriate forms to complete. This process will continue until school leaders are announced at the end of the term and will coincide with the Year 6 graduation ceremonies.
School Uniforms
Since our return from holidays it has been observed that students are wearing a variety of nonuniform items to school. Please reinforce to your students the need to wear the correct uniform at all times (including black shoes) as it reflects our school values and identifies us to the community as Team Banksia. Formal uniform is required on Parade days and for awards ceremonies, excursions and formal events. If there is some financial hardship that impacts upon your family and the purchase of the correct uniform, please contact the office.
Out Of School Hours Care
Students are not supervised on school grounds until after 8.15am each day. If families require students to be at school prior to this time, it is highly recommended that they attend our out of school hours care program. For more details regarding our out of school hours care provider please contact the Coordinator of the service directly on mobile 0448 080 489, or by email at banksiabeach@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au or the Helping Hands Help Desk on email: accounts@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au or phone (07) 5390 0500.