BPS Newsletter 2025 Term 1 Week 7
Principal's Report
Happy International Women's Day
Happy International Women's Day to all our amazing Brooky girls, mums, sisters, aunties and grandmas! We are so lucky to have so many positive female role models on our staff and in our community. Our girls can do anything!
In the library this week, under the inspiring guidance of Mrs Murphy-Haste, students looked at texts from a female perspective in acknowledgement of International Women's Day. Students in Stage 1 reviewed 'Stellarphant' which tells the story of of an elephant fighting sexism and prejudice in the space industry while students in Stage 3 analysed the text 'Piggybook' using a feminist perspective.
Thank you to Mr Murphy-Haste for inspiring the next generation of strong, independent and brave Brooky women and respectful, enlightened men.
NAPLAN
Our Year 3 and 5 students have been completing the NAPLAN assessments this week. I have been really impressed by their application and desire to achieve their personal best in each assessment. It was heart warming to see some of our students writing words of encouragement on each other's desks before the first test on Wednesday. You have to love Brooky kids! A huge thank you to all of our staff for their wonderful preparation and behind the scenes organisation that has allowed our students to shine.
Whole School Sentence Structure and Grammar Focus
Students and teachers have been hard at work over the last fortnight working towards our whole school goal of improving sentence level grammar and punctuation. Last week teachers engaged in professional learning aimed at developing a whole school approach to the teaching of sentence construction. The focus of the learning was on describing grammar in terms of groups of words rather than at a 'parts of speech', individual word level.
Staff worked on developing a colour coding system to be used with students to support a consistent language for all students, that they can use to describe the different parts of a sentence.
Staff looked at coding noun groups (the who or the what) red, verb groups (what's happening) green and adverbials (the how, why, where, when, to what extent) blue.
For example:
As the dim light seeped through the pains of the ancient window the ancient man with the flickering candle clambered uneasily up the crooked staircase.
The approach draws students' attention to the need use adverbials in different parts of the sentence to enhance the reader's understanding of what is happening and to improve the writer's description of the the 'who' or 'what' the sentence is about.
It also allows students to see the benefit of including dependent adverbial clauses - 'As the dim light seeped through the pains of the ancient window' - and expanded noun groups - 'the ancient man with the flickering candle' to enhance their writing at the sentence level.
Teachers have been trialling this system in classes across the school over the last fortnight and students have been responding by producing some amazing sentences, some of which you can see below. It was also great to see students across the school showing their learning within their responses to the NAPLAN writing task on Wednesday.
Student Voice though the SRC
Our Student Representative Council for 2025 got underway this week. 2G, 4D and 5T put forth three motions to the council. Students spoke for and against each idea and two of the ideas were passed. As a result of the motions passed, the SRC will now look at organising a sausage sizzle to raise money to fund bird houses for our school gardens and to fund future projects.
The SRC is also running a garden clean up day on Tuesday next week. All students can participate at lunchtime. Students should BYO gardening gloves. See the flyer below for details.
Our Bands are Sounding Great
Our band program is going from strength to strength. This year we have the most students participating across our Concert and Training Bands that we have had in some time. Some 45 students are now learning an instrument through the band program, that's one in every six students in the school! With a new injection of students in both Year 3 and Year 5 our band program is reaching new heights under the very capable stewardship of Miss Raylie-Anne Baldock.
I enjoyed a stirring rendition of Hot Cross Buns from the Training Band yesterday at lunchtime. I was super impressed with their progress in such a short time. Our Senior Band will be performing at our whole school assembly in week 9.
Zone Swimming Carnival
A reminder that the Zone Swimming Carnival will take place at Warringah Aquatic Centre this Wednesday 19 March. Congratulations to all students who will represent Brookvale at the carnival; we are very proud of all your efforts!
Students will meet Miss Kovacs at the Aquatic Centre in their swimming costume with their sport uniform over the top at 8.40am. Miss Kovacs will provide Brookvale team swim caps on arrival. Parents are welcome to drop their children off or stay for the races, please note a $4.20 spectator fee is needed to come into the centre. Parents may also pick their children up after their races are finished- a sign out sheet will be with Miss Kovacs. Pick up for remaining students will be at 2.25pm from the Aquatic Centre.
Please see the attached student race lists. Unfortunately there is no program available currently as it is still being created. Races will be run from 9am starting with the Individual Medley. All students need to be at the carnival for the beginning of the day. If your child is unwell and unable to make it to the carnival on the day, please email Miss Kovacs in the morning so she can let the organisers know (natalie.kovacs1@det.nsw.edu.au)
We wish all of our students representing the school at the Manly Zone Swimming Carnival at Warringah Aquatic Centre on Wednesday all the very best. I know they will all be striving for their personal bests. Go Brooky!
P&C Trivia Night is Fast Approaching - Get Your Tickets!
Our P&C Trivia Night is just a fortnight away. Get your friends together for a table or just come along and join a table for a great night out. It promises to be a great night out! Let's get behind our amazing P&C, have a great night out and raise some money for our students.
- Date: Saturday 22nd March
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: School Hall
- Tickets: $25 per person or Table of 10 for $200
- Book your tickets here
What's been happening in our classrooms?
There has been a focus on measurement in our younger grades this week. Kindergarten students have been busy exploring concepts surrounding measuring length using informal units of measurement while Stage 1 have began to look at different units of measurement. Students used sticks and MAB blocks to investigate why certain units are better for measuring than others.
In phonics, Stage 1 students have been looking at how they would could know whether to use the 'd' or the 'double d' when attempting to spell unknown words. In writing, stage 1 students have been developing their understanding of sentence level grammar, with a focus on using adverbials to add description to an action. This will be useful in the next few days as students embark on writing their narratives, which they have been busy planning using story maps.
Stage 2 have been working hard to identify the different parts of a sentence, including the noun group, verb group and adverbials. The stage has been keen to make their writing more descriptive by adding lots of adverbials and improving their writing through peer feedback.
Year 3 was super exciting to meet Australian Olympic gymnast Georgia Goodwin at their gymnastics lesson on Tuesday. Poor Gorgia is still injured after her sustaining an injury just before the last Olympics so she wasn't able to show off her moves but she did manage to sign a lot of autographs. Thank you to Georgia for inspiring the next generation of Olympians.
Year 4 have been working hard in weekly spelling groups. This week, students focused on reading and spelling words containing k, k, q, ck, x and ch and identifying the sounds made by these graphemes within a word. Students also looked into how to correctly use the prefix 'ex' to imply 'outside of' or 'no longer'.
5K has been doing some very interesting work in mathematics and writing this week. In maths, students analysed their own assessment data to make choices about what they needed to improve on prior to NAPLAN. Students identified 'using multiple ways to solve multiplications problems' as an area that needed some work. Students challenged themselves to learn how to use a ratio table to solve more challenging problems and also taught each other and their teacher some methods of their own. 5K have also been working on actioning their explicit learning during quick write tasks. You can see some of their pieces below.
Stage 3 have been learning that their background knowledge and clues from the text can be used to make inferences and deepen their understanding of texts when reading. Inspired by the their English texts, The Wild Robot and The Iron Man, students have started creating robot sculptures using a variety of different metal objects. In history, students have been researching and presenting in small groups the reasons for the development of the Australian colonies after 1800.
Worker of the Week
Our Worker of the Week is the amazing Soirise in KF who did an amazing job investigating the areas of different beds to find the best fitting bed for each of the Goldilocks' three bears. Well done Soirise; it's nice to know that those bears are tucked up tight in perfectly sized beds and won't be waking up any time soon!
Other School News
Harmony Day
Harmony Week is next week with Harmony Day falling on Friday 21 March. Harmony Week is a time to celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity Australia has. Brookvale Public School will be celebrating on Wednesday Week 9 (26 March). More details to come in next week's newsletter.
Office News
Reminder: Submission of Required Forms
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted the forms listed below. If you have not yet done so, could you kindly submit them at your earliest convenience:
- Permission to Publish
- Third Party Software Consent
- Digital Devices and Online Services Procedures 2025
Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated!
Thank you again for your cooperation.
If you are not receiving school emails, please check your spam folder. Should you have any further queries please feel free to contact me at the office.
Brooky Pride Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have received Brooky pride Merit Awards. These student's achievement will be acknowledged in the next school assembly.
| Kindergarten | Abdul A, Ella A, kai T, Letisha T, Bella D, Ryan C |
| Stage 1 | Cleo M, Darcy Y, Jack K, Max L, Aimee W, Florence W, Spencer W, Jasper G, Axel I, Ava A, Amethea R, Stefan R |
| Stage 2 | Keira F, Luana S, Keira F, Liam C, Sophia OH, Johnny W, Riya S, Jasmin L, Ted C |
| Stage 3 | Jack D, Thomas H, Sophie R, Kyedan S, Farinah S, Ben U, Ayka CE, Levi M, Luis L, Ava L |
Respect, responsibility, Personal Best and Bronze Awards
P&C News
Join us for our P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Join us for our P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)
New Date: Tuesday 01 April (previously scheduled on 25 March)
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
We would LOVE to see you at the P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)! This is a great opportunity to show your support for our school, meet other parents, and learn more about how the P&C makes a difference.
During the AGM, all P&C positions will be declared vacant, and we welcome everyone to get involved - whether as a member, volunteer, executive team member, or sub-committee participant. If you’re interested (and even if you can't attend the AGM), simply fill out this online form.
We believe in the saying “many hands make light work”, so don’t worry if you’re unsure about taking on a formal role, there are plenty of ways to help, big or small! Many roles can also be shared with others, making it easier and more fun to be involved. We’ve outlined different roles here so you can see how you might like to get involved.
Did you know?
- The P&C raises $25,000–$30,000 each year to support our school.
- Our 2025 fundraising goal is to fund a sheltered area in the car park, House flags for sports carnivals, and a new sick bay bed.
- Our P&C is made up of a small group of parent volunteers who want to make a difference for our children. We would love to get more people involved—even in a small way!
How to Get Involved
- Become a P&C Member – Register via this link (membership is just $2 per year).
- Stay Connected – Follow us on Facebook for updates: facebook.com/brookvalepspandc
- Learn More – Read our P&C Handbook or email us with any questions (pc@gmail.com)
The P&C is your voice in our school community. By joining in, you help create a stronger, more connected school for our children. We can’t wait to see you at the AGM and please spread the word!
Trivia Night on Saturday 22 March
- Date: Saturday 22nd March
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: School Hall
- Tickets: $25 per person or Table of 10 for $200
- Book your tickets here
Get ready for a fun-filled Trivia Night with exciting questions, great prizes, and plenty of laughs!
- Dress to Impress – Wear traditional attire from any country for a chance to win best-dressed prizes!
- Enjoy a taste of Tibet – Three delicious dumplings included with your ticket, lovingly prepared by our wonderful Tibetan families
- BYO food & drinks – If bringing alcohol, please drink responsibly.
- Adults only – This is your chance to unwind and enjoy a great night out—leave the little ones at home!
- Secure your spot by Tuesday, 18th March!
If you are booking individual tickets and want to sit with friends or parents from the same year, email us with your seating request.
Don't miss out on a fantastic night of trivia, fun, and cultural flair while supporting our school!
Football Parking Volunteering
We are fortunate to be in close proximity to Brookvale Oval. During the Manly Sea Eagles home games, the P&C utilises the school car park for fundraising by charging the general public for parking spots. This stands as a significant fundraising initiative for the school and is an easily accessible volunteering opportunity.
Each parking event requires 3 to 4 parent volunteers for 1h30 hours max (the car park is usually full within 45 minutes!). Tasks include collecting entry fees and directing cars to how and where to park. All instructions will be sent by text message prior to your shift (it’s all very easy!).
It is a valuable way for all parents to help the school and meet fellow parents at the same time.
To thank you for your time, you will get a free entry (general admission) to a Manly Sea Eagles home game of your choice.
Please visit our website to sign up to your preferred date.
The next date we need volunteers for is Sunday 23 March from 4.30pm to 6pm
Uniform Shop – Next Opening Date & Donations
The next P&C second-hand uniform shop will be open on Wednesday 26th March from 8.15am to 9am. It is accessible from the main car park and the pricelist is available on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/BrookvalePSPandC
If you cannot make it to the uniform shop, please send an email with what you are after and if available, we will leave your order at the school office for you to pick up and we will send you a link to pay online.
Donations to the uniform shop are also greatly appreciated. We encourage parents who have good quality uniforms their children have outgrown to drop off their items anytime at the school office or directly at the shop during opening hours.
Save the date: P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)
New Date: Tuesday 01 April (previously scheduled on 25 March)
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
We would LOVE to see you at the P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)! This is a great opportunity to show your support for our school, meet other parents, and learn more about how the P&C makes a difference.
During the AGM, all P&C positions will be declared vacant, and nominations will be accepted prior to or on the night. We’ll be sharing more details about the roles and application process next week—but there’s absolutely no pressure to take on a role, we promise! Whether you want to take an active position or just stay informed, everyone is welcome, and every little bit helps.
Did you know?
- The P&C raises $25,000–$30,000 each year to support our school.
- Our 2025 fundraising goal is to fund a sheltered area in the car park, House flags for sports carnivals, and a new sick bay bed.
- Our P&C is made up of a small group of parent volunteers who want to make a difference for our children. We would love to get more people involved—even in a small way!
How to Get Involved
- Become a P&C Member – Register via this link (membership is just $2 per year).
- Stay Connected – Follow us on Facebook for updates: facebook.com/brookvalepspandc
- Learn More – Read our P&C Handbook or email us with any questions (pc@gmail.com)
The P&C is your voice in our school community. By joining in, you help create a stronger, more connected school for our children. We can’t wait to see you at the AGM and please spread the word!
Join us for a Working Bee Day on Saturday 5 April
We're excited to announce our Working Bee Day on Saturday 5th April, and we invite you to join us for this meaningful event.
This day is a fantastic opportunity for our community to unite and enhance our school grounds. We'll focus on gardening tasks like weeding and landscaping, creating a vibrant space for our students. Plus, we'll cook up a delicious sausage sizzle to thank our hardworking volunteers.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday 5th April 2025
- Time: 12 pm to 3 pm
- Location: Brookvale Public School
Tasks for the day include:
- Gardening: Weeding and tending to flower beds.
- Landscaping: Enhancing outdoor areas, planting new greenery, etc.
- Cooking: Preparing a delicious sausage sizzle for all volunteers.
No prior experience needed; instructions provided on-site. All ages and skill levels welcome. Your participation is invaluable!
Please confirm attendance by signing up here
Spread the word to friends, family, and neighbours! The more hands, the merrier, leaving a lasting impact on our school community.
Thank you for your participation. We can't wait to see you at Brookvale Public School on Saturday 5th April.
Birthday Shout Out!
Wishing a happy birthday to all our students celebrating next week!