Balranald Central School, We Street, Balranald NSW 2715 ׀ Phone: (03) 5020 2222 ׀ Fax: (03) 5020 2269 ׀ Email: balranald-c.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.balranald-c.schools.nsw.edu.au

N E W S L E T T E R STUDENT NEWS FROM BALRANALD CENTRAL SCHOOL 24th FEBRUARY 2020 ISSUE 2

Twilight Swimming Carnival On Thursday 13th February, we enjoyed a rather warm but successful Twilight Swimming Carnival. Thank you to all parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles who made the effort to come along and support the children. Thank you once again to our wonderful P&C helpers who provided a delicious BBQ tea for all in attendance.

I N S I D E ___________ • Principal’s

Ponderings (page 2)

• Term 1, 2020

Calendar (page 11) ___________ Notes to be returned to the school’s front office: Medical Information Forms

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Monday, 2nd March

Information and envelopes will be sent

home shortly

Dogs in Schools

Information Session for Parents

Monday, 2nd March at 6pm

in the Library

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PRINCIPAL’S PONDERINGS Our Annual Twilight Swimming Carnival was held last week with a high attendance and participation rate. My thanks to Mrs Linnett, Mr White and all the staff who contributed on the day as well as the many parents and carers that also attended to lend support. Mungo house were dominant in the pool but apparently, the Yanga mob are keen for redemption at the proposed Beach Carnival on Friday 20th March at Lake Benanee. I hope that if the carnival goes ahead, the students, parents and staff will be able to enjoy a day of competition and fun in the sun at this inaugural event. The Parents and Citizens Annual General Meeting was held last week with 12 parents in attendance. Congratulations to the elected office bearers Lisa Dalton, Janelle Dalton and Kristy Helgeland for filling important positions on this committee. The role of treasurer remains unfilled and I encourage anyone with some financial/book-keeping experience to apply for the role so that the P & C can operate effectively. (Please refer to the separate article in this newsletter). It was very encouraging to see so many parents roll up to the first meeting and I urge any new or existing parents who have an interest in enhancing the educational experience of our students to come along to the next meeting. This term at BCS, we are focusing on an “Attitude of Gratitude”. This means making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation in all parts of your life, on a regular basis, for both the big and small things alike. A wise man once said, “If you concentrate on what you have, you'll always have more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you'll never have enough.” We are promoting this attitude at the school during term 1 and our whole school assembly on Wed 18th March will have this as a focus. Even though it is a bit of extra work, I encourage all parents to foster this attitude at home so that our kids can receive the inherent benefits such as mood improvement. There is a belief that having an attitude of gratitude is one of the most impactful habits for a fulfilling and healthy life.

Tomorrow (Tue 25th Feb), Rachel Downie is running a very important workshop with our Year 8-12 girls in the hall. “Bravely” is a program that empowers girls to support one another in a world that is increasingly complex and, at times, risky to negotiate. Rachel will facilitate and encourage open discussion without judgement, providing students with tools to navigate pressures from their peers, family and society. In the evening, Rachel is running a community session called Techno-Power. This program will cover key information for all parents and carers regarding setting boundaries, on screen addiction and cyber wellness. Techno-Power starts at 7pm in the Ex-Servicemen’s Club Auditorium, and is a community initiative and is not just restricted to BCS parents-so bring a friend! The BCS Photo day will be on Monday 2nd March. Please ensure that your child is in full school uniform on this day. My thanks in advance to Mrs Matarazzo for coordinating this day. The Balranald Engagement and Achievement Register (BEAR) scores will be out on Thu 5th March for all students in Years 7-12. These scores are a snapshot of how students are progressing in each of their subjects. Scores will be published on school notice boards and if parents would like to find out their child’s BEAR score please contact Admin. We will be having a dog at school in order to promote student wellbeing. Our school dog is called Nala and is an 8 month old Tibetan Mastiff. She will be used in a classroom setting in order to calm fears, relieve anxiety and teach skills. For more news regarding Dogs in Schools”, there is an information session being run by Mr White on Monday 2nd March at 6pm in the Library at BCS-all welcome.

Gus Comi

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All community members are invited to attend

“Getting your Techno Power back!”

Tuesday 25th February 7pm-8.30pm

Balranald Ex-Servicemen's Club Auditorium

Balranald Central School is very excited to have organised this session lead by Rachel Downie founder of Stymie. We open the session with our school celebrating our Stymie agreement “standing together” against bullying and anti-social behaviours. We then head into Rachel’s much needed and very important parent session on gaining control over the screens in our lives, our children’s lives and in our homes. As a parent it is difficult to know where the line is and how to keep our children safe on line and when engaging in “screen time”. Rachel is here to help! The session will cover key information for all parents on setting boundaries, looking at screen addiction behaviours, enhancing cyber wellness – along with key messages around safety behaviours on-line, what to look for and how to manage this as a parent . Please note due to the content covered Rachel has requested that children not attend this session – this is very much an adult/parent session. Come and learn with us how to get your Techno power back and enhance cyber safety in your own home. Bring a friend – we can’t wait to see you there!

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Monday, 24 February 2020 Issue 2 – Term 1 – Week 5 BCS Band Our BCS Band had their first official "gig" on Thursday 20th Feb. They performed as part of the Senior Citizens Week celebrations at the Theatre Royal. They all did an exceptional job. A special mention to Amelia Gibson for performing her first ever solo, and Matthew McIvor Kepa debuted with his song "You ain't Country." This was a

fantastic experience for our students and we thank the Balranald Shire Council for the opportunity.

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TWILIGHT SWIMMING CARNIVAL CHAMPIONS 2020

Primary Junior Girl Champion – Sienna Comitti Runner Up Primary Junior Girl Champion – Makenna Hull

Primary Intermediate Girl Champion – Alayna Dalton Runner Up Primary Intermediate Girl Champion – Ellie Finch

Primary Senior Girl Champion – Rhiannon Lanteri Runner Up Primary Senior Girl Champion – Sheridan Dalton

Primary Junior Boy Champion – Lucas Paton Runner Up Primary Junior Boy Champion – Chase Riedy

Primary Intermediate Boy Champion – Jed Paton Runner Up Primary Intermediate Boy Champion – Billy Renfrey

Primary Senior Boy Champion – Kadison Dalton Runner Up Primary Senior Boy Champion – Leo Gaston

House Points Mungo 676 Yanga 405

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TWILIGHT SWIMMING CARNIVAL CHAMPIONS 2020

Secondary Sub-Junior Girl Champion – Prue Harper Runner Up Secondary Sub-Junior Girl Champion – Helaina Alderuccio

Secondary Junior Girl Champion – Charlie Ross Runner Up Secondary Junior Girl Champion – Shelley Dalton

Secondary Senior Girl Champion – Macy Lloyd Runner Up Secondary Senior Girl Champion – Faith Jolliffe

Secondary Sub-Junior Boy Champion – Harry Ross Runner Up Secondary Sub-Junior Boy Champion – Jack Lowe

Secondary Junior Boy Champion – Aiden McIntyre Runner Up Secondary Junior Boy Champion – Rylan Dalton

Secondary Senior Boy Champion – Drew Lloyd Runner Up Secondary Senior Boy Champion – Mason Dalton

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TWILIGHT SWIMMING CARNIVAL

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Monday, 24 February 2020 Issue 2 – Term 1 – Week 5

TWILIGHT SWIMMING CARNIVAL

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P & C - URGENT MESSAGE

Welcome to the 2020 School year. On Tuesday night 18th February, the Balranald Central P&C held their Annual General Meeting. All positions were declared vacant. The following positions were filled:

President – Lisa Dalton

Vice-President – Kristy Helgeland

Secretary – Janelle Dalton

However – our very valued and important role of Treasurer remains unfilled

The P & C would like to say a special thank you to Glenda Redpath who has filled the role of Treasurer for over 7 years! It is time for someone else to step up. Is that person YOU?

The P&C cannot function without a treasurer! The Canteen cannot operate without a treasurer!

(OH NO!!!)

What does our P & C do? The P&C is about people – people just like you – parents, caregivers and community minded people who want to help their school! We work very closely with our school, helping both students and teachers in any way we can. Why join the Balranald Central School’s Parents & Citizens Association? Joining the P&C is one of the best ways to show your children how much you value their education and how interested you are in what they do! Please contact Lisa on 0428 995 489, Kristy 0419 826 582 or Janelle on 0409 201 761.

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Week 5 B

24 FEBRUARY Exec meeting

25 Bravely Session – Years 7-10

Girls

26

27

28 K-12 Sports Day

Week 6 A

2 MARCH Exec meeting Secondary Swimming Riverina School Photos Dogs in Schools information

session @ 6pm in Library

3

4

5

6 K-12 Sports Day

Week 7 B

9 MARCH Exec meeting

10

11 PSSA Swimming Riverina

12

13 K-12 Sports Day

Week 8 A

16 MARCH Exec meeting Harmony Week

17

18 Whole School Assembly

19

20 K-12 Sports Day

Week 9 B

23 MARCH Exec meeting

24

25 26

27 K-12 Sports Day

Week 10 A

30 MARCH Exec meeting

31

1 APRIL

2

3 K-12 Sports Day

Week 11 B

6 APRIL Exec meeting

7 8

9 Easter Hat Parade

10 Good Friday

Italic: K-Yr 6 Normal: Yr 7-12 Bold: K-Yr 12

CANTEEN Thursday, 27th Feb Special Creamy Chicken Pasta $5

TERM ONE - 2020 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday