Prep Refurbishment

Our prep refurbishment has now been completed. Last year we secured funding through the school enhancement Program and work has been occurring over the last 6 months. We have been working to relocate our prep classes back to these modern classrooms ready to commence learning from this coming Monday 10th March. These classrooms have had a full make over from head to toe and are amazing learning spaces for our youngest students. Prep families are reminded to collect their child from the Prep Block situated on Bedford Street from Monday afternoon.

P&C AGM Meeting

We are currently anticipating to hold our 2025 P&C AGM on Tuesday 11th March, pending financial auditing documents are returned in time. We encourage new family members to come along in join our hard-working team of volunteers.

NAPLAN

Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will sit NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, over a 9-day block from Wednesday 12th March – Monday 24th March of this year. This year all testing will occur online except Year 3 writing.

All students in Years 3 and 5 at our school who do not qualify for an exemption will sit the tests.

Just like a routine school event, NAPLAN test days at Berserker Street State School are well organised and provide support for those who require it. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that they are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.

NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or ‘domains’) of:

· reading

· writing

· language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)

· numeracy

NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum, beginning in the Prep year of learning. Concepts are taught from the start of each school year and embedded into class weekly Literacy and Numeracy lessons.

Attendance

Missing school means missing out! Your child’s academic learning and social groups are highly impacted by being away from school consistently.

At Berserker Street State School, we have been working towards improving our culture that promotes learning with a focus on key work of our commitment to Better & Brighter Every Day and we are now moving to a key area of well-being and engagement.

We know that regular school attendance is an essential requirement for student learning.

Remember - we are here to help and work with you. I encourage you to contact us today on 49 990 333 if you require further support or information. Our school offers multiple supports to help remove barriers to your child attending school which is inclusive of providing food, school supplies, connections with health services and uniform items to name a few. There are school staff available to support you with improving your child’s regular attendance and to also support your family. We can also refer you to external agencies if this is needed.

Parents play an important role in supporting their children to attend every day and we encourage you to reinforce with your child that Every Day Counts and discuss that days missed means learning has been missed.

Each parent of a child who is of compulsory school age (including Prep) has the legal obligation to ensure their child is enrolled and attends school on every school day for the educational program in which the child is enrolled, unless the parent has a reasonable excuse (communicated to the school). Parents may be prosecuted if they do not fulfil these legal obligations.

We look forward to working with you to support your child’s regular school attendance!

Cross country:

Our school will be holding our Inter-house Cross Country races on Wednesday 2nd April in Week 10 (weather permitting). This event will include competitive races for children turning

10, 11 and 12 this year. There will be shorter fun run distances for younger students. To support our students in this event we are currently offering before and after school training. Training for students in Year 4, 5 & 6 is conducted before school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7:45am. Training is also held after school from 2:45pm. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle and a spare change of clothes.

CCTV

Working with Protective Services we have secured funding to install CCTV across the school setting. These security cameras will be installed to promote further protection to our students, staff and our facilities. This installation will occur soon and signage will also be installed to promote the cameras to those entering our school grounds.

Nurse Practitioner appointments

Kerinda our school nurse practitioner has been busy with many families taking the opportunity to connect for bulk-billed medical check-ups, referrals and prescribed medication. Kerinda is here every Monday during the school term and you can book an appointment by contacting the office. Kerinda can also offer First Nations Health Checks so be sure to contact the office to book your appointment today.

Swimming lessons:

Swimming lessons continue next week for students in Year 4 & Year 6. Year 6 students will swim on Tuesday and Year 4 on Wednesday. Students will be required to ensure they have togs inclusive of a sun safe shirt, towel and goggles are encouraged.

School Disco

In Week 8, Thursday 20th March our P&C will hold our Term 1 Disco. This Disco will be held from 5pm-7:30pm. Notes have been sent home! The theme is 50’s inspired.

Donut Drive

This term the P&C are hosting a donut fundraiser with Galactic Donuts. This fundraiser works in a way so that people are able to buy a voucher for $19.90 for 6 donuts and $10 of this purchase remains in the school. Once the fundraiser is complete, the P&C will finalise all numbers and vouchers will then be sent home with the students. A huge bonus with this fundraiser is not only are you supporting the school you are also supporting a small local business. All money and forms are due back at the school no later than 3pm on the 28th of March.

I hope you have a better & brighter day!

Ryan Gilmour

Principal