Welcome back!

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2025.

It has been wonderful to see our students return into their new classes after the break, with all classes very settled, engaged and demonstrating our school PBL values -Respectful Safe Learners in both the classroom and playground.

We have also welcomed our largest Kindergarten cohort ever this year, with 74 new Kindies settling well into school life, with teachers already reporting they are going so well they are ready for Year 1!!

As of today we have 350 kids enrolled at Bellbird Public School which is a substantial increase since last year. We have increased to 16 classes this year, with the school funding two additional classes to start the year to maintain our stage based approach, reduce class sizes and allow for any further growth throughout the year.

A special welcome to all of our new families who have joined us at Bellbird this year. Whether you have your first child attending school in Kindergarten, or have moved from other parts of our  country, we are excited to be working with you during your child’s time at Bellbird.

It is shaping up to be another exciting year ahead with lots of great initiatives and activities to keep learning fun, while building friendships and our skills in and out of the classroom.

School Excellence Plan

This year sees us enter a new school planning cycle. Although our new School Excellence Plan is not due for finalisation until the end of this term, we have started on many of these focuses already.  The priorities for this plan were developed on the back of a deep evaluation process as part of external validation during 2024 and feedback from staff, students and parents.

Our key initiatives align closely with those of NSW DoE such as:

• Equity and Excellence
• Explicit teaching
• High Potential and Gifted Education
• Student Wellbeing and Engagement

These include:

SD 1- Student Growth and Attainment

• Explicit teaching with a focus on Numeracy, including differentiation and targeted intervention
• Formative and Summative assessment
• Student and teacher feedback to drive improvement

SD2 – Wellbeing and Engagement

• Social Emotional Learning to help develop resilience and social skills
• Wellbeing supports to address any barriers to learning (e.g.Breakfast Club)
• Student Voice
• Strengthening home school pPartnerships
• Student attendance
• Aboriginal cultural understanding and belonging

New staff join the team

We have quite a few new teachers/staff joining us this year or filling more permanent roles. These include:

• Mrs Cheltzie Hall (AP Stage 1- Relieving).
• Mr Blake Pinkerton returns after a few years in Sydney (S3B).
• Mr Michael Walters (S1M) and Miss Claire O’Connor (KV) – Both ex-Bellbird students who are on their own class for the first time.
• Mrs Outram (returning from maternity leave), Mrs Pearce (long time casual) and Mrs Taplin who were all filling casual or part time roles last year.
• We also have Sophie Williams, Renae Fernance and Ralph Binge joining our SLSO team.

New Behaviour Support Management Plan

Our new Behaviour Support Management Plan is now live on our website. Along with other NSW schools this now aligns with the latest department behaviour policy. Most of the changes in this document relate more to the language and format of this document as we as a school aligned with many of the ideals and best practice that is included in the new policy already which focuses on ensuring we have prevention, early intervention, targeted intervention and individual intervention in place to meet the needs of all students to maintain a positive learning environment.

It can also be viewed here: https://bellbird-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/b/bellbird-p/BellbirdPS_-_Behaviour_Support_Management_Plan_2025.pdf

Communicating with school

Parents and carers play an important role in the school community. Bellbird Public School is a school that strives to support all parents / caregivers in the education of their child.

Communication with our community

Our school uses a range of communication channels to share information with parents and the wider school community. Although the range of apps the school uses can at times be confusing, unfortunately each channel serves a different purpose and there is no app or system that does all of these well. 

It is important that parents are aware of and have access to the following apps/sites to ensure they are getting the information they need to support the learning and opportunities provided by the school. 

• Schoolzine/SZ App (important news and messages) - This is our school's main communication channel to share important school news and updates. Once subscribed you will recieve email updates, including our school newsletter directly to your inbox. It is also recommended that you download the accompanying app szapp. This will send notifications directly to your phone with any important messages. Subscribe via our school website or here:https://www.schoolzineplus.com/installing-szapp

• School Bytes (payments and permission) – School Bytes is our new online finance system that allows permission notes and payments to be made easily and securely. All permission notes are sent through this channel, directly to parents of students involved in any given activity and ensures notes don't get lost on the way home. You can also keep track of all your notes and payments. Register here: https://portal.schoolbytes.education/auth/login?return_to=https%253A%252F%252Fportal.schoolbytes.education%252F&error=unauthenticated

• Seesaw (sharing student work and teacher communication) - Seesaw is all about the student and allows an insight into what is happening in your child's classroom. Students and teachers can post worksamples and photos of learning activities to keep you updated and help with having those tricky to extract "What happened at school today?" conversations once they get home. Seesaw can also be used for teachers and parents to communicate directly when needed. Keep in mind however that these messages are not monitored in real time, and teachers will get back to you when they have time (within 48 hours).  

If you need support with accessing or using these at any time, please do not hesitate to contact the school for support in person or over the phone. 

Other places to check out. 

• School Facebook - Our school also has a Facebook page which we use to share good news stories to our wider school community. No important information is shared through this channel so it is important that parents do not rely on this as the only source of information. 
• P&C Facebook - Our school P&C also has a Facebook page which they use to share canteen and P&C news. It is well worth a follow if you are not already to keep up to date with everything P&C. 
• School website - The school website holds a range of information about school policies and procedures and is a great place to check out if you want to know something specific about school practice. Note that this page is only updated when required. Check it out here : www.bellbird-p.schools.nsw.edu

Communicating respectfully with our school staff     

All staff, parents and community members are role models for our children and we expect that positive behaviour is displayed at all times to create a positive environment where everyone is valued and feels safe.

There may be occasions when parents have questions or worries about student progress or have concerns about incidents or interactions involving their child at school. At such times, it is important to organise a mutually agreeable time to talk to school staff; whether this be through the making of an appointment at the office or a time otherwise advised by the staff member. Our staff will find a time to talk to you when they can give you their full attention. Please remember that while our staff are in class or dealing with other matters, they may not be available to answer your questions immediately.

 Who should I contact about my question or concern?

In most cases, your child's classroom teacher will have the most information to share and are the best point of contact. Should you continue to have concerns following this, you may ask to speak to a member of executive staff.

• Kindergarten Assistant Principals – Mrs Shultz and Mrs Thompson
• Stage 1 Assistant Principal – Mrs Hall
• Stage 2 Assistant Principal - Mrs Deal
• Stage 3 Assistant Principal - Mrs Hayes

 All complaints and concerns will be handled in accordance with the DEC School Community and Consumer Complaint Procedure (2017)

 Respectful communication is a right

In all workplaces, people have the right to feel respected. Unacceptable and offensive behaviour has no place in our school communities. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the community in our schools, steps will be taken to address unacceptable behaviour. This may include restricting contact with the school community or, in more serious cases, referral to NSW Police.

 Unacceptable behaviour in our schools

Unacceptable behaviour may include but is not limited to:

•  Aggressive or intimidating actions, such as violence, threatening gestures or physical proximity.
• Aggressive or intimidating language, including the use of obscenities, making sexist, racist or derogatory comments or using a rude tone.
• Treating members of the school community differently due to aspects such as their religion or disability.
• Inappropriate and time wasting communication.

 For more information on the School Community Charter which outlines the responsibilities of parents, carers, educators and school staff in NSW public schools to ensure our learning environments are collaborative, supportive and cohesive visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/school-community-charter

Attendance – Make every day count

The evidence is clear that consistent attendance is the essential first step for your child to have a positive experience at school.

Every day matters for your child’s learning. In recent years we’ve seen too many students miss a day of school here and there. Missing school for students means missing assignments, time with friends, an important maths lesson or getting picked for a sports team. With days missed, years are lost.

Students are required to attend school every day, whether it’s the first or last day of the term, Mondays, Fridays or days dedicated to sports carnivals, school excursions and incursions.

Help us make sure your child is achieving their best and stays ahead in their learning with regular school attendance. The more time your child attends school, the greater their opportunity to learn, make new friends and improve their wellbeing. Together, let’s build positive attendance habits for a lifetime.

If your child is absent from school, please let us know why as soon as possible, even if it’s just a few minutes at the start or end of the school day. Of course, there will be times when your child is unable to be at school (like when they are unwell). Medical appointments should take place outside school hours where possible and family holidays should be taken in term breaks.

If your child is feeling anxious about coming to school and you need support, please reach out to your child’s teacher or me directly. Our staff are here to work with you and your child to help them attend school each and every day. There are also helpful resources for parents and carers on the Every Day Matters website.

Thank you again for working with our teachers and support staff to make sure your child is at school, on time, every day. We all want to see our students learn, grow and belong in our equitable and outstanding education system.

Naplan

Naplan is approaching for our Year 3 and Year 5 students. They will be undertaking these national tests in a classroom setting with their stage teachers in a known comfortable space. Please read the attached information. If you have any further questions, please contact your child's teacher.

Naplan_Information_for_parents.pdf

Naplan_Information_for_parents _pdf 124.56 KB

Busy Bees at Briar Ridge

Stage 2 ended 2024 sampling the sweet honey our hive had been producing, taking home a jar to share with family members. This year, our bees continue to be on the job producing more golden nectar. Mr Durie entered our honey in the Maitland Show along with many other school's honey. Unfortunately, no ribbons this year, but we are hopeful at the Newcastle Show being held soon. During the next two terms we are looking forward to visiting our hive and seeing first hand how they are going!

Children’s University 2025 – Celebrating 10 Years! 

 Last year we enjoyed visiting the university in Newcastle for our on-campus exploration and our graduation ceremony in The Great Hall at the Callaghan campus plus all of the learning participants tracked down to gather hours in between. Notes went out on Schoolbytes this week to all Stage 2 and Stage 3 students inviting them to participate in this year’s program. We have all met together to hear about the program and the opportunities it provides for students to look outside of their classroom for opportunities to learn.  

If your child would like to be part of this initiative in 2025 please complete the form and make payment by the due date.  At school, lunch time activities will begin Monday Week 6.  

Learning Goals

At Bellbird Public School we are all about setting and smashing our goals. Each classroom has a goal tree and the whole class celebrates with students as they place a new leaf on their goal tree. The idea behind our goal tree is to listen to feedback, be aware of the next step in our learning and consciously work toward achieving our goals. In 2024, each class focused heavily on their writing goals. I am excited to share that S1P were hyper focused on improving their writing and achieving their goals. Duke was the first student to achieve his flower award for smashing 10 goals. He was followed closely by Isaac, Clara and Angus. Well done to all students for smashing their writing goals during 2024 and good luck for continuing to chase those goals this year.

Student Leadership

We are excited to announce the induction of our student leaders into the school leadership team of Parliament! This year, our Parliament is made up of two captains, who take on the roles of Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, along with seven ministers and two student representatives from each class. The Parliament provides an incredible opportunity for students to develop their leadership and citizenship skills, encouraging them to take an active role in the school community. Through these leadership positions, students gain valuable experience in decision-making, teamwork, and responsibility, helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow and build a stronger society for the future. We are proud of our student leaders and look forward to the positive impact they will make!

RICH LEARNING

Our whole school theme ‘War On Waste’ is inspiring our students to take action and make changes to enhance our environment. Watch this space for our Rick Task Challenge later in the term.

PBL

So far this year we are focussing on setting high expectations for learning and behaviour at Bellbird Public School.

Cessnock Combined Group Public Schools Choir

KF

KF students have begun their learning journey with a blast, learning lots and making new friends. Students have been busy developing their fine motor skills to support handwriting, use of scissors, colouring, painting and drawing. KF have been exploring how math is all around us and can now write and represent numbers to five. We have been reading a lot of imaginative texts and learning about characters, settings and how to retell the story.

KM

KM has had a beautiful start to their Kindergarten journey! They have been very busy already, learning new routines, exploring our classroom and having fun out in all the amazing places in our playground. They have begun to learn some letters and what sounds they make and songs to help them form our numbers correctly. KM has started to make so many new friends who they love to build, draw and play with in our classroom. Stay tuned to see what KM gets up to for the rest of the term!

KT

Welcome to Kindergarten! What a lovely, settled start we have had. Our days have been filled with learning the routines of school life, making friends and having fun. We can write and recognise our names, can count to 10 and are learning new sounds each week. KT have met their buddies and have read books and coloured in together. It is so nice to have big friends to look out for us in the playground. Friday is a busy, but fun day in our classroom. We participate in Sport, where we are learning Fundamental Movement Skills and playing games that encourage turn taking and following instructions. We have also had the opportunity to visit the library and borrow books to read at home. Keep an eye on Seesaw for updates on our learning throughout the term.

KV

KV have been busy learning about life at big school and have learnt so many new routines such as lining up, where to put our bags and where to sit to eat lunch. We have been talking about how we work and play cooperatively in KV and ways we can be respectful, safe learners and earn our Class Dojo points. So many of us are becoming skilled at writing our names and participating in lots of different fine motor activities to strengthen our hands and fingers. We enjoy reading books together and so far, our favourite has been, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt where we made artworks and acted out the story. We are looking forwards to learning so much more on our journey at Bellbird Public School!

S1C

Welcome to an exciting new school year! We are really enjoying getting to know all the children in S1C and are looking forward to a year filled with learning and fun.

Our focus is on creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued and safe. This term, in History we are exploring significant people, buildings and environments in our local community and the importance of caring for these historical and significant sites. In Science, there will be a lot of hands on investigating of different types of materials and how they can be combined and changed. In Creative Arts, our students will participate weekly in an exciting new music program called Amplify. We will also be learning how to keep safe through our water and road safety programs. Of course, as always, Maths and Literacy are major focuses this year.

Communication between home and school is so important. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Let’s work together to make this year a fantastic experience for our children!

S1M

S1M have had a productive start to the year practising routines inside and outside of the classroom. S1M completed ‘All About Me’ posters to help us get to know each other and learn about our interests. We spent time learning about having a growth mindset and how challenges are good for our brain.

In literacy, S1M have been lucky to have Mrs Hickey join us to set up reading groups and introduce us to ‘story stones’ which will be an exciting way to develop our sentence writing. We have also been working hard in producing ‘5-star writing’, making sure we have all the elements of quality work.

In Maths, S1M have started the year focussing on skip counting on and off the decade as well as describing the position of objects around the class. S1M also enjoyed challenging each other’s addition knowledge with the ‘Blocks on a Bowl’ game.

In CA, S1M really enjoyed their first music lesson, finding the beat of popular songs and trying to keep a steady beat working together as a class. In Science, we have started looking at different materials things are made from and how we can change those materials.

S1O

What a wonderful start to 2025!! S1O have settled in nicely to our new stage and classroom. We have begun the year off with a bang! Starting Week 1 off with getting to know each other and participating in some imaginative and sensory play.

This term we are looking at the theme ‘War on Waste’ where we will be learning all about recycling, reducing waste and learning how to take care of our beautiful environment. In Literacy we have been learning the ‘ay’ phoneme as well as learning how to write using nouns and verbs (S1O are getting very good at this). In Maths, we are looking at numbers and how to make them as well as adding and subtracting them from each other.

We are so excited for the year ahead. So keen that we were the first 2025 class to win the PBL trophy!! How good! Thanks Mr Anderson?

We are keen to see what 2025 brings us and we look forward to seeing all S1O’s families get involved in our learning this year. Bring on 2025!!

S1W

Welcome to Term 1, and what a fantastic start to the year S1W have had! We have spent the past few weeks getting to know each other and settle into new routines. Students in S1W have happily shared their interests with others during news and have formed new friendships across the stage!

We have started investigating our theme ‘War on Waste’ through modelled reads and writing lessons. We have created a class compost bin and individual compost pots for our food scraps that the students can add to, and watch grow over time. We have really enjoyed our whole stage sport lessons and library lessons each week.

Well done to everyone who has worked hard earning their dojos for being a respectful, safe learner! Keep it up!

S2B

Wow! What a wonderful start to the year for S2B. Year 4 students have been amazing role models for Year 3 students coming up to Stage 2 allowing for a settled start to the year.

This term Stage 2 are beginning our learning on 'War on Waste' with learning all about recycling. We have been reading, writing and graphing data on recycling to build our knowledge and understanding. 

I am really looking forward to a fantastic year with this fabulous group of learners.

S2G

I’m so excited to share how well S2G has settled into their class this year! Students have embraced the theme, ‘War on Waste’, beginning our learning with information on how and why we need to reduce, reuse and recycle.

In Mathematics, our focus on data has allowed students to analyse and visually represent information on a variety of topics including sports houses, number of siblings and types of waste. We have developed our knowledge of place value through some fun games that we will continue to share as part of our homework activities.

While S2G have been reading and writing about our new theme, we have also started the year by revising sentence structures, theme position and adjectives and adverbs to provide our audiences with more information.

STEM lessons have certainly been a highlight with Mrs Morton. S2G have utilised block coding through the MakeCode program to code the micro:bits both to flash different images with lights and to count steps.

In Science, students are learning about energy, conducting experiments and exploring concepts that impact their daily lives.

During Sport, S2G have been practising their object control skills by bouncing and dribbling basketballs, working in pairs and encouraging each other.  

I cannot wait to see what the rest of Term 1 holds for S2G!

S2K

Oh, wow! How quickly is Term 1 flying by? So far this term S2K have been settling into their new class very well, enjoying getting to know each other and their teachers.

In Maths, we have been learning all about data and how we can collect it and put the information into a graph. As we are learning about waste and recycling, we have collected rubbish, sorted it and placed it into a graph.

We have also been learning to work with our partners to play some place value Maths games. In literacy we have been reading and writing all about recycling and how it can be changed into many different things.

All students have enjoyed engaging in music, learning new songs, playing percussion instruments and discovering the beat and rhythm.

In Art, Mrs Bendeich has been teaching us how to draw self-portraits.

For fitness and sport, we are building up our stamina for the cross country and learning the rules of some fun sports such as cricket and volleyball.

We are all looking forward to the Easter Hat Parade and many more exciting things to come towards the end of the term. Please remember that both sport and library borrowing are on Thursdays.

S2R

Students from S2R have settled ‘extremely’ well into their class routine. They have embraced our theme for the term, War on Waste, with enthusiasm and creativity across various subjects.

Throughout literacy lessons, students have engaged in reading and writing activities focused on the topic, allowing them to express their thoughts and ideas effectively.

In Mathematics, students have been studying graphing, applying their skills to visually represent data related to waste management. This hands-on approach has not only reinforced their mathematical understanding but also deepened their awareness of environmental issues.

In STEM, the students have been exploring the world of technology using Micro Bits. This has allowed them to learn about coding and putting it into practice by creating a step counter.

Promoting physical fitness for the up-coming school cross-country and refining their kicking skills in sport, have been the focus areas.

Overall, S2R has made a fantastic start to the year, and I am looking forward to seeing their continued growth and enthusiasm in all areas of learning.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

S3B

We are excited to share our first update of the year, highlighting the fun things we're up to, as we start Term 1! This term, our theme is ‘War on Waste,’ which will help guide our learning about taking care of our environment.

In our first few weeks together, we've been getting to know each other and learning our daily routines. Students created an ‘All About Me’ silhouette using digital design, which allowed them to showcase their unique personalities. In English, students are getting used to our daily literacy block, which includes spelling, handwriting, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. We are also writing about our theme, looking at the issue of fast fashion and how we can help reduce its impacts. In Mathematics, we are focusing on place value and playing new number games, including a fun version of place value Yahtzee. We are also exploring a new music program called Amplify, where students are exploring some of their favourite songs to learn about beat and tempo.

We look forward to a fantastic Term 1 filled with learning and a commitment to making a positive impact on our world!

S3L

S3L has settled in quickly and we are busy with our routine of learning. It has been a pleasure to welcome some new faces into the classroom. 

Our learning is centred around our theme of 'War on Waste'. I will post examples of the wonderful work linked to the theme soon. Students are especially engaged in our STEM lessons with Mrs Morton. They are learning how to create podcasts which incorporates many learning experiences.  I am very excited for this year and all the learning and experiences we will have.

S3T

We are excited to report that S3T has made a fantastic start to the year, setting a strong foundation for success! Students have demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm in their learning activities, actively participating in discussions and collaborative projects. Their curiosity and willingness to explore new concepts have enriched classroom dynamics, fostering a vibrant learning community. Whether through hands-on experiments in science, staging a War on Waste in English or dipping their toes into podcasting in STEM, S3T students are eager to dive deep into their subjects.

The establishment of effective classroom routines has played a crucial role in S3T's positive start. Students have quickly adapted to daily schedules, which include time for independent work, group collaboration, and reflection. These routines not only enhance focus but also create a sense of stability and security, enabling students to take ownership of their learning journey.

As we move further into the term, we are excited to see how S3T continues to engage with their learning and build on this strong start. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and growth throughout the year!

S3J

In S3J, we have made an excellent start to the school year, engaging in a variety of exciting and educational activities! Our focus on persuasive writing has allowed us to compose strong argument paragraphs and build our vocabulary, while also practicing our reading fluency. In mathematics, we have been mastering the art of reading and writing numbers up to 12 digits, learning to express them in expanded notation and non-standard partitions.

Additionally, we have delved into the Zones of Regulation, exploring how our emotions influence our behaviour and learning to recognise our body cues. Our participation in the Amplify music program has been a hit, as we’ve enjoyed playing along with the beats of various songs and beginning to understand music notation.

We are also enthusiastic about our STEM lessons with Mrs. Morton, where we are planning, recording, and producing our very own podcasts. S3J is truly thriving with these enriching experiences, and we look forward to sharing more of our learning journey with the school community!

During the next few weeks, class teachers will be discussing goals with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to support each student’s understanding of culture and their academic success.

Swimming Carnival

On Thursday 13th February, students in Years 3-6 headed to Cessnock Pool for our annual swimming carnival. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to participate in 25m and 50m races as well as novelty events that included the small leisure pool and splash pad. Overall, 20 Bellbird students successfully met qualifying times and will advance to the Cessnock Zone Carnival on Friday 28th February, we wish them well! Congratulations to all students for their safe participation and thank you to those family members that helped with timekeeping on the day. 

Bellbird Zone Swimmers:

Alex M                                                  Arabella F                                            Aria L

Bailan W                                              Banjo HN                                             Beau S

Celeste C                                             Darby T                                                 Emily O

Everlee H                                             Jax S                                                       Jayce M

Kyron M                                               Lawson W                                            Lennix T

Lilly K                                                     Lincoln W                                            Madeline P

Noah F                                                  Olivia C

Students have been busy in the library, borrowing books, reading and completing book activities.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has started. Your child should be borrowing and reading Premier Reading Challenge (PRC) books at home or in the classroom every week. Remember K-2 is blue PRC stickers, 3-4 is Yellow PRC stickers and 5-6 is orange PRC stickers.

Students in 3-6 are keeping a record of their PRC books they have read at school. If you would like one to complete at home please tell your child to ask Mrs Yeatman for a PRC reading log.

This challenge needs to be completed by 22nd August this year. Students who complete the reading challenge will receive a certificate from the Premier of NSW at the end of year Presentation Day. Students will also receive a school merit certificate once the challenge is completed.

CLASS LIBRARY DAYS

Listed below is the day your child’s class comes to the library to borrow. Please help your child to remember to pack their library bag and books on their library day.

Wednesday – S3L, S3T, S3B and S1C

Thursday – S1W, S1O, S1M, S2G, S2R, S2B and S2K

Friday – KT, KM, KF, KV and S3J

READING FOR PLEASURE

PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD TO REMEMBER THEIR LIBRARY BAG AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BORROW AND READ BOOKS.

READING FOR PLEASURE IS SO IMPORTANT IN OUR LIVES.

Reading is not just something that children should do in school, it needs to be an everyday part of our lives and something we choose to do at all ages! Research proves that reading for pleasure is positively linked to the following: 

• Improved reading and writing ability.
• Improved comprehension and grammar.
• Improved spelling and vocabulary.
• Positive reading attitudes.
• Greater self-confidence as a reader.
• Pleasure reading in later life.
• Greater all-round academic success.
• Improved social skills and mental wellbeing.

How to encourage your child to read for pleasure?

Encouraging reading for pleasure for children opens a world of imagination, knowledge and joy. Here are some practical tips to help ignite a passion for reading:

• Create a reading space at home: Designate a cosy, inviting spot in your home just for reading, equipped with good lighting, comfortable chair or sofa and ideally quiet.
• Read books together.
• Discuss what they read: Talk about books during dinner time or morning drives to school. Ask open-ended questions about the stories or book characters.
• Connect books with activities: Pair reading with fun activities like movie nights based on the book.
• Variety is key: Keep a wide range of books accessible, featuring different genres and topics to match your child’s interests.
• Remind your child to pack their library bag and encourage them to read. If you don’t have many books available at home, sign your child up to the local Cessnock library and encourage them to borrow books from the school library every week.
• Lead by example: Let your child see you reading regularly. Your enthusiasm can show them what reading for pleasure looks like.

These strategies can help turn reading into a joyful and regular part of your child’s life.

BOOK CLUB

Bellbird Public School participates in the Scholastic Book Club.

Parents can buy new books and gifts from the Book Club online catalogue twice per term.

(One is available at the start of each term and another catalogue will be available around Week 5 of each term).

ALL ORDERS ARE ONLINE

HOW TO ORDER

Please view the catalogue and complete the Book Club order online at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP Please add your child’s name and class.

If it’s your first time to order you will need to register online to create an account.

If you have any issues placing an order, please phone me at school.

LIBRARY HELPERS NEEDED

BOOK COVERING

All new library books need to be covered before your children can borrow them. If you can spare some time to help with covering library books, please contact me by phoning the school. The contact I buy is very easy to use.

In February we held our first meeting of the year, delighted to welcome some new faces. Our next meeting is to be held onsite in the staffroom on Monday 10^th March and will include our AGM. We would encourage everyone to be part of our amazing P&C assisting to raise funds for our students. If you haven’t already, please complete the following survey if you are interested in nominating for any of our positions. Come along and pay your $2.00 membership to join this amazing school venture! Everyone is welcome!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BPSAGM2025

PSSA Sport

We are excited to be in the initial stages of forming our school teams for the upcoming PSSA Sports competitions later this year. Sport plays a vital role in developing teamwork, sportsmanship, and the ability to compete against other schools. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with peers from other schools in the community, while also enhancing their fundamental movement skills in various sports. Our first PSSA game will be the cricket team competing in Week 6, and we look forward to seeing our students grow both on and off the field as they represent our school with pride and dedication. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to prepare for these exciting competitions!

Life Education Van with Harold Aboard Bound for Bellbird!  

Each year we enhance our PD/H/PE syllabus with a visit from the educators at Life Education. This term they will be visiting in Weeks 10 and 11 with each class having their own fun session in the van. This session is supported with an engaging online program that is presented to all students after their visit forming the basis of learning to begin Term 2. 

Kindergarten will be learning about safety, Stage 1 are investigating keeping their body and mind fit and healthy to learn and thrive, Stage 2 are developing their skills to stay cybersafe whilst Stage 3 are enhancing their interpersonal skills to relate to others and make respectful connections. 

The cost for this opportunity is $12.00 per family, the school is subsidising this incursion so all students can attend. Look out for a note on Schoolbytes in the coming weeks. 

School Photos

School photo day is Monday 24th March. Pricing information attached

Save the Date: Easter Hat Parade

This hotly-anticipated event of the year brings our Term 1 to a close…the annual Easter Hat Parade! Mark it on your calendars now! Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 participate (even teachers!) and parade their Easter hat creations for our families and friends and bop along to some good music, so start planning your hats now. There will be an Easter raffle with lots of chocolatey-good prizes and lucky door prizes for students present on the day. You never know, the Easter Bunny may even visit some classrooms on the day. Hippity hop, we’ll see you there!