A reminder to follow the signs and keep our children safe.  A detailed parking map is included in  in this newsletter.  Parents are requested to not park in the designated Staff and Visitors car parks.  If you have older children, consider using the Kiss and Drop zone, parking in the Woodford Park car park or collecting your child five minutes later to avoid the congestion. 

The Kiss and Drop zone is a drop off or collection point only.  Parents/Carers cannot park and wait for students.  At the end of the day, if your child/children are not waiting, parents need to drive on around Purley Crescent then return for a second collection attempt. This allows traffic to flow, reducing congestion and frustration.

Safety around schools is a high priority for the City of Canning Ranger and Community Safety Services.  Officers have resumed rotational parking patrols at all schools in the district.  They may issue infringement notices to the drivers of vehicles found to be in breach of parking laws. 

Kind Regards

Lyn Macauley

PRINCIPAL

Dear parent/carers

 Just a few reminders before school resumes tomorrow.

Families who are choosing the home learning option should have received the online learning packages, via Seesaw, by 12pm today; or collected hard copies from the table outside the school office.

If parents have NOT contacted us with requests for home learning packages, then we are assuming that children are returning to school for face to face learning on Wednesday 29 April.

If you want a home learning package and have not received one please contact the school on [email protected]  or ring the school office on 93660900.

Students who attend school will be taught in their own classroom by their class teacher, following the normal class timetable. School hours will be as normal- 8:40am to 2:45pm;

Children returning must:

• have a drink bottle filled with water;
• bring recess and lunch food.

The greatest risk of transmission in the school environment is between adults. It is of utmost importance that teachers, school staff and parents alike maintain physical distancing between themselves and each other at school.

Parents and visitors must drop students at specified gates and not enter the school grounds. Limited school gates will be open from 8:30am. Children will be met at the gate by school staff and guided to classrooms where class teachers will be waiting to greet students.

Parents are requested to email or ring the school office with questions or concerns. Please do not attend the front office unless you have made an appointment.

Communication

If you have any questions regarding the Schools response to COVID 19 or would like to raise any issues with any item in this update, please contact me personally.

Phone: 93660900

Email: [email protected]

Kind regards

Lyn Macauley Principal

In Term 2, Bannister Creek Primary School will be delivering distance education to students using the Seesaw application.

Over the next 2 days, parents will receive an email with instructions on how to set up the See Saw app and the code to login. 

On Wednesday, we will be trialing our distance education model.

Dear parents and carers

I would like to share with you some current information on the school’s response to the COVID-19 situation.

Bannister Creek Primary is remaining alert, but not alarmed.

The following information is being shared regularly with our students:

• Frequently washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand gel
• Refraining from touching mouth and nose
• If coughing or sneezing, covering your nose and mouth with a paper tissue or flexed elbow.
• Dispose of the tissue immediately after use.

In regards to international travel, if any student or family member travels from or transits through the countries listed below, please notify the school upon your return.

To support these messages, I have initiated daily inspections of all toilets on the school site, to ensure they are being kept clean with ample supplies of soap and disposable hand towel.

Higher Risk	Moderate Risk
Can attend school, but self-monitor	Can attend school, but self-monitor
Italy	Cambodia
Must isolate for 14 days prior to attending	Hong Kong
Mainland China	Indonesia (including Bali)
Iran	Japan
Republic of Korea	Singapore
	Thailand

Further information is available at www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus or the health direct helpline on 1800 020 080 for more information on the virus and its symptoms.

I will continue to provide the school community with information as it becomes available.

Regards,

Travis Miller
Principal

We hope you have all had a safe and happy holiday.  Just a reminder to parents/carers that students return to Bannister Creek PS on Monday 3rd February, 2020.
Class lists will be posted in the windows of the School Library on Friday 31st January, after 9:30am.

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

With only 6 days of term left, we are busy preparing for our traditional end of year events. On Monday 16^th December at 9:30am, our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony will be held in the Undercover Area.  This will be followed by the evening dinner/dance at Tomkins-On-Swan.  On Tuesday 17^th December, the Semester 2 Student Reports will be sent out to parents via Connect.  If you have not yet accessed Connect, you will need to activate your password, please see information on Page 4 of this newsletter.  On Wednesday 18^th December at 9:00am, all families are invited to attend our Year 1 to 5 Award Presentation Assembly where class awards are presented and our instrumental music students showcase their skills.  A highlight will be the performance of the Bannister Creek School Band.  Our final goodbye to the Year 6’s students will be held at the Super Draw Assembly, Thursday at 2:10pm.

Last Monday, our Pre-Primary and Year 1 students commenced swimming lessons.  It’s great to see their excitement and enjoyment in the lessons.  Staff have been very impressed with the responsible attitude that students have shown managing changing, travelling on buses and  following instructions from swimming teachers.

2020 Teaching Staff Changes

I wish to acknowledge and thank our fixed term, part time teaching staff for their ongoing support and commitment this year. They have often stepped in with short notice and worked hard to ensure a smooth transition for students. Thank you to Mrs Sasha Findlay, Mrs Naomi Hinchcliffe and Mrs  Bianca Zall-Ilahi.  Your contribution to our school and staff team have been valued.  We hope your support will continue in the future.

Some of our permanent teaching staff are not returning:

Mrs Kerrie Bright: will be taking leave in 2020 to study.

Mrs Justine McDonald: is preparing for the imminent birth of her baby and will take leave for the year.

Mrs Margaret Elstermann: has been on leave for several years and is now retiring at the end of this year.

Mrs Rana Nazar: has been on extended leave and has made the decision to resign her position at BCPS.

Mrs Judith Annan: retired early in 2019.

Mrs Cathy Harrison: will be taking Long Service Leave (LSL) in Term 1 2020.

And finally… I will not be returning next year, I’m taking LSL then transitioning to retirement. 

After 43 years in education, I believe it is time for a change in lifestyle and to re-focus on family, friends and leisure. I have loved the last 6 years as Principal of this great school.  I’m so proud of the community culture of involvement and support that we have built. 

Our students inspire me every day, it is rewarding to see their engagement,  joy in learning and outstanding achievements.  I’m particularly proud of the gains we have made in building student leadership opportunities and giving students a voice in their education.  I value the huge parent support base that make whole school events such memorable celebrations.  It has been such a pleasure to work with our School Board and P&C as they strive to add value for our students and school community.  We are fortunate to have such a professional, committed staff team who collaboratively support each other and continually give so much of their time and care to ensure the best outcome for our students and families. This positive focus on relationships contributes to the welcoming, friendly vibe that is embedded in the BCPS culture. 

Thank you everyone for your support.  Bannister Creek Primary School will always hold a special place in my heart.

Kind Regards,
Lyn Macauley
PRINCIPAL

Thursday, 12 December	Year 6 Big Day Out Rooms 10 & 11 CREEC Excursion
Monday, 16 December	Year 6 Graduation Ceremony – 9:20am.  Year 6 parents and family members are encouraged to attend. Pre-Primary / Year 1 Swimming Lessons continue
Tuesday, 17 December	Semester 2 Student Reports will be available via Connect
Wednesday, 18 December	Year 1 to 5 Presentation Assembly – 8:50am.  Parents and family members are encouraged to attend
Thursday, 19 December	Students’ last day of Term P&C Christmas Stall and Raffle

The final School Board meeting for 2019 was held on Monday 9^th December 2019.  The Board was interested to hear that 619 people in our school community have joined Connect – the platform that the school is now using to send  information and updates to the school community.  The Board was concerned to learn that despite this high level of uptake only about 150 people look at the school newsletter each issue.  Along with showcasing the achievements of our students, the newsletter provides necessary information regarding dates and reminders for school events and is your go to source of information.

The Board was provided an overview of the independent school review which will be undertaken early in 2020 and was pleased to note the progress that has been made against the review criteria.  A finance update was provided and it was noted by the Board that there is a 42% reduction in funds available to be rolled over into 2020, making payment of your voluntary contributions for 2020 even more crucial.

The Board also endorsed the School’s updated Mobile Phone and Smart Watch Policy to bring it in line with newly released Education Department guidelines. 

Bannister Creek Primary School teachers recently exhibited at the STEM Innovation Showcase held at Perth Exhibition Centre.  The Board was very pleased to learn that BCPS is seen as a leader in the implementation of the BYOD program and everyday STEM practice in the classroom.

There will be some changes to Board membership in 2020.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Miller and Mrs Stone for their membership on the Board.  In addition, Mrs Macauley is leaving us and on behalf of the Board I would like to take the opportunity to thank her for the excellent guidance and support she has provided the Board and the leadership she has brought to our school.  We wish her the very best in her retirement.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday season.

Liesl Ludgerus, School Board Chair

The School Board held a public meeting on Monday 4^th November and were delighted to receive an update on the excellent results our students achieved in NAPLAN testing this year. Despite some glitches with the newly rolled out online testing, our Year Three and Year Five students exceeded the Australian, State and like school averages across all areas of testing. Fantastic results are a reflection of the high quality teachers and teaching programs at Bannister Creek.  

The Board received an update on the success of the new BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) initiative (including the fact that there were no breakages or losses of devices this year!) and the expansion of the BYOD program to include Years 2-5 students in 2020.  We were also advised that the Department of Education recently announced one-off funding for school maintenance and funds received by our school will be spent on new carpets for 7 classrooms, resurfacing and line marking of the basketball courts and professional cleaning to high ceilings and alcove areas. 

One of our community members, Jodie Wyatt informed us of her meetings with Baldja Waangkiny and the Board were very interested to hear of the leadership and initiatives the parents of our Aboriginal students are providing.  Finally, the Board was advised of the upcoming 2020 Public School Review which will take place in first term next year.  The School’s self-reflection processes and progress against the Business Plan are audited at this time.

The last meeting of the Board for 2019 will be held on Monday 9^th December at 3:30pm in the school staffroom, as always you are welcome to observe the meeting.

Liesl Ludgerus

School Board Chair

From Wednesday 23rd October, Bannister Creek PS will have a new number:

9366 0900

From that date, the old phone number will no longer work.