Last week, we had a great event in the celebration of our 2023 Year 6 leavers along with our whole school end of year assembly.  I personally thank our parents and school community for their support at this event and throughout this year. We are extremely proud of our students and especially our departing year 6s.  A special event like this, helps to remind us of what really matters most in what has been a very busy year for everyone. The final few weeks of the school term is a time to reflect, and I would like to take this moment to acknowledge and commend our staff on their flexibility, adaptability, and supportiveness of each other – along with their dedication to improving outcomes for all of our learners. 

I am extremely grateful to have had the tremendous support and expertise of the leadership team – Andrew Woodard, Alanna Smith, Georgette Moore, Jackson Ansell, and Tameika Munday who have collectively taken on additional roles and responsibilities to ensure a successful 2023 for our school community.  

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers, classroom helpers, additional specialist (Helen Hurst), and support staff (Emma Halfacre, Camilla Stretton and Chane McGregor). A special mention to Maureen King who has been a tremendous support throughout the school and in particular our library over the past 5 years. Although we know Maureen will be back, her normal weekly visit will be missed.   

Meet the 2024 Teacher 
This week, all children have had a chance to meet in their new class groupings and participate in some early team building activities.  There were many smiling faces throughout our 'Meet the Teacher' sessions and lots of excited chatter in the playground about what 2024 might bring! 

Meet the 2024 BPS Team 
We are delighted to welcome Louise Rawlings and Laura Gee to Burnie Primary School. Louise joins us from Miandetta Primary School where she has been Acting Principal and Laura joins us from Penguin District School where she as been the LIFT co-ordinator.  

Leadership
Principal – Susan Barnard  
Assistant Principal – Louise Rawlings 
Support Leader and AST – Georgette Moore 
Quality Teaching Coach and AST – Alanna Smith  

Our teachers  
Launching into Learning and LIFT – Jess Fidler, Laura Gee and Kathleen Matthews  
Kindergarten – Rachel Johnson  
Prep – Rachael Sykes, Clare Smith and Julie-Anne Elphinstone  
Year One – Kendall Sandman, Larissa (Roberts) Boyes and Di Williams  
Year Two - Leah Argeropoulos, Cathryn Parkes and Daphne Kalweit 
Years Three and Four – Liz Fidler, Jana Kalweit, Susan Woodward, Patti Page  
Years Five and Six – Alyssa Miller, Sue Smith, Meg Nayler, Jane Nott, Janine Gibson and Christina Cohen  
Specialist – Andrew Woodard, Janine Gibson, Kathleen Matthews, and Holly Geard  

Our Teacher Assistants 
Mel Smith, Jacki Johnstone, Fiona King, Sherri Brown, Angel Courtney, Savannah Sheil, Holly Cock, Crystal Murray, and Kristy Walker 

Our Educational Support Specialist  
Tracey McCulloch 

Our Professional Support Staff 
Camilla Stretton, Emma Halfacre, Chane McGregor and Meera Ganeshkumar 

Our Library Technician  
Wendy Crabtree 

Our Admin Staff 
Anita Groenewege, Lauren Matthews, Bridgette Waghorn, Cheryl King  

Our EFAs 
Anne Taylor, Angela Streets, Rachel Wright, Allan Taylor  

We wish all Burnie Primary families the very best for the Christmas season and a happy and enjoyable summer break.  We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school in 2024.   School starts for students on Thursday, 8th February.  Our office will be open from late January to assist with any enquiries.   

In Partnership 
Susan Barnard

A friendly reminder to our families in Years 3-6. Our Swimming and Water Safety Program commences on 12th February 2024. If you have not yet returned swimming forms, you can do so on 22 December 2024 between 8am - 3pm or on the first day of Term 1. 

DECYP Swimming & Water Safety Program (youtube.com)  

                Noah                                            Maddox                                           Rafferty      

              Kaden                                                        Tori

Congratulations to the Grade 6 students who received an award at the Grade 6 Celebration Assembly. We wish all our Grade 6's the very best for their learning journeys at high school.

                              Indigo                                                                     Ebony

                                  Amy                                                                            Liam

                                      Lily                                                                  Zoey

                          Ella                                                                       Malik

                       Darcey                                                                    Rhani

                         Paige                                                                         BoBo

                                   Gaelle                                                                   Ebony 

                         Hudson                                                                      Romilly 

                            Sari                                      

At BPS we are courageous, and this term the DECYP Value of Courage is the focus for our Morning Meetings.  

 Acting with courage means: 

• accepting challenges and embracing opportunities 
• thinking creatively and being brave 
• being prepared to stand up for what’s important 
• not giving up 
• having difficult conversations  
• being innovative and taking calculated risks in some situations.

Umina Park and Year 4s

The Umina Park Residents and Year 4s have completed their buddy program for the year. A survey was completed to receive valuable feedback about this program. Some quotes about this program are as follows:

Year 4 students say:

• ‘It is very good i hope we do it when I’m in grade 5.’
• ‘I love how they teach me lots of good life lessons and are very kind to me.’
• ‘When you are talking to the residents just let them talk to you because they actually have more words to say than you think.’
• ‘It is a wonderful program for kids and adults to get to know other people.
• ’I liked reading books to them.’

Umina Park Residents say:

• ‘I loved seeing the little ones.’
• ‘I thoroughly enjoyed talking to the little people.’
• ‘The children were lovely, I enjoyed it every time they came to visit.’
• ‘I loved seeing all of the little ones, reminds me of my children and grandchildren.’
• ‘I liked watching them perform.’

North West Support School and Year 5s

Six students from the North West Support School attended Burnie Primary on a Thursday afternoon to work with six Year five students. This was a community access program and involved the buddies completing some jobs around the school such as empty out the class paper bins, picking up litter, organising book in the library, weeding gardens, and sorting out resources in classrooms. After the job was completed, buddies could choose a fun activity to do together. The basketball court and swings were a favourite activity along with colouring in and reading a book.

Congratulations to Isabella Airey who recently received 2nd year most improved player for Emusicians.