Friday August 18th, 2017

NAPLAN results help set future directions

Parents of students in Year 3 and 5 have received their students’

NAPLAN results today following the assessments in Week 3, Term 2.

These reports demonstrate how their child performed in these

assessments compared to school and nationwide averages. It is

important to remember that these give merely a snapshot of one

assessment on one day, and form just a small part of how we gauge

academic success and progress.

At a school level we use these results and trends over time to evaluate

the success of initiatives and set future directions for school planning

based on strengths and weaknesses. Teachers are also able to use

these results to strategically target whole class, small group or

individual teaching by identifying strengths and weaknesses of

individual students.

Particularly pleasing this year was to see the impact that our work in K-

2 around explicit teaching based on initiatives such as L3 and TEN

seems to be making a difference with some outstanding Year 3 results.

Although not yet matching state averages, Year 3 average score was

well above statistically similar school averages(SSG) and local school

averages(CCGPS). This is testament to the hard work of our K-2

teachers in implementing significant change of practice over the last few

years to benefit all students.

Our year 5 students have also had some wonderful results in Numeracy

with growth rates well above state, and similar school averages in this

facet of the testing.

Creating a love of books during Book Week

Next week we will be celebrating Book Week with a range of exciting

activities. Book Week is celebrated Australia wide to encourage reading

and push the importance of reading for both enjoyment and success.

The highlight of the week will be the book parade on Friday 25th August

with students dressing up as their favourite book character, with parents

encouraged to come and join in the fun. A BBQ lunch will start at 12pm

followed by the parade at 1pm. Students should bring their costumes in a

plastic bag as they will get ready just before the parade.

Other activities include:

A book fair that will be held in the library on Friday 25th August

from 8:30 – 3:30. You are invited to come along and buy some

new books for your child to read and enjoy at home or to donate to

our library.

A special performance by Cessnock City Council Library staff on

Wednesday 23rd August for all students.

Helping develop early literacy

An enthusiastic group of our Year 5 students have this week been heading

over to Honey Tree Preschool to support the Busy Bee Readers program.

These students have done an amazing job reading books to the preschool

children and their love of reading shone through. In the words of one of

our students (Katelyn) "I love it when their little faces light up when we

read them the stories.” Well done to all involved!

320

340

360

380

400

420

440

460

Reading Writing Spelling G & P Numeracy

Year 3 2017 Average Score

State

SSG

CCGPS

School

Book Parade times:

12.00pm—BBQ lunch –Orders to be returned by Monday 21st August

12.40pm—Children will transform into their favourite character

1:00pm—The grand parade starts

League players impress at Gala Day

On Tuesday the 15th of August, Bellbird Public School entered their

first rugby league team in over 5 years.

With two games of rugby league, the team did an exceptional job. A

nil all draw with a very skilled Pelaw Main team and a 16-12 win over

a strong Kurri Kurri outfit put Bellbird in the mix for a grand final posi-

tion. Unfortunately due to for and against, we missed making the big

game by one try. We had many young students go up against teams

stacked with Year 6 students and plenty of experience, but that did

not stop anyone from trying their best. It is hard to single out players

but a big highlight for everyone was seeing Hayden Allison play his

first (and definitely not last) game of rugby league. Our school cap-

tain, Will Schreiber, did an outstanding job running the students out

onto the field and leading by example. With only three students in

Year 6, this team will be around for many years to come and we look

forward to writing up much more about the success of this great

team.

A massive thank you must go to the P & C for the brand new jerseys.

These jerseys will be around for many years to come and already I

am sure a few schools will feel a bit nervous when they see the ma-

roon jerseys with the Bellbird logo next time. Thank you also to Nick

and Trev for running the water and helping get the team ready for

each game. The boys (and teacher) really appreciated it on the day.

A big thank you must also go to Michelle for all your organisation and

help in getting this team up and running.

Good luck to all the junior rugby league players who have made the

finals this year. As a school we look forward to hearing about your

sporting achievements.

Congratulations to the following students for receiving their Silver Award

KH

Cassiel F Sheldon H Zavier H

Lucas P Ruby-Rose S Elijah S

Rhyse W

S1M

Curtis B Storm C Jacob C

Madison F Declan H Isaac H

Syeira P Willow P Emily T

Brandon T Oscar T Mason Z

S1S

Connor B Rese B Erica B

Matilda C Indianna H Kalaya H

Noah H Thomas I Lilly K

Taylah L Chase L Lily R

Elijah R Dakota S Tamika S

Rhys S Kiesha-Rae S Giaan S

Aurora T Liam W Sam W

S2M

Abby C Jackson C William D

Katelyn D Thomas M William M

Taylah M Tom S Ayden S

November T Nash W Zac W

S23B

Hannah A Kate B Dylan B

Dakota B Bailey B Charlie C

Landon F Madison F Ebony F

Stella H Janae H Brock J

William L Will L Haylee M

Chantelle O Jye P Alexia R

Natasha S Isla T Patrick W

S3B

Claire B

S3G

Sophie E Jacob E Will H

Stefanny S Kiah B

Congratulations to the following students for receiving their Bronze Award

S1S

Connor B Kalayah H Thomas I Tamika S

Chase L Blaze M Elijah R Sam W

S23B

Aiden B Lincoln W

Notes Home

The following notes have been sent home this fortnight. If you

have not received them they are available on our website for

download.

ESI & S1 Tocal Excursion (Due 25th August 2017)

Book Week 2017

P&C Term 3 News

If you experience difficulties downloading the notes off the

website the office has copies available.

BPS App Discontinued

Due to ongoing technical issues associated with our app,

we have decided to discontinue using this form of

communication. We are currently looking at other

options. In the meantime continue to use our school

website and facebook page to keep up to date.

Newcastle Permanent Primary Mathematics Competition

On Thursday August 24, all Stage 3 students will participate in

this Mathematics Competition.

This is a valuable opportunity for students to participate in an

external assessment. All Students receive participation certifi-

cates and merit certificates may also be awarded. The school

will cover the cost of entry so there is no charge for the stu-

dents.

Dux Assessments

The formal assessments for the Dux Award will take place on

Wednesday and Thursday of Week 6.

The students will complete a Year 7 NAPLAN Language Con-

ventions Assessment, a Year 7 NAPLAN Numeracy Assess-

ment, a standardised spelling assessment and a persuasive

writing assessment.

Please try to ensure that your child is at school on both of

these days if they have been nominated to participate.

Students of the Week

KF

Izabella H for sensational efforts in reading and writing.

Brady T for amazing efforts in spelling and reading.

KH

Isobel L for working really hard in TEN’s maths groups.

Ivy S for a big improvement in counting forwards.

S1M

Emily T for improvement in writing.

Madison F for dedication to her studies.

S1PB

Stella L for always being an active learner.

Isabelle T for improved effort in writing.

S1S

Dakota S for efforts in her reading.

Chase L for his continuous efforts in TEN activities.

S2M

Rylan T for improvement in writing.

Sienna J for creative rap performance.

S2S

Charlotte L for applying herself in all subjects.

Adison L for a fantastic, positive start at Bellbird.

S23B

Hannah A for outstanding participation in classroom dis-

cussions.

Madison F for fantastic effort with taking on the roll of

speaker.

S3B

Blake R for improved application in all subjects.

Seth R for being a productive group member.

S3G

Katelyn S for making excellent progress in Mathematics.

Will H for writing a fantastic ‘senses’ poem.

Mrs Deal

Thomas G for a super improvement in reading skills and

confidence.

Payment Due Dates Now that our school has transitioned to the new finance system, we are required to prepay all excursions in ad-vance. Due to this we are no longer able to accept pay-ments past the due date for each excursion / activity. Please also be aware that we are unable to process refunds for non participation. (Eg: Illness)

EUREKA TAEKWONDO

Bellbird Community Hall—Tuesday & Thursday

6.00 to 7.00pm

Cessnock Scout Hall—Monday

6.00 to 7.00pm

CANTEEN ROSTER Commencing 21 August 2017

Monday Kristi C / Brooke

Tuesday Kellie O / Raylene J

Wednesday Chelsie I / Belinda J

Thursday Dianne D / Kristy W / Leanne W

Friday Kristin B / Cherie C / Lesley P

Commencing 28 August 2017

Monday Cherie C / Dianne D

Tuesday Michelle S / Belinda J

Wednesday Chelsie I / Belinda J

Thursday Katrina W / Cathy P / Lisa A

Friday Rosezanne T / Jenny H

Dates to Remember

Term 3, 2017

Week 5

Wednesday August 16 to Friday August 18

Stage 2 Sydney Excursion

Week 6

Monday August 21 to Friday August 25

Book Week

Monday August 21

Assembly Item S3B 2.30pm

Tuesday August 22

P&C Meeting 4.30pm

Wednesday August 23

Playgroup 2.30pm to 3.15pm

Friday August 25

Book Week Parade

BBQ Lunch

Week 7

Tuesday August 29 to Friday September 1

Stage 3 Canberra Excursion

Wednesday August 30

Playgroup 2.30pm to 3.15pm

Week 8

Monday September 4

Assembly Item S23B 2.30pm

Tuesday September 5

Maths Fun Day, Yr 6 Transition to High School

Mount View HS

Wednesday September 6

Playgroup 2.30pm to 3.15pm

Friday September 8

K-2 Tocal Excursion (Payment due 25.08.17)

Week 9

Wednesday 13 September

Playgroup 2.30pm to 3.15pm

Thursday 14 September

Jump Rope for Heart

Friday 15 September

School Fete 1.30pm to 6.00pm

S3G News

This term in S3G we are learning about imagery and figura-

tive language. We are also learning to write a variety of

poems. Included in the newsletter are two poems written by

S3G students. We hope you appreciate the quality of this

poetry and enjoy reading the poems.