8 May 2025
Principal’s Report
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome Back to Term 2
Welcome back to Blacktown South Public School for Term 2. This term we have a number of special events and activities planned including, the Festival of Cultures, P&C Mothers’ Day stalls, Shooting Star Assemblies, Synergy Dance Festival, Debating, the Athletics Carnival and Students’ Semester 1 Reports to complete.
Please make the effort to regularly read the school newsletter and notes so that you are well-informed about all activities that are planned.
Term 2 Calendar
A paper copy of the Term 2 Calendar has been sent home this week. The calendar will be correct at the time of printing but due to unforeseen circumstances, dates may change.
Please keep it in a safe and convenient location at home for a quick reference of school activities for this term.
Mothers’ Day Stall
A very big thanks to the P&C and their many volunteers who ran a very successful Mothers’ Day stall this week.
School Book Fair
The School Book Fair was held in the school Library this week. Thank you to the parents and caregivers who supported this activity.
Synergy Dance Festival
Congratulations to the Blacktown South Performance Troupe and Mrs Harvey-Phillips, all three dance groups were successful in their audition for the Synergy Dance Festival to be held at Evan’s Theatre at Penrith Panthers. The competition to gain a place in this festival is always very fierce. This is a great achievement.
Our students will be performing twice on Thursday 19th June, the first show starts at 5.30pm and second show starts at 7.30pm.
Festival of Cultures 2025
The Festival of Cultures (past name Harmony Day) will be held next week on Thursday 15th May.
The Festival of Cultures celebrations are always a highlight of the school year, a time when we recognise and celebrate our cultural diversity. It was absolutely fantastic last year to see so many parents, carers and grandparents join in our parade.
Our 2025 The Festival of Cultures format will include –
Cultural Dress: We are hoping that many students will dress in their traditional cultural dress.
Cultural Parade: During the morning session, weather permitting, we will be holding our cultural parade. Parents are most welcome to attend this event and parade with their children.
Class Cultural Activities: In the middle session classes will rotate through a range of cultural activities in different classrooms.
Cultural Feast: Students are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share with their class for lunch.
Notes have been sent home for students who wish to be part of the parade.
I look forward to seeing many of our families on the day.
Wet Weather Plan
In the event of wet weather, the Festival of Cultures will be postponed until Wednesday 21st May.
Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival – Monday 2nd June
The Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday 2nd June at the Blacktown Athletic Centre.
Students attending on the day will have an opportunity to compete in a range of Track Events, 100, 200 and 800 metres. There will also be a range of novelty events and activities to enjoy.
Year 2 students turning 8 this year may also attend.
Please ensure permission notes and money have been returned by Friday 30th May.
Attendance Updates
Student Attendance Report: Last Friday we sent home a report on your child’s attendance for Term 1. The purpose of the report is to clearly show to families the number of days your child has been away from school.
Daily Notification of Student Absences: As of Monday 5th May, between 10.30am and 12.00pm the school started emailing families if their child has an unexplained absence for the day. If families have already contacted the school to explain your child’s absence prior to the email being distributed, you should not receive the email. This is only for families who have not already explained their child’s absence.
Please see the note attached, which was sent home last week for more details of this initiative.
Andrew Bowmer - Principal
Cultural Calendar for May
Dear Parents,
I endeavour to include as many cultural events as possible, unfortunately I do accidently miss some. If I have missed an important cultural event for your culture or religion please inform me so I can correct it in the coming newsletter. Thanks for your help.
May 9th – Europe Day- European Union
May 11th - Mothers’ Day
May 12th - Vesak Day –also known as Wesak Day/ Buddha Purnima/ Buddha's Birthday is a major Buddhist festival celebrated by all the Buddhists throughout the world, with great ceremonial rituals. This day actually memorializes the birth, enlightenment (nirvana) and passing away (Parinirvana) of the Lord Gautama Buddha on one day.
May 13th - National Day Israel
May 14th - National Day – Paraguay
May 16th – International Day of Living Together in Peace (UN)
May 17th - Constitution Day – Norway
May 20th - National Day- Cameroon
May 20th - Restoration of Independence- Timor-Leste
May 22nd – Unification Day – Yemen
May 23rd - Declaration of Bab (Baha’i). Baha’i believers around the world celebrate the 1844 as the day of the declaration of the Bab, who was the forerunner of Baha’u’llah the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
May 24th – Independence Day -Eritrea
May 25th - Africa Day- (African Union), National Day- Argentina, Independence Day- Jordan
May 26th - Independence Day – Georgia, National Day - Guyana
May 26th - National Sorry Day- is an annual event that has been held in Australia on 26 May, since 1998, to remember and commemorate the mistreatment of the country's Aboriginal People.
May 27th – June 3rd - National Reconciliation Week
May 28th - National Day- Nepal, National Day - Ethiopia, Republic Day -Azerbaijan
May 28th - Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh - (Baha’i). This is an important holy day celebrated on the 28th May, at 3am. It commemorates the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Bahá'í faith, Bahá'u'lláh, and his teachings.
May 29th – Ascension Day (Christian) commemorates the Christian belief of the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is one of the universally celebrated feasts of Christian churches. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter.
Important Australian Milestones
May 6th - The Commonwealth Migration Act 1958 was amended, effectively dismantling the White Australia Policy 1966
May 22nd - Convict transportation to NSW ended in 1840.
May 27th - The 1967 referendum removed discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Attendance Matters
As we move into the cooler months of the school year, it is a little harder to get moving in the mornings, however, at Blacktown South our school day starts at 9.15am every day we are operational. All students should be at their classrooms ready to learn by this bell. It is a requirement that all students are at school every day on time to maximise success and engage with their learning as soon as the day starts.
The Importance of arriving on time at school and class:
- Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day
- Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine
- Give students time to greet their friends before class
- Reduces classroom disruption
Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents. If your child is late they will need to report to the office, preferably with a parent, to obtain a late note before heading to class. If they arrive on their own, you will be required to send in a notification for the reason for their late arrival. This is best done through the school app - sZapp or by phone after 8.30am. Let's work together to ensure maximum time at school for maximum learning takes place for every student at Blacktown South PS.
#Attendance Matters
PBL
Greetings Readers,
Welcome to Week 2 and the PBL Team’s first newsletter article for Term 2.
Over the past week, students at Blacktown South Public School have been reviewing their Rewards Menu and Classroom Expectations, and have enjoyed the process of updating rewards and reflecting on what it means to be Safe, Respectful Learners.
This fortnight, we are focusing on Being a learner in the Library!
At Blacktown South, we love reading, talking about the books we enjoy, and spending time in our wonderful school Library. Each class visits the Library once a week for a dedicated library lesson. During these lessons, students return and borrow books, complete book-related activities, or research topics linked to their classroom learning.
Just like in our classrooms, the Library has its own set of expectations to help everyone enjoy the space respectfully and safely.
When we visit the Library, we should:
- Line up sensibly outside the Library.
- Speak quietly to help maintain a calm and peaceful space.
- Treat books and materials with care.
- Return books to their correct places after reading.
- Follow the teacher’s instructions.
- Be patient and take turns when borrowing books.
- Show respect to others who are reading or working.
When we visit the Library, we should not:
- Make loud noises or disturb others.
- Bring our bags or belongings inside—these should be left outside.
- Eat or drink, as this can damage Library resources.
- Write in or damage books.
- Run inside the Library.
What can we do in the Library at lunchtime?
- Play quiet games like Dominoes and Connect Four with friends.
- Enjoy calm activities such as drawing, colouring, or writing.
- Use the computers for research or educational games.
- Follow instructions when it's time to pack up.
- Log off computers and push chairs in neatly.
Reading opens doors to new ideas, imagination, and learning. Our Library is the perfect place for these adventures to begin. Let’s continue to be Safe, Respectful Learners in the Library.
- Safe: We push in our chairs and walk carefully.
- Respectful: We use quiet voices and return books properly.
- Learners: We borrow and return books regularly to keep growing our love of reading.
Have a wonderful fortnight,
The PBL Team
Year 1
Year One have started Term 2 with a BANG! Students have been working hard in their Literacy groups. They are engaged in a range of hands-on activities, where they independently complete activities to the best of their abilities. In Mathematics, students have also shown great skill in length. We are excited to see their growth this term!
P&C and Uniform Shop
Our Parent and Community organisation is managed by a dedicated team of parent volunteers. Our objective is to engage with the school community and secure funding to enhance school facilities, equipment, and student support.
We would like to welcome you all back for an exciting Term 2.
A big thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to help on our Mothers' Day stall this week. Thank you to all the families who supported our efforts by purchasing a gift. Wishing all mothers, grandmothers, nans, etc a very happy Mothers' Day.
Term 2 fundraisers and key dates to put in your calendars:
- Loose Change Drive - Commencing June.
The winning class gets a pizza party and the money raised goes towards purchasing home readers and new books for the library.
- Crazy Socks Day – 18th June
- State of Origin Donut Day – TBA
All proceeds of our fundraising events go towards our fundraising goals.
Should you wish to volunteer your assistance throughout the year, please contact us. We are always seeking volunteers, and it's an excellent opportunity to build community connections.
Uniform Shop
Our uniform shop's new opening hours and days are:
Mondays and Thursdays, from 9:20 am to 10:20 am weekly.
Winter stock is readily available in all sizes and styles so please come and see us as the weather starts to cool down.
We are waiting on Skivvys and gloves which should arrive shortly.
Sports Uniforms are scheduled to arrive late Term 2.
All stock updates will be announced on our Facebook Page when they arrive.
We also offer a second-hand rack with prices starting at just $2. We gratefully accept uniform donations, and all proceeds benefit the P&C.
Alternatively, you can order online via the link provided, these will be placed in your child's teacher's pigeonhole for distribution. We will endeavour to complete these purchases on Mondays and Thursdays.
Click here to purchase school uniforms online
Please like our P&C/Uniform shop Facebook page for updates.
Click here to view the P&C Facebook page:
On our P&C website we have added the option "P&C contribution" (link below).
This is optional but it would be a great help if each family of our school could help with a donation. Thank you.
Digital Entertainment book
This fundraiser is available to be purchased all year. The digital entertainment book is conveniently available through an app. It is full of savings on entertainment, dining, travel, activities and much more. By purchasing through our link, the P&C receive a percentage of the total, contributing towards our fundraising goals. Please purchase through the link below:
Click here to purchase:
If you too would like to join our team of volunteers, please contact us at:
pc.bsps@outlook.com.au or Renee on 0415859158
Notes
Please click below for any notes that have gone home in the past that you might have missed:
Community News
At Blacktown South Public School, we support our local community. Click on the links for further information.
School Contacts
Blacktown South Public School
183 Flushcombe Road
Blacktown NSW 2148
Ph: 9622 6034, 9622 2449
Fax: 9831 2379
Email: blacktowns-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Principal: Mr Andrew Bowmer
Deputy Principals: Mrs Kathy Price, Mrs Renee Radecki (Monday to Wednesday) and Mrs Sathiya Segaram (Thursday to Friday)
Assistant Principals - APCI: Miss Raelene Rillera, Ms Amanda Sheaves and Mrs Sathiya Segaram.
Assistant Principals: Kindergarten Miss Krystal Evangelou
Year 1 Miss Matilda Lee
Year 2 Miss Fiona Pearce
Year 3 Mrs Hannah Casley
Year 4 Mrs Amy Charlesworth
Year 5 Miss Alyce Rogers
Year 6 Mr Patrick Lee-Eyles
Specialist Teachers Mrs Panayiota Zouriakas
Senior Administration Manager: Mrs Claire Dobbie
School Administration Officers: Mrs Robyn Taylor, Ms Doris Mifsud,
Miss Daphne Manivong, Ms Tara Shipway and Mrs Melinda Cooper
School Counsellor: Ms Lisa Harvey, Ms Olivia Parrott and Ms Josephine Cali
P&C Association
President: Renee Tsingolis
Vice President: Mandi Ashraf
Treasurer: Sarah Noor
Secretary: Hayley Hutchison
Assistant Secretary: Position Vacant
Assistant Treasurer: Position Vacant
Uniform Shop Committee:
Manager: Hayley Hutchison
Sarah Noor, Melissa Wilson, Effie Browne, Renee Tsingolis and Mandi Ashraf.
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