14 February 2025

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Blacktown South Public School for the 2025 school year. It has been a very busy start to the new school year. A special welcome to all our new families especially the new Kindergarten students and their families.

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Important Reminder 

Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes (OC) Applications for 2026 

Online applications are open for:  

• Year 4 students intending to apply for a 2026, OC class. 
• Year 6 students intending to apply for a 2026, Selective High School. 

Online applications Close on Friday 21^st February - next week.  

• Late applications will not be accepted!

For more information on Selective high schools and opportunity classes visit the website and in the student resource hub: 

• Applying for a selective high school: Student resource hub
• Applying for an opportunity class: Student resource hub

School Numbers and Class Structures

Each year I like to create our new classes as early as possible. This is dependent upon a few factors most importantly that there is not an unexpected change of student numbers over the holidays or over the first few days of the school year, with families unexpectantly leaving or enrolling.

It is my preference to create new classes as early as possible, so students are with their new teachers and meaningful teaching and learning can commence. This year, as in previous years, we were able to put Year 1 to 6 students into their 2025 classes by recess.

The additional complication for 2025 was the Department of Educations requirement that we start Kindergarten on the same day as all other students. This created a very busy morning on the first day.

In 2025 Blacktown South PS will have a 35-class structure, unless we have a significant influx of students throughout the year.

P&C Uniform Shop

A special thank you to Haley Hutchison, our P&C uniform shop coordinator and the P&C volunteers who worked tirelessly last week to provide access to the uniform shop for our families. 

Construction Work

Unfortunately, construction work between Block 1 and 2 which was planned to be completed during the holidays has been delayed. This work includes the replacement of broken and uneven concrete, the fixing of the drain in front of Block 1 and important repairs to the stairs and retaining wall. I am expecting the work to be completed in the next two weeks.

Staff changes

I would like to welcome Miss Nihal Asaner and Miss Sarah Atfield who will both be teaching at Blacktown South Public School in 2025.

A list of staff is attached to this newsletter.

Term 1- Calendar

Attached to this newsletter is the Term 1 School Calendar. It was correct at the time of printing. Please keep it in a safe and convenient location at home for a quick reference of school activities for this term. At times it will be necessary to vary the dates of some activities. Please read the school newsletter, notes and Facebook and App updates for the most up to date information about upcoming school events.

Meet the Teacher Afternoon

We are excited to invite our parents and caregivers back on to our school site for our ‘Meet the Teacher’ afternoons this year.

The Kindergarten Meeting – Thursday 27^th February

The Kindergarten Meet the Teacher afternoon will be on Thursday 27^th February, with parents meeting in their child’s classroom for a general information session about the class and school routines. This commences at 5.30pm.

Face to Face Meeting for Year 1-6 - Parents are asked to book online a 5 minute, one-on-one meeting with their child’s class teacher. These meetings will be held over two days:

Years 1 and 2 - Meet the Teacher – Wednesday 5^th March- 3.30 - 6.00pm.

Years 3 to 6 - Meet the Teacher – Thursday 6^th March - 3.30 - 6.00pm.

Please note – these Face to Face meetings must be booked online.

The purpose of this teacher-parent meeting is to provide a quick opportunity for parents to ask a few questions to clarify some aspect of their child’s learning or class routines and to provide both the parents and teacher an opportunity to be informed of any concerns.

Information about the organisation of these meeting will be sent home next week.  

Personalised Learning Pathway (PLPs)

We are holding a First Nations Breakfast on Wednesday 26^th February so we can meet with our Aboriginal students and their families to start our PLP discussions for 2025. Invitations have been sent home for this breakfast meeting.  

Year 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival – Competitors Only

Blacktown South Public School’s Swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday 19^th February at Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Pool, Emerton.

This swimming carnival is for competitors only- students who can swim 50m using a recognised – Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.

Year 2 students who are competent swimmers and are turning 8 in 2025 may be able to compete. Please contact the school and talk with the Deputy Principal – Mrs Kathy Price.

PSSA Interschool Sport

The Blacktown PSSA will continue to run a modified Summer and Winter Friday Interschool Sport Program. The summer sport competition will run during Term 2 and the winter sport program will operate during Term 3.  We will be holding try-outs for these teams over the coming four to six weeks of this term.

School Swimming Program or Intensive Swimming for Year 2-4

This is a learn to swim and water safety program that will occur during Week 6 – Monday 3^rd March to Friday 7^th March. It is designed for non-swimmers and beginner swimmers. Students from Year 2 to 4 can participate. It will be held at Blacktown Pool. Information regarding this program was sent home this week week.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge officially starts on Monday 24^th February. Mr Arundel, our teacher-librarian coordinates this activity for our school. Detailed information has been sent home and is attached to this newsletter.

I wish all students a great year of reading!

Some General School Reminders:

Permanent Textas/Markers at School: Permanent Textas and markers including Sharpies and Posca pens are banned for students. Students should not bring permanent textas or markers to school or be in possession of permanent textas or markers on school grounds.

Mobile phones and communication devices: Students need to be able to attend school each day without the threat of being victims of online bullying. In addition, students and teachers have a right to be able to learn and work at school without being interrupted by personal mobile devices. For these reasons Mobile phone and watches are not to be used while at school. This includes phone cameras and watch cameras. Mobile phones and watches – must be kept in the student’s bag and should be turned off. They will not be minded by the classroom teacher.

Parents should not contact their children via mobile phone / watch during school hours. Please contact the office with urgent messages.

Parking: A reminder that there is no parking on school grounds after 8am and before 4.15pm. I would also ask parents to ensure they park legally in the streets around our school and not in or across neighbours’ driveways. Your cooperation is great appreciated.

There are a few parents with permission to drop off and pick up within the school car park – these parents have been given special permission due to their unique circumstances.

School Uniform: Students are expected to wear the school uniform each day. Sports Uniform should only be worn on dedicated sports day or when specifically requested. 

Student Toilets: These are for the use of our students only.  If you, or a young pre-school child needs to use a bathroom, please see the office staff and they will be able to arrange a suitable facility for you in Block 5 or at the Library Block.

Final Message

I am looking forward to a very exciting and productive year at Blacktown South Public School.

Andrew Bowmer - Principal

Cultural Calendar for January & February

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.

January 1^st – New Year’s Day, Liberation Day – Cuba, Independence Day – Haiti, National Day – Sudan
January 4^th - Independence Day – Republic of Myanmar
January 6^th – Birth Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sikh) born Gobind Rai was the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher.
January 6^th – Christmas Day (Armenian Orthodox Christian)
January 7^th – Christmas Day (Orthodox Christian)
January 13^th - Maghi (Sikh cultural festival) The day of Maghi is observed to honour the heroic fight of forty Sikhs, now called the Forty Immortals, who sacrificed their lives defending an attack by the Mughal army.
January 14^th - Orthodox New Year (Christian)
January 14^th – 16^th - Mahayana New Year (Buddhist - Mahayana tradition including Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and India)
January 20^th – Martin Luther King Day (USA) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
January 26^th – Australia Day & Survival Day
January 27^th – International Holocaust Remembrance Day (UN)
January 27^th –Isra and Mi’raj- Night Journey (Muslim) are the two parts of a Night Journey that, according to Islam, Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621 CE. It has been described as both a physical and spiritual journey.
January 29^th – Lunar New Year Celebrations- Chinese New Year – Is the ‘Year of the Snake’
January 31^st – National Day -Nauru
February 3^rd –Vasant Panchami day (Hindu) is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami day. Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami.
February 4^th - Independence Commemoration Day – Sri Lanka
February 6^th – Waitangi Day – New Zealand – Is the National Day of New Zealand that commemorates the signing, on 6 February 1840, of the Treaty of Waitangi by representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs.
February 7^th – Independence Day – Grenada
February 9^th – St Maroun’s Feast Day (Maronite Christian) On this day some 10 million Maronites around the world pay their respects to the priest Maroun (340 ‑ 410) founder of the Maronite church.
February 11^th – National Day – Iran
February 12^th – Magha Puja Day (Buddhist –Theravada tradition) is the second most important Buddhist festival, celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Sri Lanka and on the full moon day of Tabaung in Myanmar. It celebrates a gathering that was held between the Buddha and 1,250 of his first disciples.
February 12^th - The Chinese Lantern Festival, Yuan Xiao, occurs on the night of the first full moon of the lunar year. It is believed that spirits can be seen flying about on this night so people go out with lanterns to look for them. On this night children walk through the streets carrying lanterns.
February 14^th – Valentine’s Day
February 14^th – March 2^nd - Sydney Mardi Gras
February 15^th - Nirvana Day – Buddhist – Is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia. It celebrates the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana, or Nirvana.
February 15^th - National Day – Serbia
February 16^th – Independence Day – Lithuania
February 17^th - Independence Day – Kosovo
February 18^th - Independence Day – The Gambia
February 21^st - International Mother Language Day (UN) aims to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education and raise awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. This day was launched by UNESCO in 1999.
February 22^nd - National Day – Saint Lucia
February 23^rd – Emperor’s Birthday – Japan
February 23^rd – National Day – Guyana, National Day - Brunei Darussalam
February 24^th – Independence Day – Estonia
February 25^th - National Day – Kuwait
February 26^th - Maha Shivaratri (Hindu) is predominantly a Hindu festival that happens every year in honour of Lord Shiva. The day marks the marriage day of Shiva. It is major festival for the Hindus, prayers are offered to overcome darkness and ignorance in one's life.
February 27^th - Independence Day – Dominican Republic
February 27^th – St Vartan’s Day when Armenians around the world commemorate the Battle of Avarayr which took. place in 451 A.D.

Milestones January

January 1^st - Federation of Australia formed 1901
January 1^st - Australian national anthem lyrics modified to “for we are one and free” 2021
January 9^th - Final convict transportation to Australia (Western Australia) in 1868
January 22^nd - Australia signed the United Nations Convention on Refugees 1954

Milestones February

February 7^th - Colony of New South Wales formally proclaimed in 1788
February 12^th - Anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride
February 13^th - Australian Government apology to Indigenous Australians in 2008
February 18^th - First school in the NSW Colony opened in 1793

Attendance Matters

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age of 17 years. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at and regularly attend school. Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.

During 2025 we will be monitoring student attendance closely. Please ensure that if your child/ren are absent from school you have informed us either using the sZapp - our preferred option or by a phone call to the office. Notification of absence and the reason for the absence are important requirements for the maintenance of accurate rolls and student data. Your assistance in helping us maintain this is very much appreciated.

At Blacktown South we are going to be working hard in 2025 to improve attendance. There will be lots of new things happening to celebrate attendance and these will be revealed as the year progresses. For now, we need everyone at school and on time every day the school is open.

Looking forward to a positive year of attendance #AttendanceMatters

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.

Firstly, a big welcome to our new and old BSPS families. We have big things planned for 2025.

Term 1 fundraisers and key dates to put in your calendars:

• Term 1 P&C Meeting Friday 14th March 2025

• Harmony Day Donuts Friday 21st March 2025
• Easter Hat Parents Busy Bee Thursday 27th March 2025
• Easter Hat Parade Wednesday 4th April 2025

Should you wish to volunteer your assistance at these events or 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 9:20am to 10:20am weekly. 

Currently, we have a limited supply of sports uniforms, particularly in size 6 and 8. These items are on their way and we will notify you via our Facebook page once they have arrived. We also have limited stock in Caps, Legionaries hats and skorts/culottes in particular size 16. Please be patient as we navigate new management in 2025 and we will aim to get stock to you as soon as possible. 

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 pigeon hole for distribution. We will endeavour to complete these purchases on Mondays and Thursdays. 

If you have any queries please contact BSPS Uniform Manager details below or come and see us. 

Hayley Hutchison 
0401460752

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 and Ms Olivia Parrott

P&C Association
President:  Renee Tsingolis
Vice President:  Mandi Ashraf and Breamini Maniraj
Treasurer: Karishma Agarwal
Secretary: Hayley Hutchison
Assistant Secretary: Danielle Flissinger
Assistant Treasurer: Position Vacant

Clothing Uniform: Mrs Tsingolis, Mrs Maniraj, Mrs Ashraf