Term 2 Week 3 Newsletter
Principal's Pen - Robyn Hutchins
Newsletter – Term 2 Week 3 2023 – Principal’s Pen
It is with a heavy heart that I let the Bellevue community know that Mrs Liz Watt, our Deputy Principal for Years 3-6, will be leaving us at the end of week 5. Liz will be taking some extended leave to spend time with her family and grandchildren, and is also planning some exciting international travel in the coming months. Liz has been part of Education Queensland for over 35 years and has dedicated her life to making a difference for generations of young people across the state. We have been so lucky to have Mrs Watt as our Deputy Principal at Bellevue Park State School since 2019. While we are sad to see her go, we know she has some personally exciting times ahead and wish her all the best with her new adventures. We will miss you, Mrs Watt!
P&C Bellevue Ball
Everyone had a wonderful night on Saturday 22nd April, celebrating 40 years of Bellevue Park State School at our P&C Bellevue Ball. It was a truly spectacular affair and full credit goes to Mr Mat Young, our Performing Arts Coordinator, who was the mastermind behind the bulk of the event planning. Special mention also goes to Mrs Erin Kent, Mr Mark Sala, Mrs Wendy Efthymiou, Mrs Janice Falanitule, and the rest of our P&C members and staff who planned and assisted with the event. Thank you also to everyone who bought a ticket in our raffle. The P&C have been able to raise over $2000 through raffle sales for this event, funds which will go straight to supporting our school and students. Thank you also to the 23 sponsors who provided such terrific prizes for us to raffle off. Your support means the world to us! We encourage all our families to help support these local businesses mentioned below.
Kiss’n’Go
We know that the area in front of the school on Sapium Road is becoming increasingly difficult to negotiate as our school grows. There is limited parking available at school drop off and pick up, and not many areas to legally and safely drop student’s off. We are pleased to announce that we have just received confirmation that Gold Coast City Council will re-work the area in front of the school soon to include a designated ‘Kiss’n’Go’ zone. The proposed plans are outlined in the image below. While we do not have a confirmed date for these works yet, we are hoping they won’t be too far away. We will advise more details as we receive them.
No dogs on school grounds
We’d like to remind all families that dogs are not permitted on school grounds at any time. This includes at drop off and pick up times, and for all school events (including those after hours). The safety of students is our top priority, and we must also enforce all department wide policies. If you do need to bring your dog, please wait outside school grounds and ensure they are on a leash at all times. Thank you for understanding.
Deputy Principal - Liz Watt
YEAR 4 CAMP
In Week 3 our year 4 cohort enjoyed their first school camp experience at Currumbin Valley Community Farm. From bush walks and swimming in the refreshing waters of the creek, to animal spotting, Indigenous language learning and connecting to Country, as well as playing Indigenous games. The Year 4 cohort all learnt to manage themselves away from home, for some students the very first time away from their parents. From all reports, the food was fresh and tasty and lots of fun was had.
It was fantastic to see our students rise to the challenges with which they were presented and engage with the activities, embracing the experiences in the two-day program. Our students were amazing ambassadors for Bellevue Park and displayed a high level of respect and consideration for both each other and the instructors at the camp.
Here are some of their reflections:
- I loved the birds chirping and listening to the water of the stream flowing. I felt really connected to Country.
- I loved camp because it was different from normal school and it challenged me.
- I loved throwing the traditional weapons and learning how the aboriginal people hunted for food.
- I learnt that aboriginal people were very intelligent and wise with the way they did things.
- I loved doing the gardening and learning the importance of giving back to Country.
- At first I was nervous about being painted with ochre, but afterwards it felt really nice and I loved it.
- At camp we worked together and I thought it was better and easier when we worked together. I discovered that teamwork was a really great thing.
Mrs Hutchins and I had an awesome time visiting the two groups across the week. A huge thank you must go to our Year 4 teachers and Ms Montagna, who gave up their own family time to accompany our students and stay overnight with them.
See below for some of the many photos from the different activities.
Before heading back to school, poems created by their Camp teacher based on their reflections and ideas shared together during their excursion to Currumbin Rocks were shared with some classes. Click on each PDF to read them:
SEMESTER 1 REPORTING TO PARENTS
All teachers are well into the teaching and learning for Term 2. The assessments conducted this term, as well as that from Term 1 will form the basis for teacher judgements for Semester 1 Report Cards.
Teachers will be conducting the final assessments in the coming weeks with Semester 1 Reports to be emailed to parents and carers in the final week of term 2.
Parents, should you have changed your email address recently, please ensure you have updated your details with the office staff so that your child’s report cards are emailed to the correct address.
FAREWELL TO BELLEVUE
This will be my final Newsletter at Bellevue Park as I will be taking leave from the end of Week 5 till the end of 2023 and then retiring.
Having worked across a myriad of schools and locations in both Queensland and abroad, with many hundreds of teachers, office staff, teacher-aides, and ancillary staff, teaching hundreds more students ranging from Prep right up to Year 9 over the last 30 + years, I have decided the time is right to regain some balance in my life and spend some quality time with my family.
I will miss Bellevue terribly – it always felt like I had “come home” when I was so lucky to be appointed Deputy Principal to start Term 4 in 2019. This community has true heart and such dedicated staff and families who are always striving to achieve the very best for the children in our care. We are truly blessed to have such a caring team of professionals looking after your children.
Here are some of my favourite memories of Bellevue - I look forward to hearing more great things about this amazing school in the future, especially with the Bellevue Bash coming up later in Term 3.
Finally, as I say to the students – keep being the best you can be!
Much love.
Deputy Principal - Sam Birch
2A were inspired to do some weaving after reading Kylie Dunstan’s, “Collecting Colour”. Kylie’s story celebrates family and the beautiful creative works done by fibre artists in Arnhem Land.
Collecting Colour in Year 2
Finance
Guidance Officer
Head of Inclusion
Chaplaincy
Chappy CornerWow, I can't believe we're already three weeks into Term 2! I hope everyone had a great holidays and refreshing breaks over the past couple of public holidays.I've been busy building rapport with students and staff, connecting with the P&C, helping with breakfast club, and starting to develop and build small groups for the senior year levels. I'm excited to see where this term is heading! I would love to start to build relationships with the wider Bellevue Park community, including families and parents. Feel free to say hi to me if you see me talking to students at the end of school days!Coming up this term in week 6, we're celebrating Chappy Week! Chappy Week is a week where all schools celebrate their school chaplain and the service that chaplaincy offers to school communities. Keep an eye out for dates & activities that your children could participate in during the week!As always, if you need any support, financially or practically, please feel free to contact me at ecoll286@eq.edu.au. I'd love to walk this journey of life with you and ensure you're getting the most effective support possible.Look forward to seeing you around the school community,Chappy EmKindest regards,Em CollardSU ChaplaincyChaplain at Clover Hill State School, Park Lake State School, & Bellevue Park State Schoolmain 1300 478 753emma-lee.collard@suchaplaincy.org.au | ecoll286@eq.edu.au | su.org.au
Performing Arts - Instrumental Music
We would like to invite our Bellevue community to attend the 2023 Instrumental Music Winter Concert on Wednesday 7 June 2023.
All of our instrumental strings and band students have been working hard to prepare for this and are looking forward to showing you what they have learnt this semester. See you at the concert!
Date: Wednesday 7 June 2022 (Term 2, Week 8)
Time: 2:30pm – 4:00pm: All strings and band students
Location: Bellevue Park State School Hall
Performing Arts
2023 BPSS PERFORMING ARTS SHOW – BEATS OF THE 80’s
P&C News
Community News
