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The Wave

term 1 week 6

Ms Stacie Robinson

Principal's Message

We recently had a wonderful Meet and Greet afternoon, with many families attending. It was fantastic to see our school community come together in such a positive and engaging way. Thank you to all the staff who were in attendance and to the families who took the time to connect with us. Building these strong relationships is essential to enhancing student outcomes and creating a supportive learning environment. Our intensive swimming program this term has been exceptional. With outstanding participation from our students, it has been inspiring to watch their swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and confidence develop so rapidly. Swimming is such an important life skill, and our program is designed to cater to all levels, ensuring each child is supported and challenged appropriately. We are very proud of the students’ enthusiasm and progress, and grateful to our dedicated staff and expert instructors who have worked tirelessly to deliver such a high-quality experience. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers who generously contribute their time to support our Breakfast Club and the canteen. The Breakfast Club is a vital part of our school community, providing a nutritious start to the day for many students. It ensures that every child has the energy and focus needed to engage fully in their learning from the moment they arrive. The kindness and commitment of our volunteers help to foster a caring and inclusive atmosphere that reflects our school’s values. We truly appreciate all that you do to support our children’s wellbeing and success. Our students have settled into the new school term wonderfully. They have shown great adaptability and positive attitudes in adjusting to new routines and classrooms. It is lovely to see students establishing friendships, embracing their learning opportunities, and confidently tackling new challenges. The classrooms are buzzing with engaged learners, and it is clear that students are already making fantastic progress both academically and socially. Their eagerness to participate and willingness to support each other has been pleasing to see. NAPLAN assessments will commence from Tuesday 11 March for students in Years 3 and 5. We encourage all students to approach the tests with confidence. As we move through the remainder of the term, I would like to remind families about the importance of students wearing the correct school uniform each day, including appropriate footwear. Wearing the correct uniform helps build a sense of pride and belonging within our school community. Please also ensure that students come to school each day with a packed lunch and a water bottle so they can stay energised and hydrated throughout the day. It is also very helpful if all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name to help us return any misplaced belongings. We are looking forward to celebrating Harmony Day in Week 8. This is always a wonderful opportunity for our school community to recognise and celebrate the diversity of cultures that make our school such a welcoming and inclusive place. Please keep an eye out for further information about this event. Finally, if you have not already done so, please ensure you download the School Bytes Parent Portal App. This app is used for all upcoming activities, excursions and payments. It is also the easiest way for families to notify the school if a child will be late or absent. Thank you for your continued support as we head into a very busy and exciting few weeks ahead.

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Term 1 - 2026

Upcoming Events Calendar

Week 7 - Monday 9 March to Friday 13 March

  • Monday 9 March - NRL Development Blitz Workshop (K-6)
  • Wednesday 11 March - NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5)
  • Thursday 12 March -  NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5)
  • Friday 13 March -  NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5) / Whole School Assembly 1.15 pm (School Hall)

Week 8 - Monday 16 March to Friday 20 March

  • Monday 16 March - NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5) / Stage 3 Optus Digital Thumbprint Program
  • Tuesday 17 March -  NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5) / Come and Try Athletics Day (Classes K-6A, K-6F & K-6H)
  • Wednesday 18 March - NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5)
  • Thursday 19 March - NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5)
  • Friday 20 March - NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5) / Harmony Day

Week 9 - Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March

  • Monday 23 March - NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5) / Dental Van visit
  • Tuesday 24 March -  Dental Van visit
  • Wednesday 25 March -  Dental Van visit
  • Thursday 26 March - Dental Van visit / Wildlife Twins visit (K-2)
  • Friday 27 March - Dental Van visit / Earth Hour

Week 10 - Monday 30 March to Friday 3 April

  • Thursday 1 April - Crazy Hat Parade 10.00 am School Hall / Last Day of Term 1
  • Friday 2 April - Public Holiday (Good Friday)

Wednesday the 11th of March is the start of The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and completes on Monday the 23rd of March.   This is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9.  Students will be assessed on reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.    The purpose of the NAPLAN assessment is to see how each student is developing their literacy and numeracy skills. From this information we can differentiate our teaching and learning programs to meet the learning needs of each student.  You can support your child to achieve to the best of their ability by ensuring they have:

  • a good night sleep.
  • eat breakfast 
  • arrive at school on time (this is very important as these assessments are strictly timed and some assessments will start soon after the morning bell)

Thank you very much for your support to give your child the opportunity to succeed in this assessment program. Mrs Whalan Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction

K-6A recently went to the local skatepark for our sport lesson, and it was a fantastic experience. The students were excited to bring their scooters and challenge themselves in a new environment. At the skatepark, I saw students building confidence as they practiced riding up ramps and improving their balance. It was wonderful to see their teamwork outside the classroom. Mr Ansell Class Teacher

KPA has settled in Kindergarten life at Ballina Public School very well and have been learning so much!! We have been reading and investigating the book 'Alexander's Outing' by Pamela Allen. KPA enjoyed creating freeze frames from parts of the novel. We even did some fantastic drawings of Alexander the ducking who always has his head in the clouds! We loved every minute of Intensive Swimming. Even the walk down was enjoyable, the walk back, not so much!! KPA learned vital swimming techniques, giving their best to all that was asked of them. All of Kindergarten had a ball! The weather was kind and for further information on swimming lessons run at Ballina Memorial Swimming Pool you can check out THE SPLASH LAB website. We are building upon our 'Resilience' and 'Growth Mindset' attitudes, not giving up when we face something difficult. Here we faced a 'Ten Stack Challenge!' The challenge being you cannot connect the blocks together but must rather balance them on top of each other, using patience, determination and a 'try, try and try again' attitude. We battled our inner thoughts to give up but with a positive mindset, encouraging each other and doing our best so many of us were able to achieve it.

We do our best because our best is beautiful. (KPA Class Motto)

Mr Pearson & Mrs Ainsworth Class Teachers

Making Waves: Intensive Swimming Program This week our students participated in an Intensive Swimming Program designed to boost confidence, improve swimming technique, and teach essential water safety skills. Daily lessons focused on refining strokes, building endurance, and developing comfort in the water. Learning to swim is more than a sport—it’s a life skill that keeps children safe around pools, beaches, and waterways while promoting health and fitness. A heartfelt thank you goes to all the instructors and staff whose dedication, encouragement, and support made this program a safe and enjoyable experience for every student. Mrs Cameron Relieving Assistant Principal