TERM 1 WEEK 6 - MONDAY 4 MARCH 2024

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

The PDHPE faculty have had changes to our starting squad early in Term 1 however we are very flexible and we continue to strengthen and adapt in ever changing times.

This fantastic faculty is very excited to be assisting Mr Bodell looking after our current Year 9 students at year meetings, in the playground, and at assemblies.

Curriculum

PDHPE is one of the key learning areas for students in Year 7 to 10. Our school’s PDHPE program aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about, and practice ways of, adopting and maintaining a healthy, productive and active life. It also involves students learning through movement experiences that are both challenging and enjoyable, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence in a variety of contexts. It promotes the value of physical activity in their lives.

Our school’s PDHPE program provides the opportunity for students to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of themselves and others, now and in the future. These issues include physical activity, mental health, drug use, road safety, sexuality and sexual health, nutrition, respectful relationships, personal safety, diversity, gender roles and discrimination.

Some of the content of the program deals with sensitive issues. The school recognises this by teaching about these issues within the context of a developmentally appropriate program and by providing information to you about the program.

The PDHPE program aims to encourage students to make informed decisions about their lifestyle taking into account the values of the family, culture and religion to which they belong. The school program will be implemented in a manner that supports the role of parents and caregivers, and reflects the ethos of the school community.

An overview of some of the content of the PDHPE program that may be considered sensitive is provided below.

Year 12

Year 12 Sport Coaching have been completing more Vocational Education and Training competency hours this year. Our students have been volunteering as time keepers at primary school swimming carnivals and we look forward to more opportunities for them in the coming year.

Year 11

Year 11 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation students have been testing their badminton skills in various tournament style competitions. They are displaying great skill and endurance and have now moved onto table tennis. Our Year 11 students are proving that they know their way around the tables!

Years 9 and 10

Year 10 are focusing on their safe party assessment task. This student centred task involves students designing a board game to help inform their peers on how to be safe in a party environment. Year 9 have begun the partner dance unit and their timing is getting better with each lesson. In class they are focusing on equal opportunity through a study of the film Remember the Titans.

Years 7 and 8

Year 8 and Year 7 have participated in target games and individual dance respectively. They continue to put their collective hands up for the multiple sporting opportunities that are on offer for our junior students.

Sporting Opportunities

A reminder that we have a number of sporting opportunities throughout the year. Teachers work extremely hard to coach the teams and arrange these excursions and competitions for our students. Students MUST return their note and any payment via School Bytes before the excursion takes place. Notes and payment cannot be accepted after the closing date.

Mr Josh Edwards - Head Teacher

“WE FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE LEARNING COMMUNITY, INSPIRING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST BY BECOMING LIFELONG LEARNERS, CRITICAL THINKERS AND HEALTHY CREATIVE MEMBERS OF A GLOBAL SOCIETY.”

I would like to thank all members of the Banora Point High School community for such a great start to the 2024 School Year.

High School Transition

Transition Activities are under way for our Year 6 into 7 students. Thank you to Mr Duff and the team for organising and running the Power Up series of activities. Last week the students were treated to some amazing Maths and Science pursuits and this week will be Creative and Performing Arts. Students and staff have been having fun and learning a lot with this talented group of young people.

Next week we have our 6 into 7 Information Evening on Tuesday 12 March from 5 pm for students joining us in Year 7 in 2025. If you have a child in Year 6 or know of a family member or neighbour who does, then please come along with your child and or encourage your family member or neighbour to attend to see the fantastic things on offer at our great school.

Student Achievements

We have a lot of students representing our school in various sports at Far North Coast and North Coast level. This is truly a great achievement and an opportunity for our students to be ambassadors for our school. Congratulations and good luck to each of you.

NAPLAN

Years 7 and 9 students will be participating in NAPLAN next week. The best preparation is to make sure your child has plenty of sleep the night before and a good breakfast so that they are able to perform at their best. NAPLAN information is for schools to evaluate their teaching and learning programs and not for students to stress about. Please reassure your child to be present and try their best.

Homework Centre

We will be having a Homework Centre run in the Library on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm. Please check your emails for the organisation and permission notes. Thank you to Miss Middleton for this great initiative.

P and C

The P and C Meeting will be in held in the A Block meeting room at 6:30 pm tonight. Please come along and support this very valuable and active group. This is an opportunity for you to have some input in your child’s education.

Uniforms

Thank you to students who are wearing our uniform with pride. For those who are not quite there yet can I ask parents and carers to encourage your children to wear the uniform properly, in full and with pride. School reputation is important, and the community are watching. If you need support with purchasing uniforms, please call the Deputy Principal of your child’s year group or Mrs Sheridan Hargreaves, our Head Teacher Wellbeing.

Ms Kim Taylor- Relieving Principal

Stay up to date with what's happening at Banora Point High School with our online calendar. Access it through your School Bytes portal or click the button below.

What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge?

The Premiers's Reading Challenge (PRC) is a statewide challenge that encourages students to develop a love of reading for leisure and pleasure and enables them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition, but a challenge to encourage each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely.

All students who complete the challenge and have their reading record validated by our school’s PRC coordinator, Ms Check, will receive a certificate signed by the Premier of New South Wales.

How many books do students need to read?

Students in Year 7 to Year 10 are challenged to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books must be from the relevant challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books.

If a book is from an approved PRC series, students can enter up to 5 books as challenge books, and can read up to 10 other books from the same series as personal choice books. More information on the rules can be found on the PRC website.

Books must be added to a student’s online reading record by Friday 23 August 2024 in order for their reading record to be validated and receive a certificate.

How do students log their reading?

Students can access the PRC’s Student Experience site using their Department of Education username and password, or can log into the site via the Student Portal. A video guide explaining how to use the Student Experience site can be found here.

Students may also record their reading on the Personal Reading Log and submit it to the PRC Coordinator by 23 August 2024, who will complete the reading log on the students’ behalf.

How can students find books on the NSW PRC challenge lists?

Students can find PRC titles in our school library. A book display showcases some of the PCR books we have in our library. They can also find more titles by looking at the student experience site or talking to the librarian.

A quick guide for logging books:

1. Log into the student experience site using your Department of Education student username and password.
2. Use the blue search bar to search for books you have read.

3. If the title appears, click "+ Add to Reading Log" to add it as a PRC book.

If the title does not appear, you will need to enter it as a personal choice book.

To enter a personal choice book

1. Click on the round icon in the top right hand corner

2. Click on "My reading log"

3. Fill in the book details under the “Add a Personal Choice book” field and click “Add”

Ms Sam Check - Librarian

Rugby League

Far North Coast Rugby League trials were held last week. Banora Point High School sent students from boys 15's and 18's as well as girls 16's and 18's. Everyone had a great day and we had 8 students make the Far North Coast teams. Well done!

Swimming

After a successful school swimming carnival Banora Point High School had 19 students attend the Far North Coast swimming carnival at Murwillumbah last week. The students swam well and we had a total of 10 students progress to the North Coast carnival being held in Casino. Well done to Ben, Laylah, Rosie, Halle, Ava, Jackson, Rorey, Will, Brandon and Sarah for this fantastic achievement.