Student Free Day

A gentle reminder that tomorrow, Friday 26^th May, is a student free day.  This is a designated teachers’ professional practice day. Their Care is running a full day program for families that need it.

National Simultaneous Story Time

National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by Australians is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, homes and children's facilities all over the country and the world!

This year ‘The Speedy Sloth’ by Rebecca Young & Heath McKenzie was the chosen book and Bonbeach Primary students had the opportunity, at 11am, to listen to the story online read by Kingston Mayor, Hadi Saab. This was followed by a lively discussion about the message in the story which was, be proud of your achievements, don’t compare yourself to others.                                                           
Active Kids are Happy Kids

As the days cool down with winter fast approaching, getting out and about to ensure we get our recommended daily exercise becomes that little bit harder. Australian guidelines recommend that Primary school age children should do at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity plus several hours of light physical activity each day to assist their health, wellbeing and development. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicate that less than one-quarter (23%) of children aged 5–14 achieved the daily physical activity recommendations in 2022, although an average child aged 5-14 spends 123 minutes each day sitting or lying down for screen based activities.

Many parents find screen time and electronic devices to be a constant source of resistance when it comes to encouraging children to participate in physical activity. Instead of separating the two it is possible to combine screen time with physical activity.

• Plan a walk to the shops or local playground using a digital map. You and your child could also use a smart watch or wearable fitness tracker to count your steps, measure your speed, challenge each other and so on.

• Take photos of interesting things you and your child see on a walk. You can look at them later and talk about what your child saw. Or your child could draw a map and add the photos to it.
• Video your child learning a new skill like hopping, riding a bike or doing a new skateboard trick. You can replay the footage so your child can see how they’re learning.
• Choose active video games and apps that get your child to move around inside and outside. These could be dancing or singing games, virtual sports simulators
• Encourage your child to bring their digital interests into off-screen play. For example, your child could dress up as a favourite TV character or use dolls and figurines to act out scenes.

Physical activity has many health benefits for children:

• strengthens children’s bones, muscles, hearts and lungs
• improves children’s coordination, balance, posture and flexibility
• helps children maintain a healthy weight
• boosts children’s immune systems
• reduces the risk of children developing high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and depression.

Children’s wellbeing is boosted when they participate in physical activity and are more likely to:

• be confident, have healthy self-esteem and feel like they belong
• be relaxed and sleep well
• concentrate better at school
• get along with others and make friends easily
• share, take turns and cooperate.

When children do physical activity with you or other people it assists their development by:

• building relationships in your family and community
• helping them develop language, social and communication skills

Physical activity can be light, moderate or vigorous, involving everyday activities, physically active play, and organised sports and exercise.

Light physical activities don’t noticeably change your child’s breathing or heart rate. These include activities like going for a stroll, playing a musical instrument or standing up to paint at an easel.

Moderate physical activities make your child huff and puff a bit. These could include walking quickly, throwing and catching balls, training with weights, dancing, hopping, skipping or jumping in puddles, flying kites or swimming.

Vigorous physical activities increase your child’s heart rate and make them huff and puff a lot. Examples of these are, playing running games like ‘keepings off’ or ‘chasey’, jumping on a trampoline, cycling, playing organised sports like soccer, basketball, swimming, football or netball.

Energetic play is a natural way for children to move and be active. Primary school age children can run, jump, twirl, kick, throw, dance to music, play on playground equipment, enjoy rough-and-tumble play etc.

This winter stay active, get outdoors and keep moving, active kids are happy kids!

regards

Ken

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

We are delighted to inform you that Bonbeach Primary School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competitions again this year. 

What is ICAS? 

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. 

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals. 

The 2023 online ICAS assessments will be held in Term 3 at Bonbeach Primary School on:

 We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.  

 Learn more about ICAS here. (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas) 

How to participate in ICAS 

Parents register for one or more assessments online.

Please note payment cannot be made through the school office.

 If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please: 

1. read about ICAS subjects and prices here:(https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas) 
2. go to Parent Portal here: (https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps) 
3. enter our school’s access code –VCO692 
4. enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment (you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records)

IMPORTANT: Please enter your child’s name accurately into the system. The details you enter will appear on your child’s ICAS certificate.

Online payment closes on Monday, July 24^th 2023. LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Kind regards, 

Jacqui Turner

ICAS Coordinator

Hey everyone, I have really enjoyed teaching so far at BPS this year as a Year 5/6 teacher. Prior to moving to Bonbeach, I taught for 7 years at St Kilda Park Primary School, St Kilda and 3 years before that at a secondary school in the USA. For me, the most rewarding parts of teaching are when I get to see the excitement from students when learning something new, the lightbulb moments and being someone that students can go to when needing support.

I actually live in Bonbeach with my wife, Kate and 2-year-old son, Lenny. Being from England, that is where all of my family live so we try to get over to Europe as much as we possibly can. During the next school holidays, we will be travelling there and having a week in Italy also, so we cannot wait for that trip!

Since I was 10, I have played basketball and it has remained an important hobby of mine to this day. Other sports I am overly passionate about are football (soccer), NFL and tennis. The teams I go for? West Ham Utd in the EPL, Minnesota Vikings in the NFL, Chicago Bulls in the NBA, St Kilda Saints in the AFL and England in all sports (especially the Ashes and football World Cup).

Currently, a skill I am learning to master is playing the guitar (this has been an ongoing goal for many years and one that has required me to persist with a growth mindset). I also would like to learn how to be better at cooking and gardening... Maybe some of the students here can help me with this??

I hope you are all having as great a year as I am. Take care and see you around.

Mr. Jones (the teacher)