A Message From The Principal
WELCOME TO TERM 2
We have had a fantastic start to Term 2 with lots of exciting stories from our students about their holiday break. There is a lot happening this term and we will continue to update the dates on the calendar as we go. We look forward to the term ahead!
DATES TO REMEMBER
TERM 2
- Monday 1st May – Preps PJ Day, Yr 4 Incursion – Science Discovery Dome
- Tuesday 2nd May – Yr 2 Incursion – Urban Upcycle
- Monday 8th May – School Council meeting 6.30pm
- Tuesday 9th May – Athletics (Yr 3 – Yr 6)
- Wednesday 10th May – Yr 6 Incursion – Parliament
- Thursday 11th May – Yr 1 & Yr 3 Incursion – History Box, Yr 5 Excursion – Sovereign Hill
- Friday 12th May – Assembly 3pm if outside, 3.15pm if inside (all weather dependent)
- Wednesday 17th May – Bravehearts Yr 1
- Wednesday 24th May – Yr 5 Excursion – Belmont High School Performance
- Friday 26th May – Yr 5 & 6 Lightning Premiership, Assembly 3pm if outside, 3.15pm if inside (all weather dependent)
- Friday 9th June – Assembly 3pm if outside, 3.15pm if inside (all weather dependent)
- Monday 12th June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
- Monday 19th June – School Council meeting 6.30pm
- Wednesday 21st June – Student Reports Published on Sentral
- Friday 23rd June – LAST DAY TERM 2 – 2.10pm assembly, 2.30pm finish
Throughout our newsletters we will be updating you on information happening in the school and celebrating achievements of our students and community. Individual teams will provide you with information specifically targeted to your child / children’s year levels.
MRS P – long service leave
Beginning Monday 15th May, I will be taking long service leave for the remainder of the term. While I am on leave Mr Raidme, our Prep – 2 Assistant Principal, will be Acting Principal. Mr Raidme will do an amazing job in my absence, and I look forward to returning in Term 3.
LUNCH TIME CLUBS and PASSIVE PLAY
This term we will be continuing to run our lunch time clubs and passive play group. In the next newsletter we hope to include the finalised timetable of our lunch time clubs with you for Term 2.
CURRICULUM DAY – first day of term
On Monday our staff participated in a Professional Learning day at the new Department of Education Victorian Academy in Geelong. The Victorian Academy is a Department of Education facility for Professional Learning in teaching and leadership. We had the opportunity to use this new facility and have a day offsite with our staff. It was an opportunity for staff to work with teachers throughout the school, share knowledge and undertake new learning. The day was focussed on wellbeing – both the teaching of wellbeing in our curriculum, mindfulness in the classroom and the introduction of the Department of Education High Impact Wellbeing Strategies (HIWS).
MUSIC LESSONS
High Voltage private music lessons have begun this term. Please note, if your child is undertaking a lesson the teacher will come and collect them from the classroom and walk them back each time.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
We would like to congratulate Poppy on being selected to represent Victoria in gymnastics at the Border Challenge event in Queensland in June. We wish Poppy the very best.
Congratulations to Jordan who represented Bellaire at the Victorian State Swimming Championships today. Jordan had a fantastic swim meet, achieving 3rd place in breaststroke. Well done Jordan.
Suzanne Prendergast
Principal
Whole School News
A Letter from School Council to the Bellaire Community
Welcome back to Term 2 for the 2023 school year – we hope that everyone had the opportunity to have a break and spend time with your families over the Easter long weekend.
School council held its AGM and the first meeting with the new council structure on 27 March. On behalf of school council, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to outgoing president Angela Sormaz for her leadership, dedication and advocacy on behalf of the school community. We are very grateful for the positive and significant contribution Ange has made to our school, and that she will continue on as a valued school council member.
This year our School council members are as follows:
- President – Ben Craven
- Vice President – Kristy Lazic
- Treasurer – Cameron Knell
- Secretary – Ben Raidme
- Parent Members – Angela Sormaz, Emily Dalton, Steve Knuckey, Kristen Archer, Tim Debenham, Erin McHugh
- Staff Members – Matilda Fitzgerald, Ellie Down, Alexandra Forssman and Suzanne Prendergast
We would also like to thank our outgoing School Council members – Olivia Johnstone, Lauren Dolheguy and Derek Dobson.
There are some key updates that I would like to mention:
Building Works project
As you may be aware, in the 2020-21 State Budget, our school received $7.64 million to build a new learning centre and refurbish Block B.
The school leadership has been working closely with the architects and school building authority in progressing the building works, with the project’s design completed.
The next stage in the project is to appoint a builder, and unfortunately this has been set back by delays beyond the school’s control. The school building authority has acknowledged this, citing external issues regarding labour and material costs resulting in the process taking longer than they initially anticipated. As a result, the construction commencement date has been delayed.
We appreciate your patience during this time, and please be assured that the school leadership and council is advocating on your behalf to the school building authority to mobilise this project and appoint a contractor as soon as possible. I am confident that once we get over this hurdle there is a lot to look forward to in terms of delivering these fantastic new facilities for the students and our community.
In coming weeks, we will continue to provide updates on the project.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions, the school building authority has suggested to reach out to them directly at:
Phone: 1800 896 950
Email: VSBA@education.vic.gov.au
Website: https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/
Terrace Works
It is fantastic news that the contract has been signed and works on this will be underway shortly. Thanks to Steve Knuckey and Angela Sormaz for their tireless work on this initiative.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you wish to discuss any of the above or raise a topic for consideration. I can be contacted via email at ben_craven02@hotmail.com or feel free to leave a message with the office and I can get in touch.
Ben Craven
On behalf of Bellaire School Council
Bellaire Parents Group
2023 Bellaire Trivia Night Update:
With a month to go before the trivia night, there will be a flurry of activity for you all to share in. We have over $10,000 worth of amazing auction items for everyone to bid on both on the night and in our online auction.
Our online auction will be live within a few weeks and all information will be sent out through the school social channels. Items such as a Party pack for Geelong Sports Hub, Hampers, Accommodation, Coffee Machine, Dining vouchers, Golf passes, Fuel vouchers, Skateboards, Hairdresser vouchers, a Guitar and a term of High Voltage Music classes! There really is something for everyone. The online auction will be open to the whole school, and we welcome you to share it with your family and friends. All items will have to be collected from the school so please just keep that in mind when you share the auction with others.
On the night of the auction, we will also have some items specifically available for bidding for those who are in attendance. We still have a few seats available so if you are thinking of getting involved, please buy your tickets ASAP.
All purchases will go to our aim of continuing to support student wellbeing and create new outdoor play spaces.
We thank our major sponsor, Spalding Roofing for their very generous donation to cover the cost of the Bowls Club Hire. For all your roofing needs visit: Geelong Roofing Specialists – Spalding Roofing
Other news:
As we noted in our last update, we raised approximately $850 from our Hot Cross Bun fundraiser. We are finalising our purchases of new outdoor equipment and hope to share some fun pictures of the kids enjoying these in the next newsletters.
Should anyone be interested in getting involved, no matter how big or small, please do reach out to us on either facebook via ‘Bellaire Parents’ or via our email bellaireparents@yahoo.com.
Bellaire Parents Group
Bellaire Beanies
Stuck on You Fundraiser
Are you sick and tired of losing your child’s belonging’s?
This may be the solution! Please click on the advert to be taken to the Stuck on You Website.
Scholastic Book Club
Please place your orders online now by clicking on LOOP.
Cash orders no longer accepted in office.
ORDERS CLOSE – 11th May 2023
