Dear Bicheno Primary School Community,

A team of students from Grade 3-6 recently participated in the East North East (ENE) Carnival, and what an exciting day it was! The energy, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm displayed by all our students were truly inspiring. An excellent example of this was when Alfie was participating in a race (which he had been waiting patiently all day for). During the race, another student fell, and Alfie stopped to help them up. You’re so kind, Alfie! Congratulations to everyone who competed, whether they won, simply gave their best effort, or supported the team as a reserve. A special thank you to the staff, parents, and volunteers who helped make the event such a success. It’s wonderful to see our students embrace the spirit of healthy competition and teamwork.

A highlight of this term has been the Grade 1 and 2 swimming lessons. Our young swimmers have made incredible progress, gaining confidence in the water and learning essential skills. It’s been fantastic to watch them develop both their swimming techniques and their understanding of water safety. These lessons are a vital part of our students’ physical education, and we are grateful to Miss Walch, Lucie Cunliffe, and the parents who have supported this program. We will provide another opportunity for our Prep students and any Grade 1/2 students who weren’t part of the lessons this term in Term 4.

This term, we have continued our focus on fostering a sense of belonging and connection within our school community. Our Harmony Day celebrations were a wonderful reminder of the rich diversity within our school and the importance of inclusion and respect. Students participated in activities that celebrated different cultures, shared stories, and reflected on the values of kindness, respect, and understanding.

Our student leaders have also been doing amazing work to promote these values throughout the school. They have taken on leadership roles, encouraging their peers to think about how we can create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Their efforts are truly helping to build a stronger, more connected school community.

Over the past 12 months, we have been implementing a multi-tiered structure of support (MTSS) at Bicheno Primary School. MTSS is an approach that allows us to provide targeted support to students at various levels, ensuring that every child’s academic, social, and emotional needs are met. We have seen great progress as we identify and address areas where students may need additional help, whether in the classroom, through small group work, or with specialised interventions.

Our commitment to developing fluency in reading is also a key part of this approach. We know how crucial strong reading skills are to success in all areas of learning, and this term, we have been focusing on strategies to support every child’s journey to becoming a confident and fluent reader.

I would also like to take the opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of safety when riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards to and from school. Recently, we've received feedback from the community about some near misses, especially involving older citizens, which highlights the need for extra care. A key safety measure is to get off and walk past the IGA or other high foot traffic businesses, as these areas can be especially busy and difficult to navigate safely on wheels. Additionally, when passing pedestrians on the footpath, please remind your child to give them plenty of space. Slowing down and announcing their presence with a polite “excuse me” can help avoid any accidents. It is also a requirement that riders get off and walk across the child crossings when safe to do so. Let’s work together to keep our paths and streets safe for all!

As we close out the term, I would like to extend my thanks to all of our staff, students, and families for their ongoing support. The partnership between home and school is so important in helping our students succeed, and I am grateful for the community we have here at Bicheno Primary.

We have much to look forward to in Term 2, with a new inquiry focus, learning opportunities, and experiences on the horizon. I wish everyone a restful break and Easter and look forward to welcoming you all back next term.

Kind regards

Tom Spykers

Principal