Belmore South Public School

The Team of Celia, Naomi, Ramiz and Natalie convinced not only the audience but the adjudicators that Canteens should not serve junk food.

They had a strong team line which their opposition, Strathfield South Public School found it difficult to rebut. Each of our team who had to rebut did a great job.

The Chairman, Justin and Timekeeper, Timothy ensured the debate ran smoothly.

The audience of S2/3P and S3H were attentive, informed, polite and enthusiastic in their congratulations to the debaters.

Thanks to the Coach, Mr McGuinness.

Jayam has won his age group at the regional crosscountry. Jayam was excited and proud of his success. He found the 3km course tough and was not happy with those runners who pushed and jostled down the hills. Jayam was victorious despite falling and hurting his already damaged knee.

Hafiz, our National Champion runner, did not experience the same success. Hafiz had a good lead in his age group when crippled by cramp. With the finish line in sight Hafiz could not continue and had to be taken to the First Aid station by the marshalls.

Our Principal, Ms Gail Dyer, was invited to Canberra earlier this month to be awarded with a National Quality Teaching Award for Excellence as a Principal. Here she is sharing her success with our local member the Hon. Tony Burke MHR and Minister for Agriculture.

Ms Dyer was one of 52 educators from across Australia who were recognised for their work in education. She was one of 6 principals who achieved a highly commended and one of only 2 primary principals. Along with the Certificate of Recognition presented to Ms Dyer by the Deputy Prime Minsiter, Julia Gillard, the school has received $15 000 to put towards continuing to improve our students’ learning.

Ms Dyer stressed it is the quality of Belmore South Staff who are responsible for the recognition. She may lead them in their professional learning but as she reminds people who ask they are the ones who take the ideas and incorporate them into their quality classroom teaching practices. They have also embraced and acknowledged the importance of embedding technology into all learning experiences. Every teacher in the school confidently uses Interactive Whiteboards and many are skilful users of Web 2.0 applications.

She also feels she has great support and superb role models for the younger teachers in Mrs Kim Pericles who is a world leader in the use of Web 2.0 applications in her classroom, Ms Judi Leonard who led the development of ICT confidence as an Intel: Teach to the Future Tutor. Mr Greg McGuinness who translated his excellence as a classroom teacher into our magic Mr Computer. Mrs Vanessa Jenkins who is in there always ensuring she is leading the way.