Student opportunities and activities

At Balgowlah Heights Public School, we offer a variety of programs in the classroom and across the school to help students build new skills, make friends and explore new interests.

Our programs may include:

• school sport, athletics and inter-school competitions
• creative and performing arts groups and showcases
• cultural activities
• excursions and incursions
• public speaking and debating
• lunchtime and interest-based clubs
• student leadership opportunities
• activities that support high potential and gifted learners

Contact us to learn more about what’s available and how your child can get involved.

Our extra-curricular highlights

Explore the range of extracurricular highlights at our primary school - scroll down the page to discover full details on all the activities we offer!

Our extra-curricular activities

Band

The school's band program comprises of four bands open to students in Years 3 to 6:

• Junior Band
• Senior Band
• Concert Band
• Stage Band (by invitation)

Each of the bands has a Band Conductor, a paid professional who oversees the musical development of the band team.

Students can join the band from Year 3.  New students to playing an instrument undergo an instrument tryout to determine the instrument/s for which they are most suited. Instrument tryouts are usually held in Term 4.

Students who wish to participate in band must be prepared to devote out of class time to tutorial lessons for their instrument as well as band rehearsals. The bands rehearse twice a week, either before or after school or during lunchtime.

The bands perform at school events, during assemblies, Education Week ,  Band Performance Evening along with a number of community based concerts.

More information about the band is available on the Balgowlah Heights Band website: https://www.bhpsband.com.

For further  information about the school's band program contact the Band Program Manager at bhpsconcertband@optusnet.com.au.

Strings Program

The Strings Program comprises of four bands open to students in Years 3 to 6. The Beginner Strings comprises of beginner students from Years 1 and 2 and the String Ensemble comprises more experienced players dependent upon ability. Both ensembles rehearse weekly.

If you would like more information on joining the string program please send an e-mail to Band/Strings Program Manager on bhpsstrings@gmail.com.

Chess

Chess Club is open to all students in Years 3 to 6. Tuition is provided by Sydney Academy of Chess and there is a fee to cover the cost of coaching. For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170 or visit their website.

Choir

The school has three stage-based choirs:

• Stage 1 Choir (Years 1 and 2 students)
• Stage 2 Choir (Years 3 and 4 students)
• Stage 3 Choir (Years 5 and 6 students)

The choirs are not audition based and students who enjoy the experience of choral singing are encouraged to join.

Students who are a member of a choir are required to attend weekly rehearsals and perform throughout the year at a number of school functions including assemblies, Education Week performances and the school's ensemble evening. Students who are members of the Stage 2 and 3 choirs may also be given the opportunity to participate in choral festivals.

Dance ensembles

The school has two dance ensembles:

• Junior Dance Ensemble for students in Years 3 and 4
• Senior Dance Ensemble for students in Years 5 and 6

Annual auditions are conducted for places in both ensemble programs. Throughout the year the ensembles perform at school programs, community events and audition for the Sydney North Dance Festival.

Debating

Students in Years 5 to 6 are able to participate in the school's debating program. Students who demonstrate an aptitude and express an interest in debating may also be selected for interschool competitions such as the NSW Premier's Debating Challenge Competition.

NSW Primary School Sports Association (PSSA)

Balgowlah Heights Public School is a member of the Manly Zone Primary School Sport Association (PSSA) and subsequently, part of the Sydney North Region Primary School Sport Association. The zone determines the sports offered and the age/grade requirements for teams. PSSA competitions exist primarily for students who display a high level of skill and/or potential in those particular sports and teams selected must reflect this.

At Balgowlah Heights Public School, PSSA sport is offered to students in Years 4 to 6 only.

Summer - Terms 1, 3, and 4

• Cricket - boys
• Volleyball - girls and boys
• Eagle tag - girls and boys
• AFL - girls and boys
• Newcombe Ball - girls and boys

Winter - Terms 2 and 3

• Rugby league - boys
• Netball - girls
• Soccer - girls and boys

Competitions are held on Friday afternoon and students in PSSA teams must fulfil their obligations to their team for the entire season.

Selection of teams

When selecting students during trials, consideration is given to those who best meet the selection criteria for each particular sport. No special consideration is given to age or grade level. Selection criteria for each team includes:

• General ability and skill level
• Sportsmanship
• Cooperation and attitude
• Commitment to trial sessions

Past representation and/or external participation is not taken into consideration during selection trials.

Code of conduct

All PSSA students and their parents must sign the PSSA Player/Spectator Code of Conduct prior to representing the school.

Trials

Students in Years 5 and 6 will be made aware of zone trial dates. Due to the limited number of students who are eligible from each school only those students who demonstrate exceptional skills relative to the sport will be considered.

The selection process will be based on:

• evidence of representation for that sport
• discussion with most recent PSSA coach (if applicable)

If the school is unable to identify student/s who demonstrate skills that equate to a representative level no student will be nominated for participation.

For more information on PSSA visit https://app.education.nsw.gov.au/sport/NSWPSSA

Public speaking

Students in Years 3 to 6 are given the opportunity to participate in school and interschool public speaking programs and represent the school annually in the Bear Pit Speaking Competition and the regional Multicultural Public Speaking Competition.

Tech club

Students in Year 2 are provided the opportunity to become technology mentors by participating in a lunchtime Tech club. Students learn how to navigate iPad/computer applications and learn simple coding using Bee-bot robots. Students apply the skills learnt in Tech club to support the use of technology in the classroom.

Coding club

Students in Year 4 are provided the opportunity to join a Coding club. Coding club operates during lunch time on a designated day.

Student leadership

Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.

Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.

For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit  Student voice and leadership.

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