Thursday's Tidings - 5 June 2025
TERM 2 2025 |
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| Friday 6 June | 5/6B Parade Performance |
| Tuesday 10 June | School Photos |
| Tuesday 10 June | School Captain Goodstart Visit |
| Tuesday 10 June | P&C Meeting 5pm in Library |
| Tuesday 17 June | Questicon Science Circus |
| Thursday 19 June | Annual Interhouse Sports Carnival |
| Friday 20 June | 3/4D Parade Performance |
| Tuesday 24 June | School Captain Goodstart Visit |
| Wednesday 25 June | Chappy's Pancake Breakfast |
| Thursday 26 June | Year 5 USC Explore Expo |
| Thursday 26 June | Celebration of Learning 2:30-3pm |
| Thursday 26 June | Semester 1 Reports Emailed |
| Friday 27 June | Last day of Term 2 |
Term 2 - Week 7
Dear families,
Year 5/6 Camp
Last Wednesday, our 5/6 students returned on a high after a fantastic three day camp to Mapleton. A big thank you to Mr Barnes, Mrs Sandrini and Chappy who gave up their own time to lead this experience for the students. A big thank you to our families who supported their children to attend. They will remember this camp for many years to come.
Semester 1 Student Report Cards
The Semester 1 Reporting process is currently being finalised, with 2025 Semester 1 Student Report Cards intended to be distributed by email to families on Thursday, 26 June. Please make sure your email address is up to date.
P&C Meeting
Next Tuesday 10 June will see our final P&C meeting for this term. Everyone is welcome to attend whether you are a P&C member or not. The meeting will commence in the library at 5:00pm. Please come along and have your say in the direction of the school.
School Photos - Tuesday 10 June
To order photos:
- Go to www.leadingimage.com.au
- Click on Order Your School Photos
- Enter the GCSS access key 92CU5GDH
Cyber Safety Corner: Balancing Screen Time and Staying Safe Online
In today's digital world, technology plays a big part in how our children learn, connect, and play. From online games and YouTube videos to school apps and virtual classrooms, screens are everywhere. While technology can be a great tool, it's important that we help our children develop healthy habits and stay safe online.
Setting Limits on Screen Time
Too much screen time can impact children's sleep, physical activity, and even their social skills. The Australian Government Department of Health recommends:
- Ages 2–5 years: No more than 1 hour per day of recreational screen time.
- Ages 5–17 years: No more than 2 hours per day of recreational screen time (outside of educational use)
Tips for Families:
- Create a family media plan or daily screen schedule.
- Encourage "tech-free" times, such as meal times, before bed, and outdoors.
- Use timers or device settings to help children manage their own screen use.
- Balance screen time with plenty of physical activity, sleep, play, and social time.
Supervision Is Key
When children are online, even on educational platforms or games, there is always a risk of seeing inappropriate content or interacting with strangers. That’s why active supervision and regular conversations are essential.
Simple Ways to Supervise:
- Keep screens in shared areas of the home (like the living room or kitchen).
- Check in with your child about what they’re watching or playing.
- Teach them to tell you or a trusted adult if something online makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Teach Safe Online Habits
- Even young children can learn basic cyber safety rules.
- Don’t share personal details like your full name, school, address, or photos.
- Use strong passwords and keep them private.
- Be kind online—treat others with respect, just like in real life.
Helpful Resources for Parents
eSafety Commissioner: Practical tips and age-appropriate guides.
Raising Children Network: Screen time advice and tech use strategies.
Children learn safe online habits by watching us. Model positive screen use, take regular digital breaks, and create an open space for discussion. Together, we can help our children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe and healthy online!
Developing independence
As students mature and are ready for more responsibility, it’s helpful to communicate plans with them. Many afternoons the school receives phone calls to communicate a message to a student in class. This can mean that classrooms are sometimes being called up to 3 or 4 times in the last 30 minutes of the day. This can be disruptive to the lessons and the classroom management. We understand that sometimes plans change late in the day and a call is necessary, but if plans can be set before school, this can save a call and a disruption to the classroom.
Thank you for your understanding.
OSHC - Semester 2
Waru Kids OSHC is coming to Gympie Central and are opening at the start of Term 3. They be hosting a meet and greet on Thursday 26th June to align with our Celebration of Learning. They’ll need our support to ensure Waru Kids is a long-term sustainable operation for before school, after school and vacation care operations.
It’s important that families are aware that children who are at school before the 8:15am bell are required to use the service. Children who arrive after 8:15am can go straight to the supervised (by school staff) playground. The service will be available at the following times:
|
Before School Care (BSC) |
Monday to Friday during each School Term |
6.15 am to 8.45am |
|
After School Care (ASC) |
Monday to Friday during each School Term |
3.00 pm to 6.00 pm |
|
Vacation Care (VAC) |
Monday to Friday during each School Term break |
6.30 am to 6.00 pm |
|
Student Free Day (SFD) |
As published by the Department from time to time |
6.30 am to 6.00 pm |
Remember, we are here to help
Like always, if there is something that you want our support with, or if your child is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher for support. If it is not a matter for the teacher please call the front office and arrange to meet with a member of the leadership team, so we can work through things together. It takes a village to raise a child, so let’s work together.
Kind regards,
Glenn Cafferky
Chappy's Pancake Breakfast - Wednesday 25 June
QParents
QParents has launched at Gympie Central SS!
It’s great to see that so many parents have registered for QParents already. If you have not received an invitation, please advise us immediately.
Gympie Central will be starting to use QParents as a means of gaining digital consent for excursions and camps later this term to reduce the amount of paper notes that are sent home. You will need to be registered for QParents to enable your digital consent access.
If you need assistance with the registration process, please click on the link below or contact the office on 5480 2111 for support.
QParents Registration Guide for Parents
2025 Voluntary Financial Contribution - $20 per student
Each year, the Gympie Central State School P & C Association endorse a voluntary financial contribution of $20 per student, which equates to $0.50 per week for the entire school year. This money is a vital part of Gympie Central P&C’s commitment and helps to fund reading books, classroom resources, photocopying paper and tissues. This year the payment can be made via the Qkr! app or in person at the office. Your support in paying the voluntary contribution is greatly appreciated.
Payment Options
We have a variety of payment options available here at Gympie Central. Our most preferred method of payment is the Qkr! app. Qkr! is a cashless payment app, which means you can make payments on your mobile phone, rather coming into the school. The Gympie Central P&C also use this app, so not only can you pay for camps and excursions, but you can also order school uniforms and tuckshop with the app.
Instructions on how to download and use the app are shown in the link below.
Other payment options that we provide are:
1. BPOINT - (for invoiced activities) Pay online or by phone using credit/debit card: https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete or phone 1300 631 073
2. CENTREPAY - (for invoiced activities) We now offer Centrepay as a payment method for instrumental music and school camps. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. You can start, change or stop using Centrepay whenever you like. If you would like to set up a Centrepay payment, or know more information about this payment method, please contact the school office.
3. EFTPOS - We accept Mastercard, Visa and all Australian bank, building society and credit union cards.
4. CASH - Cash payments are still accepted. However, the school no longer has the ability to give out change, so only cash payments of the correct denomination will be accepted.
Student Absence Notification System
If your child is absent from school without explanation you will receive a SMS text message that morning to your mobile phone asking to explain their absence. Please reply (on the same day) with a simple SMS answer eg sick; specialist appointment. Alternatively, you can call and leave a message on the Student Absence HOTLINE - Telephone 5480 2166 to report your child’s absence.
Please contact the office by phone if you have any concerns regarding the message you have received.
Join the Adventure with Centenary Gympie Scouts!
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Joey Scouts (5–8 years) – Wednesdays, 4:00pm–5:20pm
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Cub Scouts (8–11 years) – Wednesdays, 5:30pm–7:00pm
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Scouts (11–14 years) – Mondays, 5:30pm–7:30pm
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Venturer Scouts (14–18 years) – Wednesdays, 5:30pm–7:00pm
