From the Principal...
Term 1 - Week 5
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Interschool Sport
Friday afternoon sport kicked off last week and our year 5s and 6s bussed around town to netball, soccer, league and some stayed for volleyball here at Central. The students had a great time playing against students from Monkland, Chatsworth, South, and West. They’re looking forward to doing it again this week. Remember to bring water bottles tommorrow - it was hot out there!
2021 Student Leaders
Congratulations to our student leaders who were awarded their badges at last week’s parade. The student leaders have already shown their maturity and sense of responsibility by being excellent role models this year. This year the student leaders are:
School Captains: Charlotte, Phoebe, Thomas and Savannah T
Student Councillors:
3/4D - Lilybelle and Declan T
5/6S - Nicole and Paige T
6B – Riley P and Samantha T
House Captains:
Nash - Joel and Amelia M
Fisher - Jack and Ethan L
Dunstan - Kayden-Ella and Dylan P
In fact, all of the Year 6s can be proud of their start to 2021. They have set the expectation for our younger students and this has been proudly noted by staff from across the school.
Parent Teacher Interviews - Weeks 7-10
Teachers will be offering parent teacher interviews during the last four weeks of this term (between 8th to 31st March). These 15 minute interviews are offered in order for parents to meet the teacher, ask questions and discuss how your child is settling into the 2021 school year. Class teachers will send home notes as well as emails with their available times. Families are encouraged to take this opportunity to work with teachers to get the best outcome for your child/ren. Parent input is valued and open communication between home and school is an important element to students succeeding.
True Relationships Sessions – Weeks 7-10
This year Gympie Central State School is hosting personal development and relationships education sessions delivered by True - Relationships and Reproductive Health educators. These will take the place of the Life Education sessions. Letters were forwarded home with each child on Monday. The lessons are being subsidised by the school but there is a cost of $6 per student. Consent forms and payment are due by Monday 8th March. Qkr is our preferred payment method.
Whilst parents and carers are children's primary source of relationships and sexuality education, supporting children's healthy sexual development is a responsibility that is shared by schools, parents and carers.
Children and young people who receive comprehensive sexuality education and respectful relationships education (inclusive of sexual abuse prevention education) from an early age are more likely to:
- feel good about themselves
- understand and accept changes
- appreciate and accept individual differences
- are more likely to make informed and responsible decisions later in life
- are less vulnerable to sexual abuse
- understand appropriate and inappropriate behaviour
- talk about their feelings and experiences
Relationships and sexuality education is an important curriculum responsibility for schools. The True All School program is evidence informed and mapped to the national curriculum. True's approach to education involves respectful facilitation, free of discrimination and mindful of the diversity that exists in different relationships and families. All program content and activities are age-appropriate and align with the curriculum.
See the links to the brochures below for a description of the content covered by the experienced educators. (Year 5s and 6s will be covering the My Lifecycle lessons).
The P&C is a valued and important partner to Gympie Central State School. The AGM is scheduled for Monday 8th March at 3.30pm and all interested parents and community members are invited to come along and see how you can support your children through the P&C.
Instrumental Music
Instrumental Music student resource scheme and loan agreement forms as well as payments are due by TOMORROW. Payments can be made using Bpoint or Qkr.
Swimming Program – Classes 3/4D, 5/6S and 6B
Students in classes 3/4D, 5/6S and 6B will commence their swimming program commencing from 8th to 17th March. Letters were forwarded home last week. Activity consent forms and payment of $25 per student is due by Thursday 4th March. Preferred payment methods are Bpoint or Qkr! Junior swimming will be held towards the end of the year.
Thanks Chappy Leanne and Bunnings!
Chappy Leanne recently contacted Bunnings to ask for support to rejuvenate our school’s vegetable garden…and Bunnings have come through!! Elaine from Bunnings is a great supporter of local schools and Bunnings have generously donated a great amount of gardening tools, plants and soil. Chappy can’t wait to start working with kids and getting their hands dirty!
Vision Screening Test for Prep Students
Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ) is running a vision screening program for Prep children in all Queensland schools.
A registered nurse will visit Gympie Central State School to provide this free screening service for our Prep children. Good vision is important for children’s educational, physical and social development. The earlier a problem is picked up, the better the treatment outcomes.
A letter and consent form will be forwarded home with all Prep students on Monday. Please return the completed consent form to your child’s teacher by 12 March.
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.
Have a great fortnight!
Warm regards,
Glenn Cafferky
Tuckshop Volunteers Needed
All Tuckshop orders will need to be placed via Qkr! only. Reminder: Tuckshop will be available every second week during term 1. The P&C is seeking volunteers to assist in the tuckshop which will help share the load. Please contact the school if you can help out.
Student Absence Notification System
Reminder: 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.
Voluntary Contribution - $20 per student
Reminder: Each year Gympie Central asks for a voluntary contribution from families. The contribution is used to purchase texts, paper and resources used in classroom learning. 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.