From the Principal...
Term 1 - Week 7
After a challenging last fortnight, we are finding our rhythm back at school. The Gympie community has no shortage of experience with floods, but the wider impact of flooding and loss of power meant the reach of this flood went beyond those who felt the impact of the water. Families who would benefit from support have access through the Gympie Regional Council (see links below) or Chappy Leanne has made herself available to support students and families. Please touch base with the school or email Chappy at leanne.warrener@suchaplaincy.org.au and she will be only too happy to help.
To our families who rolled up their sleeves and helped people and businesses where they could as the waters rose, and then receded, thank you. This is what community is about and what a great opportunity to teach our younger generation the value of helping others.
Welcome One Mile SS
This week, Gympie Central welcomed Prep, Year 1 and Year 3 students from One Mile SS. Our school is pleased to be able to support One Mile after their school was severely impacted during the floods.
The One Mile classes will be working in B Block, as well as the top floor of A Block. While they are operating in our school, One Mile will have a Deputy Principal and admin person based at Central (in B Block), and their students will eat and play separately from the Central students. This has been planned to enable timetabling and supervision to operate with clarity. This will be reviewed over the coming weeks, but to start this will make the transition easier.
Families will notice One Mile signage along the fence near B Block on Lawrence Street. This is to ensure the One Mile students have visuals to keep their connection with their own school. Each day the One Mile students will go to OMSS, then bus to Central, arriving between 9am and 9:30am. They will then depart between 2:30pm and 2:45pm to return to OMSS. The buses will park in the designated bus stops on Lawrence and School Streets.
Gympie Central families are still welcome to use the Lawrence Street entrance near B Block.
At this stage we expect to have the OMSS students here until the end of Term 1. Our staff are looking forward to supporting their colleagues and are pleased to be able to help out One Mile State School.
Thank you again for your ongoing understanding as we support our community to bounce back from the impact of the flooding event.
Parent Information Sessions
Class parent information sessions will now take place 3:15pm-3:45pm on Tuesday 22 March. At this same time, the school will host a sausage sizzle for students and their families. Come along for a snag and a chin wag!
Supporting the sports community
Keep an eye out along Myall Street. The school has opened up its oval for the Gympie United U15 girls' football team, as well as the Gympie Cats to host their training. Next term you’ll see Gympie Netball’s Net, Set Go program taking place on our multi-purpose court. We’ll keep supporting these clubs while they get their facilities up and running again.
ANZAC Day- Join Gympie Central at the town march
Last year Gympie Central had a great roll up for the Gympie ANZAC Day parade. This year we’ll be marching again so if you’re round that long weekend, please come and show your support for our returned service men and women.
P&C AGM - Monday 28 March
In consideration of the recent floods, the P&C will postpone its AGM to the last Friday of Term 1, Monday 28th 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.
Warm regards,
Glenn Cafferky
Community Recovery
The Queensland Government Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy coordinates Community Recovery services to assist disaster-affected people, including emotional support, personal financial hardship assistance and housing support. Community Recovery staff are currently assessing and responding to the needs of affected communities.
How to get assistance:
- Online — the Community Recovery online portal (www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au) allows people to apply for financial assistance and support services from personal devices (e.g. computer, smartphone, tablet).
- Over the phone — the Community Recovery Hotline (Ph: 1800 173 349) will also offer to complete applications for financial assistance and support services over the phone.
- In person — a local Recovery Hub will be established in the Gympie Region. Council will advise of the location and operating hours as soon as possible. People will be able to visit the hub or request an outreach visit to their home when it is safe to do so. COVID-19 safe practices as advised by Queensland Health will be applied.
Housing: The department, through Housing and Homelessness Services, works closely with impacted councils to ensure options are available to support those who cannot return home after a disaster
and provides Emergency Housing Assistance Response (EHAR), including identifying short-term accommodation to support vulnerable people in need.
Community Support Services: Non-government organisations (NGOs) are available to provide emotional wellbeing and support services, such as counselling and charitable donation of goods and service. NGOs will refer those experiencing serious psychological issues to Queensland Health mental health practitioners.
Interpreter Services: The department also provides interpreter services to assist people to access Community Recovery services who do not have English as their first language or are hearing-impaired.
To donate: To donate money, goods or to receive assistance contact the following organisations: GIVIT, Australian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland or UnitingCare (Lifeline).
More Information: Follow Community Recovery on Facebook @RecoveryQld or visit the Community Recovery website www.qld.gov.au/communityrecovery
Key Contacts:
Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349
Police, fire and ambulance - If life or property is being threatened call Triple Zero (000) NOTE: If you have a speech or hearing impairment, call One Zero Six (106) through your TTY Emergency alerts http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/EA/Default.asp
Road conditions and closures - For traffic and travel information visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or phone 13 19 40.
Health and hospital information - 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
Housing assistance and support services - 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Financial Assistance for individuals
Support available for people impacted by the floods (current as at 11:30am, 1 March 2022)
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Support for eligible people adversely affected by the South-East Queensland (QLD) Floods in February 2022 South East Queensland Floods, February 2022 - Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment - Services Australia (www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/south-east-queensland-floods-february-2022-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment).
This is different to the January 2022 Queensland Floods, January 2022 - Natural disaster - Services Australia (www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/queensland-floods-january-2022).
Personal Hardship Assistance and Essential Services Hardship Assistance
For information on Personal Hardship Assistance and Essential Services Hardship Assistance, contact the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant
Financial assistance is available to individuals and families to contribute towards safety inspections of and repairs to residential essential services (i.e. electricity, gas, water and sewerage) damaged by an eligible disaster. Contact 1800 173 349 or visit www.chde.qld.gov.au
Essential Household Contents Grant
If you are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for financial assistance to provide a contribution towards replacing or repairing essential household contents, such as beds, linen and whitegoods, that have been lost or damaged in a disaster. More information is available at Essential Household Contents Grant or by phoning the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 where a customer service officer will assist you to complete an online application.
Structural Assistance Grant
If you’re uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for a one-off payment as a contribution towards repairs to your home to make it secure and safe. More information is available at Structural Assistance Grant or by phoning the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant
The Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant is available as a contribution to support people directly impacted by a disaster to who are unable to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation. More information is available at Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant by phoning the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
General Mental Health and Wellbeing
Phone Support
If you or someone you care about is distressed, in crisis or needs someone to talk to, call:
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Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
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Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
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Headspace Gympie: 5482 1075 (for young people aged 12-25) or 1800 650 890
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Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (24/7)
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1800 RESPECT (National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service): 1800 737 732
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DVConnect: 1800 811 811
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Qld Homelessness Hotline (24/7) 1800 474 753
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Parentline: 1300 301 300
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Mensline: 1300 789 978 (24/7)
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Redcross : 1800 733 111
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Rental Tenancy Authority: 1300 744 263
Crossing Supervisor
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.
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.
