From the Principal...
Term 4 - Week 5
Dear families,
Our Year 5 students received their 2023 school leader applications today. Throughout the year, students have the chance to demonstrate their leadership capabilities to their peers. Once applications are submitted, selected applicants present their speeches, then staff and peers vote for the candidate they feel will best lead the school. Applications close next Friday 11 November.
Enrichment Writers’ Afternoon - Friday 4 November
Each year Central offers our able and motivated writers the chance to work with a published author. Tomorrow afternoon, Year 2-6 students who achieved an A or B for English on their Semester 1 report card, will work with author and illustrator, Leigh Hobbs. Leigh Hobbs is the author/illustrator of Horrible Harriet and Old Tom among other well-known children’s books. Check out the link below to get a taste of what our kids will experience vimeo.com/leighhobbs/oldtom
Assessment and attendance
It’s that time of the term where classes are completing assessment tasks. Attendance is always important, but even more so over the coming weeks. Students who miss assessments due to absence often have to miss other learning while they work to complete a task. This can be challenging for teachers and students. Please avoid any unnecessary absences over the coming weeks.
End of Year Concert
Make sure you keep Thursday 1 December free for the Gympie Central End of Year Concert. It’s held here at school, starting at 5:30pm and is usually finished by 7pm.
Year 6 Graduation - Save the Date!
Date: Wednesday 7 December
Time: 5:30pm
Place: Gympie Central Parade Area
Who: Year 6 students and parents
Report Cards
Semester 2 Report Cards will be emailed out on Thursday 8 December, so please keep your eye out for these.
Storm Season Safety
Locals are very familiar with the severe storms that strike our region and during such an event, the safest place for our students is inside the school buildings. Should a storm be tracking to hit Gympie near 3pm, students are safe to stay in their classrooms with their teachers. Storms pass. We encourage families to stay safe and stay off the roads until the worst of the weather has moved over Gympie. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this, but it’s best to be prepared.
Prep 2023 - Is your child turning 5 before June 30 next year?
We are inviting all current Gympie Central State School families and community members with a child or children starting Prep in 2023 to complete and submit an ‘Application for Student Enrolment’ form. The form is available via our website or from our office. Children are eligible for Prep next year if they are born between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018. While the new school year is a little less than a term away, it is important that we have as much information as possible to manage our enrolments.
New and returning families are now invited to book their 2023 prep interviews. These are scheduled for 17 November, but can be scheduled ay alternative times in order meet the needs of our families.
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
Overdue payments
Statements were emailed out earlier in the week. If you received a statement, if you could please finalise payments as soon as possible. Alternatively, please contact the office to discuss payment options.
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.