Thursday's Tidings - 28 January 2021

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to the 2021 school year. After the longer break, the kids came back keen to get to their classes and the playgrounds. Our new preps had an amazing first day and the Year 1 students in the P/1 class were excellent leaders for the newest students at Gympie Central. Welcome also to our new families in prep and across the whole school. We look forward to having you as part of the Gympie Central community.

COVID Update - Parents and carers welcome at Friday assemblies!

Parents and caregivers have now been welcomed into schools and are able to attend assembly without signing in.  Assembly is still at 9am each Friday morning and all families are welcome.

The school still follows guidelines to reduce the possibility of COVID transmission. Gympie Central:

• Provides hand sanitiser and soap for regular handwashing
• Allocates resources to additional cleaning of classrooms, high touch points such as drink taps and hand rails as well as playgrounds
• Encourages physical distancing of adults at all times

2021 School Focus - Delivery of the Australian Curriculum and Student and Staff Wellbeing

This year the school continues to deliver the Australian Curriculum (AC) with consistency and fidelity. The Australian Curriculum is in its 10^th year and is implemented across all schools. The goal of the AC is to ensure all students in all year levels have access to the same expectations of learning, regardless of which state or territory they are in. The AC is regularly reviewed and Gympie Central ensures that our students have access to the most current curriculum.

Gympie Central is committed to the positive wellbeing of all members of its community. Last year the school introduced the Zones of Regulation to help students recognise their state of mind and alertness, then provide strategies for children to self-regulate their emotions. Staff regularly check-in with individuals and whole classes as a way of supporting students.

Sports Captains and Student Councillors

During Week 2, voting will take place for Sports Captains and Student Councillors’ positions. Nominations will be called next Monday and voting will take place in classrooms next Friday. Badges for school captains, sports captains and student councillors will be presented at assembly on Friday 19 February.

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 with a simple SMS answer eg sick; specialist appointment. Please contact the office by phone if you have any concerns regarding the message you have received.

If your child is away, you need to inform the school of the reasons beforehand, or within two days of returning to school. Please reply to the SMS on the day or phone our Student Absence HOTLINE—Telephone 5480 2166 to report your child’s absence.

P&C 2021 - Can you help? First meeting 8 February 3:30pm 

The first P&C will be held on the afternoon of Monday 8 February in our school library. The P&C is an important support for the students of Central and helps coordinate Friday tuckshop as well as raise funds for the school throughout the year. The P&C will be seeking new volunteers this year. Come along on the 8^th to see how you can play a part in helping the students of Central.  

Uniform Donations

Thank you to all those families who donated uniforms to the school P&C. These are much appreciated and benefit many families throughout the year. The school always gratefully accepts uniform donations on behalf of the P&C.

Voluntary Contribution - $20 per student

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.

Qkr! Payment App - Have you downloaded it?

Our school uses the Qkr! App to make payments. Qkr! is a Commonwealth Bank app that can link to your savings or credit account and helps to make payments so easy. No cash needed, no need to come to the school.

1. Download the app
2. Search for Gympie Central
3. Register your child/ren and set up your details
4. Search for the payment you wish to make

Thank you to the families who asked about the Voluntary Payment. It’s now on Gympie Central’s Qkr! and ready for use.

Newsletters

The school newsletter is produced on a fortnightly basis (commencing today 28 Jan) and sent to your nominated email address. We also use this email address to send other messages to ensure information is delivered in an efficient and timely manner. Please ensure you check your emails regularly. If you wish to change your nominated email address, please contact the office as soon as possible.

Year 6 Senior Shirt Orders

Letters will be forwarded home soon to all Year 6 students.  The cost of senior shirts will be approximately $35 each.  Order forms must be returned by the due date.

Interschool Sport - Years 5 & 6

Letters will be forwarded home soon to all Year 5 and 6 students regarding the upcoming Interschool Sport sessions being held on Friday afternoons later this term. 

Have a great Friday and weekend!

Warm regards,
Glenn Cafferky

Dental News

Reminder:  The Dental Van is currently here at our school.  If you would like your child/ren to have an appointment, please return the Dental Form to the school office as soon as possible or phone them directly on 0412 365 164 to make an appointment.   Please click on the link below for more information.