Thursday's Tidings - 12 August 2021
TERM 3 |
|
| Friday 13 August | Payments due for 3/4D Pete the Sheep |
| Wednesday 18 August | Prep Play & Info Sessions - 9am & 3.30pm |
| Thursday 19 August | 5/6S & 6B Roadcraft |
| Friday 20 August | 3/4D Pete the Sheep Excursion |
| Friday 20 August | Payments due for Junior Swimming Lessons |
| Mon 23 - Fri 27 August | Book Week |
| Wednesday 25 August | Book Week Town Library Visit |
| Thursday 26 August | Book Week Parade |
| Mon 30/8, Wed 1/9, Mon 6/9, Wed 8/9, Mon 13/9 & Wed 15/9 | Junior Swimming Lessons P/1R, 1/2H, 2/3S |
| Friday 3 September | Student Free Day |
| Wednesday 8 September | Prep Play & Info Sessions - 9am |
| Thursday 9 September | Bush to Beach Author Visits |
| Friday 17 September | Final day for Term 3 |
TERM 4 |
|
| Monday 4 October | Queen's Birthday Public Holiday |
| Wednesday 13 October | School Photos - rescheduled from Term 3 |
Term 3 - Week 5
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The past fortnight has seen the impact of COVID throughout many parts of SEQ. While Gympie was never included in the locked down Local Government Areas, our schools have been impacted by the proximity to the impacted LGAs. Some staff have been required to wear masks to minimise risk to the community and students have been mature and understanding.
Another disappointing impact of COVID has been the cancellation of the State Track and Field titles. This means that there will be no Gympie District T&F or Wide Bay trials.
School photos have been postponed to Wednesday in the second week of Term 4 (13 October). This is as a result of schools being unable to have external service providers based in the previously locked down areas able to visit schools.
Maths and English Challenge
This week our school participated in the Gympie Mathematics Challenge and the Gympie English Challenge. These were both half day events where year 5 and 6 students worked in teams to solve mathematical problems and respond to english questions in reading comprehension, punctuation, grammar and writing. We are so proud of the two teams that represented our school. Their ability to communicate and work as a productive team was outstanding. To top it off we are privileged to announce that Gympie Central achieved 3rd place for the Mathematics Challenge and 2nd place for the English Challenge. Congratulations! We are so proud of you all!
Every Day Counts
School attendance all day every day is important for students to achieve their learning potential.
The importance of school attendance for all students cannot be overstated. There is a link between student attendance at school and student learning outcomes. In basic terms, students with strong school attendance have improved chances of academic success compared with students who do not attend school regularly. This is simply because students in attendance at school are being exposed to more teaching and learning experiences than those who are away from school.
Along with our goal to ensure no “unexplained absences”, our school also has a goal for a 92% or better attendance rate.
To give you an idea of just how important every school day is, please consider the following:
One day absent a fortnight, for each fortnight of the year, adds up to twenty days absent (or four weeks) for a year - over 13 years of schooling this is the equivalent of missing nearly one and a half years of schooling, or finishing in Year 11;
One day absent a week, for each week of the year, adds up to forty days absent (or eight weeks) for a year – over 13 years of schooling this is the equivalent of missing over two and a half years of schooling, or finishing in Year 10;
Two days absent a week, for each week of the year, adds up to eighty days absent (or sixteen weeks) for a year – over 13 years of schooling this is the equivalent of missing over five years of schooling, or finishing in Year 7;
Three days absent a week, for each week of the year, adds up to one hundred and twenty days absent (or twenty-four weeks) for a year – over 13 years of schooling this is the equivalent of missing nearly eight years of schooling, or finishing in Year 5!
Prep 2022 enrolments are open
We are inviting all current Gympie Central State School families and community members with a child or children starting Prep in 2022 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 2016 and 30 June 2017. While the new school year is a little less than two terms away, it is important that we have as much information as possible to manage our enrolments. Prep Explore and Play transition sessions will continue next Wednesday from 9-10am.
Awesome Dancers in 2/3S and 3/4D
Yesterday the 2/3S and 3/4D students showcased their dancing skills for the early years classes by putting on a concert in the parade area. It was fun to watch the kids show off their moves they rehearsed in their dance units and great to see the talent right here at Gympie Central. Great moves kids!!
Check out Gympie Central’s Facebook page - there’s always great pics and useful updates on there!
RoadCraft
Year 5/6S and 6B head to RoadCraft next Thursday. A big thank you goes to the Gympie/Kin Kin Masonic Lodge for funding this excellent learning experience for all of our students.
Book Week - 21-27 August - Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds
Positive Behaviour for Learning - We are RESPECTFUL
This week and next week the focus is on Being Respectful by taking pride in ourselves and our school.
Colour Run fundraising
Students raised $1475 from our recent Colour Run. What fun way to raise important funds for the school!
Tuckshop - Term 3
| Week 5 (this week) | Chicken Wraps |
| Week 6 | Pizza Day |
| Week 7 | Hot Dogs |
| Week 8 | Student Free Day |
| Week 9 | Savoury Mince Rolls |
| Week 10 | Sausage Sizzle |
Remember, we are here to help!
I would like to thank families, staff and students for the contributions made every day to make Gympie Central the wonderful community it is! 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
Tuckshop - Friday 13 August
Reminder: All Tuckshop orders will need to be placed via Qkr! only.
Lost Property
Please ensure that all belongings are clearly labelled so that we can endeavour to return these items to your student/s as quickly as possible.
Outstanding Payments
Consent forms and payment for the 3/4D Pete the Sheep excursion are due by tomorrow, Friday 13 August. Payments can be made via the Qkr! app, BPOINT or in person at the office.
Junior Swimming lesson invoices and notes have now been sent home. Please ensure you return the consent form and make payment by Friday 20 August. Payments can be made via the Qkr! app, BPOINT or in person at the office.
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.
Hello everyone,
We missed Hot Milo’s last Thursday while I was off with the Yr 5s at Barambah Camp, it was rather freezing out there! But so peaceful and what a great time we had. Hot Milo’s are back this Thursday though $1.
Gardening Club has been moved to Thursday’s at second break.
Wanting say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated items for brekky club over these last few weeks. The students and I greatly appreciate your generosity!!
I am here for you and your children, please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help. Enjoy your weekend!
Brekky Club
Tuesday and Thursday mornings
as well as every 2nd Friday (off newsletter week)
We always welcome any donations of jams,
vegemite and honey.
Qkr Payments Are Here!!
Reminder: Qkr is the new cashless payment method available at Gympie Central State School which allows parents to pay for items without coming into the office. Qkr is a mobile phone app designed for Australian schools. It can be used to purchase school uniforms, pay for upcoming excursions and events as well as Tuckshop.
Instructions on how to download the app are shown in the link below.
To avoid paying for something twice, please open your Qkr app to review payments already made. Thank you.
Lutheran Services - Project Support Worker
Lutheran Services are advertising a casual position for a Project Support Worker. They are seeking a flexible "people" person, who could work Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30am to 2.00pm (days and times subject to change). This person would be required to have a flu vaccine, first aid certificate and police check.
For further information, click on the link below, or contact Angela at Angela.Wootton-McDonald@lutheranservices.org.au.
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