Thursday's Tidings - 21 May 2020

Term 2 - Week 5

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Yeeeahhhaaaahhhh! Bring on Monday! I know the staff are looking forward to next Monday when students return to school, and I’ll hazard a guess that there are more than a few parents happy for school to be resuming too.

On behalf of staff, I would like to thank our families for the effort you have made over the past five weeks. It is also a great time to acknowledge the commitment of the marvellous staff of Gympie Central State School. They have been professional in their approach to the challenges of helping facilitate learning@home, while continuing to support the education of the students who have been attending. Our admin staff, cleaners, tech support, grounds staff, teacher aides and teachers all deserve recognition, as they have been integral in ensuring the school has met the challenge of COVID–19. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how well the wider Gympie community has handled the recent challenges and be thankful that the health impact of Coronavirus has been minimal across this region.

School Resumes for All - Monday 25 May

From Monday 25 May, students in all year levels will return to school. Teachers will be teaching face-to-face and will no longer be providing specific resources for remote learning.  Home based learning resources continue to be available at the learning@home website.

From Monday, the school will no longer send the 7:30am text message as we will be returning to the normal roll marking procedures.  This means you only receive an SMS text message if your child is absent without an explanation.  Please remember to phone our Student Absence HOTLINE—Telephone 54802166 to report your child’s absence.

For parents who elect to keep their child at home, note this will be regarded as an absence.  If parents and carers have questions about the school reopening to all students, please phone the office and one of the team will speak with you.

Health and Safety Measures

Schools are following the latest advice regarding reducing the risk of COVID–19 transmission. This include the following measures:

• Parents and carers are not excluded from the school, however, are requested to minimise the time spent inside the school grounds.
• Adults are required to observe social distancing measures (1.5m), should avoid gathering in groups or congregating around classrooms.
• Parents/carers are asked not to enter classrooms. Contact via email is the preferred contact method for the near future.
• The school will not conduct assemblies, sports days and excursions until advice is received that these are permitted. The senior swimming program (Yrs 4-6) has been cancelled and advice will be issued regarding refund options.
• Camps planned for Term 3 are still booked and the camp companies are holding the school’s reservations. As health advice is communicated, the school will update Year 5s and 6s regarding the camps.
• Water taps and bubblers are safe to use, but students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

Semester 1 Reporting

Next week when students return, the teachers have planned to revise the content covered during the first half of this term before teaching the key elements of Term 2’s units. Adjusted assessment will still take place at the end of this term. Report cards will include the key areas of English, Maths, Science (Prep-4), Humanities and Social Science (5/6 classes), Health and Physical Education and German (5/6 classes only). These report cards will be a reflection of the work that has been covered and has been able to be assessed during Semester 1.

Report cards will be distributed on the last Thursday of term and will be sent home as a paper copy, as well as emailed electronically.

Warm regards,
Glenn Cafferky

Hello!   I am Chappy Leanne, the new Chaplain at Gympie Central.  I am happy to be on board and settling into Gympie with my family.  After five years in Victoria we have moved our family, my husband, two daughters and two granddaughters back to our home state. 

Even though it has been a slow start to Term 2, I have enjoyed getting to know your lovely children.  As restrictions are eased I look forward to meeting the rest of the students and becoming a part of the Gympie Central family.  This is a strange time we are living through however we are getting through this as families and as a community. If I can be of any help to your children and your family, please don't hesitate to contact me via the school office or email me at leannew@chappy.org.au

Workplace Health and Safety - Farm Safety Calendar Competition

More than 1700 students from all over Queensland entered last year's Farm Safety Calendar Competition with 12 amazing artworks selected for the 2020 calendar.  The compeition is now open for entries into this year's competiton.  Show off your drawing skills and learn more about farm safety.  You could win some great prizes!

If your child is interested in entering the competiton, please click on the link below for more information on how to enter, including the terms and conditions of entry.  Entrants must be enrolled in a Queensland primary school.  Entries must be submitted to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland by 5pm Friday 26 June.