Thursday's Tidings - 01 June 2023

Dear families, 

It’s been great to see our students out and about in Gympie. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had excursions to Roadcraft, the local library, the Gympie Show and the Rattler, as well as the incursion where Sean Choolburra performed here at school for the students.  Our students on the Rattler had a fantastic day, and locals and more than a few tourists complemented the students on their behaviour and beautiful manners. In a couple of weeks, the Year 5s are off to the University of the Sunshine Coast careers expo. 

Parade performances 

It’s been really nice to see families joining us for our parade performances. They’re great fun. The next performance is 1/2S on Friday 9 June, followed by P/1R on the last day of term. 

P&C news 

The P&C will be having a working bee on Sunday 11 June from 9am, where they’ll be planting new shrubs on the area between the blue multipurpose court and the lower playground. If you’ve got a couple of hours spare, they’d appreciate your help! 

Next meeting is Tuesday 6 June at 5pm in the library.

This term, the P&C will be hosting a movie night instead of a disco. It’s happening on Thursday 22 June. Make sure you bring your warm stuff!  

Reconciliation Week 

Reconciliation Week runs every year from 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey — the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. 

27 May 1967 - On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census. 

3 June 1992 - On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title. 

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. 

Uniforms - navy jumpers in Winter 

Winter is here and our uniform jumper is navy blue. The uniform shop has plenty of school jumpers (with logos) which are ready to be ordered via Qkr. They are good quality and long lasting - just remember to write your child’s name on it straight away. However, a navy blue jumper without the logo is appropriate as we head into the cooler months. Supporting our uniform policy shows pride in our school and helps children feel part of the school community.

If you’re missing a jumper (or hat/ lunchbox/ water bottle!), the lost property is stored at the base of the stairwell at the admin end of A Block). 

Zones of Regulation 

Gympie Central uses the Zones of Regulation (ZoR) to help students recognise their emotions and better self-regulate. When students can identify the Zone they are in, they are more able to de-escalate themselves or talk about how they are feeling, which can facilitate them getting back into a regulated headspace. The attached flyer has more detail about the Zones and the language used at school. 

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. 

Student Council Fundraising

This term, the Student Council will be back out selling ice blocks on Fridays. They will be on sale at 2nd break and there will be $1 and $2 options available.

2023 Voluntary Financial Contribution - $20 per student

Each year, the Gympie Central State School P & C Association endorse a voluntary financial contribution of $20 per student, which equates to $0.50 per week for the entire school year. This money is a vital part of Gympie Central P&C’s commitment and helps to fund reading books, classroom resources, photocopying paper and tissues. 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.

We have a variety of payment options available here at Gympie Central. Our most preferred method of payment is the Qkr! app. Qkr! is a cashless payment app, which means you can make payments on your mobile phone, rather coming into the school. The Gympie Central P&C also use this app, so not only can you pay for camps and excursions, but you can also order school uniforms and tuckshop with the app.

Instructions on how to download and use the app are shown in the link below.

Qkr-instructions.pdf

Qkr-instructions _pdf 1.05 MB

Other payment options that we provide are:

1. BPOINT - (for invoiced activities) Pay online or by phone using credit/debit card: https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete or phone 1300 631 073

2. CENTREPAY - (for invoiced activities) We now offer Centrepay as a payment method for instrumental music and school camps. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. You can start, change or stop using Centrepay whenever you like. If you would like to set up a Centrepay payment, or know more information about this payment method, please contact the school office.

3. EFTPOS - We accept Mastercard, Visa and all Australian bank, building society and credit union cards.

4. CASH - Cash payments are still accepted. However, the school no longer has the ability to give out change, so only cash payments of the correct denomination will be accepted.

Crossing Supervisor