Thursday's Tidings - 18 June 2020

Term 2 - Week 9

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This will be the last newsletter for what has been an unusual semester. On behalf of the staff I would like to thank families for their support of their children and support of the school.

Planning for Term 3

Over the past fortnight, all classroom teachers have spent a day working with Ms Vacher, Central’s Head of Curriculum, planning the Term 3 English and Maths units. Ms Vacher and the teachers have focused on the demands of the Australian Curriculum and extracting the detail of what students need to KNOW and to DO when they complete assessment tasks. This process takes place at the end of each term in preparation for the following term.

Early next term all parents will receive a copy of the unit overviews for all subject areas. These will be sent home via email and will also be available on our website.

Student Council

Student Councillors have been keen to get back into their work. At the end of Term 1, the group had commenced working with Gympie Regional Council on a project designed to reduce waste. COVID-19 put a hold on this, but since returning to school they have convened and planned the Pyjama Day gold coin fundraiser. Funds raised will go toward the purchase of a composting bin for organic waste. Our school captains, Rose and Edith, have also written to Gympie Bunnings seeking support and Bunnings have generously donated funds toward the project.  Thanks Elaine and the team at Bunnings!

Reporting

Teachers are finalising report cards ready for distribution next week. Schools are reporting on less areas than a standard semester and have used Term 1 assessment as well as the work that has been assessed since returning from the learning@home phase.  Prep students will receive a report but will not receive achievement ratings.

Parents will be offered the opportunity to have parent teacher interviews early in Term 3. These can be used to discuss the report card and set goals for students as we work toward the end of the year.

P&C News

It was great to see tuckshop back last week! Thank you to the wonderful volunteers and the students were certainly happy to see it return.

This week hot dogs are on the menu. See the flyer below and get your orders in by 9am tomorrow morning.  On the last day of term the menu item will be sausages on bread.

Lastly, welcome to Stacey… who has stepped into the treasurer role for 2020. Fantastic to have you aboard Stacey!

Flashing "School Zone" Signs

It's great to see we now have the Flashing "School Zone" signs near the crossing on Lawrence Street.  These flashing signs work by alerting motorists to slow down and drive carefully in school zones.  We thank you for following the road rules to keep our children and families safe.

Year 6 High School Intentions

Gympie State High School and James Nash State High School have started planning their 2021 Year 6 to Year 7 transition process. Both schools will commence 2021 timetable planning in Term 3 and require enrolment numbers by the end of this term.

GSHS require Year 7 enrolment paperwork by next Friday 26 June. www.gympieshs.eq.edu.au

JNSHS have requested that families intending to enrol at JNSHS make contact with the school before next Friday 26 June. www.jamesnashshs.eq.edu.au   

Both schools’ websites will have further information for families.

The last day of this term will be Friday 26 June. We look forward to seeing everyone back here ready to start Term 3 on Monday 13 July!

Warm regards,
Glenn Cafferky

Year 5 & 6 Camps

Reminder:  Letters were forwarded home to all Year 5 and 6 students two weeks ago regarding the upcoming camps.  All forms (Consent and Medical) including the deposit was due back by 12 June.  Please return the forms and deposit by tomorrow.  Full payment for the Year 6 camp is due by 12 August and full payment for the Year 5 camp is due by 21 August.  Please also take the time to review the “What to Bring” checklist to ensure your child is prepared for camp.  Camps depend on minimum numbers attending, so it would be appreciated if you contacted your chiild's teacher immediately if your child is not attending camp for any reason. Thank you for your prompt attention to this.

Prep Enrolments

Reminder:  We are inviting all current Gympie Central State School families and community members with a child or children starting Prep in 2021 to contact the school and add your child’s name to our waiting list for 2021.

Children are eligible for Prep next year if they are born between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.  Although the new school year is more than six months away, it is important that we have as much information as possible to manage our enrolments. We hope to have Prep information sessions some time in Term 3. Families will be notified of these as soon as we are able to set dates.

TOMORROW'S TUCKSHOP SPECIAL

It will be served at FIRST BREAK ONLY.

Orders must be placed via the bag system by 9am Friday 19th June! Please send a paper bag with your child's name, class and order with payment inside. The special for the following week will be announced on our Facebook page and via email so keep an eye out!

Reminder:  WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are seeking volunteers who are interested in helping either every Friday, once a month or even just once a term so we can put together a roster.

Our uniform shop will be open Friday mornings before school from 8.30am-9.00am. We have lots of shirts available in all sizes.  Unfortunately, some sizes of our school jumpers have sold out but we do still have some second hand non-school branded navy jumpers and tracksuit pants in a range of sizes available for a gold coin donation or you are welcome to purchase a plain navy jumper from another retail outlet.

If you can help as either a Tuckshop or Uniform volunteer please get in contact with us at pandc@gympiecentralss.eq.edu.au

Kate Catlin
President of Gympie Central SS P&C

I am really enjoying my time at Central and getting to know more and more students as the weeks go by.  It has been so great hearing the students laughing and playing throughout the school grounds.

Helping Central Families

The awesome Central teachers donate pantry items to add to community donations that we collect and donate to our Central families in need.

We would like to extend that opportunity to you.  If you would like to donate food items or loose change you are most welcome.  If you have items in your pantry that you don't think you are going to use or are getting close to 'best before date' feel free to send them in.  All donations can be dropped off at the school office and will be added to the food hamper collection box.

When the loose change adds up we will put that towards buying local hampers from Victory Church and dropping them into those families that require a little help at the time.  

Volunteers Wanted

We are seeking volunteer help to assist at Brekky Club on Thursdays and alternate Fridays from 8.00am-9.00am.  Parents of children welcome or grandparents.  Please contact the office if you are interested in helping.

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

Anglicare Southern Queensland provides support for families.

The Children and Parenting program they offer currently have capacity to work one on one with children and families 0-12  years, offering in home support for parenting, coping with change, school transition, and other issues that may occur due to the current change in circumstances for children and families at this time.

We know that you want the best for your children and your family, and that sometimes families experience tough times. Our experienced children and parenting team work with you, helping you identify and make use of your individual strengths to enable your family to reconnect and achieve their goals. We support parents and children respectfully, honestly and transparently to improve your child’s development and wellbeing, and maintain a healthy and fulfilled family life.

For all we can do to help provide the support you need for the life you want, contact us today on 1300 114 397 or visit anglicaresq.org.au for more information.

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.