Thursday's Tidings - 19 October 2023

Dear families,

As we approach the end of another fruitful school year, it's essential to focus on supporting our students through this period of transition. Whether they're moving up a grade or transitioning to a new school, this time can bring a mix of emotions. We're dedicated to ensuring that each student feels prepared, confident, and excited for the exciting journey ahead. Here are some strategies that we will utilise to help make this transition as seamless as possible: 

• We value open communication between teachers, students, and parents. If you have any questions or concerns about the transition process, please don't hesitate to reach out.  
• We'll be providing an orientation afternoon to provide students with a glimpse into what they can expect in the upcoming academic year. This includes meeting their new teachers and becoming acquainted with their new learning environment. This will occur in Week 10 for all students remaining at GCSS in 2024. 
• Engaging in activities that encourage reflection on the past year and excitement for the future can be incredibly beneficial. These activities will be integrated into our curriculum as we close out the school year. 
• Our older students will have the opportunity to attend transition programs at their chosen high school. 

As we look forward to and start preparing for 2024, I want to express my gratitude for your continued partnership in your child's education. Together, we can ensure a successful transition and set the stage for another year of growth, learning, and achievement. 

World Teachers’ Day and Day for Daniel - 27 October

World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and applaud Queensland teachers for their important role in our communities and for the positive impact they have on the lives of students. 

​This year’s theme, Teaching – where the future begins, applauds the innovative and inspirational practices teachers use to help create better futures for their students. 

Let’s join together to thank all Queensland Teachers on World Teachers’ Day, Friday 27 October 2023. 

Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe. We ask all Australians on this very special day to Wear Red, Educate and Donate. 

Parents, carers, and educators are encouraged to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety. Schools and early learning centres conduct child safety education activities. Businesses and community come together to raise awareness of child safety issues. 

Students and staff are encouraged to wear something red - it can be clothing or just an accessory. It all helps to promote the agenda of personal safety.

Prep 2024 - enrol now 

Our next year’s prep numbers are growing. Have you added your child to our prep enrolments for 2024? Children born between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019 are prep age next year. Contact Mrs Cross in the office to secure your child’s 2024 enrolment.  

The 4th transition morning was held this morning and there will be two more prep transition sessions this term: 

1. Tuesday 31st October 9:00-10:30am 
2. Wednesday 15th November 9:00-10:30am 

The new stairs are open!  

The new stairs are open! Check out the great Facebook post showing the progress from start to finish. The kids were so excited to see the temporary fencing removed and staff were excited to not have to walk the long way each day! 

Strings students @ the Seniors’ Expo 

Next Wednesday morning the strings students will head to the Seniors’ Expo in Mellor St to showcase their talent. It’s always important for the students to perform and the seniors are really looking forward to it. 

P&C News - Disco & Slime Time

Get ready to bust out your best disco moves for next Thursday 26th. P&C will host a disco here in the parade area from 5:30-7:00pm.  

The P&C Colour Run were able to raise over $7000 thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of our community. The celebration where our fundraisers get to slime Mr Cafferky is happening tomorrow at 2:30pm. Colour run prizes will be distributed tomorrow. 

Year 6 to Year 7 Transition 

The high schools are urgently requesting Year 7 enrolment paperwork. Timetabling in a high school is a lengthy process and the more accurate the high school’s enrolment numbers, the more effective the timetable. Thank you to those who have enrolled and if you need assistance to identify the appropriate high school - both are enrolment managed - use the link: https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/maps/edmap/  

End of Year Concert - 30 November 

Gympie Central hosts its End of Year Concert here at school in the parade area. This year’s will be on Thursday 30th November commencing at 5:30pm. This year the classes will be preparing their art piece for the class art auction - can’t wait to see what they come up with! 

Zones or Regulation

Gympie Central uses the Zones of Regulation as a framework to help children to develop awareness of feelings, energy and alertness levels while exploring a variety of tools and strategies for regulation, prosocial skills, self-care, and overall wellness.  It provides a simple way to think and talk about how we feel on the inside and sort these feelings into four coloured Zones, all of which are expected in life.  Once we understand our feelings and zones, we can learn to use tools/strategies to manage our different Zones in order to meet goals like doing schoolwork or other tasks, managing big feelings, and healthy relationships with others. The simple, common language and visual structure of The Zones of Regulation helps make the complex skill of self-regulation in students more concrete for learners and allows them to verbalise their feelings and emotions. 

Gympie Central P&C camping weekend - 17-19 November 

 

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

Overdue payments

Please ensure that any oustanding payments are finalised by 31st October this year. Our various payment options are listed below. Please contact the office if you are having difficulties finalising your overdue payments.

Payment Options

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.