Thursday's Tidings - 16 July 2020
| Friday, 24th July | Sports Day (Students and Staff Only) |
| Monday 27th July | P&C Meeting, 3.30pm |
| Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th July | Roadcraft Bicycle and Road Safety Education (Junior Classes) |
| Tuesday, 11th August | School Photo Day |
| Tuesday, 18th August | Hear & Say Hearing Screening |
| Wednesday 19th August | Prep Information Sessions (am and pm) |
| Wednesday 19th - Friday 21st August | Year 6 Camp |
| Monday, 24th August | P&C Meeting, 3.30pm |
| Monday, 31st August - 17th September | Junior Swimming Lessons |
| Tuesday 1st - Thursday 3rd September | Year 5 Camp |
Term 3 - Week 1
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back to Term 3. Gympie Central has had a great start to the term and everyone has appreciated the opportunity to start teaching and learning in our familiar routines.
Schools are still operating in a manner that manages the risks associated with COVID-19. These include:
- Students have returned to on-site learning
- While students do not have to maintain social distancing, staff are required to physically distance
- Students and staff who are unwell must not attend school and should remain at home until well
- Schools are maintaining health and hygiene measures including regular handwashing and sanitising, increased cleaning of classrooms, in particular high touch points, regular cleaning of playground equipment and physical distancing of adults
- Parents and other visitors are only to enter school grounds for essential business. Parents are still asked to observe physical distancing measures, not to gather in groups and not to enter classrooms
- Swimming, excursions and camps can recommence, provided the venues have an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan. Junior swimming is scheduled for the last three weeks of this term. Unfortunately, the senior swimming program will not proceed due to lack of available bookings.
The staff appreciate your support in maintaining these measures to minimise the risk to students, staff and families in the Gympie Central community.
Parades
The school will recommence a full school parade each Friday. However, in line with advice, these will only be attended by students and staff.
Sports Day - Friday 24 July (Staff and Students Only)
Gympie Central will host our annual sports day next week, Friday 24 July. This will also be a students and staff only event. While the events will be the same as a traditional sports day, there are no district or regional carnivals and therefor no opportunity to qualify for a Gympie District or Wide Bay Region team.
Students are encouraged to wear their house colours on the day (and still must bring their wide brimmed hat). Sports hats (house colours) are available and these can be purchased by contacting the office.
Writing Enrichment
Starting next week, students who have demonstrated a flair for writing will be commencing an enrichment program with Ms Vacher. Each week these students will spend between 40-80 minutes honing their skills before commencing a project where they will get to put their skills into practice.
Flashing Lights on Lawrence Street (and School Street)
It’s been great to see the school zone lights in operation on Lawrence Street. They certainly stand out! The School Crossing signs (flags) have been reinstated on the O’Connell Street crossing and in the last week, I have received notification flashing lights will also be installed on School Street. The timeline is for the lights to be installed by June of 2021, but it will be another valuable road safety improvement for Gympie Central.
Camps are proceeding
The Year 5 and Year 6 camps are scheduled for mid and late this term. Further information including dates for parent information meetings will be communicated to families in the coming fortnight. Please return the Consent and Medical forms immediately if you haven't already done so. 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 child's teacher immediately if your child is not attending camp for any reason. Thank you for your prompt attention to this.
Religious Instruction
Students who have permission will recommence weekly Religious Instruction next Wednesday afternoon.
School Opinion Survey - Closes 5pm Friday 17 July
This year’s School Opinion Survey has been modified to seek feedback on how the Department of Education and our school managed learning during the learning at home phase. It also contains questions linked to specific school operations here at Gympie Central. The survey closes at 5pm tomorrow and can be accessed using the link below. All responses to the survey are anonymous.
Student Council
This year the Student Council has set itself a challenge of reducing waste across the school. Congratulations to the Student Council who raised over $200 on the Pyjama Day fundraiser at the end of last term. These funds, along with a generous donation from Gympie Bunnings, has enabled the purchase of a compost tumbler and worm farm.
The school would like to thank Bunnings for their support of Gympie Central. They really helped the Student Council get this project started!
School Photos
School photos will take place on Tuesday, 11 August. More information will be provided soon.
Have a great week!
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 six months away, it is important that we have as much information as possible to manage our enrolments. Our first Prep information session will be held on Wednesday 19 August.
TOMORROW'S TUCKSHOP SPECIAL
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 you are welcome to purchase a plain navy jumper from another retail outlet.
Kate Catlin
President of Gympie Central SS P&C
Brekky Club
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
~Saint Francis de Sales
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.