NAIDOC WEEK 8 - 15 NOV 2020

This week is NAIDOC week, which runs from 8th - 15th November 2020. We celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land in which we meet.  We pay our respects to Elders of the past, present and future.

This year’s theme for NAIDOC week, Always Was, Always Will Be, recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Throughout the week, our teachers and students will be incorporating learning activities into their daily work which highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learning, histories and perspectives.

There have been many activities planned for the week which our Aboriginal and Torres Island students have run while wearing their NAIDOC Week t-shirts with pride.  In addition to teacher lead activities in the classroom students have been involved in identifying animal tracks, ochre face painting and traditional food taste testing.

We are most fortunate to have Tammy Diamond, a member of the Indjilandji tribe , come and participate in a yarning circle with our Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island students on Thursday.

My thanks to the staff at school who helped to make the week such a success.

Kindergarten Transition Days

There have been many beautiful pictures on the school Facebook page of Wednesday's transition to schooldays for next year’s kindergarten class. The days have run exceptionally well with our little ones settling in beautifully. Well done to our infant teaching team for providing such an engaging,  enjoyable and positive time for our future students. We currently have 19 students enrolled in our 2021 kindergarten intake which is most pleasing.

Remembrance Day

A beautiful ceremony was held at the school yesterday which was complimented by a poppy display created by the students. The staff were impressed and very proud of all the students’ behaviour and respectful demeanour. It has been a long time since all the students have gathered for a formal assembly. Our School captains and vice captains: Koby, Gemma, Tyla and Jarred were most professional in delivering the Remembrance Day service. Here is the link to yesterday's Remembrance Day Service: https://vimeo.com/478239361​

Front Office Refurbishment

A major refurbishment of our front office will take place in January and February next year. This is great news as the school will have access for prams and wheelchairs and our office staff will have a suitable working space as per government regulations. There will be a period of time next year when the front office will operate out the library.

COVID Update

We have been very fortunate in Goulburn with our lack of COVID-19 cases. Restrictions are been somewhat relaxed which is great news for our end of year activities, but please be most vigilant for the following symptoms.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms include:

·         fever (37.5 ° or higher)

·         cough

·         sore throat

·         shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)

·         runny nose

·         loss of taste

·         loss of smell

·         vomiting/nausea or diarrhoea.

Students will need to have a COVID-19 test before returning to school if any of the following symptoms are experienced and the negative test result must be sighted (at the school gate or sent to the front office via email) before your child enters the school grounds.

Our COVID Plans for Presentation Day & Year 6 Formal

As the year-end is in view, we are preparing for the GPS end of year events, including Presentation Day Award Ceremonies. With a range of updated COVID-19 restrictions in place, we will be planning for an alternate format to previous years. This will include separate ceremonies for K-2 and Years 3-5, on Monday 14  December 2020. Year 6 presentations will be held on the evening of their Graduation/Formal on Monday 7 December 2020. Restrictions will allow for adults, outside of school staff, to attend these ceremonies; however, numbers will be limited in line with social distancing requirements. This means that each student award winner will receive invitations for two adults to attend their ceremony on the allocated day. Adults attending will need to register on arrival at the front school gate and admission will be granted after an RSVP has been received by Monday 7 December, so that seating can be organised. Two adults for each Year 6 student will also receive invitations to attend the Graduation/Presentation evening and an RSVP will be required by Monday 30 November, for entry to the event on Monday 7 December. A recorded version of the K-5 ceremonies will be available of Facebook after the events. We look forward to sharing these events with our school community.

Mark Sullivan

Principal

       The class with the highest attendance 

                                        Term 4

Week 1-  Poidevin                                    Week 3- Deakin

Week 2- Deakin                                        Week 4- Poidevin

This fortnight we are looking at how students can be responsible and take care of personal and school property.

At home parents can explain to the children that their personal belongings may be damaged or lost for various reasons at school. It could be taken by someone else by mistake, lost or damaged by themselves or others. Remind them to keep a close eye on their belongings, while being mindful of the following:

Do’s:

• Keep their belongings in their bag
• Put their name or a label on their belongings
• Practice at home the process for checking that they have packed everything before leaving home or school.

When something is missing, children should be taught to stay calm, and not get angry or upset. Ask them to seek help from teachers or parents immediately, and try to look for the items again. If they had broken something, they should think about how to avoid the same mistake again.

Last but not least, parents should not replace the lost item immediately, especially if your children have lost it. Suggest buying a replacement using their pocket money to help them learn and understand their responsibilities as owners, and the consequences of their negligence.

Thank you to the P&C for providing funds to purchase new readers.

These new books support students in the classroom and when working in small groups.

HEAD LICE

Unfortunately we have had confirmed cases of head lice at our school. Could you please check your child’s hair and make sure you treat your their hair appropriately before returning them to school. Further information on head lice is available on the NSW Health website or through the Department's website:

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/studenthealth/conditions/headlice/index.php.