Gatton State School Newsletter

End of year activities and celebrations 2020 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for every student and especially hard for the 2020 graduating class of high school seniors and our very own year six students. As restrictions continue to ease I’m pleased to advise parents and carers of year six students you will receive an invitation to this years graduation celebration to be held on Thursday 3rd of December from 1.45pm to 3.00pm. The invitation will contain details including two guests able to attend per student. This is great news for students and families whilst we continue to follow our school’s COVID safe plan. Other end of year celebrations are being finalised and will be communicated via Facebook, SMS and the school web site including: Senior School Concert on Tuesday 1st December and Junior School Concert on Wednesday 2nd December 1.45 to 3.00pm. Unfortunately the concerts will be closed to family members this year, however, there will be lots of photos available following the events. A full list of planned activities are available in this newsletter.

Does your child travel using public transport?

Travelling on public transport is an important part of school life for many students. A step-by-step guide helps you to plan the journey, choose the right student travel card or assistance, set up auto top-up on a go card, work out the fare based on zones and know about roles and responsibilities for safe travel. Try this link for further information or cut and paste into your browser: www.translink.com.au/travel-with-us/school-travel/guide-for-parents

 

For your calendar - Student free days on 10 and 11 December 2020

Please note the Queensland Government has declared the last two days of Term 4, 2020, Thursday 10 December and Friday 11 December, 2020, be allocated as student free days and schools will be closed on these days.   You can view the updated school holiday and term dates and download the calendar at https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/calendar/term-dates.

Kind regards,

Warren Merchant

              

“I walk quietly and safely around the school”

This week we are focusing on the behaviour “I walk quietly and safely around the school”. Students are being taught to ensure that when they are moving around the school to do so quietly so as not to disturb other classes. We will also have a special focus on walking on hard surfaces. If students forget and in their enthusiasm begin running on the paths and undercover areas, they may be asked to “Stop and give me 20!” We haven’t suddenly joined the military! This simply means the children must stop, sit or crouch and count to 20 to reinforce the safe walking message. This has been very successful and well done to all those safe walkers in our school.

PREP 2021 – Enrol now 

Do you have a child or know of anyone who is born between, July 1 2015 and June 30 2016?

Gatton State School is now accepting enrolments for Prep 2021. Please contact the office if you would like any further information or would like to make a time to meet with the Deputy Principal to talk about prep for your child next year. Enrolment forms and information packs are available now. We look forward to meeting you and your children to start their exciting school journey with us.

Prep Transition Days

Due to an unprecedented year with covid-19 restrictions, prep transition activities will look a little different this year. To adhere to social distancing, we are still restricting large groups of adults entering our school grounds for the time being.

To make sure our new prep students are not disadvantaged, we are developing a virtual transition program to present to our prospective prep families for 2021.

We will be holding Prep Orientation for Prep 2021 students and their families. These Sessions will be held in Term 4 Weeks 7,8 and 9 after normal school hours. The children will spend time in a prep classroom with the Prep staff while parents/carers will be taken on a tour of the school with Deputy Principal Mr Jack Wright. Due to COVID-19 restrictions these sessions will be limited to 20 students per session with a maximum of 2 people (adults and children) per student to accompany them.

All families will be able to make a booking through our online booking system. Due to limited places please only select one session per student.

 

The sessions will be held on:

Wednesday 18th November 3:30pm to 4:00pm

Wednesday 25th November 3:30pm to 4:00pm

Tuesday 01st December 3:30pm to 4:00pm

To make a booking for one of the sessions provided please click on the following Link:

https://eq.sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=70453

If you have any queries please contact our office on 54663333

             

What is Bella Girls?

Who are Bella Girls?

Why do we have Bella Girls?

Bella Girls is an 11 week program that I have been running with a group of Year 5 girls.  We are almost at the end of their 11 weeks and their graduation is coming up fast – so I thought I’d ask them some questions about what they think of Bella Girls (BG).  Here’s how they answered the questions about Bella…

What is Bella Girls?

Bella Girls is a wonderful group where girls going through girl problems can chat with the exquisite Chappy Ness, and other girls who are experiencing the same thing. (Miss E)

It is an amazing place run by the Chappy. (Miss C)

It is learning about growing up and stuff. (Miss K)

It is a group where we learn about puberty, womanhood and tips! (Miss E/Garfield)

BG is where you learn about the things that girls go through. (Miss S)

Learning that we’re great and about growing up. It’s really good! (Miss R)

It’s somewhere you learn about being loyal and about growing. (Miss L)

It is where you learn about being a girl and learning to be crazy. (Miss B)

What have you learnt while doing BG?

Being loyal, humble, grateful (and puberty) (Miss L)

To be nice and go crazy (Miss B)

We have learnt how to deal with growing up and other nice things. (Miss C)

We’ve learnt how to be kind and love your family and friends. (Miss K)

I’ve learnt that I’m not alone when experiencing things. (Miss E)

What has been your favourite part of BG so far?

Everything! Learning more about life. All my friends and Chappy Ness. Talking to friends and talking to Chappy – giving her a smile. Being myself and learning my name is in the group! 

Have a great week everyone!

Chappy Ness

               

Thanks to everyone involved, our Expo day was somewhat different this year due to covid 19. The students did a fantastic job. I could not be more proud of the Year 6 students. They invested a lot of time and energy into their projects and did a great job selling their ideas!

Year 4 -6 Swimming Carnival. 

Date:                           Friday 4th December

Time:                           9:15am (Start); 3:00pm (Finish)

Venue:                        Lockyer Valley Aquatic Centre

Cost:                            ALL children in year 4 - 6 pay $5 on Friday morning 4th December to their teacher. Children will walk to the pool in class groups.

Bathing Caps:           House coloured bathing caps are available from the office for $3.00 each (these are optional).

Programs:                  On sale for $3.00 from the school office on Thursday 3rd December. Children in 50 metre and 25 metre events have their name in the program.

Uniform:                    Children should wear their school uniform and a hat.  Bring; togs, towel, sunscreen. Don't wear togs to school in the morning. (Children will change into togs at the pool.)

Lunch:                        Children should bring a packed lunch. The pool canteen will be open during the day.

N.B:                             Every year children ask if they can stay behind at the pool after the carnival. No child will be permitted to remain behind at the pool after the carnival. Children may go home with their parents (volunteers) if the parent sees the class teacher.

COVID:                        As much as we would like parents, carers, grandparents and friends to come along and watch, the restrictions will still be such that, we will only be able to have students, staff and a handful of parent volunteers to attend the event.  We understand that this will be disappointing for many who love to attend and support our students and also appreciate that you understand the importance of the constraints which we must comply with under these unusual circumstances. 

Helpers:                     We will require a number of parents to assist as timekeepers. If you can help in this regard please contact Mrs Scott or register at the office.

Program overview:

Each child will swim up to five swims. One event from each block.

Champion Events - A trophy will be awarded to 9yrs, 10yrs, 11yrs & 12yrs champions for girls and boys with medals for 2nd place in each age group.

For 10-12 year olds, the fastest heat (last heat) of 50m events marked * below will be considered for Championship points.  For 9 year olds, the fastest (last heat) of 25m events marked # below will be considered for Championship points.

 

Age Level	Block A	Block B Breaststroke, Relay	Block C Backstroke/Back kick	Block D	Block E Freestyle
9	Freestyle Relay	15 metres short board kick	15 metres Noodle kick	Short board Relay	15 metres Freestyle
		25 metres Breaststroke #	25 metres Backstroke #		25 metres Freestyle #
10	Freestyle Relay	15 metres short board kick	15 metres Back kick		15 metres Freestyle
		25 metres Breaststroke	25 metres Backstroke		25 metres Freestyle
		50 metres Breaststroke *	50 metres Backstroke *		50 metres Freestyle *
11	Freestyle Relay	15 metres short board kick	15 metres Back kick		15 metres Freestyle
		25 metres Breaststroke	25 metres Backstroke		25 metres Freestyle
		50 metres Breaststroke *	50 metres Backstroke *		50 metres Freestyle *
12	Freestyle Relay	15 metres short board kick	15 metres Back kick		15 metres Freestyle
		25 metres Breaststroke	25 metres Backstroke		25 metres Freestyle
		50 metres Breaststroke *	50 metres Backstroke *		50 metres Freestyle *

* Championship events for 11-12 years plus 50m Butterfly.  * Championship events for 10 years plus 25m Butterfly

# Championship events for 9 years plus 25m Butterfly.  

Please note the following swimming dates on your calendar:

• Wednesday 2nd December – Behaviour Reward Day (swimming will be for ‘A’ behaviour students only.

Friday 4th December - Senior Swimming Carnival (postponed from Term 1)
Tuesday 8th December – Break up day swimming for Year 1 – Year 6 classes

             

The Primary Prattle (in full colour)

 

Yes it is in print again… 

 

The magazine that shows everyone what you have been doing all year.  Articles include class pages, sports pages, lots of photos, games and much more.   Approximately 120 colour pages of Gatton SS memories.

 

Order your copy by completing the form below or ask for a form at the office and handing it with your payment to the office by Friday 20th November. 

Delivery will be on Break Up Party Day – Tues, 8th December.

 

Cost: $20.00 (This covers costs only – no profit is made from these sales)

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The Primary Prattle Order Form.

 

I would like to order ____ copies of the school magazine for 2020.  I have enclosed $20.00 per copy.

 

Name

Class

 

               

The ongoing efforts of our tuckshop convenor and the volunteers who support our students and our school have been tremendous this year.  

We should remember to say please and thank you every day, but in honour of Tuckshop Day on Friday 6th of November, we’d like to say a very special thank you to this wonderful team.

Our tuckshop volunteers provide a great service that helps out families who have to juggle many different tasks at the start of each day and some good food helps the students study and play through the day.

We don’t take their hard work for granted and it is great to see parents putting up their hands and getting involved with our school too. Thank you everyone!!