Welcome back to Term 3 2021!
We have had a wonderful start to the new school term. Students are settled and the classrooms are buzzing with learning.
Mr Sullivan is currently on Long Service Leave, taking a well-deserved break, and will return to school in Week 3. During that time, I will be in the Relieving Principal position and I am looking forward to working alongside all the staff, students, and families at GPS.
As you would be aware, all schools across NSW are under COVID restrictions. Schools across NSW have been divided into groups according to the level of restrictions imposed, at this specific time. As a regional school we are currently regarded as Level 2. We have posted on our school Facebook and Skoolbag App, informing families of restrictions and changes to school items as they unfold. Please ensure that you have access to these Apps, so that you remain informed. A note specific to this situation will be coming home with your child. Please read it carefully and abide by the restrictions imposed. We appreciate your support in keeping all in our school community safe.
While a few events have had to be postponed, students will still have opportunity to learn violin at this stage. We are following advise as we continue with, or postpone, school-based opportunities for students.
You may have heard in the media recently that we are experiencing a shortage of casual teachers, and we are having significant difficulty sourcing teaching staff to cover staff absences due to illness or scheduled professional learning. We strive to ensure that we maintain routines for all students; however, from time to time, we may need to split a class across other classes, or your child may have a teacher with whom they are less familiar. Please be assured that your child will still have access to learning activities, set by their class teacher, should this situation occur. Thank you for your understanding.
I would like to Thank You all for your patience and understanding as we strive to ensure a safe learning and working environment for our whole school community.
Attendance
Our school aims to have 90% of students attend school at least 90% of the time. When your child is absent from school, they miss important opportunities to learn, make friends and build skills through fun. A day here and there doesn’t seem like much, but 1 day per fortnight means they miss a month of schooling each year.
As part of current health guidelines children should not attend school if they are unwell. If your child is away due to illness, we ask you to notify us promptly through an email, a phone call, or by sending a note into school when your child returns. A COVID test is required and a negative result sent to the school prior to your child returning.
We appreciate your support in helping our students come to school every day.
NAIDOC Week
We were due to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021 this week; however, due to COVID Restrictions now in place, we have postponed the planned activities until Week 4. We will keep you informed of any further changes.
Healthy Harold
GPS Students will be attending Life Education during Week 2. Healthy Harold will be visiting from Monday to Thursday enabling students to participate in lessons covered, in issue specific and age appropriate modules designed to engage, inspire, and empower our students. A permission note is coming home to be signed and returned to school immediately. Apologies for the short notice. COVID protocols will be in place during the lessons.
Janette Kerr
Relieving Principal
