Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary

CSSA Zone Carnival

On Thursday several of our Primary students will be heading to Mingara Aquatic Centre to compete in the Primary Zone Swimming Carnival. We wish them all the best as they compete at this next level of competition.

Visit from Gumnuts – Red Bus

Last week our students had a visit from “Gumnuts” the Red Bus Safety Officer. Each child learnt about safe ways to move around and on buses and public transport. One of the important lessons they learnt was to not be distracted by friends or technology when exiting a bus or crossing the road. This is an important reminder also to us as adults to model road safety to our children in and around our community.

Head of School Awards

Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 5:

Chloe B, KDL; Aston P, KG; Eden W, KJ; Tilly G, 1PH; Kit N, 1B; Henry H, 2D; Madelyn G, 2P; Piper L, 3D; Olivia B, 3B; Jaxon H, 4B; , 4M; Xavier W, 4G; Oliver L, 5P; Max J, 5L; Joella W, 6M; Zoe G, 6S; Josie T, 6T

Progressive Achievement Tests

During the first week of March all students in K-6 will complete Progressive Achievement Testing, (PAT testing). The data from these tests is then used to measure a student’s knowledge, skills and understanding in aspects of English and Mathematics, helping teachers to pinpoint where they are in their learning journey – and what they need to progress. Students do not receive the marks for these tests, rather they are used to assist teachers in tailoring teaching to meet the needs that are indicated.

Hats

It is important to protect our students’ skin from the sun each day. Please ensure that students have a hat with their name on it at school each day.

After School Pick up and Buses

It is important that students are only collected from the areas designated and supervised by teachers. This ensures proper duty of care continues for each child. Please do not arrange to meet Primary students on Beatties Road or at the 7-Eleven, or across the road at Tank Works, as there is no one there to supervise students and ensure they are safely picked up.

I have reminded students today about safe behaviour at the bus lines and when on the bus traveling to and from school. Students have been asked to remain seated when waiting for their bus or at the Kiss and Drop zones. Primary students are not permitted to use their mobile phones unless they are standing near a teacher and contacting a parent. Please speak with your child about this and help us to keep our children safe.

School Photos – Tuesday 2 March

Tuesday is photo day. Please ensure that your child is in correct formal school uniform. Hair is to be compliant with school uniform policy – tied back for girls using black red or white ribbons only. Girls may only wear one pair of silver or gold studs or sleepers. Boys in Years 3-6 will not be wearing ties in their class photos.

Clean Up Australia Day (at school)

Sunday 7 March is Clean up Australia Day. What was started thirty years ago by an "average Australian bloke" who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard, has now become the nation's largest community-based environmental event.

Over the past 30 years 17.7 million Australians have volunteered 35 million hours to clean up 365,000+ ute loads of rubbish. On Friday some of our students will be joining Mr Turner in cleaning up a section of the property around our College. Students will also look for a proactive way we can stop pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. Thank you Mr Turner and Primary students for the care and stewardship you demonstrate.

Year 3 Music Genre Incursion  

Our Year 3 class had a Music Genre Incursion, dressing up as a performer in their chosen genre of Music and they all prepared a speech to present to their class

Year 7, 2022

Preparations for 2022 enrolments have already commenced with strong demand for places in Secondary School. If your child currently attends Year 6 at GPCC, you are not required to apply for Year 7 2022 however, if your child will not be continuing at the College next year, would you kindly advise our Registrar by email at your earliest convenience - registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.

Banking – Helpers needed

The Commonwealth Bank conducts the school banking program at GPCC. This program encourages children to save a little money each week into their Youthsaver account, helping them learn about the value of money and develop a good saving habit.

Students can bring in their money and deposit books each Friday and these can be dropped to the College office Student Admin window.

We would love some helpers to count the money on a Friday morning for about an hour. You would only be rostered on once or twice a term.

Please contact the College office if you are able to assist.

If you have a child that will be starting GPCC in Kindergarten in 2022 please apply via our website as soon as possible - Kinder 2022 Enrolment.

If you know of any families who wish to enrol their child in Kindergarten in 2022, please direct them to email our Registrar, or to Book a Tour

Please register for our Kindergarten Information Evening to be held on Tuesday 16 March 2021.