Clean up Australia Day – Last Friday

What was started 30 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. Our focus this year under the direction of Mr Turner, is not just to clean up our rubbish, but to also look 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.

Halogen National Young Leaders' Day

Mrs Munro and I are privileged today to accompany 11 student leaders from Year 6 to the Sydney Primary National Young Leaders' Day being held at International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. Each year Halogen gathers together prominent leaders from all walks of life to be part of this unique intergenerational opportunity. Our students will hear practical advice about leadership from speakers including: John Coutis, Channel 9’s Erin Moulan, Rove McManus, and Netballer – Bianca Chatfield. It has been encouraging to see our GPCC students mixing with several thousand other student leaders from across the State, as together they have been inspired and encouraged in their journey and equipped for the role that lies ahead of them.

Head of School Award

Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Head of School Award for Week 5: Jack B, KDL; Bodhi P, KP; Jad A, 1G; Alex T, 1PH; Lucas B, 2G; Grace V, 2J; Lani G, 3B; Isla J, 3K; Jonathan G, 4B; Joshua F, 4M; Chase P, 5D; Aaron T, 5H; Noah D, 5P; Thomas G, 6D; Olivia H, 6M and Lachlan M, 6T.

Playground Markings

Have you seen our new playground games? Last year I spoke with our students and asked them to draw some games they would like to see in our playground. After many weeks of waiting, last week our playground received a much-needed refresh. It has been so wonderful to see the responses to a student led initiative.

Photo Day

Tuesday 3 March is Primary photo day. Please ensure that your child is in correct formal school uniform. Hair is to be compliant with our Uniform Policy – tied back for girls using black red or white ribbons. Boys in Years 3-6 will not be wearing ties in their class photos.

Reading Information Night - Tuesday 17 March at 6:30pm in the Staff Common Room.

Come along to our Parent Workshop run by Literacy Consultant, Renea Watkins from the Association of Independent Schools (AIS). This informative night will walk you through the research behind the explicit method of reading instruction being used in the College and the importance of decoding. There will be first-hand information about the Big 5 components to reading, along with helpful information about how to assist your child in their reading journey. This is not a night to be missed.  Parents of all grades are welcome.

Mobile Phones /  Smart Watches

A number of our Primary students are bringing and using mobile phones and devices of a similar nature to school. Whilst these devices can be a valuable safety tool for travel arrangements, they can also be a distraction to learning. For this reason we ask that you not communicate with your child on their device during school hours, as students are not permitted to use/check or have their phones or smart watches out whilst on school grounds.

If devices are being used during school time (recess, lunch or class time) they will be removed from the student and given to Head of School to be collected at the end of the day.

Also, students are not to have their devices out at the bus bay as this can be a distraction resulting in them missing the bus. Students will be given a warning and if the device is seen again, it will be handed in to the Head of School.

Banking – Helpers Needed

The Commonwealth Bank conducts the school banking program at GPCC. This program encourages students 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 office if you are able to assist.

Vegetable Week

Only 5% of NSW children eat enough vegetables. To improve this, we are increasing children’s knowledge, exposure and positive attitudes towards vegetables.

Vegetable Week, featuring the fun event “The Big Vegie Crunch”, is an easy school-based event for NSW Primary Schools, funded by NSW Health. As well as hearing about the benefits of vegetables, we will be holding the "The Big Vegie Crunch" on Thursday at 10:00am. This is an attempt by NSW Primary School students to break the record for the highest number of children eating vegetables simultaneously – and to get kids excited about vegetables.

Please send vegetables for your students to crunch on during Crunch'n Sip this Thursday.

Premiers’ Reading Challenge

This year’s challenge starts today Monday 2 March and finishes on Friday 28 August. All Primary students will enter the challenge. Last year 60% of students completed it, which is an amazing result. A letter will be sent home with more information and your child’s username and password. Happy reading.

Product Design Challenge