We have had a successful start to the school year with well over 60 new students across Years 1 - 6 and 38 Kindergarten students joining our College for the first time. I have watched as our students have welcomed new students and reunited after a long holiday break. It is so wonderful to see community in action as our students reconnect after the summer break.

With our swimming carnival drawing closer and lots of representative sports starting up for the year it is so important that we remember these key areas that demonstrate good sportsmanship.

• Act courteously and treat others with kindness
• Don’t lose your cool even when things don’t go your way
• Be a team player and help others have opportunities to succeed
• Encourage your teammates
• Acknowledge and applaud good plays, even when it’s your opponent that makes them
• Listen to and follow the directions of the coach
• Respect the officials – they are there to help and guide us

Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)

Your student will have received two weeks of RAPID ANTAGEN TESTS. Kinder will receive them on Monday 31st January. Please make sure your child is tested twice a week. If they do test positive, please inform the school via the Absentee Line (43679950) and register the result using the Service NSW App. Also make sure you follow the return to school plan and any Government directions.

Drop Off and Pick Up Zones

From Week 2 students in K – Year 2, and siblings may be dropped off and picked up in the Kiss and Drop 3 Zone.

All other students will use the Kiss and Drop 1 Zone in the main car park or walk to the bus zone.

Please have your surname on a card on the visor of the front passenger side so their name can be called and students can be ready. Staff will assist your child into, or out of the car and there is no need for you to get out of the car.

If you choose to park and pick up your child please use the large main car park. Once you have parked, please walk to the area at the bottom of the office steps to collect or drop off your child.

To keep our students safe if is very important that students do not walk unaccompanied through the car park to parents waiting in cars.

Canteen

For the first 5 weeks – Primary School students are able to purchase from the canteen using the online ordering system only. Students and parents can place an order online using Munch Monitor. To view the new menu and the Munchery Canteen information visit our website at: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/community/the-munchery-canteen

Primary Swimming Carnival – Friday 4 February 2022 @ Mingara

Our Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival is on Friday (including Year 2 competitors), and I look forward to seeing many parent helpers and students as they compete in races.

All families will have received an email regarding the swimming carnival and a link to Parent Lounge to give electronic permission. If you are unsure of this please contact the office.

Please ensure you have given permission on Parent Lounge for each child and selected bus transport if required for each child. The permission note requires you to indicate the swimming level for each child and how they will be travelling to and from the carnival. It is important that you fill this out by Tuesday 1 February 2022, so we can organise transport to and from the College.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Stuart McSwan and Mr Nathan Lambert for all of the work they have put into organising what I believe will be a fantastic day of community and celebration at the pool.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CARNIVAL DAY

• Please ensure that your child has their name marked off when they arrive at the pool and then when they leave.
• Our swimming carnival is part of our school day. If any children need to leave early, they must have their name marked off and this will be counted as a partial absence.
• Parents are able to remain at the venue, but will be seated on the grass outside. Parents must wear a mask when entering the venue.
• If you are able to assist in the running of the carnival please email Mr Mc Swan on smcswan@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or Mr Lambert nlambert@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.