I would like to welcome you all back to school for another busy and exciting term and also extend a warm welcome to all our new families. We are so glad that you have joined us and we look forward to getting to know you as you become settled here at GCC.
There is news to share and some reminders as we start this new term.
News from the Stork!
I would like to share the wonderful news that Mrs Doyle is expecting a baby daughter later this year and Mrs Cuckson is expecting either a little brother or sister for Olivia at the start of the new year. We wish them many blessings as they await the arrival of these precious bundles of joy!
Time to Shine
We are starting the term with a showcase of talent as our first Legacy Cup event for the term. Thank you to all the parents who registered their children. Auditions begin today and the finals will be held on Wednesday 4 August. You will receive an email regarding your child’s audition so please keep an eye out for this.
Help Year 6 ‘Make a Difference’
Our Year 6 students have embarked on some wonderful initiatives to help others. This term one team is collecting plastic bottle caps, tea bag tags and bread clips. They will be sending these away to be turned into wheelchairs for people with disabilities. We also have a team collecting old batteries for recycling as they look after the environment. There will also be a collection of small size bric-a-brac items, recent books, games and toys that will be donated to the Sunshine Coast Animal Rescue Shelter to sell at their second-hand Market Place.
Another team will be collecting food for the homeless and the types of food s they will be collecting are:
- Meals in a can (soup, stew, spaghetti, baked beans)
- Vegemite
- Long-life milk
- Canned tuna
- Tea Bags
- Canned fruit
- Pasta sauce
- Lentils or chickpeas
Your support for any of these initiatives would be greatly appreciated and I would like to commend the Year 6 students for their ideas and their initiative as they think of and serve our environment and others.
Developing Independence
As children feel more settled and are back into regular routines, please could I ask that you encourage them to move towards an independent drop off and pick up. With situations related to COVID changing countrywide at a moment’s notice, helping our children to be resilient and independent will stand them in good stead if we are ever faced with any sudden changes. Thank you for wearing masks when you come on-site this week.
Parent Teacher Interviews
The Parent-Teacher Meetings will be conducted in the Library.
Meetings will be held on:
Monday 26 July from 3:30pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 27 July from 3:30pm – 7:30pm
If you are unable to attend your scheduled meeting, please email the class teacher directly.
Holidays and Extended leave during the school term
Once again, this is a reminder that absences from school not associated with ill health are not encouraged and if there is an occasion when children have to be away from school for reasons other than illness, it is very important that you email me or make an appointment to meet with me.
I will be continuing to monitor school absences, holidays taken during school time and late arrivals closely this year and so I thank you in advance for your assistance in making sure that your children attend school regularly.
School Hours
School hours are from 8:25am to 2:55pm. Children are expected to attend a full school day. Please make sure that your children arrive at school before the start of the day to ensure that they have a settled start. Please be reminded that children cannot leave school early for after school extra-curricular activities.
Smart Watches and Mobile phones
Many students now have mobile phones and/or a Smartwatch to make contact with parents at some stage during the school day.
Phones need to be either handed to the class teacher at the start of the school day or locked away securely in school bags. If phones are left in school bags, the safety of these items will be the responsibility of the students.
Students may not use their phones or Smartwatches during break times or during class lessons. All calls to parents must be directed by the teacher using the class phone or through Main Administration. I would also like to thank parents in advance for refraining to call students during lesson times and playtime.
Uniforms
We will be having a uniform check on Monday 26 July to make sure that all children are wearing the correct uniform and that shoes, hair and other accessories are correct so that they look great. Please visit the school website to check on the uniform policy if you need to check on expectations.
We will be contacting you if your child does not meet the school uniform expectations.
Chapels and Assemblies
Citations will still be placed on Gateway and mailed home.
Important dates:
Monday 26 July 100 days of Prep
Monday 26 July Parent Teacher meetings
Tuesday 27 July Parent Teacher meetings
Wednesday 4 August Time to Shine finals
Tuesday 17 August Lower Primary Athletics Carnival
Friday 20 August Official Opening of GPAC
Tuesday 24 August Book Week Parade
In our country/state at the moment, we are so blessed to be able to attend school every day and that our children have the opportunity to enjoy all that is available to them each and every day. Let us remember to think of others, be kind, remain humble and take care of one another.
I look forward to catching up with you at the Parent Teacher meetings and once again, I would like to express my appreciation for your ongoing support and your continued loyalty to the school.
Gail Mitchell – Head of Primary