As I reflect on the events of Term 3 there are some significant moments which deserve a mention.
Grandparents’ Day once again was such a wonderful experience and we were blessed to have enjoyed having so many visitors on the day.
Over the past couple of years we have been working in partnership with Hilton Ayrey from New Zealand who has lectured in universities assisting teachers to improve the teaching of reading comprehension. Recently Mr Ayrey worked with our teachers and teaching assistants modelling this approach called SHARP READING in classrooms and observing and giving feedback to primary teachers. Sharp Reading has been implemented in every class from Prep to Year 6 as we have developed a whole school approach to reading comprehension. Mr Ayrey has worked with four of our teachers who will continue to work regularly with our primary staff.
Book Week and our Primary Book Week Parade were a highlight of this term as students dressed up as a favourite book character. The theme for Book Week this year was Australia Story Country and as usual the costumes were amazing.
Thank you for your overwhelming support of Vana Week last week. The student council raised $2567.50 which will be used to provide housing, tuition, food and sporting equipment for three Vana orphanages in Africa.
Mr Rogers in Year 5 will be travelling with his family to Zimbabwe in the September holidays to help the children who are supported by Vana. It will be a life changing experience for the whole family.
The student council members did a wonderful job selling the beaded animals, pizza and poppers. Some students even made cupcakes and sold them to classmates to raise funds for the children at Vana so our GCC students have contributed to the wonderful work in these orphanages.
This week students took part in the Term 3 Legacy Cup Spelling competitions. All classes were tested on a number of words from their spelling lists this year and the final event was a Spelling Bee for the Upper Primary year levels. All students from Prep – Year 6 contributed to their house team points.
The final Legacy Cup event for 2016 is Time to Shine which will be held in Week 4 next term. Students are required to register their name and what their performance will be to their class teacher by the last day of Term 3.
It has been another busy term with FUNFEST, performances, excursions/incursions and camps – but that’s life in a vibrant educational environment where we try to give students a wide variety of experiences throughout the year.
It is with a sense of sadness that we say goodbye to Mrs West Year 1M as she begins the most exciting journey in life – motherhood. I am sure you will join with me in wishing her all the best in the next few months as she awaits the arrival of Little Miss West. Mrs West has had such an impact on children at GCC over many years as she has guided and nurtured so many children in their learning.
As we approach the holidays please take care on the roads and at the beach. We live in a beautiful country with so many amazing opportunities to delight in the beauty of God’s creation so have fun with your children, walking in the national parks, going camping or just walking on the rocks at the beach looking for sea creatures – and all these activities are absolutely FREE.
Blessings
Cheryl Bryers, Head of Primary