Term 4 has started already with a number of significant events and teachers have prepared all the important documents for Semester 2 reporting and the class lists, book and equipment lists etc for 2017. The closing term of any year is so important for the smooth start and establishment of the following one.
Over the past weeks primary students have been involved in:
- Excursions
- 20/20 cricket matches
- A visit from Denise and Bruce Morcombe
- Primary band competition at St Columbans College
- Australian Council of Educational Research online testing Year 1 – 6
- Learning songs and dances for the end of the year Christmas Concert
- Noosa Spring Dance Festival for Year 4 and Year 5/6 Dance Troupe
- P and F Disco
- Samsung Netball Competitions in Ipswich
- Network meetings with Kindergarten and Prep teachers in the area.
Uniforms
Recently I sent home an important email regarding uniform regulations and in particular shoes and hair regulations. It is important that all students comply with our uniform regulations at all times. This is a condition of enrolment at the College.
We have noticed some boys wearing their sports uniform shorts with their dress/formal uniform. Please ensure that the correct shorts are worn with each uniform.
Christmas Concerts
Preparations for our Christmas concerts for the last week of the year have begun and the list of costumes for Year 3 – 6 has already been sent to all families. Some T shirts were due to be sent in by the end of Week 3 which is today. All other costumes are due by the end of Week 5. The email contained all the details for every class so please refer to it as you make preparations. Maybe even put it on the fridge as a reminder.
The P and F has kindly offered to organize the food stalls again this year and all GCC students will be given a small gift to light up their concert night. I’m sure you will all agree that the end of year concerts and award nights are a lovely family event.
Morcombe Foundation Visit
We were honoured to have Denise and Bruce Morcombe present their child safety session to all Year 2 – 6 students last week. Students heard a very strong message on keeping safe with the three KEY elements
- RECOGNISE – the feelings of discomfort when our bodies tell us that something isn’t right (butterflies in the tummy or hairs standing up on the back of our neck etc).
- REACT – Move away or if on the street to the other side of the road or maybe say something like NO to a person who is making us feel that way.
- REPORT – to one of the five people who are in our safety net (family members and teachers etc or maybe police if necessary).
The Morcombes are an inspiring couple and our captains were able to make a presentation of $796.65 in the form of an oversized cheque. These funds were raised by the Student Council and we thank you for your wonderful support by sending your children in red and donating a gold coin.
Assessment and Reporting
Over the next few weeks teachers will be delivering any curriculum content which still needs to be covered and doing assessment for the aspects which will be required for Semester 2 reporting. These next few weeks are a very important time for your children and it is essential that days absent are kept to a minimum. Children can demonstrate what they know much better in the context of normal class assessment rather than having to do these at a later date.
Primary Band
We congratulate the primary band members who attended a competition on 14 October at St Columabans College and came SECOND against local and some Brisbane schools. Mason White in Year 6 was given a special award (scholarship) for his outstanding musical ability. Congratulations Mason! Thank you to Mrs Walton and Mrs White and to the band members themselves (and their parents) for their commitment to before school practices and to developing their skills. Photos can be found here.
Dance Troupe
We are also delighted to announce that the Year 5/6 dance troupe came FIRST PLACE in the Noosa Spring Dance Festival recently. Year 4 dance troupe performed well also. It is wonderful to have dance troupe as an extra-curricular activity in the primary college.
Cheryl Bryers, Head of Primary