GSPS Newslink

Educational Achievement 

Reading

StoryFest Out West

Last week, students in Years 3–5 had the wonderful opportunity to attend the StoryFest Out West Festival in St George. This was an inspiring day where students listened to and learned from real-life published authors and illustrators, including Pip Harry, Lili Wilkinson, Andy Geppert, Louise Parks and Matt Stanton.

Throughout the festival, students participated in engaging workshops with Australian authors. They discovered the many steps involved in becoming a published author – from developing ideas, to drafting, editing, illustrating, and finally bringing a story to life.

Lili Wilkinson and Matt Stanton shared a simple but powerful process for writing an engaging story:

  • Create a character
  • Decide what the character wants most in the world
  • Consider what obstacles are in the way
  • Choose an ending:
    • A happy ending = the character gets what they want, but not what they need.
    • A twisty ending = the character gets what they want, but not what they need.
    • A sad ending = the character gets what they need, but not what they want.

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, came away with new skills and inspiration for their own writing, and represented Goondiwindi State School with pride.

 

Mac Young Writers Competition

Students from Year 1 to Year 6 have been working hard on their entries for the Mac Young Writers Competition. This exciting competition encourages students to explore their creativity and develop their writing skills, with cash prizes awarded to the winners.

Entries are due this Friday, 12th September, and students are able to submit up to two pieces of writing. While many classes are submitting entries as part of their schoolwork, students are also encouraged to work on entries at home.

To submit, students need to bring their final entry along with a draft copy to their teacher, who will sign it before it is submitted.

We encourage as many students as possible to take part in this fantastic opportunity to showcase their creativity and writing talent. Good luck to all our young writers – we can’t wait to read your stories!

 

Keep Reading These Holidays!

All library books are due back this week, but that doesn’t mean the reading stops! We encourage all students to keep up their reading over the holidays, even without access to the school library. Here are some great ways to keep the reading habit going:

  • Visit the local town library – borrow a stack of new books to enjoy.
  • Swap books with a friend or family member – everyone gets something new to read!
  • Revisit an old favourite – reading a book again often helps you notice new details.
  • Read online – there are plenty of safe websites with free eBooks and audiobooks.
  • Use everyday opportunities – recipes, instructions, signs, comics, magazines, or even sports guides are all reading.
  • Read aloud together – take turns with a parent, sibling or friend.

Holidays are the perfect time to enjoy reading for fun. We encourage all our students to keep their imaginations alive by picking up something to read every day!

 

Music

 

Instrumental Music

Both the GSPS Concert Band and String Orchestra have been diving into new repertoire after our amazing performances at the Eisteddfod.  

 

The String Orchestra has been working on 'Dragonhunter', a dramatic piece by Rickard Meyer that see's the students playing in a minor key with some canon work.  They are also starting to work on 'Boogie Fever', a groovy tune with walking bass by Loreta Fin.  The students who attend the C Gen excursion earlier this year were fortunate enough to see Ms. Fin conduct the mass string ensemble during the C Gen performance!

 

The Concert Band are also working on two new pieces that you should find familiar, 'Mamma Mia' by ABBA and arranged by Micheal Story, and 'Oompa Loompa' from the film Wonka, arranged by Chris M. Bernotas.  These are both fun and energetic pieces that the students enjoy!

 

There are some instruments that appear to be spending the night at school, please remind and encourage your child to take their instrument home and find time to practice.

 

 

 

 

 

Classroom Music

We continue to work on our own compositions in music lessons from Year 2 upwards. Year Six have used pencil and paper to create some rhythmic compositions using known rhythms and body percussion and are now using Chrome Music Lab - Song Maker to create their own 12 bar ABA composition.  Chrome Music Lab is a free platform which has many different music based activities to explore.

 

 

Both GJV and GSV are preparing to perform at Kaloma on Wednesday morning in Week 10. The students will be transported by bus so a permission note will be given out this week. We will sing the songs we performed at the Eisteddfod. A small group of instrumental students will join us for this excursion.  The new choir members who have joined us recently will not be coming along with us for this time but will definitely sing with us in the Music Showcase. 

 

 

 

News from the Library

 

Premier's Reading Challenge

On Friday 22nd August we finished the Premier's Reading Challenge. We had 298 students complete the challenge, some students completed 2 or 3 reading forms and are to be congratulated for the extra effort. The Premier's office will be forwarding a Participation Certificate for these student's next term.

 

 

Scholastic Bookfair

Thanks to the many volunteers from our P&C, we were able to host another successful Bookfair in our Library. A commission is made on all sales at the Bookfair and this is then used to purchase more books for our Library for all children to enjoy. 

 

We also wish to thank the families who purchased and then donated books from the Bookfair to our Library, your donation is very much appreciated.

 

All Library books are now due back for end of term

We would appreciate if you could remind your children to turn all their books and readers to the library this week.