From the Principal's Desk
Mrs Beard Retiring
Mrs Beard will be retiring at the end of this term. She has been teaching for nearly 50 years with the Department of Education, with the last six at Martin's Gully as our Learning and Support Teacher. As she said in a text, "Time goes fast when you love what you're doing and the place you are working in." This is Bronwyn's second go at retirement, having finished up previously in about 2015, and then came back as a casual and temporary teacher. Last year, under a new staffing program, Bronwyn was made permanent at Martins Gully!
The staff will be holding a morning tea for Bronwyn on Wednesday at 10.30am to show our appreciation of her contributed to our school. I know Bronwyn will enjoy her second go at retirement visiting her grandchildren.
State Swimming Championships
Next week our swimming champions travel to Sydney for the State Championships. Nixon, Lia and Eily each have their own individual events to compete in, and then Eily will join Maddie, Charlotte, and Lilly for the senior girl's relay. This is a great achievement, and we wish them success.
You can access the live streaming of this event via the following link School Sport Unit: School Sport Unit Live streaming (nsw.gov.au)
Assembly - Kindergarten
This Friday will be our final assembly for the term. Kindergarten will be presenting - this always brings in a big crowd. The assembly starts at 12.30pm.
Autumn Festival Parade
All students are invited to participate in the Autumn Festival parade that will be held this Saturday 6th April. The parade starts from Central Park at 12.30pm. Martin's Gully students will walk with students from the other public schools in Armidale. We will be the 5th float in the parade so look for the sign post 5 and gather there. The parade finishes at Civic Park (Opposite the Ex services Club). Being float 5 allows the students to watch the rest of the parade once finished. Students attending should wear their RED polo shirt (school uniform) – the theme is Autumn Colours.
ANZAC Day March
ANZAC Day is on during the second week of the school holidays. Martin's Gully students K-6 are invited to march. Students are to assemble in the East Mall at 10.15am opposite the Post Office. Students are to wear their formal school uniform.
Aboriginal Language and Culture Workshop
This Thursday all students will participate in an Aboriginal Languages and Culture workshop run by Dave Widders. Each class will have a session with Mr Widders learning some Anaiwan words and learning more about the local Aboriginal history and culture.
Tree Planting
On Wednesday 10th April, Stage 2 and 3 students will assist Armidale Rotary and Kindly Animal Sanctuary plant trees for a koala habitat. They have approximately 7000 trees to plant. We are hoping to help them plant 1000 on this day. Parents are welcome to join us on the day. Stage 2 will attend from 11.00am to 12.30pm and Stage 3 from 1.00pm to 2.30pm. Parents are welcome to travel with us on the bus.
Da Vinci Decathalon
This Thursday Martin's Gully will be entering a Stage 3 team in the da Vinci Decathlon. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy.
Community of Schools Slime Fest
On Friday, Stage 3 students have been invited to participate in a slime fest at Newling PS. This is a community of school's event with Stage 3 students from all public school invited.
Children will participate in numerous Slime related activities to have a bit of fun, get messy and make memories.
With over 400 students attending, slime fest allows students to develop relationships with similar aged students in preparation for them to head off to high school.
Inquiring Minds Camp
Next week, nine stage 3 students will attend the Inquiring Minds Camp at Thalgarrah. Inquiring Minds is a series of courses for high potential students in Years 5-6 who are attending public schools in the New England area. Students work with expert mentors in a specialist field of interest while at camp. It is one provision that schools and students can use in order to meet some of the needs of identified high potential and gifted students. This camp aims to:
- to identify the high potential students in the New England area
- to provide the opportunity for students to turn their potential into performance
- to create a provision whereby these students can interact with like-minded peers and work on engaging activities at their intellectual level
- to allow students the opportunity to be both enriched and extended in their learning
Students had to nominate for the camp, selecting from a number of courses such as Animal Antics, Gaming Design and Creative Ecology.
Share our Space
Over the holidays, Martin's Gully outdoor facilities will be available for families to use under the Share our Space program. This means you are welcome to come in and use the basketball court, playgrounds etc and you won't be frog marched off by a cranky principal!!
Cricket NSW Free Holiday Program
Cricket NSW will be using the school grounds to run a one day cricket program on Friday 19th April. Please register via the following link:
Easter Hat Parade and Raffle
Thanks to the family members who attended our Easter Hat Parade. Congratulations to the winners of the raffle - Julian Warne, Scott Family, Polly Reeves, Elise Arnott, Fisher Family, Amelia Chick-Sauer, Flynn Shumack and Andersen Family.
School Photos
School photos are held early next term on the 7th May. You should have received a notification through COMPASS which included the ordering process.
All students are required to wear their formal school uniform for photos.
Formal School Photos, Eisteddfod, Special Assemblies & Occasions
Girls Boys
White blouse (short or long sleeve) White shirt (short or long sleeve)
Pinafore or Skorts Black trousers
Red V-neck Sloppy Joe with emblem Red V-neck sloppy joe with emblem
Black socks or tights, black shoes Black socks, black shoes
School tie (red/black stripe) School tie (red/black stripe)
** Red Woollen Jumper with school emblem (Optional for both boys and girls)
** The school has ties that students may borrow for the day.
PAX Word of the Fortnight: POLITE
Being polite means having or showing behaviour that is respectful and considerate of other people. PAX Leaders use their manners to show respect and be polite to others.
Things to discuss at home: How can you show respect at school and at home? It is important to be polite to others because it helps us work as a team. How does being polite help us to work well together?
Dates for your calendar:
This calendar of events will be updated and published each week. Some events may change, so please access the latest version.
Week 10
Thursday 4th April - Da Vinci Decathlon - Selected Year 5&6 students
Thursday 4th April - Aboriginal Languages and Cultural Day - All classes
Friday 5th April - Whole School Assembly - Kindergarten Presenting (12:30pm start)
Friday 5th April - Stage 3 Armidale Community of Schools Slime Afternoon - Newling PS
Saturday 6th April - Autumn Festival Parade
Week 11
Wednesday 10th April - Tree Planting - Kindly Sanctuary - Stage 2 and 3
Friday 12th April - Last Day Term 1. School resumes for students on Tuesday 30th April.
What's planned for Term 2:
Martin's Gully Cross Country - 3rd May
School Photos - 7th May
Stage 2 Thalgarrah Excursion - 8th May
Stage 3 Thalgarrah Excursion - 10th May
Eisteddfod - Primary Choir - 22nd or 23rd May
Armidale Zone Cross Country - 24th May
North West Cross Country - 4th June
Last Newsletter
This will be the last newsletter for the term. School finishes on Friday 12th April. This will be a mufti day. School resumes for all students on Tuesday 30th April.
Have an enjoyable holiday.
Ian Reeves
Principal