GSPS Newslink

Educational Achievement 

Reading

A Key to Success! Reading continues to be a major focus at our school for Term Two, and for good reason. Strong reading skills are the foundation for success across all learning areas—not just English. By improving reading fluency, comprehension and engagement, students are better equipped to understand complex ideas, think critically, and communicate effectively. 

 

This term, we are continuing to support reading through a variety of approaches, including guided reading sessions, use of decodable readers (if necessary), classroom libraries, shared reading experiences, and individual reading goals. We also encourage reading at home, as regular reading outside of school builds confidence and enjoyment. By nurturing a strong reading culture, we are helping students grow into curious, capable learners who can thrive both now and into the future. At GSPS, we are working hard to foster a love of reading and build lifelong learners.

 

We asked our students what are some tips to becoming a better reader. Here are their GREAT suggestions!

  1. Read to an adult for 15 minutes every night 
  2. Always select a 'Just right' book to read aloud each night 
  3. If you get stuck on a word, sound it out 
  4. Read three times a day
  5. Practise every day- practise, practise, practise!
  6. Read at your level 
  7. Learn our sounds
  8. Re-read when it doesn't make sense
  9. Stop at the full stops and pause at the commas
  10. Give your best and don't give up!! (This one is my favourite!)

Curriculum Update: Version 9 Implementation Going Strong

We are excited to share that all year levels across our school have now fully implemented Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum in both English and Mathematics. Teachers and students have been engaging enthusiastically with the updated curriculum, and it’s been great to see how smoothly the transition is going. The new version brings a stronger focus on clarity, progression, and consistency—helping to support high-quality learning for every child. Early reports are that students are more engaged, as it brings a higher focus on digital technology and links to other learning areas, and real-world issues. 

 

Professional Development in Differentiation

This term, all teachers are participating in professional development sessions with our Senior Education Officer of Capability (SEOC), focused on differentiation. These sessions are equipping our staff with practical strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of every student in the classroom. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enhance teaching practice—and most importantly, it’s great news for our students.

 

Happy reading! 📚

 

Music

Instrumental Music

 

Term 2 sees instrumental music students begin to select repertoire and commence rehearsals in preparation for the Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod  on 4 - 9 August.  All students will be performing in at least one section.  Even our beginners will take the stage in a large ensemble performance!  

 

Please encourage regular practice and attendance at all rehearsals to ensure a successful performance.  More information regarding the eisteddfod will be forthcoming later in the term.

 

 

 

 

Classroom Music

 

It was great to hear every student in our school joining in to sing the ANZAC version of "I am Australian" last week at the special ANZAC Day assembly. They worked hard to learn this song in music lessons and really enjoyed singing it altogether.

 

In Year 4 classroom music we do lots of exciting things, including begin learning how to play the recorder! The humble plastic recorder has a long and distinguished history and is the perfect instrument for learning a huge range of music skills at primary school. Learning how to play the recorder can also improve eye and hand co-ordination, develop fine motor skills and help develop problem solving skills.

Thank you to all the students in Goondiwindi Senior Voices who worked so hard to bring our ANZAC Day song, "Our Heroes Today" up to performance level standard. It's such a great song we will probably keep it in our repertoire for the Goondiwindi Eisteddfod coming up in August. Well done again Senior Voices. 

We have welcomed some keen Year 1 students into Goondiwindi Junior Voices so now we number around 46 students in this choir. They are sounding GREAT! This term we are continuing to practise hard for the Eisteddfod.

 

 

News from the Library

 

Premier's Reading Challenge

On Tuesday the 6th May our school commenced the Premier's Reading Challenge. The Challenge is aimed at improving literacy and encouraging children to read for pleasure and learning.

Students in Prep to Year 2 can read or have a book read to them, and need to experience 20 books

Students in Years 3 & 4 are to read 20 just right books

Students in Years 5 & 6 are to read 15 just right books

 

The Challenge runs for 16 weeks and finishes on the 22nd of August. Finished Recording sheets are to be dropped into the library. We will have some Book draw giveaways on assembly during this time for those who finish early.

 

 

National Simultaneous Story time is on again this year on Wednesday 21st June with this year's story The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkle and Danny Snell. 

 

Regional Reader's Cup

We have a small group of 5 avid readers from Years 5 & 6 who will be representing our school later this year in Toowoomba at the Regional Cup. The team needs to read 5 books between them and then represent the school at the event where they will need to answer 50 questions about the books. They have all read the first book already and taken great notes to help them remember some of the finer details. Good luck!