From the Principal's Desk
Water Troff
No, it's not a spelling mistake!! Former student and current Principal of the Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre, Wes Leedham, kindly sought funding through WIRES for our school to receive a water troff. The water troff provides a water source in the trees for animals such as koalas, possums, sugar gliders and birds where they are safe from predators.
WATER FOR WILDLIFE - Wildlife Programs - WIRES
Last week the troff was installed in the nature area and fitted with a motion sensing camera. In the future we will be joining in with the Koalas and Others: A schoolyard and community biodiversity project, to record what animal life we have at school. Staff and students from UNEs School of Environmental & Rural Sciences hope to also use the troff for research.
Eisteddfod
Last week I was fortunate to be in the audience when our choir performed at the eisteddfod. The students truly shone and were unlucky not to win their section, finishing third. The judge commented that their lyrics were crisp and sparkling, and they sang with a gorgeous tone. Congratulations to all students. The choir will now start getting ready for New England Sings - a mass choir performance in October.
STEM Day - Armidale Secondary College
Tomorrow, students in Stage 3 will participate in a STEM Day at Armidale Secondary College. In partnership with UNE and ASC, Future Teachers from Sir Joseph Banks, Macquarie Fields, and Muswellbrook High Schools will run the day. They will work in mixed groups to facilitate STEM activities throughout the day.
Let's Hang it Art Competition
Congratulations to Abbie Constance whose artwork has been selected as a finalist for the UNESAP Let's Hang It exhibition with her artwork titled Robo-baby. We wish Abbie success in the competition.
Cross Country
Martin's Gully students had a very successful cross country. The following students have now been selected to compete at the North West trials in Coola on Thursday 13th June. A special mention to Charlotte and Kieran who finished first in their age groups.
At the end of the day it was announced that Martin's Gully won the 11yr girls and the 12/13yr girls team trophies. We done Gully Gallopers
| Charlotte | 12 Girls |
| Madeline | 12 Girls |
| Julian | 11 Boys |
| Indi | 11 Girls |
| Kieran | 10 Boys |
| Nixon | 10 Boys |
Other PSSA News
Last week students attended the Armidale Zone PSSA Soccer Trials. Congratulations to Quade, Julian, Alex, Harry, Jedd and Bella on being selected in the Armidale Zone teams to attend the North West Trials next week.
Next week Bella, Charlotte and Lilly will attend the North West Netball Trials. All the best to all students representing our school at these trials.
Assembly
This Friday, starting at 12.30pm, we look forward to Stage 2 presenting.
Chess Tournament
Next Monday I'm taking approximately twenty students from Year 1 to Year 6 to Armidale City Public School for the annual inter school chess tournament.
PAX WORD OF THE FORTNIGHT:
INTEGRITY
- Integrity is doing the right thing even when it’s hard or when no one is looking.
- Integrity is abiding by the rules because you know that it’s the right thing to do.
- Integrity is being honest, telling the truth at school, at home and in the community.
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5oZ-P1yH7M
- A question to think about and discuss at home: How can you demonstrate integrity?
Attendance Matters:
A slight improvement on last week. Our overall attendance rate for the year sits at 91.7%. Our target is 93.72%.
| Week | Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | School |
| Week 1 | 98.3% | 94.2% | 97.5% | 98.5% | 96.6% | 97.6% | 94.2% | 96.6% |
| Week 2 | 95.0% | 90.8% | 92.9% | 94.6% | 97.6% | 96.5% | 95.9% | 94.8% |
| Week 3 | 87.9% | 92.7% | 84.1% | 85.0% | 87.7% | 90.5% | 87.6% | 88.9% |
| Week 4 | 90.00% | 94.7% | 83.9% | 93.2% | 87.4% | 94.4% | 85.8% | 89.7% |
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 5
Thursday 30th May - Stage 3 STEM Day at Armidale Secondary College
Thursday 30th May - Touch Football Gala Day - Walcha - Stage 3 only
Friday 31st May – Assembly – Stage 2 presenting – 12.30pm start
Week 6
Monday 3rd June – Armidale Chess Tournament – Stage 2 and 3 students only
Tuesday 4th June - North West PSSA Netball Trials
Wednesday 5th June – North West Boys Soccer Trials
Thursday 6th June – North West Girls Soccer Trials
Friday 7th June – Martin’s Gully Spelling Bee – 9.30am
Week 7
Thursday 13th June – North West Cross Country
Friday 14th June - Soccer Knockout Gala Day - Stage 3
Friday 14th June – Assembly – Kindergarten presenting
Week 8
Week 9
Tuesday 25th June - NAIDOC Celebrations
Wednesday 26th June - NAIDOC Celebrations
Thursday 27th June - High School Musical - Armidale Secondary College - Years 3-6
Friday 28th June - Stage 2 soccer gala day
Friday 28th June - Assembly – Stage 1 presenting
Friday 28th June - P&C AGM
Week 10
Friday 5th July - Mini Olympics afternoon(K-6)
Friday 5th July – last day of Term 2
Ian Reeves
Principal