Welcome to Term 3!

Here is a snapshot of what happened at Martin’s Gully during Term 2.

Illustrator Visit

The term started off with a visit from illustrator Cheryl Orsine in Week 1 organised by the Armidale Writers Association. She talked to the students the processes involved in illustrating a book and had the students sketch a famous person, Mrs Deiderick.

Choir

The primary choir, expertly tutored by Mrs Clendinning, performed admirably at the Armidale Eisteddfod. They came third in their section and are now getting ready for New England Sings at the beginning of Term 4.

Chess

Eighteen students from Year 1 to 6 attended the Armidale Area Chess Tournament. For most of the students, this was the first time they have attended such an event. All students enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to next year’s tournament.

STEM Day

Stage 3 students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a number of STEM activities with other Stage 3 students from Armidale. This event was at Armidale Secondary College and was run by a group called Future Teachers.

Eddy Woo

It’s not often that students or even staff get the opportunity to meet with, and learn from, an educator such as Eddy Woo. Four students from Year 6 spent a session with Eddy, while staff attended a professional learning afternoon with him.

Debating and Public Speaking

Under the guidance of Mrs Bull, Martin’s Gully had students attend a debating workshop at Armidale City and compete in the Multicultural Speaking Competition at Drummond. This was another great learning experience for the students. For some, arguing came naturally!

Spelling Bee

Stage 2 and 3 classes had a spell off to select representatives for the Spelling Bee. Eight students from each stage had a spell-off in front of their parents, with Maddie B and Jai coming away as eventual winners. They will now compete in the Regional Spelling Bee on-line next Term.

PSSA Sport

PSSA sport occupied most weeks with zone and regional trials being held.

North West Representatives

We had a number of students selected to represent North West PSSA in their chosen sports.

Soccer – Quade

Boys Cricket – Jake

Girls Cricket – Maddie B

Cross Country – Charlotte P and Kieran

Tennis – Olivia O

PSSA Knockout Competitions

This term also saw Martin’s Gully compete in three PSSA knockout competitions – netball, touch football and soccer. In netball we won our first game against Uralla but then lost against Ben Venue. In touch football, the team won their first two games against Newling and Guyra and then lost to Walcha. Finally, in soccer our boys team defeated Walcha and then Armidale City but lost to Ben Venue in the final. This was a great effort from all teams, and we like to thank Nathan and Kristy Kentwell, James Warne and Michael Aberton for assisting with coaching our students. Most appreciated.

Stage 2 Soccer Gala Day

Students in Stage 2 had an enjoyable soccer gala day, organised by Mr Townsend from Armidale City.

Excursions

All classes had excursions this term. Stage 2 and 3 went out to Thalgarrah for their annual visit. Kindergarten and Stage 1 went to the Blue Hole and Mt Yarrowyck to learn more about the local area and Aboriginal Culture.

Aboriginal Language

We have been fortunate to have Dave Widders visit the school on a couple of occasions this term introducing students to the Anaiwan language, Aboriginal culture and history.

And now for a busy Term 3!!!!!

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL:

The annual MGPS athletics carnival will be held this Friday 26th July for students who are 8 years old and above. The carnival will be held at Harris Park. Students should come to school first and will then be transported by bus to the carnival.

Congratulations:

Congratulations to Charlotte P and Kieran who ran at the State cross country championships in Sydney on Monday. Well done and congratulations on your achievement.

Parent/Teacher conferences:

Times have been made available for parents who would like to discuss their child's report with their teacher. These interviews are optional, and if you do not have any questions about your child's report you do not need to have an interview.

These are available to book through COMPASS from tomorrow.

KINDERGARTEN 100 DAYS of SCHOOL!

Next week Kindergarten will be celebrating 100 days of Kindergarten!

Celebrating 100 days helps students recognise and take pride in all that they have learned so far.

Kindergarten are all excited to be dressing up like oldies on Monday 29th July - Monday Week 2 - and they will be participating in a variety of activities across the day that centre around the number 100.

UNE DISCOVERY VISIT:

Next Tuesday to celebrate Science week, the UNE Discovery team will visit our school and provide hands on activities for students in K-6. Please see the information on the following page about the activities which are planned.

Thank you to Karen Dunham our Library/Digital Technology teacher for organising this visit.

PAX WORD OF THE FORTNIGHT : WELLBEING

Wellbeing is being comfortable, safe, healthy and happy.
Wellbeing means having good mental health and feeling good inside.
Wellbeing is part of our PAX VISION at Martin’s Gully.
What good mental health looks like:
You feel happy and positive about yourself most of the time
You are kind to yourself during tough times or when things don’t go the way you expect
You enjoy life
You learn well
You get along well with family and friends
You can manage sad, worrying or angry feelings
You can bounce back from tough times
You are prepared to try new or challenging things.

Pickup in the afternoons:

Just a quick reminder that a member of staff will wait with students at the front gate until 3:15pm. If you are running late and arrive after that, your child will be taken to the front office to wait there.

Road Safety Message

School is back; slow down! 40km/h school zones help protect our children on their way to and from schools.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Dates for your calendar:

Term 3

Week 1

Friday 26th July – MG Athletics

Week 2

Monday 29th July - Kindergarten celebrates 100 days of learning!

Tuesday 30th July - UNE Discovery

Wednesday 31st July - Gymnastics

Thursday 1st August - Gymnastics

New England Sings Rehearsal

NERAM Artist Outreach - Stage 1

Friday 2nd August - Assembly Stage 3

Week 3 Public Education Week

Tuesday 6th August - Armidale Network Education Week Awards Ceremony – hosted by Martin’s Gully

Wednesday 7th August - Gymnastics

Public Education Week Open Classroom - 10.15am to 11.00am

Thursday 8th August - Gymnastics

Friday 9th August - Armidale Zone Athletics

Week 4

Monday 12th August - Todd Woodbridge Cup (Tennis) – Stage 2

PSSA Gymnastics

Wednesday 14th August - Gymnastics

Thursday 15th August - Gymnastics

Friday 16th August - Assembly Stage 2

Week 5

Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th August - Stage 2 Overnight Thalgarrah Excursion

Wednesday 21st August - Gymnastics

Thursday 22nd August - Gymnastics

- New England Sings rehearsal

Week 6

Tuesday 27th August - Tennis skills – all classes

Thursday 29th August - Kinder Thalgarrah Excursion

ASC Taster Day 9.30am to 12.30pm – Year 6

Friday 30th August - Assembly Stage 1

Week 7

Tuesday 3rd September - Tennis skills – all classes

Stage 1 Thalgarrah ExcursionWednesday

4th September - North West Athletics

Week 8

Tuesday 10th September - Tennis skills – all classes

Thursday 12th September - New England Sings Rehearsal

Friday 13th September - Assembly Kindergarten

Week 9

Tuesday 17th September - Tennis skills – all classes

Thursday 19th September - Taster Day ASC – 9.30am to 12.30pm

Friday 20th September - Slime Fest Day

Week 10

Tuesday 24th September - Tennis skills – all classes

Friday 27th September - Last day Term 3

Ian Reeves

Principal

School News and Information

Armidale Light Festival

LIBRARY NEWS and SCIENCE DAY