Relieving Principal Newsletter Term 2 Week 8

This week is Refugee Week. The theme for this year is Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community. At Granville East Public School we are not just a school- it’s a space where everyone can feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams. Refugee Week promotes harmony and togetherness and reminds us that regardless of our differences, we all have much to share.

Bell Shakespeare Performance

What do fairies, magic flowers and donkey ears have in common? Bell Shakespeare's take on the classic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream, came to life at Granville East Public School last week for our 3-6 students. Was it just a dream, or was it real? Our students loved to laugh along with the clown like performances and even had a chance to join in on the fun.

K-2 Cross Country

On Thursday last week we watched our K-2 students doing their very best by running in their cross-country carnival. There was lots of fantastic cheering from the other students as each group raced by and we loved having families here to cheer on their children too.

Kindergarten Come and Read

I hope our kindergarten parents were as proud of their children as we are. It was lovely to see our students sharing their love of reading and learning with their families. We look forward to inviting into the classroom again next term.

Walk on Country

Last week we welcomed visitors to our school for a Walk on Country. This is part of the consultation process related to the preschool project. The Walk on Country gave those involved an opportunity to yarn about the best ways we can ensure that there is a connection to country as this project moves forward. We were especially glad to have Aunty Carol Brown here with us- you may remember she has been a mentor, advisor and friend to Granville East Public School for many years, including working with our students in the past to write our Acknowledgement of Country. It was a pleasure to see her back at GEPS again. I would like to thank the students who performed our Koori Club Acknowledgment of Country, and our school leaders who showed our visitors around the school.

Toilets Upgrade

We were very happy to open our new renovated toilet block recently. The toilet block has been re-tiled, re-painted, waterproofed and new toilets, hand dryers, partitions and doors. We are grateful to the Department of Education for funding this important upgrade to our school.

NSW Public Schools Survey

Over the next two weeks our 3-6 students will participate in the NSW Public Schools Student Survey. The survey gives students the chance to share their thoughts and feelings about life at school, including questions about their engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school.

Hearing directly from our students will help us understand what’s working well and where improvements can be made to our school. The survey is confidential, takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and will be conducted online during school hours.

Participation is voluntary. If you prefer your child not to participate, please complete the opt-out consent form, which will be sent home, and return it to the school. Further information about the survey is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/npss

Hot Chocolate Pyjama Day

Don’t forget next Tuesday 24 June is the P&C’s hot chocolate pyjama day. Students are welcome to wear their pyjamas (with closed footwear and their school hat) and make a gold coin donation to the P&C. The P&C will also be selling hot chocolate with marshmallows at recess for $2.

Backflips Against Bullying

On Monday, 3-6 students will attend a performance that explores ways students can promote kindness and inclusion, stand up against bullying and support one another. We want to use this opportunity to remind everyone that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. As a result of this performance, there will be no GEPS Fest on Monday morning- but we hope to see as many parents as possible come to the final GEPS Fest of the term on Monday 30 June.

Whacky Wednesday

As you know, the teachers and staff love to have fun here at Granville East! We celebrated International Play Day is our own special way with a Whacky Wednesday! Did you see the teachers looking a little bit whacky?

There are two weeks left until the end of Term 2 with a lot happening between now and the holidays. Please keep the following events in mind:

· Monday 23 June- No GEPS Fest

· Monday 23 June Year 3-6 Backflips Against Bullying Presentation

· Tuesday 24 June P&C Pyjama / Hot Chocolate Day Fundraiser

· Thursday 26 June Stage 3 Grapple Expo 2:00pm

· Monday 30 June Celebration and Gold Badge Assembly

· Monday 30 June Supernova / Perfect Attendance Excursion

· Wednesday 2 July Choir Rehearsal

· Thursday 3 July Stage 3 Excursion

· Friday 4 July Prostar Pizza Party

· Friday 4 July Last day of Term 2

Playgroup