From the Principal's Desk
Martin's Gully School Behaviour Support and Management Plan
All schools are required to develop a School Behaviour Support and Management Plan as a result of changes to the Department's Student Behaviour Policy and the implementation of the revised Suspension and Expulsion procedures.
All staff have had input into this plan, and I discussed it at last week's parent meeting. The plan is still in draft form as I get feedback from the community (copy attached). Please contact me if you would like to discuss the plan, or have any feedback.
CPR
This week Stage 3 students had a visit from Royal Life Saving to learn about CPR. This is the second year that Cameron has run this program at Martin's Gully. As Cameron mentioned, it is a great life skill to learn that we hope they never have to use!
Eisteddfod
Today our Primary choir will be performing at the Armidale Eisteddfod. The choir had the opportunity to perform at our assembly last Friday. They performed beautifully and I know they will do the same today. As mentioned previously, we are very appreciative of the work Ruth Clendinning does with the choir at Martin's Gully.
Netball
Unfortunately, our netball team lost in the second round of the PSSA knockout, going down to Ben Venue yesterday. Ben Venue got away to an early lead in the first quarter and the Gully players just couldn't peg them back. A special thanks to Nathan Kentwell who took time away from his work to coach the team.
Cross Country
This Friday is the Zone cross country at Bellevue Oval, UNE. All students should come to school first and then we will take them out by bus. There will be canteen facilities.
You Can Do It!
This term our focus in You Can Do It is Getting Along and Persistence.
Getting Along is revealed when young people work cooperatively with each other, resolve conflicts by discussion rather than fights, manage their anger, show tolerance, and follow school and home rules and expectations, including making responsible choices so that everyone’s rights are protected.
Practical Things You Can Do to Help Your Child Get Along
• Acknowledge and praise your young child when he/she is demonstrating good getting along skills.
• Do not use sarcasm, put your child down, communicate with a negative tone of voice, or become furious when your child misbehaves.
• Teach your child what to say when he/she meets someone new (introduce himself/herself by name, say “hello”, smile).
Persistence is revealed when young people try hard when doing schoolwork they find frustrating and do not feel like doing, and finish their work on time.
Practical Things You Can Do to Develop Persistence in Your Child
• Provide your child with accurate feedback concerning the amount of effort he/she is expending and how much effort and time is really needed to complete a task such as a puzzle or a drawing.
• Discuss with your child repeatedly how his/her big effort results in learning or success.
Attendance Matters:
Last week was not a good week for attendance. The flu season has started. We do have a number of students that leave early or arrive late to school though. This also impacts on our attendance. Similar to every day counts, every minute also counts!!!
| 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% |
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 4
Thursday 23 May – Armidale Zone PSSA Boys and Girls Soccer Trials
Friday 24th May – Armidale Zone Cross Country
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
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 - Infants athletics afternoon (K-2)
Friday 5th July – last day of Term 2
Ian Reeves
Principal