Dear GPS community,

Welcome back to term two to all students and families. I trust the two-week break was an opportunity to recharge and refresh and spend some time with family and friends. The holiday period was a very busy time at the Greenwith Campus, with many contractors maintaining and upgrading our campus facilities. Most notably (as you may have already discovered) was the removal of the previous bell system that has now been replaced with a PA system campus-wide that enables us to select more pleasant sounds and tunes to remind children that it is time to move. This has already made a fabulous and positive impact on the mood and tone of the school.

Enrolments

Pleasingly, enrolments at GPS are on the rise with numerous new enrolments beginning with us this term. To all of our new families, I wish you all a very warm GPS welcome and trust that your time with us will be a very positive experience for both children and their families.

In 2024, primary schools again welcome mid-year foundation children who will begin their schooling journey at the beginning of term three. Very pleasingly, the mid-year foundation enrolments at GPS have grown significantly during the first term of 2024. We are now in the position where we can create an extra class to cater for these increased enrolments from the beginning of next term which is an exciting opportunity for the GPS community.

Staffing news

Abbey Helliar

Abbey has joined our staff team from the beginning of term 2 to begin transitioning into the teaching role for the newly created mid-year foundation class. As was decided late last term, our mid-year foundation enrolments continue to increase, and this has now warranted us to create a class to accommodate them. Abbey is a highly competent teacher, ready to take on this role and provide outstanding learning opportunities for our mid-year foundations; that will set them up for success as they transition to primary school.

Gemma Stacey

Gemma joins our staff team as an SSO to help support teachers and children in classrooms. Gemma is an ex-student of GPS and has demonstrated to us a keen desire and ability to become an important member of our GPS staff team, supporting our learners and teachers.

Business Manager – Term 2

Our Business Manager, Sue McKee is taking leave for the duration of term two and I am pleased to announce that Kelly Samy has been appointed to the interim role. Kelly is already an integral part of our staff family at GPS, and we look forward to working with Kelly as she steps into the role of Business Manager during term two.

Amelia Mathews

Amelia joins our staff team as an SSO and will begin her time with us initially in admin to cover Kelly as she steps into the Business Manager role for term 2. Amelia has much to offer our school community and will be a valuable addition to our staff team in many ways.

Kind regards

Darren

Please join us in extending a very warm welcome to the 7 new students who started at the beginning of term 2:

Matilda - 301

Stoli - 302

Savanna - 309

Zahyne - 310

Joachim - 405

Isobella - 405

Seth - 1405

Greenwith Campus Canteen

Please run your eyes over the new canteen menu and pricelist below. To ensure your child has the correct money, we ask that you pay particular attention to the prices for items available over the counter as some prices have increased.

Smoke-free policy

The Department for Education recently provided an updated smoke-free policy. Smoking, including using e-cigarettes (commonly referred to as ‘vaping’), is prohibited at all schools, preschools and early learning centres and within 10 metres of their boundaries.

The ban includes smoking:

• within buildings

• at all outdoor areas and playgrounds

• at outdoor swimming facilities

• at camps and excursions and its facilities which are an extension of the site (premises)

• buses, government vehicles and private vehicles being used for department purposes.

For further information, the policy in it's entirety can be found in the attachment below:

Starting secondary school in 2025

Earlier this week, students in year 6 brought home a Starting Secondary School in 2025 pack. Registration of Interest for secondary school is completed online. On Thursday, parents/caregivers should have received an email with the unique URL for their child. The email is an education.noreply@sa.gov.au so please also check your junk box and spam folders.

The Registration of Interest for secondary school form needs to be submitted by Friday 24th May.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact Deb Thompson:

deb.thompson3@schools.sa.edu.au

2024 school fees reminder

Thank you to everyone who has paid their school fees for 2024. This is a reminder that fees were due to be paid in full by the end of term 1 (Friday, 12 April). If your school fees are outstanding, urgent action is now required. Payment on the Qkr! app is still available.

If you believe you are eligible for School Card, please submit your application online as a matter of urgency.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact our Finance team.

Anzac Day