From the Principal's Desk

Week 4 

Children's Book Week turns 80 in 2025

This year’s celebration was embraced by our MGPS students and staff as they celebrated the love of reading with the 2025 theme, Book an Adventure!

Our students and staff brilliantly captured their adventurous spirit with many imaginary characters. Our minds went on a fantastical journey, inspiring us to travel through the worlds that books open up, including Going on a Bear Hunt! 

For more photos please jump on our FaceBook page.

Science Week

This week we also celebrate Science week.  Mrs Dunham has organised some wonderful activities with UNE Discovery, Year 6 and teachers.

We can't wait to share our photos next week.

Kindergarten Assembly Postponed

Unfortunately as we have no time frame as yet for the clean up of the large trees near the hall, causing safety concerns, we will not proceed with assembly on Friday.  All Awards and Athletics Champions from the week 3 assembly were handed out on Tuesday at the Book Week Parade.  Kindergarten and Magpies will perform their items in Week 5.  Thank you for your ongoing patience. 

Education Week

Last Thursday I had the honour of handing out the Martin's Gully Education Week awards at the Armidale Network Education week awards ceremony at Uralla Central School.

Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients;

 

 

 

Outstanding student award:

Pippa Riggall

Citation:  Pippa shows outstanding leadership both in and out of the classroom with commitment to her academic and extra curricular pursuits.

 

Outstanding contribution to the school by a member of the community: 

Jess Kliendeinst

Citation:  Jess has volunteered her time to Public Education and community over a number of years at not only our school but other Public schools, making sure our students and staff are cared for.

 

Outstanding contribution to the school by a staff member nominee:

Felicity Pennington

Citation:  Felicity is an asset to Public Education with her outstanding teaching and leadership, ensuring our students and staff are supported and valued.

 

Stage 2 HPGE Film Opportunity

Last Tuesday and Wednesday 4 Stage 2 students attended a Film and drama two day workshop run by Thalgarrah Environmental Centre.  This was a wonderful learning experience for Talon, Ted, Izzie and Ava.  Watch out Spielberg!

City to Surf

Congratulations to the Webb Family.

On Sunday, the Webb family with 19 supporters went in the City to Surf to raise awareness and funds for the Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation, to help give those affected by Duchenne the chance to live the life they deserve.

The initial aim was to raise $7500, however this was smashed with Erin raising $16, 971 to help raise awareness and find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  

Well done team!!

Sporting News

Gymnastics

On Monday, we had 7 students attend the PSSA Northwest Gymnastics at the Armidale Gymnastics centre.  Although this was a non competitive event, Aaylah, Pippa, Charlee, Ted, Talon, Lola and Eevee represented MGPS with pride and performed with passion and sportsmanship.

Athletics Champions

Congratulations to our Athletics Champions and Runners Up.

New PSSA date

The new date for the Athletics carnival will be Friday 22 August.  In the event of not being able to run the carnival in Armidale, we have booked the Sports Dome in Tamworth.  This will be a last resort.  PSSA will fund buses and a decision will be made early enough to ensure permissions. 

ACOS Tickets

If you haven't got your tickets, they are nearly sold out.  All students in Stage 2 and 3 are performing in this event.

Enrolments for 2026

Don't forget to enrol siblings for next year. Enrolments for 2026 are open.  Please complete an online application or come into the office for a paper copy.  Notification of successful Kindergarten placement offers will go out at the end of Term 3 for all in zone, out of zone and sibling applications.  

All students in zone will receive an offer.

You Can Do It!     

Building resilience in kids:

• Talk to your children about a resilient attitude.  Employ specific strategies and role model these at times when things go off the rails.  Coping strategies may include use of the Catastrophe Scale (is it a 2 or a 10 catastrophe?) to put adverse events into perspective, or rational thinking strategies such as the ABC of thinking (A = activating event, B = your take on this (rational or otherwise), C = how you feel and act as a result of what you think about the situation).
• Allow kids to make mistakes, experience the consequences, and then help them to move forward.
• Talk through the ‘bad’ days, brainstorm solutions together, and encourage your kids to see the bigger picture – any factors they don’t know about that may have contributed to the bad day.

Have a lovely week!

Peta Deiderick