From the Principal's Desk

Week 9 

Finally the term is starting to slow down a little!  I want to thank our students, staff and community for everything you do to support our students and each other.  

This week Mrs Pennington did a little check in with our staff and how wonderful to see such amazing feedback and such a positive whole school culture!

Over the last few weeks we have had a significant amount of students sick with winter lurgies. Please make sure you are letting us know either by School Bytes or phoning the office as we have a number of students with unexplained absences. 

Today we had a lovely visit from Mrs Williams and Lulu. Kindergarten loved seeing Mrs Wiliams news.

Congratulations Mr Reeves

Please read below an announcement from Mr Reeves.  He will be greatly missed, however we are so excited he gets to spread his positivity and knowledge across a whole Network.

Dear Staff, Students, Parents and Community Members,

I wish to announce that I have been appointed as the substantive Director, Educational Leadership for Northern Tablelands Principals Network and will be officially commencing in the role at the beginning of Term 3, 2025.

I have been relieving in this role since the beginning of the year and have immensely enjoyed the experience and am looking forward to taking on the role in a permanent capacity. 

I have been the substantive Principal at Martins Gully PS since April 2009, and will deeply miss the staff, students and community. 

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Mrs Deiderick and Mrs Polson for stepping in as Relieving Principal of the school over the last 6 months and acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all staff during this time. The Principal position will be declared vacant and be filled through Department’s staffing procedures.  Mrs Deiderick will continue as Relieving Principal during this period.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all members of the school community and know that you will continue to see me through the various school events with ties to the school with my grandchildren Polly and Ivy. 

Sincerely,

Ian Reeves

Director, Educational Leadership

Northern Tablelands Principals Network

One-Off Excursion Payment

At Martin's Gully we have a one-off excursion payment for all students.  This payment covers all local Armidale extra-curricular trips such as Excursions, Visiting Performers, PSSA, Sports and Creative Arts Events as well as Intensive Swimming Program and Gymnastics Program.

This reduces the need for parents to be paying small amounts every time something is on.  

The one-off cost for Kindergarten to Year 2 students is $80.00, and for students in Years 3-6 it is $110.00, and remains the same as last year.

Please note, this payment does not cover overnight excursions or extra opportunities that may be offered to selected students.

If this payment is not made, you will have to pay for individual activities as they arise.

Payments can be made through School Bytes.

Athletics Carnival

Our K-6 Athletics carnival was on Friday 20 June.  Students had a fabulous day with fabulous weather!  All students jumped in and participated in track races and then the novelty events for K-2.  All 3-6 students showed determination and gusto across all track events and discus throughout the day.

Field events were held at school on Tuesday for students Year 2 and up.  We saw our students do their very best and have a go in shotput, high jump and long jump through out the day.

A huge thank you to the P&C who ran a canteen on the track day and all our wonderful  parent helpers for our time keepers, photographers and supporters.  All students who came first and second in the finals and reached the qualifying distances will proceed to the Armidale Zone PSSA carnival on Friday 8 August at Harris Park.

Congratulations everyone and thank you to Mrs Bull and Miss Randall for your organisation of the day.

Sporting News

Congratulations to Nixon who has been selected to attend the PSSA Football State Championships in Ballina in the Northwest team. 

Good luck to Nixon, Oliver, Beau Matthew and Olivia who attended the Northwest Touch trials today in Inverell.  We can't wait to hear how you go.

Creative Arts News

Last week we celebrated our musicians with a Creative Arts assembly.  Olive, Olivia, Greyson and the Cuttle family, including mum treated us to their amazing talent! We heard pieces from the piano, flute, clarinet and violin.  We are so proud of you all and you are very clever!

Today 11 students attended a dance workshop at Ben Venue, learning all about the fundamentals of dance.  Last week our Aboriginal dancers, Arie, Tyler and Tom and ACOS dancers, Lucinda and Emalie, attended workshops at ASC, preparing for the Evening of ACOS next term in an item that will be choregraphed with all schools. 

Some our dancers will also attend a 4 day workshop run by the Creative Arts Unit out of Sydney this week.  We can't wait to hear all about this!

Enrolments for 2026

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.

Our PAX word of the fortnight is EMPATHY. 

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Being empathetic is part of our PAX Visions at Martin’s Gully PS.

Have a nice week!  Stay warm!

Peta Deiderick