From the Principal's Desk

Week 8

A huge congratulations to the Running Festival organisers and particularly to the Run for Rory committee for creating an event that filled the buckets of so many people over the weekend. Unfortunately I was in Sydney for the weekend, however watching via social media from afar bought tears to my eyes! To see so many people supporting such a great cause with such enthusiasm and passion was truly heart warming. Congratulations Team Rory!

'Together as a community we raised just over $15 000 from the merchandise, donations and the generous gifting of prize money from the winners of the 10km and 21km races. We watched Rory surrounded by friends and community who were there to truly support and encourage him and his family! To be a part of this amazing event was truly humbling and I have not been prouder to be a MGPS staff and community member. Seeing a sea of 'Running for Rory' shirts was just so amazing to see! A huge THANK YOU to everyone involved. ' Mrs Polson

Official photos from the day can be seen on the Armidale Running Festival instagram page with many MGPS families featuring. Excess merchandise will be sold at school over the coming weeks for those who would like to purchase.

Harmony Week

This week we celebrate that we are all unique with Harmony Week from Monday 16 - Sunday 22 March 2026.

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.

It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

This week we celebrated Harmony week today with a gold coin cupcake sale to raise money for the year 6 dinner and on Friday, students can also wear orange to show support and celebrate Harmony week.

Autumn Festival

Save the date! We will be part of the Armidale Community of Public School Float for the Autumn Festival parade.

We hope to have a huge MGPS representation to walk in the parade before students head off with families to the Kids Festival of activities in Civic Park. More information will be sent out on School Bytes regarding where and when to meet teachers.

One Off Excursion Payment Reminder

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 Thalgarrah, Visiting Performers, PSSA knockout Sports and some 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 online via our parent payment system. Payments can be made through School Bytes. All payments are due by 29 May 2026. Part payments can also be made.

Permission to Publish

Today parents and carers will receive a form to complete for permission to publish. This needs to completed annually for each student. This year, to simplify the process we have sent it out via School Bytes.

Wellbeing - PAX Good Behaviour Game

Our school uses the following strategies and systems to explicitly teach, recognise and reinforce positive student behaviour and behavioural expectations.

● Students learn about the PAX Kernels listed below (specific, evidence-based behavioural strategies used within the PAX Good Behaviour Game (PAX GBG) to improve student self-regulation, pro-social skills, and classroom focus) -

PAX Vision- A map describing what students want to see, feel, do and hear more and less of in the classroom.
PAX Leader- Teachers and students use language from the PAX vision board to increase positive and decrease negative behaviours.
PAX Quiet- Teachers use PAX quiet to focus students attention on an instruction.
Wacky Prizes- Students participate in short games that promote teamwork and common happiness.
Beat the Timer- Teachers use this to increase students completion of tasks within a timed session to complete a challenge.
PAX Stix- Teachers enhance the quality of participation through randomised selection, where a students name is drawn to respond to questions or complete a task.
Tootle Notes- Teachers create opportunities for students to engage in peer reinforcement by exchanging kind words.
PAX Voices- Teachers increase the ability for students to use appropriate voices throughout the day.
PAX Hands and Feet- Teachers use these cues to increase positive behaviours and safe movement.
PAX OK/ NOT OK- Teachers use these picture cues to increase positive behaviour and prevent lost time.
The PAX Good Behaviour Game- The ultimate goal is to play the PAX Game multiple times throughout the school day to acknowledge positive behaviour.

Have a wonderful week!

Peta Deiderick