From the Principal's Desk
Permission to Publish
Each year we are required to seek permission from parents to publish and/or disclose information about your child for the purposes of sharing his/her experiences with other students, informing the school and broader community about school and student activities and recording student participation in noteworthy projects or community service.
At Martin's Gully, this mostly includes publishing photos of your child in our newsletter or on our school's Facebook page. You will note that when we do publish such photos, we only use your child's first name.
The permission to publish consent form is now available in COMPASS. The form is available to the parent listed as the primary carer. We require all families to complete this form.
Zone Swimming
Martin's Gully students had a very successful carnival. A large number of students will now be invited to attend the North West Carnival to be held at Armidale on Monday 11th March.
Whole school disco
Our school leaders will be holding a whole school disco on Thursday 14 March. Cost will be $5 per child to go towards a popper and packet of chips. Any additional money raised will go towards a charity nominated by the SRC. The disco will start at 5.30pm and conclude at 7.00pm. It is a drop and run activity for parents - you do not need to hang around. The theme for the disco is CRAZY!! This could be CRAZY hair or CRAZY clothes. I might even do a crazy dance!
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
The formal 2024 NAPLAN Online test window is 13 – 25 March for students in Year 3 and 5 only. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students learn through their regular school curriculum.
The NSW Department of Education expects that all students participate in the assessment program. However, students may be withdrawn from the tests at the request of their parent/carer. Exemption must be discussed with either myself or Mrs Deiderick. Please contact the school as soon as possible, if you intend on withdrawing your child and require an exemption from the formal NAPLAN Online assessment.
To find out more about NAPLAN online, please visit the National Assessment Program website, watch the understanding NAPLAN online video clip or click here to access the NAPLAN Online Parent Brochure.
Clean up Australia Day
This Sunday is Clean Up Australia Day. Martin's Gully will do their bit by doing a clean up around our school this Friday from around 12:40 till lunch time.
You Can Do It!
What is Organisation?
Organisation means…………
Setting goals to do my best in my school work, planning my time so that I’m not rushed, and having all my supplies and things I need ready.
Examples of this Behaviour include:-
- Making sure I understand my teacher’s instructions before I begin work.
- Having my bag packed, school clothes out, lunch ready, notes signed and in my bag before I go to bed the night before.
- Keeping my area neat and tidy. This could include your desk area at home, school desk or even your school bag. This is so things can be easily found and accessed when needed.
- Planning when I am going to do my homework and not leaving it to the last minute. This way I can improve my work if I allow more time and then I don’t feel rushed or stressed.
- Handing homework in on time
It is easy to put things off, I know. But with a little effort at the beginning of the year these things can become a habit. Being Organised can really cut down on family and individual stress of children and really help in having more relaxed students who are ready to learn at the beginning of the school day.
What’s Happening Term 1:
This calendar of events will be updated and published each week. Some events may change, so please access the latest version.
Week 6 (Next week)
Thursday 7th March - PSSA Basketball trials
Friday 8th March - Whole School Assembly - Stage 2 Presenting (12:30pm start)
Friday 8th March - PSSA Cricket Trials
Week 7
Monday 11th March - North West Swimming - Armidale
Tuesday 12th March - AFL nominations - no trial, nominations only
Wednesday 13th March - NAPLAN starts - Years 3 and 5 students only
Thursday 14th March - NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5 students only
Thursday 14th March - Disco K-6 5:30pm to 7:00pm - Theme CRAZY!!
Friday 15th March - NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5 students only
Friday 15th March - PSSA Hockey trials
Week 8
NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5 students only (all week if required)
Friday 22nd March - Whole School Assembly - Stage 1 Presenting (12:30pm start)
Friday 22nd March - PSSA Touch Football trials
Week 9
Thursday 28th March - Easter Hat Parade - 9.00am
Week 10
Thursday 4th April - Da Vinci Decathlon - Year 5&6 students
Friday 5th April - Whole School Assembly - Kindergarten Presenting (12:30pm start)
Week 11
Friday 12th April - Last Day Term 1. School resumes for students on Tuesday 30th April.
Ian Reeves
Principal