From the Principal's Desk

What a busy few weeks we have had! 

• Thank you to all the staff at MGPS for their support of last week’s Education Week activities.  Thanks as well to the staff and students at Drummond for their help, the UNE Discovery team and Matt McKenzie from Thalgarrah.  What an amazing day of learning the teachers and students all had!
• Good luck to our PSSA athletes who are competing in the Armidale District athletics carnival this Friday 19th August.  After all the wet weather and cancellations, we can’t wait to hear how you go.  Thank you to Peta Deiderick for organising this event.  It is a huge job!
• Thank you to the P&C for running the canteen on the day.  To assist with keeping running costs down, the P&C are seeking donations of baked goods (slices, cupcakes) to sell at the canteen.  Baked items can be left at the school on Thursday 18th August or dropped to Harris Park on Friday morning. 
• Please ensure items are stored in disposable containers or that names are clearly marked on containers to ensure they are safely returned. The canteen will be operational between 8am-4pm (which includes set up and pack up), if you can assist, even for just an hour please register your availability via Qkr! 

• We are aware that picking up after school and parking is tricky for parents. This is the parking sign outside our school.

Please be aware that you may only park in the 5 minute parking area for 5 minutes between 8am-9:30am and 2:30-4pm.  It is nice to park right out the front but it is a pull in and pull out area during these times.

Cars may not stop in the no stopping area at all to pick up children.  It is a $272 fine for stopping in a no stopping zone, and fines apply for parking longer than the signed time. 

Please be aware of the signage and follow the rules for your child’s and other children’s safety.  Thanks!

• Book Week Celebrations:  Next week is book week! On Friday 26th as part of our assembly, we will be holding our annual book week parade.  Students may dress up as a character from their favourite book, movie or TV show.  Assemblies will now commence at 12pm for the rest of this term as some classes have gymnastics sessions at 1pm.

• Finally, attendance at our school is excellent.  We are trying to improve it even more.  We know we have had a lot of sickness within our school community, however just having a day off makes a huge difference to what your child may miss. Please take the time to have a look at the information about attending school and what just one day missing school can mean overall. 

Peta Deiderick and Felicity Pennington