Specialists

 Physical Education

It has been a busy few weeks in Phys Ed as we get to the business end of the year. All students have been busy completing assessments and showcasing their knowledge and new skills they have learnt throughout the year. 

Our Foundation students have recently completed their unit on catching and ball control, the main focus has been keeping their eyes focussed on the ball and being able to follow the ball with their hands. 

Our Year 1 and 2 students have enjoyed their unit on soccer and learning to kick the ball and score goals. There has been great improvement with students striking the ball with their shoelaces or passing with their “penguin kick”. 

Our 3/4 and 5/6 students are becoming keen cricketers, learning the skills of bowling, batting and fielding. Perfect timing with the T20 World Cup at the moment and the commencement of the local cricket season. Our 3/4 students have honed their fielding skills, focusing on the overarm throw, throwing for accuracy and distance. While our 5/6’s have learnt how to bowl the ball with the correct technique, keeping their bowling arm straight and releasing the bowl at the right time so it bounces once before passing the batter.

The 5/6s have had a busy time this term with our Girls Basketball and now our Girls Cricket team competing at division level. Our Girls Cricket team competed against the best in the Woodlands division at Dallas Brooks Primary School on Friday 28th of October. The first game was against Coolaroo South PS and the team came out firing, finishing winners by 101 runs. The second game was more competitive but our girls showed their class as they ran out winners by almost 50 runs.

Unfortunately the weather turned and the final didn’t get to go ahead, but our high scores meant we finished on top of the ladder for the day and qualified for the Regional Finals on the 18th of November. Good luck to the team, everyone at Gilgai Plains is cheering you on!!

Don’t forget our whole-school Cross Country is coming up on the 25th of November at the Kalkallo Recreation Reserve. All students will be participating on the day and we cannot wait to see a sea of house colours take to the ovals. Families are more than welcome to come and cheer the students on. If you have a current Working with Childrens Check and would like to help out on the day, please let the office know and Mr Woolcock or Mr Crane will be in contact.

Science

Week 5 was assessment week - Foundation, Year 1 and 2’s were assessed on where we access water and how we use water in our daily lives. Students were also tested on which products come from an animal or plant source. In the next few weeks, Foundation to Year 2 students will explore the water cycle and, with guidance, attempt to grow seedlings.

Years 3/4 students were assessed on correctly drawing the Earth and moon orbiting the Sun. Students used their diagrams to describe how day and night occurs. 

Years 5/6 students were assessed on correctly arranging our Sun and 8 planets as we know in our solar system and from smallest to largest. 

In the next few weeks, Years 3-6 students will work in small groups to research and present their findings about the solar system.

Performing Arts

Students’ and families would have received a Compass notification in regards to our End Of Year Concert. This is a very exciting time and students’ are working extremely hard on their class performance. This performance highlights our school value of ‘Learning Together’ and therefore we encourage all students to attend the event. If you are away on this date, please notify your classroom teacher and Ms. O’Dowd. 

This is such a special event being Gilgai Plains Primary School’s first ever concert and therefore we want to dress for the occasion. Please see below for your child’s costume theme.

Foundation A & B: Toy Story

Foundation C & D: Minions Theme

Foundation E & F: ‘Singin in the Rain’- Wet weather gear (Raincoats)

Foundation G & H: 70’s theme

1A: Dress as your favourite animal

1B: Dress as your favourite animal

1C: Glitter and sparkle

1D: Glitter and sparkle

2A: Glitter and Sparkle

2B: Glitter and Sparkle

2C: Glitter and Sparkle

2D: Glitter and Sparkle

3/4 A & 3/4 E: The Roaring 20’s (The Charleston)

3/4 B: Spanish Theme (Paso Doble)

3/4 C & 3/4 D: Shake it Off (Dress in your favourite sport or extra curricular clothing- Cricket outfit, ballet/dance outfit, cheerleading costume)

5/6 A, B & C: Dress in Halloween theme. (witches, wizards, skeletons etc)

We look forward to our upcoming picnic and concert on Friday December 9. We will gather on the grass area for a picnic at 5 pm and the concert will begin at approximately 6:15pm. Please see compass for further concert details.

Ms. O’Dowd.