March
From the Principal
A new season for learning.
The first half of the term has past so quickly. The beginning of the year is always busy at a school as we set up routines and get our plans in place for the year. The staff & students have done a great job and are well and truely in the swing of things. We still have a couple of tears at times from our Prep students, but they are settle into learning quickly. Our enrolments currently sit at 178, with a couple of new families to join us later in the term & next term. I am looking forward to cooler days starting soon, but the rain has made our grass so green and the school is looking very pretty.
All upgrades to the school that were started in the holidays have been completed now and our prep classrooms now have a permanent wall between them, giving them the quiet they need for learning. Mrs Green in Prep A starts her maternity leave at the end of next week, we wish her all the best during this time and can't wait to meet her little bundle of joy! Mrs Carlee Knight will be with them for the last 3 weeks of the term, before Mrs Kaela Pratt (formally Blacker) returns to take the class for the rest of the year.
Thanks to all those families that completed our survey on communication. Keep an eye out for our behind the classroom door episodes to get an insight into learning at GGSS.
Principal Awards
Congratulations to these students who set a strong example for the rest of the school. They were nominated by their teachers as worthy recipients.
Sports houses
Each student is placed into a sporting house on enrolment at the school. This year we are going to have sport house t-shirts printed for students to purchase as part of their uniform. These shirts can be worn on a Thursday each week to build house pride and on sport carnival days also. These will be ordered a couple of times a year, but there will not be stock to purchase at the uniform shop, so get your orders in when you see the forms come home. More information will be coming home regarding these over the next few weeks. Our Mascots have been decided with the help of an indigenous elder, our students and Mr HB's drawing skills.
Cross Country
Our school cross country is happening on Thursday 12th March. All students will compete in their age groups. Students that meet requirements and are aged 10 or over may be selected to go onto the Lockyer Zone Trials at Blenheim - date to be advised. Students have been practising with Mrs Hallas during PE time in preparation.
NAPLAN
Last year was the first year we completed NAPLAN online. This year we will also be using the online format to complete this assessment with Yr 3 & 5 students. Our Year 3 students have the NAPLAN co-ordinator, Mrs Bridge as their teacher and she will be preparing them for this assessment. The information that we collect as a school helps to give us feedback on how our teaching and learning practises are progressing.
For more information please check out the NAPLAN website
Staff Profile
Miss Haylie King
For the last 5 years I have been teaching out in Logan/Ipswich/Lockyer Valley region taking on short/long contracts. Recently I have been working as the Special Education Teacher for year 1. I came to GGSS last year and taught year 3 and currently teaching year 5. My favourite subject to teach is Maths.
Outside of school, I love to travel, I have visited the USA, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and travelled and have visited Melbourne, Sydney and Western Australia. The place I would most like to visit is Japan. On weekends I like to spend quality time with my partner, parents, nieces and nephews. My Hobbies include: anime, gaming, movies, puzzles, and getting outdoors to go bushing walking, swimming and fishing.
Aussie of the Month
This year we are presenting an Aussie of the Month award. This recognises person endeavour, achievement and contribution to the school community. It reflects the Aussie values we all share of, a fair go, mateship, respect and inclusion. It helps us increase student concern and consideration for all members of the school community. This participation and involvement also is incorporated in our HaSS component of the school curriculum. We will recognise a student from Prep to 2 & 1 from Yr 3- Yr 6.
For the Month of February our recipients are:
Ella - Prep A & Rachel - Yr 4. Congratulations to these girls for displaying such Aussie values.