Principal's Report 

Guramala Grand Opening

Last Thursday (27/7/23), we held the grand opening of Guramala, a stunning new outdoor learning space that features Indigenous plants with a range of different uses.  This was a significant moment in the history of our school, as this area will support even more meaningful and engaging education about First Nation knowledge, culture and perspectives. 

This was a huge project that reflects the culmination of extensive research and planning led by our Curriculum Leader, Sharna Gordon.  Justine Dillon is a Traditional Custodian of the land on which we teach and learn.  We are incredibly grateful to Justine for her support, guidance and partnership throughout all stages of this project. 

The grand opening was a whole-school event attended by special guests including: Justine Dillon, Tallebudgera SS First Nation families, the Kombumerri Rangers, our P&C Executive Team, Cr Gail O’Neill, Laura Geber MP, John Norfolk (Regional Director of the South East Region of the Department of Education), Mark Cridland (Principal Tallebudgera and Currumbin Outdoor Environmental Centres), Ros Cridland (Tallebudgera Outdoor Environmental Education Centre), Zoey Hart (artist) and P&C Prosperity Partners.

We were able to complete this project thanks to the fundraising efforts or our P&C and the generous support of our school community and P&C Prosperity Partners.

Tally Way Community Day

Students, staff and families had a wonderful day focused on wellbeing at our first Tally Way Community Day yesterday. We surprised our students with a visit from Titans players who shared inspirational words about wellbeing and respect.

Morning Moves were a lot of fun, led by Mighty Marais and Boy Baker (aka our Health and Physical Education teachers).  Our whole school joined in some fun, physical activity to get the day started.  We were very pleased to have the Titans helping to lead our school with this exercise and to have family members participating too.

The whole-school picnic was fabulous and it was heart warming to see families enjoying picnics across our oval, entertained by the legendary Tallebudgera Rock Band. 

Other highlights of the day included: students enjoying wellbeing related activities throughout the day and sharing some of those with visiting parents and carers who joined in; a wellbeing workshop for parents and carers presented by Petris Lapis an inspiring and educational guest speaker and the examples of generosity through donations for The Smith Family.

Shine Performing Arts Festival

Our Shine Performing Arts Festival was held in Week 3 and it was a delight to watch all of the performances.  It was also lovely seeing parents and carers at school watching their young entertainers perform. 

Congratulations and thank you to all students who performed! Thank you also to Stephen Gaggin (Deputy Principal) and Bonnie Hapi (choir leader) for coordinating this event and our fabulous Performing Arts team, Reuben McLean (strings), Mark Slingsby (band), Tegan Ferrier (Dance) and Lucy Smith (Dance) for their work with students in preparation and throughout the festival.

Sporting Achievements

Mr Marais acknowledges the sporting achievements of our students in our newsletter each fortnight.  We are very proud of them for their achievements and efforts but above all, their outstanding attitudes and conduct.  Our young competitors consistently represent our school exceptionally well! 

Progress Interviews

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended the recent progress interviews with teachers!  Feedback about the new format has been overwhelmingly positive.

P&C Meeting

The next P&C meeting is scheduled for Friday, 11 August at 9:00am and will be in the YMCA room beside H Block.

NAIDOC Week

Last week, we celebrated NAIDOC week across our school as it actually falls within school holidays. Sean Choolburra provided an incredibly entertaining and educational performance for our students.  Students particularly enjoyed the dance and story elements and hearing that Sean has voiced a character on Bluey was an added bonus.

Zoe Harlow

Principal