Around the school

School Council message Term 1, 2019

At the annual election meeting held at the end of last year the Golden Grove congregation elected Kristian Appelt as a new school council member. Kristian has had 3 children attend GGLPS, is a former GGLPS teacher and is currently the director of Auto Services Group.  We welcome Kristian to the team and look forward to his input and utilising his many skills.

The council for 2019 consists of:

School council is guided by an action plan with strategic initiatives that fall under our 3 core pillars of teaching and learning, community partnerships and organisational capability. The strategic initiatives that we are currently working on are:

• Establish a marketing sub-committee
• Continue to strengthen the Connected Schools’ partnership
• Review the current school constitution
• Review & update the school’s strategic plan 2020-2023
• Continue to implement the LESNW policy platform – Complispace
• Complete the school registration process
• Use the LEA governance resources to update the role of School Council handbook
• Further develop relationships with kindergartens/child care centres in the area
• Establish a joint ministry team with a focus on enacting the partnership covenant
• Review council membership and succession plan

Next term I will explain the role of School Council and share updates on the above initiatives.

School Council has met twice this year to date. As has become our custom, a combined staff and council dinner was held prior to the first council meeting.

At the dinner I shared how I had recently met with my Regional Manager to agree on my goals for the year. My goals had to contain at least one personal/well-being goal as well as goals related to my role in the company. My Regional Manager questioned why I had put my personal goal last on my scorecard. I assumed that achieving the company budgeted profit would be the most important thing. My manager replied that he wanted me to put my well-being goal first because if my well-being wasn’t right then how would I achieve my other goals. So simple and so true.

This is also true for those in our school community and why I am excited that well-being is a major focus for us this year. It’s harder for our goals to be achieved if we are not right within ourselves. 

So, I challenge everyone to build each other up and to foster a positive culture within our community. I’m sure the flow on effect will be amazing for all.

“Culture is simply a shared way of doing something with a passion.”  - Brian  Chesky

“If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou

“Everyone in our community should know our purpose and be able to enthusiastically share it with others. I encourage everyone to understand our mission, foundational values and guiding principles. Be inquisitive and be engaged.” – Genevieve Freund

Genevieve Freund

Chair, School Council

SAPSASA

Last Wednesday, our GGLPS team represented our school at the SAPSASA athletics carnival. The students competed in both track and field events and tried their best on the day. The students were encouraging of their peers and were positive role models to others. 

Thanks to our team - Kayla and Jessica Traeger, Mia Skewes, Isabella Myers, Maddie Peel, Oscar Fraser, Lucas Freund, Jong Dohl, Owen lane, James Madakuzhy, Thomas Iannone, Amelia Kriewaldt, Lilly Kumela, Maya Szczpaniak, Liam Williams, Louis Switala, Harrison Vokietaitis, Emily Schultz, Carter Giles, Eszter Kovacs, Nikara Kittel and Matthew Tan.

Special mention to...

Harrison who won all 3 of his events in his age group- long jump, discus and shot put. 

Oscar, Owen, Lucas, Isabella and Louis made it into the finals for their sprints. Oscar came second in the 100m final and third in the 200m. He also came second in the 800m race. Owen placed fourth in the 100m final and came second in the 800m. 

Well done to all competitors and also to Ms. McCusker for putting the team together to make our school proud. 

Pictures can be found in the gallery.

Friday worship

You are invited to join us for Worship on Friday when ‘Schools Ministry Group’ will lead us in an Easter presentation entitled ‘Hope’.

Hope: With it, we become unstoppable.  Hope instils in us a sense of courage and confidence, allowing new things to bloom. Where there is hope, there is colour and joy, light and life. Hope holds incredible power. Without it, what do we have? What would we cling to if there was no promise of something better? 

The Easter story follows the life of Jesus. A man who set out to bring hope to those who had none. As Jesus travelled throughout Israel, those who encountered Him experienced limitless love and kindness. Jesus showed empathy and compassion to those who were hurting. Where there was chaos, Jesus brought peace. Where there was darkness, light. In His teaching and His actions it was evident, hope was on the move.

During this Easter presentation we explore how love and sacrifice overcame the most hopeless of situations. We share insight into why Easter is such an important time for so many, and we see how, against all odds, a new hope rises. 

Sports Day

Our annual Sports Day will be held on Friday 5th April. The day will begin at normal school time and will finish early afternoon (approx. 1:00pm). A sausage sizzle, drinks and cakes will be available throughout the day. Once finished, students are able to leave or class supervision will be provided for those who will remain at school. More details will be shared this week.  

GGOSH term 1 vac care bookings close this Friday at 5pm - 29th March

All bookings made after this deadline will need to be booked directly with the GGOSH Director, Vicki Kahl.  For more information or to make a booking, please visit the GGOSH bookings page on the school website.  

Piano concert Wednesday 10th April

Piano students will be participating in a concert in the Worship Centre from 1:00pm-1:30pm.  All welcome.

Lutheran Community Care

As part of our Service Day last week and continuing until the end of term 1, we are asking for a donation of tins/cans/packets etc that we can donate to Lutheran Community Care.  These can be brought to the front office.  Thank you in advance.

P & F message

It was great to see so many people attend the new families BBQ back in February. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to speak with everyone, I hope you took the opportunity to network with other parents. As I mentioned on the night, P & F meetings are held twice a term in weeks 2 and 8, anyone is more than welcome to attend to hear what is going on around the school. If you didn’t get a chance to attend Friday’s ‘Date Night’ please note that there will be another opportunity later in the year. Sport’s Day is fast approaching and P & F run a cake stall. If you are able to provide something to sell that would be greatly appreciated (ensuring the items don’t include nuts and include the ingredients) or are happy to help on the stall for 30-60 minutes that would also be appreciated. Finally a quick save the date for the Disco and Movie Night which is on 10 May, more details to follow.

Stephen Tiller

Chair, P & F

P & F news

The P. & F. have been very supportive of the school over the years and in 2019 have purchased a number of large items for use around the school. The main project has been the Nature Play area and over a two year period have donated $17 000 towards this.

Major items which have been purchased include:

• A defibrillator
• A charging trolley for 30 iPads purchased by the school. These are for use in F – 2
• A ‘go-pro’ which has been used already on the 5/6 camp for those wonderful surfing shots. Other classes will use this over time.

Parent/teacher interviews

Parent / teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 9th April and Wednesday 10th April. Please book a time for these voluntary interviews through the school website.

Mobile phones

While we accept that parents may supply their children with a mobile for safety reasons, permission to have a phone at school is contingent upon the student adhering to the following:

• A signed letter from parents outlining the need for a mobile must be received before a student may bring a phone to school.
• Mobiles are to be switched off during school times.
• Students are to place their phones in the 'class tray' at the beginning of the day and then retrieve them at the end of the day.
• Students must wait until after school to check for messages or to make or receive calls.
• It is inappropriate to contact students during lesson time.
• The school accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen mobile phones.

Shoot SA Photography -  Sunday 31st  March

P & F have organised a Shoot SA Photography Fundraiser just in time for Mother’s Day.  For the cost of $15 you get a photo session and a free 10”x13” Photo of your choice, there are other very affordable packages available for those wanting to purchase photos.    Located in Wynn Vale (Hyde Park).  Please book and pay at the front office, places are limited so book early to get your preferred session time.