Principal's Message

by Ms Louise Reynolds

Happy Ramadan

As I write this, many families in our community are observing the first day Ramadan. As I understand it, the holy month is a significant time of spiritual reflection, fasting, giving to charity and contemplating your life/community.

We, as a school staff, recognise the significance of Ramadan and provide a safe space for students to observe and practise their family's traditions. 

Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramazanınız mübarek olsun (Turkish)

Ramzaan Mubarak (Urdu)

Roza Mobarik-Shah (Pashto)

Ramjan Mubarak (Bangla)

What a few weeks it has been! 

Students and staff have been busy, busy, busy - engaging in a range of things both inside and outside the classroom.

Building descriptive vocab in Stage 3
Reading groups in 5/6
Contributions Circles in 3/4
Swim Scheme starts
Swimming lessons
swim practice
Building descriptive vocab in Stage 3
Reading groups in 5/6
Contributions Circles in 3/4
Swim Scheme starts
Swimming lessons
swim practice

 

Highlights from the last 2 weeks:

  • Swim Scheme - students from Years 2-6 learning the important life-skill of how to swim
  • NAPLAN - Year 3 and 5 students have sat 4 tests - almost all of them online! They tried their best and did us proud.
  • Harmony Day - we celebrated our whole-school inclusive culture by dressing up in traditional outfits or wearing orange.
  • Targeted programs - Guided Reading Groups and descriptive writing has been flourishing at GEPS!
  • CPR - our whole staff participated in a 3-hour refresher course in CPR and how to deal with Anaphylaxis. 
  • Open classrooms for Years 3-6, showcasing our reading programs.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN
Harmony Day
Harmony Day
We had to practise on an adult and baby mannequin
We had to practise on an adult and baby mannequin

What's Coming Up

Open Classrooms: Years 3-6 focused on maths next Monday 27 March, straight after GEPS-Fest at 9:15am; and Stage 1 Storytime from 2:30pm.

 

Instructional Rounds - we have 18 visitors coming next week to look inside our classrooms at student learning and student agency. We will showcase our learning that puts students at the centre and expects students to be active and independent in their learning. We are looking forward to hosting principals and teachers from 5 schools on 29/30 March: Old Guildford PS, Burwood PS, Enfield PS, Strathfield North PS and Vaucluse PS.

 

Our end of term Celebration Assembly will be Monday 3 April 9am. This is where we award 5 students in each class and give Gold Badges. Please join us!

 

P&C meeting will follow this assembly at about 10am. Please com along to support our school!

 

Easter Hat Parade is scheduled for the last day of term - Thursday 6 April 9am in the Hall. Instead of focusing on chocolates (during Ramadan) the P&C are looking at a raffle with some great gift cards as prizes. More to come!