Goondi SS Newsletter 23rd June 2021
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Report Cards
As previously advised, due to a major IT issue, we were unable to send report cards home on Tuesday. Reports will now be sent home on Friday, July 16th. Please make an appointment with your child’s teacher if you wish to discuss any aspect of the report card. If the report card recommends an interview, then it is critical that you make every effort to contact your child’s teacher and make an interview appointment early next term.
“A” Key Students
At assembly on Thursday, I will present a number of students in Years 1-6 with their Goondi 5 Exemplary Behaviour certificates for attaining an “A” key level. A huge congratulations to these students on a fantastic achievement. If your child is one of these role models, congratulate them and treat them to something special!
School Annual Report
Our 2020 school annual report has now been posted on the school website https://goondiss.eq.edu.au/ . Follow the link on the home page to download a copy of the report. The report provides a snapshot of school performance for the 2020 school year.
On Friday, we held our 2021 Inter-House Athletics Carnival. What a fantastic day this was. Our students competed and supported their peers in exemplary fashion. The competition was fierce and so was the cheering! It was fantastic to see so many of our families there to support their children on the day. We were also fortunate with the weather and all in all, the event was a huge success. A special thank you to our HPE teacher, Tiffanie Bulstrode, who ensured the day ran smoothly and that all participants had a great time.
With the recovery work from the February vandalism now complete, we have been very grateful to see our students engaged in learning across all year levels this term. In May, our Year 3&5 students took part in the final paper based NAPLAN tests for Goondi. Next year, all NAPLAN testing will happen on-line. Our students in Prep A are now going to move to the library room while their building is renovated. The works will be finished in Week 4 next term and teaching & learning will continue as normal.
I would like to thank our parents and carers for their support of our fantastic school and look forward to a great Term 3.
Regards,
Peter Begemann
Principal
School Calendar
TERM 3 CALENDAR
School Events
Fri 16th July - Report Cards sent home
Mon 19th July – P&C meeting at 5:30pm
Sport Events
Inter-School Athletics – Wed Jul 28th and Fri Jul 30th
Other School News
PARKING AND ROAD SAFETY
We respectfully ask that all parents and carers be mindful of local residents and road users during morning drop off and afternoon pick up. Please do not park in the turning area at the front of school or across local residents driveways. Each day there are parks available next to our northern oval which is just a short walk from the main pick up gate. Please also take care when pulling back out onto Maple St. By working together we can ensure the safety of our students and other community members.
PREP ENROLMENTS FOR 2022
We are currently taking enrolments from new students and students who have brothers or sisters attending Goondi State School. Siblings will automatically be offered a place in our 2022 Prep classes.
We are also taking Expressions of Interest for children who live out-of-catchment and want to attend Goondi State School. If there are vacancies, these students will also be offered a place in our 2022 Prep classes.
Come to the office as soon as possible with your child’s details to complete an Expression of Interest form even if you are in-catchment. Our Pre-Prep program will begin in September.
SPELL-A-THON
After an enforced break due to COVID-19, the much anticipated return of Spell-a-thon for 2021 has seen our students from Prep to Year 6 have some great success with 103 students achieving a perfect score (100%) in their test.
We also saw many more students scoring in the high 90’s and just missing out by a few words. 173 students scored 95% or higher.
It has been really nice to see our students so keen to do well (admittedly, with the great incentive of an iPad) and we are looking forward to seeing the final, fundraising total at the Spell-a-thon assembly on Friday at 12:15pm.
Parents and carers are reminded that Spell-a-thon sponsorship money was due today, any late sponsorship needs to be returned to the office tomorrow morning. Students will have to have their money in to be eligible for the prize draws and highest fundraiser prizes.
Remember that the P&C has 6 iPads to give away as prizes. Two are for the major prize draw where every student that returned sponsorship is entered. The other four are for the two highest overall fundraisers in P-2 and Years 3-6.
The Spell-a-thon draw and the awarding of prizes and medallions will occur at a special assembly on the last day of term Friday 25th June commencing at 12:15pm. Parent and carers unable to attend will be contacted on the day if lucky enough to win.
SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY
The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3 and will close on 30 July 2021. All families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6, 8 and 11) will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve.
An invitation to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be emailed to one parent/caregiver per family in the week beginning 5 July. The invitation will be sent from the Department of Education, not the school, and it will have the subject line School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2021. Check your junk email folders if you can’t find it. The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation is received and will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone.
Parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet at home are welcome to complete their survey online at the school. School computers/tablets will be available.
SCHOOL RESUMES
Parents and carers are reminded that school resumes next term on Monday 12th July. Term 3 is a 10 week term.
KEEP A WATCH ON OUR SCHOOL
During the school holidays we ask parents, carers, neighbours and students to keep a watch on our school. If you see anything suspicious call the School Watch hotline on 13 17 88. The School Watch Program is a partnership between the department and the State Government Protective Security Service. It aims to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in schools.
Student of the Week
Week 9 Student of the Week
Sports Capers
Well Done to everyone; staff, parents and especially students for a FANTASTIC Inter-House Sports Day on Friday. The competition was close all day and we saw many Age Champion trophies going to Palmerston students, the Tug-o War and Ball Games Trophies go to Geraldton while the Overall Trophy was won by Johnstone. I was very impressed with the House Spirit all students showed on the day.
This week, I will inform all 9,10,11 &12yo students who qualified for the Goondi Athletics Team to compete in the District Carnival on 30 July.
We are having a fun week this week, playing the students favourite games during class.
Hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday.
Tiffanie Bulstrode
Health and Physical Education Teacher
Prep Capers
We made it! Finally at the end of Term 2 and half way through the year. What a busy term it has been. Our excursion to Daradgee this week was a hit! The children, parents and teachers had such a great time. The boat ride on the Johnstone River was majestic, we learnt so many cool and interesting facts about snakes (we even got to pat and hold Daradgee’s pet snake Roxanne) and we got to see many farm animals. On the last day of Term we will be having a parade where all the prizes from Spell-a-thon will be drawn. Spell-a-thon money and envelope is due to the office on Wednesday the 23rd. Don’t forget this Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th we have our parent teacher interviews. We hope you all have safe and fun holidays and we look forward to returning to school on the 12th of July.
Kind regards Prep B staff
Year 1 Capers
Woohoo we made it! First of all we would like to congratulate all of the kids on working so hard throughout the semester. We have seen a huge improvement in their academic achievements and social interactions and are very pleased with the way they are progressing.
Looking forward to next term, we are feeling very excited about starting up our Year 1 vegetable garden. This will be a great opportunity for the children to learn the responsibility of taking care of something important while also learning about plants, their needs and how they are healthy for us. Over the holidays Mr King will get the garden beds ready in anticipation for planting early next term. Watch this space!
An equipment list will be coming home this week with any stationary your child might need replenishing. Please ensure they return next term with all required items.
Wishing all families a safe and enjoyable holidays.
Leigh, Hayley and Fiona
Year 2 Capers
As our term draws to a close we are finishing the last of our information reports as we learn about emus.
In Maths we are reviewing the more difficult concepts from this term including grouping into quarters and eights, time to the quarter hour, money and volume.
In HASS we are putting our information about Uluru together to make a tourist brochure.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holidays and looking forward to Term 3.
All our best, Miss Mollenhagen, Miss Hollywood and Mrs Spataro.
Year 3 Capers
Students have worked very hard this term and should be congratulated on their efforts. Our Poetry unit has been a lot of fun and allowed us to explore the use of different adjectives and verbs.
Maths this week has been revision of number facts, place value and rounding numbers.
Please be aware that students were unable to complete their Technology unit for the semester due to our technology being down over the final week of assessment. On the Report Cards, which will come out next term, students will receive a N as an academic rating and will receive an effort rating.
Thank you for encouraging your student to finish their HASS posters. Each student was able to share their research of a celebration or a commemoration to the class.
Home readers are due back to school as soon as possible please. We will send hats and water bottles home on Friday to be cleaned. Thanks for your support this term and we hope you all have a restful break. See you in Term 3.
Until next time, Robyn, Janelle, Paula, Lizette and Jackie.
Year 3/4 & 4 Capers
This term has been a particularly busy but rewarding term with many of the children reminiscing on some of their favourite moments: Family Tree Speaking Tasks; the Inter-House Athletics Carnival; Spell-a-thon and many are still looking forward to our rewards afternoon on Thursday, for those who achieved a C key or higher. All students should be congratulated for their hard work throughout the term. They all demonstrated perseverance and determination while completing their end of term assessments and this will be reflected in their report cards. Although all the hard work is done, please keep in mind that here at Goondi we take advantage of all opportunities for teaching and learning and therefore, work up until the last day of school reviewing and consolidating critical content.
Finally, students will be given a stationary list detailing what they require at school. Over the break, please see that your child obtains these items and brings them on the first day. This will ensure your child is organised and ready for Term 3.
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable break and the students return well-rested and ready for Term 3.
Kind Regards, Kath, Lisa.
Year 5 Capers
As we come to the end of another term, it is great to see the continued high level of attendance in Year 5!
In English, students are exploring and creating Haiku poems. This has been testing their application of descriptive language and knowledge of syllables.
In Maths, students are finishing off the term with a Maths investigation that applies their knowledge of 3D shapes, measurement and scale while collaboratively working in small groups.
Could you please check that your child has enough stationery for next term so we can start Term 3 organised and ready to learn!
Have a lovely holiday and we look forward to seeing you in Term 3,
Emily, Rebecca and Kerry
Year 6 Capers
Another term almost over! It is hard to believe the holidays are nearly upon us and we are almost half-way through Year 6. Please talk to your child about any stationery they have run out of, so items can be purchased over the break, ensuring all students are fully prepared to hit the ground running at the start of Term 3.
The testing period can be tough, well done to the students who have persevered and worked hard to achieve their best results possible. Many students have already begun looking forward and making academic goals for the remainder of the year.
Innisfail State College (ISC) hosted the Year 6 cohort on Monday for the 2nd Orientation Day. It was great to get positive feedback from the college about behaviour and engagement while the students were there. ISC also hosted their HOTSHOTS program this week and a big congratulations must go to those students who were selected to participate in this.
Be sure to look out for our Goondi State School stand at this year’s Innisfail Show. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday and we look forward to seeing the students bright and ready to learn next term.
Have a lovely break,
Marica Cunningham, Aaron Harbour, Melanie Worth and Janette McClelland.
Student Council News
Free Dress Day
Fire up for our ‘NRL State of Origin’ Free Dress Day to be held on the last day of Term 2 - Friday, June 25th. Bring along a gold coin donation and wear your QLD colour maroon or NSW colour blue! Remember all students must wear school-appropriate, sun-safe clothes and closed shoes. Get your Blue or Maroon shirt ready for Friday’s ‘NRL State of Origin’ Free Dress Day!
Movie Night
The Student Council is planning a movie night for early in Term 3. The entry fee is a gold coin donation, with proceeds to be kindly donated to the Year 4 cohort in order to make their excursion to the Cairns Aquarium possible. This excursion directly correlates with the Australian Curriculum and the Year 4 science unit around life cycles and living things. The Student Council, as well as Goondi staff, believe this excursion provides our students an opportunity to explore an amazing resource found in our very own backyard, ensuring their learning is engaging and highly relevant.
What PG-rated movie to be confirmed
Where Goondi State School Hall
Who Only Goondi students may attend
When Early in Term 3
Time 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Cost Gold coin donation upon entry.
Bring along some extra money as drinks and snacks will also be sold.
What to bring
Wear comfy clothes (e.g. pyjamas) and bring a pillow, sleeping bag or blanket to lay on.
Look for posters around the school or ask your children about reminders mentioned at assembly nearing the event. We hope to see as many Goondi students as possible in attendance - thank you for your support!
LOTE News
Working individually and as classes, Years 5 and 6 students at Goondi State School are developing their Italian knowledge. Speaking, writing, listening to new words, phrases, sentences and questions in Italian is increasing their skill level in the language. Well done students!
Year 5 students have completed their oral assessment task. Students had scripted conversation with their Italian teacher and answered set questions. Year 6 students completed their written assessment task revising past work, including information on La mia giornata (My day). In this task, students have furthered their knowledge of Italian nouns, verbs and adjectives.
The bookwork standard shown in their exercise books follows school expectations. Feedback and assistance is given to students regularly. Encourage your child to speak Italian with you and discuss what they are learning.
Arrivederci (Goodbye)
Signora Lazzarini
The Arts News
Unfortunately we have come to the end of our inspiring term of Drama and I would like to congratulate all students on delivering wonderfully diverse and confident performances either independently or collaboratively. Highlights of the term have included miming, scripting, directing, improvising and performing plays. Many students revealed exceptional talent and potential in leadership, negotiating, communicating and public speaking skills and I look forward to progressing their abilities in these areas next year! Happy holidays!!!
Francesca Rosa | The Arts
Year 6 Drama
ArtHUB
Our ArtHUB group continues to meet every Tuesday lunch, and I would like to congratulate the students on consistently working on their projects. They are diligently continuing their explorations into portraiture and are finalising artworks that will be exhibited next term. We are all looking forward to seeing their resolved masterpieces!!! To see more of their works in progress please follow GoondiArts - https://www.instagram.com/goondiss_arts/
Francesca Rosa | ArtHUB Coordinator
Community News
