Goondi SS Newsletter 21st July 2021
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 3! As you know, our Semester 1 reports were sent home last Friday. The delay was due to an IT issue which prevented reports being written in time for the original deadline.
This term we are looking forward to seeing our students engage in some great learning experiences provided by class teachers and achieving more great things. It was fantastic to see our athletics carnival go ahead last term after being cancelled due to COVID in 2020 and we now look forward to our Inter-School Carnival next week.
Our students have settled back in to school well and are now getting down to business. This term will see Poetry Idol, NAIDOC week, Book Week, ICAS testing and our Year 4 excursion to the Cairns Aquarium. A lot to do!
If you were able to visit the local Innisfail show, I hope you had the opportunity to visit our school display in the school show display section. Many examples of quality work were on show from our Goondi students and it really showed the standard our teachers expect from every student in all year levels and across a range of subject areas. Well done to everyone involved and a huge thank you to Miss Mollenhagen for organising the school display.
Reading Everyday
The graphic below has been shown previously but serves as a great reminder about the benefits that regular reading can offer. Reading everyday promotes the development of vocabulary, comprehension skills and of course confidence with students. Just 20 minutes a day can have such a positive effect.
Regards,
Peter Begemann
Principal
School Calendar
TERM 3 CALENDAR
School Events
Tues 10th August - Year 4 Aquarium Excursion
Wed 28th and Fri 30th July – Inter-School Athletics carnival
P&C Events
Mon 16th Aug – P&C meeting
Other School News
REMINDER – PRE-PREP PROGRAM 2021 AND PREP ENROLMENTS FOR 2022
Our Pre-Prep Program for 2021 and a number of transition and information sessions for prospective Prep students and parents are all set to take place later this term. Once again, our intention is to ensure that our new Preps have the best possible start to their formal education at Goondi State School. At this time, we already have over 50 enrolments for Prep in 2022 so if you, or anyone you know are interested in joining our fantastic Goondi community, now is the time!
We are taking enrolments from in-catchment students and students who have brothers or sisters attending Goondi State School. They 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 2021 will begin in September.
REPORT CARDS
A reminder that report cards were sent home last Friday. Please ensure that you contact your class teacher to discuss any issues or concerns that you may have.
NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Collecting data on school students with disability helps teachers, principals and education authorities support the participation of students with disability in schooling on the same basis as students without disability. All Australian Governments have agreed to work together on the annual collection of data on school students with disability in every school each year.
The data collected at the school level to be reported nationally is the:
- number of students in the school who are provided with an adjustment to address a disability;
- level of adjustments we provide for those students; and
- broad category of disability
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious education classes commenced last week for students in Years 1 & 2. Lessons will be 30 minutes in duration and as in previous years at Goondi State School, will be conducted by approved volunteers. All religious education classes will be held once a week on Friday, the lessons will conclude at the end of this term
Students participate in either of two classes, based on the religious education as nominated by parents. The two groups are:
- Combined (catering for ANG, COE, AOG, COC, UNITING, BAP, BRE, CHN, GLO, PEN, PRS, REV)
- Catholic
Students who are listed as non-denominational, belong to a religion not catered for, or did not consent to Religious Instruction on the enrolment form, will be supervised with class work during religious education lesson time.
SPELL-A-THON
Congratulations to our P&C and to every student and family that participated in the spell-a-thon. A huge $18,309 was raised this year which is a fantastic effort and actually the most ever raised in a spell-a-thon event at Goondi. Well done everyone!
Our prize draws were held on Friday in the last week of last term. The prize draw winners were as follows:
Prep – Yr2
1st Jordon Phillips who raised $500
2nd Emilija Spence who raised $461.75
Yr3 – 6
1st Lyla Sambo who raised $666
2nd Coupah Matthews who raised $603
Luck Prize Draw Winners:
- Anhad Sandhu
- Tyson Lor
The classes that raised the most sponsorship were Mrs Kehrer's Prep class with a combined total of $1074 and Mrs Cunningham's Year 6 class with a total of $1342. These classes will be rewarded with a pizza afternoon with all food provided by the Goondi P&C.
The 2021 Spell-a-thon trophies go to Miss Mollenhagen's 2A with 39% of students achieving a perfect score and to Mr Harbour's 6B with 60% of students achieving a perfect score. Pennants for 50% of students or higher with a 95% score were given to classes: 2A, 2B, 3A, 3/4, 4A, 6A, 6B, 6C Congratulations!
A total of 106 students achieved a perfect score (100%) in their test. Many more students also scored 99 or 98 just missing out by one or two words. 180 students scored 95% or higher. Well done to our students for putting in such an amazing effort.
A special thank you to our P&C who did a lot of the behind the scenes work for our Spell-a-thon by organising the prizes, counting and banking sponsorship money and preparing the prize draws. This is much appreciated and the whole operation could not go ahead without them.
SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY
Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday, 30 July 2021. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve.
To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2021.
Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.
Prep Capers
Welcome back! The children have made a great start to Term 3 and are busy working hard in their classrooms.
In English, we have started our Information Report unit on animals. This week we are writing an information report on chickens. We will be writing about what they are, what they eat, what they look like and more.
In Maths, we continue to visit NumberWorld, where the children will be introduced to the teen numbers. Last week we looked at the number 11 and this week we will be learning about the number 12. Over the next coming weeks, we will be learning about the think big – count small addition strategy, o’clock times and comparing 3 collections. We will also be starting our Rocket Fast Facts this week.
In Science, we have started our living world unit. The children will be using their senses to investigate the needs of living things, both animals and plants in natural and man-made environments.
We look forward to a great term!
Regards: Tess, Priscilla, Kath, Angela, Cassie, Amanda and Anita
Year 1 Capers
Welcome back to another busy term in Grade 1. This term many exciting things will be happening like our class vegetable garden. The seedlings and seeds will be planted sometime soon and everyone is very excited about being a part of this. The students will take responsibility for watering the plants, weeding or picking any vegetables. During the term, the students will have the opportunity to taste the vegetables we grow. If you have any questions about this, please contact us.
In Writing this term the students will be learning all about how to write an information report. This genre is very different to last semester, as the students will be writing factual information instead of imaginative writing. We are currently learning how to write notes and turn these notes into well-written sentences.
We have a request! Accidents happen with little people and our supplies of shorts, skirts and underpants are running very low. We are asking that every student bring a spare pair of underpants or an old school uniform, to leave in their bag, just in case.
Until next time!
Hayley, Leigh and Fiona
Year 2 Capers
An excellent start to Term 3 as we begin our new and exciting units! In English we are writing narratives and have started our unit looking at structure, character traits and language features that will make for an entertaining read.
In Maths we have been practicing addition and subtraction strategies, problem solving, picture graphs and interpreting data.
We are beginning our term with our Science unit which covers life and living. We have learnt about the needs of living things and discussed living and non living things. Last week we planted bean plants and sprouts and the students are enjoying watching them grow in our window.
All our best, Miss Mollenhagen, Mrs Hollywood and Mrs Spataro.
Year 3 Capers
Welcome back everyone and how fortunate are we during these strange Covid times to return to our regular routines. The students have leapt into lots of interesting new learning across many subject areas.
In English, we are developing our research skills. Students will practise posing questions, skimming for information, note taking and then converting their notes into paragraphs. Our research is based on PNG over the next fortnight so students are able to draw some interesting comparisons with our northern neighbours.
HASS supports our research by distinguishing between natural and man-made features in a place.
In Science, we are heating things up in our unit, Hot Stuff.
For Maths, multiplication and division equations and word problems kicked off the term including consolidating our rainbow facts and 8x tables. Last term’s test results showed that students really benefitted with extra tables practice at home- thankyou. Homework has recommenced and is due every Friday. Regular home reading is imperative to improving.
Library lessons are every Friday so students are strongly encouraged to regularly change their books to support their reading improvement agenda.
Until next time, Robyn, Janelle, Paula, Jackie and Lizette.
Year 3/4 & 4 Capers
Wow! Term 3 already!
In Genre we are writing Information Reports about feral animals. Each week, we will write a new paragraph about the feral animal of the week. During week one, we learnt about fallow deer, and this week we are learning about feral pigs. This unit of work integrates nicely with our Science and HASS units. The inquiry question for our HASS unit is: “How can people use environments more sustainably?”
In Science, we are learning about life cycles. The highlight of this unit is an excursion to the Cairns Aquarium. More information will be sent home in a letter on Friday.
In Maths, we are introducing decimal fractions, converting units of time and exploring angles.
This term, we will also be preparing for Poetry Idol. Students may select poems from school or home. If students wish to perform a poem selected at home, please confirm the selection with your child’s teacher.
Until next time: Kath and Lisa.
Year 5 Capers
Time to hit the ground running in Term 3!
We have an exciting term ahead, including preparation for Poetry Idol! We are also lucky enough to have a few new programs and units such as Deadly Choices, which is a junior healthy lifestyle program and a dance program delivered by Ms Rosa. The focus topics in Year 5 this term include a Comparative Analysis in English, Adaptations in Science and a design project in Technology that aims to help us coexist with wildlife.
A fun and action-packed term is ahead for all!
Emily, Rebecca and Kerry.
Year 6 Capers
Welcome to Semester 2, we are into our final stage of Year 6 at Goondi. Semester 1 reports went out last Friday please review these with your children and feel free to contact us if you want to discuss your child's progress.
In English we have begun reading The Hobbit and will be undertaking a detailed comparative analysis between the novel and the movies. Students are showing a keen interest in this classic fantasy tale and have really engaged with the setting.
In Maths we are reviewing core concepts and improving our understanding and application of mental strategies.
In Science we are investigating natural disasters and their impact on global populations. Students are exploring the contributions of volcanoes to global environments. We are unpacking Australia’s Government systems to better understand how laws and decisions are made. Students will gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities at each level of government.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or contributions.
Thank you kindly for your support.
Marica Cunningham, Aaron Harbour, Melanie Worth and Janette McClelland
Sports News
Welcome back to Term 3! We have hit the ground running with all students embarking on a skipping adventure this term. Preps are already jumping their own individual ropes as well as the big rope, and Seniors are working on personal goals and group challenges.
Next week is our big District Athletics Carnival with our Goondi Team competing against all schools in the Cassowary Coast Northern Zone. The Carnival will be here at Goondi with all 800m races on Wednesday 28th July beginning at 12.30pm, and all other events on Friday 30th July beginning at 9.00am. Parent spectators are welcome. Please scan the Covid QR code upon arrival.
Congratulations goes to Year 5 student Logan W, who travelled to Ipswich on the weekend as part of the Peninsula Cross Country team. In very cold conditions Logan ran an incredible race, placing 40th in the entire state. Well done Logan!
Tiffanie Bulstrode
Health and Physical Education Teacher
The Arts News
The Arts is alive with music and energy this term as we focus on the strand of Dance. Completing fortnightly lessons once again, students so far have explored the concepts of locomotive and non-locomotive movements as essential elements of Dance. They have also been introduced to simple choreography techniques and have enthusiastically collaborated in groups of 3 to perform in unison for their classmates. Already, many students have shown great potential, and I look forward to seeing their confidence and ability progress throughout the term!
Francesca Rosa
Dance
Art Hub
LOTE News
Students in Years 5 and 6 Italian classes at Goondi State School are responding well to questions and statements in Italian. Their fluency and confidence in speaking is progressing well.
Year 5 students are learning how to answer the questions Chi e questo ragazzo? And Chi e questa ragazza? (Who is this boy and who is this girl) and how to use the personal pronouns lei (she) and lui (he). Year 6 students are learning how to say and write what sports and hobbies they do and when they do them.
All classes are learning a new song to enhance their fluency and pronunciation in Italian. A neat and accurate bookwork standard is promoted and expected.
Continue encouraging your child to speak Italian with you and discuss what they are learning.
Arrivederci (Goodbye)
Signora Lazzarini
P & C News
Spell-a-thon
The Goondi P and C would like to thank all the parents and carers, relatives and friends, students, teachers and school support staff who helped to make this year’s spell-a-thon a roaring success. The event raised a whopping $18, 309 for our school! That amount sets an impressive new spell-a-thon record, and will help provide valuable resources and opportunities for our school students. This fundraising effort is a fantastic demonstration of the strong sense of community that Goondi State School enjoys…. Something we can all be very proud of. Thank you.
Inter-School Athletics day Food Stall
The P&C Association will be holding a food stall at the Inter-School Athletics day on Friday the 30th of July. We are seeking a couple of volunteers who can help serve food for the busy time between 10:30am - 1:30pm. If you can help, please sms or call Leanne on 0419 768 119.
If you are able to donate muffins or slices for our cake stall please also contact Leanne. Items would need to be individually wrapped, not requiring refrigeration and delivered out to the stall located on the oval on the day of the carnival.
This is a great fundraiser for our school and the P&C Association would like to Thank you in advance for your support.
Uniform Shop News
Community News
Well Women’s Clinic - Innisfail Hospital
(This clinic is available to Medicare eligible clients)
Monday 9th August 2021
Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Domestic Violence, etc. All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.
For appointments please phone 4016 1312 / 4016 1435