Goondi SS Newsletter 27.04.22

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 2.  We have already commenced another busy term. 

Our Year 3 and 5 students will take part in NAPLAN online from May 10^th to May 20^th, our rescheduled school photos will take place on May 30^th and our Year 5 leadership camp will take place from June 22-25 just to list a few events!

As we begin the term, the focus for our Year 3 and 5 teachers is clearly on NAPLAN testing which will occur next month.   Our Year 3 and 5 teachers in the lead up to the tests, will be concentrating on consolidating core skills and providing opportunities for students to become ‘test ready’. This ensures that all students are comfortable with the actual format and look of the NAPLAN tests, especially our Year 3 students as this is a new experience for them.   This year, preparation to be test ready takes on added meaning as, with the exception of Year 3 writing, all tests will now be conducted on line.  This is the first time that all schools in Australia will take part in NAPLAN on line testing. 

Our Spell-a-thon also takes place this term and all students in P-6 participate. Spelling lists and sponsorship envelopes will be sent home after NAPLAN testing. As you may already be aware, this is our P&C’s best fundraiser for the year.  Last year, Spell-a-thon raised an astonishing $18, 309.  The most ever raised in a Spell-a-thon event.    Please support our P&C to do it again as they work hard to ensure Goondi continues to thrive. 

This term will also see our athletics carnival take place, district and regional cross country and the term concludes with assessment and reporting for semester one.  At that time, student report cards will be sent home. 

If you haven’t made time to meet with your child’s teacher this week, please contact them with any questions or concerns.  The sooner a problem is highlighted, the easier it is to find a solution. 

Finally, on Monday we were very proud to see many of our students and families join us as we took part in the ANZAC day march in Innisfail.  Even on a wet and dreary weekend, it was fantastic to be reminded of the pride and respect in our community as we remember those fallen servicemen and women who have given us the chance to enjoy today’s freedoms. 

I look forward to seeing our students diving in to their learning throughout the term!

Regards,

Peter Begemann

Principal

Other school news

DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY

The district cross-country will be held on Friday 6^th May at Warrina Lakes commencing at 9:00am. Selected 10, 11 and 12 year old students from our school will compete for places in the Innisfail district team to contest the Peninsula Championships later in the term.

ROAD SAFETY

A reminder to all our parents and carers to remain aware of road safety at school drop off and pick up times.  It is essential that we teach and model safe conduct around road traffic, by always using the school crossing and never allowing children to walk between parked cars at these busy times of the day. 

Please also consider other road users at the busy afternoon pick up time.  There are many unused car park spaces by the northern oval.  It only takes a minute to walk back to the pick-up gate. 

I thank you all for your co-operation and help, as we place the safety of our students as top priority. 

ANZAC COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY

Last Friday Goondi held its school ANZAC Ceremony.  The ceremony was co-ordinated and run by our Year 6 students under the guidance of Mrs Jackson.  We were joined by Mr Ron Henderson of the Innisfail RSL and the ceremony was both moving and respectful. 

Congratulation to our students for their exemplary conduct.  As always, our Year 6 student council did a fantastic job in running the ceremony and spoke incredibly well.

In his address, Mr Henderson spoke of the animals, in particular homing pigeons that played a key role in WWI, of the ANZAC spirit at Gallipoli 107 years ago and the wars, conflicts and peace keeping missions since.   

ANZAC DAY MARCH

On Sunday, Goondi attended the ANZAC day march through Innisfail.  We were very fortunate to have a temporary break in the weather and while the wet did keep some away, Goondi was still represented by over 80 students and many staff.  I would like thank our students, staff, parents and carers for coming to pay their respects and represent our school on the day.  It give us a real sense of pride in our school to see values such as those displayed on Monday from our students and families.

NAPLAN TESTING

In mid-May all schools throughout Australia will participate in NAPLAN testing. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit a number of literacy and numeracy tests over a three day period. These tests will occur between May 10^th and May 20^th.  The timetable below outlines the Goondi test areas, dates and test durations.  All schools must complete the tests in the order:

Writing – Reading – Conventions of Language - Numeracy

NAPLAN tests assess the literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning through our school curriculum and which they need to progress through school and life.  In the lead up to NAPLAN testing, our teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and have the appropriate support and guidance. As parents and carers you can assist by reassuring your child that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can.

Public test demonstration site:

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

NAPLAN testing is aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN testing by their parent/carer. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with the school.  Pease contact your class teacher for details.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding NAPLAN testing, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the school administration.

Parents and carers often ask how they can assist their children to ensure they perform well in the tests. There is no real studying for the tests as most of the concepts and skills tested have been taught and consolidated a number of times. Parents can help however by ensuring the following 3 steps are followed.

1. A Good Night’s Sleep – It is important that students get a good night’s sleep before each of the tests. Research recommends a minimum of 9 hours a night for children’s brains to develop properly. Students need to be well rested so that they are alert and ready at the commencement of the day.

1. A Healthy Breakfast and Lunch – The most important meal of the day is even more crucial on testing days. Ensure that students have a substantial breakfast and healthy lunch so that they have sufficient energy to carry them through the testing periods. Avoid those processed foods that are high in sugar and result in spikes in blood sugar levels, followed by a drop in energy.

1. Reassurance – Reassure your child that there is nothing new in the tests. All the questions are based around work covered in class at some point. All we ask is that they give it their very best shot.

School Calendar

TERM 2 CALENDAR

School Events

Mon 2^nd May - May Day Public Holiday

May 10^th-20^th – NAPLAN Testing

Mon 16^th May, Mon 20^th Jun – P&C Meetings at 5:30pm

Sport Events

Fri 6^th May – District Cross Country at Warrina Lakes

Wed 15^th Jun – Inter-House 200m, 800m, shotput

Fri 17^th Jun – Inter-House Athletics Carnival

Prep Term Overview

Year 1 Term Overview

Year 2 Term Overview

Year 3 Term Overview

Year 4 Term Overview

Year 4/5 & 5 Term Overview

Year 6 Term Overview

Sports News

Welcome to Term 2. Many of our students have been very busy on the Sporting Field this year.  Congratulations to the following students who have been chosen in Sporting Teams:

DISTRICT RUGBY - Kyuss Barba, Logan Wells

PENINSULA GOLF and AQUATHON - Keean Greven

DISTRICT SOCCER (boys) - Giacomo DeFaveri, Keean Greven

DISTRICT SOCCER (girls) - Addison Tanti, Emily Westerhuis, Lauren Musumeci, Kaitlyn Musumeci.

DISTRICT TOUCH (girls) - Allariah Vue

We wish these students luck as they compete.

All classes are busy preparing for our Inter House Athletics Days which are on Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th June.

Tiffanie Bulstrode

Health and Physical Education Teacher

Community News