Goondi SS Newsletter 20.07.2022
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 3! This term we are looking forward to a number of events including NAIDOC, Under 8’s day, Book Week, ICAS testing and our annual Year 4 excursion to the Cairns Aquarium. Our Student Council are also organising a movie night so look out for details very soon.
First off the rank is our Inter-School Athletics Carnival next week where representatives from a number of schools across our area will take part in the range of athletic events to try and make the Peninsula team.
Our students have settled back in to school well after the break and are now getting down to business with lessons and activities crafted by our skilled teachers.
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, across a range of subject areas. Well done to everyone involved and a huge thank you to Ms Rosa for organising the school display.
COVID-19
As you will have seen in the media in the last week, mask wearing is now recommended in settings including schools. While this is not mandatory, we will support all staff, students and visitors to our school who wish to wear a mask. As more information is given to schools, we will inform and update you by newsletter, SMS and social media.
Regards,
Peter Begemann
Principal
School Calendar
TERM 3 CALENDAR
School Events
Wed 27th and Fri 29th July – Inter-School Athletics Carnival
Mon 1st-5th August- NAIDOC Celebrations
Wed 10th August - Year 4 Aquarium Excursion
P&C Events
Mon 15th Aug – P&C meeting
Other School News
PRE-PREP PROGRAM 2022 AND PREP ENROLMENTS FOR 2023
Our Pre-Prep Program for 2022 and a number of transition and information sessions for prospective Prep students and parents are all being organised this term and are set to take place at the start of Term 4. 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 41 enrolments for Prep in 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Prep classes.
You will soon notice our signs and ads around town and on social media. 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 2022 will commence at the start of term 4.
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 return a Religious Instruction Permission form, will be supervised with class work during religious education lesson time.
DONATIONS
The Library is seeking donations of egg cartons, if anyone would like to donate some, please drop off to the school library.
SPELL-A-THON
Congratulations to our P&C and to every student and family that participated in the spell-a-thon. An amazing $13,162 was raised this year which is fantastic. Great work everyone!
Our prize draws were held on Friday in the last week of last term. The prize draw winners were as follows:
Highest two fundraisers in Prep - Yr 2
- Abrianna - Prep A : $553
- Emilijia - 1B: $552
Highest two fundraisers in Yr 3 – 6
- Michael - 3A: $543.50
- Juliette - 3A: $300.00
Lucky Draw Winners
- Georgia - 3A
- Darcy - 4/5
The classes that raised the most sponsorship were Mrs Barba’s Year 1B class with a total of $1377 and Mrs Dorries Year 3 class with a total of $1461. These classes will be rewarded with a pizza afternoon with all food provided by the Goondi P&C.
The 2022 Spell-a-thon trophies go to Mrs Barba’s 1B with 55% of students with full marks and Mrs Long’s 4A with 24% of students with full marks. Congratulations!
A total of 55 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. 132 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 an amazing job 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
This year school opinion survey invitations are being directly emailed to families of students in years 5 & 6.
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. We are currently writing an information report about snakes. We will be writing about what they are, what they eat, what they look like and more. In Maths, we continue to visit Number World, 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, soon we will start 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: Prep Staff (Tess, Leigh, Cassie, Wendy, Kylie, Priscilla and Amanda)
Year 1 Capers
We hope that everyone had a relaxing holiday as we have hit the ground running here in Year 1. We have kicked off the term by starting our new genre in Writing. This term we are learning how to write an Information Report about Insects. Over the next two weeks we will be learning all about Ladybugs. This is a perfect link to our Science unit- "A living Adventure" where we will be learning all about living things and how to take care of them. The Year 1’s will be involved in planting and creating a new garden. We will be creating a garden that will encourage pollinating insects to come into our garden.
Our sound in Spelling this week is aw and au. There are a few tricky words so make sure your child uses the strategy Look, Say, Cover, Write and Check.
In Maths we have learnt the addition strategy Doubles Plus 1, Fact Families, Halving numbers, The Bar Model and Measurement.
Have a great week! Hayley, Leigh, Tayla, Fiona & Kimberley
Year 2 Capers
Term 3 already and we have hit the ground running! We have new and exciting work to do this term, such as in English where we are writing a Narrative story. This has a similar structure to an Imaginative Recount so is familiar territory for our learners.
In Science we are looking at life cycles, how different plants and animals (including humans) have different stages of life, and we will explore this by growing seeds, and making craft showing butterfly stages.
We also have our exciting Technology unit this term, where we explore Digital Technologies by working with the Scratch program on the school computers. HaSS is also fun, as we look at the changes in technology over the years, and how homes and society have been changed by invention and innovation. You might want to talk to your student about what things were like when you were at school!
Please ensure that Homework is completed every night, and returned on a Friday to be sighted. A reminder also that Library day is Thursday, if anyone has books out.
Regards,
Nathan Worth, Robyn Scheiwe and Jeanette Spataro.
Year 3 Capers
Year 4 Capers
Year 4/5 & 5 Capers
Welcome back to Term 3! This term we have some exciting learning opportunities with Deadly Choices beginning this week and running every Thursday for 1 hour. Deadly Choices is an amazing program that covers many health concepts and supports student’s social and emotional development. If you haven’t returned the permission slip, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the program please contact your class teacher.
During Science, we will be exploring adaptations and students are excited about our Design and Technology unit where they will be designing and creating Bug Hotels. Students may need to collect materials (rocks, leaves, sticks etc) for the creating phase.
Our English unit focuses on responding and reflecting to texts and we have begun reading the novel Omar Rising.
Maths Investigations will be introduced this term to consolidate student knowledge and allow students to apply skills in different contexts.
Please do not hesitate to drop in or contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for your support.
Cheers for now, Rebecca, Jessie & Janette.
Year 6 Capers
Welcome to Semester 2! It’s been fantastic to see the Year 6 students hit the ground running, in a term that’s often described as the “Zoom” term. In English we are studying the genre of the persuasive text, and each week we argue a new topic. So far we have considered whether talking is better than texting, and whether NAPLAN online is better than completing the tests on paper. With the help of our Term 3 class novel, Black Snake, by the end of term all students will have to decide if Ned Kelly is a hero, a villain or a victim, and argue their case for their final assessment piece. Ask your child what they think so far! It will be interesting to see if opinions change as we learn more about the life of the famous Australian bushranger. In English we are also busy choosing our poems for Poetry Idol.
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 have so far explored the contributions of volcanoes and earthquakes to global environments. Have a chat to your child about any experiences you have had with natural disasters, as most of our Year 6 students have been lucky enough to have avoided major natural disasters so far in their lives.
In HASS we are unpacking Australia’s government systems, and gaining an understanding of the roles and responsibilities at each level of government.
As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or contributions.
Tjaart Richards, Melanie Worth and Janette McClelland
Sports News
Our Goondi School Athletics Team was announced yesterday. Students know which events they are competing in and the program is: 800m and 200m Trials on Wednesday 27th July, and 100m, 200m (finals), 800m, LJ, HJ and Shotput on Friday 29th July. Competitors lists are posted in classrooms and parents are welcome to spectate.
During HPE classes, seniors are working on team games this term, with juniors continuing to develop team skills, gross motor skills and ball skills.
Tiffanie Bulstrode
Health and Physical Education Teacher
The Arts News
The focus this term is Visual Art, and students have already showed much enthusiasm and creativity in class. Prep to Year 2 students are creating artworks that explore the concept of personal storytelling and holidays. Using the artwork of indigenous artist Debbie Commbes as inspiration, they are drawing different types of transport used for travel when going on holiday. Already we have drawn cars and aeroplanes!
Year 3 and 4 are studying a fascinating topic, Tiny Worlds: Microbes, Me and I. Learning all about microorganisms, students will be designing an abstract artwork that incorporates the five different types of microbes.
Year 5 and 6 have been lucky enough to experience some stunning weather allowing us to draw the environment around our school, incorporating sugar cane landscapes and Bartle Frere. The focus is understanding perspective and how to depict a foreground, midground and background when drawing a landscape realistically. Check out the students drawing outside! (en plein air)
This term we also celebrate Naidoc Week in The Arts and congratulate Ryhia Dank, a young Gudanji/Wakaja artist from the Northern Territory for her win in the prestigious National NAIDOC poster competition for 2022 with her entry, Stronger.
Francesca Rosa
The Arts
Year 1A incorporating Indigenous patterns and symbols in their aeroplane drawings!
Grade 6B drawing en plein air!
L.O.T.E News
By speaking, writing and listening to new words, phrases, sentences and questions in Italian, years 5 and 6 Italian classes at Goondi State School are furthering their knowledge of the Italian language. Well done students!
Year 5 students are learning how to listen to short role plays including three students, revising known language and introducing third-person singular verbs. Year 6 students are building on their vocabulary by learning the days of the week and months of the year and sports and hobbies. Both year levels are learning and/or revising teacher-developed tables to understand nouns and adjectives.
The bookwork standard shown in their exercise books is pleasing. Feedback and assistance is given to students regularly. Continue encouraging your child to speak Italian with you and discuss what they are learning.
Arrivederci (Goodbye)
Signora Lazzarini
P and C News
Term 3 has started with a bang for the P and C! Following the success of the Spellathon and Sports Day tuckshop morning last term, we are preparing to host a sausage sizzle and cake stall for the Interschool Sports Day on Friday 29 July 2022.
We are seeking volunteers to donate cakes to sell at the stall, and to help with the sausage sizzle which will run between around 9 am and 2pm. If you are able to donate your time (even an hour or two can help) or some baked goods we'd love to hear from you! Please contact goondiss.pc@gmail.com with details of your support to help us with our planning.
The catering for Interschool Sports Day really adds to the atmosphere for our competing students, supporters and visitors to our school. The funds raised help the P and C support initiatives for our students throughout the year. Good luck to all the Goondi State School competitors!
Don't forget that P and C meetings are held on the third Monday of every month during term time at 5:30pm in the school library. Everyone one is welcome!
'Til next time,
P and C.
Community News
Well Women’s Clinic - Innisfail Hospital
(This clinic is available to Medicare eligible clients)
Monday 8th August 2022
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