Newsletter 2022 Term 1 Week 10

From the Principal's Desk

Looking back on Term 1, we can only shake our heads at the number of interruptions we faced. Thank you to everyone for your resilience, assistance and understanding during this time, as we all navigated our way through Covid_19 interruptions, floods and closures. Throughout this crazy period, we still managed to achieve all of our targets for the term and will certainly be looking forward to the holidays.

Last week, our Year 6 students attended their Leadership Camp at the Barambah Environmental Education Centre. During the three days away, students were personally challenged with many experiences, especially centred on leadership skills. Following camp, our aspirant leaders presented their speeches to a special school Parade, where they tried to convince their peers why they would make excellent leaders for our school. Successful candidates will receive their badges and certificates this Friday at 2pm, at an Investiture Parade. All welcome to attend.

Following our final Parade for the term, the P&C will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt. It is expected that this will begin at 3pm and be finished by 3:30pm. Families are most welcome to attend the hunt! 

Our senior Writers Club continues to impress and in the next edition, you will find some lovely excerpts from our budding writers. In support of this club, we are hoping to send a few of our developing writers to a Writer's Camp in Term 4. More news on this later.

Today we hosted our school Cross Country Carnival, with many parents in attendance. While the competition was fierce, it was lovely to see all competitors complete the course, with no withdrawals. This year, the course had been extended into our bushland to further create a true 'cross country' experience for our runners...Thank you to our groundsmen Dave and Marcel for assisstance with this. A huge thank you must go to Miss Broome for organising and setting up the event, as well as Mrs Alford and Mrs Story for helping with the set up. Certificates, with the finish times of all students, will be handed out tomorrow.

While swimming lessons at Kandanga Pool had to be postponed due to the recent flooding, I am pleased to announce that we have booked the first five weeks of Term 4 to finish these lessons at Kandanga Pool (at no extra cost to parents). We have also tentatively booked Noosa Surf Life Saving Club for the latter part of Term 4 to conduct some Beach Safety Skills for our students. Thank you to the P&C  for again supporting us with this.

Unfortunately, I have seen some students riding their pushbikes around the town and near school without wearing a helmet. Please ensure your child adheres to the important safety message of wearing a helmet at all times.  On arriving at school, students leave their bicycles in the rack near the front gate and may leave their helmets with their bikes, or take them to be stored in their class port racks.

Before we know it, Term 2 will be upon us. Please remember that we have a public holiday each Monday for the first three weeks, with another on the Friday of Week 4! Naplan assessments will commence in Week 4 for students in Years 3 and 5, while Book Fair is also in Week 4.Students will commence their practice for Mini Sports, which is due to be held in Week 6 at Amamoor. As usual, there will be no let up in school activities.

With a touch of sadness I would like to inform the community that our lovely Business Manager, Mrs Cherie Randell, will be working at Gympie Special School for Term 2. During her absence, Mrs Amanda Tombs will be acting in her position. I wish them both well in these new roles.

I hope all of you have a safe and happy Easter break and I look forward to seeing you around the school in Term 2. Remember, if you should see anything unusual or suspicious around the school during the holiday period, please call SchoolWatch on 131788.

Regards,

Tony Benzie

Photo Day

Cross Country

Well done to all of our competitors!!!

2/3 Class

Prep/1 Class

Library News

Student Council

Well, what a term! This term has been full, and has definitely taken us for a spin. Last week I had the pleasure of going on year 6 camp. I was super proud of all our students and the way they lead during different activities. Then we had our flood free dress day, and I severely underestimated how many jelly cups we would sell and we sold out with some students missing out... sorry :( I am proud to announce, however, that we raised $129.50 for flood victims and I will be organising for the Salvation Army Gympie to come out early next term to collect our money to help support others in need. 
I hope everyone has a safe and restful holiday. Don't eat too much chocolate, and I'll see you next term.
Chappy Caitlin

Brekky Club

I am pleased to announce that I received news today that we have been successful in obtaining a grant to assist us with the running of our Breakfast Club this year. Helping Hands Network Foundation have kindly pledged $2000 towards our programme. This is indeed great news and thank you to Rachael Howard for continuing to provide fantastic support for the running of the club.

P & C News

Kitchen Garden Programme

Today, the Prep/1 Class worked with George to create some yummy pasta with egg plant, tomatoes and herbs!

An Interview with our Business Manager...

Mrs Randell has worked at our school for 1 year and 3 months. She has loved every minute of working here. Her favourite memory of our school is the friendly staff students and parents. On the weekends and holidays Mrs Randell likes to go hiking and participate in photography. Her plans for next term are to work in Gympie Special School’s office. In the time she’s not working at Amamoor State School she works at Gympie High State School in their office. Mrs Randell has one pet dog and he is a Jack Russell called Jack. Mrs Randell’s favourite thing about our school is everything.

By Maddisen

Year 6 Leadership Camp

Last week, our Year 6 students travelled to Barambah Environmental Education Centre to participate in a leadership camp. During their time there, students learnt how to read maps, use a compass accurately and navigate using GPS software. Students orienteered, did obstacle and low-rope courses, as well as various leadership challenges. 

Japanese Language

The Year 4/5/6 class are learning descriptive words and sentences in Japanese. Students are also learning to read and write the hiragana writing script. Each lessons start and ends with traditional Japanese greetings, for example ‘sensei konnichi wa’ and includes bowing which is used to show respect in Japanese culture. The photos below show students greeting their teacher at the start of the lesson and working on their hiragana characters.

Kind regards

Sensei Kate

Award Winners...

Congratulations to Francesca, Ella, Xanthe, Ayah, Maya, Darcy, Brady and Delilah!

Playgroup

It's been a very busy term at playgroup.
We have had loads of fun getting messy in the sandpit and the water play pond! We are so lucky to have such a beautiful yard to play in.
This week our friends made some beautiful Easter Bunny ears and painted some rocks with funny eyes.Throughout the term we have started our wall of belonging: all children can add their hand prints to our collection, they look amazing! Our group is rapidly growing and I would like to give a huge welcome to our new families who have joined us to play. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in Term 2, have a safe and happy holidays everyone.
Hanna