Principal's Report
Dear Gorokan PS families and friends
At Gorokan Public School we strive to enhance the early learning and wellbeing of children before they start school, as they transition to school and once they have commenced school. There are 6 Schools as Community Centres (SaCC) across the Central Coast and we are most fortunate to have this facility at our school.
Our SaCC facilitator is Myree Kent. She coordinates and manages a range of community engagement initiatives and programs to support families with young children. Families with preschool aged children are encouraged to participate in activities on offer, including:
- Parenting programs
- Young Parents groups
- Early literacy programs
- Children’s music programs
- Adult Education Outreach
- Health and nutrition initiatives
- Transition to school
- Preparation for employment
- Supported playgroups
- Community events and celebrations
For further information, visit https://www.ccsacc.com/gorokan.html, call Myree Kent on 0423 968 166 or email her at myree.kent@det.nsw.edu.au
Reconciliation Week
This week the students will be engaged in activities that focus on and promote national reconciliation. At Gorokan Public School, we will celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other Australians who form our dynamic school community. We are committed to this process and work in partnership with our Aboriginal community and the Muru Bulbi Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) to build the cultural capacity of all students (20 percent of which are Aboriginal). This year’s theme is – Be a Voice for Generations. Students will be involved in a range of activities in recognition of Reconciliation Week.
Community Liaison Officer
The school employs Community Liaison Officer, Melissa Nicholas to support our families and to build school and community connections. She works Wednesday to Friday each week to support our families to improve social, emotional, health and educational outcomes for students. She is here to help those in need. Should you be experiencing hardship, Melissa can offer support and guidance in a strictly confidential and respectful manner. Please reach out by calling 4392 4200 to contact Melissa.
GRIP Student Leadership
The GRIP Student Leadership Conference was held last week at the Central Coast Leagues Club in Gosford and our Year 6 student leadership team were in attendance. This wonderful program concentrates specifically on training student leaders for their role. The style, topics, and content of this conference all focus on what the students can do on returning to school.
Sydney Writers Festival
A coach load of our most enthusiastic readers from Years 3-6 attended the Primary School Day at the Sydney Writers’ Festival held at the Sydney Town Hall earlier this week. Designed to inspire the next generation of readers and storytellers, Sydney Writers' Festival's education programs are a unique opportunity for students to be inspired and challenged by some of Australia's most exciting literary talents. The feedback from students is always extremely positive and this year was no exception. The students listened to some of their favourite authors, got their books autographed and gained insights to inspire and encourage their passion for writing (and reading).
COVID Cases
As outlined in recent correspondence with our families, we continue to have confirmed COVID cases across the school. Families should monitor for symptoms and keep students at home if they have any symptoms. We appreciate your co-operation with this to keep positive cases to a minimum. There are RAT tests available from the school office to assist families. We will continue to encourage all students to adhere to the following in the interest of maintaining a healthy school environment:
- Staying at home if you are sick
- Washing hands throughout the day
- Sneezing into your elbow or tissue
- Not sharing belongings and equipment
Please remember to inform the school of any confirmed cases of COVID to offset the potential further spread of infection.
Updating Contact Details
It is very important that the office has up-to-date contact details for parents and carers. If you have moved over the holidays, changed your phone number or email, please ensure that you let us know. The school relies heavily on email and SMS for communicating with parents and carers and the new finance system being implemented this month, is reliant on having correct emails. The easiest and most efficient way of doing this is to email gorokan-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Together we can make a difference.
School News
Attendance Matters
If your child is too unwell to attend school, it is essential you inform the school as soon as possible. This can be done by calling our friendly office staff on 4392 4200 or responding to the SMS sent to you.
If your child is absent for 3 days or more a medical certificate is required and can be emailed through to gorokan-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Well done to KLF who are our Class of the Week with an attendance rate of 96.6%. Keep up the fantastic work!
Mrs Crook and Nadine
Attendance and Belonging Team
Dates to Remember
- Thursday 1 June - Regional Recorder Ensemble rehearsal in the hall at 10:00am
- Friday 2 June - PSSA Boys' Basketball Gala Day at Lake Haven Recreation Centre
- Friday 9 June - Year 6 excursion to Niagara Park Stadium
- Friday 9 June - PJ Mufti Day
- Monday 12 June - Public Holiday
- Thursday 15 June - Sydney North Cross Country Carnival
- Thursday 15 June - Star Struck Dress Rehearsal at 9:00am
- Tuesday 20 June - Year 2 Excursion
- Monday 26 June - Sydney North Area Rugby Union and Girls' Rugby 7's Trials
- Monday 26 June - Friday 30 June - NAIDOC Week
- Monday 26 June - NAIDOC Week Assembly at 9:15am
- Tuesday 27 June - Sydney North Football (Soccer) Trials
- Wednesday 28 June - Year 3 Excursion to Black Butt Reserve Newcastle
- Friday 30 June - School Athletics Carnival at 9:45am
Support Unit
Current Learning
The student’s in the Echidnas class have been enjoying the cooler weather to get involved in a range of different sporting activities. Tennis is one of the favourite sports among the students, and we take advantage of our fantastic tennis court during Thursday sport. Students are improving their hand-eye coordination and resilience especially when the ball doesn’t go where intended.
The Echidnas have also been looking at healthy foods, and how we can fuel our body to keep it running strong. We have been experimenting with all different types of fruits and vegetables and how they taste when they are juiced. We learned how vitamins can benefit our body. It was a very tasty experiment with lots of interesting conversations about what we can put into our next juice experiment.
Reminders
Warm Clothing
The mornings have been very brisk, and the days have been chilly. We ask for students to have a labeled jumper or jacket with them everyday so they can keep warm while learning.
Celebrations of Learning
Every Tuesday afternoon the Support Unit has their Unit gathering. Where we all come together to celebrate student learning and to present merit awards and awards for being on the Open Road. This week’s award winners are:
Week 4:
- Turtles (K-6S) - Johnny C and Charlotte J
- Echidnas (K-6L) - Zachery W and Connor P
- Eaglehawks (K-6H) - Atticus D and Nakia T
- Frogs (K-6G) - Kane H
Week 5:
- Turtles (K-6S) - Braxtynn F and Brody W
- Echidnas (K6L) - Braxton F and Noah B
- Eaglehawks (K-6H) - Jaxon C and Messi N
- Frogs (K-6G) - Owen M
Mr Richard Linnane
Relieving Deputy Principal Support Unit and Wellbeing
Early Stage 1
Current Learning
Kindergarten students have been trying really hard this fortnight to stay on the open roads and make good, safe decisions in class and in the playground.
In English, we have been continuing our work with sounds and using these skills to read simple decodable texts. We have also been working hard to write our letters of the alphabet using the correct letter formation. In Mathematics, students have been learning to collect and sort data in various ways and focusing on learning about teen numbers.
In art we have been making wonderful artworks using various materials. Kindergarten students thoroughly enjoyed making “Phoebe” masks to go with the story we have been reading in English titled “Feathers for Phoebe”.
Reminders
Hunter Valley Zoo Excursion
On 29 August (Term 3) Kindergarten students will be going on an excursion to the Hunter Valley Zoo. The students will be travelling on a seat belted coach to the zoo and will spend the day learning about and admiring the various animals. The excursion will cost $40.00 per student which is payable online. You should have received an email from School Bytes with the permission note and payment link last week. If you did not get the email, please contact the school office for assistance.
Homework Folders
Thank you for returning the homework folders weekly and for sitting with your child to help them with their work at home. It is great to see students learning their words from the vocabulary lists. Remember to make the learning fun - write the words on cards and play games such as matching pairs or snap. Tick the words on the list when you think your child has mastered each word. Please return these folders every Friday so we can see how your child is going and swap the reader.
Celebrations of Learning
Well done to all Kindergarten students for their amazing effort this fortnight. We would like to congratulate our Class Award winners:
- KB - Isabella M, Louis W, Layla S and Zaylen E
- KC - Isabel L and Kai P
- KJ - Ava E, Dylan S, Zahra H and Harley B
- KLF - Jakobi B, Krystal P, Jonathan B and Jordan B
- KTF - Sophie P, Mark P, Jasper S and Lachlan S
Students receiving Open Road Awards:
- KB - Octavia R, Koorijai S, Isabella M and Callum M
- KC - Corey G and Indie S
- KJ - Harley B, Lucas M, Roccii M and Ava E
- KLF - Maddox O, Willow W, Koda D and Evelyn M
- KTF - Zahra B, Pallis M, Alexis C and Adriana D
Congratulations to all of our award winners this fortnight.
Mrs Alicia Duke
Assistant Principal Early Stage 1
Stage 1
Current Learning
Throughout the school we use the Getting Happier Program as our social program. You may have noticed all the new signs around the school. These are displayed as a reminder of what the children have learnt in class. This program teaches the children how to understand their emotions and their bodies and how to make good choices each day. It is explained by likening our bodies and minds to cars.
In English we are looking at the purpose of a text. We are learning about whether the text has been written to persuade, inform or entertain.
Reminders
Headphones
If you haven't sent headphones in this year, could you please locate some for your child to use at school. As you can imagine, learning on technology is far more effective if your child only hears their computer.
Lunchboxes
A healthy lunch is essential for a healthy growing body, a healthy developing brain and learning. Year One has been looking at a healthy diet in PDHPE.
Fruit Break
Fruit break is a time where your child can eat a piece of fruit or a vegetable of their choice.
Bread Bags
Next week is the last week for bread bags to be brought in.
Jumpers
Please send in labeled jumpers and jackets. Children are arriving at school cold without a jumper. We have many unlabeled jumpers and jackets in lost property, so please remind your child to keep track of their belongings and to check lost property.
Celebrations of Learning
Award Winners
The Week 4 Class Award winners are:
- 1Y - Jjindi and Kassy
- 1P - Shaquille and Isabella
- 1E - Kaiden and Olivia
- 1/2M - Ivy and Lucas
- 2S - Libby and Maddison
- 2J - Millie and Morgan
- 2B - Wyatt and Kyser
The Week 4 Open Road Award winners are:
- 1Y - Rhylan and Millie
- 1P - Jaelee and Levi
- 1E - Rylan and Theo
- 1/2M - Lucas and Tom
- 2S - Harrison and Ben
- 2J - Olivia and Skye
- 2B - Ayden and Evie
The Week 5 Class Award winners are:
- 1L - Max and Marshall
- 1Y - Siannah and Porsha
- 1P - Pipah and Joseph
- 1E - Tamika and Bindi
- 1/2M - Rosie and Marcus
- 2S - Karlaruby and Kaison
- 2J - Ruben and William
- 2B - Shakaya and Isabela-Rose
The Week 5 Open Road Award winners are:
- 1L - Max, Zac and Summer
- 1Y - Chloe M and Chloe L
- 1P - Teddy
- 1E - Tyler and Athena
- 1/2M - Makaila and Max
- 2S - Kiiyas and Hunter
- 2J - Daisy and Mollee
- 2B - Jeremy and Maddison
Mrs Jo Lee
Assistant Principal Year One
Mr Mitchell Gibbs
Assistant Principal Aboriginal Education Year Two
Stage 2
Current Learning
This term in Science, students in Year 3 and 4 are discovering ‘Plants in Action’. They are identifying plant parts and learning about their life cycles. The students have been observing a seed close up, watching two different types of beans grow, and recording the changes. Here are some of the results so far.
Super Star in the Making
On Friday 19 May 2023, some of our students competed at the Zone Cross Country. Kailee from 3S came 5th in her age group and will be competing at the Sydney North Carnival in June. Good luck Kailee and congratulations on such an amazing achievement.
Reminders
Thank you for getting your child to school regularly and on time. Students at school by 9:00am each day have the possibility of being selected for the attendance draw. Being on time daily sets your child up for success.
Important Dates
- Year 3 Excursion - Wednesday 28 June - Blackbutt Reserve, Newcastle. Full payment due by Friday 16 June.
- Athletics Carnival - Friday 30 June 2023 (the last day of this term). Notes are now online however if you need a paper copy, please contact the office.
- Year 4 Excursion - Tuesday and Wednesday 18 and 19 July - Great Aussie Bush Camp overnight excursion, Morisset. Please finalise payments online through School Bytes.
Celebrations of Learning
Congratulations to the following students who are travelling on the Open Roads and demonstrating respect and encouragement this fortnight.
The Week 4 and 5 award winners are:
- 3S - Oliver, Anabelle H, Felicity G, Blake C, Blair C and Elliott B
- 3D - Chelsea L, James E, Sophie C and Logan L
- 3/4F - Aaliyah A, Lincoln K, Zane B, Paige D, Cooper W, Marley D, Aliya M and Robert D
- 4B - Skylah, Riley, Emily, Daniel, Keenan L, Mikayla, Lorana and Hunter
- 4O - Noel, Phoenix, Jasmine and Tyler
- 4/5M - Eva K, Yasmin G,
Mrs Di Jeanpierre
Assistant Principal Stage 2
Stage 3
Current Learning
Stage 3 students have continued to work hard throughout Term 2 and are enjoying their time in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG). Year 6 students are developing their gardening skills and learning through the practical process of constructing a Wicking Garden Bed. Year 5 have continued to hone their cooking skills by recently making delicious pumpkin quiche, with spinach and feta sausages.
In Mathematics Stage 3 students are looking at 2D space, including shapes and their properties, multiplication and division with a particular focus on order of operations to solve problems.
In English students are enjoying studying the text Girl Underground by Morris Gleitzman and are working on their persuasive writing skills. They have received their second Book Bank book for the semester. Students are encouraged to share their books with their classmates and take the books home to keep at the end of every term. The students choose their books from a carefully curated list, which enables them to choose books they are interested in, which engages them with their learning.
Reminders
- Year 6 Niagara Park Excursion – Friday 9 June, 2023. Notes have been sent home. Please see the excursion note for more details.
- Year 6 Canberra Excursion – Wednesday 2 August – Friday 4 August, 2023. Places are limited and a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is due by Friday 2 June, 2023. Please see the note for more details.
- All Stage 3 students are reminded they are to wear their correct school uniform everyday with correct school jumpers and school hats clearly labelled with their name and class.
Celebrations of Learning
Congratulations to our Stage 3 Week 6 Open Road and Merit Award winners:
- 4/5M - Kendall and Victoria C
- 5H - Tyde, Mia H, Riley and Brianna
- 5F - Molly K, Luke B, Riley P and James B
- 5/6G - Alira, Caleb H, Cooper N and Bodhie
- 6P - Quenten, Hailey, Chelsea and Elijah
- 6R - Judy, Michael N, Ella L and Tyler B
On Monday 22 May the Stage 3 leadership group attended the GRIP Leadership Conference in Gosford. They participated in a practical and interactive program that promotes the core values of generosity, responsibility, integrity, people first leadership and the overall message of being an “others first” leader.
The senior girls' basketball team recently participated in the PSSA Knockout Gala Day at Lake Haven Basketball Courts. They won every game that day and advanced through to the next round of the competition. Congratulations girls!
If you have any questions or concerns please phone your child’s class teacher as your first point of contact. Thank you for your ongoing support. Have a wonderful fortnight 🙂
Mrs Kate Day
Stage 3 Assistant Principal
Community News
Parenting Ideas
How to recognise Autism in girls
Autism is significantly more common in boys than in girls. This skewed sex ratio has been recognised since the first cases of autism were described in the 1940s. But weʼre not sure why autism appears in more males than females. It may be rooted in biological dierences between the sexes. Or, some experts say, it may be an artifact of the way autism is defined and dignosed.
But we also know that many autistic girls remain undiagnosed because many of the social signs of autism are less obvious in girls than they are in boys. One way that girls are “flying under the radar” of a diagnosis is the use of camouflaging as a coping mechanism.
Camouflaging means to pretend to know how to socialise by using observation, imitation, and adopting a persona or wearing a mask to meet social demands. An autistic girl – like an autistic boy – does not intuitively know what to do or say in a social situation. Social challenges are a hallmark of being on the autism spectrum. Compared with most boys, however, from a very young age an autistic girl will often closely observe and analyse her peers before making the first step. She will use imitation and acting to be able to conceal her confusion when socialising with peers.
What to Know about Autistic Girls
Unlike most autistic boys, girls are more likely to be able to accurately interpret and answer questions about social interactions, social situations, and friendship. However, they rely on intellect rather than intuition, so their responses will be slower, making it diicult for them to keep up in a group setting or with typically-developing and more socially skilled girls. Consequently, autistic girls tend to choose single close friendships rather than being part of a group. They often find males more appealing as friends because male friendship dynamics may be perceived as being easier to understand.
Autistic girls often show a willingness to follow the rules, a natural tendency to shyness, and social naivety. Such qualities can mean that they are easily missed in a classroom where louder children gain the teacherʼs attention. Autistic girls are usually very hesitant to ask for help. They may fear drawing attention and are often self-directed and perfectionistic, so do not wish to be seen as stupid or making a mistake.
Autistic girls can focus much of their intellectual energy on learning about their social world, hence special interest topics may have more of a social focus, such as mental health, self, friendships, animals, celebrities, literature, and fantasy. Sometimes it is not the topic that differentiates them from their peers so much as the intensity of their hyper-focus on it.
Despite their frequently better coping mechanisms and ability to camouflage their social difficulties, their social difficulties are very real, on a par with those of autistic boys, and cause enormous stress, confusion, and exhaustion. In addition, autistic girls experience sensory processing challenges at the same level or more than autistic boys. These challenges generally lead to high levels of anxiety in the classroom and playground. When this occurs, you may observe an autistic girl:
- become overwhelmed in social situations
- be reluctant to participate in class activities
- be unable to communicate verbally (situational (selective) mutism)
- feel judged negatively by their peers
- withdraw from social interaction
During primary school autistic girls can appear to have no social difficulties, successfully ʻkeeping it togetherʼ at school. In fact, an autistic girl may be able to do such a great job at “wearing a mask” and fitting in that nobody would believe she has autism. However, the toll on their energy levels and emotions can be high. Girls will often come home feeling exhausted, irritable, and overly emotional, following a day processing both the academic and social curriculum. Over time secondary mental health concerns often develop including anxiety and depressive disorders, self-harm, eating disorders, and suicidality. The average age of diagnosis for autistic girls around the world is 12-13 years old, coinciding with the first year of high school, when the social world suddenly becomes far more complex, and hormonal changes that increase anxiety exacerbate autistic features.
What Next?
So now you know the signs, what do you do if you think you could have an autistic daughter? If you are a parent, approach your daughterʼs teacher. Share this article and discuss what they have observed. If you are a teacher, you may approach the parents and ask them how their daughter is going at home. Mention the signs that concern you and share this article with them. Acknowledge that you are not a diagnostician, and you may be wrong, but that you are concerned and wish to do all that you can to assist their daughter.
To take the next step to obtain a formal diagnosis (or at least to investigate), carefully consider the level of experience of the Clinical Psychologist, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist you choose. The field of understanding the female presentation of autism is an emerging one and many health professionals did not receive training as part of their degree. Approach your local autism association for names of diagnosticians who are experienced in signs of autism in girls and women.