Principal's Report
Dear Gorokan PS families and friends
At Gorokan Public School we believe that creative and performing arts provide children with an opportunity for enjoyment and an outlet for personal expression and creativity. For this reason, we strive to provide a multitude of experiences that allow students to explore their potential and talents.
Schools Spectacular
A truly amazing opportunity was provided for our students who took part in this year’s show – Creating the Magic. I attended the Friday night performance at Qudos Bank Arena at Homebush and it truly was magic! It was clear to me how the show gets its name as it really was spectacular to see such a remarkable experience for all involved including the five thousand plus NSW Public School students who sang, played instruments or danced.
It was a huge week for the students and teachers who were involved. They had many early mornings and late nights travelling to Sydney and back for rehearsals and performances. I congratulate Indiah C, Alira S, Vienna D, Alina L, Tahnee Y, Hailey L, Mayah M, Areyiah H, Khevai H and Bianca M who successfully auditioned for a place in the massed choir and who performed with confidence and talent. I also express sincere gratitude and appreciation to our dedicated teachers - Mrs Morrow and Mrs Coote for encouraging, supporting and supervising our students, and effectively enabling this opportunity for the students involved. The show will be televised on Channel 7 shortly. Our students will never forget this incredible experience where they were truly spectacular!
Student Leadership Speeches
Thank you to the Year 5 students who presented their speeches for the upcoming student leadership elections for the 2023 student leadership team. The students were confident and prepared and an inspiration to all in attendance. Like everyone there, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the interesting and dynamic speeches from the aspiring student leaders and congratulate them on their efforts. Thank you to the parents and carers who were in attendance, your presence meant a lot to the students and staff. I look forward to keeping you informed of the outcome on Presentation Day, later in the term.
Student Reports
The Semester 2 student progress reports will be sent home on Friday 16 December. Please remember to let us know what you think about our current reporting practices by completing the short survey by clicking on the following link:
Enrolment in 2023
We are currently planning for next year, so if you have a child who will not be returning to our school next year (excluding Year 6) we ask that you inform the office. The number of students we have plays a vital role in our organisation of class structures.
As in previous years our classes will commence the new year with the students returning to their 2022 classes where they will remain for the shortest time possible until our student numbers are confirmed. We have found this to be the best approach for the students as it can be unsettling if students are placed in new classes with a new teacher, only to have to change classes again because enrolment numbers change. All students will commence the new year being engaged in their grade appropriate work for 2023. If you have any queries regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Thank You Morning Tea
On Wednesday 7 December, the school will be celebrating our dedicated volunteers. If you are a helper at the school, you are invited to attend a celebratory morning tea in the school library. I look forward to welcoming our wonderful community helpers who volunteer throughout the year to help make Gorokan the great school it is.
Please remember to check the school calendar on the Sentral Parent Portal to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the upcoming special school events. There certainly is a lot happening in the final weeks of the term.
Together we can make a difference.
Jesmond Zammit
Principal
Dates to Remember
- Thursday 1 December - Scripture End of Year show 12:25pm - 12:55pm
- Monday 5 December - Friday 16 December - Swimming Scheme
- Wednesday 7 December - Parent Helper's Morning Tea - 11:30am in the library
- Thursday 8 December - Gorokan's Got Talent final
- Tuesday 13 December - Year 3 - 6 Presentation Day Assembly 9:30am
- Tuesday 13 December - Year K - 2 Presentation Day Assembly 12:00pm
- Tuesday 13 December - Support Unit Presentation Day Assembly 2:00pm
- Wednesday 14 December - K-6 Christmas Singalong at 9:30am in the hall
- Wednesday 14 December - class end of year parties
- Wednesday 14 December - Reconciliation Action Plan meeting at 3:10pm
- Thursday 15 December - Year 6 Farewell at Wyong Leagues Club at 5:00pm
- Friday 16 December - Community Yarn Up and official opening of the Walker's Lane Aboriginal Garden
Early Stage 1
Current Learning
In English, we have been reading various fiction and non-fiction books about insects. Kindergarten students have loved learning about the different types of insects and have enjoyed writing, researching and creating art pieces about the insects.
This fortnight Kindergarten students have been participating in the SISA - Sports in Schools program. All students have thoroughly enjoyed the gymnastics lessons with many balance and movement activities to help improve their fundamental movement skills.
Reminders
Toys
We are noticing that Kindergarten students are beginning to bring various toys to school to play with at first and second break. Please do not send any valuable toys, as unfortunately these toys often get lost or broken and this can be very upsetting for students.
Gorokan’s Got Talent
Kindergarten will be having their Gorokan’s Got Talent heats on Friday this week (2 December). If your child is entering the talent show, please make sure that their note is returned by Thursday 1 December and they bring any props needed to school on Friday 2 December.
Homework Folders and Library Books
Thank you for your support with the homework folders this year. As we are nearing the end of the year, we are asking that students return their homework folders along with any outstanding library books to their class teacher.
Please continue to log in to Reading Eggs, Mathseeds and PM readers over the next few weeks to continue consolidating skills.
Christmas Singalong
The school will be holding the Christmas singalong on Wednesday 14 December at 9:30am in the hall. Children are invited to wear Christmas mufti (reindeer ears, christmas colours etc) on the day. Parents are invited to come to the singalong to help celebrate the end of year with the children.
Celebrations of Learning
We would like to congratulate our class award winners for this week:
KB - Kassandra-Lee T, Athena W, Archie H, and Rylan E
KD - Stephen C, Shaquille M, Nate J and Jahkai L
KF - Chloe L, Kian B, Charlotte M and Treyden S
KL - Theo O, Beau D, Kyaisha-Lily F and Alianah M
KTA - Levi T, Evan M, Savannah M and Audrina H
Mrs Alicia Duke
Assistant Principal Early Stage 1
Stage 1
Reminders
Stage 1 Weekly Overview
- Monday - Gymnastics Sports in Schools Program - 1C
- Tuesday - 2S Sport Day
- Wednesday - Year 1 Sport Day, 2B and 2R Sport Day, 1C and 1Y Library
- Thursday - 1/2E, 2B and 2R Library
- Friday - 1J and 2S Library
Christmas Sing-Along
We are delighted to announce that our Stage One students will sing at our annual K-6 Christmas Sing-Along, to be held in our school hall on Wednesday 14 December, Week 10. All parents and carers are invited to attend this magical event commencing at 9:30am and we ask that you send child to school in Christmas mufti clothes on this day.
Gorokan’s Got Talent
A reminder to our Stage One students that our 'Gorokan’s Got Talent' show will be held later in the term. Students are invited to share their wonderful skills and talents with staff and students during our fabulous ‘Gorokan’s Got Talent’ event held each and every year. Students can sing dance, perform, act or even put on a comedy, magic or circus show. They will have the opportunity to present their talent item within their grade group this Friday 2 December. Please send your child with their music/costume or props for their item and permission note this Friday if they wish to perform. Those items that score the highest points will be chosen to go through to the 'Gorokan’s Got Talent' show finals.
Stage One Lego Club
This term students from Stage One have had the most fabulous opportunity to attend 'Lego Club’ on Thursday during the first break. The students have enjoyed attending each session with a friend and have had a great time developing their structures and constructing individual designs. Thank you sincerely to Mrs Jen Butler for developing the program and providing an abundant amount of Lego materials for the students to enjoy working with during their playtime.
Celebrations of Learning
Term 4 continues to nurture great learning, celebrations of learning and fun-filled days that celebrate school life at Gorokan Public School!
Mrs Tammy Coote
Assistant Principal - Year One (Relieving)
Mr Mitchell Gibbs
Assistant Principal Aboriginal Education - Year Two
Stage 2
Current Learning
It is hard to believe that we are only a few weeks away from the end of the year. Our Year 4’s are finishing up their final year in Stage 2 and our Year 3’s will be stepping up into their shoes. Stage 2 has had a busy term experimenting with different types of art media and producing some incredible pieces of artwork. This term's Art unit has been linked to our Geography unit where we studied different biomes and landscapes across Australia and Asia. Students have been studying different artists including Aboriginal artists and learning to work with watercolours, pastels, and paints. As a part of this term's Geography unit we have been focusing on the benefits of recycling. Stage 2 have been diligently separating their waste each break into food scraps, recyclable and soft plastic bins. To conclude our Geography unit, students collected recyclable household items and built some incredible art masterpieces using different materials.
Reminders
The Special Swimming Scheme is on in Weeks 9 and 10. Learning to swim and water safety skills are so important for all, especially in our area with so much water around. Due to COVID over the past 2 years we have not been able to run this important program. The school is subsidising the cost giving all children the opportunity to participate in this program. Please complete the permission notes and pay online by this Wednesday.
Celebrations of Learning
Gorokans Got Talent
Well done to everyone in Stage 2 who tried out for this year's Gorokan’s Got Talent. It was amazing to see so many talented students bravely perform their acts in front of a large audience.
School Spectacular
Congratulations to the Year 4 students who performed in the School Spectacular over the weekend at Sydney Olympic Park. What an incredible performance.
Mrs Jo Lee
Assistant Principal Stage 2
Stage 3
Current Learning
Wow! Week 8 already! A huge thank you to Ms Sarah Ponchard who was relieving Stage 3 Assistant Principal as I stepped up to higher duties. Thank you to my whole Stage 3 staff and students who supported Ms Ponchard and myself during this time. It is lovely to be back working with Stage 3!
Students have been extremely busy over the past fortnight with various teaching and learning opportunities for both staff and students. Staff and students are also continuing their learning journey with Explicit Instruction with both Maths and Literacy warm-ups occurring. Our focus for Geography this semester is diverse and connected worlds, whilst our Science focus is on light shows.
Reminders
Year 6 Farewell – Thursday 15 December 2022 – 5:00pm at Wyong Leagues Club.
Celebrations of Learning
Our wonderful Year 5 student leadership candidates represented themselves so well at our leadership speeches on Monday. Congratulations to each and every one of you! We can’t wait for the voting results. Our 2023 Captains, Vice Captains and Prefects will be announced by Mr Zammit at our 3-6 Presentation Day Assembly on Tuesday 13 December 2022. We wish all of our Year 5 candidates well in their leadership endeavours!
If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child’s class teacher as first point of contact. Have a wonderful fortnight!
Mrs Kate Day
Assistant Principal
Support Unit
Current Learning
Cooking offers so many opportunities for learning, as well as being fun and tasty. Every Friday the Support Unit cooks up a storm. We are learning to follow directions from recipes, measure ingredients and learn how to make some delicious meals and treats. Cooking offers for some great discussion about where food comes from and how we can prepare it as well as the importance of good hygiene and cleaning up after ourselves.
Our students had a ball at Gorokan High School at the Aboriginal Showcase on Thursday evening. They have been working hard to learn their routine to take part in the fabulous performance.
Reminders
Swimming Scheme Years 2, 3 & 4
Notes for the Swimming Scheme for students in Years 2, 3 and 4 were sent home in Week 1. There are limited numbers available in this program so if you would like your child to participate please return the note as soon as possible. The Swimming Scheme will take place every day for two weeks from 5 December to 16 December
Hats and Drink Bottles
As we are moving into warmer weather we request all students to bring a school hat and drink bottle to school with them every day. Please ensure that both the hat and drink bottle have the student's name written on it.
Support Unit BBQ
We are postponing the BBQ until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
Celebrations of Learning
Congratulations to the award winners who have shown hard work and improvements over the past two weeks. Harmony, Leo, Messi, Thomas, Indi, Robert, Mathew, Max, Koby, Justin and Ryland.
Mr Richard Linnane
Assistant Principal (Relieving) Support Unit
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 we’re not sure why autism appears in more males than females. It may be rooted in biological differences between the sexes. Or, some experts say, it may be an artifact of the way autism is defined and diagnosed.
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 difficult 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 teacher’s 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 ‘keeping it together’ 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 daughter’s 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.