Principal's Report
Dear Gorokan PS families and friends
What an amazing term of opportunities for our students to continue to grow and shine! We have participated in musical performances at the Opera House and Central Coast Showcase. Our school welcomed families and the community into the school to celebrate Education, NAIDOC and Book Weeks. We have welcomed our Kindergarten students for 2023 and started to transition our Year 6 students as they leave us for high school soon. Throughout all of this our students have learnt respect, resilience and a commitment to learning.
Our staff have continued to work tirelessly to produce quality learning experiences for our students in line with our school plan. Staff continue to grow and develop their skills and have completed professional learning in Explicit Instruction, some have also participated in Choice Theory and Connecting to Country.
Wyong Leagues Club
Mrs Shoesmith, Taniel, Melissa Nichols and Sue went to Wallarah Bay Recreation Club for a morning tea and presentation of a club grant that we had been awarded from The Wyong Leagues group. I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Wyong Leagues Club Groups for their generous donation of $4000 that goes towards running our breakfast and lunch clubs. This donation helps us provide many of our students with a nutritious breakfast and lunch when they need it. We couldn’t do it without you!
Police Youth Officer Visits
Youth Officer Kerrie Wells has visited our school this week to talk with our Stage 2 and 3 students about a range of topics including bullying, respect and tolerance. She discussed the responsibilities of the police and how they can help us and what happens when you call 000. Students had time to asks questions and learnt about how Police support us in the community.
Sydney North Athletics
The Sydney North Athletics Carnival was held on Monday. Mrs Farrell, Mr Kent and Miss O’Connell spent the day in Sydney with our competitors. Congratulations to all who competed. It is a great achievement to compete at this level!
Public Holiday - Thursday 22 September
Please note, we have an extra public holiday this week to celebrate the life of, and mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. Friday is a normal school day and we are aiming to finish off the term with a bang - 100% attendance! It’s going to be a great day with Sports Teams Colours Mufti (for a gold coin donation), lots of great sport activities and a Zooper Dooper for everyone! Too much fun to miss. If you miss school, you miss out!
It has been my pleasure to sit in the ‘principal’s chair’ for the last couple of weeks. It has strengthened my pride in both the students, teachers and our whole school community. I look forward to us all working together for a successful and happy Term 4. Please stay safe and have a happy holiday!
Mrs Shauna Crook
Relieving Principal
Dates to Remember
- Thursday 22 September - Public Holiday 'National Day of Mourning for the Queen'
- Friday 23 September - Sporting Teams Mufti Day (gold coin donation)
- Friday 23 September - Saltbush excursion to the Art House Wyong - 9:30am - 12:00pm
- Monday 10 October - Staff and students return to school
- Monday 17 October - Choral Concert Opera House, Choir - 8:00am
- Wednesday 19 October - Kindergarten Transition session 1 Term 4 - in the hall 12:00pm - 1:00pm
- Wednesday 26 October - GHS Year 6 to 7 Transition Taster Day
Early Stage 1
Current Learning
This fortnight, Kindergarten students have enjoyed 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.
Last week, Kindergarten students also had the opportunity to present their speech about their favourite animals to the class. Well done to all students who had a go at presenting. We were very impressed with the quality of the speeches and the students and teachers enjoyed listening to the presentations.
In mathematics, Kindergarten students have been learning about equal shares and telling the time (to the hour) on analog and digital clocks.
Term 3 holidays start at the end of this week. Please keep reading with your children and enjoy playing counting games together (uno, yahtzee, trouble, rummikub are all fun family number games). We also encourage your child to continue accessing the Reading Eggs, Mathseeds and PM reader apps. The Kindergarten teachers wish all students and their families a safe and happy holiday break. We look forward to hearing about your child’s great holiday adventures when they return in Term 4.
Reminders
Fruit Break
Please pack a piece of fruit for fruit break each day.
Homework Folders
Thank you for your support with the homework folders. Please return these folders every Friday so we can see how your child is going and swap the reader. Well done to the children that have been reading daily and practising their sight words. Please also continue to log in to Reading eggs, Mathseeds and PM readers. These apps are a great way for your child to consolidate the skills learned in the classroom.
Jumpers and Hats
Please clearly label all of your child’s belongings (hat, jumper, drink bottle, etc) with their name and class.
Whiteboard Markers
Kindergarten teachers would love any donations of whiteboard markers. We use these every day for maths and reading warm ups and would appreciate any donations to share with the class.
Celebrations of Learning
We would like to congratulate our Kindergarten public speaking finalists: Evan M, Glaiza-Joy L, Siannah H, Seanna K, Jindi F, Bianca H, Arlo C and Olivia H. We would also like to give an extra special mention to our two winners who will be representing our school at the next level: Evan M and Glaiza-Joy L. Well done.
We would like to congratulate our class award winners for this week:
KB - Beau D, Siannah H, Connor M and Elise W
KD - Lucas K, Jahkai L, Emilia T and Stephen C
KF - Max J, Treyden S, Evan H and Arlo C
KL - Isaac R, Marshie W, Pipah T and Cali R
KTA - Cohen L and Keegan L
Congratulations to all of our award winners.
Mrs Alicia Duke
Assistant Principal - Early Stage 1
Stage 1
Current Learning
Welcome to Week 10! We would like to congratulate our fabulous Stage One students on a very productive and fun-filled Term 3. The students have been immersed in great learning, achieved much success and have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the exciting events and opportunities that have been organised throughout this term. The students have had a delightful time attending such events as the fabulous Book Parade, performing at our schools Education Week assembly, visiting the Australian Reptile Park, participating in Slime Spectacular and Reward's Days. The students are to be congratulated for their hard work preparing and presenting their Australian animal speeches and attending our Sports in Schools sessions with confidence. We are very proud of all our students and their commitment to learning and joyful enthusiasm. Our Stage One team would like to sincerely thank all our families for your ongoing support and energy as we work in partnership in your child’s learning journey.
Reminders
Stage 1 Weekly Overview
- Monday - 1C Gymnastics Sports in Schools Program
- Tuesday - 2S Year 2 Sports Day
- Wednesday - Year 1 Sport Day, Year 2 Sport Day, 1C and 1Y Library
- Thursday - Public Holiday
- Friday - Rewards Day - Favourite Sports Teams Colours Mufti day, 1J and 2S Library
Hats and Water Bottles
As the warmer weather approaches, particularly in Term 4, we would like to remind our Stage One families to send their child to school each day with their school hat for outdoor play and with a drink bottle filled with water. It is part of our Sun Safe policy that students wear hats when playing outside and we encourage the children to sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated. We also have cool, filtered water stations located around our playground areas so that students can refill their drink bottles when needed. Please label your child’s hat and drink bottle with their name and class so they can be returned to them if misplaced.
Edward the Emu, Art House Theatre excursion
In Week 6 next term our Year One and Year Two students will have the opportunity to attend an excursion to a theatre show production based on two much-loved picture book tales - Edward the Emu and Edwina the Emu! ‘Edward the Emu’ by the Monkey Baa Theatre Production Company, combines the plights of both characters in one heartfelt, clever and funny new tale. Students will travel by bus to the fabulous Art House Theatre, Wyong on 15 November. The cost is approximately $20 (revised as of Week 10) which includes admission to the show and transport to and from the venue. Parents and carers, please add this date to your calendar and look out for a permission note in the coming weeks ahead.
Term 3 Rewards Day!
On the last day of term, in celebration of all our students hard work and commitment to learning, all students Kindergarten to Year 6 will enjoy a rewards day with a favourite Sports Teams Colours Mufti Day. On this day, please send your child to school in their favourite sports team colour/s. This will be an enjoyable day to conclude Term 3!
Celebrations of Learning
Well done on a fantastic term full of great learning and fun. On behalf of our Stage One students and teachers we wish our families a lovely holiday break and see you in Term 4!
Mrs Tammy Coote
Assistant Principal Year One (Relieving)
Mr Mitchell Gibbs
Assistant Principal Aboriginal Education/Year Two (Relieving)
Stage 2
Current Learning
Term 3 has been packed full of learning so it has been a very busy term in Stage 2, between writing persuasive texts to protect and save our environment, mapping the world, getting creative with art and drama. Not to mention all the opportunities outside of the classroom like Education Week, the Athletics Carnival, Public Speaking competitions, incursions, dancing and musical showcases, NAIDOC Week, Bilby Bash and other cultural opportunities for our Indigenous students.
Within the classroom, Stage 2 have participated in maths warm ups each week. In these warm ups, we revisit prior learning and prepare for learning that is coming up next. This helps us transfer our knowledge from short term to long term memory. We also work together in applying our understanding to solve word problems. We introduce real life scenarios to show students how we all need and use math. This last fortnight we have been focusing on rounding numbers, multiplication, area, and volume.
Students have been investigating the differences between 2D and 3D space through area and volume. They have been using problem solving to explore situations in the real world. This included measuring the volume of objects and using problem solving to design houses using area. We think that some of our students may be the next Block contestants!
In geography, Stage 2 have begun working on their dioramas. They are using their knowledge of countries, climates and 3D space to build biomes found in Australia and China. We can’t wait to see how they turn out! These will also be a great source of information to use for their geography speeches in Week 2 of Term 4.
Reminders
Term 4 will hopefully bring us sunshine filled days and break days out on the oval, please make sure your child has a labelled school hat and a drink bottle.
We work in line with the departments ‘Sun Safe policy’ and look for all students wearing a hat when playing outside. I cannot talk for anyone else, but I have run out of my spare hat supply. Lots of students claim not to have a hat, can’t find their hat, have lost their hat, have left it at home, the dog ate it, the rabbit slept on it or, they simply don’t know. Please make sure their hats are in their bag and are labelled. If your child is not wearing a school hat, please send a note to your classroom teacher as we are working for 100% students being sun safe and wearing correct uniform. Do not hesitate to contact the office if you need help in purchasing a hat.
Geography presentations are due Week 2 of Term 4. As we always say, we cannot wait to see how unique and creative the students are.
Have a happy and safe holiday, we cannot believe we are three quarters of the way through the school year….nothing quite as true as the saying ‘in the blink of an eye’.
Celebrations of Learning
Pen Licenses
This week during grade gathering, some of our Year 4 students received their pen licenses! They were all very excited to take their pens out for a spin (within the speed limit of course!)
Central Coast Dance Festival
The Year 4 dance group ‘Thunder’ and the Stage 2 Koori dance group had an opportunity to show off the amazing hard work they have been putting into dance by performing in the Central Coast Dance Festival! They had a fabulous time!
Central Coast Public Speaking Competition
Last Wednesday the Stage 2 public speaking finalists were invited to share their speeches with parents and Stage 2 classes, for a spot in the next round of the Central Coast Public Speaking Competition. Thank you to all of you for the support you showed your child, the quality of all of the speeches we heard in the classrooms was great. We saw a huge boost in confidence in all the students and were amazed that there was less than a handful that didn’t participate. During the finals, all of the adjudicators were blown away at the sophisticated level of speeches, and in awe of their performances. Well done, Lucas 3F, Azalea 3F, Trevor 3B, Henry 3B, Adam 3M, Oliver 3M, Izzy 4L, Juliet 4F, Oliver 4O and Dakota 4O. A huge congratulations to Esther from 4F and Jasper from 4L who will be representing our school on September 21 at Warnervale Public School. We wish them the best of luck!
Mrs Jo Lee
Assistant Principal Stage 2
Stage 3
Current Learning
We made it to Week 10! It has been an incredibly productive term for Stage 3. Staff and students have well and truly earned their holiday break.
Students have been progressing in their informative writing. They have been researching their own country and will be assessed on presenting their findings as an information report. As it is the end of term, students are completing various assessments and tasks. Stage 3 is back in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, cooking up an absolute storm. I hope our students are sharing their culinary skills with you at home!
Reminders
Public Holiday - Thursday 22 September - National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll
Sports Colours Mufti Day - Friday 23 September - Students bring in a gold coin donation to raise money for the School Choir to perform at Sydney Opera House.
Celebrations
Year 6 finally had their trip to Canberra in Week 8 and their behaviour throughout this experience was exemplary. Their itinerary was jam-packed including trips to Parliament House, The Australian Institute of Sport, National Capital Exhibition, Questacon and The Arboretum. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff that attended this trip and made it possible. Week 9 saw the Bilby Bash take place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 3 - 6. The students that attended took part in cultural activities, games and some of our talented students were involved in performances.
Miss Sarah Ponchard
Relieving Assistant Principal
Support Unit
Current Learning
We have been very busy in the Support Unit over the last fortnight. We had a wonderful time learning and practising the basic skills of table tennis.
We were lucky to have one of our parents volunteer her time and culinary skills by running a cooking lesson in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden where we learnt to make Vietnamese rice paper rolls. They were delicious and enjoyed by all! Thank you to Jessica and her family for coming and sharing this amazing cooking experience with our students.
In K-6E this term, we have had a lot of fun exploring books written by the world renowned author Julia Donaldson. Her stories have been the basis of deep learning and enjoyment through activities that expand our knowledge in reading, writing, grammar, social interactions, and visual art. Take a look at our feature wall that we have been adding to with our crafty creations!
Reminders
Holidays
Friday 23 September is the last day of Term 3. Students return to school for Term 4 on Monday 10 October. Please note there is no Staff Development day in term 4, staff and students return together on Monday.
Supervision
It is essential that parents adhere to the supervision hours of 8:30am - 3:00pm. There are no staff on duty to supervise students prior to 8:30am. Families who require supervision outside of the school hours should contact Camp Australia and organise before or after school care for their children.
Celebrations of Learning
The Support Unit award winners this fortnight were Leo, Justin, Ben Y, Nakia, Jarvis, and Messi.
Ms Lauren Greentree
Assistant Principal (Relieving) - Support Unit
School News
2nd Hand Clothing Pool
If your student has been issued with a uniform item from our clothing pool could you please ensure you wash and return the item as soon as possible. Due to items not being returned, we are very short on 2nd hand uniform supplies.
If you are able to assist with donating any items that your child may have outgrown, particularly school shirts and shorts, it would be greatly appreciated.
Parenting Ideas
What to do when life feels overwhelming
A friendly reminder: it’s perfectly OK if you’re finding things tough right now.
Being a parent is awesome. It’s also exhilarating, frustrating, hilarious, exhausting, sun-drenched, rain-soaked, love-soaked, and overwhelming.
All the emotions. The full spectrum of them!
If you’re having a hard time at the moment, I’m sending you a very large coffee and an uninterrupted night of sleep (preferably not at the same time).
I also have some tips for getting through a tough time in general.
I hope they help!
Firstly, try to accept it
Your experience in life right now might be better than someone else’s … or it might be worse. But, however you want to spin it, a tough time is a tough time. Accept it.
There’s no need to temper it with an “at least ….”
Say to yourself “Yep, this sucks”.
It’s amazing what happens when we drop the facade that “Everything’s OK”.
Secondly, try to practice some mindfulness
About a year ago, my son Hakavai was gifted a secondhand box of Lego from a friend of a friend. And, he frothed on it. Every morning, for like a solid month (a decade in toddler time), he was playing with his Lego. Initially, I found it annoying.
Have you ever stepped, barefoot, on tiny little Lego pieces at 6 am, before coffee? Have you ever tried to vacuum around little Lego pieces?
(Don’t kid me, you minx. You sucked ‘em straight up into the vacuum, just like I did, didn’t you?!).
But the Lego fascination seemed to be a lasting one, so one morning I sat down with him and tried to build something. But I couldn’t, cos none of the sets were complete. And also, he didn’t really want me to play with “his” Lego pieces either.
Which suited me fine, cos the next day I drove down to the shops and purchased a shiny new box of Lego. The police station set, not anything cool like the Star Wars ones (that stuff is expensive!!).
And that night, the very minute Hakavai fell asleep, I busted out my new Lego. A glass of wine at the ready, I relaxed into a world of tiny, intricate construction.
There was something soothing about following someone else’s instructions and building the pieces block by block. I got to zone out, unwind, and temporarily forget my responsibilities.
That night, I slept not like a baby (they wake up a lot), but like a tiny, plastic policeman – flat on my back, in the same position I dropped down in.
Being mindful doesn’t have to involve crystals and chanting and yoga pants. It’s really about relaxing into the present moment. And when life is feeling all a bit too much, a little present moment time can feel really good.
Thirdly, ask yourself “What would make today feel just a little bit better?”
And whatever the answer is: making apple crumble, talking to a friend, putting on a comforting TV show, reading your favourite book, playing Monopoly with the kids … go and do it. Make it happen.
Note: you’re not asking “What do I have to get done today?”. You’re asking yourself “What would make my day feel just a little bit brighter?” (You’ll be surprised how doing something hard makes you happy… like you’ve achieved something.)
This is something I started doing in my first year of being a Mum.
Those first few months were a blur and, with this tiny baby in my arms, my capacity for “doing things” was reduced. I had to drop my expectations for what I could realistically achieve in one day, especially in the first few months.
But on the days I prioritised doing something that made me feel good – even if it was just for 5 minutes – I felt clearer. More like myself again. Life felt like less of a blur.
So, this is your permission to drop the laundry, eat toast for dinner, and go and take a few minutes for yourself.
Heck, maybe you’ll spend that time playing Lego!
I’ll be with you, in spirit. At my own kitchen table, building a police station extension.
In closing
Lastly, my friend, please know that being human means experiencing a full spectrum of emotion.
It’s OK if you feel tired, overwhelmed, sad or angry.
Be kind to yourself and take a moment to appreciate all that you are and all that you do.
With love,
Turia x