Dear Families,

A warm welcome to all staff, students, families and friends of Goulburn Street Primary School. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and spent quality time with your children during the summer break. We have had a great start to term 1, with students arriving happy and excited to see their friends and ready to tackle learning in their new classes.

We are very pleased to open our re-furbished year 5/6 classes, turning the original three rooms into two double rooms with plenty of space for group and independent learning. This year also marks the first year that the Phoenix Centre has been used for a classroom with 4/5CM enjoying the large, open and bright space.

We have welcomed many new staff this year, all of which bring a wealth of experience and expertise and I know will be great assets for our school community.

Hannah Parker                  1/2 Class Teacher

Lily Czeszek                        Physical Education

Danielle Telega                 School Administration Clerk

Matthew Keating             Education Facility Attendant

Jane Mason                        5/6 Band Program

Natalie Brown                    Speech Pathologist

Sara Collins                         Teacher Assistant

As a community we are committed to ensure all students are safe and supported at school, and there are two main issues I want to highlight at the start of the year. Firstly, is that we are a ‘Nut Aware’ school, which means that no products are to be brought to school that contain any peanuts or tree nuts. We have many students that are highly allergic and anaphylactic to nuts, so exposure can cause major health issues. The second issue relates to animals and in particular dogs being brought onto school grounds. The Department of Education has strict rules and regulations around risk assessment in relation to dogs on school sites, so I ask that no dogs be brought on to the school grounds when dropping and collecting children from school.

A reminder we have two major events coming up early in the school term; the Welcome BBQ on the 19^th February and the Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival on the 18th February. There is further information about these events in the newsletter.

Finally, I would like reiterate that I have an open door policy and I am available to meet with you and discuss any concerns or issues you are having at school. To make a formal appointment with me please contact the front office. I strongly encourage all parents to connect with your class teachers and seek guidance and support when it is needed.

Regards Michael Park

Launching into Learning (LiL) will commence on Tuesday 18th February.  The program is offered for children from birth to four years of age, who are guided and supported through the activities and play opportunities by an accompanying adult/family member.  Mrs Vanessa Barretto will co-ordinate the program to be held weekly from 9:00-10:30am in the Kinder room. 

The Athletics Carnival to be held, Thursday 23rd of February at the Queens Domain Athletics Centre, 9:30am – 12noon. The Athletics Carnival includes track and field events with the popular novelty events a highlight. It will be terrific to see students wearing their house team coloured clothing that is suitable for running. Hats are required, with water bottle and a healthy snack for morning tea. An application of sunscreen before the event is also recommended. Students will be bussed to and from the event.

Parents and carers are most welcome to come along, with assistance being appreciated for the carnival.

If you are available, please let Mr Latham or the office staff know.’

Lessons begin at 9:00am with a teacher commencing duty outside and classroom doors opening at 8:30am.  This allows time for students to set up for the first session and to greet teachers before heading outside to play with friends until the morning bell signals the start of school. 

The school day ends at 3:00pm.  If a student has not been collected by a family member by 3:10pm the class or duty teacher will accompany them to the office from where parents will be contacted.  Parents are responsible for their child outside school hours unless they are booked with Lady Gowrie in the afternoon.  If using school grounds out of hours it is important to play safely and to be mindful of noise levels as staff members are working nearby.

Schools are required to follow up on unexplained absences and we greatly appreciate notification of absences, by email, through our website or with a phone call on the day to assist us in monitoring attendance.   In addition if your child has an appointment, and is therefore late arriving or has an early departure, we require the adult carer to sign the child in or out at the office. Thank you

Students place their order in a brown paper bag with their name, class and lunch items written on the front. The bag is given to the class teacher on Thursday morning for delivery of lunch on Friday. An updated canteen list is attached.

School Banking: Student Banking is on Thursday. Students bring along their Commonwealth Bank Dollarmites accounts and pass in to their class teacher to be banked.