News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:56:44 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:09:14 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:23:43 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:50:20 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:17:40 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:34:58 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:21:37 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:40:27 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:03:34 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:35:32 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:22:12 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:08:57 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:08:19 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:29:07 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:17:00 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:55:36 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:22:35 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 17:54:50 AEST

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 17:56:16 AEST

A new uniform policy has been introduced for NSW public schools, which for the first time include the option for girls to wear shorts and pants.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

More new classrooms, preschool places and teachers in $17.3 billion education budget

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 17:57:42 AEST

NSW Budget 2018 features historic firsts for education, including record funding to expand the number of new and upgraded schools, unprecedented investment to air condition more classrooms and universal pre-school for three year olds.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Education Minister Rob Stokes and Early Childhood Minister Sarah Mitchell outlined a range of new initiatives funded by the $17.3 billion education budget in 2018-19.

The Government will be investing $6 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded schools, including planning for more than 20 new projects.

"We are proud to be making this unprecedented investment into the future of our children," Mr Perrottet said.

"This year's NSW Budget takes our already record school building program to another level – a massive 170 schools new and upgraded schools over the next four years.

"That brings our total schools building program to 230 new and upgraded schools since 2011."

"The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government's strong financial management has allowed us to invest so heavily in our schools and education system."

Mr Stokes said communities right across NSW will benefit from this record investment into education.

"NSW is experiencing an increase in school enrolments and we have in place an unprecedented program of investment in new and upgraded schools to meet this demand," Mr Stokes said.

A staged investment of $500 million is being allocated to provide cooling for schools, while improving the indoor environmental quality, through the installation of smart and sustainable air conditioning systems powered by solar energy.

In another landmark initiative, NSW will become the first Australian state to provide universal access to community preschool for three years old under a $197.8 million program.

"Because of this historic investment, average daily fees will decrease significantly and the savings will go directly back into the pockets of hard working families," Mrs Mitchell said.

This brings total spending on early childhood education to $474.3 million in 2018-19.

Other education investment in the 2018-19 NSW Budget includes:

$160 million to be spent in 2018-19 to continue its blitz on planned school maintenance, part of a record $747 million investment over four years;
$71.8 million to implement the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in NSW schools;
$50 million in additional flexible funding will be provided to government schools to implement the School Leadership Strategy - freeing up principals and school leaders from administrative work;
$3 million for the first comprehensive review of the entire school curriculum since 1989;
$2.8 million to encourage the preservation and study of Aboriginal languages;
$30 million to continue to deliver greater access to green space and sports facilities in public school playgrounds through the Share Our Space program, and;
Funding for around 900 extra full-time equivalent teaching positions in NSW government schools.

The NSW Government will also invest $1.3 billion on non-government schools, an increase of 7.5 per cent on 2017-18. This includes a $32 million increase in the Building Grants Assistance Scheme over four years for capital works projects to support enrolment growth in non-government schools.

The record $17.3 billion investment in education allocates $15.7 billion for recurrent expenses and $1.6 billion for capital investment in 2018-19.

Athletics carnival test

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:27:37 AEST

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Koala visitors in our tallow wood

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Faunaverse

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

On Friday our school had a zoologist day. Lee, Alex and Jane came to our school to talk about bugs and small animals. My favourite animals/bugs were the numbat and the assassin bug. I found a spider in a bit of bark. It was awesome. Annika McLay Year 4

Today the zoologists came to school. We saw spider's eggs, a moth's cocoon and a bearded dragon, which I almost stood one. We all saw a koala. Mellissa Kliedon Year 4

On the 4th August, Alex and Lee came to Gum Flat to teach us about native Australian animals. We looked at animals from as small as ants to as big as kangaroos. some of the animals we looked at were termites, ants, frogs, birds, snakes, koalas, wasps, bees, lizards, centipedes, scorpions, squirrel gliders and many more. Next we went outside to look for bugs. Mellissa almost stepped on a bearded dragon and Alex named it Eric. Apart from the lizard we saw spiders, webs, native birds and slugs. Charly Thorpe Year 6

Small Schools Soccer

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Our Small Schools soccer team had their first game against Gravesend at Gravesend. Unfortunately they didn't win, but they did have an excellent time. Special thanks must go to Mr Alan Swan for coming each week to coach the team.

Dance Eisteddfod

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

Our talented dancers were star performers today! Everyone gave 100% effort , they danced so well, and to top it all off they looked amazing. Thank you Miss Murray for your hard work and thank you students! .

Cross Country Results

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

Our students had a great day at Tingha and were very successful. Aston Bond, Bradley Schmidt, Annika McLay, Mellissa Kleidon, Cooper Taveira, Rory Butler, Will Lindsay and Jarrod White will now represent our school at the Zone Cross Country in Bundarra on !9th May. Well done runners, and keep up with your training.

Events Postponed

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

The Goonoowigall excursion planned for Thursday 27th April has been postponed until a later date.

The cross country to be held at at Tingha on Friday 28th April has been postponed until Thursday, 4th May 2017.

Please contact the school if you require further information.

Congratulations!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

Our swimmers are off to compete at State level! Will, Michaela, Jarrod and Rory will be representing our school in the Small Schools' relay event and Will and Jarrod will be competing in the 50 m freestyle, and Rory in 50 m butterfly. Great work and great teamwork - congratulations to you all.

P & C and SRC Fund raiser

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

P & C Fundraiser

The P & C will be running a fundraiser for the McDonald family. The have asked that, if possible, could families please donate to this very worthy cause. Monies raised will go towards an Ipad and Iphone to help the family stay in contact. The SRC are also looking to run an event to help raise funds. Donations will be collected at school for the P & C.

Scarecrows From Around the World

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Gum Flat will be entering into the Inverell Show's Scarecrow competition.

If you have any old hessian sacks, newspapers, bales of straw and nude stockings or pantyhose lying around, we would gladly accept any donations to begin the construction of our scarecrows.

PBL Star of the Week

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Congratulations Emily Shelton - you are a wonderful example of a Respectful, Responsible, Safe and Active Learner!

PBL Star of the Week

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Congratulations Samantha Thorpe - you have been

an excellent Respectful, Responsible Safe and Active Learner.

State Athletics

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Congratulations to our State Athletics Competitors.

In the finals and they ran an incredible 4th!

Will also competed in the Long Jump . Well done team and we thank parents for their continued support of this event.

"On the 20th October, 2016, Luka, Flea, Jarrod and I went to Sydney for State Athletics for the Nigel Bagley relay team. I also made it for long jump. The day was very hot and sometimes it was very cold and windy. The first event was the heat for the relay and we came second and made it to the semi -finals. Then in the semi-finals we got second again and made it to the finals. In the finals we came 4th in the State and we were happy. The second event was long jump. I didn't get a place but I got a new PB of 4.44m. We had a really fund time and we enjoyed the experience. Most of us went to the aquatic centre next to the Olympic Park.

Will Lindsay

Bike Day and Team Building Day!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

This Friday, 21st October, all students will participate in a great day of fun and cooperative learning. The day will begin with bike riding activities and all bikes must be roadworthy and all riders must have a helmet. We do have some students who do not have bikes, if you could help out on the day, that would be fantastic.

The team building exercise will begin after recess - what's involved is a surprise so everyone will have to wait until Friday to find out!

Parents are very welcome to come along and join in the fun but remember you must have a helmet if you're bike riding!

The school will provide a bbq lunch for everyone so please come along and join in the fun. Parents will be able to take bikes home after lunch.

Stay tuned for photos of the Paddock to Plate excursion!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Next week, Thursday 22.09.16, all Gum Flat students will have a full day excursion to conclude their Live Love Life focus. First stop will be a visit to Makim's farm to see wheat growing, then to Wood's Flour Mill to see the wheat being processed and then off to Funki Munki to taste the bread! Students will finish off their excursion to the Community Gardens where they will have lunch before heading back to school.

Gum Flat PS Open Day

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

Inverell Eisteddfod

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

Gum Flat students performed two songs at the recent Inverell Eisteddfod. They sang beautifully, received some fantastic comments from the adjudicator and won their Section. Congratulations everyone and many thanks to Miss Bell and Ms Angel for their hard preparing the students so well.

The Sugar Film

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

The Sugar Film will be screened in the Gum Flat school library on Tuesday 16th August, starting at 6.30. Come along and hear about the bitter truth about sugar and its detrimental effects on our bodies. Bring along a pillow or a bean bag, get comfy, enjoy some popcorn and watch this important documentary.

Well done SRC!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

The SRC have raised over $200 for the Cancer Council - what a great effort! The banana smoothie day and the Olympic Sports Day were their fund raisers. On banana smoothie day they helped out making sure everyone got their smoothie and they even made sure some lucky students got seconds. The staff were very impressed with the organisation of the Olympic Sports Day. Games were well organised, the day ran smoothly and everyone had a great time. Please check out the photo gallery to see the skills of some of our future Olympians.

Public Speaking

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Mr Peter Caddey visited our school this week to listen to Multi Cultural speeches presented by Paige Birch, Latifa Nedianu, Caleb Grace, Felicity Barton, Lily Birch and Luka McLachan. Mr Caddey was very impressed with the quality of all the speeches and had difficulty choosing who would represent our school at the next round.

After much deliberating he decided that Latifa, Caleb, Felicity and Lily will be representing Gum Flat PS at the next round, to be held at Ross Hill PS on Thursday July 16 -congratulations.Well done everyone who participated - its not easy being a public speaker!

Unexpected Visitor!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Years Five and Six have been learning about ecotourism as part of their Geography lessons. They have decided that Gum Flat PS would be a perfect ecotourism destination after the unexpected visit from an echidna last week. It found its way into the boys toilet and got stuck in a corner - burrowing through brick was not a good idea! Ms Angel and Miss Bell, with the help of a heavy duty tray and a very thick coat, managed to extract the echidna and relocate it to much more agreeable surrounds. All the students managed to get a good close-up view of those very sharp and strong spikes.

Congratulations Cross Country Runners!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

Ashford is a tough cross country course and all our runners did their best last Friday. Congratulations everyone on a great effort!

Special congratulations go to Kate McDonald, Will Lindsay and Julian Rhoades who have qualified for Regional Cross Country at Coolah on Friday June 17. Well done Julian, Kate and Will.

Public Speaking

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Students in Years 3,4,5 and 6 are encouraged to enter the Multi Cultural Public Speaking competition. Miss Bell is available to help students with their speeches and their presentation. The ability to confidently speak in public is an excellent skill to possess and it's never too early to start!

Healthy Lunch Boxes

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

Gum Flat PS continues to promote healthy food and healthy lunch boxes. Please try to include some fresh fruit and/or vegetables in lunch boxes each day, along with a healthy sandwich and a water bottle. It is important that students only have a moderate amount of sugar each day as it has been proven that decreased sugar intake helps maximise learning and concentration. Please refrain from including chocolate, also milo products, in lunch boxes.

Congratulations!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

Congratulations Jarrod White on being selected in the Zone Touch Team. Jarrod will now travel to Armidale for the Regional Trials. Cooper Taveira also attended the trials and impressed the selectors with his excellent sportsmanship and game and as a consequence was awarded Best and Fairest - a great effort for a year 4 student.

Welcome Mrs McKinlay!

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Staff and students welcomed Mrs Tanya McKinlay to Gum Flat PS this week. Mrs McKinlay will be Relieving Principal for Term 2 - the school community is looking forward to working with Mrs McKinlay and wish her well in this relieving position.

Zone Representitives

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Congratulations to Luka McLachlan (Rugby League) Jarrod White (Soccer & Cricket) and Lauren McDonald (Netball) on their achievements at Zone level. Fantastic work!

Premiers Reading Challenge

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Gum Flat students will be entering the Premiers Reading Challenge again this year. Mrs Mudford will be again organising this. The challenge is open to all students and Mrs Mudford is available to help students choose challenge books for home reading. Mrs Mudford is in the Library on Thursdays.

If you would like to participate in this years challenge please complete the permission note below and return to school.

Permission Note (pdf 221 KB)

Contact Details Update

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:40 AEST

We are in the process of updating our Contact Details. Could you please fill in the below form and return it to school via student drop off or email.

It is essential that we have the correct details!

School Email: gumflat-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Contact Detail Form : CONTACT DETAIL UPDATE (pdf 140 KB)

Thank your help

Sickness

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

** Please refer to this website for more information on sickness in schools Too Sick For School?**

There have been a few illnesses going around the community of late including conjunctivitis and the Gastro bug.

If your child is showing symptoms, please remain at home and seek appropriate medical care. For Gastro and vomiting, it is recommended that the infected person stays at home for at least 48 hours after the last movement or vomit. It is important that we control these bugs and not spread them otherwise they tend to continue to circulate.

If your child has the cold/flu or requires antibiotics, please keep them at home for at least 48 hours after antibiotics have commenced or the symptoms of the flu have cleared.

Healthy kids are happy kids.

Please consult this chart to see if your child should stay at home Do I go to school?

School Lunches

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

Gum Flat School encourages the healthy lunch box concept and in an effort to reduce waste in our landfill we also promote a 'green lunch box'. Information packs are available at the office if you would like to collect one. There are many healthy green options out there and we encourage you to explore these. Some of the new 'Bento" lunch boxes are fantastic for packing a balanced lunch for your child with out the use of plastic wraps.

Items that include large amounts of sugar and fat should be a 'some times' food rather than an everyday school food. 'Treats' are best kept for home. Please remember your children need the energy and concentration to get through an active day at school in order to retain information.

Crunch & Sip

All students need to bring along Crunch & Sip for the day. This can include any fresh fruit and veg as well as canned items in NATURAL juices. Obviously fresh is preferable. Please make sure that the fruit and veg is ready for your child to eat, no chopping or preparing can be done at school.

Heating of Lunches

Please note that students can no longer heat their lunches at school. Due to our larger enrolments this year, we are unable to provide supervision of heating.

Home Reading Program

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

K12 class will begin their home reading program this week! An information page for parents is enclosed in the book folder. Home reading is a fantastic way to get involved in your child's learning and is a great way to wind down at the end of the day. Why not include other story books as well!

It is IMPORTANT that the folder is returned to school on a regular basis as they form part of a set, replacing missing books is an expensive process for the school. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms Angel.

GUM FLAT GIRLS GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

A group of Year Five and Six girls from Gum Flat School have been involved in a major "Girl Power" project during Terms Three and Four of this year. The project is an initiative of the ‘Country Areas Program' which provides opportunities to children from small and isolated schools.

The seven girls and their teachers Sally Kelso and Heather Angel were given free rein but decided they wanted to do something which involved giving back to their local community. After some consideration it was decided to support the local Inverell Breast Cancer Support Group. The girls recognised that mothers are absolutely pivotal in the well being of families just like their own.

The group set to with the aim of creating a 2012 ‘Gum Flat Kids' calendar but the project soon grew into a full blown photography exhibition featuring a series of photographs of each Gum Flat student. New England Mutual ,led by Debbie Shepherd leapt to the fore becoming a major sponsor for the project along with the Gum Flat P and C and a generous group of parents from the Gum Flat community.

Business groups also became involved donating goods and services to be auctioned by parent Ben Lehman at the Gala Opening Night at Gum Flat Hall. The night was an outstanding success and the girls were amazed at the generosity and support they were offered not only by the Gum Flat Community but also by the wider Inverell community. The girls have learned so much about living in a supportive community and are proud to be part of a community that donates so generously and so often to local causes. As the figures add up it looks like the proceeds will be more than $2000. ( Final Figure $3700) Thank you Gum Flat and Inverell communities- you do yourselves proud once more in your support of good causes.

Along the way the girls have met with a number of inspiring women, including business women, media personalities, indigenous role models and women who have triumphed over cancer. Consequently the girls have learned much about their own potential, the value of communication, organisation, confidence and co-operation. Along with these life skills the girls have gained an insight into the art of photography and also into their own creative abilities.

After the success of the Opening Night at Gum Flat the Breast Cancer Support Group have organised a second exhibition at the Inverell Art Gallery on the 24^thNovember. The girls extend an invitation to all members of the general public who might wish to view a handpicked selection of the photographs and/ or purchase a calendar in order to support this vital cause.

GUM FLAT PUBLIC SCHOOL 2011- A year of growth

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:41 AEST

Throughout 2011 the staff and students have once again revelled in the diverse activities of this exceptional school with outstanding achievements across a wide field of endeavours. Some of these highlights have provided student outcomes far beyond the original program plan and that's what is most wonderful about the teaching profession and our school. Plan a task or program and then appreciate how the students take the ideas and mould them into a learning experience with far more than the original scope. At the current time GFPS is wrapping a truly excellent Country Area Program called " Girl Power Go , where our seven Stage 3 girls, under the stewardship and great care and teaching of Ms Angel and Ms Kelso, have produced a calendar of images of the students of the school. Read about it in the article. Many of the images in this supplement are the ones used to create the calendar. What is incredible is the support this team were given within our school community from many parents. As well, when they went to Inverell with the project, the wider community support allowed them to produce results above their wildest dreams.

Earlier in the year the same was experienced for our NSW u12 touch player Campbell Lindsay in his quest to attend Nationals finals. Inverell people supported no end with the cause. I attended one day of the finals to watch Cam and was also proud to also watch Inverell high's Bevan French play in the NSW u15s. Among players from every state they held their heads high- two of Inverell ‘s best, a testament to their parents, schools, coaches and local sport competitions. Well done both. We have just heard Campbell won the North west PSSA Blue for Primary Touch, the highest accolade across our region.

What was also amazing that at North West level Cam represented in Soccer, Athletics and Cross Country. Beside him in Soccer and Touch was Harrison Lehman-, for a small school to have two names in the program was outstanding. In girls soccer, again two reps in Sydney with Gosha Heldtz and Chelsea Lehman in the NW team. Our Athletics relay team also attended the State Championship, ran excellent times but suffered the ultimate frustration of a "downed baton" in the semi final. I have the most supportive heartfelt email from an observer who attest the team sportsmanship was inspirational in the face of this huge disappointment. In the PSSA Soccer knockout the hoodoo continued and our team had to be satisfied with elimination by Broadwater Public. In the discipline of cross country several runners achieved the North West Finals.

T the district sport level students ran all distances , jumped , threw, swam participated to make a small school proud.

Our Public Speakers were again a force to be reckoned with debating the many issues of multi cultural society. Their opinions were powerful and well spoken and a difficult task for the adjudicator. Annika, Keanu, Gosha and Kate attended the next round at Ross Hill with Kate winning moving through to Armidale for the finals where she again spoke extremely well. Several students participated in " Breakfast with the Poets" at the Sapphire City Festival.

With the recent completion of a "state of the art" library building as well as a grant to upgrade the playground surface our school faces the future confidently. "Local Schools Local Decisions"- a consultation process in action at the moment and due to be completed before February 2012 will see many new changes and challenges but as Gum Flat Public School has done in the past for over 128 years, we will shape a way forward that assures the best public school education for our students. Our vision is for their overall competency as quality citizens who are able to participate fully in their community, the wider national scene or worldwide depending on the pathway the choose. Something to celebrate- sure is.

News story

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

BOYS ON THE MOVE- a project which has connection across several schools and many lads, Country Area Program ( CAP) membership allows our school to be part of this project which will see 2 teams of boys research, design and build billycarts to compete at a gala day in Warialda during Term 3.

News story

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:29:42 AEST

DIGITAL ELDERS PROJECT- through out the second and third term senior students will build upon Term 1 Film Unit by participating as student teams led by grade 6 students in this exciting project which will capture the stories of some of our community elders using IT skills, new software and innovative hardware. work has recently begun.