In our classrooms

🌟 Build Belonging Through Volunteering at the Fun Fair 🌟

Our School Fun Fair is just around the corner; a day we hope is filled with joy, laughter, and community spirit. But what truly adds to how special it is- is you. When you volunteer, donate, or help in any way, you bring our school’s vision to life: “Growth through belonging; a community where every child thrives.”

By getting involved, you can show your child what community looks like in action. You show them that when we all contribute, everyone benefits. Whether you can give two hours on the day or help organise behind the scenes logistics like sewing bunting, your time and energy make a real difference. Thank you to the overwhelming support so far! We can't wait to make this a day to remember.

Volunteering also helps us achieve one of our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan goals: improving communication and connection with families. When you’re involved, you naturally feel more informed and connected to what’s happening around the school and that sense of partnership helps every child thrive.

📚 Why Parent Partnership Matters (Research-Backed)

Here are some key findings from educational research that underscore why your participation and connection matter so much:

• Studies show that when parents are actively involved with their children’s schooling, be it through school events, home-school communications, or supporting learning at home, students tend to achieve higher academic outcomes, experience better engagement, and show improved social-emotional skills.

• In the Australian context, schools that build effective, collaborative partnerships with parents see stronger learner outcomes and wellbeing. Simple but genuine communication and parent-school collaboration make a difference.

• Importantly: parent involvement is not just about attending events—it’s about ongoing communication, partnership, and a shared purpose around children’s learning and belonging.

In other words: by volunteering and staying connected, you’re not just helping the school run a fun event, you're actively reinforcing a culture of belonging, partnership and thriving.

We know that sometimes it can be easy to miss key messages, and we occasionally hear questions like “How do I pay for xyz?” or “When is the event?” To help you stay in the loop, remember there are three main ways you can stay connected:

1. The School Newsfeed – for the latest updates and announcements.

2. This Newsletter – for key details and reminders.

3. Your Class Rep Messages – for quick, friendly updates.

Please be sure to check these regularly.

How are we hoping to continually improve with our parent communication? You may have noticed two changes this year. First, when an event goes up on Compass, it will tell you how many volunteers are needed within the app. We also have included those details in our fortnightly newsletter (scroll to the bottom to see). Next year we will also share a paper calendar that you can put on your refrigerator- it will include the dates that are included in our fortnightly newsletter.

Thank you for the time, effort, and care you put into supporting our school. Your involvement doesn’t just make events like the Fun Fair possible, it helps create a community where every child truly belongs and thrives.

And, speaking of Fun Fair, we currently need your help. Please sign up for running a stall here and please try to book back-to-back sessions. Without your help, we won't be able to have a Fun Fair. Register here: https://signup.com/go/aCgpAfu

When you sign up, please make sure you have your correct paperwork completed to volunteer. See this link for how to do that paperwork.

In Prep

As part of our How Does Our Garden Grow? topic, the Prep students explored the Royal Botanic Gardens. We went on a tour to learn about different plants, planted our own seeds and made scented bags to take home. A big thank you to our parent helpers for joining us and making the day so much fun!

In grade one

Learning About the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1W!

Recently, 1W had some very special visitors! Teddy and his mum, Stella, came in to teach us all about the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. We learnt that it is a special celebration where families come together to share food, admire the full moon, and enjoy delicious moon cakes.

The students were so excited to learn how to make their very own moon cakes, and the best part was getting to eat them afterwards! They were absolutely delicious. A big thank you to Teddy and Stella for sharing this wonderful tradition with us. We loved learning about a celebration from another culture and tasting something new!

On Friday the 24th of October, the Grade Ones took part in Games Night! They joined in a range of fun activities run by Proactivity and enjoyed playing team games, rolling about in the zorb chamber and racing through the ninja warrior course. The children also had dinner at school and loved the delicious barbecue cooked by our wonderful parent volunteers. It was a fantastic evening and a great time was had by all!

In grade two

This term, our Grade 2 students have been focusing on our school values of gratitude, empathy, resilience, respect, and honesty. We have been exploring what each of these values looks like in action and discussing how we can show them in our everyday lives—both in the classroom and beyond.

Alongside our values work, Grade 2 has continued to engage with The Resilience Project, learning to identify and understand different emotions. We’ve talked about how all emotions are valid—there are no “bad” emotions—though some may feel more pleasant than others. Students have been discovering positive strategies to help shift their emotions and improve their mood when needed. One class favourite has been dancing to upbeat music, which never fails to bring smiles and laughter to our rooms!

In grade three

Year Three students have been exploring decimal fractions in a fun and practical way! They learned about the terms tenths and hundredths and applied this knowledge by recording their sprint times with accuracy. This hands-on activity helped students see how decimals are used in real-life situations, making maths both meaningful and exciting.

In grade four

Last week, our students left the ACT—virtually—and travelled to New South Wales as part of our Holiday Here This Year topic unit. They explored iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and researched popular travel destinations across the state. Students then showcased their learning by creating vibrant posters highlighting NSW’s top holiday hotspots. It was a fun and creative way to celebrate local travel and discover the beauty of our own backyard!

In Grade 5/6

Grade 5/6 have been working on expositions in writing. We have been pushing ourselves with editing independently as well as in pairs. This work is supporting teachers on their professional learning on editing as they investigate during PLC ways to improve rigour in the process.

In Spanish Class

Students in Years 5 and 6 are currently reading a class book written especially for them, about twin sisters who move from Chile to Australia and navigate the challenges of settling into a new country and culture. Over the past two weeks, students have been summarising the first three chapters through sketchnoting, combining keywords and drawings to create vibrant posters that capture the main events and ideas of the story.

In STEM

Students are enjoying their Term 4 STEM projects. The grade 5/6 students are designing a structure to hold an egg that is dropped from a height. The forces of parachutes and rotors to slow the decent speed is the basis of their design. Children in grades 2 – 4 are designing solar ovens out of cardboard boxes. They have been investigating different forms of heat transfer and insulation techniques. The Preps and Grade 1’s are investigating forces and motion. They are making machines that move by air and wind such as straw and balloon rockets and paper rotor helicopters.

In our Art Room

Year 3 students have been looking at the traditional practice of weaving. We have studied the different methods and techniques used across a variety of cultures, including the modern weaving of fabric today. Students made a traditional weave using 2 sticks and referenced a work called “God’s Eye installation” 2017 by Akay Koo’ola Women’s Arts Centre Artists, shown at the NGV. These works are on display currently in the main building. Well done, year 3!

In our staffroom

Each high school is currently reaching out to their 2026 Year 7 students to support a smooth and positive transition to secondary school. Research shows that the move from Year 6 to Year 7 is a significant milestone in a student’s educational journey, so opportunities like these are a valuable way for our students to feel informed and prepared. This week, I observed a transition teacher from Siena College meeting with two of our Grade 6 students, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and curiosity about what lies ahead. The students asked thoughtful questions such as whether there is sport on the weekend, how assemblies work, if there’s an Excel program, and what the expectations are around wearing the school uniform. Of course, one of the highlights of the conversation was when they asked about the canteen—the transition teacher proudly shared that the hot chips are the best! It was a great opportunity for our students to start picturing themselves in their new environment and feel confident and excited about the next chapter of their learning journey. - Debbie McDermott

Keeping Talk Positive as We Approach the End of the Year- A Lesson in Resilience

As we move toward the end of the school year, many children begin to wonder about what’s next : Who will my teacher be? Will my friends be in my class? What will change? It’s completely natural for students to feel a mix of excitement and worry at this time. How we talk about these changes can make a real difference in how children feel about them.

Children take their emotional cues from the adults around them. When we talk calmly and positively about what’s ahead, it helps them feel secure and hopeful too. Instead of guessing or promising what next year will look like, focus on what they can control such as showing kindness, trying their best, and keeping an open mind. Research tells us that when adults use positive, confident language, children’s anxiety decreases and their resilience grows.

A simple activity that can help reduce uncertainty is “What will change, and what will stay the same?” Together, make two lists: in one column, note things that will be different next year (a new classroom, a new teacher), and in the other, list what will stay steady (friends at school, family at home, playtime, and familiar routines). This reminds children that even though some things will shift, much of what matters to them remains the same — a powerful way to build a sense of safety and predictability. We do this with our students during our Transition Up program that starts in December.

You can also take time to celebrate the year that’s been. Ask questions like, “What’s something you’ve learned that you’re proud of?” or “What was tricky at first but got easier?” Reflecting on progress helps children see how much they’ve grown, an idea supported by research on growth mindset, which links focusing on effort and learning to greater motivation and confidence.

Finally, reassure your child that their teachers are already thinking carefully about next year’s class groups, and that there will be plenty of support to help everyone settle in. Keeping normal routines and staying connected with friends and family can also provide a strong sense of stability.

Transitions are a normal and important part of school life. By keeping our talk positive, focusing on strengths, and helping children recognise both change and continuity, we can support them to finish the year feeling calm, capable, and ready for what’s next. - Shaye Bradbury, Leading Teacher Wellbeing and Inclusion

In our community

Fun Fair Announcements

Please read the following Fun Fair Announcements to be up to date as we countdown to the 22nd!

🎪 FUN FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 🎪

The countdown is on to our Fun Fair on Saturday, 22 November, and we need your help to make the magic happen! 🌟

We’re looking for parent volunteers to help supervise our many exciting stalls. Each stall is easy to run — with simple directions provided — and every helping hand makes a huge difference. 🙌 All that is required is a valid volunteer working with children card and evidence that you have completed our induction found here.

Volunteer spots are in 1-hour shifts, but if you can stay for back-to-back sessions, even better! You’ll find all the stalls, time slots, and descriptions at the link here https://signup.com/go/aCgpAfu — just scroll down to see where you can jump in. We know that some families have sport on that day. You can edit your entry once you know the time of your game closer to the event. That is all done at the link above.

We also need a few helpers for set up on Friday, so if you’re free earlier in the day, we’d love your support. Sign up in the same place here: https://signup.com/go/aCgpAfu

Your School Council recently held our seventh meeting of the year.

• We endorsed the school Strategic Plan for 2024-2029. This was heavily informed by the standard comprehensive School Review process, which considered student, family and staff opinions through surveys and focus groups, as well as learning data, observations and planning documents. The school leadership team will communicate more about the Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan in the weeks to come. The goals align with our school's vision of "Growth through belonging; a community where every child thrives".

• We reviewed the finances and carefully considered the parent payments for next year. The school leaders and the Finance committee have diligently calculated what's needed in fees from families, to fund the quality learning environment for your kids. Remember that government funding covers the minimum for core teaching and learning but doesn't cover curriculum consumables like paper and pencils, iPads and computers, nor books nor playground enhancements.

• We spoke about recent vandalism incidents on the school grounds and how we might protect against this.

• School leaders confirmed they won't proceed with the proposed BYO Device change, in light of the Department of Education's recent announcement about limiting screen time. The school will provide access to shared devices.

• We've signed a renewed contract with TeamKids.

• We reviewed plans for upcoming fundraisers including for Christmas and the Fun Fair. Hope to see you at the fair on 22 November, to celebrate GIPS’ 160th year and have some fun!

• We're engaging some new providers including chess and karate for before and after school activities, to expand options for your kids. Please look out for trial sessions this term and let us know what you think, so we can confirm a suite of activities for 2026.

Please consider if you'd like to be part of School Council next year. Maddie will call for nominations early in Term 1. It's a modest time commitment and a great opportunity to learn more about and contribute to your children's education. Chat with any current members or the school office to learn more.

Deadline extended to 10 November!

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