Dear parents and carers,

I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable holiday period and are looking forward to the term ahead.

Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our students, staff and community safe while COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. With winter approaching, we will also see an increase in respiratory illnesses and by working together, we will keep our school community healthy this term.

Our COVID-smart measures continue to be in place to help reduce the risk of transmission for students and staff members and are vital in allowing us to keep our schools operational while prioritising student and staff wellbeing. These measures include:

• Staying home if unwell and test for COVID-19 if showing any symptoms

• Boosted day cleaning of high-touch areas in our schools

• Strongly encouraging masks to be worn by all students, staff and visitors, particularly when indoors or outdoors when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, and if exposed to COVID-19

• Strongly encouraging up-to-date vaccinations for our staff and students, including COVID-19 booster shots for anyone eligible

• Maintaining natural ventilation with windows and doors open whenever possible, including when cooling/heating systems are in use

• Continuing to provide RATs and other hygiene products to schools free of charge.

Please continue to notify our school if your child tests positive to COVID-19 as we will continue to regularly notify the school community of any known positive cases, to prioritise student and staff safety and wellbeing. Although no longer mandatory, NSW Health recommends you register your result with Service NSWExternal link; this helps you to access medical support and advice from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines, if eligible.

For further information about the COVID-smart measures in place this term, refer to Advice for families.

Non-COVID-19 vaccinations reminder from NSW Health

Due to previous COVID-19 restrictions, NSW Health have noted that some children and young people have missed out on the non-COVID school-based vaccination programs that they would have otherwise taken part in. The department would like to remind parents and carers to make sure that all of their child’s vaccinations are up-to-date, including other non-COVID vaccinations. If you are unsure about whether your child has missed any vaccinations, speak to your GP or go to NSW Health’s Immunisation requirements in primary and secondary schoolsExternal link.

Parents and carers who have children with persistent or ongoing symptoms of COVID-19External link are encouraged to have these assessed by their local health care professional. These symptoms may be related to other illnesses that require treatment and management by a doctor.

For more information on vaccinations refer to Vaccination requirements for school sites or the Australian Governments COVID-19 vaccinesExternal link.

If you require more RAT tests please collect from the school office.

Kind regards

GOULBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break. The students and staff at GPS have returned from the holidays energised and ready for learning!

On Monday 24 April, GPS teachers and SLSOs attended professional learning with other Goulburn and Queanbeyan network schools with a focus on Aboriginal Education. The day was spent improving our understanding of the ‘8 ways of learning’ and embedding Aboriginal culture into everyday teaching and learning practice.

Thank you to Joseph, Audrey and Harley who represented GPS at the Goulburn ANZAC Day March. You did a wonderful job paying tribute to the service men and women who have given their lives to keep Australia safe. Thank you to Mr White for attending on my behalf as I was unwell last week. We are hopeful that greater numbers of students will be invited to march next year.

I would like to wish all the mums and special people in our lives a lovely Mother’s Day next weekend and acknowledge the wonderful things you do. Thank you to the P&C for organising a High Tea on Friday 12 May- I look forward to seeing our families share their picnic together next week.

We have seen some really positive behaviour choices from all students in our first two weeks back at school- keep up the fantastic work!

 Kim Smith

 Principal

In 2023, the NSW Department of Education has a major focus on student attendance at school. The ‘Every Day Counts’ campaign focuses on the importance of student attendance at school and how attendance supports academic, social, health and wellbeing outcomes of students.

At Goulburn Public School we want to work with our families to ensure all our students are known, valued and cared for and strive to be the best version of themselves. In 2023, our attendance team are monitoring student attendance and devising ways to encourage and support our students to attend school.

Staff will contact you if your child is absent via phone or letter. If your child is absent from school, please notify the school and provide a reason for their absence. If you have any questions or require support, please contact the school.

Mrs Samantha Smith 

Attendance Team Coordinator

                                                                              LIBRARY DAYS

Uniform orders can be made by contacting the P&C directly through their Facebook page at Goulburn Public School P&C Association. Alternatively, students can take a completed form together with cash (or the receipt number from direct transfer payment) to the office and the order will be sent home with students.

Please keep tags and the original packaging on all items that may need to be exchanged for a different size.

For all fitting enquiries or general uniform information contact the P&C on 0401 723 488. 

The next P&C Meeting meeting will be held on Thursday 4 May at 3.15pm in the School Library. All Welcome!!