Gatton State School

Student leaders induction 9am tomorrow (Friday 14th) in the hall.

All invited to attend

2020 Enrolments

As I have explained previously, the student enrolment count on Day 8 determines our staffing and much of our funding for the year. Due to the inconvenience the wet weather in North Qld and the corona virus has caused some families in Queensland, the final count is now taken on February 13.

Presently we have 470 students enrolled at GSS.  A warm welcome to our 81 new students and their families to our school. This includes 56 preps who are enjoying their first year of full time education. 

Some of us enjoy statistics.  For history of enrolments at GSS, 1993 is the earliest I can easily gain data.

One of the great features of our school is our international flavour.  109 (23%) of our students or their parents were born overseas and English is not their first language.  These include (let me know if I left any out):

Families are reminded that the drop off zone outside the school is for drop off only.  Adults who leave their car unattended or park there waiting for their child at 3pm face a traffic fine.  Police regularly patrol our school zone.

This term students in year 4-6 participate in Friday morning sport. Children are divided into teams from a variety of sports.  In Term 1 students can play Softball, Cricket, Basketball, T-Ball, Kanga, Newcombe and general games.

This term sport will be played in the mornings in order to avoid the sometimes extreme afternoon heat.  Games will be played from approximately 9:45 to 10:50am with travel time required in addition to this. 

Softball, T-Ball, Cricket, Newcombe and Kanga are graded so that they have an inter-school and intra-school component. A draw is created so that a number of the children can play against other schools including Withcott, OLGC, Peace and Lake Clarendon. 

Teams are sometimes required to travel during the term for games.  When teams play in town (eg. Cahill Park or Redbacks) the bus price is $4.00, when a team travels out of town (eg. Withcott, Lake Clarendon etc) the price is $6.50.  Note: Every effort is made to have teams play only two or three out of town days in the draw.

Teams that travel in term 1 are:

Softball A and B                     T-Ball A and B

Cricket A                                 Newcombe A and B (possibly)

Kanga A and B

Important note about messages to students

It can be difficult for office staff to contact children during sport. Only ask the office to contact your child in an emergency.  Please ensure you tell the office staff what sport and team your child is in. 

Some sports also have a weekly court hire cost.

Basketball:                    $1.00

*(Basketball is played at the Lockyer Valley Sports Centre.  Students walk to this venue) 

Overview of draw:

31st January                               Gatton Team Selections

7th February                               Gatton practise games

14th February                             Interschool games – Peace & OLGC

21st February                             Lockyer Zone Swimming Carnival

28th February                             Interschool games – Peach & OLGC

6th March                                   Interschool games – Withcott

13th March                                 Year 6 Camp – no sport

20th March                                 Interschool games – Withcott & Lk Clarendon

27th March                                 Lockyer Zone Softball, Cricket, Kanga Carnival

3rd April                                      Gatton SS Swimming Carnival

Students are instructed by their teacher and on parade each week about who is to travel, cost and venues of each sport.  Bus and venue money is to be given to the teacher in charge of the sport, on Friday morning before parade.

Parents are requested to ensure children bring correct money, their hat and a water bottle on all travel days.  Venue hire fees must also be paid weekly. 

AGM

The next P&C meeting will be the AGM and will be held on 18th February, 2020 at 6pm in the Staff room. All are welcome to attend. All positions will be open for nomination.

The Position Descriptions are as follows:

President

The duties of the President are:

·         To chair all General, Special and Executive meetings of the P&C.

·         To liaise with the school Principal and Staff.

·         To be spokesperson for the parents of the school, both within the school and in the general community.

·         To be ex official member of all sub committees.

Vice President

The duties of the Vice President are:

·         To carry out all duties of the President when he/she is absent from meetings.

·         To liaise with the President to ensure smooth running of the affairs of the P&C Association.  To oversee fundraising

Secretary

The duties of the Secretary are:

·         To carry out the official correspondence of the P&C Association.

·         To maintain communication with the President regarding any action required between meetings.

·         To count the number of people attending each General and Special meeting.

·         To take minutes of all Association, Special and General meeting as requested. 

Treasurer

The duties of the Treasurer are:

·         To present at each General Meeting a statement of accounts showing the total of outgoing and incoming expenditure during the past month together with the current balance.

Fundraising Coordinator

Assists the P&C Committee in coordinating fundraising activities at Gatton State School. Their duties include:

• maintaining and publicising the events calendar
• coordinating volunteers to assist deliver of activities
• providing leadership to event coordinators
• discussing fundraising options and opportunities at P&C general meetings
• presenting budgetary requirements for events requiring financial outlay for P&C committee approval
• providing the President with relevant information for the school newsletter, web site and annual report.

The Grants Coordinator has responsibility for providing support to, and building the capacity of the P&C in the area of applying for external grants, sponsorships and awards. Their responsibilities include:

• assisting the P&C to integrate grant applications into project development

·          assisting and supporting the P&C in development of grant proposals

How to Apply

To apply for any of these positions you may do one of the following things:

• Put in a written nomination.  This is a letter nominating you for a position, seconded by another person and accepted by you.  This letter should be addressed to the Principal and may be left at the school office.  The letter needs to be received no later than Friday 14th February 2020. 
• You may attend the Annual General Meeting and stand for a position in person.

• Anyone wishing to nominate somebody for a position can also do so by submitting a letter addressed to the Principal and may be left at the school office.  The letter needs to be received no later than Friday 14th February 2020. 
• In the event that there is more than one nomination for a position everyone in attendance at the meeting will be asked to write down their nomination which will be sighted and tallied by the Principal only.
• To hold a position on any of the P&C Committees or to vote or nominate anyone for a position you must be a financial member of the P&C.
• A financial member application can be filled out before the AGM begins.
• The P&C are a very hard working and dedicated group of people who strive to do their best for the staff and children of the Gatton State School.  Your input on the Executive committee would be greatly valued and I look forward to working with the Committee.