George Bass School Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to begin by thanking all the students, staff and parents/carers at George Bass School who have been very supportive and welcoming in my new role. Upon visiting the school several weeks ago, I was able to visit each classroom and meet all the staff and students. I sensed very quickly that every student is being supported in their learning by very dedicated and skilled staff.

I had the pleasure of attending the Meet the Teacher evening on 19th February. Again I felt welcomed and supported by all the parents/carers who attended. Thank you to all those who attended and especially to the whole teaching staff who gave up their time to support your children and the school.

It’s been a busy and active term 1 with students adjusting to new classroom routines and all teaching staff have been busy assessing students in order to develop student learning goals in consultation with parents for the coming year. Over the coming weeks you will be invited to the school to discuss your child’s learning goals for the coming year. This is a great opportunity for yourself and your child’s teacher to collaborate and have an in-depth conversation about your child’s learning and I encourage you to attend.

In other news, there are two events on this term’s calendar in which parents and carers are invited to attend. On the 21st March we will be celebrating Harmony Day. You are invited to come and join the festivities where there will be an assembly, a shared morning tea and classroom visits.

During Harmony Day celebrations the launch of George Bass’ ‘Immersion Room’ will also occur. This ground breaking interactive room allows students to engage in cause and effect meaningful learning activities while exploring the sound and sights of a variety of environments from the city to the jungle.

Until next time.

Noel Gover

Principal (rel)

Last week’s class visit was to Bidjawong to join them for Senior groups.  It was great to see students in the senior classes working with different peers on a range of projects. The group I joined was doing some STEM work – STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The activities also encouraged communication, problem solving, critical thinking and team work; vital skills in a 21st century classroom.  Luke, Evren and Heba were working together to build a bridge from paddlepop sticks and other everyday materials, discussing their strategies and ideas to create the strongest structure. Sumayyah, Patrick and Umar were looking at the different shapes found in bridges and trying to recreate them using a model bridge. Such industrious and creative work from the senior students and very much a part of our school's strategic goal which focuses on differentiation. 

Louise Gomersall

Deputy Principal (rel)

The Variety Kids Choir is an inclusive vocal group for young people aged 12 to 18, who share a love of music, singing and performing. Kids with a talent for singing, who are living with disability, disadvantage or special needs are encouraged to apply.

The Variety Kids Choir will perform at Variety events, as well as at community events that Variety is involved with.

Applications along with an audition video can be submitted on the website up until Monday 1 April. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person audition in Sydney on Monday 15 April.

If you know any talented kids, and would like to help us spread the word, here are some links that can be shared - flyer, social media banner.

The students in Mogra class have settled into the classroom environment very well and are ready for an exciting year at George Bass School.  They have all engaged in role play activities and learnt about the characters in the literacy text for this term, which is The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.  Following this theme of under the sea, the inside alternate learning space has been transformed into “the mogra tank”, a sensory room filled with pictures and objects that represent different undersea creatures, which the students enjoy when they have free time throughout the day.  During Maths lessons, Mogra class have been working on identifying numbers up to 20, ordering the days of the week and engaging with interactive activities to explore the concept of Chance.  The students have had opportunities to harvest, taste and utilise the fruit and vegetables from the garden during cooking lessons, which has provided hands-on learning to understand where their food comes from. We look forward to seeing their progress throughout the rest of this term and are excited to develop their further learning.

Students - Adam, Imad, Jacob, Matthew, Siddie and Yasmine     

Rachael(Teacher), Justin (SLSO)

Karuk Class would like to welcome everyone to 2019!

This year Karuk class members are Honour, Jayden, Rafay, Aboudie and Andy. Our teachers are Louise and Paul. Karuk class have had a wonderful start to the year. It has been a busy start, but we have already settled into our routine and are working on some great class programs. We have started our swimming program on Thursday afternoons, which we all enjoy with Wirriga class. 

Louise & Paul

Kung Gung has had a busy start to 2019! Our class this year consists of six students: James, Chawkat, Jafaar, Kylie, Mariam and Beau, two teachers Cat (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and Randa (Thursday and Friday) and SLSO Helen.

In literacy, we have been focusing on the book ‘Flood’ by Jackie French and this has meshed well with our Science unit on Natural disasters. So far we have learned about avalanches, earthquakes and floods through sensory experiences and experiments. In PDHPE we have been learning about growth and change in living things such as insects and animals, and also in ourselves.

We’ve been having a great time learning about the difference between man-made and natural environments in Geography and have been exploring the art of dance in our CAPA unit.

Cat, Randa & Helen

The students of Jirrabity class; Shaimaa, Meriam, Sarina, Layelle, Luke, Heba and Katie, have settled back into the new school year well. We are working hard at establishing our work routines and are having lots of fun along the way.

Our accelerated literacy lessons have focused on the novel “Frog and Toad Are Friends”, with students expanding their vocabulary and grammar through various word activities and by recreating sentences to change the meaning.

Our mathematics lessons have seen students identifying, exploring and matching analogue and digital times through fun activities and games, using concrete materials and computer play. Additionally, students have been practising their skills with money, as they develop and refine their money handling skills for work experience in our new school Snack Shop!!! Yes, Jirrabity Class are excited to announce that we will soon be opening a ‘Snack Shop” and will be selling healthy snacks to all the classes on Tuesdays. More information to come soon.

Till next time.

Michelle & Shae

2019 has been a wonderful start in Bangu Class. We are a class of 5 students, Asmaa, Summayah, Haoi, Evren and Yaseer and with our teachers, Tara, Pamela and Sarah Thompson we have already made some great friendships. We have been a busy bunch completing senior programs in the classroom and around the school that promote independent lifeskills and responsibility. These include recycling programs, money handling, putting up and taking down the national flags and food preparation and handling skills. Each student also has a class job each week to keep our classroom clean which they all value and get involved with. We have been having a good laugh reading the text ‘The Bugalugs Bum Thief’ for accelerated literacy and enjoy getting outside to kick the ball around or ride bikes.

We have exciting times ahead for Bangu Class 2019.

Tara, Pamela. H and Sarah. T

A warm welcome to Noel Gover acting as relieving Principal in Peter’s absence we wish you the best of luck and all the success for the time you are at George Bass.

Welcoming newly elected executive committee;

President - Jordan

Co-vice presidents - Sonia and Sandra

Secretary - Tina

Treasurer - John

We have sent out an expression of interest for the Cadbury chocolate fundraiser, could all notes please be given back by the 14th of March. Thank you to all the parents that have completed the form.

We are also wanting to send another expression of interest to parents and carers for a support group, these notes will be sent out shortly.

Next P&C meeting is Week 8, 22nd of March at 9:30 it would be great to see everyone there. All parents and carers are welcome.

Kind Regards

George Bass P&C committee