Gembrook Primary School
50 Main Rd GEMBROOK 3783 Ph: 03 5968 1313 Fax: 03 5968 1548
email: gembrook.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.gembrookps.vic.edu.au
A view to the future
Gembrook Primary School is a welcoming and
respectful community that provides modern, flexible
learning spaces that support a personalised, engaging and
Matilda
(Foundation) having
fun at the PFA
Disco last Friday.
challenging learning program so that students will achieve
the social, emotional, academic and physical growth to
succeed in a global society.
28 May 2014
Diary Dates
28-30 May
Grade 3/4 Camp @ Coolamatong
29-30 May
Grade 2 camp at Gilwell Park
2-6 June
Education Science Week
4 June
Science Works whole school excursion
5 June
EDEC Lightning Prem (SLC)
9 June
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
12 June
Coach Approach (whole school)
17 June
Produce Market
27 June
Last day of term 2-early pickup at 2.30pm
14 July
Curriculum Day
15 July
Term 3 begins
Thank you very much!
To our wonderful PFA team and volunteers who assisted at the Disco on Friday night.
Many thanks also to the volunteers who turned up
in the cold & wet conditions on Sunday morning to
run the
Gembrook Market BBQ! Thank you Kee and Bourne
families for your organization of the market BBQs!
You are all fantastic
and your contributions on behalf of the
school are greatly appreciated!
Notes that have gone home:






Request for classroom helpers (whole school)
Great Community Car Raffle
Scienceworks excursion (whole school)
Lightning Prem (SLC)
Coach Approach (Whole school)
Book Club-issue 4 (whole school
All notices are available on the school website:
www.gembrookps.vic.edu.au
The Jellybeans music program will be celebrated
as part of the schools Education Week activities.
Scheduled times for each class are in the Education Week Program in the newsletter.
There will be no evening performance as originally
advertised.
GPS Fete
School Council are setting up
a committee to organize the
school fete which will be
held on 15 November (TBC)
Any parent / carer interested in being on the
committee please contact the school office
as soon as possible.
A VIEW TO THE FUTURE
Kym’s Comment
Dear families & friends
is based on a four year plan for the school – a strategic plan.
( 2012-2015)
The following is the mission statement for Gembrook Primary
School and you will find it on many of the school documents,
more importantly it is what we- the teachers and parents are
working together to do.
A view to the future
Gembrook Primary School is a welcoming and respectful community that provides modern, flexible learning spaces that
support a personalised, engaging and challenging learning
program so that students will achieve the social, emotional,
academic and physical growth to succeed in a global society.
Each year the teaching team develop a plan for improving student learning. This is called the Annual Implementation Plan. It
The goals in this year’s Annual Implementation Plan are:

Improve individual student learning outcomes in
science, literacy and numeracy

Improve student engagement in their learning

Improve student wellbeing
As you can see by the photos below we are well on track with
these goals. The teaching and learning program provided to
the students at Gembrook is diverse, challenging and exciting!
The teachers are continually reviewing, evaluating and exploring ways to improve in order to continue to provide a rich high
quality learning curriculum.
Linking with the community
Real life learning experiences.
Engaging learning opportunities
A great learning environment in the learning centres
and in the school grounds
Circle time to promote resilience and social skills
Explicit numeracy teaching
Safe risk taking opportunities with
learning
A VIEW TO THE FUTURE
Kym’s Comment cont…….
Partner activities that promote team work
and interpersonal skills
Teachers learning from each other
Focus on writing and spelling

Catering for individual learning needs


Promoting well
being through
a broad physical education
program
Focus on science teaching and learning
Improving students
wellbeing through
leadership


Reading awards, recognition and promotion
Public speaking opportunities at the weekly
assembly
A VIEW TO THE FUTURE
Kym’s Comment cont…….
Student Leadership for all ages
Hollie and Liam
School Captains
House Captains
EcoWarriors
Student Representative Council
WE-parents, teachers, students and all staff
members are very proud of our wonderful
school.
Have a great week!
Kym
Principal
Dear students and parents at Gembrook Primary
As many of you know, I sustained a rather
dramatic accident late last year, which took me to hospital, added some titanium to my arm, and is very slow to recover due to
the nerve damage caused by the break to my right arm. (And
you guessed it, I am right handed!) Because of this very slow
recovery and the fact I am getting a little "long in the tooth", I
am reluctantly retiring after a very long and happy association
with Gembrook.
I would like to take this opportunity to say publicly, what a fantastic 21 plus years it has been!
It has been a delight to teach so many fabulous children, meet and get to know some warm,
involved and supportive parents and have many dealings with the wider community.
Working both as a classroom teacher and in several specialist positions, I have had contact
with all the children that have come through in that time, so my knowledge base is wide, (but
the memory is not always great) often getting the right family but wrong siblings name!
I have really loved my time at Gembrook, especially the community feel, which I believe is
what makes our school so special and which needs to be nurtured. I have loved going to the
odd netball and football game, dance concerts and musical productions, sports days and fetes
as well as teaching and hopefully having some positive impact on many students.
I have been delighted to see former students enrol their own children at school and see how
well they do. (That's a sure sign you have been here a while!) I have met some great characters, worked with some terrific staff who, I am proud to say, are still my friends, and wish to
thank everyone for making my time here so special.
Thank you all and every success for the future.
Warmest regards,
Lynne Huberts
Introducing our school councillors:
Jodie Cunliffe
Council President
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Tell us a little about yourself…
I have been married to Scott for 21 years and we have two children, Amy (MLC) and Jessica (JLC). We have
lived in Gembrook for 5 years apart from a holiday to North America for nearly 8 months in 2012. I’m the
Procurement Manager at Sensis which was recently sold by Telstra so I’m setting up the Procurement function and team. My hobbies include reading and the outdoors. I love to travel and experience new things.
What is your association with Gembrook Primary School?
This is our fourth year at Gembrook Primary School. I was on School Council prior to going overseas and I’ve
also enjoyed helping out in the classroom. Even though I work full time, I try to attend as many school events
as I can.
Why did you decide to become a school councillor?
I decided to be a school councillor because I wanted to have input into the school policies and other topics
that are addressed by School Council. By being part of School Council, I have a say in my children’s school and
keep up to date with what’s happening.
Why are you proud of Gembrook Primary School?
One of the things I am proud of is the Community spirit at Gembrook Primary School. Being a small school,
there are many events families can attend so there is a good social environment for all. Most of the kids
know one another so they build friendships across all other grades. The kids have been having a fantastic
time with the Science Program and I’m proud of Gembrook being nominated to take part.
Star of the Week
You are making a great effort in independent reading. Keep up the great
Sebastien work!
You have made sensational progress in reading including the great comBella
prehension you show during discussions. What a star!
For your great work with your planet investigation and presentation. Well
Dannie
done!
Great team work Mitch. You are able to keep on track and get the job
Mitch
done. Thank you
William
(5/6A)
Harry
Charlotte
For his great attitude towards learning Japanese and outstanding work
ethic.
Thank you for drawing such a wonderful symbol for wind on your class
Weather Watch calendar, Harry. You are an observant scientist!
For your great teamwork and organisation with your Shadow Stick planner. Well done!
12B
Mrs Bigwood
12B
56FE
Mrs Bigwood
Mrs Everett and Mr
Fraser
56A
Mrs A
LOTE
Meg Sensei
Science Mrs Everett
Science Mr Fraser
Junior Rockers
Change to Timetable
for the Next Two Weeks
NO lessons will be held on Wednesday 4 June due
to the whole school Scienceworks excursion.
Double lessons will occur TUESDAY 3 June.
These lessons will be open to parents to observe
as part of the school Education Week
celebrations.
Don’t forget instruments for makeup lessons on
Tuesday 3 June.
May
31
Holly O
June
4
Leah J
Head Lice
Incidences of head lice have been reported in all the learning centres. Please be vigilant and persistent in treating your child’s hair. Combing with a nit comb is the only way to remove the eggs-it is time
consuming but MUST be done. Combing and reapplication of your chosen solution (up to 3 or 4 times)
are essential parts of treatment.
Michelle White from Belvedere Hairdressing, Main Rd, Gembrook, offers treatment for head lice.
Ph: 59681090 or 0409384452
Forms for all activities are available
at the school office or on the school
website: www.gembrookps.vic.edu.au
Casual bookings
available
What’s been happening in Science
this week?
This week the MLC completed their ‘Shadow
Stick Investigation Planner’ in groups. After
they have measured the different shadows
cast by the Sun, they will record the results
and write up a summary of the results.
The SLC have discussed the scientific theories
of
Galileo,
and
used
scientific
knowledge and evidence to update their 3D
models of how the Sun, Earth and Moon
work together.
Group School Photos
Students who took part in group photographs
have been distributed an order form for these
specific photos. This applies to students who are
a part of the SRC, Ecowarriors, House Captains or
School Captains.
These group photos are on display in the School
Office—if you would like to see them prior to purchasing.
The Group Order forms are due back by the
2 June.
Lost / Found
A very special bunny soft toy has been
found at school. If it is yours or you know
who it may belong to, please contact the
school office.
The Great Community Car Raffle
Thank you for selling tickets on behalf of the
school community to help raise funds for our
school. Every dollar raised through tickets sales
comes to the school.
The ticket stubs all have to be accounted for
and so it is important that all booklets are returned even if they are unsold.
Tickets can be sold until the 31st of July
Please return the tickets and money by August
6th
If you are able to sell more than one book of
tickets there are more available at the office.
Community Page
Leawood Eucalypt
Honey
For sale from school office
School Council Fundraiser
Delicious honey
$10 Per 1kg tub