Families and our Gib Gate community

Gib Gate welcomed grandparents and special friends to campus on Friday 13 May. Guests joined the whole school in the Hall for a Welcome Assembly before visiting classrooms and sharing in the students’ learning, culminating in morning tea.

Together, we enjoyed constructing in Preschool; sharing stories from their past in History in Kindergarten, Year 2, Year 4 and Year 5; reading in Year 1; Mathematics in Year 3 and designing a modified Australian flag in Year 6.

Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day is an occasion for celebrating, marking and reflecting on these significant relationships and recognising grandparents’ roles in families and our Gib Gate community. Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day is an opportunity for us to thank grandparents for being the caring, loving people they are and putting in all their hard work.

Mrs Anne Graham, Head of Gib Gate (Acting)

Activities and Enrichment

Sport
All Kindergarten to Year 6 students have been enjoying participating in Tennis clinics in PE lessons this term. These specialist lessons, delivered by Frensham Schools’ Tennis coaches, have been well received with reports that students’ skills are developing well. Participation in Gymnastics, Soccer, Hockey and Tennis this term is at a very high level and students and their coaches are hoping for some dry weather so we can train and play more regularly.

Excursion – Year 1 & 2 to Science Space
Students travelled to Wollongong last Wednesday to the Innovation Campus of the University of Wollongong. They participated in the Solar System Expedition planetarium and Bubbleology shows before exploring the hands-on exhibits in the Science Space. Teachers and parent volunteers commented on the student’s enthusiastic engagement and good manners. We are proud that our younger members of Gib Gate represented us so well in the community.

KidsLit
Darcey Burrows, Mae Gilkeson, Matilda Spong and Annabelle Whyte-Cleaver represented Gib Gate at the KidsLit Quiz on Monday in which they work in a team to answer wide-ranging literary questions.

Mr Gregory Hannah, Administration Co-ordinator (Acting)

Preschool

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn. – Benjamin Franklin

We believe that the children's voices are the perfect catalyst for our educational programme and we asked the Preschool children what they would like to have set up in the Preschool room for Term 2. An extensive list of suggestions was brainstormed including building a rocket, having a vet surgery, a robot building shop, a pizza restaurant, a play dough station, easels, and a castle.  Listening to the children and taking action makes them feel respected and affirms the value of their ideas. 

The pizza shop has been very popular recently! The children have been fully immersed in their play, taking orders over the phone for a variety of pizzas and drinks. They expressed their creativity and imaginations as they role played chefs, waiters/waitresses and customers. At the children’s suggestions we added signs and menus. What could be more perfect than having the children ask to have print in their play? 

A wonderful extension of this area of interest was to have the opportunity to make our own pizzas in Preschool. We were excited that Edward's parents came to make pizza dough with us in preparation for the next day’s pizza-making activity and it resulted in some delicious pizzas.

The times when families come into Preschool connect the space between school and home in a rather special way. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to see the skills others have and how as a community we are willing to share and support the programme at school.

Mrs Tinna Loker, Preschool Co-ordinator