Throughout the past few weeks Gib Gate students have been involved in a range of activities and events that have developed their sense of ‘Service’ and ‘Belonging’.

Many children in Years 4 to 6 shared their musical talent with teachers and parents at the Soirée. Students performed on piano, flute, drums, saxophone, voice, clarinet, guitar, viola and cello. The high standard of the performances was a testament to the hard work put in throughout the year by students, parents and music tutors.

The children will be sending their Christmas wishes to the children at School for Life in Uganda, and especially to Gib Gate’s sponsor child, Julius. We are also assisting Anglicare, by collecting gifts to enable this charitable organisation to make a difference to the enjoyment of Christmas of many families in our local community.

Throughout the past weeks Year 6 students have been making all the necessary preparations to celebrate their primary school years by rehearsing the variety of presentations they are responsible for at the Year 6 Dinner, held this Friday evening. We look forward to welcoming their parents to this formal occasion to celebrate with them and their teachers. As part of the Year 6 ‘handover’ of responsibility for leadership of Gib Gate in 2023, Years 5 and 6 students and their teachers will enjoy a social occasion in a less formal atmosphere at the Year 5 and Year 6 Social which involves music, dancing, games and dinner together.

Our first Christmas Concert for 2022 will be held in Preschool on Tuesday 6 December, and then all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will perform in the annual Christmas Concert in Clubbe Hall that evening. The concert will include some community carols accompanied by the Gib Gate Orchestra and culminate with the moving recessional of Year 6 with their Kindergarten Buddies. In addition, Year 6 students are planning their last day of school. On this day Year 6 spend time with their Kindergarten Buddies and organise all the learning activities that celebrate their time together at school.

There will be many opportunities to reflect and express gratitude as the school year finishes. 

I would like to send a personal message of thanks for all the support families have given me during my time of service in leading the school as Acting Head. It is a privilege to belonging to such a wonderful community.

Mrs Anne Graham, Head of Gib Gate (Acting)

Enrichment

One of the many special events to take place recently was the Gib Gate Art Exhibition. On the evening of Tuesday 22 November, parents, students and teachers enjoyed viewing student artworks displayed throughout the campus in the form of an art trail. All students from Preschool to Year 6 were represented. While most works were displayed indoors, including the Hall, Art Studio, Preschool and the Jamieson Corridor, others were displayed outdoors. In fact, guests arriving through the main entrance would have walked underneath Belle Munro’s magnificent flower, which swayed in the breeze on an enormous orange stem. The art trail started and finished in the courtyard, which was alive with the pizzaz of colourful artworks, the joyful sounds of students busking with musical instruments and the tempting aromas of warm pastries and other delicious snacks.

The exhibition was officially opened by Slavica Zivkovic, Gallery Manager from Sturt Gallery and Studios. In her address, Slavica commented on the wonderful opportunity in this exhibition to observe the progression of skills and interests of students as they move from Preschool, through to Year 6 and that “creativity that starts at an early age can blossom into something wonderful, with support and encouragement.” We agree, wholeheartedly! Slavica went on to quote Pablo Picasso, commenting that “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist as you become an adult,” acknowledging that holding onto the creativity and freedom of expression that we enjoy as children becomes harder as we get older. However, as adults, we understand that the ability to think and operate creatively is a valuable commodity worth fostering. It is important that we continue to celebrate and immerse ourselves in the arts.

We thank and congratulate Gib Gate Art Teacher, Ms Jacqui Bolt, for planning a wonderful art exhibition. We also thank Gib Gate Staff and dedicated FOGG volunteers who contributed many hours to this successful event.

Mr Gregory Hannah, Administration Co-ordinator (Acting)

Preschool

Art encourages children to think, developing skills and confidence as they go, Mary Ann Kohl

Preschool visited Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery in Bowral to see a new exhibition Kungka Kunpu (Strong Women). The exhibition showcases major contemporary works by celebrated women artists from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands – cultural custodians of an oral tradition that epitomises the art of storytelling. Working individually and collaboratively, these women leaders share an irrepressible desire to create ground-breaking works, deeply embedded with cultural knowledge and rich in ceremonial song and performance. Presented as part of AGSA’s acclaimed Tarnanthi programme, this regional touring exhibition reflects the adaptive genius, energy and dynamism of Anangu culture and the inspiring tale of women supporting each other across generations.

We know that Aboriginal people tell stories though their work therefore we examined the work in detail reflecting on the stories being told through the sculptures and paintings. With our eager detective eyes we noted several symbols such as the meeting hole symbol and the kangaroo paw print marks in the art work. 

We finished our visit with some art making experiences in the gallery before adding pen to paper to share our own stories.

Mrs Tinna Loker, Preschool Co-ordinator