Welcome to the Richard Gill School Blog for the month of June. In this post, we share some of the exciting activities taking place at our school and reflect on Semester 1 as it draws to a close.
Picasso Cows Project
Our students are continuing to learn all about the dairy industry through the Picasso Cows project run by Dairy Australia. Picasso Cows is a free curriculum program designed to educate primary school children about the Australian dairy industry and the health and nutrition benefits of dairy foods as part of a balanced diet.
RGS Staff and students have enthusiastically participated in investigations into how dairy products get from farm to plate and the daily life of a dairy farmer.
Piccasso Cow Project, May 2024.
A big thank you to Amy Raphael from Glen Eden Holsteins for allowing us to visit their farm recently and learn all about the dairy processes and daily routines. This hands-on learning experience has been enriching and eye-opening for everyone involved.
Glen Eden Holsteins Dairy Farm Excursion, May 2024.
Another thank you to one of our parents, Amanda Hampton, for coming to school and sharing her experiences of being a dairy farmer. We are excited to begin painting our cow and sharing the finished product with our community. Our students are privileged to be able to access such valuable resources and experiences for their learning.
Sustainability Hub
On Tuesday 4th of June, our students travelled to the Muswellbrook Shire Council’s Sustainability Hub. While there, we were shown around the incredible community gardens by our guide Michael Brady, who helped to set up the entire experience. We toured the Animal Care Facility and Waste Management Processes to learn even more about the sustainable actions that our community can take. The visit was both educational and inspiring , leaving our students eager to apply these sustainable practices in their own lives and school community.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea/Teddy Bear’s Picnic
RGS and Little Kindy, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, 2024
Thank you to those who donated or contributed in any way to our Biggest Morning Tea on the 31st of May. Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is a community event that raises vital funds to make a difference for those impacted by cancer. It was wonderful to have families and our friends from the neighbouring preschool, Little Kindy, visit to support such an important cause. We also included a Teddy Bear’s picnic on the day which all children thoroughly enjoyed.
Stage 2 String Program Progress
It has been great to see and hear the progress our Stage 2 (Years 3/4) students are making during their individual string lessons and combined string ensemble sessions each week. The dedication and hard work of our students is truly commendable.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our talented teachers, whose expertise and commitment make this possible. Access to instrument lessons is just one of the many musical opportunities that we are excited to offer here at Richard Gill School. Our focus on music education not only enhances our students' artistic abilities but also fosters discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong love of learning.
Where There’s a Will Strengths Competition
We are thrilled to announce that our school has submitted an entry into the Strength Photo Competition organised by the Where There’s a Will Foundation. This competition aims to capture the essence of Character Strengths in a single photo, reflecting our understanding and daily demonstration of these strengths. Our students and staff have put great effort into showcasing each Character Strength through creative and thoughtful photography.
Once the competition is finalised, we look forward to sharing these inspiring photos with our school community and eagerly anticipate your responses. This project not only highlights the talents within our school but also reinforces our commitment to personal development and wellbeing.
P&F
Our P&F (Parents & Friends Committee) have been very active this term, setting up our fantastic Mother’s Day stall and breakfast, donating books and resources for our classrooms and surprising our students with delicious cow cookies during our excursion to Glen Eden.
Their dedication and enthusiasm greatly enhance the school experience for both students and staff. If you would be interested in getting involved in the P&F, please reach out to the school, and we can connect you with one of our lovely parents or grandparents. Your involvement would be a wonderful addition to our vibrant school community!
Kindy for a Day
Each year, RGS holds a Kindy for a Day program to allow families to experience a day at school before deciding to enrol. Thank you to everyone involved in ensuring our recent Term 2 Kindy for a Day was so successful. During this session, we had a wonderful group of children come and experience Richard Gill School for the day. There was a lot of singing, playing, crafting and memory-making.
We will be holding a second Kindy for a Day next term, on Friday August 9.
If you or someone you know has a child commencing Kindergarten in 2025, please let them know about our Kindy for a Day program. There is no obligation to enrol, and it is a wonderful opportunity for any soon-to-be Kindergarten children. Express your interest today!
Enrolment
The school is currently teaching Kindergarten to Year 4 in 2024 and is now taking enrolment enquiries for Kindergarten to Year 5 for 2025.
Enrolment Discount for Kindy 2025: Families who are offered a position and accept it before July 1 will receive 25% off first-term fees for the following year.
To request an enrolment interview, get more information about the enrolment process, orientation days, or anything else you might like to know, get in touch with us today.
You can also view our enrolment documents here.
Thank you,
Tara Stanford (Deputy Principal)