Gateway Gib Gate School Magazine

Transcription

1 Gateway 2010

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3 1 Gateway 2010 GATEWAY 2010

4 2 contents Gateway 2010 Governors 3 Staff 3-4 Class & Staff Photos 5-9 Highlights Art 15 Japanese Library Music Sports CLASSES 2010 Reception Transition Kindergarten Year Year Year Year Year Year Gib Gate understands children Based on our knowledge of how children learn and of best teaching practice, Gib Gate focuses on strong academic programmes designed to engage, challenge and foster a love of learning. In the tradition of Winifred West, all children are encouraged to strive to achieve their potential within a supportive learning environment. Our goal is that students leaving Gib Gate are well prepared for a future of lifelong learning. This is achieved through the explicit teaching of generic skills and processes, and authentic learning experiences, within an educational environment that encourages students to develop the habits of mind necessary to become successful learners. The Learning to Learn framework at Gib Gate is designed to give students the opportunity to experience a wide variety of learning contexts based upon the values of excellence, challenge, service, belonging and doing. Ms S Robson Head of Gib Gate

5 3 winifred west schools limited 2010 GOVERNORS Chair Mr A Carroll Vice Chair Mrs A Beith (to Nov 2010; General Governor from Nov 2010) General Ms G Curtin (from May 2010; Vice Chair from Nov 2010) Ms M Bilmon Mr G Daniel Mrs E Dartnall Mr C Lamond (from May 2010) Mrs E MacDiarmid Mr T Moult Mr M White Nominee Frensham Mrs K Quinn (from May 2010) Gib Gate Mrs J Evans Sturt Mr A Carroll Secretary Mr P Duck FOUNDATION DIRECTORS Benefactors Representatives Mr M Hooke (Chair) Ms C Henderson (from May 2010) Ms P Lysaght Mr P Macqueen Mr I Parker (from May 2010; Deputy Chair from Sept 2010) Mr S Romijn (from May 2010) Mr N Stewart (to May 2010; Deputy Chair to May 2010) Governors Representatives Mrs A Beith Mr M White Mr P Duck (Secretary) Head of Winifred West Schools Ms J Gillick Head of Gib Gate Ms S Robson COORDINATORS Mrs K Chauncy Curriculum K-6 Director of Teaching and Learning P-12 Mrs A Graham Administration Mrs S Musgrove PE/Sport GIB GATE STAFF Teacher Librarian Music PE / Sport Visual Arts Languages Secretary Canteen Mrs L Carceres Ms M Fitzpatrick Mrs B Gould Mr G Hannah Mrs C Hayman Ms K Lees Mrs A Lomax Mrs J Murko Ms J O Rourke Mrs J Rowley Mr P Sheehan Mr M Standen Mrs L Venish Mrs R Wheeler Mrs L Marsh Mrs A Graham Mrs S Musgrove Mrs S Willmott Mrs A Bradney-Smith Ms K Reidy Mrs K Russell Alliance Catering GATEWAY 2010

6 4 MUSIC TUTORS Cello Mrs A Mercer Clarinet Mrs L Male Drums Mr P Doyle Flute Ms E Knott Piano Mr C Donaldson Ms S Madden Ms N Perrett Singing Ms J Martinek Violin Ms D Koek Mrs P Oxenham Ms A Zachary Guitar Mr L O Neill AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 2010 Gymnastics, Tennis, Ceramics, Robotics, Woodwork, Robocup, Tournament of Minds, Debating, Martial Arts, Christmas Art, Exploring Art, Summer Craft, Winter Craft, Medieval Craft, Clowning. classes & staff 2010

7 5 Preschool Reception Back: Brendon Tsimbas, William Purnell, Amelia Dowe, Oliver Woodburn, Darcy McNamara, Hugo Maxwell, Arielle Dimasi, Joseph O Shannessy, William Barnett, Dylan Davis, Kate Nicholl, Taylor Anstee. Front: Andrew Campbell, Laura Barnsley-Adams, Georgia Pride, Amy Wimalaratne, Sophie Taufel, Emma Scott, Luca de Manincor, Archer Maitland, Harry Hiscocks, Charles Hartwright. Teachers: Mrs B Gould, Miss M Fitzpatrick, Mrs J Rowley, Mrs J Murko. Preschool Transition Back: Sienna Bellis, Joe Quilty, Hannah Bendror, Daniel Long. Row 2: Eleonora Berzins, Freyjika Parker, Bridget Schereck, Lachlan Talman, Amelia O Shanassy, Alexander Martinek, Jessica Savage, Angus Mackie, Angelique Hooi, James Witcombe. Front: Neala Yang, Harry Smith, Hanna Gorman, Monique Andersson, Isabella Israel, Ava Berkelouw, Grace Hardy. Teachers: Miss M Fitzpatrick, Mrs J Murko, Mrs B Gould, Mrs A Lomax, Mrs J Rowley. Absent: Amelia Carpenter, Julia Munro, William Campbell. GATEWAY 2010

8 6 Kindergarten Back: Romeo Atra, Yannis Psarakis, Louis Maxwell, Angus Hayman, Hamish Tregenza, Moses Rewais. Row 2: Alexander Mazurkiewicz, Matilda Walker, Alexandra Cavanagh, Maya Basson, Eliza Hewson, Emma Hassett, Tobias Oliver, William Gorman. Front: Lulu Duck, Olivia Vertzayias, Sienna Fuller, Lucy Daly, Hannah Hiscocks, Lilith Parker. Teacher: Mrs K Lees. Year 1 Back: Grace Lewis, Grace Mackenzie, Caitlin Quinn, Gabriella Maples, Natasha Long, Elsa Holmes, Rose Barnett, Daniel Munro. Row 2: Thomas Lalak, Arlo Berry, Alexander Taylor-Girdler, James Blissett, Harry Tanner, Jonathan Jansz, William Clark, George Penn. Front: Amelia Stone, Arabella Brown, Emma Stewart, Madison Holmes, Harriet Mackie, Olivia Pride, India Grant Pirrie, Ainsley Everett. Teacher: Mrs C Hayman.

9 7 Year 2 Back: Joshua Mazurkiewicz, Matthew Hardy, James Wallace, Dominic O Shannessy, Alec McLeod. Row 3: Alexander Uliana, Demyana Rewais, D Arcy Gotterson, William Chambers, Isabella Hardy, MacKenzie Johnson, Rowan Maitland. Row 2: Mimi Stewart, Anika Berkelouw, Sybella Harris, Mia Coupland, Rose Gamble, Angelica Bella. Front: Eliza Duck, Samantha Fitzgibbons Black, Melanie Tsimbas, Sophie Daly, Hannah Hartnell, Gemma Macaulay-Black. Teacher: Ms J O Rourke. Year 3 Back: Adrian Tan, Nicholas Gardner, Hugo Hayman, Ravi Wikramanayake, Fionn Parker, Timothy Gorman. Row 3: Jonas Oliver, Madeleine Dorney, Noni Brittain, Henry Lewis, Elvira Berzins, Siana Davis, Aiden McGrath. Row 2: Sophia Parker, Zoe Renowden, Sophie Arnott, Gina Macken, Lucille Schmidt, Sarah Pride. Front: Charlotte England, Emily Gubbins, Charlotte Lalak, Layla Ross, Katerina Aleksov, Jenna Stewart. Teacher: Mrs L Venish. GATEWAY 2010

10 8 Year 4 Back: Thomas Tregenza, April Stokman, Andrea Conomos, Caroline Gotterson, William Brittain. Row 2: Isabella Camilleri, Grace Tower, Sasha Lavender, Madeleine Penn, Emmaleen Miller, Freya Kenay. Front: Tigerlily Herrington, Alice Battcock, Celia Battcock, Hannah Rewais. Teacher: Mrs S Musgrove. Year 5 Back: Charlotte Bernays, Bryanah Newton, Liana Berzins, Rosie O Neil, Declan O Byrne-Inglis. Row 3: Emily Eustace, Madeleine Massey, Georgia Saeck, Lucinda Chambers, Jasmin Wikramanayake, Molly-Rose Renowden, Madison Moore. Row 2: Valentina Aliprandi, Skyla Harris, Matilda Martin, Oliver Clark, Samuel Purnell, Catriona Uliana, Georgina Fuller, Elspeth Robertson. Front: Ellie Arnott, Sarah Hassett, Thea Horsley, Olivia Hart, Laura Gardner, Juliet Leicester. Teacher: Mr G Hannah.

11 9 Year 6 Back: Amelia Vidler, Madeleine Conomos, Emily Ashbrook, Arabella Simpson, Jordan Shephard. Row 3: Eliza-Jane Middleton, Olivia Lalak, Lydia Jupp, Matilda Macqueen, Olivia Stone, Celia Stewart, Charlotte Condon. Row 2: William Duncan, Robert Holmes, Rosanna Scanlan, George Holmes, Samuel Rewais, Michael Duck. Front: Lucinda Macken, Brooke Long, Jessica Mackenzie, Emma Lambrechts, Airlie Kinross, Andrea Tan. Teacher: Mrs R Wheeler. Staff Back: Robyn Wheeler, Lynn Venish, Annabel Lomax, Caitlin Hayman, Greg Hannah. Row 2: Adrienne Bradney-Smith, LeeAnn Marsh, Paul Sheehan, Kelly Lees, Jennifer Murko, Mary Fitzpatrick. Front: Belinda Gould, Michael Standen, Kate Chauncy, Sally Robson, Anne Graham, Sally Musgrove, Jenny O Rourke. GATEWAY 2010

12 10 gib gate highlights 2010 Three new members of the teaching staff were welcomed to Gib Gate in Mrs Kelly Lees joined as the teacher of Kindergarten for 2010, Mrs Caitlin Hayman joined as the teacher of Year One and Mrs Leanne Caceres in the position of Mathematics Support. These new members of staff worked alongside the Winifred West Executive staff for several weeks in preparation for the commencement of Term 1. Mrs Jennifer Murko, Preschool Teacher, and Mrs Jennifer Rowley, Preschool and Kindergarten Aide, were also welcomed back after leave. During 2010 Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority sought feedback on the draft curriculum from the states and territories and Gib Gate was one of 150 schools selected to participate nationally. Throughout 2010, the Gib Gate staff worked with ACARA trialling the draft K-10 Australian Mathematics and Science Syllabus. We were then able to provide feedback on how manageable the syllabus outcomes and content would be for teachers and students, and in what ways it could be improved. This formed a critical part of the consultation process and contributed to the re-shaping of the final curriculum. term 1 On 23 February, a team of 30 swimmers represented the School at the Southern Highlands Independent Schools Carnival at the Bowral Pool. The team placed in the top three positions in most age groups and displayed enthusiastic support throughout the carnival. Following this qualifying carnival, the team travelled to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on 3 March to compete at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival. The experience of swimming in the 2000 Olympic pool inspired many personal bests and divisional placings for the School. The teaching of Science and Technology continued to be a curriculum focus area and all students enjoyed participating in hands-on investigations. In Week 6, students in Years 5 and 6 undertook practical experiments in one of the science laboratories at the Schavemaker Centre, Frensham, as part of their Jason 2010 Infinite Potential unit. In small groups, the students were guided through the process of investigating how thermal energy transfers in chemical reactions, liquid mixtures, gas and electromagnetic radiation. Wearing appropriate laboratory clothing, the students used a range of scientific equipment and apparatus and learned the importance of recording their observations and data accurately in order to study their results and compare findings back in the classroom. With the expert assistance of Mrs Belinda Hill and Mr Peter Bull, who shared their knowledge and time with teachers and students, much was accomplished and, in the spirit of scientific discovery, many questions were generated. Years 1 and 2 travelled to the Wollongong Science Centre at Fairy Meadow for a Planetarium Presentation which enriched the Astronomy section of the Earth & Its Surroundings unit. Year 1 then took part in the Sound Around Us interactive workshop as part of the Exploring Sound unit and Year 2 students engaged actively in the Bubbles and Balloons interactive presentation for their unit The Air Around Us. The children were entranced by the live bee farm and had free time at each hands-on activity station. Year 3 were busy conducting a variety of investigations both in the classroom and outdoors, as part of the Solids, Liquids and Gases trial ACARA unit, designed and implemented by Mrs Venish. Predicting, observing, measuring, recording and analysing the data from their experiments are all scientific skills which the children have developed as part of this unit. The Years 5 and 6 three-day Outdoor Education Programme took place in Week 7. The camp was an outstanding learning experience for all students allowing individuals to reach personal goals and overcome challenges. Students in Year 5 tested their orienteering skills, abseiled, took part in low rope challenge activities and learnt canoeing skills on the Wingecarribee River. Year 6 abseiled 25 metres and used caving ladders which provided a suitable extension challenge, as did the skills-based mountain-biking component of the OEG experience. Integral to the programme is developing the skills of cooperation with others, as well as leadership skills.

13 11 gib gate highlights 2010 term 2 Gib Gate students and parents joined Winifred West Schools at the Mittagong ANZAC Day ceremony on Sunday 25 April. It was encouraging to see that so many students were eager to participate in the march and how conscious they are of the significance of the occasion. Year 6 Monitors Emily Ashbrook, Olivia Lalak and Jordan Shephard represented Gib Gate in the presentation of the commemorative wreath. On 6 May Gib Gate hosted the Southern Highlands Cross Country Carnival at Frensham, attended by over 300 competitors and their families. For Gib Gate students, this was the culminating event of the Cross Country season and celebrated their commitment of hours of extra training during Terms 1 and 2. FOGG parents were a wonderful support on the day, donating cakes to sell, cooking and running the canteen. The Gib Gate Mother s Day Breakfast held on Friday 7 May was a splendid celebration with the Gib Gate staff organising activities for children and mothers to enjoy together. GATEWAY 2010

14 12 gib gate highlights 2010 term 3 A highlight of this term was the opening of the Gib Gate Library and Research Centre on Friday 20 August by author Jane Carroll. This new facility houses a fiction and non-fiction library, research area, ICT room and Year 6 classroom and also has an undercroft area with a canteen, bathroom facilities and sports storage room. Year 6 and Mrs Wheeler settled into their smart new classroom and all classes quickly made full use of the state-of-the-art ICT room and library facilities. Mrs Marsh and classroom teachers enjoyed the opportunity to team teach using the new research area and the fiction area proved to be a very popular place during lunchtime for relaxing, quiet reading and browsing. Another significant event this term was a farewell assembly and morning tea held in honour of Mr Paul Sheehan who retired from teaching at Gib Gate on 30 August after almost 21 years of classroom teaching, literacy and numeracy support teaching and teaching PDHPE and Sport. Both current and past students and parents attended the very moving and special farewell, as did Mr Sheehan s three children. Mr Sheehan noted the significant changes he has seen at Gib Gate and the enjoyment he has experienced as a member of Winifred West Schools. Year 6 students Madeleine Conomos, Lydia Jupp, Rosanna Scanlan and Amelia Vidler and Year 5 students Matilda Martin, Georgia Saeck and Catriona Uliana attended the South Coast Regional Competition of the Tournament of Minds held at Nowra High School on Sunday 29 August. There are four Disciplines: Applied Technology, Language Literature, Maths Engineering and Social Sciences. Gib Gate had entered the Social Sciences Discipline and presented their report on the long-term challenge entitled Viva La Revolution on which they had worked together for six weeks on their own. This involved creating their own revolution and explaining why and how it occurred, incorporating elements of historical revolutions such as the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, the Iranian Revolution and the Russian Revolution. An additional challenge was solving a spontaneous problem which was a creative response to a short film about the future. The team performed exceptionally well and were the winners in their chosen Discipline. Above: Mr Sheehan with ex Gib Gaters now at Frensham. Below: Mr Sheehan with his children Sasha, Coby and Zachary. The focus for the Father s Day Breakfast on Friday 3 September was Science and Technology and all the activities proved very popular, especially the homemade sherbet and the Topple Tower. Many fathers commented on how much they appreciated the opportunity to spend time at school with their children. The students from Preschool to Year Two worked well together to produce their Musical Production The Lighthouse Keeper s Lunch, a very entertaining interpretation of this classic children s story. In the September vacation, 21 students from Years 5 and 6, together with Mrs Graham, Mr Hannah and Ms French, had a memorable eight-day trip to Japan from 1 to 9 October. The group flew to Osaka and then travelled by coach to a traditional Japanese-style hotel in Kyoto for three nights. There they had two full days of sightseeing

15 13 gib gate highlights 2010 which included excursions to Nijo Castle and a number of shrines and temples, riding the rapids on a pole boat down the Hozu River, strolling through the ancient streets of the city, sampling traditional Japanese food and purchasing souvenirs and gifts. A special highlight was a hands-on workshop using traditional Taiko drums. On 4 October, the group travelled by train to Kanazawa and then by coach to the magnificent World Heritage Area of Ainokura where they stayed in two traditional thatched roof homes in the small village of Minshuku. After some free time admiring the scenery and discovering the flora and fauna of this pristine environment, they participated in making traditional Japanese paper and Sasara (one of the traditional instruments of the Gokayama area). With mounting excitement at the prospect of seeing their Hokuriku Gakuin Japanese friends, on 6 October the group travelled by coach from Minshuku to Hokuriku Gakuin Elementary School in Kanazawa where they were greeted by the teachers and students from Years 1 to 6 with the same excitement! A Welcome Assembly featuring a variety of speeches, musical items, unicycle demonstrations and a Gib Gate performance was followed by a shared lunch, tour of the school and an afternoon of games. Gib Gate children then left for the evening with their host families while the teachers enjoyed afternoon tea and dinner with the staff of Hokuriku Gakuin. Thursday 7 October was a full day with Gib Gate students joining in games and activities with every class, a shared lunch and then an excursion with Year 5 HG students to make gold-leaf treasure boxes in the city. That evening, at a special dinner and party, there were a number of exceptional musical performances by the Japanese children followed by dancing, both traditional Japanese and contemporary Australian dancing, and speeches. Gib Gate children then departed with their host families for their last night in Japan. Overwhelmed by the friendship and hospitality extended to them, Gib Gate children managed to ensure that they farewelled and thanked the children, parents and teachers at Hokuriku Gakuin before departing. The journey home had commenced, with the excitement of soon seeing families and friends back in Australia and sharing all their stories with them. The Gib Gate travellers were commended for their exceptional manners, behaviour and demeanour throughout the journey. Always eager to assist their teachers, quick to respond to instructions and directions and keen to learn, the children were often complimented on to their teachers by tour guides, hotel and transport staff and complete strangers throughout the journey. Photos of the Japanese trip are on page Robocup Teams: Thea Horsley, Airlie Kinross, Lucinda Chambers, Liana Berzins and Oliver Clark, Michael Duck, William Brittain and Henry Lewis. Two teams represented Gib Gate at the 2010 ACT Robocup Junior Competition held at the Australian National University on Thursday 5 August. Both teams competed within the popular Junior Dance/Dance- Theatre category alongside students from schools in the ACT and southern NSW region. Airlie Kinross (Year 6), Liana Berzins, Lucinda Chambers and Thea Horsley (Year 5) produced a fashion parade for robots, complete with an elevated catwalk. Michael Duck (Year 6), Oliver Clark (Year 5), William Brittain (Year 4) and Henry Lewis (Year 3) entertained the audience with a robot bullfight. Teams were challenged to entertain their audience by designing a robot or team of robots which performed to music for a minimum of one minute and not more than two minutes, with the routine taking place on a 3x3m stage. In support of each performance, robots were decorated imaginatively and their masters dressed themselves according to their chosen theme. Both teams were well received and were of a high standard with one being placed 4 th out of 33 teams. GATEWAY 2010

16 14 gib gate highlights 2010 term 4 There was outstanding commitment from the school for the Relay For Life, Southern Highlands community event, on Saturday 16 October at Eridge Park. A combined schools choir, led by Mrs Graham, supported singer Margaret Urlich during the Ceremony for Hope celebrations. Students braved the cold weather to attend a rehearsal after school on Friday and performed superbly despite freezing conditions during the evening performance on the Saturday. Relay For Life Mrs Wheeler, the parents who worked with her and classroom teachers worked hard devising the costumes to ensure that the students truly looked the part. Directing and producing two high-quality musical productions each year, involving all students from Preschool to Year 6 and synthesising the students work in Music, Dance and Drama, are core components of the Gib Gate experience, and Mrs Graham, Mrs Lomax and the entire Gib Gate staff work collaboratively and supportively with each other and the students. The result was a strong development of Gib Gate students sense of self-esteem and confidence and skills in public speaking and presentation. On 12 November, four students from Years 3 and 4 travelled to Nowra Anglican College to participate in a Public Speaking Competition. Ms O Rouke, Debating Teacher, accompanied the students along with parents. Twenty-one students from schools in the Southern Highlands and the South Coast region competed in the spirit of friendly rivalry and had the opportunity to develop their skills and enhance their learning. Each student prepared a three-minute speech on a topic which both interested them and would appeal to the audience. Alice Battcock s (Year 4) speech was on Tim Tams, Hannah Rewais (Year 4), The Golden Rule, Sophia Parker (Year 3) Being Vegetarian and Layla Ross (Year 3) Why reading books is better than watching TV. The Gib Gate team performed particularly well and was awarded Highly Commended certificates. Hannah Rewais was the overall winner of the competition with her highly engaging and meaningful speech on The Golden Rule. In contrast, there was beautiful spring weather for the T-2 Fun Athletics Carnival held on Wednesday 20 October. As the senior students in the K-2 section, Year 2 students had worked with Ms O Rourke and Mr Standen prior to the carnival on the planning, organisation and running of the event. On the day they assisted by setting out the equipment according to their plan and were all responsible for the running of activities. Year 2 students willingly accepted the extra responsibility and acted as positive role models to younger students. Transition students also enjoyed the day, experiencing another opportunity to interact with the K-2 section of the School. Sally Robson Head of Gib Gate The Senior Musical Production The Grass is Greener was a great success with the leading parts taken by the entire Year 6 class who were perfectly cast to allow individuals to perform at their best. The students from Years 3, 4 and 5, cast as woodland creatures, dwarves and pirates, were outstanding in their singing and dancing routines and it was clear to the audience how much the entire cast had enjoyed working together to create the production.