Last week, Kindergarten excitedly travelled by bus to Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre, East Ryde. The excursion assisted students develop fieldwork skills, scientific inquiry and environmental understanding within an ecologically significant urban bushland environment (all words for their next spelling list). The day’s purpose was to offer consolidation with related learning in the classroom that teacher talks, computerised boards and books cannot offer. We are grateful to the school staff and parents for supporting our students during this wonderful experience.

Regardless of the cold temperature and the tormenting weather with rain the camp was regarded as successful by the student musician attendees. Monday morning was unlike Kenny Roger’s song, ‘On a warm summer's evening on a train bound for nowhere’. Members of our three student bands would possibly suggest, ‘On a cold autumn’s morning on a bus bound for camp’. Yet a supportive and intensive tuition was experienced coupled with fun activities with friends. We are extremely fortunate to have an outstanding school band program thanks to Mrs Skinner and Mr Goddard supported by the P&C band committee with special mention to Mr Greg Pratley. A huge thank you to the travelling teachers, Ms Appave, Mrs Medcalf, Mr Wicks and Mrs O’Connor for giving up their personal time to supervise unremunerated, our students, after school hours during this overnight camp.

Spelling Bees create an environment where friendly competition motivates students to achieve their personal best. Standing up in front of an audience and competing can help students develop self-assurance and public speaking skills. Classes are currently ascertaining who are the best spellers of the wordlists to represent them in a Stage based event, to be held next week. A school representative from each Stage will then work their way through regional to potentially a state program. This program is known as the statewide Premier's Spelling Bee which is an engaging way for NSW Stage 2 and Stage 3 students to expand their vocabularies and improve their spelling. Our school has a recent history of having a Premier's Spelling Bee state champion and regional finalists. Well done to all students who have expanded their vocabulary through this learning program.

Intraschool and interschool debating is very popular and rewarding for our senior students. This year thirty-two students are participating in our debating/public speaking program, forming three teams, one that entered the formal Premier's Debating Challenge and two teams that compete in the Trischools Debating Challenge against local schools. Debating was reintroduced to the school program by Mr Wicks a few years ago and is also supported by Mrs Pellizarri. Well done to our student debaters who have enhanced ability to analyse information, evaluate different perspectives, and construct well-reasoned arguments.

Reading is cool at home and at school! This week students from all grades collectively have purchased around 850 books. Each book bought contributes to the school being able to purchase more library books with the title and from authors that our students would like to borrow. I would like to acknowledge the several families who have donated books to the library from the Book Fair selection. Our teacher librarian, Mr Hands, invests a lot of preparation into the annual Book Fair. The Book Fair provides Mr Hands the perfect opportunity to promote reading through wearing his vast options in book themed costumes. The Book Fair will conclude on Wednesday afternoon.

National Sorry Day is an annual event that has been held in Australia on 26 May, since 1998, to remember the country's Aboriginal people since British settlement.

The Australian Curriculum for K-10 states, “that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures cross-curriculum priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures”.

It does not matter whether or not we were 'personally responsible'; we can claim a sense of nationalistic sorrow for the people affected by previous Government policies enacted in the name of Australia. 

 A huge thank you to Senior Constable Ethan West our local police youth officer. Snr Con West will be relocating this month to another area command. He has been an asset to Castle Hill Police as a direct liaison with local schools as well as general duties officer. He has been available to talk to various groups of our students over the last several years building an instant positive rapport with them. We wish Snr Con West and his family all the very best with their sea change and thank him for his input to Samuel Gilbert PS.

Thank you to all families who have paid their Statement of Account. As you know these funds allow us to offer quality educational experiences and activities for our students. We would be grateful if could settle your contribution as soon as possible. Please contact the school office on 8855 9500 if you wish to discuss any items on your account.   

We very much appreciate your support to enhance your child’s experience at school.

Last week was NVW. It is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. “With flooding, fires and the ongoing impacts of Covid, the past few years have undoubtebly been tough for all Australians. Holding us up in these times of crisis are over one million volunteers supporting Australia’s crisis resilience, of which more than 400,000 work directly in emergency response and relief. Our nation’s volunteers are the country’s backbone during crisis and emergency.” Australia is a better and safer place due to our volunteers.

Greg McLaren 
PRINCIPAL

Congratulations to Connor Z. who represented Sydney West recently in the State PSSA AFL Carnival in Tamworth. Sydney West placed 5^th overall out of the 14 teams competing winning five of their six games.  This was the best result for Sydney West in the past ten years. Congratulations Connor on reaching this level of competition and representing our school so well.

Congratulations also to Bonnimae J. and Claudia M. who represented the Castle Hill Zone at the Sydney West Primary Netball Championships last week at the Hawkesbury Stadium. Their team was undefeated over nine rounds and winners of the carnival. A fabulous achievement. In addition the entire team was included in the Possible/Probable match to select Sydney West representatives. Congratulations Claudia and Bonniemae on such a successful carnival. 

Congratulations Aria F. on being one of the winners of the Powerhouse Parramatta writing competition. As part of their grand opening the museum invited written works about a “special object” which will then be on display in the museum for three years. Such an honour, Aria. Congratulations. 

Shared below is Aria’s delightful story about her favourite soft toy that was given to her on her first day of school. 

Title: Snowflake Snowflake has always been small enough to fit in my hands, but somehow big enough to hold my whole heart. I remember the exact day Mum gave her to me- the day before my first day of Kindy. Mum told me, I can’t be there with you at school, but this little bunny can. And from that moment on, she hopped straight into my heart. I loved her pink button nose and reassuring smile — soft, warm, the kind that makes everything feel safe. The white bunny was impossibly clean back then, her fur bright as fresh snow, her stitched nose perfectly pink. Snowflake was never just a soft toy. She was Mum’s goodnight hugs when she was busy, her comfort on the first day of school, her quiet promise that I was loved even when she wasn’t right beside me. Whenever I held Snowflake, it felt like holding Mum. Over time, her fur lost its pristine whiteness. One ear drooped. The once fluffy fur turned matted. But I never minded. She was always special, nothing else could replace her. Trends came and went, I was given beanie boos, squishmallows, Labubus but none held any meaning and connection like Snowflake. Snowflake wasn’t just any old bunny, she was Mum’s unconditional love. 3 Years later, something magical happened. I adopted my first real pet: a tiny white bunny with twitching whiskers and curious eyes. Without even thinking, I knew her name. Snowflake. Suddenly, toy Snowflake meant something new. When my real Snowflake hopped across the floor or nudged my hand for food, I would glance at my toy bunny sitting faithfully on my bed. One Snowflake was love given to me. The other was love I was learning to give. Snowflake had become a furry symbol of the beauty of life. To love and to be loved.

Congratulations Arya V. ( 6F) on winning The Moving Forward Together Harmony Day Song Writing Competition in the Years 4-6 section. Arya will attend Parliament House later this term to be presented with her award by Steve Kamper MP, the minister for Muticulturalism.  A very proud moment for Arya and her family. Congratulations. 

The weather has not been kind to us over recent weeks with a number of scheduled Knockout competitions being postponed. 

The Girls Touch Football Knockout team received a forfeit this week from Carlingford West PS so will now play Pitt Town PS in what is officially Round 3 of the competition. 

Both the Girls Netball and Boys Softball teams are currently trying to reschedule their matches from this week which were postponed due to weather. 

Unfortunately the Boys Football KO team lost their second round match to Kings Langley PS 4-0. 

Over 40 students from Years 3-6 have expressed an interest in being involved in a four week Cricket Blast lunch time program hosted by Cricket NSW. The children who put their name down have been provided with a flyer requiring registration using the QR code. Please complete this as soon as possible so that children don’t miss out on the first session being held next Thursday. We hope the children enjoy this opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge of cricket.

We are looking forward to hosting our grandparents and “grand friends” at our annual Grandparents’ Day on Tuesday 9 June. A program for the day has been sent home on the app. Instructions for children involved in dance, band and vocal items will be sent home later this week via the app. 

We are grateful to the P&C for coordinating morning tea for our grandparents. Morning tea is always greatly appreciated by our grandparents so our thanks in advance to all parents who are assisting by either providing a plate or working in the canteen. 

A reminder that children need to bring their own morning tea on this day.

Please make sure that grandparents are aware of the name of the class that their grandchildren are in so that we can help them find the way if necessary. Lift access is available to the primary classrooms for those who require it. 

Unfortunately due to numbers this day cannot include parents, however if parents are able to drop and pick up grandparents on the day it would be helpful to alleviate parking issues. 

Monday and Tuesday’s band camp was a fantastic experience for all involved, featuring rehearsals for three levels of band: Training, Concert, and Performance. Students had the opportunity to participate in group tutorials for every instrument. We were lucky on Monday afternoon to have a reasonably dry couple of hours where we welcomed Motiv8 Sports to play some team games with all the students followed by an amazing display of student talent and hosted by Mr Wicks, at the talent evening. There were individual instrumentals, group instrumental items, comedy skits, dances and acrobatics and musical quizzes. Throughout the two days all students were well fed and very well behaved!

Last Friday many children took the opportunity to stretch their legs, show their independence and demonstrate their knowledge of road safety by walking or riding safely to school. 

Thank you to Zach B. of 4P who shared these photos of him walking to school. I believe the early start even allowed for breakfast with mum at Knightsbridge.   What a great way to start the day!

We encourage parents to demonstrate safe road practices for our students when coming to, or leaving school, each day. 

• Please use the pedestrian crossing rather than crossing directly in front of the main gate. 
• Please use the pedestrian footpath and walk past the hall and canteen when attending band rehearsals rather than walking up the driveway and through the car park. 
• Do not turn into the staff driveway to collect or drop children off. Reversing back out of here is extremely dangerous. 
• Please don’t leave your vehicle in the Kiss and Drop zone as it prevents cars moving along to collect their children. 

In the best interests of your children, if they don’t have a raincoat or umbrella on wet afternoons at the Kiss and Drop, they will be asked to wait for you under cover outside the library. You will need to park your car in available parking and collect them from there. 

Cathie Barclay and Gilliane Appave
DEPUTY PRINCIPALS

Feedback is a vital part of student learning and when given effectively, it enables students to think and act in ways that will help them bridge the gap between their current learning and the intended learning.

At Samuel Gilbert Public School, effective feedback assists children to reflect on their learning so they can make adjustments and progress. Feedback needs to be timely, specific and on-going and include teacher to student, student to teacher, peer and self-assessment. It is a deliberate practice that has been planned.

In your child’s classroom, effective feedback can be verbal or written, and peer and self-feedback can be in the form of many ways including ‘two stars and a wish’, exit slips and whiteboard show-me boards, just to name a few. 

It’s important to know, effective feedback isn’t just grades or marks given to your child from their teacher. Research has shown that as soon as a student receives a grade from their teacher, the learning stops. Students’ improvements are not made, as adjustments and feedback have not been clear or relevant to the student’s work. 

Praise is also regarded as ineffective feedback. While this is relevant at times, it needs to be alongside how a student can improve their work and make progress so that the student has a clear intention of how to improve.

Effective feedback also isn’t just sharing all possible areas for improvement in student work. It’s important for students to have learning goals and learning intentions aligned to the feedback. Having too many areas of improvement becomes ineffective for student learning.

If you are looking for ways to give useful feedback to your child’s learning when working with them at home, try a few of the above strategies to encourage your child to reflect on their learning to improve and progress in their schoolwork or talk to your child about the various types of feedback used in class.

Amanda Keane
Relieving Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction

This semester, EALD students have been studying Component B in small groups with Ms Meyers. Beginning English language learning students have been involved in speaking groups. This gives the students the opportunity to share their ideas with confidence in a smaller setting.

In some year 2 groups we wrote poems using rhyme, alliteration and onomatopoeia.

Year 1 groups had an egg-citing time looking at word plays and their ‘sweet’ dreams.

I see blue! Shimmer! Shine!

Swim slowly. It’s warm and fine.

Tell me water, are you OK?

Are you crashing in the bay?

When it’s nice and sunny,

I feel happy when it’s funny.

But when it’s a winter’s night,

Could you please make it bright?

Who said Mathematics is boring? 

Not in 2Z …

In our classroom, we enjoy exploring mathematical concepts in fun and exciting ways. We use games, hands-on activities, and work together to solve problems and deepen our understanding. We discover how math’s is used in real life, so we can see why it is important. Everyone is encouraged to try their best, ask questions, and show their learning in different ways. 

We like sharing our ideas and explaining our thinking to each other, and by listening to each other, we find new ways to solve problems. In our classroom, everyone has the chance to grow as a mathematician. We support and celebrate each other's progress, making math’s a valuable and enjoyable part of our learning.

On Friday, 15th May, the Concert Band performed two songs at the school’s Assembly. They all did a fantastic job! Mrs. Skinner is very pleased with their progress.

On Monday and Tuesday this week, the students attended Band Camp at Benedict Retreat XVI and had a wonderful time! Despite a bit of rain, it didn’t dampen their spirits. Special thanks to Mrs. Skinner for organising the professional tutors and Mr. Goddard, who did an amazing job conducting.

Thanks to Our Teachers  

A big thank you to the teachers who attended camp: Ms. Appave, Mrs. O’Connor, Mrs. Medcalf, and Mr. Wicks. They looked after all 107 students overnight with little sleep. I’ve heard the food was excellent, and the Talent Show was a hit and Motiv8 just escaped the rain.

On behalf of the Band Committee, I’d like to thank all the parent and student volunteers who helped on different days. Special thanks to Jonathon Blanch for assisting with loading and unloading the truck with instruments over all three days, and to Tracy, Dom, Reihaneh, Margit, Sonya, and Can for their support. Your help was invaluable!

- Grandparents Day (Week 8): Tuesday, 9th June — performances from all bands.  

- GWS Music Festival (Week 8): Sunday, 14th June — featuring all three bands.  

- Winter Concert (Week 10): Wednesday, 24th June, 6:00–7:00 pm — featuring all three bands.

All event details will be posted on Bandforte https://www.bandforte.com.au   

Please use Bandforte to confirm your child's attendance at all events or to notify us of any absences due to sickness, dental appointments, or other commitments.

If you do not have access to Bandforte, please contact the Band Coordinator via email: sgpsbandcoordinator@gmail.com 

Kind regards,

Band Co-ordinator Samuel Gilbert Public School Band

Can you help with morning tea? Grandparents' Day will be held on Tuesday 9 June. Parents are invited to help by providing cakes, biscuits, scones or slices for our Grandparents (and Grandparent figures) to enjoy on this special day. Gluten free options would be very much appreciated as well. Grandparents Day is one of our most popular and well attended events. We seem to run out of food very quickly. If every family can contribute something, we would be most grateful. Our Grandparent’s love something to eat with their tea or coffee! 

Volunteers are also be needed to help with serving coffee and tea and preparing platters (9am-11am). 

If you can assist, use the link and navigate to Tuesday 9 June and sign up here:

https://signup.com/go/NWnKoKt. 

Thank you in advance to our fabulous canteen staff and parent volunteers for your support. 

Please join us on Tuesday 9^th June at 7:30pm for our final P&C Meeting for Term 2.  With the upcoming school holidays, our next meeting will not be until Tuesday 11 August in Term 3. We would love to see you in person the School Library or alternatively, online. If you would like to join the meeting online and have not previously done so, please email a request for the online meeting link to  secretary@sgpspc.org.au. 

We would like to thank Greg Pratley and our dedicated Band Committee for facilitating a wonderful opportunity for our Band Students to attend Band Camp this week. Our Band Program is run by parent volunteers with the invaluable support of our School Executive and staff. Our Band Chairperson, Greg Pratley has spent many volunteer hours supporting our Band Program and it simply would not run without him. A big thank you to Greg for all his hard work in making our Band Program such a success. 

The SGPS P&C Band Camp provides a unique opportunity for our Band Students to develop their music skills together. Did you know that the amount of time spent by our students at Band camp practising and rehearsing is the equivalent of at least two terms of band rehearsals? Band Camp is not possible without everyone’s support. A big thank you to our school staff, Mr Wicks, Ms O’Connor, Mrs Medcalf and Ms Appave who each gave up their personal time to supervise our students at Band Camp. Our students were in the best of hands with our fabulous Band Director, Mrs Skinner, and Band Conductor, Mr Goddard, as well as specialist tutors. We are also very grateful for the support of our school, our parents and carers and all our volunteers for helping to make this opportunity possible for our students.  

• Grandparents Day: Tuesday 9 June 2026 (straight after the long weekend) – parent morning tea donations and volunteers needed.
• P&C Meeting @ 7:30pm Tuesday 9 June 2026 in the School Library/Online
• P&C Meeting Tuesday 11^th August, 7:30pm

For more information about the SGPS P&C, who we are and what we do, please check out the following:

•             Website: https://www.sgpspc.org.au  

•             Facebook page: https://ww.facebook.com/SGPSPC  

•             School website: https://www.samuelgilbertnsw.edu.au   

•             School app: You can find the link to the school app on our front page of the https://www.sgpspc.org.au  website

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth Tye

SGPS P&C  

etye@sgpspc.org.au

 Library borrowing fact: So far in this year, 9 536 items have been borrowed. It is wonderful to see so many children borrowing books from the library, keep up the great efforts! Having access to quality literature is so important for all children, please encourage your children to bring their library bag on their library day to borrow books.

Monday:          1L, 1E, 1B, 1O, KK, KJ

Tuesday:          3JK, 3S, KT, KB, 3R

Wednesday:    4O, 4H, 2ZT, 5W, 5G

Thursday:        5PE, KA, 2SB, 5C

Friday:             4P, 2N, 2M

What a fantastic start to our annual Book Fair!!! Readus Maximus declared the Fair open for all Monday morning to a huge crowd of parents and students. We are well on our way to achieving a sales total similar to past years with more than 850 books so far sold into the hands of many young readers. Please remember to come along and scoop up some amazing quality literature, we have fiction, factual and a few in-between, something to please the reading tastes of everyone! While at the Book Fair you may want to check out Mr McLaren’s Principal’s Picks or Ms Barclay’s and Ms Appave’s Deputy’s Decisions – all are quality choices! So, come along and have a look at some fantastic examples of children’s literature, buy a book or two for home or maybe purchase a book to donate to the school library. The Bookfair will be open for parents, friends and family daily:

8:20am-8:50am and 3:00pm-4:00pm (except Tuesday afternoons).

Week 7: Final Sales Wednesday 3 June

Week 7: Books depart Thursday 4 June

I look forward to seeing everyone there, and if you keep watch, you may even see a book character or two appearing throughout the Bookfair.

The Thursday Morning Read is on every week (except during Book Fair), Thursday Morning at 8:20 am in the tiered Learning Space in the Library. All are welcome, students, siblings, parents, and grandparents, come along and listen to some fun stories before school. We will be reading some fun and entertaining books as well as some other books celebrating the many different cultural events that occur throughout the year. I look forward to seeing lots of you on Thursday morning.

Our second Treasure Hunt of 2026 has started Monday, Week 3 – 4^th May 2026. Careful, there is a special trick to this challenge.

If you have some time, please pop in and see me for a bag of books and some clear contact to cover some of our new acquisitions for the library collection. This is a great opportunity to see some of the popular books that your children may be interested in borrowing and give you the opportunity to encourage them to borrow some new books to read. Keep an eye on the School App for notifications that there are books in need of covering.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge has started, please register your children to participate in this wonderful program, successful completion of the challenge will earn a certificate for your child’s efforts and, if the challenge is completed consistently across a number of years, a medallion at the end of the challenge. 

2026 Key Dates:

Challenge opens: Monday 23 February 2026

Challenge closes to students: Friday 18 September 2026

Challenge closes to coordinators: Friday 25 September 2026

How to Log-on to the Premier’s Reading Challenge:

Log into the NSW Department of Education portal login page, students need to enter their username and password here.

If you do not know your username or password for the DET Portal, please speak to your child’s class teacher. 
 
 A link to the Premier’s Reading Challenge website can be found in the Student Portal under the Learning section.  Students are also able to add a link to the PRC in the My Link List section to make the PRC easier to find.   

Rules:

For all the rules and booklists for the Premier’s Reading Challenge, please visit the Premier’s Reading Challenge website.

Rules for the Premier’s Reading Challenge can be found here: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/rules.html 

Booklists can be found here: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html but make sure you read from the right level of books.

If you have any questions, please, come and speak to me before or after school in the library.

Book Club 

Wk7: Issue #4 Order forms distributed (delayed due to Book Fair)

Wk8: Friday - Orders for Issue 4 close.

Bookfair

Wk7: Final Sales Wednesday 3 June

Wk7: Books depart Thursday 4 June

Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)

Ongoing until Friday 18 September, 2026.

Yours in reading,

Adam Hands, 

Librarian.