Hello and welcome to the monthly Principal's blog. In this post I discuss our recent school events, daily music observations, and our nomination as Outstanding Community Organisation.
Winter has just begun and we are certainly feeling it in the Upper Hunter Valley, with temperatures dropping to near zero overnight and frosty mornings at school becoming more frequent. Despite the cold, the school grounds are alive with vibrant energy and a sense of community.
Events and Excursions
We have hosted an extensive number of initiatives, events and excursions to enrich the learning of our children in recent weeks including a wellbeing workshop Resilient Rockstar, a trip back-in-time to the historic Tocal Homestead, a PowerFM breakfast and live radio broadcast, Mother’s Day BBQ breakfast hosted by our P&F, a visit from Dr Sue Lane our National Music Teacher Mentoring Program, Jump Rope for Heart, National Reconciliation Week participations, the hosting of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, plus our Kindy for a Day program which has proven very successful again this year. I thank all of my staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to allow such a varied array of experiences to be made possible for our students and school community.
RGS Resilient Rockstar Excursion, May 2023
First up our whole school attended Resilient Rockstar, named after the heartwarming children's books "Puppy Rescue" and "Tiger" from the beloved series "The Adventures of Jessie and Rocky Rockstar," and was a lovely addition to our school's recent list of excursions.
The Resilient Rockstar Show really captivated the children with its high-energy, fun-filled, and interactive format. With a touch of magic, uplifting music, and empowering messages, the show left a lasting impact on the children, promoting values of compassion and kindness. The positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers has been great to hear.
RGS Tocal Homestead Excursion, May 2023
Next on the list of excursions, the school organised a captivating trip back-in-time to the historic Tocal Homestead. This excursion allowed our students to immerse themselves in local history, gaining a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of our region. The students eagerly explored the homestead, learning about the lives of the early settlers and the significant role they played in shaping our community. This experience not only expanded their knowledge but also fostered a sense of pride in our local history
P&F Mothers Day BBQ, RGS, May 2023
Thank you to our incredible Parent and Friends Association (P&F) who organised a heartwarming Mother's Day BBQ breakfast, celebrating the remarkable women in our students' lives. The aroma of sizzling bacon and the sound of laughter filled the air as families came together to show their appreciation and love. It was a wonderful morning of connection and gratitude, highlighting the strong bonds within our school community. Thanks to those who attended and also those who volunteered their time to see this happen.
Sue Lane, National Music Mentoring Program, RGS, May 2023
Next, we were honored to have Dr. Sue Lane visit our school as part of the National Music Teacher Mentoring Program. Dr. Lane's expertise and passion for music education inspires our students and teachers alike. Her interactive classes provide valuable opportunities for our students to explore their musical talents and develop their skills further while her guidance also provides valuable opportunities for both myself and my teaching staff to further develop our music education skills and gain feedback on our teaching practice.
We’ve also been participating in Jump Rope for Heart for the first time as a school this term where our students have raised nearly $2,000 for the Heart Foundation. The Heart Foundation is a charity dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease. Well done children for getting enthusiastic about this wonderful initiative while also learning a new skill.
Reconciliation Week Flag Raising Ceremony, May 2023
As part of National Reconciliation Week, on Wednesday 31 May, four of our students were invited to attend the Annual Raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flag. The students heard a fantastic didgeridoo performance by students from St James' Primary School, Muswellbrook led by Uncle Ritchie, who we are pleased to announce will also be at our end-of-term NAIDOC assembly to share his skills and knowledge with our community. Well done to those students for proudly performing and connecting with their culture.
It was very inspiring to hear both Uncle Ritchie and Uncle Glen Morris speak from the heart about how indigenous and non-indigenous people need to come together, which was particularly significant given as the Voice to Parliament referendum passed through the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate.
Thank you to Muswellbrook Shire Council for hosting this important community event.
Richard Gill School is looking forward to acknowledging NAIDOC Week in the final week of term.
RGS / Little Kindy Biggest Morning Tea, May 2023
On Thursday, May 25, we welcomed our neighbours from the preschool Little Kindy Muswellbrook as we hosted a cancer fundraiser for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. Thank you to our families from Wollemi sports house who provided the share plates this year and to everyone who made a donation towards this great cause. Mrs Goodhew and Mrs Hines did a fantastic job setting up and serving the morning tea for our families and guests. A total of $180 was raised, including $38 from Little Kindy and $142 from Richard Gill School.
RGS Kindy for a Day program, May 2023
Finally, our highly anticipated Kindy for a Day program returned this year, and it was a tremendous success. The program offers prospective kindergarten students the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Richard Gill School student. Our current students welcomed the young visitors with open arms, showing them the ropes and making them feel like part of our school family. This initiative not only provides a more seamless transition for incoming students but also showcases the supportive and inclusive environment we cultivate at Richard Gill School. Thank you to Mrs Sherringham who led the program, supported by Mrs Clement and Mrs Goodhew.
Community Recognition
The school is excited to be a finalist in the Muswellbrook Business Awards which are to be held tonight at the Muswellbrook RSL. Please wish us well in the category of “Outstanding Community Organisation” and join us in congratulating all of the other finalists for the recognition of their hard work.
Daily Music Observations
On Wednesday May 24, I was graciously hosted by the music and executive staff at Sydney Grammar, St Ives Preparatory School, where I shadowed the music staff as they taught their fantastic Kodály inspired curriculum and led their ensembles. This is the first of numerous visits to schools that deliver daily music and/or a highly regarded music program which I hope to make in the coming months, as we look to make further improvements to our music teaching program at RGS. If you work at or know of a school that fits this criteria, I would love to hear from you.
Thank you again to Dr Sue Lane and the National Music Teacher Mentoring Program for working with our school in this area also.
Enrolment
Enrolment is open to Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 students in 2023, and a waitlist is in place for Kindergarten 2023. To enrol or join our waitlist, please contact the school.
Offers of enrolment for Kindergarten in 2024 will be made soon, following a review from our enrolment panel.
Enrolments for Richard Gill School are always open. Our prospectus, enrolment form, parent info and fee information can be found here.
Media
It was a privilege to be included in an advance briefing for Principals, hosted by Dr Anita Collins, who was discussing the fantastic work they are doing with Alberts and the Tony Foundation, advocating for the importance of music education. To stay up to date with this initiative, please visit their website.
Donations
With the end of Financial Year now less than 1 month away, we ask our supporters to please consider a tax-deductible donation to Richard Gill School, to support the sustained growth of our school, of our scholarship program, and of our musical and general resources. Please contact the school directly should you wish to make a donation, and we thank you in advance for any generosity you might be able to consider towards supporting our students.
Yours in Music,
Chris English – Principal, Richard Gill School