Hello and welcome to the monthly Principal's blog. In this post I discuss our return to school, 2024 teaching opportunities, and an unexpected visit from the Prime Minister at the opening of Muswellbrook’s new STEM teaching space.
Update
RGS 100 Days of Kindergarten, July 2023
First and foremost, congratulations to our lovely Kindergarten class on celebrating their first 100 days of school. It's heartwarming to see our little ones transition from preschool to "big school" with such enthusiasm. We are proud of their progress and the support from their families, which has laid the foundation for a lifelong journey of learning.
RGS 100 Days of Kindergarten, July 2023
During NAIDOC week celebrations at the end of Term 2, we had a meaningful experience working with Mrs. Rhonda Fry. Together, we created two beautiful quilt works that now brighten up our foyer and breakout space. The fabric squares, lovingly made by the children, incorporate indigenous symbols, and we extend our gratitude to Rhonda for generously sharing her knowledge of indigenous culture and textiles.
RGS Students NAIDOC Quilting, July 2023
RGS Students NAIDOC Quilting, July 2023
On a rather unexpected note, it was a thrill for Mrs Katrina Clement (our STEM teacher), and myself, to witness the Prime Minister, Honourable Mr Anthony Albanese, officially open Muswellbrook Shire Council’s Donald Horne Building on Tuesday, July 18. Located within Musellbrooks’s new Hunter Innovation Precinct, the Donald Horne Building is home to the STEM Innovation Lab and The Melt and provides enhanced education and commercial activity for the region.
Richard Gill School received considerable support from our local Council when establishing the school in Muswellbrook, and an emphasis has always been placed on STEM given its importance to our local community and economy.
Located on the first floor of the Donald Horne Building is the STEM Innovation Lab – a purpose-built space that provides students with the tools and mentorship to develop STEM soft skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. We are preparing our young people to meet the needs of a rapidly changing employment market, meeting immediate skills gaps and future industry demands and providing opportunities that are not traditionally available in regional areas.
Upcoming Events
The upcoming weeks are packed with events that are sure to bring much joy to our school community. We are eagerly looking forward to Book Week, which includes the ever-popular Book Parade and the Scholastic Book Fair. Additionally, we have a concert by Music in the Regions coming up in Week 6. Week 8 will be busy with our inaugural Athletics/Cross Country Carnival and IEP meetings, where we work together to support our student's individual learning needs. And finally, we end the term in Week 10 on a melodious note with a Term 3 concert at the Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music, featuring Richard Gill student classes and ensembles, as well as a showcase by Upper Hunter Voices.
Staffing
In the weeks ahead, Richard Gill School will be advertising for new teaching staff to join us in 2024. If you are enthusiastic about nurturing young minds and shaping the leaders of tomorrow, we invite you to explore the opportunities at our school. Additionally, stay tuned for a part-time administration position that will be available in 2024, with more details to come later in the year. Express your interest in these roles by visiting the employment page on our website.
Enrolment
We are excited to announce a SECOND Kindy for a Day session taking place on Friday September 15.
This is for families who are yet to decide on their school for 2024, that didn’t attend our first session. To register, please visit our Kindy for a Day page.
In 2024 Enrolment is open to Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4, with limited spaces in all classes K-3 available in 2023. To request an enrolment interview, please contact the school.
Please visit our documents page to view our prospectus, enrolment form, parent info and fee information and more.
Media
Recent articles of interest:
Music teachers band together to stop 'illiterate' students falling through gaps
Also, various new articles from Bigger Better Brains:
I succeeded as an entrepreneur because of my music degree
Are pianists at an advantage when learning surgical skills?
A French horn-playing economist: how did learning an instrument help him think big?
Yours in Music,
Chris English – Principal, Richard Gill School