What’s Happening?

Social and Emotional Learning

Firstly, I want to say that social and emotional learning is embedded into every class and every break, every day. What I am doing with classes is different only in that it is coming to our students from someone who is not their regular teachers or aides.

Similar to last year, I have had a focus on being involved with the secondary students. With most classes, I am using the Rhythm2Recovery drumming program to continue to build on the topic of healthy friendships, looking at being respectful, listening to each other and building questioning skills.

Some classes have chosen to have me come to the classroom, where we often play some kind of card or board game, and where we learn and reinforce the vital skills of being kind to each other, being respectful, listening and turn-taking.

With other classes I get to hang out with the students on the playground, which is also so much fun and a vital space for putting into practice the social skills being taught each day.

 Lunchtime Girl’s Group

During second break each Friday, all of the secondary girl’s have the option of coming to the STEM room for break instead of heading out to the play areas.

We eat together, and then have fun together around different activities. These change each week, and have included puzzles, balloons, felt-art stories, colouring in, loom bands, drawing mandalas, and even an impromptu dance routine practiced and performed by some of the students simply because they wanted to.

Resignation from My Role as Chaplain

I wish to inform the school community that I have chosen to return to University, which has necessitated a reduction in my working hours. I have had to make the very hard decision to step down from my role as School Chaplain at Gympie Special School as of the end of this term, Friday 2 April.

I will miss the staff, students and families I have come to know over the last 2¼ years, and will be sad to go.   

Thank you for allowing me to serve you, the students, families and staff of Gympie Special School.

It will be hard to say goodbye.

Chappy Naomi

Coming Up

Chappy River Run / Walk

During the Easter holidays, the Cooloola Region Chaplains will be hosting a community event at Nelson Reserve. From 7am a ‘Park Run’ style 5km running event will kick off from Nelson Reserve, heading down along the River Walk path, and back again. Breakfast of bacon and egg burgers will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks and water.

From 9:30am a family-friendly River Walk will follow the same track. Upon return to Nelson Reserve entertainment will be provided by several local musicians, as well as a show from kid’s entertainer, Dan Warlow. Enjoy some snags and soft drinks for lunch, and have a great day out! Please see the flyer for more details, including entry costs!