It has been a busy start to the term.

During second break on Thursdays, I am now playing with cardboard boxes with children from the Early Years classes. This has been a great way for myself, the children, and other staff members to connect with each other. We have had lots of fun building towers and knocking them over, laughing together, and talking about what we are doing. Unfortunately, photos don’t do this activity justice, as it is very difficult to take photos while playing! A special thanks to staff members and others who have donated boxes.

The sensory garden is now ready for everyone to enjoy. I am grateful to the Secondary Girls’ Group girls, teacher Cassandra Perry, Schools Officer Bill, and others for helping make this project happen.

This term, as a school community, we are helping out RSPCA. In the past year, 45 043 animals have arrived at an RSPCA Queensland centre. Their Animal Ambulance rescued 28 177 sick, injured or trapped animals, while others ended up at shelters because their owners could no longer care for them. Thankfully, between 2012 and 2022, 683 024 animals across Australia were rehomed, reunited with their owners, or released back into the wild.

We are currently putting together a hamper for the RSPCA Gympie shelter. You can help by donating:

• Kitty litter (recycled paper and pellet types)
• Towels and blankets (not feather doonas)
• Old pillows and stuffed toys
• Dog and cat wet food cans
• Dog treats (e.g. Schmackos, Dentastix).

Please bring your donations to the school office by next Tuesday (1 August).

On Thursday 17 August, we will be holding an RSPCA Cupcake Day. The Secondary Girls’ Group and I are currently busy baking and icing 120 cupcakes, which will be available for a gold-coin donation. More information will be provided soon.