focusinterview.
gully MARTIN’S
P U B L I C
S C H O O L
Martin’s Gully Public School has some exciting projects coming up. Principal Brad Hunt tells us more ... Tell us about the programmes you offer at Martin’s Gully Public School ... There are a number of whole school programmes implemented at Martin’s Gully Public School. Our Peer Support programme commenced at the beginning of this year, with Year 6 students being trained at a leadership afternoon. Knowledge and techniques gained enable Year 6 students to now work with students from Kindergarten to Year 5 each week, endorsing skills and activities linked to our You Can Do It! programme. The You Can Do It! programme is embedded throughout all aspects of the school, both in and out of the classroom and provides students with social and life skills focusing on resilience, confidence, organisation, persistence and getting along. Awards are presented each week at our Friday assembly as part of this programme. In addition to outstanding literacy, numeracy and creative arts programmes, students continue to participate in daily PE lessons linked to our whole school PD/H/PE programme. We understand that your school received a grant to work with other schools in the area. Can you tell us about this initiative? The executive staff members from
Drummond, Sandon and Martin’s Gully Public Schools worked together on applying for a combined grant to assist teachers in demonstrating leadership with implementing the new mathematics syllabus. Our application was successful, and every teacher in our school has consequently been involved in explicit training of the new Maths syllabus and developing new maths units of work. This is an ongoing initiative which will run for all of 2015. Our executive staff have been provided with opportunities to learn about leadership and to demonstrate these skills in leading workshops as part of the alliance. What are some of the future projects and ideas for Martin’s Gully? Martin’s Gully is an outstanding public school. We are a school wich offers an extensive academic curriculum as well as comprehensive sports, creative and performing arts programmes. We work closely with our community to build on our achievements. Further professional learning on the new English and Science syllabuses and the full implementation of the new History syllabus are priorities for curriculum change in our school. We will continue to build on our already strong welfare programmes using the You Can Do it! programme.
river ROCKY
P U B L I C
S C H O O L
Rocky River prides itself on a culture of values and community involvement. Principal Jo Thornton tells us how this "little school" helps many organisations in a "big way". A rich programme of activities encourage our students to participate in local community activities as well as fundraising on a national level. The You Can Do It! programme underpins the social, emotional and academic outcomes for our students. Social responsibility is one of the twelve Habits of the Mind that is central to the programme. This includes caring, doing your best, freedom, honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility, understanding, tolerance and inclusion. School leaders attend the GRIP leadership programme on an annual basis. This programme provides practical and interactive leadership training, which our leaders implement to support the Personal Development programmes in the school, including You Can Do It! Already this year, Rocky River Public School has been involved in a number of community activities. Firstly, we took part in a community research project in conjunction with the Uralla RSL. All Upper Division students researched a World War I Soldier who had been born or enlisted in Uralla. This culminated in 97% of our K - 6 Students marching in the Uralla ANZAC March and our school leaders addressing the community during the town service. In February I was contacted by the NRL HOGS On Harleys, who were travelling through NSW
promoting the Father Chris O’Brien programme for Youth Off The Streets. Students researched the programme and were astounded by the number of people who live on the streets, their ages and circumstances. Through a gold coin donation, the students were able to present Brad Fittler with a donation of $100. The students were rewarded with a talk from Brad Fittler and Nathan Hindmarsh, which concluded with every student receiving a football and some instruction from all of the footballers. Cancer has touched a number of families in the Rocky River Community. The students held a Pink and Yellow Day to raise money for Breast Cancer and Kids with Cancer programmes. An Odd Sock Day was recently held to support people with Melanoma. Other fund raising activities include Jeans for Genes and Red Nose Day. We conclude our academic year with a Safety Day which not only informs students about keeping safe in a fire, when swimming or bush walking and working on the farm, but students donate a gold coin for the privilege of being out of school uniform for the day. These proceeds go to the Westpac Helicopter Service. Students at Rocky River Public School are empathetic to others who are less fortunate, and they are willing to accept their social responsibilities to support our local and wider communities. new england focus.
23