Dear JPS Families,

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you all had a wonderful, restful break and are feeling ready for what is shaping up to be a very exciting term. We have so much to look forward to — Education Week in Week 3, Science Week in Week 5, Southern Stars in Week 6, and Book Week and Grandparents Day in Week 8. It is going to be a term full of opportunities to celebrate public education and all of the incredible learning that happens at Jamberoo every single day.

We have hit the ground running in the best possible way. The term began with NAIDOC Week celebrations and settled, positive starts in classrooms — it was really lovely to see students so happy to be back. Behind the scenes, Southern Stars, drama and Tournament of Minds rehearsals are already well underway. 

A special mention to our Kindergarten students, who celebrated 100 Days of School this week in style. The dress ups were both impressive and very cute! It is a milestone worth celebrating and wonderful to see our newest students thriving. Thanks to Mrs Gallea for organising a day for Kindy to remember.

A big thank you to the P&C and all of the parent and teacher volunteers who ran such a successful Bunnings BBQ during the holidays. I was very much put to the test on the BBQ — not my area of expertise! It was a fantastic day and a great reflection of the incredible parent and community support our school is so lucky to have. Thank you all sincerely.

On a practical note, as the cooler weather sets in we are noticing school uniform standards beginning to slip a little. A friendly reminder to please ensure that your child is in full school uniform each day, including correct coloured shoes and socks. The lovely Jess opens the uniform shop each Wednesday morning from 8.45 - 9.15, if you are in need of a top up. If your family needs any support with uniforms, please don't hesitate to reach out to the office — we and the P&C are always happy to help. 

Here's to a wonderful Term 3!

Kind Regards, 

Bec Gavin

Principal

Week 1 saw our school come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week, with this year's theme, 50 Years of Deadly, guiding a week full of learning and cultural connection.

Throughout the week, students took part in NAIDOC-themed learning and activities in their classrooms, including watching a special episode of Bluey presented in Yolŋu Matha, a First Nations language from North East Arnhem Land.

The week built up to a full day of Cultural Learning on Friday, delivered by Gadhungal Marring. Students tried their hand at boomerang throwing and boomerang painting, and learned some traditional dance and weaving, with several students showing great skill with the boomerang. Jacob from Gadhungal Marring also spoke with students about the responsibility we all share to look after this beautiful Country we live on. The day wrapped up with the whole school joining together for a lively corroboree and a smoking ceremony.

NAIDOC Week is an important time for our school community to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It gives our students a valuable opportunity to learn about and connect with the world's oldest continuing culture, helping build understanding and respect that extends well beyond the week itself.

Thank you to Gadhungal Marring for sharing their culture and knowledge with our students in such an engaging way, and to Mrs Peterson for organising such a memorable day.

A marvelous night was had at our annual P&C Trivia Night.We had 11 tables of fantastically costumed contestants - everyone from flappers, hippies, the cast of Back to the Future, all of the characters from Alice in Wonderland, a table of mixed equestrian themed entries and some amazing French renaissance Lords and Ladies - with their own BYO guillotine. It was colourful, it was loud, but most of all, it was lots of fun.

Congratulations to the Scooby Doobies - made up primarily of some of our great Jamberoo PS teachers, who took out the bragging rights as 1st place quiz winners. In a hard fought battle, congratulations to Down the Rabbit Hole, who took out the best dressed table, Clare Broun who won best dressed female and Guy Stearn who won best dressed male. 

Last Saturday was a beautiful sunny day for our Bunnings BBQ. Thank you so much to everyone who donated supplies, it was such a massive help, thank you.

Thank you to Mikalea Starkey, Rachel Tolosa Paz, Nora McDonald, Peta Renton, Pippa Rendell, Sarah Terry, Alicia Stewart, Kerrie Murphy, Rodd Pearce & Guy Stern for helping out on the day.

Special thanks to our wonderful teaching staff - Mrs Gavin, Mrs McCormack, Mrs Peterson & Mrs Gallea, who also volunteered their time on the day. They all did a marvellous job keeping up with a (at times) hectic BBQ service. I have never experienced such a busy BBQ, maybe it was the sun and end of holiday vibes, but we could barely keep up at times with the orders.

Also special thanks to the group who all did 'we are out of xyz' runs to Woolies for us - Mrs Lando (onions) Alicia (drinks) Kerrie (ice) Peta (bread & sausages) - you literally kept the BBQ going!Everyone did such a great job and we are so grateful for everyone's positive vibes and team spirit - it was very appreciated!

This year is flying by and Father's Day is coming up.

Save the date for our Father's Day stall - more information next week.

Thanks!