Term 3 has been filled with memorable moments and wonderful growth across all year levels.

This term we celebrated Gumdale’s 90th anniversary as a whole school community. It was inspiring to see students from Prep to Year 6 participating with pride and a strong sense of belonging. Prep students also marked 100 Days of Prep with colourful outfits and themed activities, recognising just how far they have come in their learning, friendships and independence. Students in Years 3 to 6 enjoyed Over 8’s Day, taking part in activities that encouraged teamwork, creativity and fun. Our Year 6 students were also fortunate to take part in the Parliament Roadshow, led by Kara Cook MP and Milton Dick MP, which included the unveiling of the Australian flag.

Year 5 students finished the term with their sailing program, building confidence and teamwork on the water. Across all year levels, we also celebrated great sporting success, with students showing determination, skill and sportsmanship in a range of events.

Alongside these celebrations, we have continued to focus on building independence, maintaining strong attendance and encouraging learning at home. Reading together daily, writing for real purposes such as journals or shopping lists, and supporting children to manage their own belongings are just some of the simple ways families can make a difference.

Most importantly, our students continue to live out Gumdale’s values each day by showing respect, kindness and care for others while growing into confident and capable learners. We are proud of all they have achieved this term and look forward to the exciting learning ahead in Term 4.

Prep 

Our Prep students recently reached an exciting milestone, 100 days of learning. To mark this special occasion, students took part in a variety of fun and creative activities to celebrate all they have achieved so far this year.

From counting and sorting collections of 100 objects to creating colourful 100th Day drawings, the children explored numbers, patterns, and their own creativity. Many students also reflected on what they have learned since the start of the year, proudly sharing their favourite moments with their classmates.

Congratulations to all our Prep students on reaching this fantastic milestone. We look forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings.

Prep 100 Days Brighter

Year 1

Year 1 students enjoyed a day of outdoor learning at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, perfectly complementing their English unit on describing animal characteristics, habitats, and interesting facts. Seeing koalas, kangaroos, and other native animals up close provided rich inspiration for their upcoming information reports. The day also linked to science (living and non-living things) and HASS (natural, managed, and constructed environments) - all while creating lasting memories and sparking curiosity, excitement, and wonder.

Year 1 Lone Pine

Year 2

In Week Two, Year 2 students stepped back in time at the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum as part of their English and HASS studies. They experienced a day in the life of a Brisbane schoolchild from 100 years ago - attending lessons, playing games, completing chores, and exploring historic buildings and memorabilia.

Year 2 Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum

Year 2 had an out-of-this-world experience during our Rocket Science incursion! Linking perfectly with our Science unit on forces, students explored fair testing, gravity, and how rockets launch. The highlight of the day was, of course, blasting our very own rockets high into the sky. It was a hands-on, exciting way to see science in action and left everyone buzzing with enthusiasm!

Year 2 Rocket Incursion

Thank You to Our Helpers

A huge thank you to our staff, parents, grandparents, and carers who supported the Year 1 and Year 2 excursions. Your time and assistance ensure these days run smoothly and create rich, memorable learning experiences for our students.

Year 3

This term in Science, our Year 3 students learned all about the day and night. To consolidate their classroom learning, the students enjoyed a special excursion to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

During the visit, Dr. Eileen welcomed the group and gave an engaging presentation about the planets in our solar system. The highlight of the day was watching the night sky projected inside the dome of the planetarium, students were amazed to see the stars, constellations, and planets up close.

The experience sparked lots of curiosity and great questions from the students, who left the planetarium inspired and eager to continue their learning about space and our place in the universe.

Year 3 Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

NASA correspondent Glen Nagle joined our Year 3 students via zoom, sharing his wisdom of the universe and sparking endless curiosity about space. Dressed in his spacesuit, he captivated the children by answering their many questions and inspiring them to dream beyond the stars.

Year 4

Our Year 4 students set off to Camp Currimundi for a fun filled overnight adventure by the beach.

They took part in a range of activities including archery, team building games, bodyboarding and swimming. There was plenty of laughter, learning and encouragement as students tried new things and worked together.

In between activities, there was lots of time to relax, chat and enjoy each other's company. Camp was a great chance to build friendships and make lasting memories.

A big thank you to the staff and helpers who made the camp possible, and to our Year 4 students for making it such a positive experience.

Year 4 Camp Currimundi

Year 5

Our Year 5 students recently finished an exciting series of sailing lessons at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. This week, they even learnt about capsizing and how to safely recover their boats.

It was wonderful to see students building confidence on the water, working together, and enjoying this hands-on learning experience. Congratulations to all Year 5 students for embracing every challenge and making the most of their sailing adventure.

Year 5 Sailing

Year 6

On Thursday 18 September, our Year 6 students were fortunate to take part in the Parliament in Schools Roadshow, held in our school hall.

We were honoured to welcome Kara Cook MP and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, who led the program and spoke with students about the importance of leadership, decision-making and having a voice in our community. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Australian flag, the third largest in the world.

Another special moment came when Mr Savill and four of our school captains signed the official guest book, which will be displayed in Parliament House. Our school was also recognised as the 200th school to take part in the Roadshow, a milestone that added to the sense of occasion.

The program was a valuable opportunity for our senior students to build their understanding of parliament and leadership.

Year 6 Parliament Roadshow

Homestay Program - Japanese Students

We are excited to welcome Japanese students to our school from 10 November to 15 November as part of our international homestay program. These students are looking for welcoming local families to host them during their visit.

Hosting a student is a wonderful opportunity to share your culture, build lasting friendships, and give students a home-away-from-home experience. Families provide meals, a place to sleep, and a supportive environment, while students bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a chance to learn more about Japanese language and culture.

If your family is interested in hosting a student, please click here. Your support helps make this cultural exchange program a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.