The Gumdale State School, School Council met for the third time in 2025 at the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club on Friday 29 August. Chairperson, Shonel Balsillie, opened the meeting and acknowledged the traditional owners of the land.

Phil Savill presented his Principal's report in which he acknowledged:

90 Years celebration – The growth of Gumdale State School

• The school’s anniversary to be celebrated annually towards the 100th birthday

School Review Report highlighting key improvement strategies:

• Driving an explicit improvement agenda. Deputies are visible in classrooms daily and are conducting student lead walk throughs in Prep – 6 to maintain lines of sight over priorities.
• Analysing and discussing data. Teams across the school are looking at how data is gathered to ensure it is purposeful. Systematic approaches are in play across all year levels to monitor learning and measure the impact of initiatives and interventions.
• Leading systematic curriculum implementation. Collaborative opportunities to strengthen the alignment between planning, teaching, learning and assessment to continue with Head of Curriculum, Learning Area Managers, Teachers and Deputy Principals.

Jess Mawn delivered the updates for all working parties action plans during the Term 3 School Council meeting.

School Based Initiatives to note/ Sporting Opportunities

Our Athletics carnivals were held earlier in the term. Year 4 students are participating in swimming lessons and year 5’s are sailing as part of their PE program. Met East Athletics was held with 5 Gumdale students participating.

Semester 2 Signature programs are currently underway. We competed in the Primary School and Met East Netball Galas.

Our Instrumental groups have held pop up concerts around the school, performed at the Manly Markets and will be attending the annual WAMM camp in week 10.  Our Junior choir performed at the 90th Assembly.

Education Links to note/Camps/ School Connections

We have hosted 23 Short Term cultural students from Prep – Yr 6 this term. Incursions and Excursions have included visits to Beenleigh’s Historical Village, Lone Pine and the Planetarium, Internet Safe Education, How Things Move, Rocket Science and True Relationships. Student Council are running an Over 8’s day to celebrate the school’s 90th birthday. The Year 6 students enjoyed their camp to Sydney & Canberra and Year 4 students are off to Currimundi next week for an overnight stay. READ Well have held a Book Fair to raise funds for the library and the Annual Book Week Parade was held and the Premier’s Reading Challenge was a great success. Our ATSI working party will be holding a Great Book Swap for Indigenous Literacy.

Business

Superior Cranes are our newest sponsors.

Community Organisations

GOSHC hosted a lunch for all staff celebrating Principal’s Day. We celebrated the school’s 90th Anniversary with a Gala Ball, School Assembly and Fun Day. The P&C Association’s Father’s Day stall is being held in week 8.

Celebration of Staff Excellence

Congratulations to Olivia Knipe and Helena Little for being nominated by their peers for the staff recognition award.

Professional Development

Staff attended a day trip to Minjerribah, coordinated by our ATSI Working Party.

Wellbeing

Gumdale Connect have held coffee mornings at the Gumdale Eatery and they will be celebrating Teacher Aide’s with a morning tea in week 9.

Chairperson, S Balsillie, updated the School Council:

The Term 4 2025 meeting of the Gumdale State School, School Council is scheduled for Friday 21 November.