Book Character Parade fever is building in the Primary as the clock ticks over to just over 2 weeks until Book Character Parade Day and Grandparents’ Day. This will no doubt be a very eagerly anticipated day for many of our students and their families. In all the fun, however, there is a serious message for parents. This message is that reading is one of the building blocks that underpin all academic learning. Promoting a love of books and reading in your children is one of the greatest gifts that any parent can give a child. I look back fondly to the favorite books of my children when they were younger and the many nights spent, as a tired young parent, reading stories to them. You can’t get that time back so make the most of young children’s thirst for knowledge and encourage them to love books, to love reading and develop an understanding that reading comprehension underpins all learning.

At our pastoral leaders meeting this week it was decided that we will undertake a collection of toiletries and non-edible items to be packaged up and donated to drought affected farmers. This collection will start next week and each secondary PC room will have a box set up that students can bring their donations in to. We are looking for brand new items such as the following:

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Mouthwash
• Laundry detergent
• Fabric softener
• Cleaning products
• Nappies
• Nappy wipes
• Deodorant
• General toiletries
• Hygiene products
• Soap, body washes etc.
• Shampoo, conditioner
• Other non-edible items

Our vision is to support those who are struggling by assisting with these necessities which are often costly to purchase in country areas. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated and demonstrate as a positive example of how our community can make a difference to someone in munch greater need than ourselves. Stay tuned for a primary initiative for drought relief in the near future.

Next week sees our Athletics team head to Coffs Harbour for what will be a keenly fought NCIS Athletics Carnival. I wish the team every success and thank all the staff who have assisted the students to develop their skills and fitness. We hope to share some great news of some pleasing results but most importantly look forward to hearing news of personal best times, lengths and heights.

The Gold Coast Eisteddfod is not far away and our musicians will be travelling up to the Gold Coast to compete against the best that the region has to offer. This Eisteddfod is of a very high standard and it will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to benchmark their performances against some very talented opposition. We hope that they ‘break a leg’ next week up at the Gold Coast Arts Centre.

At this time it is pertinent to remind parents that the staff and visitors carpark is not a drop off area. There are adequate pick up zones without the need to use this. Please observe all safety signage around the College. Signs have a purpose and are designed to promote safety.

Whilst I am on the push about safety I would also ask parents to ensure that they do not pick up their children on Riverbend Drive. This request is for your children’s safety as there are no staff on duty out there as it is not a designated drop off and pick up area. Your support is needed in order to promote student safety.

Mr Darren Parks
Deputy Principal