Community & Business
18 September, 2024
PROBUS Club’s September Meeting
From the September 17 publication.
Last Thursday, vice-president Brenda Walker welcomed a smaller gathering than usual with lots of apologies. Some members will be attending Warren for a day out next week.
Our Guest Speaker for the month was Michael Darcy, principal of Gilgandra Public School.
We had been looking forward to Mick’s visit for some months and he was worth waiting for.
He told us he felt very privileged to be the leader of this school and enjoyed coming to ‘work’ each day.
Mick grew up in Narromine in a supportive and loving family.
His father was a great influence on him and together they enjoyed bush camping and quality time.
Mick attended school in Narromine, enjoyed playing schoolboy sport and gained a scholarship to Parramatta Rugby League.
Education was very important for Mick and he returned to Narromine becoming an Aboriginal Development Officer.
He finished his degree and came here to our local school as a classroom teacher.
Mick is married to Shelley also a school principal and they have three daughters.
He returned to Gilgandra as our principal two years ago and is very proud the school is fully staffed with local people.
Local casual teachers support a class when required and know the pupils.
They practise ‘Safe Respectful Learning’ at the school, manners are very important.
Kindergarten enrolments have increased each year.
Infant and Primary areas are not restricted to certain areas so siblings can be together at recess. Mr Darcy altered recess and lunch times to have play outside first and then canteen delivers ordered lunches to classrooms and eaten together with their teachers.
It has seen more healthy food being introduced and communication together in a happy environment.
Every child in every classroom has their own water bottle marked with a logo.
Teachers aides enjoy recess with children playing ball sports, skipping, lego and wherever there are children there are adults participating too.
Mr Darcy takes pupils home when needed for any reason and speaks to their parents or carers.
Families of students are regularly invited to the hall together for updates on their progress.
Year three students outperformed the State exceeding levels in Naplan this year.
Anzac Day saw 160 children marching together in our local service.
In July, Kindergarten celebrated 100 days at school with parents attending.
P and C numbers have increased and parents are keen to be at the school.
Recently the Variety Sunshine Coaches donated a 25-seat coach to the school with the school able to contribute some financial support towards it.
Already the coach is proving invaluable for the school to attend various functions locally or Dubbo and surrounding areas.
Students pay $2 for a local trip or $10 to Dubbo, it is affordable and teaches them values.
The Bendigo Bank has kindly made a donation towards a bus shed and this will be built.
Thank you, Mick, for telling us so much positive information about our school and the invitation for anyone to visit also.
