Welcome to Gowrie State School – a school that is 130 years young. Since 1878, our school has provided quality educational opportunities for the Gowrie Community.

The school’s staffing currently consists of a Principal, seven classroom teachers and one Prep teacher.  Specialist teachers in the areas of music, instrumental music, physical education, learning support, LOTE, guidance and speech language pathology visit the school on a regular basis. Our staff is very experienced and supportive of each other and the students in their care.  Staff are in partnership with you, the parents, to ensure the best outcomes for your child in our school setting. The school currently has an enrolment of over 200 students.

Learning takes place in a family atmosphere which reflects the values and beliefs that are held by our community. Students receive individualised attention for optimal learning and are encouraged in a safe and family oriented environment. Students are noticed, nurtured, valued as individuals and are given opportunities to grow, develop and take personal responsibility.

We are also able to offer an Out of School Hours Care Program which supports parents who require care for children from 7am to 8.30am before school, and from 3pm to 6pm after school.  This program is staffed by appropriately qualified adults.  The cost includes all activities and snacks.

Our Prep encourages children to explore their own unique personality through a balance of developmental play and structured learning in an environment that nurtures and supports each child’s special qualities and features Play based learning.

The Parents and Citizens’ Association provides a great deal of support for the school and is an excellent avenue through which the parents and staff of the school may discuss school policy and general school improvement. 

The Association also organises annual events such as the Trivia Night, the school Fete, film nights and other fundraising events. If you have just moved to our community or would like to be more involved, joining the P&C is a great way to start.

Please contact our school should you require any further information and come and join Gowrie State School.

Great school, great staff, great community!

Yours sincerely,

Lian Campbell Eagles
A/Principal

Enrolment Application

School Profile
Gowrie State School is situated fifteen kilometres northwest of Toowoomba in the Rosalie Shire. It is a growth school and the surrounding area is opening up for development. Our school caters for Prep to Year 7children, mainly from families who have moved here from larger urban centres that enjoy our rural setting.

The parents of our school are very supportive of the school as an integral part of community life. A very important part of the description of our school and it’s community is the high degree of open communication that exists.

The P&C Association are very well supported with excellent attendance at their monthly meetings. As a result, the school enjoys financial support for many projects and activities. The purchase of groundscare equipment and the voluntary support of parents in maintaining the grounds have resulted in our school consistently being placed in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Garden Competition.

Prep
Prep is an integral part of the Gowrie State School community.  In order to promote children’s learning, we

• Know and understand children
• Build partnerships
• Establish flexible learning environments
• Actively involve your child in his/her learning and provide opportunities for your child to learn in many different ways – for example, through investigation, play and real life experiences.

In Prep, children will be :

• Using blocks and manipulative equipment and creating collages to develop early mathematical concepts and skills
• Drawing and painting to encourage oral language, reading and writing skills
• Initiating and participating in dramatic play to build an understanding of the world around them
• Writing stories and making signs as part of their play
• Playing and investigating independently, in pairs, in small groups and as a whole class
• Participating in outdoor activities
• Actively making choices about what and how they learn
• Investigating and learning how to find out about their interests
• Planning with the teacher using a plan-do-reflect model
• Participating in music and language experiences

These learning experiences will help children to :

• Understand and use language to group, sort and describe objects and to communicate ideas, feelings and needs
• Develop early literacy and numeracy skills
• Develop independence and problem solving skills
• Learn how to co-operate with others
• Develop physical co-ordination skills
• Listen, Respond to and give directions
• Increase self confidence

It is hoped your association with Gowrie State School Preparatory year will be a happy and fulfilling one for your child and family.

Gowrie State School Outside School Hours Care
A before school care and after school care program exists to support parents.
You can reach one of our friendly co-ordinators on 46307710 or leave a message at the school office during school hours.
The program runs weekly. The hours of operation and session costs are:-
Before School - 7.00am to 8.30am - $6.00 per session
After School - 3.00pm to 6.00pm - $11.00 per session
(These prices are without Childcare Assistance and are reviewed annually).
The session cost includes all activities and afternoon tea. A subsidy is available. Information is provided on request.
Co-Ordinators

• Cristine Warburton
• Josie Barr
• Lynelle Erbacher

The program is based in the old school residence building which can be accessed via the driveway near the tennis courts.

Staffing
Current school staffing consists of one Principal and eight classroom teachers. Specialist teachers in the areas of music, instrumental music, physical education, learning support, LOTE, guidance and speech language pathology visit the school on a regular basis. Our non-teaching staff consists of two administration officers, four teacher aides, cleaners and a permanent facilities officer.
SCHOOL STAFF
(As at January 2008)

School Facilities

• Our Administration Centre opened in 1993. This consists of the Principal’s Office, Administration Office, Staff Room, Health Room and Teacher Aides’ Work Room.
• The Prep is housed in a purpose built classroom that was opened in 2007.
• A new teaching block was opened in 1995 and accommodates two classes that work in an open plan format.
• Two Early Years classes are accommodated in a new double demountable building erected at the beginning of 2006.
• A large double teaching block contains four classrooms for the use of the children in Middle and Upper school.
• A Resource Centre was officially opened in 2007 which incorporates our Library and Computer Lab.
• Internet facilities are available to all students.
• Covered walkways connect all permanent buildings at our school.
• There are three covered lunch areas which double as wet weather play areas for the children.
• A sports shed contains a variety of sporting equipment for the use of the children during playtime.
• A P&C double shed houses the mowers and gardening equipment used by the P&C to implement the groundscare roster.
• The original old school building is used for music lessons

Values and Beliefs

We value –

• Open communication
• Honesty
• Integrity - Self
• Respect - Self, others and environment
• Resourcefulness
• Loyalty
• Courtesy
• Co-Operation
• Participation

We believe –

• In effective and open communication within the whole school community
• In enjoyable, purposeful, flexible learning environments and teaching strategies
• In an equitable discipline policy
• In continued development of worthwhile character traits and establishment of good learning habits
• In ongoing updating of facilities with additional resources in line with increase in enrolments and relevant educational trends