12 September 2025

Principal

Abi Hurdley

Dear Graceville Families and Friends,

As we head into Week 8, it’s hard to believe how quickly the term is flying by! With just a few weeks to go, classrooms are buzzing with rich learning experiences, and it's been wonderful to see students continuing to engage with enthusiasm and curiosity. Thank you to all our families for your ongoing support. It plays such a vital role in our school community. As we move towards the end of term, we have several exciting events and important dates coming up, so be sure to check the updates below.

GRACEVILLE STATE SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN (2024 -2027)

Graceville State School’s Strategic priority focus areas are:

1. Innovative Teaching and Learning
2. Empowering and Nurturing Environment
3. Connected Community

This year we will have two priorities in our Annual Improvement Plan that will guide our work for each of these focus areas:

• Enhance and extend a whole school, inclusive approach to support student learning beginning in the classroom so that resources are most effectively used to lift student learning.
• Deepening personal empowerment and embedding a nurturing environment to maximise curiosity, positive engagement and success for all.

As we reach the end of Term 3, it’s a great time to reflect on the rich learning and growth that has taken place across our school. This year, Graceville State School has been committed to deepening our understanding of the Australian Curriculum (Version 9) and embedding a conceptual, inquiry-based approach that sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful connections in student learning. With Innovation as our semester theme, students from Prep to Year 6 have explored guiding questions that challenged them to consider how creativity and design shape our world and drive positive change. Highlights this term included a powerful day of professional learning with renowned inquiry consultant Kath Murdoch, who modelled inquiry practices in our classrooms, and ongoing work with Jane Newman, whose sessions with staff have strengthened our focus on empowerment, relationships, and creating purposeful learning environments. Together, these experiences have continued to build a school-wide culture of curiosity, collaboration, and success for all.

Alongside this we have also celebrated many wonderful community and student events. These included our NAIDOC activities, students proudly representing GSS in Creative Generations, and the huge success of our School Fair. Our prep students marked the special milestone of 100 days of school, while students across year levels showcased their talents and teamwork through district athletics and maths challenge days. National Science Week came alive with our Science Fair and our instrumental music events added creativity and joy to the term. We also celebrated Book Week with colour and imagination, continued to build healthy habits through our Active School Travel program, and enjoyed coming together at our community BBQ breakfast. Each of these events reflects the spirit of Graceville - community, curiosity, and celebration.

TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK

Last week at Graceville State School, we celebrated Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. This is a chance to recognise and thank our incredible team of teacher aides who make such a difference in the lives of our students every single day.

Our teacher aides support learning in classrooms, work one-on-one with students, and go above and beyond to ensure every child feels included, supported, and encouraged to do their best. Their kindness, patience, and dedication truly shine through in everything they do. To show our appreciation, staff and students joined together to say thank you, and we enjoyed a special morning tea. There were plenty of smiles, laughter, and heartfelt words of gratitude shared throughout the week.

We are so fortunate to have such a hardworking and caring group of teacher aides at Graceville. On behalf of the whole school community—thank you for everything you do!

PARENT INFOMRATION SESSION: SHOWCASE OF CHOICE THEORY WITH JANE NEWMAN FROM NEW CORE

WHEN: TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Join us for an engaging session where we’ll explore Choice Theory, a powerful framework developed by Dr William Glasser that helps us better understand behaviour, our children’s and our own. At its heart, Choice Theory teaches that all behaviour is an attempt to meet five basic needs: love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival.

We’ll explore the difference between external control (rewards, punishments, pressure) and internal motivation and how understanding this shift can transform the way we relate to our children. By breaking down the habits that build connection and trust, you’ll walk away with fresh insights and practical tools to support more positive behaviour, better communication, and stronger relationships at home.

Please use the following link to register for this session: Parent Information Session: Showcase of Choice Theory

SCHOOL CHAPLAIN FUNDRASIER

This Sunday, Chappy John, will be taking part in the Bridge to Brisbane! Chappy John is an important part of our Graceville community, supporting the wellbeing of students, staff, and families each day. This is a wonderful opportunity to get behind him and show our support while also helping to maintain our current chaplaincy hours at Graceville State School. If you’d like to contribute, donations can be made by scanning the QR code below. Every contribution—big or small—makes a real difference.

Let’s cheer Chappy John on this weekend as he takes on the Bridge to Brisbane!

EXCITING QUAD UPGRADE

We are pleased to share that during the September/October holidays, significant improvement works will be taking place in the quad area, thanks to funding received from the Department of Education. The project will include removing the existing artificial grass and base, laying new concrete with improved drainage, and installing high-quality synthetic turf. The upgrade will also feature brand-new handball courts and up to 21 sandstone block seats, providing both play and seating options for our students. These works will create a fresh, functional, and engaging space for all to enjoy when school resumes next term.

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding term, I want to sincerely thank our wonderful Graceville community for your ongoing support, energy, and partnership. From the many events and celebrations to the everyday moments of learning and growth, it has been a joy to see our students thrive with the encouragement of their families, staff, and friends. I hope you enjoy a well-deserved break and return refreshed, ready for another exciting term ahead.

Abi Hurdley
Principal

Upcoming Events

Planned events are listed – we may have to postpone or cancel based on advice closer to the time.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Date claimer: Sports, Music & Choir, Student Leaders photos are on in Week 1 of next term Friday 10^th October. Sports students are the ones who have completed in a District team at Regional events or higher. Instrumental students can bring their instrument on the day for the photo.

All students need to wear their full school uniform, no house shirts or other colours. No hair accessories unless school colours, no jewellery.

Swimming Term 4

All classes Prep-6 will be involved in swimming lessons/classes. All students are expected to attend unless they have a note from a parent giving a valid reason for not attending. As this is non-contact for all teachers, any students who don’t come prepared to swim on their day will have to be accommodated in another classroom for that lesson. There won’t be staff at the pool to supervise them. Mr Daunt, our PE teacher will be one of the instructors at all the swimming lessons. Particularly in the lower school he will be needed in the pool teaching the students, who are in small ability groups. The Swim Academy is running the lessons.

Classes will commence on Day 1 of Term 4 Tuesday 7^th October. Teachers will let you know the day your child will have their lesson. We will have swimming lessons for the entire term, except for the odd day when other things are on that may interfere with this schedule. We will communicate any known changes to you.

Term 4

Just a few reminders of things coming up in Term 4:

• 8-9 October Year 4 camp
• Sport, Music & Leaders photos
• 15-17 October Year 5 camp
• Friday 31^st October - Day for Daniel & World Teacher’s Day
• Other School events coming up for fundraising:
• Student Council will be doing an event yet to be confirmed
• P & C Trivia night Saturday 25^th October
• P & C Spellathon 28^th October
• Chaplaincy Christmas markets & Movie night Friday 22^nd November

Deputy Principal

Liam Bray

2026

As we plan for the 2026 school year, we kindly ask you to complete a form around school for 2026. This form will allow you to provide thoughts you might have on your child’s academic progress and any social and emotional factors that may support their learning and well-being. Your input is invaluable in helping us create a supportive and effective learning environment tailored to each student’s needs.

All parents received an email this week with a link to complete the survey. If you did not receive this email, please send me an email liaab0@eq.edu.au

Prep Father’s Day

It was great to be part of the Father’s Day morning that our Prep classes had last Thursday. Seeing the dads connect with the children, teachers and each other was such a highlight.

Bridge to Brisbane

Good luck to Chappy John and all those families who are participating in the Bridge to Brisbane this weekend!

Prep 2026 Enrolment information

Please visit the school website https://gracevilless.eq.edu.au/enrolments/prep for all the information about Prep 2026 including dates for Get Set for Prep sessions.

If you have any questions about 2026 enrolment, please contact the office.

Term 4 Junior Assembly

Music News

Naomi Lindh

IM Workshops

Next term we have our IM workshop for the students who have not been involved in an instrumental workshop yet this year - the Senior Band, Intermediate Strings and Senior Strings. The Senior Band workshop will be all day on Wednesday 29 October all day and the Intermediate Strings and Senior Strings will rehearse alternately (attending some time during class and some time at the workshop) on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October). We will have a short concert in the afternoon with these ensembles performing on Wednesday 29 October. Due to space limitations in the hall, we are encouraging family members to attend our Annual Music Concert 12 November.

Annual Music Concert 

All students in the choirs and instrumental ensembles will be performing at the Annual Music Concert on Wednesday 12 November at 6pm in the hall. This concert will conclude by around 7:15pm. We request all our choral and instrumental students to attend to perform and celebrate a year of making music together, as well as our graduating year 6 students. As this is a formal concert, we request students to wear full school uniform to this concert. IM teachers will let students know what time they need to arrive to tune instruments etc (which will be approximately 5:30pm). Choral students can arrive a few minutes before the concert starts at around 5:50pm. We look forward to sharing our music with the school community!

Instrumental Music Recruitment 

If your child is interested in being considered for a place in the IM program and they are currently in either year 2 or year 3, please see the links to the recruitment letters. It is important to return the expression of interest by the due date. There is a lot of important information in the letters and things to consider prior to applying for or accepting a place, including the commitment to regular practice. We appreciate families taking the time to consider and discuss this with their children.  

Thank you for supporting your child's involvement in our music program!

Music Teacher Contact Details

Mr Alex Chin - Instrumental Music Teacher - Strings - Email: achin4@eq.edu.au
Mrs Naomi Lindh - Classroom Music Teacher/Choir Conductor - Email: nclos1@eq.edu.au
Mr Tom Stewart - Instrumental Music Teacher - Band Email: tstew97@eq.edu.au

Guidance Officer

Louissa Chalk

2025 Graceville State School Annual Improvement Plan Priorities

Priority 2 Deepening personal empowerment and embedding a nurturing environment to maximise curiosity, positive engagement, and success for all.

Dear parents and carers,

On the evening of 25 August, I had the pleasure of presenting a parent information session alongside our school-based wellbeing provisional psychologist, Greta Stuart and supported by school leadership staff.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the handout provided during the session. We hope to present more of these sessions in the future and we will strive to cover topics of interest to our Graceville community.

Kind regards,

LOUISSA CHALK | Guidance Officer 
Graceville State School
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

P&C News

👋 From the P&C Association

One more week and it’s holidays! Thank you to everyone who has supported this term fundraisers! And congratulations once again to everyone who worked so hard for the SSS grant! We are looking forward to seeing our new Oval Playground come to life! 

Next terms events organisation is in full swing! See below for more exciting details!

🎤 Trivia Night - 25th of October! 

Hey Trivia fans!  

The Trivia night is on the 25th of October at Fairplay Kitchen!

We know you’re super keen for GSS trivia! 

The wait is nearly over! Tables go on sale this Monday at 8pm. So choose a team captain, set your alarm and check your Qkr! Account is still active so you’re ready to jump on and purchase this hot commodity. They’ll sell out quickly! 

At 8:30pm the Trivia Convenors will send the team captains a form to lock in your theme.

Exciting! 
Trivia Convenors - Carrie and Anna

🎓 Spellathon 2025

Spellathon is back for another year and will be taking place in week 4 of term 4! Thank you to Jane Gill for taking on this event! It is a great way for the kids to get involved in raising funds for our wonderful school!

More information will be released in the next few weeks.

🎾 Get your Tennis rackets out! - GSS Tennis Court Hire

It’s so easy to play Tennis at Graceville State School! We encourage you to book a court, grab a racquet and have a hit with your family and friends!

When you book a court online, we'll send you a PIN to access the court/s you have booked.

Please note: Your booking PIN code will take 30 minutes to activate after you have made your booking online. Please book at least 30 minutes prior to the time you want to access the courts.

All funds raised for the tennis court hire go back to the Graceville P&C Association who, alongside the school help to both run and maintain our newly refurbished courts!

🗓️ Save the Date: Next P&C General Meeting

Our next P&C General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8th October 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Waratah Room and online. We encourage all members to attend, and we warmly welcome any new faces. It’s a great way to stay informed, have your say, and connect with our school community.

Anna Law
President
Graceville State School P&C Association 

Chappy Chat

John Erichsen

This Sunday, some of the Graceville State School staff be participating in the Bridge to Brisbane to raise funds for the Graceville State School Chaplaincy service. Whether running or walking, the support of this event is greatly appreciated. Annually, there is a shortfall of over $38 000 between the cost of 3-day chaplaincy in the school and the Federal Government funding. Financially supporting these fundraisers help bridge that gap and work towards maintaining the support for students, staff and families, which chaplaincy provides. Chaplaincy at Graceville State School, in its 19th year, works closely with other school staff to provide practical support on the ground. Assisting students in times of need and supporting teachers and school leadership, chaplaincy provides a qualified source of social and emotional support, for all in the school community, should they need/want it. Families wishing to contribute can do so via the QR Code below.

Thanks for your support.

With one week remaining until the September holidays, there are plenty of big moment experiences still to be had before we head off. Last night the School Disco was a great success, with students have a fantastic time dancing and singing to their favourite songs. Tomorrow morning, I will fire up the BBQ for the Active School Travel sausage sizzle breakfast. We should be ready to serve by 8am. This also dovetails into the Coffee and Connect morning, starting at 8.45am.

Interschool sport has two weeks remaining and next Thursday our Prep – Year 3 school students will participate in their sports day. The running tracks were painted on the oval yesterday and the excitement is starting to build.

Finally, don’t forget that next Friday is “Talk like a Pirate Day”, so stock up on your “Ahoy there”, “Shiver me timbers” and “Walk the plank’.

Have a wonderful week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Tuckshop

We’re really on the home stretch of term 3, thanks for supporting the tuckshop this term. Big thanks also to all our tuckshop helpers and hope everyone has a great break!

If you’re interested in helping out in the tuckshop, please join the volunteers WhatsApp group for all the news and to find out when we need extra help:

Tuckshop Ordering

Ordering for Tuckshop is all done through the online platform Qkr!, either using the web portal, or the Qkr! App on your mobile device. If you haven’t used it before, you need to create a new account and add the details for each of your children before you can make purchases. Please have a look at the how-to guides below for details. 

• Orders must be placed by 8am. Classes collect the tuckshop at 10:45am and take it to the class eating areas.
• To collect frozen treats, the students need to bring their tuckshop bag showing their order to the tuckshop counter during the play period of break after 11am, except for the Prep students who will receive frozen treats in their tuckshop bags.
• Year 1-6 students and staff can also purchase a range of snacks and drinks from the tuckshop counter with cash or card during the play period, 11:00 - 11:20am. 
• The Emergency Menu is available until 11:30am daily for cases of lost or forgotten lunches or other unforeseen circumstances.
• If your child is absent you can cancel your order before 8am using the Qkr! app. After that time, please call us as soon as possible and we may still be able to cancel or postpone the order (we won’t necessarily have a chance to check emails during the morning).

Please feel free to get in touch and let us know of any dietary allergies or sensitivities that your child might have so we can do our best to accommodate them.

Team Tuckshop
tuckshop@gracevillepandc.org.au
Ph. 37162777 (main school office and ask for the tuckshop)

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi everyone!

Blink and you'll miss it, another term almost done and dusted! 

I hope you get a moment or two for some r&r in these upcoming holidays before the silly season of the last term is upon us. 

As mentioned in last fortnight's newsletter, if you, or anyone you know have little ones starting Prep in 2026, I encourage you to plan and book ahead in Term 4 to secure an appointment to view and try on our range. 

DRESSES 

As the weather warms up this term, it's the perfect time to look at dresses. They were a very popular item over summer being a lightweight cotton mix fabric. Feel free to make an appointment to try them on. We also have an extensive range of sizes in the older style dress on the 2nd hand rack, at great prices.

HOUSE SHIRTS

All teams in all sizes are again readily available in store and online. Sizes start at a child's size 2, all the way up to an adult's size 14. 

REP SHIRTS

A reminder to all who have children in year 5 and 6 who do Friday sport, that they can wear our Rep Polo Shirts. They look like our gold polos but have a royal blue collar and a royal blue panel, down each side of the shirt. 

2nd HAND STOCK

Why not look at our 2nd hand rack. Items start at just $5 and are always marked at 50% off or less! Pop by the store on a Tuesday or Thursday morning for a look or send me an email with what you’re after so I can help.

RETURNS/REFUNDS

Please be advised that refunds will only be given if you have your receipt which will be sent to you via email or text message. Items should be in perfect condition, so should not have been worn or washed and any original tags should still be attached. You have 60 days for returns and refunds.

DONATIONS

We are always grateful for donations of 2nd hand uniforms that are freshly washed, in saleable condition with no tears or holes. We also ask that donations are our SCHOOL BRANDED ITEMS ONLY, so no items from any outside stores. Please do not leave donations at the uniform shop when it is closed. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

Email address for school uniform store is
uniformshop@gracevillepandc.org.au

Thanks everyone!
Michelle

Tennis

Community Notices