5 May 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

I was very lucky last week to be selected to attend a Curiosity and Powerful Learning summit in Melbourne. Only 25 professionals, representing schools and universities were invited to attend. Our role was to provide feedback on the progress of the project so far and provide insight into our learnings and “where to next” for the project. I was very excited to meet and talk with the university representatives, especially Griffith University, who are keen to partner with us where they can.

As you may be aware, our school (and all other schools in QLD) have benefited from a direct funding to schools model through a program called Investing for Success. The Minister for Education, guaranteed our school’s funding of $246,983, for both the 2016 and 2017 school years. Direct funding to schools enables us to use the money in the best possible way to meet the needs of students and teachers in our unique context. This is very important for schools. Each year, schools submit a plan to Central Office detailing how the funds will be used. Our I4S plan was approved at the end of Term 1 and can now been seen on our website.

This year our school will host another Study Tour from Taiwan. Study Tours provide an exciting opportunity for students and teachers from different countries and cultures to learn from each other. We need your help in hosting children! If you can host a child, please contact Ms Hass. We are also considering taking a group of our students on a Study Tour to Taiwan next year. If you would like your child to attend, hosting a child this year would be a great way to build understanding of Taiwanese culture. More details about our possible Study Tour to Taiwan will be available after discussions with the P&C and Department of Education.

I would like to thank Mrs Carol Hawker and Mrs Sue-Ellen Lockwood for the huge effort they put into planning the Spell-a-thon. The Spell-a-thon raised $20,000 which will hopefully go towards purchasing new computers for classrooms. We are very lucky to have such amazing volunteers who are able to devote time to organising the fundraiser. Our school has a focus on Random Acts of Kindness this year and these two mums have shown a real life example of a selfless act of kindness! Thankyou!

The next P&C fundraiser is the Trivia Night on June 4! If you have not been, it is a fun night where people do not take themselves too seriously. The main aim is to have fun while raising money for the school. Everyone comes in costume based on the theme of the night, there is a bar, food and plenty of community spirit! This year I will be volunteering my time by serving at the bar. It is a great way to meet parents in a social way so please feel free to come and have a chat! Please consider coming along, book a table and join in the fun! All money raised goes to the P&C who are committed to improving many aspects of the school.

As you may be aware the NAPLAN tests are being held next week. We wish the best of luck to all of our Year 3 and 5 children as they participate in the tests. It is also important to remember that this test reflects one day of a child’s schooling and is by no means a reflection of the capabilities of the whole child. Our students are capable in many wonderful ways, all of which should be celebrated!

Finally, I would like to wish all our mums a happy Mother’s Day for Sunday! I hope you have a relaxing day with your families!

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Date Claimer: Under 8’s Activities on Wednesday May 25, 8.45 – 10.45

This annual event for Prep, year 1 -2 classes is on again. Please see poster attached for more information. We invite all parents to attend and join in the fun if available.

Study Tour – From Future Heir School in Taiwan to Graceville State School

The past couple of weeks I have included information about the upcoming study tour from Taiwan. We urgently need families who would be willing to host a student arriving on August 2 and leaving us early on August 18.

We will have an information evening on Wednesday May 18 at 6pm in the Waratah room. I will let you know about the program, the school the Taiwanese school our visitors will come from and requirements to host a student.

Please read the information below and let me know if you would be able to assist.

In order for Graceville to be able to host these students, we need to provide homestay accommodation. You may have more than one student if desired with most students preferring to stay with another student.

A homestay family must provide:

• A bed – own bedroom is desirable but not necessary
• All meals – send lunch each day, if your child has tuckshop, then provide homestay student with tuckshop also
• Travel to and from school

Each Saturday, the students will go on an all-day excursion so must also be dropped at school at 9:00am and picked up at approximately 5pm (this is negotiable if your family was to go away for the weekend).

We cannot undertake this study tour without the support of our school families. Students from Taiwan will be 10-12 years of age. School families with younger children can be a homestay family as all students will be assigned a school buddy as well. Could you please indicate on the form attached if you would be interested in hosting a student for this upcoming study tour. Please return the form to the admin office ASAP or email me at mhass10@eq.edu.au I will arrange an information session for all families who indicate interest to go through in detail what would be involved.

Date Claimer: Prep Information Evening - Wednesday July 27 at 7pm.

Graceville State School recognises as its prime obligation the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students resident within this community as defined by its local catchment area.

Please visit the following link which details our school enrolment management plan and also provides a link to the catchment area for Graceville State School:

This site also outlines the process for placing your child’s name on our waiting list if you reside outside of our catchment area.

Below is the calendar for term 2 assemblies.

Reading News

Dear Parents

Welcome back to an electrifying term of reading!!

Last term bookmarks were sent home with your child to reinforce active comprehension strategies that were taught within the classroom. We would greatly appreciate your child returning the laminated bookmarks by Tuesday 10th May, so that we can update these for the term ahead.

We would also like to hear feedback in regards to the bookmarks. Have the bookmarks been helpful for your child when reading at home? Please provide an example of how the bookmarks have benefited your child’s understanding of the active comprehension strategy.

Parents of P-2 email apayn23@eq.edu.au

Parents of 3-6 email tfree19@eq.edu.au

Thanking you in advance for the prompt return of these bookmarks.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Wellbeing

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. To celebrate and show our appreciation for all the Mother’s in our school, the Student Council will be giving away carnations to Mothers, this Friday morning before school. Student council members will be stationed at various points around the school. 350 carnations have been purchased and will be given out on Friday. Enjoy!

During this term we will have a variety of events which are part of our Wellbeing focus.

Later in the term we will have events to commemorate Reconciliation & NAIDOC week.

On Tuesday 26th May myself and some of our school leaders will be attending the Annual Sorry Day Ceremony at the Sherwood Arboretum at 7.00am.

NAPLAN – next week!

On Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 May, students in Years 3 and 5 will take part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, or NAPLAN, as it is commonly known. Friday 13 May is the catch-up day for any students who may have missed one of the tests during the week.

Skills that will be tested include: reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.

These tests are done here at school and are considered just another part of the curriculum.

It is important for you and your child to know that NAPLAN is not a pass/fail test. It simply looks at what level students are achieving in literacy and numeracy against National Standards and compared with student peers throughout Australia.

NAPLAN cannot be studied for and students are not expected to do so. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that it is just a routine part of their school program, and to urge them to do the best they can on the day.

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN testing. Please ensure that if you have a child in Years 3 or 5 that they are in attendance during that week in May. Please avoid booking holidays or appointments during those days. Holidays should not be scheduled during school terms. If you can’t avoid those days e.g. specialist appointment, please try to make it in the afternoon. All testing will be completed by 12.45 on those days.

Later in the year we will send you an individual student NAPLAN report that you can use to view and monitor how your child is progressing.

More information is available on the NAP website.

If you have any concerns, please contact the class teacher or myself.

University of New South Wales Competitions

Entries for all UNSW competitions have now been finalized. Payments for these have been included in the Term 2 account.

Competition dates:

Digital Technologies - 17 May - Yrs 3-6
Science - 31 May - Yrs 2-6
Writing - 16 June - Yrs 3-6
Spelling - 15 June - Yrs 3-6
English - 02 August - Yrs 2-6
Maths - 16 August - Yrs 2-6

If your child is away on the day of any of the competitions, please let the class teacher know so we can look at an alternate day, before or after the sitting date.

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Your child’s Permission Proforma should have been returned last Friday. If you have not returned this form to your class teacher, please do this as soon as possible.

Your attention to your child’s permission form and last day for payment will ensure your child’s attendance.

Year 5 camp for Term 3 has been added to the account to allow families to budget for this event; UNSW competitions have been added as per student entry. Please be reminded that these competitions have been ordered and prepaid by the school. No sit, no refund applies here.

Voluntary Parent Contributions

Still collecting your valuable contribution to this school’s curriculum resources in Curiosity and Powerful Learning.

$60 single student family and $115 for 2 or more in family. Please refer to the Principal’s letter and information sheet.

Credit in Account: All credits (eg -$10) in family accounts may be used with current invoices at the parent’s request. BPoint payments over the invoiced amount will be added as a credit balance.

Request for Refund form for an excursion paid and not attended is available from the front office. Prepaid ticketing excursions and prepaid competition entries are non-refundable.

Payment of account days:

8am-3.15pm - Monday to Wednesday
8am-12pm - Thursday and Friday
BPoint is the preferred method of payment.
Eftpos, Debit Cards: Visa/Mastercard, cheque or cash payments are accepted.

BPOINT User Information

For payment of multiple items on your statement/invoice, you will need to do a separate entry for each item, entering the invoice number and the corresponding payment amount for that item only e.g.

Separate Entries for each line must be done to ensure the payment is allocated to the correct Excursion/Resource Fee.

BPOINT payments must be processed in time to clear (usually 2-3 business days) before the Due Date for payment.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to the Year 2 and 3 Choir students for sharing their songs at the assembly this week.

The students have been working on singing in parts within their individual year group choir with simple songs and canons. This is their second performance for the year and our students are very excited about it. We thank families and members of the school community who are able to attend to support our choir.

Upcoming music performances and events

5 May - Year 2/3 Choir assembly performance

31 May - Fanfare competition at Sherwood SS - Senior Strings and Senior Band

17 June - Choir Workshop/Incursion (to be held at school with a guest conductor and school choir conductors)

Music Rehearsals Term 2

Tuesday 7:45am Senior Choir - Ms Julie West ( jwest269@eq.edu.au )
Wednesday 7:45am Senior Strings - Mrs Ruth Prout ( rprou5@eq.edu.au )
Wednesday 3-4pm Senior Band - Mr Steve Stiller ( sstil2@eq.edu.au )
Thursday 7:30am Junior Band - Mr Alex Grodecki ( agrod3@eq.edu.au )
Thursday 7:45am Year 3 Choir - Warratah Room
Thursday 12:45pm Beginner/Junior Strings - Mrs Ruth Prout ( rprou5@eq.edu.au )
Friday 8:00am Year 2 Choir - Mrs Naomi Lindh - music room

Please contact your child's conductor if they are unable to attend a rehearsal or having any issues with their instrument.

Thank you for supporting the music program.

Creative Generation

Amanda Nicholls

Creative Generation - State Schools Onstage 2016

Experience a stunning, award-winning production featuring the best young talent in Queensland, including 9 of our students right here from Graceville State School.

Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage 2016 is an annual performance of the highest professional standard. The arena-style production showcases the wealth of talent in Queensland State Schools.

CGEN will feature approximately 1500 young singers, dancers and musicians alongside some of Queensland’s leading professional artists.

Come and be inspired by this must-see event for the whole family.

Click the link below to book tickets online via ticketek.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

As well as many areas of curriculum, this week our attention will be drawn to Sunday when we celebrate Mother’s Day and try, in some small way, to show them how much we appreciate all they are and everything they do. If the skies were made of parchment, it still would not be large enough to contain a list of all the ways Mother’s give of themselves for their families. I trust you find creative and thoughtful ways to show your Mum how much you appreciate her. Hugs are good. Mums love hugs. I have heard a whisper that Mums also love tidy rooms. Perhaps a good room tidy up could be a place to start? Whatever you do and however you show your Mum that she means the world to you, may it fill your household with joy and love. That would seem a fitting tribute to Mums. Joy and love!

Later this term the Graceville State School Chaplaincy Committee will run the major chaplaincy fundraiser for the year. The Lapathon will take place in the last week of Term 2, on Tuesday June 21. This day is growing as an event each year, with the students enjoying running, jogging or walking with friends. Families wishing to financially support chaplaincy at Graceville can do so via the sponsorship forms that will go home prior to this event. On-line donations can be made for those wishing to receive a tax receipt. Last year the coffee van for the adults and popcorn on sale at break times were very popular, so they will return this year. The Chaplaincy Service would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to the school community, for the wonderful support chaplaincy receives. Keep an eye on the newsletter for more news regarding the Lapathon fundraiser.

On Wednesday afternoon our District Cross Country runners competed at the West Taylor Bridge Cross Country meet. Our district is a very strong district and there were many high quality performances on the day. Graceville students performed very well and I was very proud to be there, supporting them as they gave their best efforts. I know Mr Daunt will be very pleased to hear how well our students ran, when he returns from long service leave. Well done to all our runners!

Lots of lightsabres and fantastic costumes saturated the school on Wednesday as the Active School Travel’s “May the Fourth be with you” celebration arrived. The students support this activity with much excitement and vigour, and one can never have too many Darth Vadars. I have always thought that. Well done to all who participated in this day and a huge thanks to the Mums and Dads who get behind this activity and support this engaging addition to the Active School Travel program.

A fantastic week, may you have!
John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Spellathon

SPELLATHON 2016 - A GREAT SUCCESS!

This year’s Spellathon has been a huge success. We have so many people to thank.

Thank you to:

• All the students for taking the time to learn your words and going out and seeking sponsorship.
• All the parents, carers, family, friends and neighbours for supporting the children and for sponsoring them.
• All the teachers for supporting the students and for incorporating the Spellathon into their very busy teaching schedules.
• All the volunteers who helped us behind the scenes.
• Our generous sponsors who helped us to provide great prizes.

The many Spellathon prizes were distributed at a whole school assembly last week (28 April). It was an exciting day and we were very pleased to congratulate the winners and to also announce the grand total raised. The Spellathon raised nearly $18 000 - an incredible amount. This is a great achievement and the funds raised will go towards refreshing the school’s technology equipment (laptops and some desktops). Projects like these are of great benefit to all students in the school.

We are already thinking of next year’s Spellathon so if you have any suggestions or feedback you would like to share please contact us at: gracevillespellathon@gmail.com

Thanks again to everyone for supporting our school.

Spellathon Team

Proudly Sponsored By

Active School Travel

TACO TUESDAY!

(Travel Actively Coming-to-school On)

It seems that the congestion around the school at the drop off / pick up zone on Acacia Avenue in the afternoons is increasing each week. As Graceville State School promotes ACTIVE TRAVEL, we encourage parents and caregivers (who have to drive to school) to park the car a short distance from the school and walk to pick up your children. This can often be quicker and less frustrating that sitting at the pickup zone. Some afternoons we are all in a hurry and often there are cars parked in the pick-up queue from 2:30pm!!!! (Even though you are not allowed to park there for more than two 2 minutes). Every afternoon there are many vehicles observed doing the “wrong thing.”

1. Parking in the drop off zone for too long
2. Parked over yellow lines – obscuring the view of pedestrians and other vehicles
3. Parking over the path, on the grass council strips
4. Blocking path entries and exits - often over yellow lines
5. Cars parked over, or too close to driveways on streets around the school
6. Cars travelling in excess of the 40km school zone speed
7. Children exiting vehicles on the “road side” – a much safer option is on the “path side”

If we all do the “right thing” by observing the signs and road markings, following the speed limits and exercising caution, then we will all stay safe, reduce congestion and still get to our destination on time. This will also assist our crossing supervisors to enable pedestrians to safely cross the road.

Passenger loading zone

Sign on Acacia Ave, Graceville

Passenger Loading Zones allow you to stop for up to two minutes to pick up or drop off your child. This should be enough time to help your child with luggage and seatbelts. While it is preferable that you do not leave your car, you are permitted to do so to walk a young child into school or to collect your child, however you still need to be mindful of the two-minute limit.

Tips for drivers picking up or setting down children:

• Move forward as space becomes available
• Ensure your child watches for their ride and moves promptly to the vehicle
• Always drop off and pick up in a designated passenger zone
• Where possible, remain with your vehicle at all times when using the passenger zone
• Observe the time restriction on the passenger zone – do not overstay

Make sure passengers use the safety door or the footpath side door when getting into and out of the car

• Do not double park
• Do not park across a pedestrian crossing
• Do not park across driveways
• Do not u-turn close to the school
• Observe part time school speed zones – do not speed

Be courteous to other drivers and school crossing supervisors

If you have a few spare hours a month to help us run this fantastic program we are looking for volunteers to join our Active Travel Committee. The next meeting is on 19th May @ 10:45am in the Waratah Room. Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

P & C

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED – FETE

The first fete committee meeting will be held on Wednesday May 11 at 7pm in the Waratah room. The P&C are in desperate need for new members for the fete committee. Please email us if you can help - pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au . The big day will be here before we know it – Saturday 27 August.

GRANTS TEAM – CALL FOR HELP

Thank you to Deb Mazoudier and the couple of volunteers who have agreed to get rolling on Grant applications for the P&C this year. We would really like a few more people to help, or even those with Grants knowledge to give any advice and guidance. Any help is certainly appreciated. Please contact Deb at pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au if you are able to help.

TRIVIA NIGHT

Time to start getting tables together for a great night of fun on Saturday 4 June. We still require a few volunteers to help with staffing the bar on the evening. Please let us know if you can help.

NEXT MEETING

All members of our school community are welcome to our next meeting Wednesday 4 May at 7.30pm in the Waratah Room (which is beside the staff room in the main reception block).

Please feel free to contact the P&C executive via email: pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

School Banking

School Banking is every Monday

• Place your money into your yellow Banking Wallet, complete your deposit slip (leave student no. blank the 1st time) and place the wallet into the Grey Banking Satchel in the classroom on Monday morning.
• We will keep a record of your Deposits.
• Once 10 tokens have been recorded we will issue a reward coupon to redeem a reward. Reward cards will be issued at school in 2016.
• Branches do not have access to tokens or rewards.
• The School Banking program rewards individual saving. Minimum 5cent Deposit
• School Banking is processed by parent volunteer School Banking Coordinators. Please take the time to thank them for their efforts as this is a great fundraiser for our School.
• Happy Saving!

Trivia Night

Tuckshop News

Another busy week but we managed to feed all the shiny, smiley faces. This is the week that was:

Our generous volunteers coming into help feed your children next week are:

Remember, any questions, concerns or feedback, drop us a line at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

See you at the Tuckshop.

Amanda and Anne

Uniforms & Stationery

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8.15am to 9.00am.

Size 6 in House Shirts (Cook, Kennedy and Flinders) have arrived.

Size 6 Polar Fleece jumpers have sold out and we are waiting for the new stocks to arrive.

Band folders are available $15.

The last remaining school cookbooks are in stock $10 each.

Donations of 2nd hand uniforms are always appreciated. Good stocks are available for sale now, including lots of jumpers and good gold shirts. Come in and grab a bargain.

Order forms are available on the School website. If you email the order, the items will be sent to the classroom.

Email address for school uniform store is: uniformstore@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

School Plus

Awesome fun for Everyone

We are having a great time down in OSHC this term, our favourite thing to do this week is playing dress ups with the Educators! Coen tried to be a genie, Sinead was retro and Christine was a Hawaiian Superhero with Yoda ears! We have been reading the book The Fight on the Hill, we have printed off each page and are drawing the picture to the words. The children are excited to see the end display (just inside the main door facing into the room). We have some very artistic friends at afterschool care who enjoy sharing their talent with others.

On Friday we tried Muesli Slice for afternoon tea, we had a cooking experience in the holidays with this and loved it! It’s also gluten free, dairy free and nut free, but most of all tastes amazing! We have been trialling new hot dishes for afternoon tea including honey mustard chicken, curry chicken, fried rice, pasta with sneaky vegies and cheesymite scrolls. Our menus are developed in consultation with children, parent’s feedback and Educator suggestions.

We are able to take children to and from extracurricular activities in the school grounds during after school care on any day. If your child is attending swimming, tennis or other activities please see our team down at the OSHC building. Our Educators drop off and collect children to ensure their safety during transition, all children need permission forms prior to attending/collecting.

Community Notices

Signal Flare’s BBQ for the Homeless and People in Need

HELP! We Need Your Support!

Mrs Davey and Miss O’Brien are currently collecting toiletries to be distributed to the homeless and those in need on Mother's Day at Musgrave Park, South Brisbane (10.00am - 2.00pm). The event is actually a BBQ and will offer a range of free services and food to those in need.

We will be there on the day, distributing much needed hygiene products to the mothers and need your help through the donation of toiletries including shampoo and condition, razors, deodorant, sanitary products, soap etc. A box will be placed in the office so that you can put any donations in. Your help is appreciated.

Please contact Mrs Davey on sdave13@eq.edu.au should you require more details.