24 June 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We have reached the end of a very long 11 week term!

To end the term we will celebrate NAIDOC Day through the lens of Inquiry and we will support the protection of endangered animals through Wild Onesie Day.

I would like to thank Chappy and the Chaplaincy committee for the hard work they put into organising the Lap-a-thon. The children always enjoy the day and it is a nice school community event for parents to connect.

Report cards were sent home Wednesday and teachers will hold Parent Teacher Interviews in week 3, Term 3. In the first week of Term 3, teachers will send home information with details of the times they are available for Parent Teacher Interviews. The focus for interviews in Term 3 will specifically relate to report card achievement and comments. I have asked teachers to both request interviews with certain parents as well as invite interviews from parents who have specific questions or are seeking further clarification about aspects of the report cards. Please understand these interviews are not compulsory. If parents understand and have no specific questions about their child's report card, they are not required to make an interview time. Parents and teachers at Graceville are very good at communicating throughout the course of the school year through face to face, email or telephone communication and I am sure will continue to do so as a need arises for their child/children. More information will be provided in week 1, Term 3.

Next term will bring the wonderful Graceville State School Fete, an amazing community event! Many teachers have put their name down for the dunking machine, including myself. I spent more time in the water than on the platform last year but I did not mind as the money all went to the improving the school for the children. I also love the fireworks at the end of the night which are always awe inspiring!

The school will also be hosting a study tour from Taiwan in August. We look forward to making some new international friends and broadening our cultural understanding.

Finally I would like to wish Mrs Davey the best of luck, as she is seconded into the DETE STEM curriculum writing team. Mrs Davey is seconded for the remainder of the 2016 school year. She is looking forward to a new and different role where she can use her expertise.

I hope you have a safe and enjoyable winter holiday break. If you are travelling, stay safe, take regular rest breaks and arrive at your destination safely. It is always important to remember stranger danger if at home or away so please make the time to talk with your children about these important safety messages.

Have a great break, rest, relax, have some fun and we will see you in two weeks,

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Prep Bridge Builders in action!

One of our Engineering Prep parents visited our Prep classes to explore how bridges are designed, constructed and built. Our prep students enthusiastically then designed and built their own bridges out of straws and materials. Here you will see their engagement, concentration and successes! Engineers of the future!

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 3 Junior assemblies.

QSchools App for Graceville – have you downloaded the app yet and marked Graceville SS as a favourite?

The QSchools app is a convenient way to receive up-to-the minute information from Queensland state schools. We have decided to trial the use of this app for parents and families to get up to the minute information about many facets of school life at Graceville. The App is free to download and you can then identify Graceville as your favourite school where you will find located contact details, news feed, calendar events, links to school newsletters, fete newsletters, information about the tuckshop and uniform shop etc. We will also use the app as a means of sending out important school messages, notifications of upcoming events and emergency alerts and important updates. To receive school notifications you must permit 'push notifications' to come through on the settings on your phone.

The QSchools flyer is attached

How do I download the QSchools app?

To download the app visit the application store for your device:

• iPhone/iPad
• Android
• Windows phone
• Windows PC

If you have any feedback around the use of the QSchool app or questions, please send me an email at mhass10@eq.edu.au

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Please keep a watch on our school these holidays!

With the holidays fast approaching, we need you to look out for after-hours crime in our school. If you see something suspicious, please don't attempt to intervene. Call School Watch on 13 17 88 and let the local police or State Government Protective Security Service deal with the matter.

The School Watch program is a partnership between the Department of Education and Training, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service. It aims to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland schools.

Keep the number handy and let's work together to help create a safer school community.

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Thank you for your payments to date. The pink reminder statements have been issued which may include some of Term 3 excursions. Please be advised that many of our school events have been booked and prepaid especially with train travel, competitions and theatre ticketing. The staff at Graceville endeavour to keep costs to a minimum so that all students can be included in planned programs. If you have any concerns please contact your child's class teacher or approach our friendly office staff all willing to help.

Please note: The Music Workshop ($40), Athletics Day at UQ ($12) and Australia Zoo ($31) invoices have been distributed due to the event date being early in Term 3.

Don't forget to return permissions and payments by the Last day for Payment.

Voluntary Parent Contributions

Programs in developing Curiosity and Powerful Learning are underway. Any voluntary contributions at this point would be much appreciated to meet the school's targeted funds.

$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-3pm - 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 all of our choir students for their lovely singing and behaviour at our incursion on Friday. The workshop culminated in a concert which all staff, students and families were invited to attend, including performances from each choir with their school conductor as well as Kate Thompson, our special guest conductor who attended for the day. This was the first time we held the choir workshop and we will consider continuing this on a biennial basis.

Next term the Instrumental Music Workshop will be held on 7/8 September. This is an annual workshop held for all instrumental music students which costs $40 each and invoices have been sent home this week. The cost covers the instrumental music tutors which we organise to attend to work with our instrumental students in small groups. The workshop culminates with a concert on Thursday 8 September at 2pm. All staff, students and families are invited to attend the concert.

Some of the upcoming concert dates for next semester are included below. We will inform you of any additional performances next term and we look forward to sharing our music with you at the concerts.

Thursday 23 June – Year 2/3 Choir – special assembly in the morning (one song)
2 August – Senior Choir – special assembly to welcome visiting students, 9am (one song)
Fete – all choir students will be performing (usually between 12-1pm)
7/8 September Instrumental Music Workshop (cost $40 - all IM students involved) with a concert on 8 September at 2pm
16 November – evening concert – all choir and instrumental students will be performing (6pm)
23 November – Grandparent's Concert - all choir students and the Senior Strings

On behalf of the music staff I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday! All rehearsals and lessons will resume in week 1 of next semester. We look forward to seeing our choir and instrumental students then.

Chappy's Chat

John Erichsen

The oval may have been a little damp in places, but that didn't dampen the students' enthusiasm at Tuesday's Lapathon. It was wonderful to see so many students participating with shiny, happy faces. Some enjoyed the chance to walk and chat with friends, while others clocked up impressive lap numbers. Whichever approach was chosen, hopefully it resulted in a fun time for all. I would like to give a special mention to our Prep students in their first Lapathon. It was just lovely to watch our youngest students having fun in a healthy, outside activity. I would also like to extend my thanks to those parents who were able to attend and add to the atmosphere as spectators. I am sure the children loved having you there. (Even the older ones who may not express so, as it isn't cool.)

The popcorn and ice-blocks were well received, as was the coffee van for the morning session. Weather-wise, the winds may have added to the appeal of a hot coffee or some warm popcorn. Thank you to the Chaplaincy Committee mums who organised and served the popcorn and ice-blocks. It just adds so much to the day.

Thank you once again to the fabulous Graceville State School community for the support Chaplaincy receives throughout the year. Already, online deposits have been made and sponsorship forms returned. With the end of June approaching, it is timely to remind families wishing to support Chaplaincy that donations are tax deductable and online donations will result in a tax invoice being sent directly to you.

I would also like to extend a huge thanks to the Graceville State School teaching staff for their help in making the Lapathon day run so smoothly, and especially to Mr Daunt, for all he does to make the Lapathon such a fun and successful event.

As this term winds down and thoughts of holiday move ever forward in our minds, may you stay safe these holidays, wherever you are going and whatever your plans are. Have a fantastic time and I look forward to hearing tales of holiday adventures once we get back together in Term 3.

Have an amazing holiday break!

Active School Travel

TACO TUESDAY!

(Travel Actively Coming-to-school On)

Please remember to take care while being active over the school holidays. Remember to STOP LOOK LISTEN THINK!

While in the car

• Buckle up front and back in the car
• Follow speed limits
• Don't drive tired
• Don't park on yellow lines – this obstructs the view for other traffic and pedestrians

While walking

• Look left, right and left again
• Cross at pedestrian crossings (if there is one near) or find somewhere safe to cross. Take care….LISTEN and THINK

While scooting and riding (or rolling)

• Wear a helmet and protective gear
• Make sure your bike / wheels are in good working order
• Remember to follow the road rules too!
• Be VISIBLE!!!!!

While on public transport

• While waiting for the train…..STAY BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE!
• Use the designated overpasses or tunnels…stay off the tracks
• While using the bus…..stand back from the curb
• Always listen to the conductors / inspectors and adhere to safety guidelines

Get Ready!

Fete Competition – Commences Week 1, Term 3

The school fete committee has generously donated some prizes to Active Travel, which is great news for all those students out there who are active on TACO Tuesday! Active travel can be any of the following:

• Walking to school
• Park and stride – parking the car in the designate "park and stride" zones and walking a short distance to school
• Riding your bike or scooter to school
• Car pooling – arriving at school by car with some of your friends
• Public transport

Being dropped off at the front gate does NOT qualify as "active travel".

In weeks 1-6 of Term 3 (12th July – 16th August) you will have the opportunity to collect an entry each week when you have your active travel passport stamped at the designated stamping stations. All you need to do is fill out your entry form and put it into the entry box (locations to be confirmed). Entries must be received by 19th August @ 3pm to go in the draw.

So if you travel every week you have the opportunity to have six entries in the running for the prizes. So get active!!!!

There will be one (1) ride band per year level to be given away. If your lucky enough to win and have already purchased your ride band, don't worry we will organise a refund for you.

To win the free toss at the lob-o-choc get together with your class and get as many of your class mates to enter as possible. It's simple, the class with the most entries will win!

Did you know that the Graceville Bike Company proudly supports the GSS Active Travel Program? They are offering the following to the families of Graceville State School:

• 15% off all kids' accessories (not including bikes)
• 5% off all kids' bikes

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. Our next meeting will be on 28th July @ 10:45am in the Waratah Room. Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

P & C

ROAD SAFETY

You will notice an increased Police presence around the school roads and council parking officers monitoring the 2 minute zones. Unfortunately we have had a couple of incidents and near misses recently involving our kids. Good news is that everyone is fine, but it reminds us to be vigilant in the safety of everyone around the school. The Active School Travel committee are working hard with the council and administration to do the best we can to improve things and particularly in the 2 minute pickup zones.

BUILDING FUND

The P&C, like most other P&Cs, offers parents an opportunity to take part in a Tax Deductible Voluntary Contribution Scheme. If you wish to contribute to the P&C building work projects for the school, please contact the P&C Executive at the email below and we will send you the details. The building fund is going towards climate controlling the school, continuing to air condition the class rooms and the major project of fixing the ventilation of the hall.

NEXT MEETING

All members of our school community are welcome to our next meeting Wednesday 20 July 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

Fete Update

Dates for you diary...Lob-O-Choc Free Dress Day Friday, 22 July 2016 - gold coin donation, and Thursday, 18 August - chocolate block donation.

Is there a teacher your child would love to have the chance to see having a "little dip" in the dunking machine at the fete? Our fun loving principal has signed up for a spot and so have a few others from our marvellous teaching staff. In fact, they get quite competitive about who gets dunked the most! Also, our school student leaders are keen to have a "little dip" too.

Get your children writing their best "persuasive texts" for their favourite teacher. Never underestimate the power of the "well written word". Teachers, in particular, love it!!! Let's make this year's Dunking Machine the place to be!

Other things you can do over the holidays to contribute to the fete are:

1. Practice making fudge - the sweet stall can't get enough of this stuff to sell and your family will be the perfect guinea pigs.
2. "Spring Clean in July" (think Christmas in July). All the good stuff you don't want, the Garage, Book and Toy Stalls are desperate for.
3. Keep those glass jars with metal lids (no plastic lids). The "jammers" will thank you.
4. Make some relishes, chutney or jams yourself to help fill your class's quota.
5. Start thinking of family and friends who will LOVE to buy your raffle tickets. Each family is asked to sell 10 tickets (1 book). The further afield you sell them, the better.

If you didn't find a copy of the latest Fete Newsletter in the bottom of one of your child's backpack, it's bright yellow, so you couldn't miss it, click on this link to find it on the school website. It will tell you all you need to know in great detail.

Uniform and Stationery

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

All sizes in House Shirts (Cook, Kennedy and Flinders) are in stock. Athletics carnival is at the start of term 3.

All sizes in Polar Fleece jumpers are in stock, as are tracksuit pants and bootleg leggings.

Band folders are available $15.

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

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

Tuckshop News

Holiday time!!!

Order numbers for the second last week of term 2 were:

We are expecting even bigger volumes for the last week of term but remember, we let stock run down in the last week of term so we aren't left with too much produce in the tuckshop over the holidays. Order earlier in the week so your children don't miss or on their favourites.

Volunteers for the first week back are:

Have a wonderful break and see you all in term 3.

Ally, Amanda and Anne

School Banking

School Banking is every Monday

School Banking Update

Firstly, thank you to all the volunteers that have helped with School Banking this term! Without these mums and even one dad we would be unable to continue with banking at the school. In saying that we still need more help. Currently it is mostly the same parents helping every week and it would be great to start up a roster in the new term so that parents would only be required to help once a month.

Unfortunately, due to overwhelming popularity, the Flying Snake Tail and Mud Splat Handball rewards are now out of stock and are currently unavailable. School banking has now released 4 of last year's rewards to increase your choice of rewards (see below). Please note there are limited numbers of these rewards. Alternatively, if you have 9 or more tokens, you can now pre-order term 3 rewards so they are ready to collect at the beginning of term.

Two new competitions will be running in term 3. The first is a Graceville State School only competition to win a Dollarmites Prize Pack. Runner-up prizes will be our display stock of the Flying Snake Tail and Mud Splat Handball so if you missed out on the reward you wanted, don't forget your banking on the first day back of term 3 for your chance to win.

The second is a national competition and includes prizes such as camping kits, instant cameras and magazine packs. More information will be released at the start of term 3 but you will need to make at least 3 deposits in term 3 for a chance to win.

Finally, please make sure you check your child's banking regularly. School banking is processed entirely by parent volunteers and even though we take great care in processing your child's banking, occasionally we may have a discrepancy that we are unable to resolve. If you ever discover an issue please contact the school office and they will let me know or come visit me on a Monday morning from 8:30 in the hall kitchen.

Remember, School Banking day is every Monday and Happy Saving!

School Banking Competition!

Graceville State School will be running a competition for the chance to win an awesome Dollarmites Prize Pack!

If your child makes a deposit the first day back of term they enter in the draw to win the prize.

Make sure you remember your banking for your chance to win…. we would especially love to see you if you have not banked for a while!

Junior Engineeers

Community Sport Notices

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 3

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence on Tuesday 19th July 2016 (during the second week back after the holidays).

Enrolments close on Friday 15th July 2016. Spare enrolment forms are available from the School Office, they can also be downloaded from the School Newsletter. To ensure a place in class, forms must be returned by this date to the School Office. Do not return forms to the School Office after this date contact Jim Joyce directly on 0417 771022.

Special Offer – All new students in Grade 1 and 2 will receive a free tennis racquet when joining for the first time.

For further enquiries please contact Jim Joyce on 0417 771022

Holiday Tennis Clinic

We will be running a Tennis clinic at West Brisbane Tennis Centre from Monday 27th June to Wednesday 29th June 2016.

Time: 8.30am -12 noon each day
Cost: $135

Enquiries & Bookings jim@westbrisbanetennis.com.au Phone 0417 771022

Community Notices

KIDS IN THE STUDIO – WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

• FASHION DESIGN INTENSIVE WORKSHOP
• BEGINNER'S EMBROIDERY
• BEGINNER'S CROSS-STITCH
• STITCHED CANVAS

Please see: