28 July 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

It has been a busy week for teachers with Parent Teacher Interviews. The teachers were very grateful to parents who obviously thought carefully about their need for an interview at this time of the school year. These interviews were specially designed for parents who were seeking further clarification around Report Card results or Portfolios. It was very good to see most parents requesting interviews also provided a focus area or specific question/s for the teacher ahead of time. By doing this the teachers could be well prepared. Our teachers are usually very good at making time for parent meetings throughout the school year so please keep in touch with them as needs arise for your child.

I would like to thank Ms Hass and the Prep teachers for hosting yet another successful Prep Information night. We would like all in catchment Prep families to enrol as soon as possible so we can assess if we can take any out of catchment Prep families for 2017. We have a waiting list of 40 plus on the out of catchment waiting list. If you know an in catchment family who has not yet enrolled, please encourage them to contact the office to enrol now.

The Study Tour arrives next Tuesday! Many of our families have opened their homes to Taiwanese students. I will be hosting one of the teachers in my own home and am looking forward to learning more about Taiwanese culture. To accommodate the Study Tour Welcome Assembly next week, we have changed the Whole School Assembly to Tuesday. The assembly will start at 2pm. The assembly will host a number of items as well as the usual Random Acts of Kindness and Curious and Curiouser awards.

Teachers were involved in Triadic Peer Observation and Feedback this week. I took the opportunity to spend some time teaching by backfilling the classroom teachers while they were observing in other classrooms. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it reminded me just how much I love teaching! It is a demanding job but it is very rewarding! I also took the opportunity to seek the opinions of the students about how they are experiencing our school improvement areas this year. The feedback I received was very insightful and I will take it into consideration as we improve our processes throughout the year.

Last week, Mrs Martin, Ms Hass and Mr Guthrie attended an Inquiry Master Class with Kath Murdoch in Melbourne. Kath took them to a school which is 8 years into an Inquiry learning journey. It was an amazing experience for them to see what ‘could be’ for us as we learn and improve our teaching and learning using an Inquiry Approach. Our school will be creating our Whole School Approach to Inquiry teaching and learning by the end of the year. In early term 4 we will have the support of Kath Murdoch and some experienced Inquiry learning school leaders to help us shape our approach.

Finally, a couple of quick reminders. Chappy will be at a conference for most of next week, and the Ekka public holiday is on 10 August. No children or teachers come to school on August 10th.

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Study Tour 2016

We look forward to welcoming our group of 11 students and accompanying teacher from Future Heir Bilingual Elementary School next Tuesday August 2 until August 18. We will be conducting a welcome assembly for these students at 2pm Tuesday, 2nd and you are all invited to attend. A very big thank you to the families who will be hosting a student in their home during this time. It is a big commitment but very rewarding. Stay tuned for some photos next newsletter.

Enrolling for Prep 2017

Now is the time to enrol your child for Prep next year. Please come to the main office and get the forms and information pack if you didn’t attend our information evening. I am now also planning interview times for new families to Graceville over the rest of this term. Times are available so come in and book.

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.

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

Free playgroup membership for Queensland families

All Queensland families who register with Playgroup Queensland before their child’s first birthday can now receive a free 12-month family membership as part of the Queensland Government’s Play Stars initiative. With more than 60,000 babies born in Queensland each year, Play Stars will benefit many new families by creating more opportunities for children to learn through play, while supporting parents and carers in their role as first teachers.

The Play Stars initiative is an action from the Advancing education: An action plan for education in Queensland and will be delivered in partnership with Playgroup Queensland over the next five years. Register online or visit the Playgroup Queensland website for more information.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

2 Minute zone updates

This week we have started handing out the order forms to drivers in the pick-up zones so that they can order a ‘Name tag’ to go on their visor. This will make the process of using the 2 minute zones much quicker as we will be able to call the names out for the students. We will also hand out a reminder ‘bookmark’ with the rules. This may also be useful to drivers in the pick-up zones who are not parents reading the newsletter. We often see Grandparents or other carers in this zone and communicating the messages to these people if difficult. I have attached the order form & the rules. If you require names tags please complete and return to the office.

Human Relationships Education Program

Over the next few weeks all our Year 5 & 6 students will be involved in a Human Relationships Education. Program. I have attached a copy of the letter sent home to parents. The Parent Information night will be held next week (3rd August) in the Waratah room. Please send back the RSVP is you are attending.

University of New South Wales competitions

English Years 2-6: 2 August
Maths years 2-6: 16 August

White Ribbon Night — have a night in, to get the word out!

Friday 29 July is White Ribbon Night, an event which aims to raise awareness about violence against women. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and their children. A house should be a home, and a safe one at that. Instead, at least one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner, while one in four children are exposed to domestic violence. No one should accept this.
How can you get involved? This White Ribbon Night, hold a movie marathon, cook up a feast or watch the footy — all in the comfort of your own home. By registering an event, spreading the word on social media (#WhiteRibbonNight) and making a donation, you can help raise awareness and funds to support White Ribbon’s work. Find out more and register here.
We need to stand up and say domestic violence is never acceptable, Not Now, Not Ever. The department is committed to eliminating domestic and family violence in all its forms. Please familiarise yourself with our departmental resources on OnePortal. Together let's build a future free from violence.

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Thank you for your payments to date.

Please note: Your child’s Permission Proforma (intact) is to be returned to their classroom teacher. This form will be allow staff to quickly check that parental permission has been given to attend the activity.

Payments by the “Last day of Payment” is a must.

Voluntary Parent Contributions

Programs in developing Curiosity and Powerful Learning is underway. The funds target has not met the mark as yet so if you wish to contribute, no matter how large or small – it would be most appreciated.

Principal’s letter and information sheet is available.

Credit in Account: (e.g. -$10) - Please inform staff as to how you wish your account credit it to be used.

Request for Refund form for an excursion paid and not attended is available from the front office. Prepaid ticketing excursions, curriculum programs 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.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

“If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same”

These words, penned by Rudyard Kipling, hang above the exit to centre court at Wimbledon and remind those about to set foot on tennis’s hallowed turf of what truly defines success. Centre court at Wimbledon may be a long way from where we are now but these words as just as relevant for us. Above the door at Wimbledon, this is a reminder that real success isn’t only found in the score line or raising that elusive trophy, yet I am convinced that all players are viewing success that way. These words speak of the big picture at a time where one’s focus would be very narrow. We can have times when our focus is narrow and I wonder if we too need a reminder that success can be more than what is right in front of us.

At school, success can be easily and quickly identified in test results, sports scores, accreditation levels and awards on assembly. All these are valid and it’s important to recognise those achievements. These words challenge me to look for success beyond the obvious means and I hope they encourage you to do the same. These words speak of a person’s character and almost seem lost in a society so charisma-driven. They speak more about who a person is than what a person does. These words speak to all of us and challenge us to strive for and to measure success beyond a score line, a number of likes on a Facebook page, or even beyond the expectation others might place upon us. This week, whatever you are facing, I hope you find success as measured by Richard Kipling’s poem.

Next week I will be off campus Monday – Thursday for the annual Scripture Union QLD chaplaincy conference. It is a week of professional development and electives, with plenty of networking opportunities as over 620 state school chaplains gather together. I anticipate lots of discoveries next week that will assist me in my role here at Graceville State School. I look forward to sharing more in upcoming newsletters.

Have an awesome week!

Music News

Naomi Lindh

This week our instrumental teachers are attending the WestCent Music Camps so unfortunately all instrumental lessons and rehearsals have been cancelled. We hope our instrumental teachers and attending students have a fabulous week at camp. Next week instrumental lessons and rehearsals will resume as normal. Thank you for your understanding with these changes.

Choir rehearsals will continue throughout the term. Dates of scheduled performances are listed below for your information and families are invited to attend these.

2 August – Senior Choir – special assembly to welcome visiting students, 2pm (one song)
Fete – The Senior Band and all choir students will be performing (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 6pm - all choir and instrumental students will be performing
23 November – Grandparent’s Concert - all choir students and the Senior Strings

Please note - additional performance dates may be added to this during the semester.

Active School Travel

Remember that we encourage ACTIVE TRAVEL so why not take the ACTIVE CHALLENGE and try for a week (or a few days) to park your car in one of the designated “park-and-stride” areas, and walk to collect your children from school. You may be surprised to know that it doesn’t take too much longer out of your day - you get to spend time in the fresh air, catch up with other parents and help to reduce congestion around the school

New procedures for the pickup zone – Acacia Avenue

Please be aware that there are now some new procedures in place for the pickup zone (afternoons) on Acacia Avenue. These changes have been implemented due to safety concerns, and from suggestions from parents within the school community. We ask for your understanding and patience as we roll out the changes, and fine tune them to make the pickup zone more efficient and safer for the school community. Should you have any feedback or additional suggestions Active Travel is more than happy to hear from you, or feel free to attend our next meeting.

Summary of changes:

• Main entrance on Acacia Ave will be used for children waiting to be picked up
• Students will be seated in this area and listen to the supervisor on duty
• Students will exit from this gate to the first three waiting cars in the zone
• Smaller pedestrian gate will be used by parents and students not involved in the pickup zone.
• Please try to avoid main gate access at peak time of 2:50pm
• We have ordered signage to clearly highlight where the pickup zone commences and where cars are NOT to be parked during this time
• Order forms will be sent home to order name tags for the car sun visors so that the supervisor can identify the children who are to be picked up

Fete Competition

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 designated “park and stride” zones and walking a short distance to school
• Riding your bike or scooter to school
• Carpooling – 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 (either at the stamping station or the office). 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. This week you should have received your first entry, so please make sure you complete it and hand it in. So get active!!!!

There will be one (1) ride band per year level to be given away. If you’re 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!

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. Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

P & C

FETE THIS TERM!

The fete is only 4 weeks away. Please help your class reps and the fete committee to make this day a great success for the school again. Get organised early – order your ride bands, and keep an eye out for your class roster. Saturday 27 August.

P&C MEETING LAST WEEK

Thank you to the parents and staff who joined the P&C meeting last Wednesday evening. We were also joined by several students completing their Rotary work. Great to have you there!

POOL ANNIVERSARY

Our school pool turns 50 this year and we are hoping to celebrate this with the Swimming Club in term 4. We are looking for any volunteers who would be interested in working on the celebration preparations. Please email pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

ROAD SAFETY – 2 minute zones

Council have recently informed us that traffic officers will be present at the school in coming weeks to help assist in the operation of the two minute pickup zone. There will be some visual differences at the front gate to educate and enforce the correct use of the 2 minute pickup zone in the coming weeks. With correct use, the zone will work very efficiently and safely for all. Please stay tuned for further information and keep an eye on the Active School Travel section of the newsletter.

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.

COMMUNITY FUN RUN

Christ the King are organising a community fun run this Sunday 31 July across the road in Simpsons Playground, Graceville. Registration from 7am for an 8am sharp start. For more information please see the flyer in the community notices section below and enter online:

NEXT MEETING

The next P&C meeting will be held the week of the fete, Wednesday 24 August at 7.30pm in the Waratah Room (which is beside the staff room in the main reception block). Everyone is very welcome.

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

Fete Update

Fete Update

Fete Newsletter number 4 to issue, IN PRINT, on Friday, 29 July. Keep an eye out to for it in the school bag of your "youngest in the family". It will tell you everything you need to know with just 4 weeks to go.

5 quick points:

1. Books and Toys can now be delivered to the boxes outside the office, but please remember no stuffed toys.

2. The POD will be here on Monday, 1 August for all your good quality small to medium sized items for the Garage Sale. Larger pieces can be delivered on Sunday 21 August between 10am-12pm, or the day before the fete. Storage is tight in the POD.

3. Ride bands and Art Show now on sale via School24.

4. Raffle tickets coming home Monday, check your youngest's backpack.

And finally, this is REALLY important, please read....

5. You will NOT miss out on your child's class performance, even if you are rostered on your class stall at that time. Someone will come and cover the stall, even members of the fete committee. You have committed to help on our fete so we will commit to you NOT missing your child's performance. Please feel totally comfortable to put your name down on your class stall roster - you won't miss it!!!

The Fete Committee

Uniform and Stationery

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

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

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 dresses, jumpers and good shorts. 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

Another lovely week in the Tuckshop. Sales were:

Helping us next week are:

If you see them, please thank these generous volunteers who work so hard to feed your children.

Give us a shout if you have any questions about all things tuckshop.

Amanda, Ally and Anne

School Plus

Over the first couple of weeks back at term, we’ve decided to implement a new Gem Jar rewards system for the children. Our Gem Jar rewards positive behaviours and promotes working together as a team. The children are each given a gem for kind and notable behaviours such as helping out others, cleaning up in the areas they were playing, being polite and using manners and being respectful of others and their feelings.

So what happens when we fill the jar? If we work together to fill the jar to one of the coloured lines within 1 week, everyone will get to vote on a reward for all of the children at OSHC for the next week. The rewards are chosen by the children as they reap the benefits of working together to fill up the jar with as many gems as they can. Some ideas we’ve had are painting activities available for the whole week, special cooking experiences or even choosing a favourite game to play. Once the jar is filled, the children can then decide on a reward for the whole service, and the jar is emptied at the beginning of each week.

This week we have a lot of fun activities planned for the children, including: creating our own Pokémon cards, making cardboard flowers to display, holding Squirtle the Turtle, making our best paper plane designs, colouring in mandalas, and making delicious iced biscuits with faces on them. Outside the children have been playing soccer, playing tag and playing games around the equipment at the Adventure Playground.

As always, we are seeking ideas for afterschool care, be it an idea for the menu in the afternoons, or an activity that the children could undertake as a group. We love hearing suggestions and ideas from parents as it gives us an insight to what you would like to see in our OSHC service.

We would also like remind everyone to label any clothing, school and personal items with your child’s name so that if a lost item is found, it can be returned to its owner. The Lost Property box is full to the brim at the moment, so if your child is missing something come down and have a look.

We’d like to urge parents to remind their children to bring warm clothes for Before and After school care as the weather is being quite unpredictable at the moment, with some days being warmer than others but then rapidly cooling off late in the afternoon. We try our best to reduce the influx of sickness by helping the children with washing their hands after blowing their nose or sneezing and by covering their mouths when they cough, but keeping warm will help too.

From everyone at Graceville School Plus, we hope that everyone has a lovely and productive week and we look forward to having a fun, adventurous and creative Term 3!

Laugh Out Loud – Learn through Play with School Plus!

We welcome new friends to join in the excitement. For further details please call the Service on 3278 2253 or email graceville@schoolplus.com.au or visit our website below.

For new enrolments

Go to our website below New Families.

If you are an existing School Plus family and haven’t tried my Family Lounge, please contact School Plus Support Office on 07 3161 9904.

Once registered with my Family Lounge you can download the free App and be able to do the below 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Make casual Before and After School bookings (with instant confirmation)

• Advise of an absence for permanent and casual bookings
• Advise of a cancellation for permanent and casual bookings (Note all cancellations are defaulted to absent and School Plus applies the correct cancellation policy depending on the number of days and where incursions and excursions are non-cancellable.)
• Make all Vacation Care bookings (with instant confirmation)

On my Family Lounge website, you can do the following:

• Make, change and cancel permanent bookings (not instant confirmation)
• Make, change and cancel casual bookings (with instant confirmation)
• Make all Vacation Care bookings (with instant confirmation)
• Change family details including people authorised to collect your child/ren, phone numbers etc
• Enrol an additional child

Community Notices

A Digital Photo Frame was donated to the Fete Garage Sale, a Memory Card was still attached to the frame. If this is your memory card please call the office.

Christ the King Fun Run

Corinda State High