5 August 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

We welcomed our Taiwanese Study Tour this week. We have 11 students and a teacher joining learning at our school for the next two weeks. We have a number of generous families who are billeting the students, as well as myself who is billeting the teacher. I am sure, like my family, the billeting families are all enjoying learning about Taiwanese culture and happy to share their homes so the students can have an authentic Australian home stay experience.

This week I met with Griffith University to further our discussions about the mutual benefits of our two institutions working together as we progress on our Curiosity and Powerful Learning journey. Over the next three weeks we will work towards designing a research project that will be of benefit to our students and teachers and Griffith Pre Service students and the wider research opportunities that will support and enhance Curiosity and Powerful Learning.

As you may have heard in the news, QLD has made some major gains in NAPLAN. I was able to see the schools ‘raw data’ last week and was very impressed with the improvements our school has made in our major focus area of reading. We have exceeded the targets we set for both Year 3 and 5 in reading. Our year 5’s achieved Graceville’s highest number of children in the upper two bands ever recorded! This type of improvement, especially in a high achieving school such as ours, can only happen due to the quality and impact of the teachers in the classroom. High quality teachers, using high yield consistent teaching practices across the school in reading! I am so proud of both our teachers and students. I will gradually work my way through the other areas of our tests and work out where we are at and how we can keep improving in each of these areas. We are high in all areas however we still have work to do. Graceville is an excellent state school, we are now starting to outperform private, catholic and independent schools in Brisbane in both Year 3 and year 5. Our Prep to Year 3 program has always been one of the strongest in Brisbane and now we see this progression of learning moving through the school. This is very exciting! Great teachers equals great results! Please support the wonderful and highly skilled teachers at Graceville who work tirelessly to continuously improve the teaching and learning they provide each day.

Don’t forget the Ekka public holiday is on 10 August. Teachers and students do not come to school that day.

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Study Tour 2016

We welcomed 11 students and 1 teacher from Future Heir Bilingual Elementary School this week and all students are settling into Australian home and school life with enthusiasm. I cannot thank enough the wonderful homestay families who are supporting these students during their stay. We are all learning from each other.

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 over the coming weeks of this term so come in and book at the office.

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

2 Minute zone updates

We now have our colourful banners in Acacia Avenue to remind people about the 2 minute zone (No parking) and the entry in the first 3 cars only. This has been working very well in the last couple of weeks with the change to a more consistent approach to the first 3 car rule and moving the students to the big gate. This has really made a difference to people moving more forwards in line with the main gate, as well as freeing up the smaller pedestrian gate for other members of our school. Well done everyone!

We will be looking at doing something similar at the back gate in the near future.

The crossing supervisors have also been ‘eyeing off’ our banners. They continue to have concerns about motorists queuing across the designated crossing. We may look into a banner there as well.

Thank you to the P & C for funding the cost of the banners (approximately $350). This goes a long way to make our school a much safer place for students, parents and motorists.

NAPLAN Results

Naplan results will be sent home next week.

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 was held this week.

Life Education

All year levels will participate in the Life Education Program starting on 31st August and running for the remainder of the term. All classes have a session in the Life Education Van which is an hour for lower grades and 1.5 hours for older ones.

I have attached the Parent brochure for your information. Permission slips have already been sent home and payment is required prior to 31st August.

University of New South Wales competitions – Last one!

Maths years 2-6 - 16 August

OPSO Grandparents competition

Prep to Year 7 students are encouraged to submit artwork that shows the fun they have with their grandparents, as part of the Older People Speak Out (OPSO) Grandparents competition. Winners will receive a signed book by well-known children’s writer Jackie French. Entries close 7 October. For entry details, visit the OPSO website.

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Thank you for your payments to date; BPoint is being driven very well.

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

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

Also note: From parent feedback, those invoices forwarded by preferred method of email do not have a lot of detail of events. To support this, please find attachment of events associated with the current term account and refer to the Calendar of Events in each school newsletter. If you have any questions regarding this please email admin@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

Voluntary Parent Contributions

Programs in developing Curiosity and Powerful Learning is underway. The funds target has not yet met the mark 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.

Sport News

Wayne Daunt

Golf Representation

Congratulations to Ilani Short who has been selected in the Qld Primary Schools Golf Team to attend the National Championships in Adelaide.

Ilani recently played in the Qld Championships in Yeppoon where she finished in 4th position which saw her gain selection for the Qld team. We would like to wish Ilani all the very best when she plays in the Australian Championships in Adelaide.

Rio Olympics

The Rio Olympics will commence on Friday August 5 and it is with great pleasure that I can inform you we have a past student competing. Jess Hall attended Graceville State School from 1998 – 2004. Below is a short summary of the hard work that Jess has endured and her achievements on the path to such a wonderful experience. We wish Jess all the best and want her to know that we will be glued to the screen when she hits the water and gives it her best shot.

Jess started her amazing rowing career in 2005 as a young grade 8 student at St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly.

She decided to have a try at rowing, as so many other students were signing up and she thought, what a great sport to get involved in, as she had always loved the look of it.

She eventually had her first row, but found it difficult to keep the scull straight as most new rowers do and she would often fall in until she got her balance right and became more confident.

After a period of time she soon found her footing and fell in love with this incredibly hard sport. Jess was so fortunate to have Mr Cam Kennedy the Director of Rowing at St Peters by her side supporting and guiding her along the way.

Cam is such a rare breed and his ability to inspire, coach, and give of his precious time was just the turning point in her early career. He made her realise that if she had the drive, and did the hard yards, that anything was possible.

Each year she would set herself new goals and once achieved she would tick that box and move on to the next, challenging herself each time.

Becoming an Olympian one day was a very high on that list.

Winning The Head of the River 2008 at St Peters is still one of her highlights.

Her dream of one day competing in the Olympics for her country was now becoming a reality.

In 2009 her final year at St Peters doing (Grade 12) Jess was successful in making her first Australian Junior Team competing in France at The Junior World Championship, winning Silver.

In 2011 at age 20, she made The Under 23 squad winning a Bronze Medal.

2012 saw Jess and her crew in the Quad became World Champions winning Gold and creating a new world best time.

2013 Henley Regatta Eaton Dorney - Bronze

2014 World Cup Lucerne - Bronze

2015 World Cup Sydney- Gold

In 2016 Jess was successful in being named in the Olympic team to go to Rio. The Team are currently training in Italy and will head to Rio end of July.

Jess will race in Bow position in the Australian Women's Quad with her crew mates early August.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Our Senior Choir sang at the special assembly on Tuesday afternoon this week to welcome our visiting students and staff. We would like to thank our choir students and Ms Julie West for their lovely singing and involvement in this assembly.

Instrumental lessons and rehearsals will resume this week due to the WestCent Music Camps (and the previous week some rehearsals were cancelled due to sports day). It would be greatly appreciated if you could assist your child in being prepared for and attending rehearsals and lessons, particularly after the break in routine.

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

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.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

BOOK WEEK IS COMING!!

Each year, across Australia, Book Week brings children and books together celebrating Children’s Book Week. This year, the Book of The Year Awards celebrates its 70th anniversary making it the longest running book awards in Australia. From the small list of books entered in 1946, entries have now grown to over 400, highlighting the strength and richness of Australian publishing for children, and the talent of those who create the books.

This year’s theme is ‘Australia – Story Country’. Students have started reading and discussing the shortlisted books in the Early Childhood and Picture Book categories during library lessons.

BOOK WEEK DRESS-UP DAY

On FRIDAY 19TH AUGUST all students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character!

The purpose of this event is to celebrate Book Week but, it is also in support of the Lob-o-Choc stall at the fete. Students are asked to BRING A BLOCK OF CHOCOLATE FOR FETE DAY.

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE 2016

Hopefully everyone has just about finished reading their favourite books for the Premier’s Reading Challenge 2016 as the reading period finishes on Friday, 26 August. All reading record sheets MUST be returned to the Library before this date.

Active School Travel

TACO TUESDAY!
(Travel Actively Coming-to-school On)

Changes to pick up zone on Acacia Ave

By now you would probably have seen our new signs on Acacia Avenue, which are being used during the afternoon, pick up. These signs are to clearly mark the where the first three vehicles in the pickup zone should queue. If your vehicle is not between these flags your passengers should still be waiting for you at the main gate. We ask that you familiarise yourself with the new procedures for pick up, and for those who are actively travelling, please use the smaller gate to enter and exit the school. The main gate is now for students waiting to be picked up in the pickup zone.

There has been a great response to the visor nametags to assist in the pickup zone. As soon as the nametags are completed they will be sent home to the oldest student. If you haven’t already completed the forms, please do so and hand them in at the office. When you complete the forms can you please advise if the registration numbers are personalised plates – sometimes it is unclear if a number/digit has been missed off, or if the details are actually correct. Some forms have been sent back for clarification.

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 designate “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!

Our next events:

• International walk to school day October 5th 2016
• Melbourne Cup Day -1st November: Decorate your school hats

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 13th Oct @ 10:45am in the Waratah Room. Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

P & C

FETE THIS TERM!

August is here and its Fete time! Thanks to all the parents who have mobilised to make sure preparations are underway for a fantastic day on Saturday 27th. Please work with your class reps, order your artwork and ride bands online and look out for fete updates via your take home kits and online.

FACEBOOK

The fete has an active Facebook page for updates in the lead-up to our big day. Please have a look and like “Graceville State School Fete” online to keep up to date. Another great page to join/like is the “Graceville State School by parents” on Facebook.

SAVE THE DATE – PARENTS DISCO

Put this date in your diary and get ready for some old school disco fun! Saturday 19 November. (See attached flyer)

ROAD SAFETY – 2 minute zones

New safety flags have arrived at the front gate for pickup. The flags signify the pickup zone of the first three cars where children can safely enter the vehicles. This is a strict two minute zone for pickup. 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. 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.

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

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

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

Just a couple of quick reminders:

1. POD arrived on Monday!!!! Please start bringing 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. Drop these items right to the POD in the tuckshop car park.

2. All good quality second hand books and toys (no soft toys) can still be dropped in the boxes at the front of the office. These are cleared daily.

3. Did you get your raffle tickets sent home from school? Do you need more to sell to family, neighbours and friends? More can be requested but they must all be returned to the school, sold or unsold by Monday, 15 August.

4. Jams can be delivered to the tuckshop from now up until Fete day. Curds can be delivered from Wednesday, 24 July.

5. Bought your ride band and Art Show on School24 yet? It's SUPER easy, so stop waiting, jump in and have a go. Remember, claim your “Fete Bag Discount" when you order to avoid the $0.10 bag charge and don't forget to allocate a class to each child to have ride bands sent home.

6. Your class reps are keen to hear from you about filling your stall rosters so have a chat and fill that roster. Remember, cover will be arranged for your class performance, so don't worry about missing it.

Only 3 weeks to go.

The Fete Committee

Uniform and Stationery

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

Gold shirts in size 8 have sold out. New stock is expected to arrive by 19 August.

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

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

RECORD BREAKER WEEK!!!!

What was in the water this week? 2 record breaking days this week. On Wednesday, we did 70 orders!! We had to look twice too. Then, on Friday we did 173 orders!!

Fabulous stuff!

The rest of the week was pretty normal and looked like this:

Volunteers next week are:

Flu season is well and truly upon us with last week needing replacement volunteers on every day except Wednesday! We even needed a replacement convenor due to illness. Please let us know as soon as you can if you are ill or one of your children is. Take care of yourselves and stay well.

Come see us if you have a questions about tuckshop or email us on tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Anne, Amanda and Ally

Community Notices

Corinda State High