2 September 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

What a great Fete! The weather was perfect, the atmosphere full of fun and all topped off with a bang with the fireworks! Thank you to everyone who chipped in to make the day a success! There are too many people to thank individually however we do need to mention the two main organisers of the fete, Mrs Kathy Whitefield and Ms Gehann Molachino. Kathy and Gehann have done an amazing job for many years and are ready to pass the baton on to other willing volunteers for the future. We greatly appreciate all of the hard work and dedication of both Kathy and Gehann. Thank you!

We are very grateful to the small number of families who have returned the class consideration form for 2017. We desperately need to hear back from the families who will not be returning for 2017. I am in the process of staffing right now and need to know if students will not be returning. Please return your form or contact the office as soon as possible.

As you may already know, this year our school created a Strategic Plan for 2016-2019. As you would be aware, Curiosity and Powerful Learning is our main driver for school improvement in this time period. Curiosity and Powerful Learning uses an evidenced based approach for school improvement which also enables us to track our progress on an annual basis. As part of the Strategic Planning process, our school is also committed to developing a parallel focus on student wellbeing. We believe children and young people with a higher resilience are more likely to thrive in learning and achieve greater educational outcomes. We have been working hard so far this year to find an evidence base to use as the foundation for creating a whole school approach. After seeking guidance from our region, we chose to engage with Resilient Youth Australia who can support our school to understand our student’s needs and help create a suitable school wide approach for Graceville. The starting point for our work is to participate in the Resilience Survey.

All year 3-6 students are invited to complete the online Resilience Survey, conducted by Resilient Youth Australia Limited. This Resilience Survey collects the self-reported strengths of our students, as well as exploring wellbeing and the levels of hopefulness in our students. The online survey is completely anonymous and no student is individually identified. The school has asked for the information to be collated at class, year level and all participant levels. The data is collected and analyzed by Resilient Youth Australia and reported back to the Principal. Resilient Youth Australia (RYA), with the permission of the Principal, may collaborate with experts in the area of youth resilience and wellbeing to assist with helping the school to develop a school wide approach. The outcomes of the Resilience Survey will highlight the resilience assets that are of the highest need for our students to develop. The survey will also provide the evidence base which will enable us to create a tailored approach, specifically designed to meet the needs of our student community.

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Reminder to parents: the first half hour of the school day is a crucial time of learning particularly around reading in the lower school. Being on time for the start of the day sets your child up for their participation and learning and is much appreciated by the teachers too.

Prep 2017 – please enrol your child now!

Date Claimer: Prep Orientation visit – Tuesday November 15

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. Only two weeks until the holidays now and I will be forming the classes and getting ready for orientation visits.

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 assembly.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Father’s Day Wellbeing Celebration – This Friday 2nd September

Following the success of the Carnations for Mother’s day, the Student Council will be handing out “Nut absent” Twirl chocolates to Dads to celebrate Father’s Day. The Student council will be at the entrances around the school this Friday morning from 8.15am. Might be a good opportunity for your children to see their Dad’s getting a little ‘treat’ to celebrate Father’s Day. Enjoy!

2 Minute zone updates- Name tags seen in the pick-up zones!

We have been 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.

Camp Quality

The Camp Quality Education Program has been booked to perform their Puppet show on Tuesday 6th September. The program will focus on helping children and teachers to continue to provide a supportive school environment for children affected by cancer, whether they are living with cancer themselves or have a family member living with cancer.

The program consists of a live, educational performance focusing on cancer education, optimism, friendship and tolerance and a suite of educational resources for students and teachers.

Show date: Tuesday 6th September
Show time: 8:55am (P-1), 9:45am (2&3), 11:30am (4-6)

Entries now open for Origin Energy's littleBIGidea competition

Calling all young inventors! Students in Years 3 to 8 are encouraged to apply for the 2016 littleBIGidea competition. All they need to do is submit an idea, no matter how big or small, on how to make the world a better place. Entries close 30 September. Find out more at the competition website:

Friday is Teacher Aides Day and School Support Staff Recognition Week is 29 August – 2 September. If you are in the school grounds and you see these staff members, take the time to thank them for their contribution to our school.

Workplace, Health & Safety: Over-the-counter medications

The Department recognises that all medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, e.g. paracetamol or alternative medicines, may be drugs or poisons and may cause side effects.

As such, schools are required to receive medical authorisation from a prescribing health practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist, optometrist, but not a pharmacist) to administer any medication to students, including those bought over-the-counter.

Whilst parents may administer OTC medications to their child without medical authorisation, they are aware of the child’s complete medical history, and are able to provide ongoing, direct supervision for the course of the child’s illness. Due to these circumstances, a parent is also more likely to recognise if their child is having adverse effects and requires immediate medical attention.

The student’s prescribing health practitioner also has the knowledge of the child’s medical history to determine the appropriate OTC medication to administer and is therefore able to determine dosage and provide advice regarding potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

For these reasons, OTC medications will only be administered to students at school if medical authorisation has been received.

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Thank you for your payments to date and your quick response to payment to family statements. Added to the school account was a credit for Sports transport paid in Term 1 of $39. This credit was applied for cancelled sport due to weather.

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

Credit in Account: (eg -$10) - Please let office staff know how you wish to use your credit and to nominate which excursions are to be paid.

Our financial system does not automatically match to other payments.

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.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

CBCA READERS CUP STATE FINALS 2016

Graceville State School has an incredible team of Year 5 students competing at the CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND READERS CUP STATE FINALS. It is to be held next week on Thursday 8th September at Somerville House from 5pm.

The Readers Cup is a competition that promotes the reading of interesting and exciting books, it also rewards students who do well at reading. Just as good sports people are honoured for their outstanding efforts, good readers should receive accolades for competing at reading.

The following five students, who represented Graceville at the Regional level, are now going to compete against 17 other schools state wide. They are: Sophie B, Eunsu C, Tara M-R, Vienna T and Isla W.

These students are required to read five books in preparation for the competition and on the day will have to answer many detailed questions about each book. The books are quite challenging and no doubt the questions will be very tricky, but our fabulous team are prepared and very excited to compete. They have all studied very hard and we wish them all the best! GOOD LUCK GIRLS!

Active School Travel

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

It is always fantastic to see the bike racks full each day as students get active and ride their bikes or scooters to school. Just like the family car needs servicing, don’t forget to take the time to check your bikes and scooters regularly to ensure that you remain safe while on the roads and bike paths. It is also extremely important that students to be aware of the road rules and to watch out for other vehicles and bikes on their journey to and from school.

Bike Condition Checklist

To check that a bike is in good working order, make sure the:

• Brakes work correctly
• Chain is well oiled and not loose
• Tyres are firm, with no bald spots or patches
• Pedals spin easily
• Bell or horn can be heard clearly
• Reflectors and lights are clean and secure
• Seat is adjusted to suit your child’s height
• Handlebar ends are covered by hand grips.

What to wear 
Your child must wear a helmet, with the chinstrap firmly fastened and not twisted. It’s also a good idea for your child to wear knee and elbow pads and wrist guards.

Safe Riding Checklist

• If your child is under 10 years, they will need to cycle with a grown-up, preferably on bike paths.
• Children under 12 years are allowed to ride on the footpath. Encourage your child to watch for vehicles coming out of driveways.
• Teach your child to walk their bike across pedestrian crossings instead of riding across the street.
• Children must show that they can follow road rules and predict what cars will do before being allowed to cycle alone. This takes a long time and a lot of practice.
• Show your child that they need to approach driveways and intersections with caution. Riding onto the road from a driveway is particularly risky as parked vehicles can hide a bicycle rider from oncoming drivers.
• Teach your child that riding in wet weather needs different skills and extra caution.
• Teach your child to wear enclosed footwear when riding, rather than thongs or bare feet. Your child’s feet might get hurt if they get caught in the spokes or chain, or if they’re used as brakes.
• Your child shouldn’t ride at night. To ride at night, you need special equipment (lights, visibility vests), acute traffic awareness and understanding of driver behaviour.

Discourage stunt riding. ‘Look no hands’ and ‘dinking’ is very unsafe.

For more information, please visit the following website:

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

P & C

FETE!

We did it. The fete is done and dusted for another year, but what a great day! We hope your children had a great time. A massive thanks to everyone who contributed. Especially the fete committee for their efforts. The class reps who always go above and beyond and everyone who helped out on the day or at setup/clean up. We really do celebrate a real sense of community bringing the fete together. The community and business engage with the school, the classes work together on their stalls and the children all perform on stage. It makes it a real special day for everyone. A special mention to Kathy and Gehann and a couple of other members of the fete committee who are hanging up their blue fete shirts this year. Years of tireless work and commitment to the school is recognised and our thanks go to you.

P&C MINUTES

The last P&C meeting was held last Wednesday. A copy of the minutes is available by emailing: pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

Last week we had reports and discussions around:

• Allergies and nuts in the school - further communication to commence
• Book Week - successful celebration and free dress day - thanks to the teachers for their fantastic effort.
• Banking - thanks to Julie and her volunteers. New volunteers are welcome.
• Swimming Club - the lease of the pool and works planned for the holiday period to resurface the pool. Continuation of the club during this time and support for their operation and liquor licence confirmed.
• Uniform shop - new book list supplier selected and discussions around operation next year ongoing.
• Principals report including study tour complete, looking at reciprocal visit in September 2017. Request for support of resilience survey for students. Will help greatly in base line data for curiosity and powerful learning survey.
• Chaplaincy - update and fundraising dinner coming up at Sherwood Services Club on 8th of September.
• Fete report - great amount of work done by fete committee in preparation but also excellent diligence work. The fete Event and Risk Management Plan tabled and will be included in minutes. Thanks to fete team for such a professional handling of the event.
• Technology crisis - initial discussion around technology issue in the school. Report tabled late last year by the school showed the condition and aging problem of our school computers and the level of support needed. P&C donated $18,000 this year but unfortunately this does not even touch the sides of the problem. The problem in many schools is addressed by a technology levy. Further discussions to take place and investigations with regional office, but a motion is to be put to next meeting about addressing this technology crisis.

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 meeting is Wednesday 12th of October (2nd week back after holidays) at 7.30pm in the Waratah Room (which is beside the staff room in the main reception block). Everyone is very welcome.

Uniform & Stationery

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

New stocks of Gold shirts in size 8 have arrived.

Friday sport shirts are now in stock.

West Taylor Bridge athletic singlets are available for a $10 hire fee plus $5 refundable deposit.

All sizes in Polar Fleece jumpers are in stock, as are tracksuit pants and bootleg leggings. Lots of second hand stock on hand.

Donations of 2nd hand uniforms are always appreciated. Good stocks are available for sale now, including lots of dresses, culottes, 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

It was a busy week last week with lots of orders and people dropping into the Tuckshop to bring jams and sweets. Thank you to all who helped and worked a tuckshop shift while still carrying on with Fete business. It was a great effort; some days were just crazy! Special thanks to those who filled in and helped while regular rostered volunteers were seconded to the Fete! And well done to Anne for taking on the role as Fete-Convenor-in-training. Ally stepped in on Friday while Anne took the day off to devote to the Fete.

Volunteering next week, commencing Monday, 5th September:

If you see these people, please thank them for looking after your children’s lunches!

When placing your tuckshop order, please check you have ordered for the correct delivery day, i.e. the date you wish to have tuckshop on, as it can be different to the actual order date, and that you have received a confirmatory email that your order has been submitted and processed.

Of course, any tuckshop question, please contact us in the tuckshop or email tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Amanda, Ally and Anne

School Plus

Our September 2016 Holiday Program is now available.
Some days will fill up fast so don’t forget to book in quickly!

Contact Club

The next Contact Club will be held on Wednesday the 7th of September. Come along straight after drop-off or reading group for some book covering, a cuppa and a chat. There must be a lot to talk about post-fete! The contact used to cover the books makes it super easy.

Tea and coffee is supplied and good company and laughs are free! See you there or, for more information, email Amanda at thecarps.home@gmail.com

Tennis News

Before school, lunchtime and after school Tennis Coaching will commence from Tuesday 4th of October. (This is the first week of Term 4)

Spare enrolment forms are available from the School Office. To ensure a place, 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

School Holiday Tennis Clinic

We will be running a Tennis clinic at West Brisbane Tennis Centre from Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st September 2016.

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

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

Swimming News

The swim program at Graceville State School pool will commence with 2 swim clinics over the upcoming September school holidays. This is a great platform to get your child ready for the upcoming 4th term of swimming by having a lesson everyday of the clinic.

The first clinic runs from Monday September 19th until Friday September 23rd and the second from Monday September 26th until Friday September 30th.

All ability levels will be catered for with both group and private lessons available. Adult lessons are also available during the clinics. Preference will be given to those who can attend each day that the clinic is run for.

I am always on the lookout for qualified swim teachers. If you know anyone looking for work, please ask them to contact me.

Please direct all inquiries to Pete Geraghty by email: petegeraghty@hotmail.com or phone 0432407442

Community Notices

Staverton Kindergarten

Staverton Kindergarten has places available for age appropriate children for 2017 (children born 1/7/12 to 30/6/13). Contact details are listed below.

They will also be conducting a parent information session for preparing for Prep.

Please call 3379 1511 or visit our website below for further information.

School Holiday Cricket Clinic

Boys and girls, aged 6 to 17, are welcome to attend Holiday Cricket Clinics conducted by Henschell Cricket Academy Pty Ltd.

These Clinics concentrate on skills and activities for the beginner to the representative player whilst having fun.

Where: Fig Tree Pocket State School, Cubberla Street, Fig Tree Pocket
When: Monday 19 September 2016 to Thursday 22 September 2016 inclusive (4 days)
Times: 8:30am to 12:00pm daily
Cost: $199.00 (Incl. GST) (family rates available)
Contact: Email – henschellcricket@bigpond.com or Phone – Brett Henschell 0458 026 224

Taringa Rovers School Holiday Football Camp

Taringa Rovers FC will be running the following 3-day Football Camp during the September school holidays. These camps are open to all junior players (Boys & Girls, Taringa & non Taringa players).

Cost: $95 per player
When: Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th of September (2pm-5pm)
Contact: Kelvin Wheeler Ph: 0412 085 388
Email: juniordoc@taringarovers.com.au

To register your interest for the clinics please send an email to Kelvin at the above email address.

Origami Dojo