9 September 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

The term is flying with only two weeks to go!

As you may be aware we held a Parent Information Session on Wednesday night to provide greater information on the Resilient Youth Survey. Only a small number of parents attended although I did receive informal feedback from many parents who expressed support of the survey implementation and are interested in hearing the outcomes of the survey. Unfortunately, due to the time of day and other commitments, they we unable to attend. Even more so, parents are interested in how the school will use what they learn to target the specific needs of our students identified through the survey. Once an analysis of the survey has been completed and shared and discussed with the school staff, we will also look to provide information to parents.

We are very grateful to the families who have returned their Class Consideration form for 2017. It would be wonderful if all forms could be returned by Friday 9th of September at the very latest so we are able to start class planning early next term. If you have not returned your form by the end of this week it is likely you will receive a phone call from our office staff to confirm your attendance at Graceville in 2017.

We are also very grateful to the families who have returned the updated details form which we require to set up the new absenteeism SMS notification system. If you have not returned your form please do so as soon as possible. We will be setting the system up in Term 4, ready for implementation in Term 1 2017 at the very latest.

During the course of next week, all students who have previously placed an Expression of Interest for the Enhancement Classes, will receive an official Nomination form. The Nomination Form needs to be returned to the school by the first Friday back after the holidays (7th of October). This provides students and families with up to three weeks to complete the Nomination Form. All Nomination Forms need to be returned to the office by an adult and require a signature to register receipt. No late forms will be accepted. It is parental responsibility to ensure the forms are returned on time.

All Year 5 students will receive a letter next week inviting students to consider running for a School Leadership Position in 2017. The process will officially start after the holidays however we like the students to be prepared. The turnaround time from receipt of application to due date is only 8 school days.

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

I hope all Dads enjoyed a special day last Sunday. The fathers of our Prep students enjoyed some pampering last Friday as these photos show from Prep K.

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 15th

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 – Last Friday

Last Friday’s chocolate give away for Father’s Day was a great success! It was wonderful to see so many Dads bringing their children to school (& getting their chocolate). Unfortunately we ran out of chocolates before the music sounded. We handed out 150 chocolates to Dads around the school. Thanks to Mr Arnold, Mrs Hornstra & the Student Council Wellbeing committee for their great initiative and support. Next year we will order more!

Swimming for Term 4

Next term we will have our swimming program. Years 3-6 will have their swimming lessons with Mr Daunt, as part of the school program. All swimming lessons start in Week 2. Please ensure that your children have swimming togs, a rashi swim shirt, bathing cap and goggles.

Prep to Year 2 classes will be doing swimming with Peter Geraghty and his coaches as part of a paid, intensive swimming program. Peter is employed by the school to provide this service for us. In the past we have found it very intensive for our younger students, as the lessons are organised with several coaches working with small groups of students.

The Prep students will swim every Monday from Week 2 to Week 9 – 7 weeks in total because of the 17th October Pupil Free Day. The cost will be $56 ($8 per week).

For Years 1 & 2 students the cost will be $64 for 8 weeks of lessons – Weeks 2-9.

All families (Prep – Yr 2) will receive an invoice and permission form this week which must be returned by the end of next week. The last day for payment is next Friday 16th September.

Keep watch on our school these holidays

With the school holidays fast approaching, we need the local community looking out for our school. If you see something suspicious, please don’t intervene. Call the School Watch number on 13 17 88 and let the local police or State Government Protective Security Service deal with the matter.

Brilliant Futures Program – Years 6-9

Ensure your place at Queensland Academies

Queensland Academies are state schools for highly-capable students in Years 10 to 12. They are located across three campuses in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Australia. A bridge between high school and tertiary study, the Academies are designed to maximise the potential of bright students and prepare them for university.

Queensland Academies offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme – an internationally recognised pre-university level qualification that allows subjects to be accelerated and graduating students to study at both Australian and international tertiary institutions.

The Queensland Academies Brilliant Futures Program is open to students currently in Year 5 and 6. Graduates from the program will gain an automatic offer into Year 10 at the campus of their choice, including Creative Industries, Health Sciences, and Science, Mathematics and Technology. The program is designed to complement a child’s current schooling through Years 6 to 9 and provides a smooth transition when entering Queensland Academies and commencing the IB Diploma.

Students will benefit from working with Queensland Academies teachers and will be challenged through contemporary pedagogy that offers collaborative, accelerated learning focussed on deep inquiry and real world research.

Expectations of students in the Brilliant Futures Program

• Participation in a minimum of one course in both Years 6 and 7
• Participation in the Year 8 project
• Payment of an annual enrolment fee
• Semester submission of report cards
• Submission of NAPLAN reports when available

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of Brilliant Futures students into the Queensland Academies community. For more details call (07) 3377 9366

Brilliant Futures Program

Designed to complement a child’s current schooling through Years 6 to 9, Brilliant Futures provides a smooth transition for highly capable students when entering Queensland Academies and commencing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Graduates from the Brilliant Futures Program enjoy guaranteed entry into the Queensland Academies senior secondary campus of their choice.

Applications close 5th October, 2016. Visit the website below to apply

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

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Invoices for Term 4 Swimming for Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 classes have been sent home this week. Last day for payment is Friday 16th of September.

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.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

This week we have had the 2 day instrumental workshop. This is always an exciting event for our instrumental staff and students, culminating with a concert which allows all instrumental students the opportunity to perform and share their music. During the workshop students have the opportunity to focus on their music with an instrumental tutor building skills, musicianship and repertoire as well as rehearsing with the full band/orchestra. I would like to thank our students for their efforts this week as well as our instrumental staff. It is always fabulous to hear the music students play at the concert and progress they have made throughout the year and during the workshop. I would also like to thank Chappy for helping us with the BBQ lunches each day and parents who were able to assist with serving.

Thank you to our Senior Band, Senior Choir and Year 2/3 Choir for their fabulous performances at the fete. This is a lovely opportunity for our students to share the music and songs they have been working on during rehearsals with their family and peers. I would also like to acknowledge the Senior Choir and Ms Julie West for their performance and efforts, with additional lunchtime rehearsals for solo/speaking parts for their mini musical Oliver as well as rehearsals before school. The music was enjoyed by families and the extended community who I know appreciate the time it takes to prepare music for performances. Thank you Mr Stiller and Ms West for your commitment to our music program and parents for ensuring your children attend lessons and rehearsals regularly.

The Year 2/3 Choir will continue to rehearse on Friday mornings from 7:45am in the music room, with all students requested to be there by 8:00am. Please note that the rehearsal on the last day of term is cancelled.

Upcoming performances:

16th November – Evening Concert 6pm - all choir and instrumental students will be performing
23rd November – Grandparent’s Concert 10am - all choir students and the Senior Strings

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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Last week saw our Year 6 students participate in a cultural excursion to Chung Tian Temple. It was a most interesting day, with students experiencing a little of Chinese and Buddhist cultures. From the incredible architecture to the modest lifestyles embraced by the monks, many differences from our western culture were recognised. I am sure our students returned to school with a greater awareness of one of the world’s great cultures and a deeper appreciation for some of the luxuries we enjoy in our own.

At interschool sport last Friday, it was wonderful to see some of the Graceville students look beyond the score line and see a bigger picture. While playing Touch Football against a Toowong State School side with several hearing impaired students, it was noticed by our students that playing on quickly, which is a key to success in Touch, was less than fair for the opposition, as more time was needed to communicate rulings with their hearing impaired team members. Rather than gain an advantage by playing on quickly, our team agreed to wait until the opposition were all ready before continuing the play. By the end of the game, our boys had also decided to reward the opposition for their efforts with a couple of tries by allowing them a little more room than is the norm. It was a lovely gesture and the joy and pride of the Toowong student’s faces when they scored was so uplifting. For a team that never scores, not having “nil” against your name is a really big deal. The Toowong teacher recognised what our boys had planned and was visibly touched by such grace being displayed in the midst of competitive sport. Well done boys! I wonder if you truly understand how great an impact you have had on a teacher and her students, but Ms O’Brien and I are so very proud of you.

Have an awesome week!

ICT (Information & Communications Technology)

Elisa Chudasko

National eSmart Week - Celebrating Cyber Safety and Digital Inclusion – 5-9 September 2016

The web is a great place to learn, be creative and stay connected, but with one in seven young Australians found to be victims of cyber bullying each year, and the many other challenges young people face online, it’s important that we invest in giving students the skills they need to be responsible digital citizens.

Graceville State School is an accredited eSmart School and aims to maximise the benefits of using Information, Communication and Learning Technologies, while minimising dangers and managing risks. Teachers promote the values and expectations outlined in the GSS Acceptable Use Agreement for students. Students are also encouraged to remember the 5P’s for a positive digital footprint.

Active School Travel

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

International Walk to School Day – Wednesday 5th October 2016

Don’t forget to dust off you walking shoes to take part in this international event. International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record-breaking participation – each October.

Why Walk or Bike?

It’s Fun!

Walking and bicycling bring a sense of joy and independence.

Healthier Habits

The trip to school is a chance for children (and adults!) to get the physical activity they need.

Cleaner Environment

Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can reduce congestion and air-polluting emissions.

Promoting Safety

Building bike/walking paths, providing education programs and adding traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve safety. Encouraging walking and bicycling to school can help build support for infrastructure improvements in the broader community.

Community Benefits

Reducing traffic congestion, boosting a sense of community, and improving neighborhood connections benefit the community.

Source:

Don’t forget to collect your stamp at the stamping station.

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

TECHNOLOGY CRISIS

At the last P&C meeting we again discussed the state of technology in our school. It is important that the school community understand the position we currently find ourselves in and to have an open discussion about how to address this situation. Any feedback, comments and ideas are very welcome via email, in person, and at our next meeting.

The situation at GSS is over half of our computers in the school are out of their warranty - ie PCs over 5 years old. As you probably understand older computers need more maintenance. Unfortunately we do not have a full time IT support person and so these older computers do not get repaired immediately. The P&C contributed $18,000 to technology this year, which is a considerable sum, but unfortunately does not stem the flow of the bulk of our machines falling out of warranty. The trouble is that the problem compounds year on year.

Many other schools find themselves in similar situations. Some schools in the area have addressed this by a Technology Levy paid at the start of the year. Other schools have put the responsibility back on the parents and have adopted a BYOD (bring your own device) policy for technology in their schools.

Please feel free to join the discussion. We are working on the premise that we want our children to have ready access to appropriate technology for their learning.

PARENTS DISCO

The last P&C event of the year is set to be a cracker! An Old School disco break up party. Adults only! This is just a few weeks before the end of school, so please save the date - Saturday 19 November.

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.

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

Uniform & Stationery

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

Get ready for term 4 with most of your swimming gear available from the uniform store. Attached is a form to order long sleeve rashies, swim caps, bags and quick dry towels in your house colours. Rashies are not kept in stock and can only be ordered through this form.

Friday sport shirts are in stock.

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

Solid performance in tuckshop this week. Numbers were:

Our dedicated volunteers, making your children's lunches for last week of Term 3 week are:

If you have any queries please come and see us, call us or email us: tuckshop.gss@gmail.com.au

Ally, Amanda 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!

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)

Enrolments close Monday 12th of September. 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). Please call 3379 1511 or visit our website for further information.

School Holiday Activities

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 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.