18 November 2016

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Three weeks to go!

This week we finalised our staffing for 2017 and started the class allocation process. Over the next two weeks teachers will use the information provided by parents and students, along with their own knowledge of the children, to finalise classes. Classes will be shared on Wednesday 7th of December.

November 24th is the last normal Whole School Assembly for the year. At this assembly we will announce the House and Music Captains for 2017. The final assembly of the year will be held on December 8th from 9-10am. At this assembly we firstly hand out the badges to our new school leaders and finally farewell our graduating students.

A note will come home very soon with details about how families can support Chaplaincy through a voluntary donation. The note will explain how much we have to raise through donations to maintain Chappy full time until the end of the year. This note is addressed to parents and not to students. No discussion with children has occurred in relation to the school seeking voluntary donations to help support Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy Committee will be grateful for any support provided by families though the voluntary donation process.

I had the privilege of attending the music concert on Wednesday night. It is wonderful to see the achievements of the students over the course of the year. It takes me back to the days when I was in the school concert band playing my clarinet! Thank you to all of our music teachers for the wonderful opportunities they provide to our students.

Finally, I would like to wish a happy holiday to Ms Hass as she uses some long service leave to extend her summer holidays! Mrs Freeman will be Acting Deputy Principal in for the remainder of the year.

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

We welcomed our 2017 Preppies to Graceville this week so it was great to see their smiling faces seeing their classrooms and playgrounds for next year. It’s timely to reflect now how much our students in Prep to year 2 have grown and matured over this year as we prepare for the next challenge of 2017.

I will be travelling overseas at the end of this week and would like to wish you all safe and happy holidays coming very soon for you too. Mrs Tracy Freeman will be taking my place over the next three weeks.

I do hope that during the holidays you will get some time to spend reading with your child as it really does make a significant impact on their continuing reading development if they can keep up a little practice and read for enjoyment over the break.

Below is the calendar for Term 4 Junior assemblies – commencing at 2.15pm.

Study Tour 2017

We recently held an information session about the possibility of an outbound Study Tour next year to Taiwan. After this letters were sent home to all students in year 4 and 5 with information and a form to return to the office by November 25th. We need at least 10 students to proceed with the Study Tour, currently I have replies from 6 students so we need a few more to make a firm decision regarding moving forward. Please return the intention to participate if interested.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Christmas Service

Every year we have a Christmas service which is run by our Religious Instruction volunteers. This year it will be on Friday 25th November in the hall. The service will start at 9.00am and finish by 9.30am. Any students who have participated in Religious Instruction this year in Years 1-6 will be going to the service. Class teachers will accompany them on that day. Students in Yrs 1-6 who do not participate in RI will stay in classrooms, as per the usual arrangements.

There will be no RI on Friday 2nd December due to the Yr 4-6 swimming carnival.

2017 Book Lists

The 2017 booklists for our school are now available on the Campion Education website. Click on Order Now, select Queensland, then select your school, enter the following code: WAW5 and follow the prompts.

Please remember that you are ordering for your children’s 2017 year level.

Please note that you must place your order on or before Friday 2nd of December to have your book pack(s) delivered to your nominated physical address during the week ending 13th of January 2017, or you can select the option to pick up your pre-paid book packs from the School Hall on Friday the 20th of January between 3pm and 6pm. With this option you will need to bring identification/proof of purchase. It is important to know that you will only be able to pick up your own children’s packs.

Campion is located at 314 Montague Road, West End and is open Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

In January 2017 Campion will also open on Saturday 14th, 21st and 28th January from 9:00am to 1:00pm

They will be closed from 2:00pm on Friday 23rd of December 2016, reopening at 9am on Tuesday 3rd of January 2017, and also closed Thursday 26th January 2017 (Australia Day Public Holiday).

Money Matters

Roberta Harycki

Thank you for your payments to date. Pink reminder statements have been sent home. Your attention to accounts in arrears would be much appreciated.

Please note: The Year 4 Xmas Show has been cancelled by the Theatre. Students who have paid their $19 will now have a credit in their account. This amount can be used as payment for other excursions, rolled over to use in 2017 family account or “Request for Refund” form can be completed.

Student Resource Schemes (SRS)

Early next week the SRS programs for 2017 will be distributed to students in Prep-Year 5. The expected date of return will be printed on the form. Your support here will avert the office chaos at the commencement of 2017 with student invoicing. Please return the completed form – do not send payment until 2017.

Credit in Account: (e.g. -$10) – This means your account has a credit of $10. Do not pay this amount but please let office staff know how you wish to use your credit by nominating which excursions are to be paid.

Sorry, our financial system does not automatically match to outstanding invoices.

Helpful hints for payment - BPoint instructions are attached; Also note, Permissions and Payments by the “Last day of Payment” is a must for your child’s inclusion.

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.

End of year scenario – If your family account is in credit and your child is not continuing at Graceville in 2017 with no other siblings to roll the credit over to next year, and then please complete a Request for Refund or donation to school funds if you wish.

Payment of account days:

8am - 3pm - Monday to Wednesday
8am - 12pm - Thursday and Friday

BPoint is the preferred method of payment.

Eftpos, Debit Cards: Visa/Mastercard, cheque or cash payments are accepted.

BPOINT User Information

For payment of multiple items on your statement/invoice, you will need to do a separate entry for each item, entering the invoice number and the corresponding payment amount for that item only e.g.

Separate Entries for each line must be done to ensure the payment is allocated to the correct Excursion/Resource Fee.

BPOINT payments must be processed in time to clear (usually 2-3 business days) before the Due Date for payment.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to all of our choral and instrumental students and staff for their efforts preparing for and performing at our concert this week! It is always lovely to hear each of our choirs and ensembles sharing their music with each other as well as their families. We appreciate the effort families make to ensure their child practices regularly and attends rehearsals and lessons leading up to the concert. It is also a time to thank our graduating year 6 students for their involvement in the program. Thank you to all who were able to attend the concert and support our musicians.

If your child received an offer for the IM program for 2017, please ensure it is returned by Monday so we can make final placements for next year. There are students on the waiting list who would like to be considered if places are not accepted by students in this first round of offers.

Upcoming performances:

22 November - Oxley Senior Citizens' Concert - Senior Choir and Senior Strings (during school day, bus to be paid for by instrumental/choral program); concert at Oxley Senior Citizens' Hall 10:30am

23 November – Grandparent’s Concert 10am - all choir students and the Senior Strings - notes/invitations for guests have been handed out to students - please contact me if you have not received these (nclos1@eq.edu.au)

Thank you for supporting the music program.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

Just a reminder that all student borrowing has ended for the year - we ask that books be returned to the library as soon as possible, so our annual library stocktake can begin!

Please assist your children to locate and return any library books or take home readers. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

The library will still be open for students before school, and during first and second break until the end of the year.

Volunteers are always WELCOME in our school library, we appreciate any extra help especially with covering books. In addition, our library books/shelves are always in need of reordering and tidying up, especially at this time of year. If you can give a hand at any time please come and see the library staff.

Please note also our last CONTACT CLUB book covering session for the year will take place on Wednesday 30th November.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Chaplaincy Needs Your Support

2016 has been an exciting year for chaplaincy at Graceville State School. In its 10th year at Graceville, chaplaincy continues to partner with the school community to provide care and support to students. One of the strengths of chaplaincy at Graceville State School is how well it has integrated into the school. Personally, I have always believed the only agenda a chaplaincy service should have is that of helping the school community; that is students, staff and parents, anyway it can.

This year, after feedback from various sources, the Clowning for Chaplaincy end of year fundraiser will not continue. That seems a very timely decision given some of the Clown based craziness filling social media pages at present. This does mean however, that there is a shortfall in the chaplaincy account to get through to the start of the 2017 school year.

The shortfall amount is $6,000. The Chaplaincy Committee has decided to, with total transparency, put that information out to the school community and encourage families interested in contributing to help cover that shortfall to do so. Of course, as with all Chaplaincy ventures there is no obligation for families to contribute.

The chaplaincy committee believes this will be a good measure of whether the school remains capable of maintaining the existing full-time chaplaincy service or whether it is time to review how many days chaplaincy is in the school.

The link to make online tax deductable donations to Graceville State School Chaplaincy is listed below:-

Donations can also be made by putting cash/cheque in an envelope, writing Graceville State School Chaplaincy on the front and returning to the school office. Donations are tax deductable.

Thank you for your support!

Random Acts of Kindness

Chaplaincy is also planning an activity for the students, totally separate from any fundraising, which hopes to make the “Random Acts of Kindness” a greater focus at this busy and exciting time of year. Similar to the “Pay it Forward” concept, students and staff will find laminated tickets circulating around the school. An individual receiving the ticket is encouraged to do something nice for someone else and then pass the ticket onto that person. Hopefully, this activity may promote a less inward focus and let both the giver and the receiver the joy of sharing in a special moment or two. If parents wish to get in on this too, I am sure we can arrange that. Who knows? It may put an extra spring in our step at a time in the year when we start running out of fuel.

Active School Travel

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

Parents can set an example

As parents and carers, you can set a good example for your children on how to be safe as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist and driver by:

• taking the time to talk about what your child can see when walking or driving with you in the car
• pointing out traffic signs and signals and explain what they mean, and talk about safer places to cross the road – such as at pedestrian (zebra) crossings
• always wearing your seatbelt
• being calm when travelling, not swearing or yelling at other road users, or showing aggressive driving behaviours such as tailgating or dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

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 News

TECHNOLOGY

The school leadership are developing the technology plan which will be delivered to the next P&C meeting to discuss. This document will outline a 5 year plan of updating and providing the required technology for our children's learning. A discussion will be held as to how we may go about funding and delivering this plan as a school and school community. It is likely that a levy in the form of a voluntary contribution will be needed to stem the flow of the aging technology in our school and deliver on the technology plan. Part of the work in getting to this point has been an audit of existing machines (which has been mentioned in earlier newsletters) provided interesting and troubling data about the age of our computers. Secondly a survey was undertaken with the teachers at the last pupil-free day. The teachers were asked how they use technology, barriers to technology and what they would like to see in the future. This has been documented, provides some excellent information and is a valuable piece of evidence to inform the technology plan. 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.

UNIFORM SHOP

This year marks an end of an era. Sue-Ellen Lockwood is hanging up her eftpos machine as her family's time with the school draws to a close. A great loss to the school and to the P&C and it is hard to replace such a tireless worker in our school community. We are continually looking for volunteers in the tuckshop, uniform shop and around the school. The P&C are also offering a third paid part-time position to join Anne and Amanda as a Uniform Shop /Tuckshop Convenor. This position will operate the uniform shop and to work with the tuckshop convenors. Any expressions of interest or for a position description, please email the P&C at pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au. Applications will close in a week - Friday 25th of November at 12pm.

PARENTS DISCO THIS SATURDAY- BOOK NOW!

Now is the time to book your tickets! Tickets are available for $20 on the School24 Tuckshop ordering system. If you require assistance please email: pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au. You will be able to pay at the door. Come along for a great night!

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 30th of November 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

Parent Disco News

The end of the year is here and the Parent Disco is the perfect event to kick back and have some fun!

Ticket sales close at 5pm this Friday 18th November via the Schools24 tuckshop ordering system. If you miss the cut off time, you can still attend and pay at the door.

If you don’t have a tuckshop account and would like to buy tickets, please email Melissa: lissaos@hotmail.com

Uniform & Stationery

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

The Prep selling days have concluded for this year. Newcomers will need to come during normal uniform store hours up until the end of term.

If you have a small child wanting a dress for next year smaller than the size 2 available, you will need to come in and specially order them asap.

NEW SKORTS have arrived and will soon be out of some sizes. More are being ordered for return to school. The Skorts have pants built in under a skirt embroidered with GSS in gold on skirt.

Most of your swimming gear is available from the uniform store, including swim caps, bags and quick dry towels in your house colours and others.

Friday sport shirts and football socks are in stock.

All sizes in House Shirts (Cook, Kennedy and Flinders) are in stock. Get in now for the swimming carnival in the 2nd last week of school.

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

Anne, Amanda and Ally

Another record breaking week! Sales last week were:

Not only that but we had 10 extra manual orders on Friday 11/11 so that's nearly 200 orders! The queues for iceblocks and ice creams on Friday were just staggering! We have NEVER seen it so busy.

Volunteers for week commencing Monday, 21/11 are:

If you see them, make sure you thank them. Remember, it's your children they are working so hard to feed!

If you have any questions please come see us or drop us an email at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Scholastic Book Club

All children should have now received the last Scholastic Book Club catalogue for the year. Look out for some lovely Christmas books, favourite collections that will make fabulous presents and plenty of books under $5. Orders will close this Friday 18th of November and the books will be distributed approximately two weeks later, just in time for holidays.

Thank you for using our preferred payment option – LOOP – Linked Online Ordering and Payment available on the link below or download the LOOP Apple or Android app.

No need to send paper orders to school. No Cash Orders Please – Graceville is running a Cashless Book Club. There is a box in the library for paper orders with a cheque made to Scholastic Australia.

Swimming News

Group lessons are on offer before and after school on weekdays. To enter group lessons students must be in Year One or older and able to swim 25 meters freestyle non-stop.

All other students may book a private one on one lesson after school on Fridays or Saturday mornings. Students in after school care may also join the program as staff can take the children to the pool and pick them up after their lesson.

Please direct all inquiries to Pete Geraghty via 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 below for further information.

Dunlop Park Swimming Pool

Free Events at Dunlop Park Swimming Pool during November.

Benarrawa Celebration Day

Sunday 20th of November from 4pm.

There will be pizza making so bring ingredients with you or a plate to share, Songlines choir group will perform, members of the gardening group and various other groups attached to Benarrawa will be there as well. It will be a great chance to reflect and share with locals.

79 Waratah Avenue Graceville

Sherwood District Meals on Wheels

Do you know someone who is having difficulty shopping for food or cooking?

Sherwood District Meals on Wheels is able to help. Our volunteers deliver meals to the suburbs of Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood, Corinda and Oxley. Our $10.00 meal pack ($9 if eligible for government subsidy) includes soup, a main meal, juice and dessert. The meals are nutritionally prepared for us by our supplier Nutrifresh and are delivered daily by our friendly volunteers between 9 and 10 am. The meals can be delivered fresh or frozen allowing more flexibility for the clients. Special dietary needs can also be catered for.

Who is Eligible?

• People who are 65 or older
• People who are having difficulty preparing meals for themselves or shopping
• People who have a disability and their carers
• People recovering from hospitalisation or illness

Volunteers

Volunteering for Meals on Wheels is a satisfying experience as we enable people to maintain their independence by continuing to live in their own homes. We provide a friendly daily contact for people, many of whom may be isolated or frail. We welcome new volunteers to either do a delivery run to people in their homes one morning a month (starting around 8.45am and usually finishing shortly after 10am) or to help in our kitchen by packing the meals for delivery.

If you know someone who needs help with meals or you would like to volunteer, please contact Donna at Meals on Wheels on 33797715 or email: sherwoodmow@gmail.com.

Graceville Railway Station Upgrade and Aerial Photography Notices

Corinda State High School – Art in Print Workshop

Corinda State High School is hosting a one day Art Workshop ‘Art in Print’ on Thursday, 1st of December. Open to Years 4-6 students; please refer to the information and registration form attached.

Musical Instruments For Sale

*Trumpet

Silver YAMAHA Trumpet – Purchased new two years ago. Excellent condition.

Recently checked by Brass Specialist.

Includes Hard Case, Music Stand and Standard of Excellence Books 1 & 2.

Asking $500.

Contact Nadia Mob: 0417753134

*Alton Saxophone

Jupiter JAS 769 Alton Saxophone with excellent custom fit “wheelie” case. $800 ono.

*Clarinet

Yamaha 250 Student Clarinet, including standard hard case. Professionally cleaned & serviced.

$300 ono.

Please contact Justin on 0448 989 441 or Averil on 0419 868 831

Cerebral Palsy Swim Club

Please see attached flyer regarding the Cerebral Palsy Swim Club being run by The University of Queensland.

If you know anybody that may be interesting in taking part please get in contact with Iain Dutia from the University as per the below contact details.

Iain Dutia, Physiotherapist and PhD Candidate at the University of Queensland

Email: i.dutia@uq.edu.au or Phone:0497 333 020

School Holiday Cricket Clinics

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: Week 1 – Monday 12th of December 2016 to Thursday 15th of December 2016
Week 2 – Tuesday 3rd of January 2017 to Thursday 6th of January 2017
Times: 8:30am to 12:00pm daily
Cost: $199.00 (Incl. GST) per Clinic (family rates available)
Contact: email – henschellcricket@bigpond.com
phone – Brett Henschell 0458 026 224

AFS – Intercultural Programs Australia

Would you like to be a Host Family to an AFS exchange student arriving in February?

Are you ready to get an unforgettable experience, get to know another culture, make a lifetime friendship by adding a new member to your family from different country?

If your answer is YES, then log on to our website below and get to know our amazing students arriving in February 2017.

We have students from a variety of different countries eagerly awaiting any kind of information regarding their future host families who will host them here in Australia for the length of their program, either 5 or 11 months. Please contact the Hosting Coordinator at the AFS National Office: on 1300 131 736.

Corinda Graceville Parish 2017-2019 Sacramental Program

Online enrolments for the Corinda Graceville Parish 2017-19 Sacramental Program are now open!

To secure your spot in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, please ensure that you complete your enrolment and submit as soon as possible.

2017-19 candidates and their families are especially encouraged to attend the meet and greet morning tea sessions. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the policy and procedural changes that have impacted on our celebration of the sacraments and to ask about the practical implications for our Parish.

Meet and Greet Sessions:

Sunday 20th of November - Christ the King, 7 Churchill Street Graceville 9:30 am mass
Sunday 27th of November - St. Joseph’s, 624 Oxley Road Corinda 8.00 am mass

Any queries can be directed to: sc.corindagraceville@bne.catholic.net.au

Game On Australia Holiday Sports Program

Game On Australia is pleased to announce two multi-sport programs in the upcoming holidays. Exciting sports, games and activities on offer.

Years: Prep - Year 6. All abilities welcome.
Where: Christ the King Primary School, Graceville.
When: Wed 14th – Fri 16th December and Mon 16th – Wed 18th January
Times: Activities from 9:00am-3:00pm

Operators: Game On is organised and run by qualified HPE teachers and coaches

Early Bird Specials finishes shortly.