27 January 2017

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Welcome to the 2017 school year!

We are off to a great start! The classes are settled and we are ready for a big year of learning!

Did you see the Channel Ten new piece that was filmed based outside our school on Monday? It was a lovely piece with a few parents volunteering to be interviewed. Channel 10 sent me the link to the piece today if you missed it and are keen to watch it.

As you may be aware we had a few unexpected last minute teacher changes. I would like to officially welcome Mrs Walsh to Year 5, Miss Goeldner to Year 4 and Mrs Brough to Year 2. We were very luck to find three great teachers over the school holidays to fill the positions. All of the teachers have experience in the year level they were selected for and bring skills that will enhance the teams of teachers they are working with.

Mrs Harycki, our BSM, is also taking leave this term. She is excited to be home being a grandma again! Mrs Anne Nixon will be our Acting BSM for Term 1.

The teachers have asked me to remind you of a few important messages:

• The school day starts at 8.45am and finishes a 2.50pm
• All children need to be collected from the school by 3.10pm unless supervised by an adult.
• The office is open from 8am to 3.30pm
• If arriving before 8.15am all students need to be seated under D block
• All bikes and scooters need to be locked in the bike cages during the school day
• Children need to go home directly after school unless supervised by an adult in the school grounds
• Teachers prefer parents to make appointments so they can ensure they have the time to meet and be focused on the conversation at hand
• Teacher’s priority from 8.45am is the supervision of children and so they cannot meet with parents after this time. Please be mindful of not interrupting the class from 8.45am. You can leave a note, or send an email if you need to provide information to the teacher after 8.45am.
• Mobile phones and other devices eg IPods, IPads should not be at school. If they are required to be brought to school, they must be handed in to the office on arrival and picked up at 2.50pm.

In next week’s newsletter I will explain our schools curriculum, teaching and learning focus for 2017. We will also hold some parent information sessions in Term 1 to explain the areas in more depth.

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Welcome back everyone to another school year. There are many excited young faces in the playground and classrooms eager for all the new experiences they are engaging in. Some children’s energy is waning come afternoon, so early nights and good nutrition is required, especially at this time of the year.

Our new Prep students have met their buddies and the buddies have been an invaluable help in orienting our new students to where everything is and feeling safe and confident in this new environment. Thank you and well done buddies.

Parents and care givers are all invited to join us for Junior Assemblies which will be held every second Tuesday afternoon from 2.15 in the hall. These assemblies will be for all Prep to Year 2 classes. Year 2 students have the opportunity to develop their skills of public speaking by taking turns in leading these assemblies and classes also take part presenting items for us all. We also like to recognise Birthdays and present awards to students from across all classes.

Below is the calendar for term 1 assemblies.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

SMS Messaging Service – Absences

Our school uses an SMS messaging service to communicate to parents when children are not in attendance at school and no explanation has been provided by parents.

Process to follow:

• If your child is absent on any particular day, please call the absences line (3716 2760) early (night before or prior to 8am if possible)
• Absences line will be monitored up until 9.30am
• If you know in advance that your child will be away please let the office (3716 2777 know so we can “Explain the future absence”. Out of courtesy also let the class teacher.
• Teachers will mark rolls by 9.20am
• Late students 8.45-9.00 – go directly to classroom, after 9.00am parents to escort student to the office for a late slip
• After 9.30am we will send out the messages to parents who have a child absent (Unexplained)

Message will be from Graceville State School, “(Student’s Name) is absent from school today. Please contact the school on 3716 2777 or email sms@gracevilss@eq.edu.au”.

Obviously there are sometimes technical issues which affects this process.

Absences line

Just a reminder that we have an absences line for your convenience if your child is away from school due to illness or any other reason. (3716 2760), please ensure that if your child is sick or absent for any other reason you must inform the school office soon as possible. If absences are not explained by parents then it will appear on your child’s report card as “Unexplained”.

If your family are planning an extended period away from school (more than 2 weeks) you must complete an application for “Exemption from schooling” which entitles you to return to school after the absent period. This application must be approved by the Principal.

Swimming

Swimming for Years 1-6 will commence later in the term due to the pool refurbishments. At this stage it is unclear when swimming will commence. Hopefully in the next few weeks.

Urgent Medical information – Needs to be updated!

If your child has an Medical condition you, which requires an Action Plan ie. Anaphylaxis, Allergy or Asthma, you are required to update annually this with your child’s doctor. Any students who have Anaphylaxis or another /Allergic condition must have their details reviewed annually. Epipens must be up-to-date and cannot be administered if out of date.

If your child has any newly diagnosed medical condition please see the Admin staff in the office to update your child’s details. Please discuss any medical conditions with your child’s teacher as well so that they are well informed.

ICT

Hour of Code

Every 21st-century student should have the opportunity to learn how to create technology. Computer science is changing every industry on the planet. The basics of computer science also help nurture creativity and problem-solving skills, and prepare students for any future career. During Computer Science Education Week (December 5-11), our entire school joined millions of students from over 180 countries in the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code.

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science. Students chose from a range of activities featuring Minecraft, Star Wars, Disney’s Frozen, Moana and Angry Birds. In each of these tutorials students used a visual programming language, dragging and dropping visual blocks to write code. Visual programming is a fun and easily understood way to teach the logic of coding and part of the Digital Technologies Curriculum.

Over 3 days Mrs Elisa Chudasko, Ms Evette Tapinos and Mrs Jane Hegarty facilitated an Hour of Code with every class on the computers and iPads in the library. After completing online courses in visual programming, the students in 3/4BC and 5/6D were also able to help run these sessions. Thank you 3/4BC and 5/6D for doing an excellent job at supporting your peers. This was a rewarding and inspiring event for all involved!

For further information about Hour of Code or more computer science activities visit code.org.

Elisa Chudasko
ICT Mentor

Money Matters

Anne Nixon –Business Services Manager.

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

Welcome to term 1! Many of our classroom music lessons started this week. We are fortunate to welcome back Ms Julie West on Mondays and Tuesdays and I will be teaching music Wednesday - Friday each week.

Instrumental Music

We are looking forward to our instrumental lessons and rehearsals beginning in week 2. Next Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 February our instrumental music lessons will be starting with the lesson days listed below. Timetables will be given to individual students and teachers as soon as possible and your child may already have theirs.

All instrumental music lessons will begin in week 2. Senior instrumental music rehearsals (Senior Strings and Senior Band) will begin in week 3. Please note beginner/junior rehearsals will not start until term 2.

Wednesday - Beginner/Junior Strings will have their lessons with Mrs Prout and in term 2 Beginner/Junior strings will begin their rehearsals (time TBC but tentatively 10:45am -11:20am in the music room- students are requested to take their lunch and music equipment. Lessons will be on a rotating timetable.

Wednesday - percussion lessons from 1:15-2:50pm with Mr Stiller. The Senior Band rehearsals will begin in week 3 on Wednesday 8 February from 2:50-4pm in the music room.

Wednesday - (some) brass/woodwind - Mr Kukulies' students will begin their lessons with a rotating timetable. The Junior Band rehearsals will be on Wednesday mornings (before school) this year from term 2 with Mr Kukulies.

Thursday - Senior String students will have their lessons with Mrs Prout. Senior Strings will have their rehearsal at 7:45am - 8:30am in the music room each week. Lessons will be on a rotating timetable.

Thursday - (some) brass/woodwind - Alex Grodecki's students will begin their lessons with a rotating timetable.

We request that your child attends their lesson even if they forget their equipment in the first week. Please contact your child's teacher if your child has not received a timetable by Monday 30 January. We are trialling rotating lessons this year for most instrumental lessons, so any support you are able to give your child to remember their lesson time would be appreciated. If your child experiences any difficulties with their lessons or rehearsals, we request that you contact their teacher as soon as possible to discuss it, so they can work with you and your child and support their involvement and progress in the program. Please note that all students in the instrumental program are required to attend their rehearsal each week once rehearsals have started. We appreciate your support ensuring your child attends rehearsals regularly and has the equipment required for lessons each week.

Music staff email contacts

Alex Grodecki - agrod3@eq.edu.au
James Kukulies - jkuku2@eq.edu.au
Ruth Prout - rprou5@eq.edu.au
Steve Stiller - sstil2@eq.edu.au
Julie West - jwest269@eq.edu.au

Choir

All students from years 2-6 are welcome to join one of the school choirs. A note with further information will be given to students interested in joining one of the choirs by Monday 30 January. If your child does not receive this note please contact me via email (nclos1@eq.edu.au) or ask them to come to the music room to collect one. Choir rehearsals will start in week 3 of this term.

We look forward to sharing and making music with our enthusiastic Graceville musicians this year.

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Sport News

Wayne Daunt

DISTRICT SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Any child aged 10-12 years of age (turn 10-12 on their birthday this year) who is interested in competing in the West Taylor Bridge District swimming carnival (Wednesday February 8) will need to submit to Mr Daunt times that they have previously swam in order to qualify for a specific event. Because of the cancellation of our school swimming carnival last year due to extreme heat and the unavailability of our school pool until later in the term we are unable to swim students off to determine qualifying times.

Children who are interested in competing were given relevant information on Wednesday. If any child failed to get that info please see Mr Daunt on Friday.

Chappy’s Chat

Welcome back to Graceville State School!

There is an air of expectation as students, staff and parents work their way back into school routines. There is something very special about the start of term 1. So much is new and despite a little uncertainty, exciting opportunities lay ahead. In some ways, the New Year brings a fresh start. The old is left behind and a new day dawns. Chatting with students, I hear much excitement, enthusiasm and high expectations for 2017 and all it may provide. For all the new families, commencing their Graceville State School journey, I trust the first few days have been especially positive and students already feel safe and secure. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, if I can be of assistance in any way.

The Chaplaincy role at Graceville is a very practical one, with the aim of providing care and support to the school community and working with all school staff to build the most positive learning environment for all students. Any new families wishing to know more can contact me via the school office or if they see me out and about around the school.

This year is my 11th year at Graceville State School and the role has been a fulltime one for most of that period. However, increasing operating costs means that, despite the generous support of the school P and C and the incredible response to chaplaincy fundraisers from school families, this year will see a reduction in chaplaincy hours. I will commence the school year working 4.5 days/week, finishing at 12.00pm on Wednesdays. These hours will be reviewed later in first term and may need to be reduced further, depending on chaplaincy funds.

With the Queensland sun burning brightly above us, please remind students about being sun smart and keeping hydrated while at school. Hats will often go missing and end up in the lost property bun near the hall. If named, they can easily be identified and returned to their rightful owners, ensuring students don’t miss out on playing with their friends at break times. Before and during school, there is a “No Hat, No Play” policy, which is enforced to protect students from sun exposure.

Have a wonderful week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Uniform & Stationery

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

Welcome all new and returning families to a new school year. Thank you for your support on the recent uniform shop open day and massive thank you to the ladies who volunteered their time.

NEW SKORTS have arrived and have proven to be very popular. They are currently available in all sizes. 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.

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

Tuckshop News

Welcome back! Hope your break was wonderful. Hope it’s been a good one with lots of happy faces.

Volunteers for week commencing Monday, 30 January 2017

There is a big "TS" emergency beacon in the sky. It's asking for volunteers in Tuckshop. Can you help? Be like Batman and answer the beacon in the sky. Graceville State School Tuckshop, like Gotham City needs you!

If you can help or if you have any questions about Tuckshop please contact us at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Anne, Amanda and Ally

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

P&C News

WELCOME TO 2017

The holidays are finally over and we are off and running for the start of the school year.  So great to see new families in the school - Welcome!  The P&C had a good roll up to the annual 'Tim Tams and Tissues' event in the hall.  Thank you for those who could attend.

UNIFORM SHOP

Welcome to Michelle Fanning into the Uniform Shop and thanks to her for persistence through the baptism of fire over obviously the busiest time of the year.  Michelle is looking for a fresh band of volunteers, so if you have a couple of hours to volunteer, that would be fantastic.  We are moving to online ordering for our uniform shop this year. Similar to Tuckshop and using the School24 platform, orders will be sent to the student's classroom.  The uniform shop will still be open some mornings and the 'try on/sizing rack' will still be available. 

TUCKSHOP

Our fantastic tuckshop convenors start feeding the kids again on Friday this week and back full steam ahead next week.  Remember to update your child's class on your School24 account.

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 first meeting of the year will be a regular meeting on 22 January 2017.  It is proposed that this meeting is a day meeting straight after drop-off at 9.00am in the Waratah Room.  The AGM will be held 7.30pm on 22 March.

School Banking

School Banking Update

School banking kicks off for the year next Monday 30 January. This year’s theme is Future Savers and the Term 1 rewards items are a Cyber Handball and Colour Change Markers. Tokens from last year are carried forward so check your last deposit stub to find out how close you are to claiming a reward (rewards can be pre-ordered at 9 tokens).

In a small change to last year, deposits can be made from 8:10 to 8:30 at the hall kitchen and then via the grey classroom pouches. The hall kitchen will be unattended from 8:30 until 8:50 unless I can secure volunteer commitment. New volunteers are always welcome and we only require about an hour of your time on Monday mornings straight after drop off.

The Major Prize for this year is huge! One lucky Future Saver (Australia wide) will win a trip to Tokyo Disneyland! You need to make 15 deposits before the end of Term 3 to be in the draw. Terms and conditions are found on the Commbank website

If you would like your child to participate in school banking program it is now easier than ever. All that is required is a Youthsaver account with the Commonwealth Bank. Accounts can now be opened either online or at a branch. Once you have an account, the yellow Dollarmite wallet will be posted to you or you can visit us at the hall kitchen to pick one up before school Monday mornings.

Happy Saving!

Tennis News

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 1

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence from Thursday 2ND February 2017 (during the second week back after the holidays).

Enrolments close on Monday 30th January 2017. Spare enrolment forms are available from the School Office, they can also be downloaded from the School Newsletter. To ensure a place in class, 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

SWIMMING

Peter Geraghty

Bookings are now being taken for the swim program at Graceville State School so we are ready to go once the pool renovations are completed. Private one on one lessons will be on offer on Fridays after school and Saturday mornings. If you would like the schedule for the group program on offer before and after school please contact me via email [petegeraghty@hotmail.com] or phone [0432407442].The entry level for group classes is that children must be in year one or older and able to swim 25 m freestyle nonstop. Advanced stroke development and squad classes will also be offered in this program.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Speech and Drama and Musical Theatre classes at Graceville State School!

We are excited to invite all students at Graceville State School to join us for a free trial class in speech and drama on Monday 30th January!

+Chatterbees, Speech & Drama (prep - grade 2) Monday 3.00pm - 3.30pm
+Discobees, Musical Theatre (prep - grade 2) Monday 3.30pm - 4.00pm
+Chatterboxes, Speech & Drama (grade 3 - 6) Monday 4.00pm - 4.45pm

Speak Up Studio is dedicated to creating exciting and engaging drama programs that build confidence and encourage children to be positive about speaking up! Our programs aim to develop confidence, creativity and communication skills, and to foster a love of reading and literature in all our students.

For more information or to register for a class please visit

Email: info@speakupstudio.com.au or Phone: (07) 3367 8572

For sale - Glockenspiel, $30, please call Donna on 0418946411.