2 February 2017

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

It was great to see parents taking the opportunity to meet their child’s class teacher at the Parent Information Sessions this week. Most year levels presented part of their Information Session together before splitting up into class groups. This year, as a staff, we have a focus on collaborating in teams. Most year level teams are working together very effectively, planning both student work and operational aspects of teaching. We are trying to achieve more consistency across year levels and the whole school which we are sure you will appreciate.

As you may be aware, our school is part of the Curiosity and Powerful Learning Project. There are 100 schools from across Australia in the project and Graceville has been selected as one of the 4 case study schools for the project. This means we have a monthly check in with the project research team, who monitor our progress, in what is working well, what is not working well and how we can improve in those areas. We also provide feedback to the research team about the effectiveness of the implementation strategies. Each year our school focuses on a few high yield teaching and learning practices, called Theories of Action, we work on these throughout the year with our teachers gradually introducing the practice into our classrooms, assessing the impact the practices have on improving student learning outcomes. This year our school will focus on the following:

• Framing Higher Order Questions (focuses on how teachers employ higher order questions to deepen student understanding, curiosity and achievement)
• Building our Inquiry Approach to Learning (see below)

As we move into building an Inquiry Approach across the school, many parents are asking, “What is Inquiry?” Most importantly, Inquiry is a stance that we take to foster (& nurture) the curiosity of all students. It is a way of teaching so that students are able to make meaning for themselves. It is not meant to be seen as a "unit of work", it is an approach to learning that enhances the natural inquiring disposition that is in all of us. Teachers can use a structured, guided or independent approach depending on the needs of the students. Most importantly, regardless of the structure of the inquiry, the students' wonderings, ideas & learnings are all taken into consideration and are integrated within relatable areas of the curriculum. The school will partner with Kath Murdoch from Melbourne University for the 2017 and 2018 school years to help guide us in building the Inquiry Approach that is suitable for our learners in the context of the Graceville community. With Kath’s help we have assessed our school’s current practice against the cultural markers of an Inquiry school to ascertain our starting point and will take the next two to three years to build on this until we have a culture of Inquiry within the school. This is a long term piece of work for the school. Examples of evidence you may see in classrooms so far could be: A wonder wall or student wonderings displayed in the classroom or their book work, a big question that frames curriculum teaching and learning in HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences) or Science and the use of Learning Assets (21st century learning skills – collaborator, communicator, self-manager, researcher, thinker) in a formal or informal way both in and outside of the classroom. The school will host a number of parent workshops in Term 1 to help interested parents understand our focus areas in more depth.

It is important to understand that the school is not throwing out Explicit Teaching. Explicit Teaching has an important place in teaching and learning. Teachers use their professional judgement to make informed decisions about the best teaching strategy or approach to use depending on variables such as their cohort of students, the content and/or the style of learning that is suitable for a particular learning area. It is likely, in a classroom, you will see the Gradual Release of Responsibility method of teaching and learning used in most aspects of English and Maths. The Curiosity and Powerful Learning project calls for a balance of Inquiry learning and Explicit methods of teaching.

As the principal of the school I am very transparent with the school community about what we are trying to achieve. Everything we do is linked directly back to the Strategic Plan which was created, with community input, at the end of 2015. We hold parent information sessions or workshops each year for parents to learn more about the selected foci for each year. I use the newsletter to update the parent community of our progress. Through our review last year, evidence was collected that 94% of teachers knew and could confidently use the Theory of Action we focused on in 2016 (Learning Intention and Success Criteria). The final 6% of teachers knew and were still developing confidence in using Learning Intention and Success Criteria. It is important to note however these teachers were either new to the school during the year or had returned in the second half of the year and so were further behind in their learning than those that started the year. From 2017, our teachers will incorporate Learning Intention and Success Criteria into their repertoire of teaching practices, using it when appropriate, to enhance the learning experiences for students.

Finally, the school will implement a Whole School Spelling Program from Term 2. In Term 1, our teachers will receive training in the use of the program, assess students to find their current understanding and formulate groups of students at similar levels to learn together. This will allow us to target our teaching more effectively to meet the needs of students.

As you can see it is a big year of learning and development for our teachers. We focus on strategies for a full year so our teachers have time to develop their skills in each of our focus areas. Our teachers are amazing and I am sure you appreciate their hard work and dedication to improving student learning.

Keep an eye out for the Parent Information Sessions that will be held from week 4 onwards. It is likely we will offer a session on An Inquiry Approach to Learning and another on Framing Higher Order Questions.

Unfortunately, the work on the pool is likely to continue into week 5 or 6 which affects Term 1 swimming lessons. A major upgrade to the pool was needed and so despite the short inconvenience to swimming lessons this year, we are grateful to DET for funding the works.

This week or next the office staff hope to send out all invoices required for the term. This will also include information about the Voluntary Contribution for 2017. Last year 60% of families chose to pay the Voluntary Contribution. We are hoping for 75% or more to pay in 2017! The focus of the Voluntary Contribution for the next few years will be technology.

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Thanks buddies of our preppies!!

Our older buddy students have been an invaluable help in settling our new students into second break routines and the areas of our school. Here are some photos of our students eating together at break time and building those relationships.

Sporting Houses for Prep to year 3 students

Some students in the lower school have been asking at the office what house they are in. While students are assigned a sporting house on enrolment our younger students do not wear house shirts or compete in houses for athletic events like the cross country. The emphasis for sporting occasions is around participation and enjoyment not so much who wins or comes second etc. Therefore students in prep to year 3 don’t need a house coloured shirt purchased for them.

Mathletics for 2017

We will shortly commence the Mathletics program for this year. It is an online Mathematics program that is individually based and one that students can access at home as well as at school for all students in year 1 to year 6. The cost for Mathletics is $12 per student for the year and invoices will be coming home very soon. Your class teacher can inform you more fully about Mathletics and how your class will be using the program this year. Each student will then receive their own personal log on and password to access the program for both at school and at home.

School Technology Plan and Committee

During term 4 last year we developed a technology plan for the next 5 years which covered the distribution of devices in the school and planning for the renewal of devices as required. This year we plan to meet once a term to discuss how things ‘technologically’ are going in the school. I would like to invite any parents who might like to get involved in this committee to come to our first meeting for the year on Friday February 17 at 7.45am in the Waratah room.

Outbound 2017 Study Tour to Taiwan

Yes, we are going to Taiwan during the September holidays this year with a group of year 5 and 6 students. I will arrange a meeting for parents and students during this term to keep those updated who have indicated their participation and paid the deposit for costs at the end of last year. Stay tuned.

Junior Assemblies

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

Medical alert!

Just to inform you that we have a student and a parent in our school who are currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for Leukaemia. This student and parent are immunosuppressed, meaning that they have a lower immunity and cannot fight infection in the normal way.

Viruses that cause measles, chickenpox and shingles could make this student and parent very unwell. Immunity to viral infections such as, chicken pox, shingles and measles is decreased by chemotherapy. It is very important to prevent exposure for the student and the parent of a student to these diseases. If your child has been diagnosed with any of these viruses can you please inform the office immediately so we can pass this information on to families as soon as possible.

2017 International competitions

All students in Years 2 - 6 will be invited to participate in the International competitions run by the University of New South Wales.

Any students in Years 2 or 4 whose parents are intending to apply for the Enhancement classes are required to enter their child in the English, Maths & Science competitions.

In 2017 we will be participating in the following competitions:

• Digital Technologies 23 May $8.00 (Yr 3-6)
• Science 30 May $8.00 (Yr 2-6)
• Spelling 14 June $11.00 (Yr 2-6)
• Writing 13 June $17.00 (Yr 3-6)
• English 1 August $8.00 (Yr 2-6)
• Mathematics 15 August $8.00 (Yr 2-6)

All participating students will need to indicate if they are entering by later in the term. Payment for these competitions will be included in your Term 2 account. All competitions will be non-refundable as they are pre-paid.

Religious Instruction

RI classes will commence next week – Friday 10th February. Semester 1 will be for Years 1, 2 & 6. Semester 2 will be for Years 3, 4 & 5. See attached information for more details. This letter & attachments were sent home to all Year 1, 2 & 6 classes. If you have a child in Yrs 3, 4 or 5 and wish to change your preference for RI please complete and return to the office.

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

Our instrumental music lessons have started this week. Timetables have been given to most classes/students but if your child has not received one please contact me and I will send a copy to you (nclos1@eq.edu.au). Next week the Senior Band rehearsals will begin on Wednesday after school and Senior Strings rehearsals will be on Thursday mornings from 7:45am in the music room. Please note beginner/junior rehearsals will not start until term 2. When these rehearsals start next term, the Junior Band will rehearse before school on Wednesdays and Beginner/Junior Strings will rehearse on Wednesdays at first break.

As mentioned in last week's Newsletter, 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 continued 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. Rehearsals will begin next week with Senior Choir on Tuesday morning at 7:45am (year 4-6 students) and Junior Choir on Friday mornings at 7:55am (year 2/3 students). We have sent out a note with further information this week but if your child has not received it please contact me ( nclos1@eq.edu.au ) or they can see Ms West or I for a copy in the music room.

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.

Library News

Contact Club - all welcome - next meeting Wednesday 1st of March 2017

Thanks to everyone who came this Wednesday to the first Contact Club of the year. Lots of great books are going into the library collection now thanks to your good work covering them.

The next meeting for the Contact Club is Wednesday the 1st of March. Come to the Library straight after drop-off or reading groups for some much appreciated book covering, a good chat, tea or coffee are supplied.

If you’d like to come, just turn up or please email me at Amanda thecarps.home@gmail.com with any questions. If you are unable to come along but would like to help, please contact our friendly Librarians to take some books home to cover or to arrange a time to pop in the Library at a time which suits you.

Chappy’s Chat

The 2017 school year has commenced at a brisk pace, with many exciting things already underway. For some, this busy start and the changes from the previous year can lead to heightened anxiety, especially in the mornings before school starts or when the school bell rings. This can be a tricky time for parents of our younger students, so if I can be of assistance in helping students settle into class, please feel free to ask. There are times when we all need a helping hand, and part of my role is working together with parents and staff to provide help where needed.

The work on the pool continues so unfortunately our students are unable to escape the heat in their PE lessons, for the next few weeks. The delay is a pain but any inconvenience will be forgotten when the pool refurbishment is complete and our students can enjoy the improved pool complex.

The Local Chaplaincy Committee meets once a month, in the afternoon straight after school finishes, discussing and planning chaplaincy events and activities. The committee consists of the Principle, and is open to interested staff, parents and community members. Parents are most welcome to be part of this process, sharing their voice, as chaplaincy is here to serve the school community. Please contact me via the school office or in person if you wish to know more about the chaplaincy committee.

For new parents, information regarding chaplaincy can be found on the Graceville State School website. This year, I will also attempt to share some of what I have been doing with you via this newsletter.

For example, last week, I spent much of the mornings in the Prep classrooms, helping everyone settle into their new environments. At first break I facilitate activities in the school hall for year 5 and 6 students. Mr Dowling had a few projects requiring an extra pair of hands and at second break, I was out and about in playground, maintaining a visible presence in case assistance was needed. I attempted to visit many of the classrooms to see how everyone was settling into new rooms and new teachers. I was contacted several times during the week to respond to students needing a little extra assistance. On Friday morning, I fired up the BBQ for a staff lunch and in the afternoons after school, I was at the front gate, supervising school pick-ups. Hopefully, this information will, in some part, paint a picture of the role of chaplaincy at Graceville State School for those new the school and wondering what Chaplaincy entails.

This week sees our first school assembly, so I will recommence working with the sound system crew to set up the hall and operate the audio visual system on assembly. Through the year, I train a small group of interested students in connecting and operating the equipment used for school assemblies. The start of the year is always exciting for the current sound crew as they now have to step up into these new roles. If your student is interested in technology and is willing to give up some second breaks, they might like to look at joining the sound crew. In the event of my absence, these students help Admin set up the hall and work the system, so it is a big responsibility. Later in the year, I look at year 5 students who are keen to learn the system in preparation for next year.

Have a brilliant week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

P&C News

SOLAR PANELS

A 35KW solar panel system was installed over the school holiday period and is set to be commissioned on Friday. Great news and thanks to the Gambling Fund grant we were able to start our work in increasing sustainable electricity generation for the school. We are also having installed some monitoring devices. These will help us gather data on power usage in the school and also the efficiency and savings these panels will make to the school budget. Savings in the budget of course mean less money on power bills and more money for teaching our kids!

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.

Uniform & Stationery

It has been a very busy start to the year and thanks need to be given to the volunteers that man the uniform store.

Some goods second hand items have come in. They won't last long. Donations of second hand items are always appreciated.

Some stocks of house shirts have run out. I will advise in the newsletter when they have come in.

Information regarding year 6 shirts for printing and house captain shirts will come out to parents within a couple of weeks.

I have in stock swim towels, caps, bags and goggles.

If any students need a backpack for high school I have a couple of bags in a larger size of our school backpack with laptop compartment no logo. Please come and see me.

Order forms are available on the School website. If you have trouble making it in to school, complete the order form and email it. The completed order will go to your child's classroom. Email address for school uniform store is: uniformstore@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

Tuckshop News

Welcome back, hope you are all settling back into the school routine! Tuckshop is now open as usual Monday to Friday, five days a week, for lunch service and iceblock/counter sales.

Volunteers for week commencing Monday, 6 February 2017 -

Thank you to those who came to the rescue and volunteered to help on the shifts which need needed emergency volunteers. We rely on volunteers to stay open all week. If you are able to help with a rostered shift or emergency help, we would love to hear from you. Please see us at the Tuckshop or drop us an email at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Anne, Amanda and Ally

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

TACO TUESDAY!

( T ravel A ctively C oming-to-school O n)

The Active School Travel Program would like to welcome all the new and returning parents and children to school and invite you to join in TACO Tuesday. Active Travel days are designated days where we ask everyone to leave the car at home and walk, bike or scoot to school. Can’t leave the car at home, no problem. The program has designed Active Travel maps (see notice board outside the Admin Building) with designated Park and Stride locations around the school. These locations allow those who are unable to walk or roll from home, a place to safely park and walk the rest of the way into school.

The program was introduced to the school in 2012 and was officially named an Active Travel School in 2013. In our first year of the program Graceville was awarded runner up for Active Travel School of the year, and a nominee for School of Excellence in 2014 and 2015. In 2016 Graceville was the runner up for the “Walk of Fame” award, which is a testament to the dedication of the AST committee and the students, and parents who participate in the program each week. The program’s continued success depends on the support from the parents and teachers of the school. As a parent, you are the most influential person in your child's life. They form their behaviour based on the activities that you encourage them to participate in. Introducing lifestyle exercise, like walking and biking to school every day will contribute to your child’s daily activity and help form behaviours that will extend well into their adult years.

Tuesday is Graceville’s designated Active Travel Day (TACO Tuesday), and we hope that Active Travel will become part of your everyday routine. The program would like to invite you to get involved by volunteering to organise a walking school bus for your classroom. Walking school buses are an easy way to participate in the program, meet new people and help reduce traffic around the school. They work just like a carpool but without the car. Parents organise a meeting point, like at one of the Park and Stride locations, and take turns volunteering to walk their classroom to school on Active Travel Days.

And here are just a few benefits of walking to school every day-

• Reduced traffic around the school
• Walking is one of the best exercises to build strong, healthy bones
• Helps reduce anxiety
• Improves sleep quality
• Improves cognitive performance at school

Using the school “ Pick up / drop off zones”

We understand that there are times where it is not always possible to “actively travel” to school. There are pick up / drop off zones on both Acacia Avenue and Park Road for those times that you need to drive. If you are using these zones we urge you to pay attention to the signage and park / load-unload accordingly. Council does regular patrols of the areas, so if you are parking your vehicle on a yellow line, or stay parked for more than the designated time, you may be fined. By following the line markings on the roads and observing “no standing zones” you will help to improve the safety and visibility for pedestrians and traffic around the school. If we all do the “right thing” we will set a good example to others and to our children.

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 23rd Feb at 10:45am in the Waratah Room. Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

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. We meet once a term and plan one key event a term. Parents run our committee with two staff members so we are in much need of additional support. Can you help? Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information. Alternatively please join us for our first meeting in 2017, Thursday 25th Feb at 10:45am in the waratah room– details will be available in the school newsletter.

School Banking Update

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

GO SPORTS

Join us for all the fun!!Term 1 Sports :

CRICKET : Grades Prep-4 (P-1,2-4) Wednesday 7.50-8.35am commencing 8th February

NETBALL : Grades 2-4 Wednesday 7.50-8.35am commencing 8th February

To Register go to the link below and click on register online

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