23 March 2017

From the Acting Principal

Lisa McKeaten

This week has again been a busy one for everyone. Hopefully you have taken the opportunity to come and see your child’s teacher for an interview. It is an excellent way of having those in depth conversations about your child, knowing that the teachers have had a term to get to know them and really work on some important goals with them.

Parent Teacher interviews are so valuable, for parents and teachers alike, as you can communicate with each other more effectively face to face and ask those questions which can only really be done in this way. As a follow up with your child, regardless of their year level, tell them what you talked about. It’s important to make them part of that process, as much as possible. As they progress through primary school, it is vital that they are the owners of their own learning. Congratulate them on their successes, boost their confidence by passing on that great feedback. It will really give them a huge boost when they know you and teacher are proud of them. Also discuss how together, the teacher and you are going to work towards achieving goals. That common language and shared knowledge between school and home are so important. During the year I also encourage you to catch up with the class teachers, even informally, to have further important conversations.

This week was also a celebration of Harmony Day (21st). If you noticed an abundance of orange amongst the staff, that was the reason. Teachers were also encouraged to discuss the importance of this special day with their classes.

“Our diversity makes Australia a great place to live. Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.

The message of Harmony Day is ‘everyone belongs’, the Day aims to engage people to participate in their community, respect cultural and religious diversity and foster sense of belonging for everyone.”

(From the Harmony Day website)

To celebrate Harmony Day we will be holding a special Whole School Assembly next Thursday 30th March. Everyone is welcome. Some of our students will be performing.

At home you can highlight Harmony Day with your family.

• Discuss your family’s cultural backgrounds
• Celebrate your cultural background with a special meal
• Learn more about other cultural backgrounds by visiting some important places around Brisbane with cultural significance
• Ask Extended Family or Friends about their past experiences. I know that you might hear some great stories!

Parent Sessions in Term 2

Next term we will be having 2 parent sessions. The first one will be a repeat of the ones we offered late last year. We will be presenting a session about “Curiosity and Powerful Learning” on Wednesday 26th April from 6-7.30pm in the Waratah room. The other sessions will be about ‘Inquiry’ (in Week 4) and “Higher Order Questions” (in Week 6).

Anzac Day

Finally, there have been some changes to ANZAC day services in our local area this year. There will now be a march at Graceville but it will run from the Train station in Appel Street along to the Croquet Club through to Memorial Park.

Unfortunately the number of volunteers required to run so many services on ANZAC day are also dwindling. To ensure our Graceville service is still able to take place, Zoe has agreed that the school will take on some extra responsibility to help the RSL on ANZAC day itself. I will be calling for volunteers early next term to help set up and pack up chairs, shade structures etc. for our community ANZAC service. Any support you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Our school Anzac Service will be on Monday 24th April starting at 10.15am in the hall. We hope to see there.

Have a great end to the term!

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Prep Easter Hat Parade

What wonderful creations parading in front of the audience at our junior assembly this week! Well done parents and students on your hats.

Budding gardeners at Graceville

In Science the Prep students have been investigating the living world and the needs of living things. The prep classes grew some bean seeds and observed their growth over a series of weeks. The children loved watching the seeds grow so Prep S asked the experts for some help setting up a garden in the space outside their classroom. They measured the garden and wrote a letter and a list of materials to Bunnings …and Bunnings wrote back! Bunnings visitors came in to school on Monday and donated two garden beds, some soil and a range of plants to put in the garden! Hopefully the Prep students can now apply their new scientific knowledge to take care of their garden.

Technology Update

Thank you to the families who have paid their voluntary contribution this year thus far. 8 new laptops and 10 desktop computers which will update old technology in classrooms and our computer lab have arrived! I will post some photos when these arrive in classrooms.

Date Claimers:

Monday April 24 – our school ANZAC Day ceremony will take place at 10.15 in our school hall and families and friends are welcome to attend this special occasion.

Next school Technology Community Committee meeting – Friday May 5 at 7:50am in the school library. All welcome.

Waiting List for Prep for 2018 – opens first day of next term Tuesday April 18.

The waiting list for 2018 will open on Tuesday, 18th April at 8:00am. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office from that date which is the first day of next term. Families from within our catchment area we also invite you to obtain enrolment forms to begin the process when convenient after the start of term 2. For in catchment families a birth certificate and proof of residency in our catchment is required along with the completed enrolment form.

Graceville State School recognises as its prime obligation the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students resident within this community as defined by its local catchment area.

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.

2017 Outbound Study Tour to Taiwan

I have emailed all families of the 22 students travelling to Minzu School this September. Our travel dates have been confirmed! It is time to book our flights! Any of the families who didn’t receive the email this week please come and see me regarding this. Early term 2 we will have a meeting together as I have forms to be completed for each student going.

Inbound Study Tour – From Minzu Elementary School in Taiwan to Graceville State School

We still need more school families to volunteer to host a student.

We cannot undertake this study tour without the support of our school families. Students from Taiwan will be 10-12 years of age. School families with younger children can be a homestay family as all students will be assigned a school buddy as well. Could you please indicate on the form attached if you would be interested in hosting a student for this upcoming study tour. Please return the form to the admin office ASAP or email me at mhass10@eq.edu.au I will arrange an information session for all families who indicate interest to go through in detail what would be involved. Families who host a student will be funded $200 to assist in covering the costs in providing for a visiting student.

If there are any questions that you may have about being a homestay family please email me or call the office to speak with me.

I look forward to hearing from interested families.

From the Acting Deputy Principal

Tracy Freeman

Words Their Way – Term 2

The last two weeks have been very busy for our teachers at Graceville as they have been engaging in professional conversations regarding students and their spelling. We have worked collaboratively during data sessions to identify the different developmental stages that our students are working within. Graceville State School will be adopting the Words Their Way program as a mode of explicitly teaching students Spelling.

Words Their Way is a developmental approach to phonics, vocabulary and spelling instruction. It involves word study that revolves around ‘doing’ things with words – examining, manipulating, comparing and categorising – and offers students the opportunity to make their own discoveries about how words work. The students will participate in ‘Word Sorts’ that will focus the attention on critical features of words: sound, pattern and meaning. This explicit teaching will be conducted three days a week and year levels will be grouping students to provide more specific and targeted teaching. The enhancement classes will also work together during this time.

The school will be providing the majority of teacher resources out of the Voluntary Contribution fund – a big thank you to the parents who have paid this. Students will be required to use a spare book for Words Their Way, however, if your child does not have a spare book in their classroom a note will come home requesting an exercise book be sent in early next term.

We look forward to the term ahead.

NAPLAN testing – Term 2

On Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 May, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, or NAPLAN, as it is commonly known.

Skills that will be tested include: reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.

These tests are done here at school and are considered just another part of the curriculum.

It is important for you and your child to know that NAPLAN is not a pass/fail test. It simply looks at what level students are achieving in literacy and numeracy against National Standards and compared with student peers throughout Australia.

NAPLAN cannot be studied for and students are not expected to do so. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that it is just a routine part of their school program, and to urge them to do the best they can on the day.

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN testing. Please ensure that if you have a child in Years 3 or 5 that they are in attendance during that week in May. Please avoid booking holidays or appointments during those days. If you can’t avoid those days e.g. specialist appointment, please try to make it in the afternoon. All testing will be completed by 12.45 on those days.

Later in the year we will send you an individual student NAPLAN report that you can use to view and monitor how your child is progressing.

If you have any concerns, please contact the class teacher or myself.

Triple P seminars: get a taste of what positive parenting is all about

"Why does my child do that?" Triple P seminars can help you understand your child's habits and encourage behaviour you like.

With more than 50 free seminars scheduled across Queensland now’s the time to start positive parenting.

Find a seminar near you on the Triple P calendar

Every day counts at school

The Department of Education and Training has a range of free resources to promote the importance of going to school, every day.

Research shows that school attendance leads to positive student outcomes, and can help children to build social and emotional skills.

The Every day counts campaign, developed with the input of Solid Pathways students, features popular footy players, including Johnathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday and Greg Inglis. Resources include an animation, comic book, dedicated website and online posters of the footy players.

Check out the resources and see if you can spot some of your favourite NRL footy players — visit the Every day counts website .

Does your child require medication during school hours?

If your child requires medication while at school, please ensure you request an Administration of medication record sheet from your school’s office.

You will also need to provide the school with the prescription-labelled medication in the original packaging with clear directions for its use.

For more information visit the Department of Education and Training website

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

Term 2 statements will be sent home early next week. Please note that the final instalment for interschool sport is due by Friday 31st March.

Preps will see a new charge on their file for Reading Eggs. Can you please fill in the Student Resource Scheme note coming home this week and return it to either the office or your class teacher.

All excursions and events require payment and a permission form to be returned by the due date or your child will not be permitted to attend.

Student Resource Schemes (SRS) for 2017 are:

• Prep Requirements ($60)
• Instrumental Music Programs – Instrument Hire ($100), Percussion Maintenance ($50), Music Participation ($30) & Choir ($30)
• Religious Education Program ($10)
• Mathletics On-line registration (Years Prep - 6) ($12)
• Origo Maths (years 3, 4 and 5) ($6)
• Reading Eggs (Prep only) $22.50

All students involved in these programs must return a completed SRS form.

VOLUNTARY PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS

Your valuable contribution to this school’s Learning Targets are most welcomed.

$100 per student.

Credit in Account: Credits from 2016 rolled over to this year can be applied to current invoices at the parent’s request.

Request for Refund form for an excursion paid and not attended is available from the front office. Prepaid ticketed excursions are non-refundable.

Payment of account days:

8am-3.00pm - 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

Please ensure when paying via BPoint, that you log onto to the following website. You must put the entire website address as this has the biller code.

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. If this is not done, your child might not be able to attend the activity.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson - Teacher Librarian

GRACEVILLE STATE SCHOOL READERS’ CUP COMPETITION 2017

Next week Year 5 & 6 students will participate in the annual GSS READERS CUP. Teams will compete against each other next week in the Readers Cup competition on THURSDAY 30 MARCH at 9.00 am in the HALL.

Readers’ Cup is a competition that promotes the reading of books and rewards students who do well at reading. Just as good sports people receive rewards, then good readers will receive accolades and prizes for competing at reading.

Teams have already been formed and students are currently reading the SIX selected stories (Specky Magee; Dragon Dawn; Hatchet; Spaghetti Pig-Out; Little Squirt and Amy & Louis). Points are scored on the day by answering rounds of questions on each book as well as answering rounds of general knowledge questions on reading and books.

Families are reminded to ensure their children read all the required stories and actively support their team! Costumes and table decorations are also encouraged for Competition day.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS

Thanks to those volunteers who have graciously covered library books at home throughout the term. We really appreciate your help!

If anyone is able to cover some books at home, we would be most grateful. Alternatively, if you have some spare time you can come along to our next Contact Club session on Wednesday 29 March, to cover onsite and enjoy a chat and a hot cup of tea.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

On Saturday night the Senior Choir sang at the Voices from the Trenches concert, held in the Performing Arts Centre at St Laurence's College. The concert was organised by the Voices of Birralee and received support from the Qld Government's ANZAC Centenary Grants Program which included pieces commissioned for the concert series. Students had the opportunity to perform in this event as well as listen to a choirs from a number of other schools and Birralee performance choirs. The standard of performance was very high and the Senior Choir rose to the occasion, singing beautifully and performing with energy and enthusiasm.

The concert included performances by the Birralee Singers, Bardon State School, Ambrose Treacy College, Hillcrest Christian College, Birralee Blokes, Samford State School, St Patrick's College and the Birralee ANZAC Day Commemoration Choir. At the end of the concert there was a massed finale involving all schools. It was such a fabulous experience for our Senior Choir students and I would like to thank Julie West and the Senior Choir for all the hard work they put into making this a success, including extra rehearsals leading up to the event. We had 52 of our Senior Choir students attend the afternoon rehearsals and concert and many parents and families came to the concert. This would not have been a success without the support of families to bring students to the venue, purchase tickets and attend the concert and Ms Julie West and I are very thankful for this.

This week on Tuesday some of our students attended auditions for the WestCent Music Camps. We thank families for supporting their involvement in the audition process and will let you know of the outcome as soon as possible.

Our Junior Choir will be performing at the Harmony Day assembly which has been rescheduled for Thursday 30 March at 2:00pm. Please note this date has changed and was previously advertised as Thursday 16 March. The year 2/3 students in the Junior Choir are looking forward to their first performance this year! We will have a rehearsal during the school day prior to the performance on 30 March so we will cancel the rehearsal on Friday 31 March due to the rehearsal and performance on 30 March. The additional rehearsal will most likely need to be during class time so I will liaise with class teachers about the time so students can all attend.

The Senior Choir will be performing at the ANZAC Day ceremony on 24 April at 10:15am. Families and members of the school community are invited to attend the assembly.

Next term the Junior Band will rehearse before school on Wednesdays at 7:45am and Beginner/Junior Strings will rehearse on Wednesdays at first break.

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

We wish Ms West and the Senior Choir well for their performance on Saturday and thank them for the time and effort they have given in preparation for it.

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Tuckshop News

Volunteers for week commencing Monday, 27th March 2017 -

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers! Last week’s orders looked like this:

Tuckshop is operated as an online ordering system. If you need to open a Tuckshop account, please visit school24.net.au and use Graceville’s School Registration ID: 25314963 and follow the prompts. There is an information page and login guide on the Graceville State School website, under P&C and the Tuckshop, if you need any help.

If you have any questions or concerns, please see us at the Tuckshop or drop us an email at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

Donations of 2nd hand uniforms are always appreciated. Good stocks are available for sale now, including lots of jumpers and good gold shirts.

The Year 6 shirts have been sent to the printers and they will go to the classrooms when they are ready.

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

If you would like to volunteer in the uniform shop please send an email to the above address, if you have any questions please ask, your help would be greatly appreciated.

Fiona Fryer
Uniform Shop Convenor
Graceville State School

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

TACO TUESDAY!

(Travel Actively Coming-to-school On)

National Ride 2 School Day

Thank you to all the students who decorated the helmets for National Ride 2 School Day on Friday 17th March. Those who actively travelled to school were rewarded with a bonus stamp in their travel passports. We also must thank Ms O’Brien and the student council and school captains for helping to stamp the passports and handing out the tickets and Cr Johnston and the P & C for donating prizes.

The winners of the $5 tuck-shop vouchers are:

Samuel H 4D
Adam D Prep J
Bridget B 2M
Abbey H 1R
Toby J 4D

Congratulations! Your tuck-shop vouchers will be sent to you very soon!

Our next event…….’May the fourth be with you!’. Start planning for Thursday 4th May! This is always a great event and the costumes get better every year! Who will you come dressed as????

Passports

Students who received passports last year are still able to present these for stamping each week. If you require a new passport they will be available at the stamping station very soon!

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 three 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, Thursday 20th April at 10:45am in the waratah room– details will be available in the school newsletter.

SPELLATHON

Spellathon Test Day was last week so hopefully you have received your Spellathon envelope back from the teacher and the children are now collecting their sponsorship monies. Don’t forget that to be eligible for prizes, the sponsorship forms and all money raised are due back to the School office by 3pm on Tuesday 28 March. If you cannot find your envelope or form, please find a copy linked to this newsletter.

Don’t forget there are great prizes in each year level. Prizes will be based on sponsorship collected, and also, every child who spells all their words correctly will be entered into an exciting prize draw where they could win one of two fun prizes in each year level (see your information letter for prize details). As well as these individual prizes, there will be whole class prizes. Every child in the class that raises the most money in each year level will receive a small prize. No matter how small a contribution your child makes it will be helping to make the 2017 Spellathon a great success.

This year the funds raised will go directly to support our Inquiry learning approach in either Science, Humanities and the Social Sciences or the Learning Assets.

Our sponsors for 2017 are Peter May and Brad Robson from Place Real Estate, Oxley Rd Discount Drug Store and Superior Fruit & Wendy’s Kitchen.

If you need help buying or selling your home, Peter & Brad from Place are the ones to help you. Please contact Peter on 0409543546 or Brad on 0414773437.

For all your pharmacy needs go to Oxley Road Discount Drug Store where you get more than just low prices. They are located right next to the Post Office in Graceville.

Superior Fruit & Wendy’s Kitchen is our local family-run business which provides Brisbane with the widest range of the BEST fruit, vegetables, small goods, cheeses, vinegars, oils, ice creams and more. Bank Road, Graceville.

We thank our sponsors for their support of our school and ask that you support them with your business.

If you have any queries please get in touch by emailing: gracevillespellathon@gmail.com

The Spellathon Committee

Tuesday 28 March : Return of sponsorship forms and money

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 2

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence from Thursday 20 April 2017 (during the first week back after the holidays).

Enrolments close on Thursday 30th March 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, 2 and 3 will receive a free tennis racquet when joining for the first time.

For further enquiries please contact Jim Joyce on 0417 771022

Holiday Tennis Clinic

We will be running a Tennis clinic at West Brisbane Tennis Centre from Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th April 2017. Time: 8.30am -12 noon each day Cost: $135

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

Thanks

Jim

Holiday Swim Clinic

Bookings are now being taken for 2 holiday swim clinics being held this Easter vacation. The first from Monday April 3rd til Friday April 7th and the 2nd clinic from Monday April 10th til Friday April 14th. Squad, stroke development and learn to swim classes are on offer every day of the 2 clinics. Those in school care may participate in the program as well, with staff members able to take the children to the pool for their lesson and pick them up after. It is not necessary to attend every day of the clinic so just state your availability when booking. All inquiries are welcome. Please contact Pete Geraghty by phone [0432407442] or email petegeraghty@hotmail.com.