11 May 2017

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

This week we held Parent Information Sessions on Inquiry and the Learning Assets. We held two sessions, one in school time and one at night. We were grateful to get 17 parents attending the in school session and 15 attending the night time session. Even a couple of our teachers attended the night time session! We had hoped for more attendees in the sessions however understand our families lead busy lives. I am very grateful to Mrs Belinda Martin for the huge effort she put into creating the presentation and most especially agreeing to hold a night time session.

As our Year 3 and 5 parents and students would be aware, NAPLAN was held this week. I would like to commend our teachers for supporting our students through, what can be for some, an anxious time. We do our best to make NAPLAN just another day at school. It is one day in a primary school child’s life and although we learn interesting information from the results, it is important to keep it in perspective.

The P&C meeting was held last Wednesday night. There are a few important points that community members may like to know as an outcome of the meeting.

• Chaplaincy will reduce to three days a week from next week. Our Chappy, John, will work at Graceville Wednesday to Friday each week. John has been able to find two days a week work at another school which is fantastic news for John. The Lap-a-thon will go ahead as usual at the end of this term.
• A motion was passed for the hall ventilation project to move to the tender stage. Members of the P&C executive and school administration will meet with DET facilities to progress the project.
• The Spell-a-thon raised over $19,000! This money will be provided to the school to help support our Inquiry learning journey. The money will be used to fund resourcing for HASS and Science and the Learning Assets. We will document our purchase so the P&C are aware of how the money has been spent.
• Don’t forget the Trivia night is fast approaching – June 3! The theme is Disney and I am sure that the costumes will be amazing this year. It is a really fun night, so please consider booking a table and coming along.

It would be great to see more parents at the P&C meetings. The P&C will try and hold another morning meeting next term as numbers were very good for this meeting.

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Acting Deputy Principal

Tracy Freeman

I would like to take this occasion to reintroduce myself. My name is Tracy Freeman and I have the privilege of working as the Master Teacher at Graceville. My work over the last two years has been predominantly based in all things Reading. It is wonderful to see students developing a love for reading, being able to decode texts, as well exhibiting the skills necessary to identify and use comprehension strategies. This year my focus will be on Spelling and Framing Higher Order Questions. In Week 6, I hope to meet many of you when we have a parent information session based around Framing Higher Order Questions.

Attention Prep Parents

Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ), which is a Queensland public health service for children, is running a new vision screening program for Prep children. A Registered Nurse will be visiting the school during school hours on Monday 19th June to provide a free vision screening service for the Prep children. Good vision is important for children’s educational, physical and social development, so the earlier the problem is detected, the better the treatment outcomes.

An envelope with a permission slip and more detailed information will be sent home by the end of this week. All permission forms need to be filled in and returned to the classroom teacher by Friday 19th May.

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 2 assemblies.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

2017 International competitions

All competitions have been entered prior to the Easter holidays. No new entries will be considered.

In 2017 we will be participating in the following competitions in the school hall:

• Digital Technologies 23 May (Yr 3-6) 7.45 start
• Science 30 May (Yr 2-6) Yr 3-6 – 7.30 start/Yr 2 – school time (11.30)
• Spelling 14 June (Yr 2-6) Yr 3-6 – 7.40 start/Yr 2 – school time 11.30
• Writing 13 June (Yr 3-6) Yr 3-6 – 7.45 start
• English 1 August (Yr 2-6) Yr 3-6 – 7.30 start/ Yr 2 school time 11.30
• Mathematics 15 August $8.00 (Yr 2-6) – 7.30 start/ Yr 2 school time 11.30

All competitions are non-refundable as they are pre-paid.

These competitions are valued by us and parents but they do take a considerable amount of time out of class, and are often the same groups of children, so this year we will be conducting the competitions before school (except for Year 2). Running these comps at another time, e.g. lunchtime, is not in the best interests of the students. This may mean that for that week your child may have to miss e.g. Senior choir or an Instrumental practice, but it would only be very infrequently. We do have to run the tests on the day indicated above, unless children are sick or absent. If this occurs we try to make-up the tests in the day or 2 after, if possible. We will remind parents prior to each competition what time they need to arrive on each particular day.

Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month.

This is an opportunity to learn more about autism and how the educational achievements of students with autism spectrum disorder can be further improved.

The Department of Education and Training’s Autism Hub assists schools and families of children with autism to access a wide range of autism support services, programs and resources in Queensland.

To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, the Autism Hub is offering a range of events for parents, families and educators. All members of the school community are welcome to register.

For more details visit the Education website

Free online positive parenting help now available

The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program really is for every family with the launch of Teen Triple P Online.

It sits alongside the popular Triple P Online for parents of younger kids.

These programs provide the tools to tackle all of parenting’s big (and little) problems.

Please donate food to hungry Queensland children

Many children and families across Queensland go hungry every night, and the problem has become worse with the recent cyclone. Our school is holding a food donation drive on behalf of Foodbank Qld to urgently help close the supply gap.

Foodbank Qld supplies food to Queenslanders via more than 300 organisations. If you can help by donating non-perishable food or supermarket items they would be very gratefully received. Donations can be made at the school office. If you would like to help with a food drive in your workplace please visit the Foodbank Qld website.

Cybersafety resource for families

Parents — give your children the knowledge to stay cyber safe with the ‘Meet the Creeps’ website and quiz! The website guides you and your children through online scams, social media pitfalls and cyberbullying.

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

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
• Year 5 Digital Licence $11.00

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.

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.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

The Junior Choir will be performing their Harmony Day songs at the full school assembly on Thursday 11 May at 2pm. Families and members of the school community are warmly invited to attend. The Junior Choir will also be performing at the NAIDOC Day assembly. Further details about this performance will be provided in future newsletter items.

The Senior Choir students will be attending the biennial Sing Together Day at St Peters on Wednesday 14 June which will include an evening concert. Please note this date in your calendars for the concert. Further information will be provided to students about excursion during the term. The cost of $10 which is included on term accounts is to cover the music and we pay this directly to St Peters. The supply teachers for Julie and I to attend and supervise students as well as the bus to and from the venue will be covered by the instrumental music budget. We are aware that there will be a clash with Senior Choir rehearsals on a number of Tuesday mornings when some students will be attending the international competitions. We will consider the most appropriate option for rehearsals on these dates depending on the number of students who are attending them and let you know if there will be any changes. Students involved in the spelling competition on 14 June will have time to complete it then join the Senior Choir to travel to the bus to St Peters. Those students will need to ensure they arrive to complete the test by 7:30am.

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

Thank you to our junior/beginner students for attending their first rehearsal this week. We hope you enjoyed your first ensemble experience.

Thank you for supporting the music program.

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

GRACEVILLE SS READERS CUP COMPETITION 2017

Exciting News!

After the unexpected cancellation of our school Readers Cup Competition at the end of last term, we have managed to reschedule this very popular reading contest for our Year 5 and 6 cohort.

The GSS Readers Cup Competition will now take place this term in Week 10 (last week of school) on THURSDAY 22 JUNE from 9am.

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 now given the opportunity to read and re-read the SIX selected stories (Specky Magee - Felice Arena; Dragon Dawn - Carole Wilkinson; Hatchet - Gary Paulson; Spaghetti Pig Out (from ‘Uncanny’) - Paul Jennings (short story); Little Squirt (from ‘Unmentionable’) - Paul Jennings (short story); Amy and Louis - Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood (picture book).

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 asked to encourage their children to read the required books and once again actively support their team!

Melanie Hutchinson
Readers’ Cup Co-ordinator
Teacher Librarian

Fete News

The secret to the success of our wonderful Graceville State School Fete is simple – it’s a fabulous team effort. And we want you to be part of the team.

In Week 5, we are inviting everyone, including parents, carers and grandparents, to come and meet the Fete Committee members and find out how the big event works. So put it in your diary for Wednesday, May 17, at 7.30pm in the Waratah Room at the school. It’s a great chance to build your networks at the school, make new acquaintances … and, of course, contribute to a wonderful event that helps the school and your children.

Don’t be scared that we will try to sign you up for a major fete job. The big roles are already allocated for this year. This is just an opportunity to catch up with the Fete Committee, to see what we do and discuss any ideas to improve the event.

Don’t miss it!

And check out everything to do with fete on:

Anne Canalese
Fete Convenor

Active School Travel

May the force!!!!!

Thank you to all those who turned out in ‘force” to actively travel to school on May the 4th! It was wonderful to see so many students dressed up in their very creative costumes. Thank you also to the teachers and parents who joined the ‘walking buses” and made the walk to school.

National Walk Safely To School

Now in its 18th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event when all Primary School children will be encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment. Help celebrate this fantastic day on Friday 19th May by decorating and wearing crazy socks and/or decorating your school shoes.

All active travellers will receive a bonus stamp in their passports on this day, so make sure you go to the stamping stations with your passport. For those with decorated socks and shoes you will be given a raffle ticket (at the stamping station) and go in the draw for some cool prizes.

Passenger loading zone

Sign on Acacia Ave, Graceville

Passenger Loading Zones allow you to stop for up to two minutes to pick up or drop off your child. This should be enough time to help your child with luggage and seatbelts. While it is preferable that you do not leave your car, you are permitted to do so to walk a young child into school or to collect your child, however you still need to be mindful of the two-minute limit.

Tips for drivers picking up or setting down children:

• Move forward as space becomes available
• Ensure your child watches for their ride and moves promptly to the vehicle
• Always drop off and pick up in a designated passenger zone
• Where possible, remain with your vehicle at all times when using the passenger zone
• Observe the time restriction on the passenger zone – do not overstay
• Make sure passengers use the safety door or the footpath side door when getting into and out of the car
• Do not double park
• Do not park across a pedestrian crossing
• Do not park across driveways
• Do not u-turn close to the school
• Observe part time school speed zones – do not speed
• Be courteous to other drivers and school crossing supervisors

source: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/parking-permits/where-park/school-parking viewed 2nd May 2016

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. The next meeting will be on 20th July @ 10:45am in the Waratah Room. Can you help? Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

Tuckshop News

Volunteers for the week commencing Monday, 15th of May 2017 are -

A big thank you to all our volunteers! We couldn’t have tuckshop without you!

Sushi

Please remember when ordering sushi to order before 12pm noon on Monday. Sushi is only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can pre-order your sushi from Thursday to Monday 12pm prior to the Tuesday and Wednesday. Hope that makes sense!

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

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

All sizes in the polar fleece and blue rugby shirts are now in stock.

All House Shirts (Cook, Kennedy and Flinders) are available in size 4 and up.

Band folders are available for $15.

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

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

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.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Plans will be in motion for costuming and table planning for this term’s Trivia Night. The “Disney” theme allows significant scope for those planning to attend. This evening is one of the highlights on the Graceville calendar, providing an opportunity for tremendous fun to be had while raising funds to support the work of our very active school P & C. I believe there may even be some questions to answer. Come along in your “Disney” attire, add to the frivolity and be part of a very special event. You know you want to.

NAPLAN will be done and dusted by the time this newsletter is distributed. They will have applied all the knowledge and understanding learned in their years at school, to respond to some challenging exam questions. Some students do find NAPLAN quite daunting as it seems larger than life. While it is an important method to measure student achievement, it is only a snapshot in time. Reminding them to do their best is always the way to achieve success.

Term 2 will also see other exciting events including Under 8’s Day, Chaplaincy Lapathon and our Athletics Day take place. We will also have the Prep – Year 2 cross country which was postponed due to inclement weather. Fingers crossed that fine weather helps us get through these activities with minimal disruption.

With the term racing on and so much still ahead of us, perhaps some good advice is to “hold on and enjoy the ride”.

Have an awesome week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

P&C News

*** IMPORTANT *** VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION

The school and the P&C have worked closely to identify and create a strategy to turn around the aging technology in our school. Rather than go down the very expensive route of a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy as many schools are forced to do, the P&C strongly supports a voluntary contribution of $100 per child which started this year. This voluntary contribution route only works if everyone contributes! Contributions are still below 50% of the children in the school. Contributions are voluntary and of course can be part payments. All funds are used for the technology budget of the school. Contributions can be made to the office at any time.

2016 MEETING DATES

At the P&C meeting on 3 May, updated meeting dates for the remainder of 2016 were agreed. For your diaries:

Wednesday 7 June
Wednesday 26 July (morning meeting)
Wednesday 23 August (if required – fete week)
Wednesday 11 October
Wednesday 29 November

UNIFORM SHOP

We are looking for more volunteers in the uniform shop and also in the tuckshop. Any assistance would be very welcome. These businesses do rely on volunteer labour.

LOST PROPERTY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Labelled lost property finds its way back to your children thanks to the work of wonderful volunteers. Are you able to help out for a couple of hours every few weeks? Our lost property team is ready to handover! Please email the P&C if you can help.

And PLEASE label all of your children's belongings with first AND last names!

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 regular meeting of the P&C is to be held in the Waratah Room on Wednesday 7 June at 7:30pm.

CONTACT: pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

Trivia Night

Community News

International Student Care Australia (ISCA) is looking for a family who can offer accommodation and 3 meals a day plus morning and afternoon tea for an Italian male student who is coeliac and will be attending Corinda State High School for Term 3 and Term 4, 2017. The homestay will be remunerated whilst the student is here in Australia.

He has important cooking needs as a coeliac - no wheat, rye, barley or oats. His food needs to be cooked with separate cooking utensils and cutlery so it isn't contaminated.

If you are able to assist me or interested in finding out more information please contact ISCA, Leanne Coade on

3851 0704 / 0401 961 493 / Email: isca@isca.net.au

Leanne Coade
International Student Care Australia (ISCA)