13 October 2017

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

The P&C meeting occurred on Wednesday night. As part of my report, I shared information about enrolment and staffing for 2018. Next year we have two teachers leaving the school. Sophie Jackson and LeeAnn O’Brien both of which requested moves due to changes in their personal circumstances. We are very sad to see Sophie and LeeAnn leave us but wish them the very best for the future! We were also made aware that a new teacher would be appointed to the school, Mr Matthew Jordan. Matthew will be joining us and is keen to take on teacher leadership roles within the school. Matthew has already started reading Kath Murdoch’s book the ‘Power of Inquiry’ and is excited about the direction of the school. I am also very excited to say that Mrs Morgan Elliot, Ms Christie Goeldner, Mrs Carolyn Brough, Mr John Arnold and Mrs Sharyn Malcom, who have all been working with us for a number of years now, but not officially appointed to our school, were also appointed to us through this staffing cycle. Our staffing is not yet finalised, as we will also be taking a few outstanding graduate teachers in 2018. I am currently in the process of interviewing graduates to find those most suited to our school’s direction.

This week, started talks with Milpera School to see if we can establish connections between our schools. We are looking for ways the learning of all students can be enhanced through these connections. Initially, we will start with small steps and see how the relationship can be built upon over time. I am very grateful to the leadership team at Milpera who are willing to work with us to find authentic connections for learning.

Next Wednesday and Thursday, we have invited two of my Principal colleagues into our school to go through our classrooms and give us an outside perspective of our progress so far in Curiosity and Powerful Learning. Kym Raffelt, the principal from Fig Tree Pocket and Keith Warrick, the principal from Indooroopilly State School, were the two principals who took part in our school review two years ago. We are very keen for them to come and see how far we have travelled and will be grateful for any feedback they have for how we can enhance our practices and get greater consistency across the school. I am extremely grateful to the teachers at Graceville who are willing to open their classroom doors to Kym and Keith who they know will treat them with respect and understand what we learn is of great benefit to enhancing our already wonderful school! It will be a busy few days with some slight interruptions to teaching and learning and so we hope you can appreciate the longer term benefits to the school.

Year 5 students need to be aware school Leadership applications for 2018 are due in by Friday 20th by 3.30pm. No late nominations will be accepted so please ensure forms are returned to the office by that date and time.

The Preps celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day today. I brought along a special guest, Ecco a real Ecclectus Parrot as part of my Pirate Captain costume. Ecco visited all of the Prep classes to say hello, a Year 2 class to be the stimulus of a reading activity to practice Figurative Language and two Year 4 classes who were interested to meet Ecco and discuss how the rainforest he lives in are being destroyed which is making his species become rare. What a wonderful way to spend a day! I thoroughly enjoyed introducing Ecco to Graceville students!

Finally, I would like to thank the parents who wished teachers a Happy World Teachers Day last Thursday! It was International World Teachers Day however DET ask us to celebrate on Friday 27 October. We will hold a special morning tea for our teachers to show our appreciation for their wonderful commitment and dedication to our school and students.

Don’t forget Monday is a Pupil Free Day! Children do not come to school on Monday!

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Date Claimer: Remembrance Day school assembly

All parents and community members are invited to attend our school assembly at the special time of 10:15 am on Friday November 10 in our school hall.

Poppies will soon be on sale at both gates before school leading up to November 10.

Reflection of the Taiwanese Study Tour by Lucy W, year 5:

“Taiwan was a great experience, it taught me to try lots of new things because I might just miss out on something amazing. We learned many new and cool crafts such as clay, mosaic and blue indigo tie-dye. We were also taught how to do the traditional lion dance and the Chinese yoyo Diablo. I particularly enjoyed being the head of the lion.

We also got to learn what their school and home life is like. Inside school it was very odd to me that at lunchtime hot food was served in the classroom, that we got many short playtimes and that we could nap during naptime. This helped me to improve my Chinese skills. Outside of school we went to new and interesting places with our host family. My family took me to some markets in the mountains where I got to eat new things and buy gifts for family and friends. One of my favourite places in Taiwan was Taipei 101 because it was so cool being able to see everything from so high up.

If I could go to Taiwan again I would definitely go again because it was such an awesome experience.” Thanks for sharing Lucy!

Getting Set for Prep at Graceville State School

If you are an in-catchment family and have a preppie for next year and haven’t lodged the enrolment forms please do so as soon as possible so that we can gather firm numbers for classes for next year.

Please see flyer attached for new events we are holding during term 4 this year to assist in preparing enrolled students and parents to commence at prep in 2018. These will be opportunities for pre-prep students to spend some time at school with their parents familiarising with our school and some practical information for parents on ways to assist their children have the most positive start at school. RSVP for each event is essential!

All families who put their name down for a meeting at our Information session have been met with. If you haven’t arranged this meeting and would like to discuss your child commencing in prep in 2018 please come into the office and make a time now.

Date Claimer: our prep orientation meetings will be held on Thursday November 23 when new families will be invited to come to a session at prep, meeting staff and learning more about starting prep at our school.

Special Prep Uniform selling times:

14th November: 3-6pm
23rd November: 8.15-11am (Orientation morning)
28th November: 8.15-11am
16th January: 3-6pm (please note change of date from 17th to 16th)

If you think your child will need a very small sized uniform then please come in sooner rather than later as these special orders take 4 – 6 weeks to come in. Our uniform shop is open every Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8:15 – 9:00am.

Calendar for Junior Assemblies for Term 4

Waiting List for Prep for 2018

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.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Sports and Music Photos

On Tuesday 24th October we will be having our annual Sports and Music Photos in the hall. We will start with the School Leaders & Principal photos then we will move on to the Music and sports groups. Please ensure that your child is ready by arriving early, if they are a school leader. They will need to bring their musical instruments for their IM photos.

QParents

Quite a few of our families who have now signed up to Q Parents. Any new families will be contacted by our office and be sent an ‘invitation’ to join.

The QParents web and mobile application provides a more convenient, easier way for parents and legal guardians of Queensland state school students to interact with their child’s school. Parents will have secure, online access to their child’s student information, anytime, anywhere, through a smartphone, tablet or computer.

QParents allows parents to connect instantly with their child’s school to access and manage their child’s student information, including:

• Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
• Behaviour information
• Academic report cards
• Class timetables
• Downloading exam timetables and assessment planners
• Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
• Viewing and updating personal student details, including medical conditions and address
• Enrolment details
• Upcoming events list showing school events, exam and assessment dates, and excursions.

QParents will assist both staff and parents in sharing and responding to information in an efficient and effective way.

It won’t replace the traditional ways you communicate with our school, but it will provide another way to communicate with us.

The benefits of QParents

Convenience and time savings for parents

• Parents can view or update their child’s details, pay invoices and report absences without having to call the school or come into the office.
• Secure 24/7 online access.
• Available anytime, anywhere — access QParents on your smart phone, tablet or computer on a web browser or using the app (iPhone or Android).

Greater transparency of information

• Improves accountability between parents and schools by providing parents with timely access to their child’s information online.
• Allows parents to engage more deeply in their child’s schooling.

Improved administration efficiencies for schools

• Allows schools to streamline their administrative processes and cut down on printing.

What is a QParents Account Owner (QPAO)?

The school will nominate parents or legal guardians for each student to be QParents Account Owners (QPAOs). QPAOs will be able to register for QParents to access and manage the student’s information online, view the student’s information and submit requests to update some of the student’s details.

QPAOs will also be able to invite other people (such as another family member), to view the student’s information. Once invited, these people can register for QParents as “delegated viewers”. A delegated viewer can see the student’s details, but cannot make updates.

Another feature of QParents which is not clear in the information is the ability for you to pay for multiple invoices at one time.

I have attached the User guide for your reference. It is quite long but it may help by searching for the parts in the document that you require.

If you need new information sent to you to sign up please see Lee in the school office.

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.

As per previous newsletters the Department has made a commitment that by the end of 2017 all of business units will no longer accept Credit Card details over the phone or in person if paying accounts outside of normal receipting hours. Departments will no longer be allowed to keep this information as previously required for Audit purposes.

To still provide this service to our clients, BPOINT IVR is a payment solution that enables business units and Schools to charge card payments via a bank hosted IVR phone service in real time achieving full Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance.

This will be compulsory for all Schools. Once implemented, no credit card payments will be taken over the phone unless they are processed via BPOINT IVR (1300 631 073)

When contacting the 1300 number the caller will need their customer reference and invoice details which can be found on the student invoice.

We will be implementing BPOINT IVR from now.

In 2018 we will also no longer be able to provide our school bank details for those parents who choose to do internet banking.

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. This also may include excursions where transport has been arranged. These are also 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 at the link below. 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

Thank you to the students who have attended their lessons and rehearsals this week. Please ensure you remain consistent with attendance until assessments and performances have finished and IM teachers/conductors have finished lessons for the year.

Our annual evening concert is scheduled for Wednesday 15 November at 6pm. All choirs and ensembles will perform at this concert and families and members of the school community are warmly invited to the concert. This is a formal concert and all students are requested to wear full school uniform.

For the students who have expressed an interest in the instrumental music program for next year, please note that our instrumental teachers will make final decisions by mid term 4 and this will be communicated to families via a letter. It takes time to ensure all students who have expressed an interest in the program have met with the instrumental teachers and allow time for the IM teachers to liaise with any relevant staff (classroom/classroom music teachers etc) as part of the process.

Performance dates for term 4

22 November - Junior Band performance - further details to be emailed to parents (please contact Mr Kukulies if you have not received this information)

15 November - 6pm - Annual Music Concert - all choirs and instrumental music students will perform at this concert - full school uniform

22 November - 10am Grandparents Concert - Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Senior Strings will perform for their grandparents/special guests then join us for a shared morning tea.

Please note: choir rehearsals will continue until the Grandparents' Concert. This concert includes a shared morning tea afterwards and is the last concert of the year, so there will be no choir rehearsals after 22 November. The last choir rehearsal for Senior Choir will be 21 November and Junior Choir on 17 November. Thank you to our choir students who have attended rehearsals throughout the year and performed at a number of concerts. Ms Julie West and I have thoroughly appreciated your commitment!

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
Naomi Lindh - nclos1@eq.edu.au

Thanks again to our instrumental teachers and conductors for their tireless efforts at our workshop last week!

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Tuckshop News

Volunteers for the week commencing Monday, 16th of October 2017 are -

Thank you to all our volunteers!

There will be no sushi this week due to the pupil free day. It will return to the menu next week.

Tuckshop is operated as an online ordering system. To open a Tuckshop account please visit the link below 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.

Size 6 skorts and shirts are back in stock.

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

Band folders are available for $15.

Prep selling days are:

14th November 3-6pm
23rd November 8.15-11am
28th November 8.15-11am
16th January 3-6pm

Families that are already at Graceville State School are encouraged to come during normal uniform store hours as the prep selling days are much busier than usual.

Order forms are available on the school website and can be emailed to the uniform shop at the below address, 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.

New volunteers would be greatly appreciated and will be needed as some of the current volunteers will be leaving the school at the end of the year. It only requires you to be there from 8.15-9.00am. If you think you could help out please send an email to the above address, thank you.

Active School Travel

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

Mebourne Cup
Decorate your School Hats

On Tuesday 7th November we are please decorate your school hats on Melbourne Cup day, which also happens to be TACO Tuesday! There will be lots of great prizes to be won so get busy decorating! More information to follow!

New Signs – Park Road

Some of you would have noticed the new flashing school zone sign installed on Park Road as you returned to school this week. This is fantastic for the school community as it further highlights the speed limit around the school and makes drivers more aware of their speed during the designated times.

Creative Generations - Channel 10

It’s time to relive the CGEN experience all over again this weekend. Creative Generation will be broadcast on Channel 10 on the 14th October at 1:30pm. Who knows you may even to be able to spot some of our Graceville Super Stars in the mix.

Graceville Lightning Swim Club

On your marks! Swimming club off and racing again

The hot weather is a sure sign that the swimming season is under way, including club nights at the school pool with the Graceville Lightning Swim Club.

The club held its first night of racing for the season last Friday night, but it is not too late to sign up and join the action. Children from Prep through to Year 6 swim each Friday night of the term, with racing starting at 6.15pm. There are events to suit all ages and abilities, ranging from 15m for the little ones through to 25m, 50m and the longer events in all strokes for older students. A barbecue and canteen is available.

While the swimming is important, the real focus of Graceville Lightning is to provide a fun social occasion allowing students and families to mingle and get to know each other while at the same time providing a healthy activity for the children.

If your family is interested in participating, visit the Graceville Lightning website at the link below and go to the Online Registration section for more details. We hope to see you at club nights!

Community Notices

Term 4 Swim Program – Peter Geraghty

Bookings are now being taken for the 4th term swim program. All students will begin the term in the SAME ABILITY LEVEL as term 1 as a starting point. During the course of the term the coach may move students to different levels where appropriate.

To join the entry group class of Beginner Stroke Development (BSD), children must be in Year 1 or older and be able to swim 25m freestyle non stop. Any children not of this age or ability may enrol in private lessons on offer Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Spaces are limited, so to avoid disappointment, respond to this email asap with your preferred days and available times. Feel free to contact me via return email or phone if you have any questions (ph: 0432407442).

Regarding the group classes..... Beginner Stroke development will run Monday to Thursday from 3 pm til 3:30 pm. Advanced stroke development will run from 3:30 pm til 4 pm on the same days and this will be followed by Junior squad and squad from 4 pm. If you are new to my swim school YOU WILL NEED to call me directly to discuss your child's ability and needs.

A terms and conditions agreement will be given to all the new students at their first lesson. This needs to be signed and returned no later than the 2nd lesson. Those who have enrolled previously do not need to complete a new agreement as the terms and conditions are unchanged and it is an ongoing agreement whilst participating in my Graceville swim school. Please advise if you would like another copy of the T's and C'c. Parents will be invoiced for the term once the program is settled.

Please send me ALL YOUR AVAILABLE DAYS and times and also days and times you are DEFINITELY NOT AVAILABLE. You will receive an email regarding your booking which will need to be confirmed by you before joining the program.

See you at the pool.

Pete Geraghty

Brigidine College Visitation Days

YOU ARE INVITED TO AN OPEN MORNING
on Monday 23 or Tuesday 24 October 2017 9.30-10.30am
at Brigidine College, Indooroopilly
Your local Catholic Girls’ Secondary College

DON’T MISS OUT – Enrol now for Year 7 2019 and 2020

OFFER YOUR DAUGHTER THE CHANCE TO SUCCEED AT BRIGIDINE
and to be a part of a strong academic tradition balanced
by the wellbeing philosophy of Strength and Gentleness.

ACT NOW. Phone 3870 7225 to book as places are limited.
To secure a prospectus pack contact enrolments@brigidine.qld.edu.au

Lions Recycle for sight

CAN YOU HELP? SPECTACLES PLEASE!

The greatest project of the LIONS Club INTERNATIONAL is helping to restore / improve the vision of millions of people with limited eyesight. It is a gift within our reach to give.

How do we do this? – by recycling unwater spectacles. We quality-test, clean, grade, sort and pack and forward these to Lions Clubs, church missions and humanitarian groups for distribution to third world countries.

The Oxley-Sherwood Lions Club needs your help for this.

Please place your unwanted spectacles in the boxes in the school office for collection by Friday, October 27. We thank you sincerely for your donation of glasses.

Aboretum Tree Walk – Saturday October 14

The Curator and volunteer guides of Brisbane Botanic Gardens invite you to an ‘Open House’ with a difference – the opportunity to discover Sherwood Arboretum’s stunning tree collection on Saturday 14 October.

This FREE 90-minute guided walk, starting at 9.30 am from the Jolimont Street entry, is being held to celebrate Arbor Day, which recognises the importance of trees to our world. With the help of the Oxley- Chelmer History Group, you will also learn the history behind this heritage-listed collection of more than 1000 trees.

The Friends of Sherwood Arboretum Association (FOSA) is joining with Brisbane Botanic Gardens in presenting this guided walk, which finishes with morning tea among Queensland’s rainforest giants.

The $5.00 cost per adult (students and children are free) for morning tea supports FOSA’s voluntary work in the Arboretum.

Our numbers are limited so please remember to RSVP to info@sherwoodarboretum.com.au or call 3278 6525 as soon as possible.

Brisbane City Council marks Arbor Day with the free distribution of trees to local school. For the record, Arbor Day was first held in Nebraska in the United States in 1872.