7 December 2017

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We have nearly made it!

We are very grateful for your support this year and are looking forward to an exciting year ahead in 2018.

This week we say goodbye to Ms O’Brien who will be heading off to teach at Manly West, Mrs Jackson who will be going to teach at Earnshaw and Mrs Walsh who is a waiting her permanent appointment with DET. Mrs Clarke, will be taking long service leave for the first half of the year also. I greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of these teachers while they have been at Graceville.

We welcome some new teachers next year. Mr Osborn in Year 5, Mr Jordan in Year 6, Miss Duncan in Year 1 and Mrs Maunder in Year 3. They are very excited about the opportunity to teach at Graceville and I am sure you will enjoy getting to know them.

At the P&C meeting last Wednesday night, it was suggested we invite parents to provide feedback they think may add value to or improve the school for 2018. Many parents take the opportunity during the school year to contact us with ideas or feedback for which we are very grateful. Sometimes, parents reflect and have ideas at quieter times of the year, such as over the Christmas break and so we invite any parents to use the admin email to provide ideas or feedback. We will review on our return next year and see if there is anything we can take on board.

I hope you have a safe and merry Christmas!

See you all next year,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Taiwan Study Tour – Graceville mosaic tiles in community garden!

A representative from Education Queensland International was recently in Taipei and at Minzu Elementary School where our students visited this year in September.

The school has decorated the community park across the road from the school gate with the art works made by Graceville students during their visit, which look impressive. Jason said, “Congratulations, your students were great ambassadors and their works are now permanently displayed in the park!” Please see the photos attached of the tiles now in the park.

What a busy year we have had, our students in Prep to year 2 have grown, matured and developed so much. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday and Christmas, recharged for an exciting school year in 2018!

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Updating Medical and other student details

As it is nearing the end of the school year it is a good time to update any personal details at the office, if anything has changed. It is also very important to update medications and Action Plans (if relevant) for any students. If your child has a medical condition which requires an Action Plan or specific medication, we will be contacting you shortly to update.

Sun Safety & Staying well hydrated

Just a reminder about Sun safety & keeping well hydrated. Please ensure that your children have sunscreen on before they leave home in the morning and are wearing their hats if they are in the sun coming to school e.g. walking. Try to encourage your children to take a water bottle with them and have it at school. We are expecting a hot summer and these good habits are important for long term wellbeing.

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

Payment will re-open on Thursday 18th January 2018. Hours for payments for the 18th and 19th January will be 9am-12pm.

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.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News

During our well-earned break we will be making changes to the Tuckshop menu. We make our final move towards the Queensland Government’s Smart choices healthy options menu so we will be deleting some items from our menu and adding some new ones. Look for our new menu in 2018! Enjoy your holidays!!

URGENTLY IN NEED OF HELP!

We are losing quite a few of our long standing regular Tuckshop volunteers and we need your help to keep our Tuckshop open for service five days a week. If you can help, please email us at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com to let us know when you are available.

It is only for once a month and from 8.30am -11.30am. Three hours of your time will keep prices reasonable and our shutters open! And you will be rewarded with the many smiling faces and good manners of our appreciative students!

Leaving the school? Don’t forget to close your School24 Account!

If you are leaving our school, please remember to close your School24 account. Any balance you have remaining on your account can be refunded if you supply your bank BSB and account number. Alternatively you can donate your balance to the P&C. Please let us know your wishes by emailing at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

To Register an Account:

Tuckshop is operated as an online ordering system. To open a Tuckshop account please visit:

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

Prep selling day:

16th January 2018 3-6pm

Donations of 2nd hand uniforms are always appreciated, if you have some smaller sizes that you no longer need we would love to have them.

Size 8 gold polo shirts and backpacks are back in stock.

Swimming gear is available including long sleeve rashies, lycra and silicone swim caps, swim bags and quick dry towels in the house colours.

Band folders are available for $15.

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

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 on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays, if you think you could help out please send an email to the above address or just come to the store and have a chat.

Holiday Swim Clinics

Spaces are still available in the 2 holiday swim clinics being held at the Graceville School pool. All ability levels are catered for with learn to swim, stroke correction and squad classes on offer. The first clinic will be held from Monday 11th of December to Friday 15th. The second clinic will be held the last week of the school holidays from Monday 15th of January til Friday the 19th. You do not need to attend every day of the clinic as long as you mention your availability when enrolling. If you are joining for the first time please call Pete to discuss your child's ability and needs. Children in holiday school care may also join the program as staff are able to bring students to the pool and pick them up after their lesson. Please direct all inquiries to Pete Geraghty by phone [0432407442].

We have been soccer mad in Before School Care this week. The children have really enjoyed getting out into the undercover area in the morning to play against one another and the staff. It has been wonderful to see everyone getting active and having a lot of fun!

All the Educators from School Plus Graceville would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.