25 January 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Welcome to the new school year! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are looking forward to an exciting 2018!

I would especially like to welcome any new students and families to the school. Starting somewhere new can be overwhelming at first so please make sure you talk with class teacher or office staff if you need help.

I would also like to welcome our new teachers, Mrs Kristy Maunder (Year 3), Mr Jeremy Osborn (Year 5), Miss Katy Duncan (Year 1), Miss Annabelle King (Year 3) and Mr Matthew Jordan (Year 6). As new teachers to the school they are also learning how the school operates. They are all happy to be at Graceville and looking forward to getting to know our school community.

In 2018, the school will be researching and developing our future writing program. A team of teachers has volunteered to take on the role of inquirers to do this work. In Term 1, we will start a whole school inquiry to find out what our students and community think makes an effective author. We will assist the students and community in their inquiry into what makes an effective author, by inviting a range of authors to speak and answer questions which will help them refine their thinking. At the final P&C meeting last year, it was approved by the P&C for the school to hold a writing incursion (author visit) for each year level. The cost of the incursion to parents is $10 per student. The incursion will see each year level meet and ask questions of a published author as well as community members who use writing as part of their daily work lives. The students, acting as researchers, will be engaged in Tuning into the big question, ‘What makes an effective author?’ by accessing prior knowledge and refining the questions they would like to ask the authors. They will then meet the author experts and find out as much information as possible to answer the big question. Finally, they will sort out the information they have learned, collate the main points and prepare to take action with their new knowledge by providing the information to the teacher inquiry team. Meanwhile, we will also be hosting an author for adults. Sally Piper, a Brisbane based author who was shortlisted for the Queensland Premiers Literary Award for Emerging Authors, has agreed to host ‘An Evening with Sally Piper’ where she will explore our school’s big question of what makes an effective author and share her experiences as an author. Adults attending the evening will have the chance for a Q&A at the end of the night and the school will be seeking feedback from those attending on their thoughts as a community member about what makes an effective author. This feedback, along with the information provided by the students, will form the student and community voice as part of our teaching team’s inquiry into developing a writing program to meet the needs of Graceville State School learners. The teachers will start their own inquiry in Term 2, researching appropriate methods of teaching and learning in the area of writing and use this information to develop our school’s writing program. The P&C have kindly agreed to pay the fee for Sally Piper however a $10 fee is applicable for catering. The event is being held on 21 February, 6.30pm. Community members are asked to RSVP by Friday 14 February. If you would like to provide feedback but cannot attend the evening with Sally Piper, we will be happy to receive feedback in the week of February 19 – 23.

The teachers and I spent the Pupil Free Days preparing for the year ahead. The two main focus areas for this year, which sit within the Curiosity and Powerful Learning agenda, are ensuring our learning tasks are appropriately challenging for our learners and building on our Inquiry journey by putting a meta cognitive spot light on learning and thinking. ‘Thinker’ is one of our learning assets and we are going to help our teachers and students understand in very practical ways, how they can focus on being a thinker in their learning. We also enjoyed learning about the foundations that underpin a ‘challenging learning task’. We were introduced to concepts such as Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck) the Learning Pit (John Edwards) and a Developmental Model of teaching and learning (as advocated through the Assessment and Research centre in Melbourne – Patrick Griffin). We found this new learning highly engaging and feel intrinsically motivated to use our new learning when planning for challenging learning tasks in the classroom. As in previous years, we will hold parent information sessions later in the term to explain what this means for teaching and student learning.

As a staff, we are excited about the New Year and hope you can join us in supporting our students learning in 2018!

Finally, in case you are interested in attending our Whole School Assemblies this year, you are welcome to join us each even week on a Thursday from 2.10 in the hall. These assemblies usually have a main focus related to an aspect of the school we are trying to highlight to the children as well as awarding the Curious and Curiouser and Random Acts of Kindness Awards to students from each year level. Our first Whole School Assembly is held in week 2 on the 1st of February.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Welcome everyone to another school year. There are many excited young faces in the playground and classrooms eager for all the new experiences they are engaging in. Some children’s energy is waning come afternoon, so early nights and good nutrition is required, especially at this time of the year.

Our new Prep students have met their buddies and the buddies have been an invaluable help in orienting our new students to where everything is and feeling safe and confident in this new environment. Thank you and well done buddies.

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

From the Deputy Principal
Lisa McKeaten

SMS Messaging Service – Absences

Our school uses an SMS messaging service to communicate to parents when children are not in attendance at school and no explanation has been provided by parents. We do use this service for important SMS messages as well, from time to time. It is an excellent way to get a message to the whole school or year levels etc quickly.

Process to follow:

• If your child is absent on any particular day, please call the absences line (3716 2760) early (night before or prior to 8am if possible)
• Absences line will be monitored up until 9.00am
• If you know in advance that your child will be away please let the office know (3716 2777) so we can “Explain the future absence”. Out of courtesy also let the class teacher.
• Teachers will mark rolls by 9.00am
• Late students after 8.45am parents to escort student to the office for a late slip
• After 9.00am we will send out the messages to parents who have a child absent (Unexplained)

Message will be from Graceville State School, “(Student’s Name) is absent from school today. Please contact the school on 3716 2777 or email sms@gracevilss@eq.edu.au ”.

Obviously there are sometimes technical issues which affect this process.

Absences line

Just a reminder that we have an absences line for your convenience if your child is away from school due to illness or any other reason. (3716 2760). Please ensure that if your child is sick or absent for any other reason you must inform the school and/or class teacher as soon as possible. If absences are not explained by parents then it will appear on your child’s report card as “Unexplained”.

If your family are planning an extended period away from school (more than 2 weeks) you must complete an application for “Exemption from schooling” which entitles you to return to school after the absent period. This application must be approved by the Principal.

Swimming

Swimming for Years 1-6 will commence next week.

Years 1-3 will be taught swimming with Peter Geraghty and his coaches in an intensive program from Week 2 – 9 (8 weeks). Invoices and permission forms will be sent home this week. Please return the permission form prior to your child’s swimming day, to the class teacher. All invoices need to be paid by next Friday 2 February. As this is early we will let all students go to the Week 1 of swimming lessons. Please ensure that you have paid by the end of next week.

Students in Years 4-6 will also start next week with Mr Daunt in their PE lessons on Monday & Tuesday.

Urgent Medical information – Needs to be updated!

If your child has a Medical condition you, which requires an Action Plan ie. Anaphylaxis, Allergy or Asthma, you are required to update annually this with your child’s doctor. Any students who have Anaphylaxis or another /Allergic condition must have their details reviewed annually. Epipens must be up-to-date and cannot be administered if out of date.

If your child has any newly diagnosed medical condition please see the Admin staff in the office to update your child’s details. Please discuss any medical conditions with your child’s teacher as well so that they are well informed.

Author Evening

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

Welcome back

All excursion and resource invoices will be issued by next week. Please ensure the resource scheme forms are returned to the office.

Swimming will be starting in Week 2 and the Author visits will be starting in Week 3.

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 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

Welcome to term 1! Ms Julie West and I were fortunate enough to attend a professional development for music teachers last Friday. The guest speaker was Dr Anita Collins who has devoted many years to researching the impact learning an instrument has on brain development. There are some very interesting outcomes and I've included the following links for you to look at and consider. There is also further information on her website via the link below and facebook page 'Bigger Better Brains' which you could 'like' and read regular up to date information on her research as she posts it. Links with further information about the significant impact learning an instrument has on the brain, creating 'fireworks' and providing a 'brain workout' with the opportunity to engage the visual, motor and auditory cortices of the brain at the same time are below...

The beginning of the year is always a busy time for the music department with organising timetables and meeting new students in classes and the instrumental program. Most instrumental lessons will begin in week 2 and students will be advised by their instrumental teacher on their times and starting date, hopefully by the end of week 1. Mrs Prout will be continuing on sick leave for the first 4 weeks of this term and is hoping to return after this time. We wish her well with her recovery. For the first 4 weeks of this term we welcome Dr Michael O'Loghlin who will be replacing Mrs Prout. Please note that Senior Strings and Senior Band rehearsals will begin in week 3.

We are very fortunate to have Ms Julie West continue to share the role of Classroom Music Teacher, teaching 2 days of classroom music as well as taking a choir. She will be working on Mondays and Fridays this year and I will be at school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Senior Choir rehearsals will begin in week 3 with Ms Julie West on Monday mornings at 7:45am and the Junior Choir will be held on Tuesday mornings from 7:45am starting in week 3. We will be sending a note home with students interested in joining the choir during week 1. As there will be several public holidays/PFDs on Mondays, in any week when a Monday Senior Choir rehearsal is missed (due to a public holiday/PFD) we will be requesting Senior Choir members to come to a rehearsal at first break on Friday of that week. All interested students in years 2 - 6 are welcome to join our choirs. Students interested in joining the choir can bring the slip in (from the information note sent out in week 1) to the first choir rehearsal in week 3.

We look forward to meeting our new and returning students in classroom music lessons this week!

2018 Rehearsal schedule

• Monday 7:45am Senior Choir (year 4/5/6 students) - Ms Julie West (rehearsals begin in week 3)
• Tuesday 7:45am Junior Choir (year 2/3 students) - Mrs Naomi Lindh (rehearsals begin in week 3)
• Wednesday 7:45am Junior Band (year 4 band students) - Mr James Kukulies (please note this will not begin until term 2, with the first rehearsal date TBA)
• Wednesday - first break - Junior/Beginner Strings - Mrs Ruth Prout  (please note this will not begin until term 2, with the first rehearsal date TBA)
• Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm Senior Band (year 5/6 band students) - Mr Steve Stiller (rehearsals will begin in week 3)
• Thursday 7:45am Senior Strings (rehearsals will begin in week 3)

Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns about your child's involvement in the instrumental program.

Alex Grodecki - agrod3@eq.edu.au
Ruth Prout - rprou5@eq.edu.au (replaced by Dr Michael O'Loghlin for the beginning of term 1 - maol0)
James Kukulies - jkuku2@eq.edu.au
Steve Stiller - sstil2@eq.edu.au
Julie West - jwest269@eq.edu.au
Naomi Lindh - nclos1@eq.edu.au

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News

Welcome back! Tuckshop resumes this Monday 29th of January.

We are an online ordering only Tuckshop and have a great new menu for you to choose something delicious from. Take a look at our new 2018 menu available to view in every newsletter; look to the front left for a link to it. It will also be available on the Graceville State School website.

If you would like to use the Tuckshop, please register your details on School24 at school24.net.au and follow the prompts. Use the Graceville School ID code 25314963. 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.

A new 2018 Tuckshop Menu will be sent out as a newsflash this week

Thank you to the volunteers who have put their hands up to help this year. We greatly appreciate your time and know we’ll have a fun few hours together while you help do something very worthwhile for the students.

We are always looking for new volunteers so if you’d like to help please send us an email at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com or come in and see us. We are very flexible with your availabilities. 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 five days a week!

Tuckshop Roster for the week ending Friday 2nd of February 2018

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

Contact Club - returns for 2018!

The Contact Club meets next week on Wednesday the 31st of January, straight after drop-off, in the library. It is the first meeting for the year and all are welcome to attend.

The Contact Club is a voluntary group formed to assist the Library by covering the new books and resources purchased for the catalogue. All new resources need covering before they can go into circulation, so without your help, the students don’t get to use these great new books.

We usually meet on the first Wednesday of the month, though this can change due to holidays. This month we meet Wednesday the 31st of January (almost February!) We meet in the library straight after you drop your children to class, or after your reading group if you are doing those, for a couple of hours or as long you are able to help. All help is greatly appreciated, even just half and hour can do so much.

The contact we use to cover the books is super easy to use, not like the contact in the shops, so don’t worry. Training is given if you need any tips. We also cover hard cover books in a non-adhesive plastic which may be more your thing! It’s a great way to meet other parents, and have a friendly chat, while doing something to help the school which directly benefits your children. Tea and coffee are supplied, bring a snack if you like, but please keep it nut free. If you would like more information please email contactclub.gss@gmail.com or just come along next Wednesday morning to the library. See you there!

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

Opening Hours for this week only due to the Australia Day holiday: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8.15am to 9.00am.

Welcome back to school to all new and returning families.

I would like to thank all the ladies who have volunteered their time and who have helped out during the prep selling days and the busy back to school rush, without these wonderful ladies the uniform shop would not run as well as it does, so my thanks go to Ally, Rowanne, Masaki, Emma, Michelle and Heidi.

Donations of 2nd hand uniforms are always appreciated, so please keep them coming but can you please make sure that all items are in a good, clean and saleable condition.

We have had quite a few people wanting to return goods this week, please be advised that refunds will ONLY be given if you have the original receipt and items should not have been washed or worn.

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

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

All year 6 students are being given the opportunity to have a commemorative shirt. Gold polo shirts are screen printed with class lists on the back and house shirts can be printed for the house captains. You can purchase new gold shirts for $30 and house shirts for $35 from the uniform store or you can use your existing shirts but they have to be in good condition, no holes or pulls.

Printing costs are: $10 per gold polo and $15 per house captain shirt.

Special order forms and information sheets will be sent home this week.

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 unifmorm store is:
uniformstore@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

New volunteers would be greatly appreciated, 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.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Welcome to 2018 at Graceville State School. It’s great to see so many familiar faces and exciting to have all the new families joining the GSS Community. I look forward to supporting students, families and staff in my role as School Chaplain. This year, I will be on campus Wednesday, Thursday and Friday providing pastoral care and support for new families with questions about what a School Chaplain might do in a State School, information can be found on the school website. A quick snap shot for the start of the year will look like:

• helping new students transition into their new school;
• supporting learning in classrooms;
• supporting social skill development in small group settings and in the playground;
• running lunch-time game based activities;
• supporting students at parent and /or teacher request; and
• After school gate duties.

I hope the start of the school year has been a smooth one, and look forward to journeying alongside you

through the primary school experiences.

I can be contacted via the school office, so if I can be of assistance, fell free to get in touch.

Have a fantastic week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 1

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence from Monday 5th February 2018.

Enrolments close by 9.00am on Tuesday 30th January 2018. 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.

A tennis meeting will be held at lunch time (1st Break) on Thursday 1st February on the School Tennis Court to advise of your lesson time – Please ensure your child attends.

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

TERM 1 SWIM PROGRAM

Swim lessons will start at Graceville State School on Monday January 29th. Regarding group lessons.....all students will begin the term in the SAME ABILITY LEVEL as term 4 unless you are notified otherwise. The first lesson will also be used as an appraisal so students may have their lesson time changed to suit their ability.

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 nonstop. Any children not of this age or ability may enrol in private lessons on offer Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Very experienced teachers are available on Saturdays who are not available on weekdays. When booking for the Friday and Saturday program you MUST give me an hours’ time frame of availability. The best way to book is to tell me that you are available "ANYTIME".

Spaces are limited, so to avoid disappointment, book your lessons asap with your preferred days and available times. This is a very busy time for me so I am unable to respond to email and text queries over the next week but am happy to answer any question by phone (ph: 0432407442).

Children may attend the program from school care but you will need to do some paperwork with them. Their staff bring the children to the pool prior to the lesson start time and then pick them up after the lesson.

To request a copy of the weekday schedule for the group program, send an email request to..... {petegeraghty@hotmail.com}

This schedule may change due to demand or lack of demand for any particular class.

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. The term fee is due at the following lesson unless otherwise negotiated with me.

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 the commencement of the program on Monday January 29th. Please pass on this information to any friends or family who would be interested in joining the program.

See you at the pool.
Pete Geraghty
0432407442