1 February 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We had a great first week and are looking forward to the year ahead!

The teachers will be hosting Parent Information Sessions over the next few weeks. It is a great opportunity to meet your class teacher, find out how their class operates and ask any questions you may have. I hope you can find the time to attend the class Parent Information Sessions.

In the Newsletter last week, I mentioned the school will be hosting an author for adults as part of our Whole School Inquiry into Writing. 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 schools 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 will form the community voice as part of our teaching team’s inquiry into developing a writing program to meet the needs of Graceville State School learners. As I mentioned, the P&C kindly agreed to pay the fee for Sally Piper AND now even more kindly, also all costs associated with the evening! The word is out and the night is becoming popular amongst the wider community and so the P&C would like to make the night more of a community event. Attendees will be offered a drink and some nibbles on arrival with a chance to chat before Sally begins her talk. The event is being held on 21 February, from 6.30pm. 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. I would like to thank the P&C for their community minded approach to supporting the event!

Our Whole School Assembly starts this week at 2.10pm on Thursday afternoon (even weeks). Each Whole School Assembly has a focus which is aligned to learning more about the school’s improvement focus areas. The content and language choices are obviously aimed at the children and it is a great way to keep informed about what we are trying to achieve as a school. The focus for this week is the launch of our student inquiry into ‘What makes an effective author’. We also award the Curiouser and Curiouser and Random Acts of Kindness awards to one student from each year level. The assemblies are usually quite fun and informative so as to engage the children. Parents and friends are always welcome to attend.

I have some exciting news to share for our school! Last week I was informed I had been selected to undertake a Professional Doctorate based on the work we are trying to achieve in leading and developing an inquiry approach in our school. The Professional Doctorate has been offered to 12 leaders in the state through a joint initiative between the Queensland Association of State School Principals and Southern Cross University. Our school is viewed as an innovating school who can make a new contribution to the field of education. Our research will explore how school leaders, lead for and through inquiry to develop a whole school community of inquiry. It is a wonderful opportunity for myself, our school and hopefully many other schools, who will greatly benefit from the research. There is also a commitment that as we progress, our work will be shared along the way via publications and speaking at conferences both within Australia and Internationally. There is a lot of hard work to do though before any of that occurs! Although I will actually be undertaking the Doctorate, the work we are doing at Graceville is a team effort. Our work would not be possible without a willing and dedicated teaching staff and a community who value education. I feel very lucky to be the Principal of Graceville State School!

Finally, I would like to thank the parents who provided feedback at the end of last year via the invitation through the newsletter. I have collated the feedback and one common theme emerged, communication. We will use the feedback to consider how we can improve communication in the school. I have also already followed up on some of the individual pieces of feedback that were provided.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Online programs through Student Resource schemes

Mathletics for 2018

We will shortly commence the Mathletics program for this year. It is an online Mathematics program that is individually based and one that students can access at home as well as at school for all students in year 1 to year 6. The cost for Mathletics is $12 per student for the year and invoices will be coming home very soon. Your class teacher can inform you more fully about Mathletics and how your class will be using the program this year. Each student will then receive their own personal log on and password to access the program for both at school and at home.

Reading Eggs and Math Seeds in Prep

We are using the program ‘Reading Eggs’ with our prep students. This online program is designed to motivate and excite students about reading and will be a useful addition to assist our classes in the reading process, which we view as one of the most important things for our preppies to learn as it unlocks all other areas in learning. Some families may already have a subscription, if you do please let your teacher know about this. School subscriptions are vastly cheaper for parents and students have access both at school and at home. Also with a school subscription, teachers can track student progress and achievement.

This is the first year that we will be implementing Math Seeds with our prep students instead of Mathletics. Again it is a very young student friendly program for early Mathematics learning. Both of these programs are part of the prep student resource scheme and the combined cost is $50. Most prep families have paid this subscription, if you haven’t please do so, we will commence using this program with classes.

Waiting List for Prep for 2019 – opens first day of next term Tuesday April 17.

The waiting list for 2019 will open on Tuesday, 17th 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.

Below is the calendar for term 1 assemblies.

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

2 Minute Drop Off/Pick Up Zones

(Acacia Avenue – near front gate & Park Road – near back gate)

How they work?

The sign says 2 mins. If you are one of the 3 cars at the start of the line you need to move on and go around the block if your child isn’t at the car after being in this position for 2 minutes. Please be mindful of others in this line and move on as fast as possible.

Only the first three cars are to have children exit or enter the car. The rest must wait until these cars have moved on, then move up to the front of the zone and stop. Then your children should enter your car.

The driver is not to leave the car at any time while in this line. Helping get bags out of the boot is OK – but having a conversation with other drivers, walking parents or going into the office is not acceptable and disrupts the flow of traffic.

• It is not acceptable to move up on the right hand side past waiting cars to park up ahead of waiting cars. Be patient and wait your turn.
• Wait for the car in front to move forward first, or leave the line.
• Do not park over the safe crossing area or driveways at any time.
• Please don’t encourage your children to disregard the instructions of staff on duty. e.g. calling them to enter your car when you are not one of the first 3!

The Pick-Up Zone at the back gate is not a parking bay.

Invite to Author Evening

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

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 below 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

Many of our instrumental lessons have started this week, with some beginning next week. We hope students have enjoyed their first lesson or returning to them if they are a continuing student. In last week's Newsletter I included some information from the professional development Ms Julie West and I attended on one of the pupil free days featuring Dr Anita Collins as the keynote speaker. It focused on the impact learning an instrument has on brain development. I also included some links and encourage you to watch these if you haven't had a chance to yet. Ms West and I are showing these too many of our students in music lessons and discussing the parts of the brain which are used when playing an instrument and in some of our musical activities, including the visual, auditory and motor cortices of the brain. It is exciting to think some of the things we do with students which they often also enjoy can make long lasting connections and development in their brain!

As students transition back to lessons, or start if they are a beginner, it's a timely reminder that regular practice is important. This is a link on how to practice effectively (for just about anything)...

Ms Julie West and I are looking forward to our choir rehearsals starting next week. All interested students in years 2-6 are welcome to join the choir. The Senior Choir rehearsals will begin on Monday 5 February with Ms Julie West at 7:45am and the Junior Choir will be held on Tuesday mornings from 7:45am starting on 6 February. There is a note attached in a link below for any students interested in joining the choir which they can bring with them to the first rehearsal. Please note, 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.

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 7:30am Junior Band (year 4 band students) - Mr James Kukulies (please note this will not begin until term 2 in May, with the first rehearsal date TBA)
Wednesday - first break - Junior/Beginner Strings - Mrs Ruth Proud (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

Thank you for supporting your child's involvement in our music program!

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Library News

The library is once again off to a busy start - classes and borrowing began this week and the library staff would like to welcome everyone to visit the library.

We are also encouraging students to come in and borrow as often as they wish. Before school, during lunch breaks and after school.

Remember, children are required to have a waterproof, sealable library bag to borrow.

The library is open every morning from 8.15, at first break from 11.00 (for Year 1 & 2, second break from 12.55 (for Years 3 to 6) and until 3.15pm after school. Parents are always welcome to visit the library with their children at any time.

15,070…that’s the number of reasons to love our library! That is the number of regular print books on our shelves, and that doesn’t even include big books, audio books, class readers, teacher resources or DVDs! However, a library’s value exists in more than just the books it loans out.

A library is a place to learn, to study, to hone your computer skills, to meet with other people or a place to just read and relax. It offers security and peace and quiet (most of the time!). All the services and resources through the library are free, which makes our library an invaluable resource to the school community.

Library Lovers' Month is an opportunity to celebrate libraries of all types. Most importantly though, this is a time to recognize the value of school libraries and remind everyone how much the children love our library and how important it is to their learning.

All month students will have many opportunities to share their love of our library.

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS

Due to our ever-growing collection and circulation, the success of our library depends upon volunteers - the library staff would appreciate any extra help.

If you are interested in volunteering some of your time, the CONTACT CLUB may be for you. They meet in the library on the first Wednesday of the month between 8.45 am until 12 noon, and they welcome any new members who wish to help out. Morning tea is provided, as is any guidance or lessons on how to professionally cover library books/class readers, etc. If you are interested in coming along or helping out in the library, please come in and see us, or feel free to email the Contact Club Co-ordinator with your name and phone number.

Teacher-Librarian: Mrs Melanie Hutchinson
Library Aide: Ms Christine Barker

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

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 were sent home last week, if you haven't received one the order form and information sheet are attached below.

Size 8 Cook shirts are out of stock but we will have more in 4 weeks.

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.

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 some long sleeve rashies, lycra and silicone swim caps, swim bags and quick dry towels in the house colours.

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, 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.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for the week ending Friday 9thof February 2018

Have you tried one of our new tasty Bretzels?

Made by one of our Gourmet Graceville Mums, these German baked snacks are delicious, nut, egg and dairy free.

A cross between a pretzel and bread, they are super delicious and a great size for a snack. Try one for our special introductory price of $1.20. They are as good as they look!

Also available to purchase now at the Tuckshop window is fresh popcorn in a bag for only 50 cents. ANZAC cookies are available for 50 cents per cookie too. Fancy a different snack? Try the Roasted Chick Peas or Fav-va Beans for $1.50/bag. Whole fruit such as apples or bananas available for $1. Delicious fruit muffins are also available for $2 each. Take your pick!

We are an online only ordering Tuckshop and have a great new menu to choose something delicious from.

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.

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!

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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

With the sun out in force this term, staying sun smart is very important. Hats, water bottles and sunscreen are essentials for students in the summer heat. With the school’s ‘No Hat – No Play’ policy, students are great at remembering to wear their hats outside. Reminders to drink plenty of water and reapply sunscreen will happen at school, but reinforcing those suggestions at home assists greatly. Building strong, positive partnerships between home and school is desired as it provides greater support and more consistent messages.

With the Australian Open tennis filling TV screens for the last fortnight, I noticed some similarities with the start of the school year. Firstly, the proven performers arrive with high expectations. They are champions with a history of performing at the highest level on the biggest stage. The expectations they carry are not just their own, but those of their fans and supporters. Our returning students, with all their past success in learning and social development, are very much the same. Both groups know they will face challenges, uncertainty and distractions, yet they have confidence that their skills and knowledge put them in a good place to achieve success.

Then, of course there are the newcomers, filled with excitement as they embark on an adventure to the great unknown. On the tennis court, with support from a committed team, they progress further than expected and have some surprising results. At school, our new students, whether in Prep or other year levels, hit the ground running and amaze us how quickly they settle in to this new world. They possess many skills and abilities that will take them deep into the tournament of life.

It is always a celebration when the proven champion succeeds yet again and I expect we will see many such occurrences this year at Graceville State School. It is equally exciting to see the new young stars arrive on the scene and the Graceville State School community is ready to embrace all of these achievements. It is going to be an awesome year!

Have a wonderful week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

School Banking

School Banking Update

School banking kicked off for the year on Monday 29 January. This year’s theme is Super Savers and the Term 1 rewards items are a Twister Power Handball and Secret Scratch Notepad. Tokens from last year are carried forward so check your last deposit stub to find out how close you are to claiming a reward (rewards can be pre-ordered at 9 tokens).

Graceville SS’s school banking day is MONDAY and deposits can be made from 8:20 to 8:40 at the hall kitchen and then via the grey classroom pouches. New volunteers are always welcome and we only require about an hour of your time on Monday mornings straight after drop off.

The Major Prize for this year is huge! One lucky Super Saver (Australia wide) will win a trip to Hawaii, USA! You need to make 15 deposits before the end of Term 3 to be in the draw. Terms and conditions are found on the Commbank website.

If your child is not already involved, and you would like your child to participate in the school banking program it is now easier than ever. All that is required is a Youthsaver account with the Commonwealth Bank. Accounts can now be opened either online, or at a branch. Once you have an account, the yellow Dollarmite wallet will be posted to you or you can visit us at the hall kitchen to pick one up before school Monday mornings.

Happy Saving!

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