1 March 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello

It is amazing to think there are only 4 weeks until the Easter Holidays!

The P&C meeting was held on Wednesday morning and we had a good roll up of parents in attendance. I talked through the Annual Implementation Plan for 2018 and showed the links to the budget. The P&C made the connection to the importance of supporting fundraising events such as the Spell-a-thon which go directly to support an aspect of curriculum, teaching and learning. The Voluntary Contribution was also discussed and the P&C are going to do their best to encourage families to support the Voluntary Contribution this year. So far, the equivalent of 44 student payments have been made in relation to the Voluntary Contribution. We are hoping to get more than the 280 student payments that were made in 2017. We hope you can support the school which is using the money to upgrade our existing fleet of laptops and iPads in classrooms.

The Spell-a-thon is fast approaching! The date has been set for 13 March and we would love to see you support your child! The money raised from the Spell-a-thon will go directly towards the area of writing.

You will receive a letter from your child’s class teacher very soon, inviting you to attend a Parent Teacher Interview in week 9 (19-23 March). The interviews are approximately 15 minutes in duration. Teachers will start to wrap things up at the 12 minute mark so as to assure equitable time for all parents. I strongly encourage you to attend this interview as it will give you a good understanding of your child’s progress so far and an early point in time discussion if either yourself or the class teacher has any concerns. Teachers and parents at Graceville are very good at keeping in touch on a needs basis throughout the year and so we make this interview the only formally set invitational interview in the year. Teachers will offer needs based optional interviews in Term 3 after Report Cards have been released.

Finally, I would like to remind parents all children should be making their way home straight after school each day. From 3.10pm, teachers will gather any students who are still in the school grounds and contact will be made with parents. It is also important to note, School Plus, our outside school hours care provider, hires the school grounds outside school hours and needs access to the oval and play areas from 3.20pm in the afternoon. We ask all families still in the school grounds at this time to move to an area School Plus are not using. From 3.20pm, School Plus have the right to ask students and adults to move from the spaces they are using.

I hope you have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Active School Travel – Walk to School Tuesday & Breakfast

It was great to see so many students and parents walking & enjoying the breakfast supplied by Cr Nicole Johnston on Tuesday morning. Passbooks have been handed out and stamping will be happening every Tuesday.

Let’s stand together against bullying and violence

Our school is proud to say ‘Bullying. No Way!’ with schools across Australia on Friday 16 March to mark the 2018 National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

By standing united we can all help deliver a powerful message that bullying and violence are never okay.

We strongly encourage parents and carers to have open and honest conversations with their children about bullying in all forms.

Get the discussion started with helpful information and tips available on the Bullying. No Way!

2018 International competitions

All students in Years 2 - 6 will soon be invited, via email, to participate in the International competitions run by the University of New South Wales.

Any students in Years 2 or 4 whose parents are intending to apply for the Enhancement classes are required to enter their child in the English, Maths & Science competitions.

In 2018 we will be participating in the following competitions:

• Digital Technologies 8 May $8.00 (Yr 3-6)
• Science 29 May $8.00 (Yr 2-6)
• Spelling 13 June $11.00 (Yr 2-6)
• Writing 14 June $17.00 (Yr 3-6)
• English 31 July $8.00 (Yr 2-6)
• Mathematics 14 August $8.00 (Yr 2-6)

All participating students will need to indicate if they are entering by Wednesday 14 March. Payment for these competitions will be invoiced for each competition. Unfortunately with the invoices, they all will be sent as individuals unless you are on Q Parent, you can simply pay for all of them in one transaction. All competitions will be non-refundable as they are pre-paid.

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Online programs through Student Resource schemes

Mathletics for Year 1 - 6

Please note that if you haven’t paid the amount of $12 by this Friday, we will have to take those students off program access.

On a technical note from the providers of Mathletics:

Has your browser blocked Flash?

Mathletics provides an excellent experience on desktop browsers. Recently, some browsers have adjusted their default settings to block Flash, which may cause you problems when running our older Mathletics platform and some portions of the new platform. This can be easily overcome by adjusting your browser’s settings to allow Flash to run.

School Technology Plan and Committee

In 2016 we developed a technology plan for the next 5 years which covers the distribution of devices in the school and planning for the renewal of devices as required. The P&C support technology in the school by providing 75% of voluntary contributions towards technology. I would like to invite any parents who might like to get involved in this committee to come to our first meeting for the year to discuss how things ‘technologically’ are going in the school on Friday April 27 at 8:00am in the school library. We are fortunate that this year we have a computer technician to support us in the school 3 days per week, this is part of a new Education Queensland initiative as last year we had to purchase technician time 2 days/week out of school funds.

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.

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

Thank you for your payments for excursions and resources to date.

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 2018 are:

• Prep Requirements ($70)
• Instrumental Music Programs – Instrument Hire ($100), Percussion Maintenance ($50), Music Participation ($80) & Choir ($30)
• Religious Education Program ($10)
• Mathletics On-line registration (Years 1 - 6) ($12)
• Origo Maths (years 3, 4 and 5) ($6)
• Year 4/5 maths levy ($17.50)

All students involved in these programs must return a completed SRS form.

VOLUNTARY PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS

Your valuable contribution to this school’s Learning Targets is most welcome.

$100 single student.

You can either pay the Voluntary Contribution in the office, or by direct deposit into the school bank account referencing the payment “VC” with your child’s name. Our bank account details are

BSB: 064-111
Account Number: 00090051
Account Name: Graceville State School

Credit in Account: Credits from 2017 rolled over to this year can be applied to current invoices at the parent’s request.

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:

BPoint is the preferred method of payment; Eftpos, Debit Cards: Visa/Mastercard, cheque or cash payments are accepted.

BPOINT User Information

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.

Music News

Our Choir Captain Megan B in 5/6E has been attending our Junior Choir rehearsals every week to assist with organisation and singing during rehearsals and Toby W has also attended some of these rehearsals. Thank you for your commitment and assistance Megan and Toby! Students in the Junior and Senior Choirs have been given blue student resource forms during their rehearsals. Please ensure these are returned to the office or choir conductor as this levy needs to be paid to cover our upcoming events which Ms West and I have been organising for our choir students.

Four of our year 6 students Evie G, Annabelle H, Tessa K and Toby W have been participating in a Reconciliation in Qld Schools project. A number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and non Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in schools within our area have worked together for 2 afternoon sessions, creating a song working with local Yuggera elders and leaders and classroom music teachers. This project is part of the Embracing 2018 Legacy Program for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Once the song writing has been completed it will be recorded and made available for use by teachers and students at schools. This is an exciting project and we thank our students for attending the sessions and their families for supporting their involvement.

Students in the Senior Strings and Senior Band need to ensure they are attending their rehearsals regularly, as it is a compulsory part of being in the school instrumental program. The Senior Band rehearsals are for all year 5 and 6 students who play band instruments (woodwind, brass and percussion), with rehearsals on Wednesday afternoons from 2:50-4pm with Mr Steve Stiller. The Senior Strings rehearsals are for all students in the senior string program (who have lessons on a Thursday) and the rehearsal is on Wednesday mornings at 7:45am in the music room. If your child is unable to attend a rehearsal please send a note or an email to your child's conductor (see email contacts below). Thank you to the students and families who have been attending instrumental or choir rehearsals. All instrumental music students should have completed an orange student resource scheme and return it to the office ASAP. Some of these may have been returned at the end of last year, for this school year.

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 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 music program or if they are unable to attend a rehearsal.

Alex Grodecki - agrod3@eq.edu.au
Ruth Prout - rprou5@eq.edu.au
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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Our afternoon thunderstorms have certainly filled tanks and greened up our lawns and school oval. Of course, the grass is now growing rapidly and our mowers are clocking up extra miles to keep up with the rain and warm weather combo. There is something about the sound of mowers almost constantly roaring that seems to fit this time of year. With all the water laying around our Year five and six students are hoping that sporting fields will be open for Friday’s first week of Interschool Sport, so their 2018 Interschool Sport campaigns can commence.

It was great to see such a good turnout at this morning’s P & C meeting. Active participation in P & C initiatives can be a wonderful way to connect with other school parents and from these connections, strong friendships can grow. Yes, some of the roles will require some work but the rewards for both parents and students cannot be overstated. Every Graceville State School P & C event provides valuable resources to further benefit the school experience of our students. The reality that parents also gain so much through participating in these events is a wonderful bonus. This year, you will be advised of the need for volunteers in some key areas. Please consider if you could involve yourself or mobilise a group to continue the impressive work of the school P & C.

Have a wonderful week!

It’s SPELLATHON time! Spellathon is a fundraising event designed to be both a fun and an educational activity for our children.

Spellathon is a literacy based way for our children to help fundraise for our school. There will be lots of fun prizes awarded. Prizes will be based on sponsorship collected and words spelled correctly. In addition, children who spell all their words correctly will be entered in a prize draw for each year level.

This fundraising event is second only to the Fete in terms of revenue raised for the school. In 2017 we raised over $19,000 - an amazing effort! Last year funds raised by the Spellathon contributed to resources for the school’s Humanities and Social Sciences program. This year funds will go towards resources supporting the teaching and learning of writing. Projects like these are of great benefit to all students in the school. Please encourage your friends, relatives and neighbours to sponsor your child and help us make Spellathon 2018 a great success.

Watch out for the SPELLATHON 2018 word lists and sponsorship forms which will be given to the children to take home next week!

Please show your support by encouraging your child to help our school. Involve your families, friends and neighbours by asking them to become sponsors. The sponsorship your child receives will be a real incentive for them to learn their words.

Important Spellathon Dates:

Our sponsors for 2018 are Peter May and Brad Robson from Place Real Estate and Graceville Village Discount Drug Store.

If you need help buying or selling your home, Peter & Brad from Place are the ones to help you. Please contact Peter on 0409543546 or Brad on 0414773437.

For all your pharmacy needs go to Graceville Village Discount Drug Store where you get more than just low prices. They are located next to the Post Office on Oxley Road in Graceville.

We thank our sponsors for their support of our school and ask that you support them with your business.

If you have any queries please get in touch by emailing: gracevillespellathon@gmail.com

The Spellathon Committee

Proudly sponsored by:

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

YEAR 6 COMMEMORTIVE SHIRTS

The shirts have now been sent to the printers so I will not be accepting any late orders. The shirts will be back before the end of this term.

INTERSCHOOL SPORT

Interschool sports start this week for years 5 and 6, you can purchase the representative shirts from the uniform store for $35.

Size 8 Cook shirts are out of stock, new stock of all house shirts expected 5th March.

Size 4 polar fleece are back in stock.

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 via the teachers pigeon hole.

Email address for school uniform store is:

uniformstore@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS, 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 9th of March 2018

Thank you to all our volunteers! We have had a lot of movement with our volunteers and we need your help. Volunteers are required on both Wednesdays and Thursdays, if you can help please contact us at the Tuckshop on tuckshop.gss@gmail.com We are very busy preparing the healthy choices lunches!

Have you tried one of our specials? On Tuesday we sell a vegetarian Napolitana Pasta, on Wednesday a vegetarian Quesadilla (a mix of beans, tomatoes, corn and cheese in a toasty wrap slice), and Thursday is Hamburger day. Each sell for $5. Sushi and Rice Paper Rolls are also available by pre-order for Tuesdays and Wednesdays (order by 12 noon Mondays).

TO BUY AT THE TUCKSHOP COUNTER –

Popcorn is only 50 cents and a great snack to buy either online or over the counter. ANZAC Cookies are available for 50 cents per cookie too. Want something refreshing on a hot day, then try Frozen Watermelon for only 50 cents. Bretzels are selling fast too, very tasty and popular at our introductory price of $1.20.

Fancy a different snack? Try the Roasted Chick Peas or Fav-va Beans for $1.50/bag. They are a very filling snack! Apples available for $1. Delicious Vanilla Blueberry or Apple muffins are also available for $2 each. Greek yogurts in either berry, passionfruit or mango flavours are $2.20 and very tasty. So much to choose from, take your pick!!

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

The Contact Club meets this Wednesday the 7th of March in the Library straight after drop-off or after reading groups. Tea and coffee supplied. We meet 8.30am - 11.30am but please come along for as long as you are able, every bit helps.

There are loads of books to cover. If anyone has spare time, and would like to take some books home to cover, there are sets of readers to cover at your leisure. Just ask our friendly Librarians. All books and resources need to be covered before they can become part of the Library catalogue. Volunteers in this group make it happen! If you would like to help and join our friendly bunch, just come along on Wednesday or email contactclub.gss@gmail.com for more information.

The next Contact Club will be on Wednesday the 2nd of May (none in April due to the school holidays).

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

Schools Plus

Community Notices

Holiday Workshops for Brisbane Kids!

Need something fun and creative for kids over the Easter holidays? Come along and have a go of one of our crafty, drama and musical theatre workshops!

Speak Up Studio is excited to announce our upcoming April school holiday workshops for Brisbane Kids! Speak Up workshops focus on a range of creative areas, such as musical theatre, drama, art and craft, filmmaking and science.

With workshop themes in Super Mario, slime, unicorns, Harry Potter, Descendants, Roald Dahl, and much much more there is sure to be something for everyone!

For more information or to register visit the website or call our friendly admin staff!

Web: www.speakupstudio.com.au
Email: info@speakupstudio.com.au
Phone: (07) 3367 8572