19 April 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

I hope you enjoyed the Easter break. I know many teachers and students attended the Commonwealth Games and will have many exciting stories to share. I look forward to hearing them!

This is a long, 11 week term. The term includes the ANZAC day and Labour Day Public Holidays, the school Cross Country, NAPLAN, a visit from our Inquiry expert (Kath Murdoch), the LAPATHON, Athletics Carnival and Report Cards.

The P&C also hold the Trivia Night in Term 2 which is a fun event for parents and community members. It really is a great night where you can get a group of friends together, dress up in costumes, take part in a few games, oh and of course, answer some Trivia questions! I have never experienced anything like the Graceville Trivia night in my time in schools, it really is a unique community event. I encourage you to consider coming along this year.

Our Year 6 students headed off on camp this week. The Year 6 camp is always a good experience and the venue and catering is great! The activities push the children to their limits and we see many brave souls overcoming fears especially on the high ropes. Some teachers too!

Next Wednesday is ANZAC day and as usual it would be great to see a strong turnout for the ANZAC day service. If you would like your child to attend please meet us at the Graceville Train Station (school side) at 6.50am. At 7am, the children will take part in a march (when you arrive please find the group and hop in the lines as we march together as a school) along the old route which takes them down the street, along part of Oxley road and into Memorial Park. If you would like to your children to attend, please come in school uniform, wear a hat and bring a water bottle. It can get very hot standing in the sun for all that time. The school will be providing chairs and shade tents again this year and the football team are helping with the pickup and drop off of the equipment from the school. We may need a few hands to help pack up tents and chairs so if you can help at the end of the service it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to see you there!

In the holidays, 16 of our teachers came with me to visit schools in Canberra. The schools we visited are also working with Kath Murdoch and are bringing in an approach to inquiry learning. It was fascinating to see the direction each school is taking. We are all state schools in Australia however the contexts and communities in which we work are all different and so how inquiry looks in each school is tailored to the needs of the students and community. It is a privilege to be invited into a school, talk with other school leaders and watch teachers work. There is nothing better than experiencing the work and the learning first hand. We are staring to develop a network of likeminded schools across Australia and benefiting from learning with and from each other. I cannot say how grateful I am to the teachers who gave up two days of their holidays to come to Canberra and learn with me! It was a wonderful learning experience and even better, a great way to bond as a group of people, not just professionals! I feel truly blessed to work with some of the very passionate educators of Graceville State School.

Don’t forget the Cross Country next Monday!

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

ANZAC Day assembly

As is the tradition at Graceville we will be hosting a special assembly to remember this important part of our history. The assembly will be next Tuesday April 24 at 10.15 in our school hall. Everyone welcome to attend. Year 3 students will be participating in this assembly and parents of year 3s have been asked if they are able to support this occasion by sending in a plate for morning tea and if possible to come in to assist in the serving of morning tea to parents and guests. Please let your class teacher know if you are able to help in either way.

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.

Study Tour 2018

We will be hosting a Study Tour from Taiwan, from Minzu and Wenhau Elementary schools this year. The prospective dates will be July 24 until August 7 for two weeks. Please as a family start to think about if you are able to offer a place to host one of these students. It is a rewarding opportunity and I will be sending out information about homestay very shortly.

Waiting List for Prep for 2019 – opened at the beginning of this term.

The waiting list for 2019 is now openl. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office. Families from within our catchment area we also invite you to obtain enrolment forms to begin the process. 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.

Date Claimer: Prep 2019 Information evening will be held in our school hall on Wednesday July 18 at 7pm.

Below is the calendar for term 2 Junior assemblies. Everyone welcome, we are on from 2.15pm on these Tuesdays in the hall.

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

Just a reminder please don’t pay Spellathon money into the school bank account.

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)
• ESmart Digital Licence Yr 5 ($10)

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:

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

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

We hope all of our students and families had a lovely Easter holiday! Due to the year 6 camp, the Senior Band rehearsal this week was cancelled but please ensure all students attend the rehearsal next week.

The Senior Choir will be singing at the Anzac Day service next Tuesday 24 April at 10:15am. Thank you to the Senior Choir and Ms Julie West for preparing the song and supporting this event. Parents and families are invited to attend the service

Our other rehearsals and lessons have continued as usual this week but due to a staff professional development session with Kath Murdoch, Junior Choir will be cancelled on Tuesday 1 May only. The year 4 and 5 Senior Choir students are requested to attend a rehearsal this Friday at first break in the music room due to the PFD on Monday.

The Junior String rehearsals will start in week 3 this term, 2 May on Wednesdays at first break in the music room. Please note that Beginner Strings will join them later in the year, with the date TBA. The Junior Band will start rehearsals on 9 May at 7:30am in the music room.

Please ensure payment for the Choir and Instrumental Music levies have now been paid or contact the office urgently if they haven't. Payment for the instrumental music program was due by the end of week 8 last term. At the end of last year with the approval and input from the P and C we changed the IM levy process and included the workshop in a non-refundable $80 annual levy due by the end of week 4 as well as instrumental hire if applicable or the percussion maintenance fee. This information was included in the Newsletter sent out to families on 23 November 2017 and letter to students beginning in the program this year. Most of our families have paid this levy, but if you have not and would like your child to continue in the program payment must be made immediately. Please contact Mrs Smith if you are having any issues with payments. This year we are organising a choir incursion with a guest conductor for Friday 22 June which will culminate with a concert (at 2:15pm). The levies paid by students will cover costs for the day including the guest conductor and accompanist. Please ensure your child's levy is paid so they are able to participate in our exciting choir incursion. If these have not been paid or invoiced to you please contact the office.

2018 Rehearsal schedule

Monday 7:45am Senior Choir (year 4/5/6 students) - Ms Julie West
Tuesday 7:45am Junior Choir (year 2/3 students) - Mrs Naomi Lindh
Wednesday 7:30am Junior Band (year 4 band students) - Mr James Kukulies (please note this will not begin until 9 May at 7:30am)
Wednesday - first break - Junior/Beginner Strings - Mrs Ruth Prout (rehearsals begin in week 3, 2 May for Junior Strings and the Beginner Strings will join them later in the year)
Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm Senior Band (year 5/6 band students) - Mr Steve Stiller
Thursday 7:45am Senior Strings

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.

Thank you for supporting our music program.

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

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

HPE

Wayne Daunt

NEWSLETTER

The school cross country will be held on Monday April 23, in the Graceville Memorial Park. The event is open to all children from our Prep classes through to the Year 6 students.

The children from Year 4 upwards (born 2008 and earlier) can choose to compete in a cross country event run over 2km (10 yrs) or 3km (11 & 12 yrs) or a fun run event (1km). Children who wish to possibly compete at the district cross country (available for children aged 10-12yrs) must run in a cross country event, not a fun run event. The approximate times for each event are listed below. Please note these times are approximates only and are to be used as a guide only, the event could be several minutes earlier or later depending on the organisation on the day.

TIMETABLE

9.10am - 11yrs & 12yrs Boys & Girls 3km Cross Country (born 2006 & 07)
9.25am - 10yrs Boys & Girls 2km Cross Country (born 2008)
9.45am - Year 4 Boys 1km Cross Country
9.55am - Year 4 Girls 1km Cross Country
10.05am - Yr 6 1km Fun Run Boys
10.15am - Yr 6 1km Fun Run Girls
10.25am - Yr 5 1km Fun Run Boys
10.30am - Yr 5 1km Fun Run Girls

SESSION 2

11.40pm - Prep Boys 500m Cross Country
11.50pm - Prep Girls 500m Cross Country
12.00pm - Yr 1 Boys 500m Cross Country
12.10pm - Yr 1 Girls 500m Cross Country
12.15pm - Yr 2 Boys 500m Cross Country
12.20pm - Yr 2 Girls 500m Cross Country
12.25pm - Yr 3 Boys 1 km Cross Country
12.30pm - Yr 3 Girls 1 km Cross Country

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Welcome back! Term 2 arrived in a shower of excitement as our Year 6 students headed off to camp yesterday. The shower of rain may have dampened the loading of the buses but it certainly did nothing to dampen enthusiasm. Three days of high ropes, climbing and harnesses will be a challenge for most, at times, however those challenges provide great opportunity for growth and discovery. Our students are well-versed regarding the learning pit, so it will be interesting to see that understanding extended to some physical activities. For the rest of the week, some learning pits may well be 8 metres off the ground.

Next Tuesday at 10.15am, our school will stop and remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country in times of war and conflict. Anzac Day is a very special day on our school calendar and parents and community members are very welcome to join us in paying our respects to those who paid a great price for the peace and freedom we now enjoy. Lest we forget!

Hopefully, the amazing performances at the Commonwealth Games will be an inspiration for all our budding athletes next Monday, when our students participate in their Cross Country event. This is always an awesome day, with many spectators cheering on our young champions. Come and join us if you can.

Have a wonderful week!
John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for Week 2 – week ending 27th of April 2018

Thank you to all our volunteers!

Our roster for Tuckshop this term still needs a few more volunteers. We are already experiencing volunteer gaps due to changes in circumstances and family sicknesses. If you and your children love having tuckshop and you could offer three hours once a term we’d love to hear from you. Your help is essential to keeping the Tuckshop open five days a week!

We are an online only ordering Tuckshop. 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.

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

Active School Travel

The Golden Boot!

All Active School Travel (AST) schools compete in our monthly interschool competition for the prestigious Golden Boot Award and trophy. There are two Golden Boot Awards - one for first year schools and another for second and third year schools. The winning criteria changes each month to ensure all schools have an opportunity to win.

Help Graceville State School to win a $100 sports equipment voucher by being active every Tuesday.

The criteria for April is “most improvement from baseline”, and May is “highest percentage walking”. So let’s give it a go Graceville and dust off those walking shoes and walk to school with a friend (or group of friends) or your family / carer on Tuesday in April and May.

Did you know?

10% of all journeys people make are 1km or less and 50% are under 5km. Consider walking or riding your bike for short journeys. It’s easier, better for you and saves petrol!

Why walk to school?

• Children who walk or ride to school are more likely to be fitter and more active than others.
• Walking to school helps your child get the amount of exercise they need to stay healthy and helps them learn as well.

Walking is a great way for your child to:

• get to know their local area
• meet other children in their neighbourhood
• learn safety skills, like crossing the road
• gain confidence and the ability to travel independently as they get older.

Source < http:// w ww.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/primary/Pages/p4p101012.aspx > viewed 18th March 2018

Our next event:

May 4th…….in a galaxy far far away………………. Keep reading the newsletters for more information

Friday 23rd March -National Ride to School Day.

Thanks to all the students who took part in the National Ride to School Day and decorate their helmets to celebrate the day. There were lots of creative entries and it was a difficult task for the judges.

The winners of the tuckshop vouchers are:

Flynn Prep F
Elijah 2C
Jessica 4G
Evie Prep F
Rhys 4CR
Bianca 1H
Hannako 3B
Sam 5GH
Abbey H 2EH
Millen Prep F

Your vouchers will be sent to you shortly! Congratulations

We need you!!!!!

If you have a few spare hours a month to help us run this fantastic program we are looking for volunteers to join our Active Travel Committee. We are especially in need of a parent, caregiver or member of the community to head up the committee for 2018, with lots of ongoing support from the current members. Without the support of parents and caregivers this program will be unable to continue in the school.

Please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information.

Schools Plus

What fun and exciting two weeks it has been for us over Vacation Care! Filled with lots of different themes, games and activities. From silent discos in our music room to train rides to the movies and Milton Park for a sausage sizzle! Even Laser Skirmish battles on the oval!

The children also created some amazing craft that we had programmed daily, from paints, glitters, Chinese drums, alfoil planets, the list goes on! One of the most exciting days was when we welcomed our baby chickens, well one chicken and several eggs!

The children were able to watch the baby chicks hatch and picked some interesting names for them. They have loved nursing, caring and watch them grow! It has definitely been a memorable Vacation Care that the children will be talking about on their first day back at school! Next Vacation Care will be filled with even more excitement and fun but for now it’s time to jump into Term 2 of our school year!

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 2

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence from Tuesday 24th April 2018.

Enrolments close by Thursday 19th April 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 Monday 23rd April 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

Trivia Night

Ever wondered what it was like to ‘Rock around the Clock’ and hang out with Ritchie and the Fonz in ‘Happy Days’ or ride along with Clint in ‘Rawhide’? Do you ever wish that you lived in the era of ‘Call the Midwife’, Elvis Presley or the Beatles, or had a house that looked like June Cleaver’s?

Come dressed in your favourite theme of the era and decorate your table of 10 to match!

6:30pm
Saturday 16th June
Graceville State School Hall
Tickets: $20 per person or $200 per Table of 10
Includes:

- A bottle of wine/beers per table
- Additional drinks available at the bar
- Pizzas available for purchase on site

Prizes on the night for Best Dressed Male/Female/Table
Heaps of Raffle Prizes also to be won!

There will be ‘games’ on the night so start saving your gold coins!

Booking forms will be out shortly – Please keep an eye on the Newsletters.

The Trivia Night Committee are always looking for sponsors and prizes, if you or your company would like to be involved, please contact Juanita Bennett for details (aajbennett1@bigpond.com).

Trivia Night – like the Fete – is looking for someone to take over. Unless someone comes forward to learn the ways of Trivia Night – 2018 will be the last one! We are also looking for someone to take over the ‘brains’ of the night in Question Writer. If you are interested or want to know what goes on behind the scenes, please contact Juanita ASAP so that wisdom can be transferred!!

GO SPORTS Coaching Term 2

Join us for all the FUN!! Learn a new game or improve skills.
SOCCER : Grades 1 – 4(1-2,3-4) commencing 2nd May 7.45-8.30am
NETBALL : Grades 1-4 commencing 2nd May 7.45-8.30am
To Register please see attached flyer or go to the link below.

Community Notices