19 July 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,
Welcome to Term 3.

Term 3 is an exciting one with a few community events such as the Fete in August and a special night for our parents to meet and learn more about inquiry from our inquiry expert, Kath Murdoch!

Firstly, I would like to congratulate our CGEN performers for a wonderful performance! I was lucky enough to attend the CGEN performance on Friday night. Every year I am amazed at the depth of talent in our QLD state schools. Our students were fantastic! I could see them clearly from where I was sitting and was so proud of them all! A little birdy also told me they were immaculately behaved, kind and courteous to all they met. Well done to Miss Nicholls and her team of volunteers for volunteering their time so our children could take part CGEN!

Building on the success of our evening with Author Sally Piper in Term 1, the P&C have supported us to host, an ‘An Evening with Kath Murdoch’. We would love you to join us on Wednesday 1 August from 5.30pm – 8pm. The night will start with wine, cheese and some socialising from 5.30-6pm. From 6pm, Kath, with the support of some of our willing teachers, will help to build a picture of Inquiry learning at Graceville. I strongly encourage you to come along and learn more about how we are using Inquiry learning to help develop and grow more engaged learners who are prepared with 21st Century skills and competencies. We are excited to be in a position to have a world renowned expert such as Kath Murdoch share her knowledge, understanding and experiences with us. Kath is a highly engaging speaker who will keep you captivated. If you would like to know more about Kath Murdoch, you can go to her website, follow her on twitter or listen to her TED talk. An email and SMS was sent out to all families this week with more information. You will need to RSVP to enable us to ensure adequate catering and resourcing for the night. I hope to see you there!

Next Friday, the Study Tour from Taiwan will arrive. I will be hosting one of the teachers again this year and am very grateful to the families who have offered to host the students. I am sure our Graceville community will make our Taiwanese visitors feel welcome.

The Fete is only 5 weeks away. Save the date for Saturday 25 August! This year we have a ‘cashless fete’ with cash cards able to be purchased prior to the day and at locations on the day. The Fete committee will do their best to make all families aware of the need for cash cards and where and how they can be used at the Fete. We hope you can support this initiative which has cut down the number of volunteers needed on the day.

Finally, Parent Teacher Interviews are being offered by teachers in weeks 3-5. The interviews are only for parents who wish to discuss specific aspects of their child’s Report Card. If you do not need to discuss anything related to Report Cards, you do not need to book an interview. Our teachers are happy to meet with parents at various times throughout the year as a need may arise.

This year we will be provided with a new Adopt-a-Cop. We greatly valued the relationship we had with Detective Cam over the past few years and wish him the best of luck as he moves on to other new and exciting things. Detective Cam was integral in helping us to find a new Adopt-a-Cop and this week on assembly, we will introduce you Glenn Doyle. Glenn will help out and be visible around the school as much as possible.

I hope you have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Study Tour 2018 – Minzu and Wenhua Schools are coming July 27 – August 11

We are on countdown!

I would like to thank all of the school families who have come forward to offer homestay places. We now have all 18 students accommodated which is wonderful! Taiwanese students will spend time in our upper school classes along with special language and Australian culture lessons during their stay.

Everyone is invited to attend our welcome assembly on Friday July 27 at 2.15 and also our farewell assembly on Friday August 10 at 11.30am in our school hall.

Prep Enrolments for 2019

We held our annual prep information session on Wednesday night this week. Throughout term 3 I will be conducting interviews with families of our new preppies and there is also a brochure available in the office regarding ‘Get set for Prep’ sessions and orientation information.

If you are an in-catchment new family or current school family with a preppie for 2019 I encourage you to now start the process by obtaining enrolment forms if you haven’t done so already from the school office.

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

The waiting list for 2019 is now open. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office.

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 3 Junior assemblies. Everyone welcome, we are on from 2.15pm on these Tuesdays in the hall.

Lisa McKeaten

Deputy Principal

School Photos – Monday 20th August 2018

This year we will be having our School Photo Day on Monday 20th August. Envelopes with the online ordering information will be coming home soon. Envelopes for the sibling photos, which will be taken before school on that day, will be placed in the office as of next week. Online ordering for all photos needs to be prior to 20/8/18. Sibling photo ordering will close at midnight on Thursday 16th August. On Friday 17th they will inform me about how many sibling photos have been ordered and I will let everyone know via a text message – what time they will start before school on Monday 20th. Sibling photos will be in the hall, the same as the class photos and they need to be completed by 8.40am. Starting time for sibling photos will probably be fairly early, depending on the number of orders.

2018 UNSW (University Of New South Wales) competitions:

• English 31 July $8.00 (Yr 2-6) – Yr 3-6 7.30 start; Yr 2 11.30am
• Mathematics 14 August $8.00 (Yr 2-6) Yr 3-6 7.30am; Yr 2 11.30am

Students who have been entered in any of these competitions need to make sure that they are present on the appropriate day.

ACTF 2018 My Place Short Story Competition

Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) is launching the 2018 My Place Short Story Competition, a national contest for students in Years 3–6.

The competition opens on 20 July and students will be asked to create an imaginary character in the 2018 My Place series and write about them.

Entries close 31 August 2018. Visit the ACTF website for more information

EKKA competitions for students

If you are looking for free school holiday activities, it is worth taking a look at the 2018 Royal Queensland Show (EKKA) competitions for young people.

Ideas include contests to design a showbag, race around EKKA to film an advertisement, bush poetry and homemade cheese.

Day for Daniel on 26 October — save the date!

Day for Daniel will be held on Friday 26 October.

The theme for 2018 is ‘Wear Red, Educate and Donate’. With a goal to make Australia a safe place for children, Day for Daniel promotes child safety awareness and education.

Register your school to participate and receive a free resource kit. 

Calling all children and teenagers growing up in Queensland

The Growing up in Queensland project gives children and teenagers a voice about their community, the opportunities and challenges they face and what they need as they take their steps into the future.

Children and young people aged between 4 and 18 years can participate:

• 4–6-year-olds or students attending special education primary schools can express their views through an art activity
• 13–18-year-olds can complete the online survey
• 7–18-year-olds can become a citizen journalist.

Check out the Queensland Family & Child Commission website for more information. Submissions close on 22 July 2018.

Parenting is hard, but you’re not alone

The Queensland Family and Child Commission has recently launched the Talking Families campaign.

The campaign encourages parents or families who are experiencing difficulties to talk to someone and not be reluctant to ask for help.

Further information is available at the Talking Families website.

Latest Queensland parenting magazine out now, free!

The latest issue of the free Queensland Triple P Tippaper is out now.

The theme for this issue is ‘Assertive Discipline’ so there are some great tips on effectively guiding children's behaviour. Plus real-life Queensland families and stories including the dad who had to overcome his initial panic at the thought of being home alone with a toddler all day; the mum who saw through the social media ‘perfect parent’ hype; and ways to encourage kids to grow and eat healthy food.

Look for free copies in your community or read it now online.

ACTF 2018 My Place Short Story Competition

Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) is launching the 2018 My Place Short Story Competition, a national contest for students in Years 3–6.

Students are required to create an imaginary character in the 2018 My Place series and write about them.

Entries are open on 20 July 2018 and will close 31 August 2018. Visit the ACTF website for more information.

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)
• 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 as follows:

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

Naomi Lindh

Welcome to term 3! It is always a busy term in the music department, with the instrumental music workshop and concert and performances at the fete. Upcoming performance/event dates are listed below for your information - please note additional performances may be added to this schedule. There will be no instrumental lessons during the week of the West Cent camps Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 August (selected students only attending) as all of the instrumental teachers attend.

Upcoming dates for music events:

• 30 July - 3 August West Cent Intermediate and Honours Camp (selected students only). Please note there will be NO INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS OR REHEARSALS THIS WEEK - Wed 1 and Thursday 2 August)
• Fete performances - Junior Band, Senior Band, Junior Choir and Senior Choir
• 28 August Junior Choir singing at Junior Assembly (songs from the fete performance)
• 29/30 August IM workshop for all instrumental students - performance 2pm on Thursday 30 August involving all instrumental students.
• 30 October - school music photos (students can bring their instrument in for the photo but this is not essential)
• 14 November - Annual Music Concert 6pm (all choirs and instrumental ensembles performing)
• 28 November - Grandparents' Concert - Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Senior Strings performing for their grandparents'/special guests

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 in the music room)
• Wednesday - first break - Junior/Beginner Strings - Mrs Ruth Prout (rehearsals begin in week 3, 2 May in the music room 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.

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

We look forward to seeing students at instrumental lessons and rehearsals this week!

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

GSS Fete 2018

"GSS Fete 2018 is going Cashless!

Between the hours of 9am - 5pm, the only form of "legal tender" at all GSS run fete stalls will be our fabulous GSS Fete Cash Cards.

Think loyalty cards, with 10 boxes each with $1 value. Total face value of $10. That would be 20 throws at the Lob-O-Choc stall or 5 turns (15 throws) at attempting to dunk Chappy in the Dunking Machine! Alternatively, for the grown-ups, two wines at the bar!

You can buy them on the day at the rides tent but why would you when you can buy them online at a 5% discount. Yes! $10 value for just $9.50!

There is also going to be a prize where you could win your total cash card purchase price back!

All details in Fete Newsletter Number 2 issuing online on Friday, 20 July.

Keep an eye out for it"

Lap-a-thon

Lap-a-thon Envelope Return by Thursday 19th July to be eligible for prizes

Thank you to all those who have kindly returned their lap-a-thon sponsorship envelopes already. The sponsorship envelope and fundraising monies are to be returned to school by Thursday 19th July to be eligible for prizes. (All donations are tax deductible.)

The prizes are for the following-

• Most class laps completed per year level.
• Most laps completed by an individual within a year level.
• Most sponsors gained by a student - junior school and senior school.

Thank you for your support of Chaplaincy.
Evonne Beruldsen on behalf of the Chaplaincy Committee.

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

Size 10 trackpants are out of stock. The supplier won't have more in until the end of August.

Polar fleece jackets and rugby shirts are available now in store.

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. Also please be aware that if you paid by credit card you will need that card for the refund.

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 in the main office.

Email address for school uniform store is:

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE!!!! The uniform store lost some valuable volunteers at the end of last year and will be losing more at the end of this year so we really need more people to help out. At the moment it would require you to be there from 8.15-9.00am on Monday, Tuesday or Friday each week, if there are more people willing to lend a hand then it wouldn't have to be every week. So, if you think you could spare some time and help out that would be great, just send an email to the address below or come to the store and have a chat, thank you

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for week ending 27th of July 2018

Welcome back! Thank you to all our volunteers for returning again! It’s a big term this term with the Fete fast approaching so we really value your continued support. We expect that the Tuckshop will be busy as more time is spent by volunteers making our fantastic Fete happen (only five weeks away!)

Change to Sushi/RPR ordering

For this term, Sushi and Rice Paper Rolls will be available on Wednesdays only. Order volumes have decreased in the cooler weather, less than the amount necessary to place an order. Please remember to order by noon on the Monday beforehand so you don’t miss out.

If you need to contact us please send us an email at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com or come in and see us in the Tuckshop.

School Banking Update

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.

School banking kicked off for Term 3 on Monday 16 July. Term 3 rewards items are a Mighty Handball and Heat Reactor Pencils and rewards can be pre-ordered at 9 tokens. Please remember to write your name and class on the rewards redemption flyer as recently we have received some blank ones and have been unable to order the rewards.

School banking is desperate for new volunteers, and as it stands there will be no school banking in weeks 6, 9 and 10 (20 August, 10 and 17 September) as there are no volunteers to help. If you have a spare hour after drop off on Mondays please drop by and give us a hand.

Entries close at the end of this term for the Major Prize (a Trip for 4 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 below:

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 via the link below 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!

School Plus

Two weeks of Vacation Care has just flown by! The children (and staff) have had an exciting and very fun, jammed packed holidays. Our program was filled with different planned days that included a variety of creative activities including craft, cooking, indoor, outdoor as well as our incursions and excursions! Some of our highlights included our drive-in movies in our very own OSHC Room, where the children made their own cars! Our Rock Climbing and Skyzone excursions were also exciting days, with the children venturing out of the grounds and getting out of their comfort zones! Bricks for Kids and Slot Cars incursions were also very popular days. The children loved the challenging Lego as well as trying to get the fastest time in Slot Cars. They made some of their best memories and were able to make new friends during Vacation Care. It’s sad that the holidays have come to a fast end however, the fun and learning never ends

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 3

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

Enrolments close by Thursday 19 July 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 lunchtime (1st Break) on Monday 23 July 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