13 September 2018

From the Acting Principal

Maree Hass

Hello,

A week to go! The term has flown by.

I would like to thank the parents who came along to the information session held last week about the review of our school’s Responsible Behaviour Plan, your feedback was much appreciated. The review process has included meetings with our staff and also the student council. At assemblies now we are going over important things to remember about our Peace Code, commendations for good behaviour and consequences for not following our school rules of being safe, responsible and respectful of others.

On Monday this week we welcomed 60 visiting educators to our school to view how we are moving forward with our Inquiry learning journey at Graceville. This involved many teachers opening their classrooms to visitors to see lessons in action and also to view the visible evidence of inquiry both in the classroom and around the school more widely. What a wonderful showcase this was and it is important to pause and reflect at how far we are coming along in our curious thinking and the amazing impact it is having on our teachers and students as inquirers. Our student ambassadors greeted our visitors and shared important facets about our learning assets and how they are learning the skills to be curious thinkers and apply their learning to real world situations. Mrs Martin in her role as Head of Curriculum leads inquiry at Graceville and I would like to acknowledge her work in this space too which is truly inspiring.

Remember that Book Week dress up day is Wednesday September 19, so students are invited to come along dressed as their favourite story character, this is always a fun day.

If you have children in Prep to Year 3, you are invited to come along to the Lower School Sports Carnival on Thursday September 20. Please see Mr Daunt’s information in this newsletter for when events will be held on the day.

Thank you to all the families who have returned their ‘Intent to Return to Graceville State School’ forms over the past few weeks. It would be wonderful if all forms could be returned by Friday September 14 at the latest so we are able to start class planning early next term. If you have not returned your form by the end of this week it is likely you will receive a phone call from our office staff to confirm your attendance at Graceville in 2019.

All families who have previously placed an Expression of Interest for the Enhancement Classes will have received an official nomination form. The nomination form needs to be returned to the school office by the first Friday back after the holidays, October 12. These nomination forms need to be returned to the office by an adult and requires a signature to register receipt.

Enjoy the busy week as we head into holidays shortly.

Regards,
Maree Hass.

Prep Enrolments for 2019

I have been busy meeting with new preppies and parents. If you do not have a time yet please contact the office to make a time to meet together to discuss your child commencing prep in 2019.

Date Claimers for 2019 prep families:

Get Set for Prep session 1 – Tuesday October 16, 9 – 10.30am
Get Set for Prep session 2 – Monday November 5, 9 – 10.30am
Prep Orientation meetings – Thursday November 29

Prep uniform selling days are:

29th November 8.00am - 12pm (Prep Orientation morning)
23rd January 3pm - 6pm

Families that are already at Graceville State School are encouraged to come during normal uniform store hours, as the prep selling days are much busier than usual.

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Does your child require medication during school hours?

If your child requires medication while at school, please ensure you complete and sign an Administration of medication record sheet available from the school’s office.

You will also need to provide the school with the prescription-labelled medication in the original packaging with clear directions for its use. The school may request an accompanying doctor’s letter for certain medications.

For more information visit the Department of Education website.

Every second counts around water

Be a super hero and help prevent children from drowning with some tips from Olympic swimmer Mitch Larkin in the latest Queensland Family and Child Commission water safety campaign.

Sadly, tragedy can strike in just a few seconds, so make sure you provide active supervision when your children are near water. Children should be in the direct line of sight of an appropriate adult at all times.

Children under five are most at risk and make up 82 percent of child drownings.

There are a number of steps you can take to keep children safe around water.

For more information visit the Queensland Family and Child Commission

Matsuri Brisbane – Japanese Festival 2018

Brisbane Japanese community group, Seinendan Inc. is proud to bring the Japanese matsuri festival to Brisbane. Showcasing Japanese food and drink, cultural activities, performances and more! Save the date in your calendar to experience Japan at the Mount Gravatt Showground this September!

Join the Dots’ to keep children safe online

Bravehearts, in partnership with the Queensland Family and Child Commission, has launched a new online tool for children and young people to help police catch online predators.

Through the tool, children and young people can report suspected online grooming and help police ‘join the dots’ to identify and stop predatory behaviour.

We encourage you to have open conversations with your children about online safety and inform them of the tool to help keep all children and young people safe online.

Review of Naplan for students at home

The Queensland Government is undertaking a review of NAPLAN in the Queensland context, to better understand the impacts NAPLAN is having on learning and teaching within the state.

The first stage of the Review, conducted in June 2018, focused on consultation with parents.

The second stage is now underway, with consultation extending to students, teachers, principals and other key education stakeholders across Queensland.

Queensland students in years 3 to 10 are invited to provide feedback on their experiences with NAPLAN, via an online survey. Students wishing to participate will require the consent of a parent or carer, who can assist with completing the survey at home.

The survey link is available at the link below

This project has received ethical clearance from both the Australian Catholic University and the Department of Education. Further information on the student survey and the Review are provided within the survey link.

Hatchery Crusaders assemble!

Queensland Museum and World Science Festival Brisbane are calling for Queensland students to help raise awareness of the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems.

Under the guidance of Queensland Museum’s turtle expert, Patrick Couper, join the crusade and learn more about loggerhead turtles and the impact of ocean pollution.

Students can get involved by contacting <<school contact>> to register their interest and produce a piece of artwork reflecting their learnings about the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems. Finalist artworks will be showcased during the World Science Festival Brisbane in March 2019.

R U OK? — a simple question that could change a life

R U OK? Day on 13 September reminds us how to use four simple steps to make a difference to someone in need.

If you have a nagging feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t behaving as they normally would, trust your instinct and act on it. All you need is to follow four simple steps:

1. Ask
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

For more information, visit R U OK? website

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:

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.

Lower School Sports Day

Wayne Daunt

The Prep – Year 3 school sports day will be held on Thursday September 20 on the school oval. All parents and family members are invited to attend and support their children on this day. A timetable for the day is listed below.

Please note that the prep and year 1 session is based on fun and participation with the children rotating around 10 different activities.

PROGRAM:

(Approximate times only)

9 – 10.30am

Rotational Activities for Prep and Year 1 Students

10.45am

LUNCH (Prep and year 1 won’t return after lunch)

11.30-1.10pm

YEAR 2 AND 3 EVENTS

Sprint races and relays
Yr. 2 Girls 60m sprint
Yr. 2 Boys 60m sprint
Yr. 3 Girls 60m sprint
Yr. 3 Boys 60m sprint

RELAYS

Year 2 Girls relay
Year 2 Boys relay
Year 3 Girls relay
Year 3 Boys relay

FINISH 1.15PM.

CLOTHING FOR SPORTS DAY

It is recommended that children wear their school uniform. All children must wear appropriate footwear. Sandals and thongs would not be suitable. Inappropriate footwear may prevent your child from competing.

Please ensure that your child/children have a hat and sunscreen.

Children also need to bring a water bottle, which is clearly marked with their name and class.

As the seating is limited parents are advised to bring a chair, but please avoid sitting on the finish line as the safety of our students may be jeopardised.

Finally we would like all children to remain seated with their class, and not to be returning back and forth across the track to parents.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to our year 6 Senior Choir students, Ms Julie West and Mrs Lisa McKeaten for attending the Graceville Uniting Church Arts Fest official opening on Friday. A number of students from schools within the area attended and performed at this event, which had the theme 'Our World' Students performed the Yuggera Djarra-na song and Calling Me. Both of these songs were warmly received and Mrs McKeaten has asked the Senior Choir to sing Calling Me at the last assembly of this term, Thursday 20 September. Please note that Ms West is not at our school on Thursdays so I will be conducting the choir for this and will attend a rehearsal prior to the assembly. We will also organise a quick run through on the day of the assembly.

There are additional performances for the junior and Senior Choir next term as well as the instrumental students. Please ensure these events are in your diaries as students thoroughly enjoy sharing the music they have been learning and songs they have been singing with their families!

Upcoming dates for music events:

• 20 September - All Senior Choir students performing at the Senior Assembly (Mrs Lindh to conduct)
• 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
Wednesday - first break - Junior/Beginner Strings - Mrs Ruth Prout
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

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

On WEDNESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER students are invited to come to school dressed as their FAVOURITE (or any) BOOK CHARACTER.

We are celebrating all things reading next week so get your costume ready!

Holiday borrowing will be available for all students every day during Week 10 – children can loan an extra library book for the September break. Bring your library bags!

BOOK WEEK DRAWING COMPETITION

The GSS BOOK WEEK DRAWING COMPETITION closes this Friday. Get your entries to the library - Please put your full name, class and the character details on the back of your artwork/submission. Winners will be announced on BOOK WEEK DRESS UP DAY.

Fete News

Congratulations to our Fete Raffle Winners.

1st Prize

O'Reillys Holiday $1,000 Value
Donated by Graceville SS P&C
Won by A. Crompton

2nd Prize

Ash Prestige $500 Car Servicing Voucher and over $300 in Wurth Car Care Products Donated by Ash Prestige Won by Natrice Grosvenor

3rd Prize

2 pairs of TAGHeuer Sunglasses and cleaning cloths $700 Value Donated by Focus Optometrists Won by Vincent Graaf

4th Prize

Family Portrait Photography
Donated by Kiss Photography $500 Value
Donated by Kiss Photography
Won by Trueman Harrington

5th Prize

Dining Voucher for Boucher French Bistro Donated by Boucher French Bistro Value $100 Won by Yannik Holl

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

Prep selling days are:

29th November 8.00am - 12pm
23rd January 3pm - 6pm

Families that are already at Graceville State School are encouraged to come during normal uniform store hours, as the prep selling days are much busier than usual.

We have new school colour bows in store now for $5 each.

Interschool sports has started and we have the Representative shirts in stock.

As of 1st July stores stopped providing free single use bags therefore the uniform store will no longer provide plastic bags so please make sure you bring your own if required.

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.

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:

uniformstore@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE!!!! The uniform store lost some valuable volunteers at the beginning of this term 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 21th of September 2018

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!

QUESADILLAS

Do you know what a Quesadilla is? Roughly translated it is a tortilla filled with cheese and any ingredients you can think of, folded and toasted or grilled.

We make a tasty vegetarian quesadilla special on a Wednesday. We fill a tortilla with kidney beans, corn, tomatoes and cheese, toast it and cut into triangles, served all for $5! It’s really tasty!! Try it next Wednesday.

Like to help in Tuckshop? Please email your availability to tuckshop.gss@gmail.com We would love to see you, and you will love seeing the smiling faces of all the kids! Come on in for just three hours a shift once a month or once a term. You’ll meet new people, it’s fun and so easy! What’s not to like!

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 4

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence from Monday 8th October 2018.

Enrolments close by Monday 17th September 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 20th September 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

School Holiday Swim Program

September Holiday Swim Clinics

A great way to get your children ready for the 4th term swim program is to join the holiday swim clinics being held at the school pool. All ability levels are catered for with learn to swim, stroke correction and squad classes on offer. The first clinic will be held from Monday 24th September to Friday 28th and the second clinic from Monday 1st October to Friday 5th. You do not need to attend everyday of the clinic as long as you mention your availability when enrolling. If you are joining for the first time please call Pete to discuss your child's ability and needs. Children in holiday school care may also join the program as staff are able to bring students to the pool and pick them up after their lesson. If you have inquired about the clinics already and have not received a confirmation email from Pete Geraghty please send another email to make sure you are included in the schedule. My swim school is always looking for good teachers so if you know anyone interested in working at Graceville pool who is qualified or interested in becoming a certified swim teacher please put them in touch with me. Please direct all inquiries to Pete Geraghty via email [petegeraghty@hotmail.com] or phone 0432407442.

Term 4 Swim Program

Bookings are now being taken for the 4th term swim program. This will begin the first week after the holidays from Monday October 8th. All students will begin the term in the SAME ABILITY LEVEL as term 1 as a starting point. During the course of the term the coach may move students to different levels where appropriate.

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 non stop. Any children not of this age or ability may enroll in private lessons on offer Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Spaces are limited, so to avoid disappointment, respond to this email asap with your preferred days and available times. Feel free to contact me via return email or phone if you have any questions (ph: 0432407442).

Beginner Stroke development will run Mon to Thurs from 3 pm til 3:30 pm. Advanced stroke development will run from 3:30 pm til 4 pm on the same days and this will be followed by Junior squad and squad from 4 pm. If you are new to my swim school YOU WILL NEED to call me directly to discuss your child's ability and needs.

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.

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.

See you at the pool.
Pete Geraghty

School Plus

Week 8 at School Plus has flown by! It has been quite busy and filled with lots of fun activities that the children enjoyed. Hangman was very popular, especially since there were Coles Little Shoppers up for grabs for the winner! The children also enjoyed the variety of colour sheets we had out in our OSHC Room daily. The Mandala was the weeks most popular selection! The children have been thoroughly enjoying the sensory items, this week’s request was “Rainbow Noodles”. As Term 3 enters its final weeks, Vacation Care has definitely been the talk of the town, with children highly anticipating the exciting days!

Community Notices

Graceville Lightning Swim Club

It’s that time of year again where Graceville Lightning Swim Club is about to commence. Swim club runs each Friday night from the 1st week of Term 4 2018 through to the end of Term 1 2019 (except for school holidays). We would love to encourage new members to join. The fun kicks off at 6.00pm each Friday with a free swim in the pool for the children followed by racing. Our club also runs a canteen and BBQ if you feel like a night off from cooking!

Our swim club is all about participation. It doesn’t matter if your child is not the best or fastest swimmer, it’s all about improving their own results. Children choose which strokes they compete in and the length of their race is determined by how fast they swim the previous weeks. If your child is new to Graceville Lightning and unsure about swimming they are able to each week, your child will swim against swimmers of similar ability to try to improve their personal bests. Children will also have the chance to compete to win Age championship or Club Championship.

We always welcome new members! If you are interested in joining Graceville Lightning, then please check out our website or contact one of our committee members:

• Carleen Clowes (jnr_dolphin@gracevillelightning.org.au) for new members under 8 or
• Heidi Marshall (president@gracevillelightning.org.au)
• Annie Chand (secretary@gracevillelightnng.org.au) for more information.

Existing members will receive an email inviting them to renew their membership by Friday 6th of September. If you don’t receive this email, then please contact either Annie Chand or Heidi Marshall

For fun filled Friday evenings of swimming, join us at Graceville Lightning Swim Club on Friday nights starting 12th of October.