18 October 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hi

It is great to be back on deck this term! I feel refreshed and excited for the term ahead!

While I was away, the Region held a Leaders Symposium with some strong and clear messages for moving learning forward in QLD. The Region invited speakers to talk about the needs of the future and encouraged schools to start making the shift to incorporate 21st Century Learning Skills. It was exciting to hear the experts focus in on three key aspects which align perfectly to the Learning Assets we have developed as a school, Collaborator, Communicator and Thinker. Our school started the transition nearly two years ago now and so we are leading the way in this area. Thanks to our work in the area of Inquiry and the Learning Assets in particular, we are now seen as leaders in the field of transitioning schools towards 21st Century Learning. We have a long way to go but what we have learned so far can be used to help other schools to move forward. I have been receiving phone calls and emails from all over the state (and interstate too) asking for us to share our learning and experiences. I am very proud of our teachers and students who are leading the way in changing education for the future. It is often a hard and lonely road being one of the first to introduce new ways of learning and working, with changing mindsets being some of the most challenging work. We are also very grateful to you all for supporting us along the way and providing feedback at various juncture points. We still have a long way to go as a school and we are committed to the journey!

I would like to congratulate the Year 5 students for their exceptional participation and behaviour on camp last week. It is a pleasure to spend time with such a fantastic group of students. The supervisor of the camp told the students they could see Graceville students had skills that other students their age did not have yet. They encouraged the children to continue in building their Learning Assets as it was evident they were making a difference. They also encouraged the children to continue to be good people, they were so impressed by the polite, kind and generous nature of the group. As parents you would have been proud! I know I was beaming with pride! Finally, I would like to thank Mrs Hornstra, Mr Guthrie, Mr Osborne, Mrs Elliot, Chappy, Mrs Cousins and Mrs Lambkin for attending camp. The children and I greatly appreciate their dedication and commitment to the students of Year 5!

A few reminders for next week:

• Monday is a Pupil Free Day. Children do not come to school on Monday.
• The P&C meeting is next Wednesday night all parents are welcome to attend.
• The Book Fair starts next Wednesday.
• World Teachers Day is next Friday 26th. We will make sure it is a special day for our teachers and you are welcome to thank them too!
• Day for Daniel is also next Friday. Students can wear a red shirt to school and we will tie red ribbons to the school fence to show our support.

Finally, I am starting the placement of teachers on year levels from this week. I need to know accurate numbers of students returning in 2019 to make a prediction for staffing. Thank you to those parents who made us aware of their intentions for 2019. If you did not hand in your form or are aware of any changes to those you provided at the end of Term 3, please let the office know ASAP. I appreciate your understanding on this matter.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Maree Hass
Deputy Principal

Tie a red ribbon on our fence!

Friday October 26 is the annual ‘Day for Daniel’ when students may wear red shirts to show support and recognize this day. We are also going to work with other schools along Oxley Road this year to have our students each tie a red ribbon on our fence which will provide a very visible show of support in this initiative to keep our children safe. If possible please send a piece of red ribbon, any width about 20cm in length to school enabling your child to participate.

Study Tour to Taiwan 2019

We have been invited by Wenhua Elementary School in Taiwan to visit on a Study Tour in September next year. Wenhua has visited Graceville for a couple of years in their annual study tours that we host and on our own study tour in 2017 while we were hosted by Minzu Elementary School, we did make a day visit to Wenhua school.

The study tour is open to students who will be in year 5 and 6 in 2019. To make the trip worthwhile we require at least 15 students to participate.

We will hold an information meeting on Wednesday November 7 at 6.30pm in the Waratah room. Information to share will be around cost of participation, intended dates and the school in Taipei we will be hosted by. I also have a short movie showing the last study tour we went on to Taiwan so you get a picture of some of the experiences your child would be participating in.

It would be up to families to decide on your own child’s readiness to participate in this very rewarding experience. If you have any questions prior to November 7, please send me an email at mhass10@eq.edu.au A deposit will be required by the end of the 2018 school year along with an intention to participate form signed off.

Get Set for Prep sessions this term

Starting school is an important time in the lives of children and families. A positive start can help your child develop a lifelong love of learning and this is our goal for your child at Graceville.

We will be providing the following opportunities for your family to familiarize yourselves with our school and give an insight into areas of learning and development.

Get Set for Prep session 1 was held on Tuesday this week and we had a wonderful roll up of pre-preppies and parents come along to experience some activities at school.

Get Set for Prep session 2: Monday November 5, 9 – 10:30am
Focus on Reading (for parents and children)

Each session will start in our hall and children will need to bring their hat. Please ensure you have sent an email to Prepyear@gracevilss.eq.edu.au to register your participation so that we can accommodate attendees.

Our prep orientation meetings will be on Thursday November 29 with further class placement and meeting information in a letter to arrive shortly before this date.

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.

Remembrance Day Commemoration – our school will be holding its annual service on Friday November 11, at 10.15 in our school hall. Poppies will shortly go on sale at our school entrances before school, so watch out for this. All families and community members are invited to attend our school assembly.

Below is the calendar for term 4 Junior assemblies.

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

Lisa McKeaten
Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Sports & Music Photos – Tuesday 30th October

Sports & Music photos are coming up on Tuesday 30 October. Students involved in one of our choirs, bands or orchestra will be included as well as any children who have been representatives in District, Regional or State Sporting teams. Any student who represented the school at a District sporting event doesn’t get included in our photo schedule. There are just too many children.

A message about ‘My Health Record’

The Australian Government wishes to remind all Queenslanders that a ‘My Health’ record will be created, unless you tell them you don’t want it.

It’s an online summary of your key health information that will be created automatically.

However if you have questions, or wish to opt out, please visit the My Health Record website or phone 1800 723 471 before 15 November.

Make every day count this term

It is the last term so let us make sure we all support our students to turn up every day. Check out some fun, useful resources on the importance of going to school – every day. The Every day counts campaign includes a comic and animation, and features Sam Thaiday as Sam the Dog, along with Johnathan Thurston and former Firebird netballer, Beryl Friday.

Laying the foundations for success in 2019

Queensland school enrolments will top 800,000 in 2019, including 48,000+ Preppies – and parents can start getting ready now.

Extensive research shows calm, positive parenting helps kids adjust to school routines, and do better socially and academically.

Parents can start doing a free Triple P – Positive Parenting Program anytime.

Tuckshop Day – 2 November 2018

Our tuckshop provides a great service that serves healthy food to help our students learn and engage throughout the school day.

The efforts of our tuckshop workers and the many volunteers who support our students and our school have been tremendous this year.

On Tuckshop Day, Friday 2 November, say a special thank you to this wonderful team of people.

Ready Reading launching in Toowoomba and the South East

The Ready Reading program launches in November for Toowoomba and the South East Region. Reading helps children to grow their vocabulary, language skills and imagination and to develop life-long skills to support their future growth and learning. The Ready Reading program trains parents and community volunteers to support young readers. Register to become a Ready Reading volunteer and make a difference in your local community by fostering a love of reading with students.

Health Kids Survey

Sport and Recreation want to know what young people love about being physically active. Students are encouraged to have their say on the future of sport and active recreation in Queensland by completing an online survey for those 18 years and younger before it closes on Friday 19 October.

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.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

LIBRARY NEWS – ANNUAL BOOK FAIR

A love of reading is the greatest educational gift you can give your children.

Our school’s BOOK FAIR, which STARTS NEXT WEEK is a great way to give this gift to our children. Every student gets to visit the Fair and we hope you and other family members will stop by as well. The Book Fair is open to everyone! You will find a great selection of the best books available for all children.

We look forward to seeing you at the BOOK FAIR!

When: Wednesday 24 October until Wednesday 31 October
Times: Begins after school Wed 24th at 3-4 pm
then each day from 8 – 9 am & 3 – 4 pm
until the morning of Wed 31st

Remember all Book Fair purchases benefit our school and more importantly, our school library. Keep an eye out for the information flyers that will be sent home next week with each student.

N.B. We are encouraging students and families to BRING THEIR OWN REUSABLE BAG when shopping at the Book Fair.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

The Junior Band will be performing at the Brisbane Bands Festival on Saturday 27 October at 2pm. Please note that students will need to arrive at the venue (Centenary SHS) by 1pm to prepare and tune for the performance. The permission slip needs to be returned ASAP. Please contact Mr Kukulies if you have not received the letter. Children under the age of 12 are able to attend the event for free but for children 12 years and older and adults the admission cost is $5 to watch the performance.

The Junior and Senior Choir students have been invited to sing at the Chelmer Riverside Church at their Christmas Carols evening on Saturday 1 December. This will be an optional event for any students and families who are able to attend and they will schedule our combined choir (Junior and Senior Choir students singing together) at the beginning of the evening which starts at 5:30pm, so children and families can enjoy the evening afterwards. Further information will be provided prior to the event but at this stage they are planning it to be an outdoor event with market stalls and a jumping castle. Please note date of this event, Saturday 1 December at 5:30pm, for any Senior or Junior Choir students and families who would like to attend and please note that parents/carers are expected to stay at the venue for the performance and supervision of children immediately before and after it.

Last week our instrumental teachers met with most of the students who have expressed interested in a place in the IM program for 2019. If your child has returned a slip and has not met with an IM teacher by Friday 19 October please contact me so we can ensure they are included in the recruitment process.

• 27 October - Junior Band performing at the Brisbane Bands Festival at 2pm - arrive by 1pm
• 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
• 1 December - Community Carols Evening at the Riverside Church in Chelmer 5:30pm - combined Junior and Senior Choir performance for any students and families who are able to attend (optional performance) (parents/carers to remain at venue)

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

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Chappy’s Chat

While the rain has been wonderful, greening lawns, nourishing gardens and filling tanks, it also added to the challenges on Year 5 camp. With planned night activities unable to go ahead due to weather, instructor and teacher flexibility was tested. Our students, though disappointed at missing the night hike and laser tag, participated energetically in “Plan B” activities. The rain and storms may have dampened clothes, towels and shoes but nothing dampened the students’ enthusiasm to have fun on camp. We are all very proud of the year 5 cohort for their attitude and actions on camp. It was very noticeable for staff involved in the student leadership process, their decisions will not be easy to make, with some quality candidates stepping up.

Term 4 is an exciting time for everyone but especially for year five and six students. Our year fives look to next year and possible leadership roles. That process is well underway and we have many students starting to wish, hope and cross their feelings. Our year six cohort have one final term before leaving us to head to the bigger word that is secondary school. For both year levels, there will some joy and tears, excitement and anxiousness as this term rolls on. For primary school aged children, these are big moments on their timeline so we hope they enjoy the journey and make the most of all that 2018 still has to offer them.

It is great to get back on site after last week’s camp and catch up on all the holiday stories around the campus. It sounds like lots of fun times were experienced in those two weeks.

Have a fantastic week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

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.

Swimming lessons have started for term 4; you can purchase lycra and silicone swimming caps, bags and towels in various colours.

Interschool sport 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

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for week ending 19th of October 2018

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS! Thank you also to those who answered our calls for help to fill our vacant tuckshop roster spots for this term.

NEW TO TUCKSHOP – DELICIOUS FRUIT BUNS!

Just added to the menu is a delicious ‘specially baked for Tuckshop’ fruit bun. Made by our talented Graceville Mum who also bakes the beautiful bretzels we sell, it’s a great healthy snack option. The soft fruit bun contains raisins, dairy and egg but is nut free. Try one for only 80 cents! You can find it in the snacks category online or available to purchase at the counter.

Money Matters - Please do not give your child large notes to use for Tuckshop purchases. It is difficult to find change and we prefer the largest note to be a $5 note. We have had a few students bringing $20 notes. We question the students when they bring such large notes on whether they have permission from home and are concerned the change we give them will be lost or if they will give it to their friends to buy food. Buying food for friends is not encouraged and against school policy.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE ORDERING CUT-OFF TIME FOR SCHOOL24 IS 8.30AM ON THE DAY OF ORDERING. DO NOT TELEPHONE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER. Late or forgotten lunch orders will not be accepted after 10.00am. If you need assistance for a forgotten lunch after this time, please ring the school office at 10.50am and they will put you through to the Tuckshop once the orders have been collected. We do not have enough volunteers to cater for phone-in orders during service.

Like to help in Tuckshop? Please contact us by email to tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Active School Travel

Welcome back! We hope that you all had a fantastic break.

The next AST Meeting is 25th October at 3pm in the Waratah Room. Please come along….we would love to see some new faces

Congratulations to the winners of the Candid Carpool Camera Moments competition

• Emma R - 3M
• Ellie C - 3G
• Jade H - 3KB
• Lauren B - 3KB
• Frances H - 3E

Their video entry was fantastic as they did the “Graceville Rhapsody”. Judging of the entries was a difficult task for Cr Johnston.

We look forward to doing this competition again next year

Melbourne Cup – Decorate your hat competition

On Tuesday 6th November, we will celebrate Melbourne Cup with a special AST day where we ask you to decorate your school hat and join us for juice and fruit in the quadrangle. So get planning and check the newsletter for more information in the coming weeks.

Active School Travel - Walking

Walking is the easiest way to participate in the Active School Travel (AST) program and it’s a great way for families to spend time together in a busy day. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes! Walking to school on a regular basis can improve your child’s road awareness and will help create good habits for an active life.

If you live too far away to walk from home, try ‘Park & Stride’. Consult your school’s active travel map to see how you can park further away from the school and walk the rest of the way. Active School Travel is one of the easiest ways to incorporate physical activity into everyday life.

Why walking is good for our kids:

• They notice things along the way and meet friends in the neighborhood.
• Its sociable – kids love walking with their friends.
• Exercise makes them feel calmer, happier, and ready to learn.
• It promotes independence – children can make more decisions about their journey than they can in the car.
• Independently walking offers older children some time to themselves.
• After walking the children to school, you may want to get more exercise by joining a walking group.

Remember STOP LOOK, LISTEN, THINK

Top tips for travel

• Wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Don't listen to music on headphones, as you won't be able to hear the traffic.
• Don’t look at your mobile device as you walk.
• Always look for a crossing to cross the road safely.
• Walk to and from school with your family or your friends.

We need you!!!!!

We are very lucky to have the year 5 students involved in Active Travel this year and Mrs Hornstra who does an amazing job each week with organising the students to ensure that passports are stamped and the AST messages are delivered on assembly (and many other tasks too numerous to list). Without their support this program would not be the success that it is.

The Active School Travel committee is very “Active’ in our community. We have great support from Councillor Nicole Johnston and Michelene Doray , who is the Project Manager for AST in the BCC. Mrs Hornstra and Mrs McKeaten from the school and Paul Rueberry (Prep parent who has come on board this year) as well as myself. We would like to adopt the P&C model of having someone “Learning the role” from me this year. This person would attend our once or twice a term meetings and do the newsletter article each week as well as attend any school events, if possible. You would be very well supported in the committee if you were interested. We are always after fresh ideas. If you are interested in talking to me about this please email Jo at sajrichards@iinet.net.au

Term 4 Swimming 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 enrol 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 one of Term 4 has flown on by! The children are excited that it’s the final term of the year and that they will all be transitioning to the next grade. Next week the Preps will begin to walk themselves to class after they are released from Before School Care and they will be walking themselves to After School Care in preparation for grade one.

Some of our week’s highlights included making Pink Slime. Although it was a little messy the children loved mixing the ingredients together and playing with the slime they made. Origami was another popular activity the children chose in the mornings and afternoons!

Next week we will bring out our new Kinetic Sand and the children will make Fake Snow for our sensory activities. Also in the program, we will be taking our container full of new sandpit equipment for the children to build different sand creations!

Community Notices