29 November 2018

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Two weeks to go! Time is flying!

The weather is heating up and we will be watching the temperature each day to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Our classrooms are air conditioned which takes the edge off the heat. We are very grateful to the P&C for initially installing the air conditioners and now for their continued support in replacing air conditioners as they come to a juncture point of needing to be replaced. Although we have air conditioners, it is essential children keep their fluids up and drink plenty of water and make sensible choices about where and how hard they play at break times. If the temperatures are excessive we will close the oval and open more rooms with air-conditioning for the children.

Our teachers will be finalising report cards this weekend. Report Cards are due to the school leadership team for review on Monday. The Deputy Principals and I read the report cards for our respective year levels and provide feedback to the class teachers. Report Cards will be emailed home on Tuesday 11 December.

On Tuesday 11 December your child will also receive a letter with information about their class placement for 2019. On Wednesday afternoon, we will hold a meet the teacher afternoon where students will spend some time with their teacher and class mates for 2019.

Next Friday is the year 4-6 Swimming Carnival. The last Tuesday of school is the Y1-3 swimming carnival. The swimming carnivals are always great fun and I am sure the children would love to see you show your support.

Don’t forget you are welcome to attend our final assembly for the school year on Thursday 13 December from 9am. Our final assembly is held in two parts, firstly the badges are presented for the School Leaders for 2019 and then we wish our Year 6’s farewell. It is a touching ceremony in which I always keep a tissue handy. You may also want to bring a hand held fan as it can be hot and stuffy in the hall with around 900 people in attendance.

The final P&C meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday 5, December, 7.30pm, in the Oxley room.

Keep cool and have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Study Tour to Taiwan 2019

We now have 12 confirmed students to participate in the study tour and require at least 15 to move forward with planning. The cut off date to return the ‘Intention to Participate’ is Wednesday December 5 which is next week and following this a deposit of $200 will be required by December 12.

The study tour is open to students who will be in year 5 and 6 in 2019.

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 question please send me an email mhass10@eq.edu.au.

Prep Orientation 2019

We welcomed our new preppies to their classrooms, teachers and friends this morning. Our current preps now look and seem so mature and grown up, so much learning happens in one year! Thank you to all those who assisted with current and new students and families including our student leaders and learning ambassadors who greeted families at the gates and helped to show our new students around our school.

We have our final junior assembly for the year on December 4, commencing at 2.15, all welcome to attend.

Acting Deputy Principal

Belinda Martin

In the last week I have been fortunate enough to see many of the inquiries conducted by the students begin to “take action” as they near the end of their journeys. The classes that I visited this week were able to share their new understandings of concepts learned and articulate their creative thinking skills, often with the latter being a tangible solution that demonstrates impressive innovation, persistence and entrepreneurship. It is very inspiring to see and hear – they really are wonder-filled students! Here are some photos of inquiry in action:

Sun Safety & Staying well hydrated

Just a reminder about Sun safety & keeping well hydrated. Please ensure that your children have sunscreen on before they leave home in the morning and are wearing their hats if they are in the sun coming to school e.g. walking. Try to encourage your children to take a water bottle with them and have it at school. We are expecting a hot summer and these good habits are important for long term wellbeing.

End of Year RI Christmas service

On Friday 30th November our Religious Instruction volunteers will be holding our End of Year Christmas service in the hall. The service starts at 2.00pm and finishes at approximately 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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

The end of the year has come around so fast, please be aware that STUDENT BORROWING HAS NOW FINISHED and ALL BOOKS NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THE LIBRARY as soon as possible so our annual stocktake can begin. This includes any class readers or textbooks students may have brought home to complete homework/assessment.

BOOK CLUB

Scholastic Book Club orders have arrived. If you chose the ‘Gift’ option in your book club order this time, your items will be ready for collection from next MONDAY 3RD DECEMBER from the library.

CONTACT CLUB

Contact Club meets one more time this year next Wednesday the 5th of December straight after drop-off. We’ve managed to fit in one more meeting until the end of the year!

There are still lots of books to cover so come along for one last time, share a cuppa and a good chat, bring a festive snack (no nuts) and we can celebrate the good work we’ve done all year. I wish I had a tally of the books we’ve covered but it is just too numerous! Our lucky students have a great library catalogue thanks to our fantastic Librarians, our school, the P&C and you! Pats on the back all round.

Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary, just a willingness to help. After this week, we will continue next year again on Wednesday mornings. If you would like to join us, come along on Wednesday, or email contactclub.gss@gmail.com.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

This week sees the end of our music performances for 2018, with the Grandparents' Concert and Community Carols the last performances for this year. It has been a very busy and productive year for our students and teachers and we acknowledge the support provided by our families encouraging your children and supporting their involvement in our music program! Thank you to our many enthusiastic students for the time you have spent practicing, rehearsing and performing throughout this year.

The combined Junior and Senior Choirs will be singing at the Community Carols evening at the Chelmer Riverside Church on Saturday 1 December at 5:30pm, with choir students requested to arrive at 5:15pm. Students do not need to wear a school uniform, it is a free dress event and clothing/accessories with a Christmas theme are welcome. 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. They are planning it to be an outdoor event with market stalls and a jumping castle. Please note that parents/carers are expected to stay at the venue for the performance and supervision of children immediately before and after it.

If your child has a school instrument on loan could they please return it once it has been cleaned, by Wednesday next week, as well as any music their conductor has given them throughout this year.

Some of you may be aware of the ABC program ‘Don’t Stop the Music’. Two episodes have been shown and there is another in the series. It is a great program for parents as well as students. If you have not seen any episodes yet you are able to view them on the ABC iview app.

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 and parents/carers are to remain at the venue). This event is free dress with a Christmas theme (clothing/accessories) welcome.

Music teacher contact details...

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

Creative Generation

Amanda Nicholls

CREATIVE GENERATION – STATE SCHOOLS ON STAGE

Creative Generation is an opportunity for those students who have an interest in dance to perform at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre over 4 performances. CGEN gives students, teachers and school communities the opportunity to be involved in a large-scale, award-winning event. Student Performers will come together to rehearse items covering a wide range of musical genres. CGEN is much more than a musical extravaganza. It is a journey of self-confidence for the talented students who take part.

Each year, the most talented dancers, singers, musician and actors from Queensland State Schools come together to stage one of the state’s largest performing arts events, where more than 1500 student performers will come together to showcase their talent by starring in the professionally produced show alongside some of Queensland’s leading professional artists.

Nominations have now opened for all students currently in year 2-5 who would like to participate in Creative Generation. Students who attended a meeting at school this week would have received an information pack to take home. Please find attached an electronic copy of the form. All forms must be handed into the School Office by Monday 3 December 2018. Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me via anich54@eq.edu.au.

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

The last day to purchase uniforms this year will be Monday 10th December as the store will be closed for stocktake on Tuesday 11th December and Friday 14th December.

Thank you to those people who have offered to volunteer next year, your offer of help is greatly appreciated but we still need more people to cover some of the days. At the moment it would require you to be there from 8.15-9.00am on Monday, Tuesday or Friday each week, if we get 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 on those mornings and help out I would really appreciate it, just send an email to the address below or come to the store and have a chat, hopefully see you soon :)

Prep selling days are:

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 are currently out of stock of large size hats but will be in early next week, sorry for the inconvenience.

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

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 and Uniform shop Convenor - Casual Positions

The P&C are looking for two candidates to fill casual positions urgently before the end of the school year. The casual convenor position will be trained in both businesses. This position is to work with, and fill in on short notice with existing convenors. Expressions of interest and job descriptions are available by emailing the P&C on pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au.

This week sees the end of our music performances for 2018, with the Grandparents' Concert and Community Carols the last performances for this year. It has been a very busy and productive year for our students and teachers and we acknowledge the support provided by our families encouraging your children and supporting their involvement in our music program! Thank you to our many enthusiastic students for the time you have spent practicing, rehearsing and performing throughout this year.

The combined Junior and Senior Choirs will be singing at the Community Carols evening at the Chelmer Riverside Church on Saturday 1 December at 5:30pm, with choir students requested to arrive at 5:15pm. Students do not need to wear a school uniform, it is a free dress event and clothing/accessories with a Christmas theme is welcome. 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. They are planning it to be an outdoor event with market stalls and a jumping castle. Please note that parents/carers are expected to stay at the venue for the performance and supervision of children immediately before and after it.

If your child has a school instrument on loan could they please return it once it has been cleaned, by Wednesday next week, as well as any music their conductor has given them throughout this year.

Some of you may be aware of the ABC program ‘Don’t Stop the Music’. Two episodes have been shown and there is another in the series. It is a great program for parents as well as students. If you have not seen any episodes yet you are able to view them on the ABC iview app.

• 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 and parents/carers are to remain at the venue). This event is free dress with a Christmas theme (clothing/accessories) welcome.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for week ending 7th of December 2018 – Last day!

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!
YOU ARE SENSATIONAL!

There is only one more week of Tuckshop left! Friday 7th of December is our last day of opening. We are NOT open in the last week of school.

As we near the end of the year, we run our stocks down so your favourite food may not be available. Please let your children know and suggest the other choices available.

2019 TUCKSHOP ROSTER

We are currently putting together the Tuckshop Roster for next year and have some gaps we need to fill. Please send us an email at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com or drop a volunteer form into the P&C box in the school office to let us know when you can help. We need you to stay open five days a week!

Volunteering is only three hours once a month or term from 8.30am until 11.30am. You’ll meet new people, have a laugh while preparing the student lunches and help keep tuckshop prices reasonable.

Many working parents VOLUNTEER in the tuckshop, they use flexi-time, rostered days off or work part-time and find a few hours per term to come in and help. It’s satisfying work with a happy outcome; the students love to collect their tuckshop class buckets and buy a treat at the tuckshop window. Give it a try!

This has been a big year for Tuckshop with the full transition to the Queensland Government healthy choices menu. Judging by how busy we have been, it’s safe to say that most people have enjoyed and embraced the menu! We have noticed how many people use the tuckshop as a regular lunch option and not just as a treat.

The Tuckshop is a P&C run service and we need volunteers to stay open. If you are a Tuckshop user and love having the convenience of a five-day service, please consider how you can add just three hours of volunteering into your term. Many hands make light work; we would love to hear from you.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAYS AND SEE YOU IN 2019!!

Active Travel

THANKS!!!!!!

As the school year draws to and end I need to thank those who have made AST possible this year.

We have been lucky enough to have the support of the BCC AST team during 2018. Thank you to Micheline and Leesa for attending our meetings and providing us with the tools to support the program. To Paul, our “Stat-Man” thank you for taking time out every week to compile and collate all the surveys collected in the school. This information assists us to see how the program is working and where we can improve.

To all the Year 5 Students who every week, get to school early to do the stamping, and collect all the surveys I say THANK YOU!!!! You have all show great leadership as you have worked as a team to ensure the job get done.

Thanks to Mrs McKeaten for supporting AST and helping us to facilitate the program and keep it running.

Cr Johnston has been supporting AST at Graceville for many years now. Many parents would not know that she attends all of our AST meetings and is a great supporter of AST assisting with issues that need Councils attention, providing advice and donating prizes for the students and all of our great breakfasts during the year.

Last….but certainly NOT least…. MRS HORNSTRA!!!!! Without you this program would not be what it is. It is difficult to explain just what she does on a weekly basis for AST. Most Fridays you can find her doing a walking bus from the corner of Oxley Road and Harte Streets. She has helped deliver road safety messages at assemblies during the year. She has been the motivator of the year 5 students as they ran the AST stamping. All our wonderful posters and promotion is because of her, and this is in addition to all that she does with her class and students. Mrs H you are awesome and I cannot thank you enough!

We need you!!!!!

To continue this wonderful program in 2019 we need more parent volunteers. Many hands make light work….if we can get just a few more parents to help share the work load this would be wonderful! If you can help in any way please email Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au.

Remember over the holidays:

STOP

LOOK

LISTEN

THINK

School Plus

Term 4 is passing us like the speed of light as we end week 7 on another high note! The children enjoyed a number of different activities throughout the week here at School Plus including a game with our new Ripper Tag set on the oval, Marble Paintings, Water Pipes and Sensory activities including Kinetic Sand and Noodle Play. The children also enjoyed learning some more cooking skills as they did some baking for afternoon tea. Vacation Care talk continues to be a hot topic as the children’s excitement increases as the days draw closer. That’s a wrap for week 7!!

Salvation Army Christmas Appeal

We would greatly appreciate any food or toy donations from School Plus families as well as the extended Graceville community to go to families in need. You are welcome to pop into the School Plus Office to drop off your donations. We greatly appreciate your support and would love to help the greater community as well as educate the children on the ongoing issues that other families are facing.

Community Notices

Holiday Swim Clinics

Bookings are now being taken for the two holiday swim clinics being held at the Graceville school pool this Christmas holiday. The first will be run from Monday December 17th until Friday December 21st and the second from Monday January 21st untll Friday January 25th. All ability levels are catered for with learn to swim, stroke correction and squad classes on offer. You do not need to attend every day of the clinic as long as you mention your availability when enrolling. 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. You will need to do some paper work with schoolcare if this is the case. The number of sign ons for the group lessons will determine the start time of the private one on one lessons. As a rough guide, squad will start at 8am followed by Advanced Stroke Development at 9 am and then Beginner stroke development at 9:30 am. I will then have teachers on hand for the one on one program from about 9:30 am. The one on one lessons will be available at this stage from 9:30 am onwards every day of the week. When booking please state which hour you are available [e.g. between 10 am and 11 am]. To really help me with making the schedule the best response is....' available anytime'. See you at the pool...

Pete Geraghty
ph. 0432407442