28 February 2019

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

It is hard to believe but we are now halfway through the school term!

After attending the State Wide Principals’ Conference this week, I feel confident our school is leading the way in education. All shared messages affirmed the direction our school started four years ago when we entered the Curiosity and Powerful Learning Project. We have been asked to host guests from Central Office, Regional Offices and schools around the state to help our colleagues in QLD gain some practical ideas for how to get started in preparing students for the needs of the 21st Century. One area we still need to enhance is the use of Digital Technologies which we have already acknowledged as a school and have plans to start developing from Semester 2 this year. This is where the link to supporting the Voluntary Contribution is important for our school as the money goes directly to Digital Technologies. I will share more detail about the messages from the State Principals’ Conference next week.

The P&C meeting was held last night and many parents attended. A quick rundown of some agenda items that were discussed as a result of my report are as follows:

• A decision was made to support the continuation of Chaplaincy.
• A decision was made for the P&C to encourage parents to support the Voluntary Contribution Scheme. This is aligned to supporting developments in Digital Technologies.
• The P&C asked parents be made aware that those who would like to pay the Voluntary Contribution and cannot pay the full amount at this time, are welcome to pay an amount they can afford or make payments at a time of year when the family are in a better financial position.
• The P&C will replace air-conditioners as needed. The fleet of air conditioners is now aging and require replacement.
• Planning for air conditioning the hall will resume very soon and we hope to have a resolution by the end of the year.
• The wonder garden planned for outside the Admin building is in the final stages of planning and we hope work will start on the garden soon.
• The school has been made aware, OSHC enrolment places on a Monday and Tuesday afternoon are nearly at capacity. Parents will need to book in early to ensure a place. All other mornings and afternoons still have plenty of capacity to meet the needs of the community.
• We will be hosting a Study Tour from Taiwan in August this year. We will be looking for host families to billet children soon.

I am enjoying receiving emails from families sharing the wonderful achievements of our students outside of school. This week I would like to share the exciting news of Elias and Sebastian C. Elias and Sebastian are lovers of football (soccer) and have been part of an a special academy that teaches the Barcelona method of playing and values. The academy originated in Spain and gives young players that aspire to be professional footballers the opportunity to be coached. The academy has now spread across the world and is growing in number. The boys were chosen for the junior world cup from a pool of boys from both Brisbane and Sydney. The boys will be travelling to Spain this year to take part in Barcelona Academy World Cup. This is an amazing achievement and I wish them the best of luck as they take part in such an amazing experience.

Don’t forget we have a few events coming up in the school:

• Cross Country – 6 March
• Farmer Fundraiser – 8 March
• Spell-a-thon – Tuesday 19 March
• P&C AGM 27 March

I hope you have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Study Tour to Taiwan 2019

Our first meeting this year will be on Wednesday March 20 in the Waratah room at 7pm. I will have a package of forms for completion which are very important so please let me know if you are not able to attend this meeting. You should also now have received your final invoice, payment is required by Wednesday April 3 so that airfares can be purchased.

Waiting List for Prep for 2020 – opens first day of next term Tuesday April 23.

The waiting list for 2020 will open on Tuesday, 23rd April at 8:00am. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office from that date which is the first day of next term. Families from within our catchment area we also invite you to obtain enrolment forms to begin the process when convenient after the start of term 2. For in catchment families a birth certificate and proof of residency in our catchment is required along with the completed enrolment form.

Graceville State School recognises as its prime obligation the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students resident within this community as defined by its local catchment area.

Please visit the following link which details our school enrolment management plan and also provides a link to the catchment area for Graceville State School:

This site also outlines the process for placing your child’s name on our waiting list if you reside outside of our catchment area.

Junior Assemblies

Parents and care givers are all invited to join us for Junior Assemblies which will be held every second Tuesday afternoon from 2.15 in the hall. These assemblies will be for all Prep to Year 2 classes. Year 2 students have the opportunity to develop their skills of public speaking by taking turns in leading these assemblies and classes also take part presenting items for us all. We also like to recognise Birthdays and present awards to students from across all classes.

Below is the calendar for term 1 assemblies.

Mathletics for 2019

Subscription for the year needs to be paid by Friday March 1.

We have commenced the Mathletics program for this year. It is an online Mathematics program that is individually based and one that students can access at home as well as at school for all students in year 1 to year 6. The cost for Mathletics is $12 per student for the year and you should have received the invoice for this activity. Your class teacher can inform you more fully about Mathletics and how your class will be using the program this year. Each student should have received their own personal log on and password to access the program for both at school and at home.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

NAPLAN testing (Years 3 & 5) 14, 15 & 16 May 2019

On Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, or NAPLAN, as it is commonly known.

Skills that will be tested include reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.

These tests are done here at school and are considered just another part of the curriculum.

It is important for you and your child to know that NAPLAN is not a pass/fail test. It simply looks at what level students are achieving in literacy and numeracy against National Standards and compared with student peers throughout Australia.

NAPLAN cannot be studied for and students are not expected to do so. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that it is just a routine part of their school program, and to urge them to do the best they can on the day.

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN testing. Please ensure that if you have a child in Years 3 or 5 that they are in attendance during that week in May. Please avoid booking holidays or appointments during those days. If you cannot avoid those days eg. Specialist appointment, please try to make it in the afternoon. All testing will be completed by 12.45 on those days. Any missed tests will be made-up on Friday 18 May only.

Later in the year we will send you an individual student NAPLAN report that you can use to view and monitor how your child is progressing.

More information is available on the NAP website.

Every day counts at school

Our favourite school boy Jimmy battles many challenges in turning up to school every day, but with a supportive team behind him, he realises he can overcome any difficult encounters he faces. In The new adventures of Jimmy and Sam the Dog animation and comic book series, developed by the Department of Education, Jimmy tackles some nagging doubts: will he back himself and enter the robot competition? Will he face up to the school bullies?

Check out this instalment of Jimmy and Sam the Dog and find out. Once again, NRL legend Sam Thaiday plays the cheeky dog Sam, and Johnathan Thurston makes a cameo appearance rockin’ the decks at the school disco.

Head to the Every day counts website to watch the animation and download the comic.

Get Started vouchers help students participate in sport

Get Started vouchers assist eligible Queensland school students with membership fees, to join a sport or recreation club. Those eligible can apply for a voucher valued up to $150. Round 13 applications open Wednesday 6 February 2019.

Pioneers in Science with Professor Adele Green

Professor Adele Green, one of Australia’s leading experts in skin cancer, is this year’s Pioneers in Science guest at the World Science Festival Brisbane. Have a question for the show? Submit your question online for the chance to ask it live on 29 March.

Celebrate International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on 8 March, with the 2019 theme ‘Balance for Better’.

Check out the local events marking IWD including the UN Women’s IWD Breakfast held in Brisbane, or join the social media campaign with the IWD selfie cards. #balanceforbetter

Parents and carers – Do we have your latest contact details?

There are times when we may need to get in touch with you. Do we have your most up to date details? If not, please contact the school on <insert relevant school phone or email details> so we can update our records. These details include your name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to let the school know if any of these details change.

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

• Student Resource Schemes (SRS) for 2019 are:
• Prep Requirements ($70)
• Reading Eggs for Prep ($25)
• 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 2, 3 and 4) ($6)
• Year 4/5 maths levy ($17.50)
• ESmart Digital Licence Yr 5 ($10)

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.

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 2018 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.

BPOINT payments must be processed in time to clear (usually 2-3 business days) before the Due Date for payment.

It’s SPELLATHON time! Spellathon is a fundraising event designed to be both a fun and an educational activity for our children.

Spellathon is a literacy based way for our children to help fundraise for our school. There will be lots of fun prizes awarded. Prizes will be based on sponsorship collected and words spelt correctly. In addition, children who spell all their words correctly will be entered into a prize draw for each year level.

This fundraising event is second only to the fete in terms of revenue raised for the school. In 2018 we raised over $18,000 - an amazing effort! Last year funds raised by the Spellathon contributed to resources to support the teaching and learning of writing. This will be continued this year. Projects like these are of great benefit to all students in the school. Please encourage your friends, relatives and neighbours to sponsor your child and help us make Spellathon 2019 a great success.

Watch out for the SPELLATHON 2019 word lists and sponsorship forms which will be given to the children to take home next week!

Please show your support by encouraging your child to help our school. Involve your families, friends and neighbours by asking them to become sponsors. The sponsorship your child receives will be a real incentive for them to learn their words.

Important Spellathon Dates:

Our sponsors for 2019 are Peter May and Brad Robson from Place Real Estate and Graceville Village Discount Drug Store.

If you need help buying or selling your home, Peter & Brad from Place are the ones to help you. Please contact Peter on 0409543546 or Brad on 0414773437.

For all your pharmacy needs go to Graceville Village Discount Drug Store where you get more than just low prices. They are located next to the Post Office on Oxley Road in Graceville.

We thank our sponsors for their support of our school and ask that you support them with your business.

If you have any queries please get in touch by emailing: gracevillespellathon@gmail.com.

The Spellathon Committee

Proudly sponsored by:

HPE-Cross Country

Wayne Daunt

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

The children from Year 4 upwards (born 2009 and earlier) can choose to compete in a cross country event run over 2km (10yrs) or 3km (11 & 12yrs) or a fun run event (1km). Children who wish to possibly compete at the district cross country (available for children aged 10-12yrs) must run in a cross country event, not a fun run event. The approximate times for each event are listed below. Please note these times are approximates only and are to be used as a guide only, the event could be several minutes earlier or later depending on the organisation on the day.

TIMETABLE

SESSION 2

Training – parents please note that for those children that are interested there will be training sessions (30-40 min) held before school every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7.45am in Graceville Memorial Park. These sessions are available to ALL children. Students must wait outside of the Administration Building and will be escorted to the park by Mr Daunt.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

The Junior Choir will be singing at the Harmony Day assembly which is tentatively organised for Thursday 28 March at 2pm. This will be their first performance for the year and they are looking forward to sharing their songs and voices at this assembly. If your child is in the Junior Choir and you have not received a Junior Choir update email, could you please send me an email and I will add your details to the group contact list (nclos1@eq.edu.au). We are also in the process of organising performances for the Senior Choir. If your child has not attended a rehearsal but would like to join one of our choirs, please find the information letter attached and they are welcome to come to the next rehearsal.

Thank you to our instrumental and choral students who have been regularly attending rehearsals. If your child is unable to attend a rehearsal please contact the conductor (details below).

If you do not have a copy of your child's timetable for their instrumental music lesson and would like one, please email their teacher and request a copy (email contacts are below).

2019 Rehearsals Venue - Music Room

Monday

• 7:45am - 8:30am Senior Choir (beginning in week 3 on 11 February) (year 4,5 and 6 students) Ms West

Tuesday

• 7:30 - 8:30am - Junior Band (starting during term 2, date TBA) Mr Kukulies

Wednesday

• 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Choir (beginning in week 3 on 13 February) (year 2 and 3 students) Mrs Lindh
• 10:45am - 11:25am - Beginner/Junior Strings (starting during term 2, date TBA) Mrs Prout
• 2:50pm - 4:00pm - Senior Band (beginning in week 3 on 13 February) Mr Stiller

Thursday

• 7:45am - 8:30am Senior Strings (beginning in week 3 on 14 February)

Friday

• no rehearsals

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

We hope students in our choral and/or instrumental program are enjoying their lessons/rehearsals!

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and IM Coordinator (Wednesday - Friday)

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

A busy start to the 2019 school year finds us almost at the halfway point of Term 1. In my travels I see our new students, including Preps, well settled into school routines and growing more confident each day. There are still a few moments of struggles but our new students have done wonderfully well this term. It has been fantastic to meet some of the new parents to the school and I hope to catch up with more parents as the term goes on.

Next Wednesday our students compete in the school Cross Country meet, which is a highlight on the school calendar. Any parents able to attend will experience the wonder that is student participation. The younger year level races are not to be missed as our smallest students can be inspirational. This is a day to encourage being active, healthy competition and doing our best. Success should not be measured solely by a ribbon or trophy but rather by whether we have tried our best. I know many of our students will give their all next Wednesday. Those that do will be successful regardless of what position they finish. There has been a great turn up on cross county practice mornings, so next Wednesday should be loads of fun as that effort is rewarded.

As I continue to get into classrooms this term, I have been impressed by the level of collaboration many students engage in. There can be a delicate balance in times of collaboration as interest in conversations and working together builds. Most of the time, I see students successfully remembering to self-manage, even in this exciting times. I am very keen to see where this year’s focus on writing leads. Already, I have read some excellent work and look forward to seeing our students develop and nurture their writing skills.

Have a wonderful week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Tuckshop

Monday 4/3: Leslie Wong & Fiona Bird
Tuesday 5/3: Gemma Dean, Esther Tanswell & Lynne Hopman
Wednesday 6/3: Emma O’Connor, Jasmine Gualandi & Kirsty Crowe
Thursday 7/3: Lowri Doble, Doug Hardy & Roxanne Flannagan
Friday 8/3: Kelly Maniatis, Susan Beatie, Briony Kachab & Lynn Griffiths

Thank you again to all of our wonderful volunteers.

We had a couple of issues this week with School 24. If you come across a problem, please ensure to address it directly with them so that we can get it sorted ASAP. There is a chat button on the home screen and they will respond quickly. Thanks for your patience and help with this.

Anne and Emma

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

Uniform Store Roster

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

The shirts have been sent to the printers and will be back by the end of March, I will confirm the date later, the shirts will then be handed out in the classroom.

We have school colour hair accessories in store now.

As of 1st July 2018, 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, 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

New volunteers would be greatly appreciated, it only requires you to be there from 8.15-9.00am on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays, if you think you could help out please send an email to the above address or just come to the store and have a chat.

Active School Travel

Footloose Friday

As part of the Active School Travel program, students who walk, cycle, scooter, car pool or catch public transport to school on FRIDAY can earn great rewards.

Once a week on FRIDAY students who actively travel get their passports stamped. When students reach target trips in their passport, they are eligible for an Active School Travel reward.

There are lots of great rewards for your children so join us and actively travel on FRIDAY to earn stamps and great rewards.

Active travel is:

• Walking
• Riding
• Rolling or scooting
• Catching public transport
• Walk and stride – park the car a few streets away from school and walk the rest of the way

Active travel is NOT:

• Being dropped off at the schools drop off zones

Stamping stations will be located:

• At the gate near the tennis courts
• In the quadrangle outside the hall
• At the bottom gate near Out of School Care

For more information please visit:

Throughout the year we will have lots of fun events where you can get involved and earn bonus stamps and great prizes. Our first event of the year will be Friday 22nd March for National Ride to School Day. Don’t worry if you can’t ride…. just be active! More info to follow in the newsletter.

We need you!!!!!

If you have a few spare hours a month to help us run this fantastic program we are looking for volunteers to join our Active Travel Committee.

Please contact Jo Richards at ajrichards@iinet.net.au for more information or come along to our next meeting at 3pm on Thursday 21st Feb in the Waratah Room.

School Plus

This week at School Plus, the Yoga Incursion that we have on offer commenced and the children who attended loved it and are excited for next week. It will be occurring for the next 5 weeks so there is still time to join in on the fun before the next week’s session. We also had a number of activities that the children thoroughly enjoyed including, a sensory activity called Spaghetti Worms. Leaf Paintings and Clay Creations were some of weeks Art highlights. This year’s preppies have transitioned amazingly and had a blast leaning the new Group Game “Parachute”. The children ended the week on a high by getting their Master Chef on and helping the educators make afternoon tea.

Swimming Term 1

It is not too late to join the swim program. All students who have participated in the swim program will begin the term in the SAME ABILITY LEVEL as term 4 unless told otherwise when rejoining the program this term. 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. To help me make this schedule I need an hour’s time-frame to work with. This program is from 3 pm until 5:20 pm on Fridays and the Saturday program is from 8 am until midday. So if you want a Friday time slot you would say for example between 3 pm and 4 pm. It is impossible for me to give everyone a lesson straight after school so if you live nearby , maybe it is best to go home after school and return for the 4 pm until 5:20 pm timeframe. The best response I can receive is that you are available ANYTIME.

I am able to answer any question by phone (ph: 0432407442). Talk to me... Do not text. Call me to discuss all.

An attachment with the first draft of the schedule has been included in this message (you may need to scroll to the bottom). Information regarding the 3 levels of group/squad classes is contained in the attachment.

The scheduled program may change due to over demand or lack of demand for any particular class.

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 you join the program. Please forward this email to any friends or family who would be interested in joining the program. Everyone is welcome.

See you at the pool.

Pete Geraghty
0432407442

Community Notices