28 March 2019

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

It is hard to believe that there is only one week to go until the Easter holidays!

You may have heard we are desperate for volunteers to help with the Fete this year. The Fete is a great community event that raises much needed funds for the school. The children asked me this week where the money goes from the Fete. I explained that the Fete has helped to fund many major projects in the school:

• All classrooms are air conditioned
• The hall is likely to be air conditioned by the end of 2019 or early 2020
• Solar panels of the roof – reducing our environmental footprint
• Some technology has been purchased in the past – electronic whiteboards, laptops etc.
• Playgrounds

The Year 3 children are particularly interested in ensuring a thriving Fete in 2019. They are currently writing persuasive arguments to encourage families to volunteer so we can have the best Fete ever! Many hands make light work! If we all chip in supporting the lead up to the Fete and a bit of time on the day, we can have a great time and feel good about the contribution we are making to our community. I hope you can lend your support and volunteer in some way for the Fete.

This week the school hosted an Inquiry Open Day for educators in the South East Corner. We were delighted to help sixty-six educators start their understanding of what inquiry learning could look like in a school. I was so proud of Mrs Martin our Head of Curriculum and the all of the teachers who opened their classrooms to share their work with others. On days such as this, we ask for teachers to volunteer to take part. It was amazing to see 21 of our teachers volunteer to have guests observe their lessons. We also had more teachers willing to offer to speak with guests about specific aspects of our inquiry journey so far. All up 26 of our class teachers took part in the inquiry open day. It is a team effort though as the office staff help with registrations and catering and our school’s officer, Mr Dowling, has a big job helping us to set up the learning space for our guests. Of course, we are also grateful to our inquiry learning expert, Kath Murdoch, who has been mentoring us for a few years now enabling us to learn and grow as educators. I can also say the children were amazing! The children blew our guests away with the way they could articulate their learning and deeply discuss the use of the Learning Assets at Graceville! After the success of this day, we have been asked to host a few more similar types of events throughout the year.

I hope you are able to take the opportunity to attend a Parent Teacher Interview prior to the holidays. It is always good to establish a relationship early in the year with your class teacher and ensure you understand how your child is learning.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

2019 is a busy Study Tour year for us at Graceville as we have an outbound trip planned for September for 21 of our students and we look forward to welcoming students here at our school for 2 weeks on an inbound Study Tour!

Reminder that final payment and return of forms is required by Wednesday April 3 for our outbound Study Tour.

Inbound Study Tour

It’s early days but we will be hosting a Study Tour from Taiwan, from Minzu and Wenhau Elementary schools this year. The prospective dates will be July 26 until August 10 for two weeks. Please as a family start to think about if you are able to offer a place to host one of these students. It is a rewarding opportunity and I will give more information at the beginning of term 2 as we commence planning for this visiting group.

Date Claimer: our school ANZAC Day assembly will be held in our hall on Wednesday April 24 at 10:15am, all welcome to attend.

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

Our final junior assembly for this term will be a special one with our Easter hat Parade, hope you can make it along for a 2:15 start.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Harmony Day Assembly – Thursday 28 March 2pm

“Everyone belongs at Graceville”

As part of our celebration of Harmony Day (15 March), we have a special assembly planned. It will involve students from our junior choir performing, students from 4/5B, Year 5 & 6 students and other individuals from classes in the school.

Students may like to wear “national dress’ or bring an artefact to show, if they have a different cultural background.

2 Minute Drop Off/Pick Up Zones

(Acacia Avenue – near front gate & Park Road – near back gate)

How they work?

The sign says 2 mins.

If you are one of the 3 cars at the start of the line you need to move on and go around the block if your child isn’t at the car after being in this position for 2 minutes. Please be mindful of others in this line and move on as fast as possible.

Only the first three cars are to have children exit or enter the car. The rest must wait until these cars have moved on, then move up to the front of the zone and stop. Then your children should enter your car.

The driver is not to leave the car at anytime while in this line. Helping get bags out of the boot is OK – but having a conversation with other drivers, walking parents or going into the office is not acceptable and disrupts the flow of traffic.

It is not acceptable to move up on the right hand side past waiting cars to park up ahead of waiting cars. Be patient and wait your turn.

Wait for the car in front to move forward first, or leave the line.

Do not park over the safe crossing area or driveways at any time.

Please don’t encourage your children to disregard the instructions of staff on duty. e.g. calling them to enter your car when you are not one of the first 3!

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.

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. We will be starting to send Term 2 accounts next week.

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.

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.

Spellathon

Spellathon Test Day was last week so hopefully you have received your Spellathon form back from your teacher and the children are now collecting their sponsorship monies. Don’t forget that to be eligible for prizes, the sponsorship forms and all money raised are due back to the School office by 3pm on Tuesday 2 April. If you cannot find your form, please use the copy linked to this newsletter.

Instructions for using School24 for payment

You can use your School24 account to donate. Simply log on as if you are ordering tuckshop (If you haven’t used School24 yet, please look at the school’s website for the School24 user and registration guide – see)

We ask that you use an ‘order’ date of 8th April.

Select the Spellathon category from the menu and add whatever donation(s) you wish to your child’s cart. You can select the ‘Bag Discount’ option to avoid the 10c paper bag charge. Proceed to the checkout as normal. It’s that simple!

If you have any questions, please email gracevillespellathon@gmail.com .

Don’t forget there are great prizes in each year level. Prizes are based on sponsorship collected and words spelled correctly. Also, children who spell all their words correctly will be entered in an exciting prize draw (one for each year level). As well as individual prizes, there are whole class prizes. Every child in the class that raises the most money in each year level will receive a small prize. No matter how small a contribution your child makes it will be helping to make the 2019 Spellathon a great success.

This year the funds raised will go directly to support the teaching and learning of writing.

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 right next to the Post Office 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:

Library News

GRACEVILLE STATE SCHOOL READERS’ CUP COMPETITION 2019

Next week our Year 5 & 6 students are participating in the annual GSS READERS CUP. Teams will compete against each other in the Readers Cup competition next THURSDAY 29 MARCH at 9.00 am in the HALL.

As you know Readers’ Cup is a competition that promotes the reading of books and rewards students who do well at reading. Just as good sports people receive rewards, then good readers will receive accolades and prizes for competing at reading.

Teams have been reading and studying the SEVEN selected stories (Novels: Hatchet – Gary Paulson, Just a Dog – Michael Gerard Bauer, Danny the Champion of the World; Short stories: Last night I dreamt I was a Turnip – Dave Hackett, Grandpa turns Seven, Bad Holiday – Andy Griffiths; Picture Book: Amy & Louis – Libby Gleeson). Points are scored on the day by answering rounds of questions on each book as well as answering rounds of general knowledge questions on reading.

Families are asked to encourage their children to read ALL the required stories and actively support their team!

We understand that some students will also be attending the District Cross Country next Thursday, we would encourage these children to come back to school after their event so that they can participate in the Readers Cup event as well. It really is a great reading competition!

CONTACT CLUB VOLUNTEERS

A great big thanks to those who helped out at the last Contact Club. We now have a heap of brand new class readers and library books to add to the collection. The children are so excited! Teachers were also appreciative of the new resources that they are now able to access and use in their classrooms. However, there are always books to cover so if you are able to come in for the next Contact Club covering session that would be fantastic and so helpful! Mark your calendar – next Wednesday 3rd April in the library.

Contact Club

Contact Club will be on next Wednesday 3rd April. Come along after school drop or reading groups to help cover library books for our children to borrow. Tea and coffee provided. No experience necessary.

We hope to see you there!

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to the Junior Choir, our year Choir Captain Ditte H and year 6 leaders Grace C and Georgia R for their preparation and singing at the Harmony Day assembly this week. It is always exciting for students to perform and for our year 2 students this was their first choir performance. Thank you also to any members of the school community were able to attend the assembly.

The Senior Choir will be attending the Sing Together Day at St Peters on Tuesday 18 June and evening concert. A letter will be provided to students closer to this event, but please note the date as it also includes an evening concert at St Peters (on Tuesday 18 June). We need all Senior Choir students to attend to make the most of this exciting performance opportunity so we ask families to ensure students are able to attend. The Senior Choir will also be performing at the Junior Assembly on Tuesday 11 June prior to their St Peters performance.

Thank you to our senior students who have been attending their instrumental rehearsals regularly.

Please ensure that your child is prepared for their instrumental lesson and rehearsal for senior students. We encourage you to contact your child's teacher if they are experiencing any difficulties with their instrument/practice, as often support at an early stage can greatly assist your child's progress and involvement in the program. We also request that you let conductors know if students are not able to attend a rehearsal which includes choir and instrumental students (please see email contacts are below).

A number of selected students from our school and other local schools participated in auditions this week for the West Cent music camps. We hope our students enjoyed the experience of preparing for and participating in the audition process. Students will be notified of their audition result early in term 2.

All instrumental and choral rehearsals will resume from week 1 next term (unless they are scheduled on a public holiday).

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
Wednesday 10:45am - 11:25am - Beginner/Junior Strings (starting during term 2, date TBA) Mrs Prout
Wednesday 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)

Music teacher contact details...

Alex Grodecki - agrod3@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Thursdays)
Ruth Prout - rprou5@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Wednesdays and Thursdays)
James Kukulies - jkuku2@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Tuesdays)
Steve Stiller - sstil2@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Wednesdays)
Julie West - jwest269@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Monday/Tuesday)
Naomi Lindh - nclos1@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Wednesday/Thursday/Friday)

Thank you for supporting our music program!

Naomi Lindh

Music Teacher and IM Coordinator (Wednesday - Friday)

Chappy’s Chat

This week we celebrate Harmony Day and our whole school assembly will focus on his important theme. The recent tragedy in Christchurch highlights how important it is for communities and individuals to show acceptance and tolerance of other cultures and beliefs. From this horrific event, many have rallied around our New Zealand neighbours to mourn with them and show support at such a sad time. Standing together in support and respect sends a powerful message. Join with us on Thursday to celebrate the strengths of cultures collaborating in harmony and respect.

Athletics training commenced last Friday afternoon and our year 4 – 6 students are preparing for their Athletics carnival, to be held early next term. Good luck to all those keen to make finals of the relays, 200m and 800m events!

Last Friday morning added a splash of colour to our morning as creative juices flowed. Bike helmet decorations were plentiful as were the sausages from the Active School Travel BBQ. It was a fun morning with many students getting into decorating mode.

Next Thursday, the District Cross Country event will take place and a team of Graceville competitors will take part and try to make it to the next stage, which is the Regional meet. Good luck to all our cross country representatives. We know you will give your very best.

In the last week of term, we will see our Readers Cup day take place and students will dress up for a fun filled day. While costumes and table decorations are vital, the rubber hits the road when the competition starts. Having read the required books, teams will have to collaborate successfully to answer some tricky questions. I am sure the day will be a fantastic experience for all who embrace it.

Have an awesome week!
John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Tuckshop News

Week 10 roster

Monday - Barbara Graaff, Fiona Bird
Tuesday - Gemma Dean, Esther Tanswell, Lynn Hopman
Wednesday - Jasmine Gualandi, Kirsty Crowe
Thursday - Lowry Doble, Bec Collett, Roxanne Flanagan
Friday - Fiorella Morlin, Susan Beattie, Briony Kachab and Shari

Thank you so much to our volunteers who work tirelessly to help us get the food out on time each day.

Don’t forget to try our limited edition Easter treats. Fruit free hot cross buns and Bunny shaped fruit buns. 80c each and we can confirm they are delicious!

We have something new to share next week for term 2, stay tuned.

Thank you
Anne and Emma

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

Uniform Store Roster

Term 2

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

If you missed out on ordering a Commemorative shirt there is a final chance to order one. It is for the gold polos only, there is an extra cost of $50 for the screen, which will be shared between however many people are wanting to order shirts, $15 for printing (it's $5 more as the order will be less than their minimum) plus the cost of a new shirt, unless you already have one in good condition (no holes, no pulls, especially on the back). Please note the price stated above and not the price on the order form. I will need your order back no later than Thursday 4th April, no late orders received after this date can be accepted.

Cross Country

If your child has made it through to Districts for Cross Country there are Graceville State School singlets you can hire from the uniform store for a fee of $5, plus a $5 refundable deposit.

Size 12 Flinders shirts are out of stock.

We now have size 2 house shirts in stock, by the end of this term everyone should know which house they are in.

We have had a delivery of more hair accessories, there are headbands, hair ties, bows and clips all in the school colours.

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

Trivia Night

Active School Travel

School Banking

We are looking for Volunteers for the Graceville State School program, if you are interested please feel free to email Alicia Field –School Banking Specialist at the Commonwealth Bank
Alicia.Field@cba.com.au

School Plus

As we enter the last couple of weeks of Term 1, there have been some exciting new things happening at School Plus! Our Garden is up and running and the children have loved the first stage of planting! They have been watering the plants daily and making sure those bush turkeys stay out! More exciting news is that we have won the Telstra Kids Grant, thanks to Tegan Russell, one of our many valued School Plus families who nominated us for the Grant. A special thanks to Tegan for the nomination that will be going to go towards Sporting Coaching for the children! Be sure to check out our whiteboard in our building, with daily updates and don’t forget to book for Vacation Care by the 27th of March for the early bird special!

Tennis Coaching

Graceville State School Tennis Coaching – Term 2

Before School, Lunch Time and After School Coaching will commence from Tuesday 23rd April, 2019.

Enrolments close by 9.00am on Monday 1st April 2019. 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 4th April 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

Easter Swim Clinic

Bookings are now being taken for a swim clinic being held at the school pool over the Easter vacation. Group lessons consisting of Squad, Advanced Stroke Development and Beginner Stroke Development are on offer. Private lessons for learn to swim students or those who want specialized instruction may also be booked for 20 minutes. The swim clinic will be held for 5 days from Monday April 8th until Friday April 12th. You do not need to attend every day of the clinic so just state your availability when booking.

To enrol in the clinic please contact Pete Geraghty by phone [0432407442].

Community Notices