5 September 2019

Domain and email change

Please be aware that due to the upcoming domain name change our school website address is now:

This domain name will also affect email addresses so please ensure that the following email addresses are updated in your contact lists:

principal@gracevilless.eq.edu.au
admin@gracevilless.eq.edu.au
newsletter@gracevilless.eq.edu.au
pandc@gracevilless.eq.edu.au
bsm@gracevilless.eq.edu.au
prepyear@gracevilless.eq.edu.au

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Spring is upon us and the weather is starting to warm up! We also have some exciting events in the lead up to the school holidays.

The Disco will be held on Wednesday 11 September. The junior disco will go from 5-6pm and the senior disco 6.30-7.45pm. The year 6 students will be selling tickets at the gates in the lead up to the event. A sausage sizzle, snacks and drinks will also be available to purchase on the night. All proceeds go to the student council. Students can be dropped off at the disco AND need to be picked up on time at the end of each disco. All staff who attend are volunteers (staff do not get paid to take on extracurricular activities in state schools) and so we appreciate your support in ensuring a timely pick up. Without kind and generous staff who are willing to help out at extracurricular events, we would not be able to offer them.

The Active Travel committee are hosting a Spooky scooter decorating competition on Friday the 13th. It would be great to see children actively travelling to school with decorated scooters.

The P-3 Athletics carnival is set for Wednesday 18 September. We welcome parents and friends along to take part and join in the fun on the day.

On the night of 18 September, three of our staff and 22 of our students fly out for their study tour to Taiwan. This is an exciting trip full of wonderful cultural experiences. As one of the only primary schools in the state who offers international travel, our students are very lucky to be taking part!

Finally, we will celebrate Book Week on Thursday 19 September. Students can come to school dressed as their favourite book character. Many of the staff usually join in and dress up too and so it always an interesting and fun day! Mrs Hutchinson does a great job each year promoting the love of reading and books!

As you can see there is a lot going on in the next few weeks!

Amongst all the fun, please don’t forget the Year 5 leadership nomination forms are due Monday 9 September by 3.30pm. Also, the Enhancement class application forms are due Thursday 19 September by 3.30pm. No late nominations or applications will be accepted for either process.

I hope you have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Outbound Study Tour

We are on countdown, 12 more sleeps until we take off for Taiwan! As a group we are meeting regularly and honing our performance skills in preparation for our Study Tour to Wenhau.

Prep 2020

If you are a current school family or have an in catchment enrolment for prep next year please come into the office to collect enrolment forms and arrange for a meeting asap. This will enable us to get a good idea of numbers for classes and assist in our planning.

Date Claimers:

Get Set for Prep session 1: Tuesday October 22, 9 – 10:30am. Focus on Fine Motor Skills
Get Set for Prep session 2: Monday October 28, 9 – 10:30am. Introduction to Speech and Language Development by School Speech Language Pathologist
Get Set for Prep session 3: Tuesday November 12, 9 - 10:30am, Focus on Reading
Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 28
Prep uniform selling morning: Thursday November 28, 8:15 – 12:00 and Wednesday January 22nd 2020 3-6pm

Below is the calendar for Junior Assemblies in Term 3. Everyone welcome, we are on from 2.15pm on these Tuesdays in the hall.

Bronze Certificates have been handed out and students congratulated at Junior Assembly last week:

Prep: Jack K, Inuli W, Chelsea S, Ethan B, Lachlan W, Seamus D

Year 1: Madeline G, Ethan H

Year 2: William B, Sophie Y, Lilli J, Augie A, William G

Extra special congratulations to Silver Certificate recipients:

Prep: Alexia F, Allan S, Anya T, Benji H, Harriet M, Isla C, Jasper C, Samantha W, Charlotte G, Mia U, Pia T, William B, Soma S, Zoe H, Georgie H, Zainab A

Year 1: Lottie B, Dylan M

Year 2: Adam D, Adelaide B, Bethanie N, George W, Patirck M, Griff D, Lucas C, Evalyn M, Ava F, Dylan Km Lucas H, Flynn G, Archer S, Eleftheria T, Leo M

GOLD CERTIFICATE to Sophie D – Congratulations!

Well done to these students for being consistently safe, respectful and responsible!

Nationwide Reading Hour:

On Thursday September 19, all Australians are encouraged to pick up a book and read for one hour, on their own or with the children in their life.

The Morrison Government is providing $50,000 to support the 2019 Australian Reading Hour and help increase awareness of talented Australian authors and illustrators. "Australian Reading Hour is a great initiative which highlights the value of reading for both adults and children," Minister Fletcher said. "Literacy is one of the most important foundations and reading has tremendous benefits for children, such as building knowledge and improving concentration and memory. Reading has also been shown to reduce stress by 68% in adults, more than listening to music or going for a walk, and is an enjoyable pastime that promotes creativity."

For more information visit the Australian Reading Hour website:

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Graceville Maths Tournament next Monday 9th September

We are hosting our Annual Maths Tournament with students from our school and several schools in our broader community. It is always a great day of big mathematics challenges which our students enjoy. 20 of our students in years 5 & 6 will be participating.

Life Education starts this week and will continue until the end of the term. Reminder – Parent session on this Friday 1.45pm in the van near the music room.

Free Parent Engagement Workshops for parents of students with disability

The department has engaged Community Resource Unit Ltd (CRU) to support parents of students with disability to work effectively with their child’s school. CRU is holding workshops across Queensland. For details visit the CRU website.

Celebrate our physiotherapists

On World Physiotherapy Day, let’s celebrate the contribution of our school’s physiotherapist who supports students with disability to learn alongside their peers. With a focus on keeping people well, active and independent, our physiotherapist works with students to enable them to access the curriculum in the classroom, playground and all aspects of school life. All physiotherapists in state schools team with students, family and school staff to support students to achieve their learning goals throughout their school journey.

Keeping everyone healthy at school

Coughs, colds and other illnesses can spread easily at school. Please remind your children to wash their hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes. If your child is ill, please keep them at home and notify the school as soon as possible. You should seek medical advice if you are concerned about your child’s health. Let’s work together to keep everyone healthy so children can recover as quickly as possible and come back to school ready to learn.

Business Manager

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.

If you have a credit on your account and would like to apply it to any outstanding invoices please contact the office. We cannot automatically apply any credits to invoices without parent authorisation.

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.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Last week we had the 2 day instrumental music workshop and concert. It was a fabulous experience for our students, giving them time to work on their musicianship, skills and an opportunity to share this with their peers, staff and family. Over the 2 days we had 11 tutors who came to work with students in small groups. Students alternated between rehearsals with their full ensemble and small group sessions to refine their skills and music. It was amazing to hear the progress they have made during the year and during the workshop. All students in the instrumental program performed at the concert. I would like to thank our instrumental teachers for their commitment and work with our students on a weekly basis with lessons and rehearsals, as well as during the workshop. I'd also like to thank our students who put in a huge effort with hours of playing over those two days and their families for their support. I hope all of the students, staff and family members who were able to attend the concert enjoyed the music!

Students currently in year 2 and 3 are eligible to apply for a position in the instrumental program for 2020 (when they are in year 3 or 4). This note will be given to students and there is also a copy in the link below. It includes an expression of interest which needs to be returned for your child to be considered for a place in the program. It is important to note that students are not allowed to 'swap' instruments at a later stage if they accept an offer, so please be mindful of this especially if your child is in year 2 and applying for a place in the string program (as they are not able to swap to a band instrument if they accept an offer). Offers will be sent out during term 4 once instrumental teachers have met with all interested students.

Please contact your child's instrumental or choral conductor if they are not able to attend a rehearsal (email contacts are listed below) or if they are experiencing any issues with their lessons.

Mr Stiller will be on long service leave next week and he will not be replaced, so next week and in week 10 there will be no Senior Band and no percussion lessons. Senior Band rehearsals and percussion lessons will resume in week 1 next term. We apologise for this disruption. Mr Stiller was at our school last week on Wednesday and Thursday all day for the workshop so we appreciate that he changed his schedule to accommodate it. We wish him a safe and exciting holiday to Europe!

2019 Rehearsals Venue - Music Room

Monday 7:45am - 8:30am Senior Choir (year 4,5 and 6 students) Ms West
Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30am - Junior Band - Mr Kukulies
Wednesday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Choir (year 2 and 3 students) Mrs Lindh
Wednesday 10:45am - 11:25am - Beginner/Junior Strings (starting in term 2 with junior string students only on 1 May, then beginner strings will join these rehearsals later in the term) - Mrs Prout
Wednesday 2:50pm - 4:00pm - Senior Band - Mr Stiller
Thursday 7:45am - 8:30am Senior Strings - Mrs Prout

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)

Important dates to note...

13 November - Annual Music Concert 6pm - all choral and instrumental music students will be performing at his concert
27 November - Grandparents' Concert - students in the Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Senior Strings will perform at this concert for their grandparents'/special guests

Thank you for supporting our music program!

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

Chappy’s Chat

Our instrumental music students had a fantastic showcase event last week, after 2 days of intensive training. The culmination of this learning and rehearsal was a fantastic concert last Thursday afternoon. All of our ensembles performed brilliantly and everyone involved should feel very proud.

The school disco will rock the hall next Wednesday night and will be an entertaining time for all who attend. The chaplaincy committee will have the BBQ fired up and sausages will be rolling off the hot plate from 4:45ish. The student council will operate a canteen on the evening so chips and drinks can be purchased on the night. So whether it’s a sausage on bread or a snack and a cold drink, next Wednesday night brings with it, dinner and a show.

Interschool sport commenced last week, so there will be some practices over the sport season as arranged by the teachers running the respective sports. Training is encouraged but not compulsory and staff know that many students have very busy schedules. For those who are able to make it Water Polo training is on Wednesday mornings at 7:30, Basketball training is on Thursday mornings at 8:00 and Touch Football training is Friday mornings at 7:45. Good luck to all our students in their competitive endeavours.

Have a wonderful week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Active School Travel

What a fantastic August we had with so many children participating in the lob-o-choc competition and the free ride bands by walking, scooting or riding to school.

September is scooter month! Next Friday the 13th, to celebrate please decorate your scooter for our ‘Spooky Scooter’ morning. Counsellor Nicole Johnston will be at the school with fruit and muffins. There will be prizes for the best decorated scooter at 8:30 on the quadrangle. First prize is a movie voucher and runners up will receive vouchers that can be used at tuckshop.

Thanks

AST Committee

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for week ending 13th of September 2019

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers.

Our sushi and rice paper roll supplier, Cilantro Fresh, is open once again! We had rice paper rolls and sushi for lunch last Wednesday, and they were delicious. Order now for next Wednesday.

Hope you have all recovered from the Fete after having a fantastic time. What a awesome day! Special thanks to the Fete Committee, Class Reps and all the parents and friends who volunteered on the day to make our fete really great. And, our sponsors!!!! What a wonderfully generous community we are all privileged to live in.

Should you have any questions pertaining to anything Tuckshop related, please don’t hesitate to contact us at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Thanks.

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8.15am - 9.00am

Uniform Roster

Prep Selling Days

Thursday November 28th 2019 8.15-11.30am
Wednesday January 22nd 2020 3-6pm

Stock Update

We have new girls long pants in royal blue in stock for $30 and a new lightweight microfibre jacket in royal blue and gold for $33. Size 6 microfibre jackets are now out of stock.

Size 8 Flinders shirts are out of stock until the beginning of term 4.
Size 8 dresses are out of stock until the end of the year.
School colour hair accessories are available, there are headbands, hair ties, bows and clips.

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 in but can you please make sure that all items are washed and in a good 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

September Holiday Swim Clinics

A great way to get your children ready for the 4th term swim program is to join the holiday swim clinics being held at the school pool. All ability levels are catered for with learn to swim, stroke correction and squad classes on offer. The first clinic will be held from Monday 23rd of September to Friday 27th and the second clinic from Monday 30th of September to Friday 4th of October. You do not need to attend everyday of the clinic as long as you mention your availability when enrolling. If you are joining for the first time please call Pete to discuss your child's ability and needs. Children in holiday school care may also join the program as staff are able to bring students to the pool and pick them up after their lesson. If you have inquired about the clinics already and have not received a confirmation email from Pete Geraghty please send another email to make sure you are included in the schedule. My swim school is always looking for good teachers so if you know anyone interested in working at pool who is qualified or interested in becoming a certified swim teacher please put them in touch with me. Please direct all inquiries to Pete Geraghty via email [petegeraghty@hotmail.com] or phone 0432407442.

Term 4 Swim Program

Bookings are now being taken for the 4th term swim program. This will begin the first week after the holidays from Friday October 11th. 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 until 3:30 pm. Advanced stroke development will run from 3:30 pm until 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 7 started off with many exciting stories from the Graceville Fete. We had a fantastic time running the Dunking Machine, it was truly a great day with plenty of sunshine!

This week we also had our last lesson of our Hip-Hop incursion! The children enjoyed the 6 weeks of dance and learnt some cool moves! If you have any suggestions for our next incursion at School Plus let us know!

The children also enjoyed a number of activities from this week’s program including, Making Father’s Day Cards, Outdoor Badminton, Koala Pictures for Save the Koala Month and much more!

With Vacation Care less than 3 weeks away, don’t forget to get in quick and make a booking! We also have our White Balloon Breakfast Fundraiser next Friday 6th September at BSC from 7am to 8am. We still have spaces available for bookings, we would love for our families to attend a fantastic cause. Don’t forget your gold coin donations!

Thank you to all who have bought in plastic lids for our Lids4Kidz Charity, we are still collecting! Watch this space for more exciting news and updates from the School Plus Team.

Community Notices

TOOWONG HANDS and HEARTS FAIR is this Saturday 7 September at Toowong State School from 11:00 am. Michael Berkman, the Greens MP for Maiwar, is speaking on-stage at 12:00 noon. He also volunteered to sit in the water dunking machine from 12:15 - 12:45 pm.

What swimming costume do you suggest he wear?

Click the link and vote now! Please share the link with your family, friends, work associates and local community.