28 November 2019

Domain and email change

Please be aware that the school’s domain name change for our school website address is now:

This domain name change also impacts upon the following email addresses, please ensure you have updated 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

Newsletter Articles

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Two weeks to go!

Last week, I had the opportunity to take on the role of School Crossing Supervisor for an afternoon. I enjoyed the experience as it was lovely to casually catch up and chat with students and parents on their way home from school. Thankyou to the majority of children and families who chose to cross at the designated crossing. Unfortunately, I did notice children and families crossing Acacia Avenue at other locations which meant they had to walk through parked cars to cross the road creating unsafe conditions for both them and the oncoming traffic. The crossing is supervised at peak times of the day to ensure safety for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. We would appreciate your support in using the crossing at peak times and if in a vehicle being aware of the crossing and if needed, respectfully communicating with the crossing supervisor. I also noticed many people driving cars using their hands to manage phones to either talk or text. The safety of our children is the most important thing for us to consider and so we would greatly appreciate drivers remaining alert and able to respond to any unpredictable situations that arise.

On Sunday a group of children entered the school grounds and were seen to be running on the roof of a school building. The incident was reported but the children had left the grounds by the time someone could make it to the school to follow up. The incident occurred at approximately 5pm on Sunday afternoon. Although not seen up close, a witness suggested the children were a group of boys around the age of 10 to 14. We are also aware a bike was taken from the bike racks over the weekend and the family would appreciate anyone who knows the whereabouts of the bike to let the school know. If you see anyone in the school grounds acting in a suspicious manner, adult or child, please contact school watch on 131788.

Congratulations to the students from the music program who took part in the Grandparents concert on Wednesday. The concert was a great success!

The final P&C meeting is next Wednesday night at 7.30pm. At the final meeting I will ask for support from the P&C for the resource schemes for 2020 and ask for feedback on a possible Biennial Canberra trip for Year 5 and 6 students in the alternate years to the Taiwan Study Tour.

Finally, next week teachers will finalise report card marks and comments ready for emailing home on the last Tuesday of the school term. You will also receive notification of your child’s class and teacher for 2020 on the same day.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Prep Orientation for 2020

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 who greeted families at the gates and helped to show our new students around our school.

Prep uniform selling: Wednesday January 22nd 2020 3-6pm

We have our final junior assembly for the year on December 9, commencing at 2.15, all welcome to attend.

Date Claimer: Robotics Club Challenge – Wednesday December 4 at 2pm in the hall

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

A few reminders for Parents and families:

• In the afternoons after school there have been quite a few children climbing trees on the oval. Even though parents are there supervising we do not allow students to climb trees on school grounds. We don’t want any accidents to occur.
• Please make sure the rules at the crossing and in the 2 minute zones are followed. The feedback from the crossing supervisors is that there has been an increase in people not being safe in those areas.
• Another reminder about not parking on the yellow lines around the school. This can incur a fine!
• We have also had an increase in students ‘hanging around’ in the school grounds after school. At this time of year we particularly have an increase of this type of thing especially amongst our Year 6 cohort. I have given them plenty of reminders about leaving the grounds straight after school and going home.

At this time of the year we are all tired and very busy so it is more important that we keep to a good routine at home with eating healthy meals, getting adequate sleep and encouraging our children to be organised for the day ahead. This will help your children to come to school settled and ready for the day. Some students, at this time of the year get a bit anxious in regards to the transition to either a New Year level and teacher or with the huge transition to high school. Please help during this time by staying positive and when things get really busy consider the wellbeing of your family. Sometimes there can be too much on and we, as parents, just need to make sure that we are not doing too much.

Finance News

Anne Nixon

Just a reminder no payments can be taken at the Office after Friday 6th December.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to our Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Senior String students for their performances this week at the Grandparents' Concert! It is a lovely way for them to end the year of formal concerts, performing for their Grandparents and special guests, followed by Christmas carols and a shared morning tea. Thank you to the many parents who assisted with the morning tea and who were able to bring guests to the concert and for supplying delicious treats for the morning tea. We hope all of our guests enjoyed the performances and morning tea!

This term we started the recruitment process for the instrumental music program for next year. It is a busy term with concerts as well as reports, so we are working through the information we have as we are able to and will send notes home towards the end of this term notifying students and families of offers for the 2020 IM program.

Next week there will be no rehearsals for choral or instrumental students. As the year draws closer to an end, some of our IM teachers are assisting with administrative tasks so not all lessons will continue. If your child has a school instrument, could you please ensure that your child has returned it once their instrumental lessons have concluded for the year. Students should also return ensemble music to their teacher (or the music room). Thank you for your assistance with this.

This Saturday 30 November we will have our final choir performance. All of our choir students are invited to sing at the Christian Riverside Church Community Carols evening as a combined choir. The performance will be at 5:30pm and students will return to their parents/carers immediately after the performance. Students can wear free dress to this event. Please find the note attached with further information about this performance.

Monday 7:45am - 8:30am Senior Choir (year 4,5 and 6 students) Ms West
Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30am - Junior Band - Mr Kukulies
Tuesday 10:45 - 11:20 - Senior Strings - Mr Thomas Adeney
Wednesday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Choir (year 2 and 3 students) Mrs Lindh
Wednesday 10:45am - 11:25am - Beginner/Junior Strings - Mr Thomas Adeney
Wednesday 2:50pm - 4:00pm - Senior Band - Mr Stiller

Music teacher contact details...

Alex Grodecki - agrod3@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Thursdays)
Thomas Adeney - taden3@eq.edu.au (at Graceville Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
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...

30 November - 5:30 - Christian Riverside Church Community Carols - all students from the Junior and Senior Choir students are invited to sing (performance scheduled for 5:30pm)

We look forward to performing for you at our upcoming concerts!

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

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

Even though borrowing has finished, the library will continue to be open for students before and during lunch times until the end of the year.

We are also asking those who are leaving the school community to ensure their library books are returned, and perhaps consider donating their library bag to the school if it is no longer needed.

CONTACT CLUB

Please note also our last book covering session for the year will take place on WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER. If you are interested in volunteering some of your time, the Contact Club is meeting at 8.45 am through to first break at around 10.45. They always welcome any new members who wish to help out. Tea and coffee is be provided, as is any guidance or lessons on how to cover our library books/class readers.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

With some warm days this week swimming lessons are increasing in popularity, even if only for comfort sake. Although the temperature hasn’t soared to high 30’s, the sun has plenty of bite in it. At school, the students are encouraged to stay sun-smart and drink plenty of water. I wonder if sun safety and hydration could be interesting subjects for exploring. How much water do children need to drink to replace the fluids lost running around on a hot day? What is the body’s first sign that you are becoming dehydrated? How many bad sunburns put you at risk of developing skin cancer? What should we look for in a sunscreen to give the best protection? Feel free to do some research and let me know.

I am positive Grandparents were thrilled to be the special guests at yesterday’s Music Concert. This is a busy time of year for our choir and music students with multiple moments in the spotlight, showcasing the wonderful progress they have made along their musical journey. Thank you to everyone involved in making yesterday a special memory for so many.

Our Sport’s House Captains will be announced on today’s assembly and I would like to congratulate all the candidates for putting themselves forward for these positions. The successful candidates will have much to do in 2020 and I am sure they will be the richer for the experience by next year’s end.

A convincing win in the first cricket test had me thinking about life applications for some of the discoveries from four days of cricket at the Gabba. Firstly, our batsmen looked very comfortable back on home soil. I think we all do. We often do well in things we are familiar with or in places we feel at home. I think of our year six students and how settled they are at Graceville. Next year might be very different, but a couple of innings from the Pakistan batsmen showed that success can still be found in the unfamiliar. You might just have to work a little harder. Secondly, there was plenty of discussion about umpires missing lots of no balls. I am sure it wasn’t by intent and my thoughts are that being in charge isn’t easy. There are lots things to focus on and much you are responsible for.

Mistakes are ok if we learn from them, but living up to expectations of perfection, from others or ourselves, is fraught with danger and assures disappointment. Lastly, at the end of the match, it was clear that the Australians were celebrating the win and very happy about an extra day before the next test. It is ok to celebrate success. Be excited about your achievements and make the most of any extra time life frees up for you. Spend that time with those important to you doing what makes you happy and whole.

Have a great week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Creative Generation

Miss Nicholls and Ms Cousins

Graceville State School has participated in Creative Generation since 2013. It is open to all students who will be in Year 3-Year 6 in 2020. We will be participating in the Junior Massed Dance section. If your child/ren are interested in participating please fill in the forms attached and return them to the school office. If you have any further questions please send an email to me and I will answer any questions you have.

Each year, the most talented dancers, singers, musicians and actors from Queensland State Schools come together to stage one of the state’s largest performing arts events. 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.

Creative Generation–State Schools On Stage continues to give 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.

Miss Nicholls and Ms Cousins

P&C Update

Voluntary Contributions

If you haven’t made a voluntary contribution yet this year, you can still contribute to help fund technology resources at Graceville State School.

You can make your Voluntary Contribution of $100 per student (or your preferred amount) by transfer to the P&C account, at the School Office or in $10 instalments online at the link below:

The P&C account details are:

Account name: Graceville State School P&C Association
BSB: 064-111
Account number: 000900130
Ref: VC “Child’s name”

P&C meeting

Please join us for the final of the year at 7:30pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for week ending 6th December 2019

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers for another busy week - only 1 week left of Tuckshop for 2019!

Don’t forget!!

Gingerbread men are back on the menu! Order through S24 for only 80c or for a special Friday treat order an ice cream and Gingerbread man for $2.

Next week - Week 9 is the last week of Tuckshop as we close the shutters this year on Friday, 6 December.

All orders for Friday, 6 December must be placed on S24 by noon on Thursday, 5 December.

This will allow exact product to be ordered for the last day of service in 2019 and avoid storing excess in freezers over the Christmas break.

We will remind you about this each week, once via the newsletter and once via a S24 email on a Monday.

Tell everyone you know and thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Finally, don’t forget our “Thank You Dinner” for all our Volunteers has been scheduled to take place on Thursday, 12 December. This will be a combined event to farewell our outgoing Tuckshop and Uniform Shop Convenors and welcome our new Convenors for 2020.

Come along, enjoy a night off and celebrate everyone’s general fabulousness! Drop us a line at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com if interested.

Thanks.

Uniform Shop

Fiona Fryer

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

The last day to purchase uniforms will be Monday 9th December.

Prep Selling Days

Wednesday January 22nd 2020 3-6pm

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 desperately need new volunteers in the store for next year as most of this years volunteers are leaving, it only requires you to be there from 8.15 to 9am once or twice a fortnight (depending how many new volunteers we get). If you are able to help please send an email or come and see me in store. Without your help the uniform store cannot be open as often as it is, hopefully see you soon!

Uniform Roster

Term 4

Stock Update

We have great quality swimming bags for $12 and swimming caps for $10 in various colours.

We have a lightweight microfibre jacket in royal blue and gold for $33. Size 6 microfibre jackets are now out of stock until next year.

Size 8 dresses are back in stock.

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:

gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

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 16th until Friday December 20th and the second from Monday January 20th till Friday January 24th. All ability levels are catered for with learn to swim, stroke correction and squad classes on offer. You do not need to attend everyday 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 school care 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 9am. The one on one lessons will be available at this stage from 9 am onwards everyday of the week. When booking please state which hour you are available eg. 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

School Plus

Can you believe that we are in the final weeks of term 4! The children are looking forward to holidays, particularly our vacation care program, which has been released. There is still time to enrol your child for vacation care! We are also processing prep 2020 enrolments and the new preps can attend our fantastic vacation care program from Monday 6th of Jan 2020! We can’t wait to meet the 2020 preps and help support their transition to big school!

The children are anticipating the giant water slide days that will occur once each week as well as our bowling and fishing at Octopus’ Garden, Colmslie Beach excursion. In the first week we will have a Christmas themed week, and in the new year plenty of incursions and exciting home days!

Aside from vacation care talk, week 7 involved stage 2 of our prep transition projects. We will now be meeting our Preps at the undercover prep/1 eating area between the prep building and toilets, at the ASC pick up. This will occur for weeks 7 and 8 to prepare the preps independent transitions by weeks 9 and 10!

This week the children also enjoyed making snow- flakes, gymnastics on the oval and the new ping pong table!

Community Notices

'3/4 cello in good condition for sale. $500. Contact Julie Butner on 0416 039 934.'