6 February 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello everyone,
One week down!

We’ve had a hot and now it seems wet, first few weeks back for the school year. We are very lucky our P&C has air-conditioned the school as it makes learning in the summer months much more bearable for students and teachers! As you may have heard, The Department of Education, through the Air-conditioning Program, replaced three of our P&C purchased air-conditioners that were beyond repair and in desperate need of replacement. The school and P&C are grateful for this support as it means the targeted funds to replace these three Air conditioners can be used to enhance other areas of the school.

I hope you can attend the movie night this Saturday. The movie night is on and will go ahead on Saturday despite the rain as we can use the hall as an alternate location. Bring along blankets, pillows, bean bags etc. to make it a cosy experience! We are thankful to Brisbane City Council for this great opportunity. The P&C are running a BBQ, bar, popcorn and ice cream stand so we can all have some yummy treats as we watch the movie. We are looking for more volunteers to help out with the preparations for the BBQ and serving so if you can help please let us know. The BBQ, bar & other foods will be served out of the tuckshop area and adjacent F block.

By the end of next week we will be made aware if we can form a 32nd class. If our numbers are high enough to be provided another teacher, it will most likely impact upon Year 3 and 4. The positive outcome of this would be smaller class sizes for Year 3 and 4 classes. I will keep you up to date as I know more.

Next Thursday is our first Whole School Assembly for the year. We will present the leadership badges to our Year level and Class representatives on this assembly. All families and friends are welcome to attend.

Finally, we would like to remind all students to hand mobile phones and other devices into the office on arrival at school each day. We would also encourage parents to monitor the social media and online communication of their children from home to ensure it is being used in an appropriate manner. At the Year 3-6 Assembly this week, I reminded children about their personal responsibility to use social media and online forms of communication in a positive way. The school is sending home a separate email with a letter reminding parents to carefully read and return the ICT agreement.

I hope you have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Mathletics for 2020

We will shortly commence 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 and an invoice will be emailed home once the ‘Intention to Participate’ form has been signed and returned. Your class teacher can inform you more fully about Mathletics and how your class will be using the program this year. Each student will then receive their own personal log on and password to access the program for both at school and at home.

Reading Eggs in Prep

We are using the program ‘Reading Eggs’ with our prep students. This online program is designed to motivate and excite students about reading and will be a useful addition to assist our classes in the reading process, which we view as one of the most important things for our preppies to learn as it unlocks all other areas in learning. Some families may already have a subscription, if you do please let your teacher know about this. School subscriptions are vastly cheaper for parents and students have access both at school and at home. Also with a school subscription, teachers can track student progress and achievement

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.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Swimming Term 1

Our Year 3-6 students will be commencing swimming this week with Mr Daunt. Please ensure that your child has sunscreen, a rashi shirt, goggles, swimming cap, togs and towel.

Our Year 1-3 students will be participating in an intensive swimming program with Peter Geraghty, who does the outside school hours swimming lessons. Parents are required to hand in the permission slip to class teachers. Payments will need to be made by next Friday 7th February. Notes will be handed to students today and invoices will be emailed today for payment. All class teachers also attend the swimming lessons to supervise the students.

Religious Instruction for 2020

Religion lessons will commence on Friday 14th February. This will involve Years 1, 2 & 6 in Semester 1. Semester 2 will be for Years 3, 4 & 5. The multi-age classes will have lessons in Semester 2 as well.

An information letter has been emailed to all parents in Years 1-6. Once classes are finalised next week all families whose student is participating in RI will be emailed an invoice to cover the resources required for this program. Students can attend the Co-operative program which is a Christian based program. We should be going ahead with Bahai as well, but this is yet to be confirmed. Any students who are not attending Religion Instruction will be receiving instruction by some of our class teachers.

The Easter Service will be on Friday 27th March for all Year 1-6 students who attend RI. RI classes will still go ahead on Friday 3rd March for Years 1 & 2. Year 6 students will be involved in the Reader’s Cup day, which is the last day of the term.

SMS Messaging Service – Absences

Our school uses an SMS messaging service to communicate to parents when children are not in attendance at school and no explanation has been provided by parents. We do use this service for important SMS messages as well, from time to time. It is an excellent way to get a message to the whole school or year levels etc quickly.

Process to follow:

• If your child is absent on any particular day, please call the absences line (3716 2760) early (night before or prior to 8am if possible)
• Absences line will be monitored up until 9.00am
• If you know in advance that your child will be away please let the office know (3716 2777) so we can “Explain the future absence”. Out of courtesy also let the class teacher.
• Teachers will mark rolls by 9.00am
• Late students after 8.45am parents to escort student to the office for a late slip
• After 9.00am we will send out the messages to parents who have a child absent (Unexplained)

Message will be from Graceville State School, “(Student’s Name) is absent from school today. Please contact the school on 3716 2777 or email sms@gracevilss@eq.edu.au".

Obviously there are sometimes technical issues which affect this process.

Absences line

Just a reminder that we have an absences line for your convenience if your child is away from school due to illness or any other reason (3716 2760). Please ensure that if your child is sick or absent for any other reason you must inform the school and/or class teacher as soon as possible. If absences are not explained by parents then it will appear on your child’s report card as “Unexplained”.

If your family are planning an extended period away from school (more than 2 weeks) you must complete an application for “Exemption from schooling” which entitles you to return to school after the absent period. This application must be approved by the Principal in writing.

Urgent Medical information – Needs to be updated!

If your child has a Medical condition, which requires an Action Plan ie. Anaphylaxis, Allergy or Asthma, you are required to update this annually with your child’s doctor. Any students who have Anaphylaxis or another Allergic condition must have their details reviewed annually. Epipens must be up-to-date and cannot be administered if out of date.

If your child has any newly diagnosed medical condition please see the Admin staff in the office to update your child’s details. Please discuss any medical conditions with your child’s teacher as well so that they are well informed.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Our instrumental teachers have recently completed timetables and handed them out to students and/or emailed them to parent and teacher contacts. If you have not received a copy of your child's timetable or would like an electronic copy, please email your child's instrumental teacher (email details below). Rehearsals for Senior Strings and Senior Band will begin in week 3. The Senior Strings will rehearse on Thursdays before school at 7:45am and the Senior Band rehearsals will be held on Thursday afternoons until 4pm. Both rehearsals will be held in the music room.

Next week choir rehearsals will also begin. This year Senior Choir rehearsals will be held on Tuesday mornings at 7:45am in the music room and Junior Choir rehearsals will be held on Wednesday mornings at 7:45am in the music room. These rehearsals will start in week 3 and all students interested in joining the choir are welcome to attend. The Junior Choir is open to students in years 2 and 3 and the Senior Choir is open to students in years 4 - 6. The letter attached has further information and a return slip for students to hand in or bring to their first rehearsal. SRS forms for the choir will be handed out at the first rehearsal and the cost of membership is $40 annually.

Music Teacher Contact Details...

Mrs Ruth Prout - string teacher and conductor - Wednesdays and Thursdays - rprou5@eq.edu.au
Mr James Kukulies - band teacher and conductor - Thursdays and Fridays - jkuku2@eq.edu.au
Mrs Naomi Lindh - classroom music teacher and choir conductor - Mon - Fri - nclos1@eq.edu.au

Tuesday 7:45am - Senior Choir (starts week 3)
Wednesday 7:45am - Junior Choir (starts week 3)
Wednesday first break - Junior/Beg Strings (starts in May, date TBC)
Thursday 7:45am - Senior Strings (starts week 3)
Thursday 2:50 - 4pm - Senior Band (starts week 3)
Friday 7:45am - Junior Band (starts in May, date TBC)

Naomi Lindh
Classroom Music Teacher and Choral Conductor

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Chappy’s Chat

What a lovely change in weather has arrived! At least for a few days, the horrid humid heat has been replaced by cloudy skies and a little more comfort. Hopefully, rainfall expected over the next few days will fill water tanks and do wonders for thirsty gardens. Of course, we hope significant rain falls in water catchment areas and in the parts of our country still gripped by drought. The cloudy skies do provide a little hope.

School swimming has commenced this week and with some overcast nights the water temperature in the pool should be quite warm. I look forward to seeing swimming skills increase as our students learn more about stroke techniques and water safety. Next Wednesday, the District Swimming Trials take place at Yeronga Pool. This meet is not an interschool competition but rather a competitive meet where swimmers attempt to qualify for the next level, the Regional Carnival. Qualifying times to make it to Districts are tough, so students successful in going to Districts have already performed very well. I would like to wish our students all the very best for next Wednesday.

With an abundance of work taking place in our hall over the school holidays, parents will be amazed at the incredible transformation our school hall has undergone. I won’t say anymore but let you thoroughly enjoy the upgrade when you next visit for an assembly or school function.

The first Chaplaincy Committee meeting will take place next Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm in Mrs Beruldsen’s classroom. Any parents wishing to attend are more than welcome.

Have a fantastic week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

P&C News

The P&C have been very busy over the school break and hopefully many of you have been able to enjoy the refreshed hall and refreshing hall air conditioning! We are going to be having another exciting year, but WE NEED YOUR HELP! The school tuckshop and uniform shop need a new batch of volunteers – grab a friend and head in there - it’s a great deal of fun and the kids love it. Please see the letter attached for more information on our work and the exciting times ahead.

Next meeting: 26 February 2020, 7:30pm
Annual General Meeting: 25 March 2020, 7:30pm

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Welcome to week 2 of the term. I hope your children are settling in well to the new school year. We are finding lots of kids still needing hats, chair bags and library bags.... house shirts are very popular too! If you don't know your child’s sports house, check with the office.

Speaking of house shirts, we are running low on Cook shirts in size 6 and size 8. They will be ordered this week and take around 4-5 weeks to be restocked.

We sell long sleeved rashes and swimming caps for those who are caught out with swimming classes starting back this week.

For those starting band or instruments, we sell band folders.

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

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

All year 6 students are being given the opportunity to have a commemorative shirt. Gold polo shirts are screen printed with class lists on the back and house shirts can be printed for the house captains. You can purchase new gold shirts for $30 and house shirts for $35 from the uniform store or you can use your existing shirts but they have to be in good condition, no holes or pulls.

Printing costs are : $10 per gold polo and $15 per house captain shirt.

Special order forms and information sheets will be sent home this week. If you don’t receive one, the order form is attached below. The shirts will be ready by the end of March and will be handed out in the classroom, I will confirm the exact date later.

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 gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

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.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Michelle

Tuckshop News

Hi Everyone

Roster for WEEK 14/02 and WEEK 21/02

We lost quite a few fantastic regular volunteers at the end of last year and as you can see, we desperately need your help.

Without volunteers the tuckshop cannot run and it may impact the service we provide or limit the days we are able to be open.

PLEASE LOG ON TO SCHOOL24 and VOLUNTEER THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER ROSTER LINK.

WE NEED YOU!!!

• No experience required
• Just one shift a month or appx 2 per 10-week term
• Only 3 hours out of your day from 8:30-11:30. Please note that we are still happy to have your help even if you might be late from reading groups, kindy drop off etc OR if you need to leave a bit early.

If you think you can manage even one shift a term please log in to your school24 account and just head to the volunteer roster section, here you can easily sign up for the exact days/dates that you would like to do. It’s that easy!! Not only would we be grateful but your kids will love having you there.

Look forward to seeing you next week at Tuckshop

Alex and Emma
Tuckshop Convenors 2020
E: tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

Term 1 Swim Program

Swim lessons will start at Graceville State School first week of Term 1 from Friday January 31st. Group lessons will begin the 2nd week of term from Monday February 3rd. 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 re-joining 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 bi-lateral breathing [Breathing both sides]. Any children not of this age or ability may enrol in private lessons on offer Friday and Monday afternoons. If I have teachers and space in the pool available there is a chance you may be able to book a private lesson on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school as well. To help me make this schedule I need an hour time frame to work with. This program is from 3 pm until 5:20 pm on Fridays and 3 pm until 5 pm on the other week days , so if you want a private 20 minute time slot you would let me know day/s you are available and a 1 hour time frame of availability ...[for example between 3 pm and 4 pm on Tuesday and Friday] . 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.

Spaces are limited, so to avoid disappointment, respond to this message asap with your preferred days and available times. I am unable to respond to email queries over the next week but am able to answer any question by phone (ph: 0432407442). Talk to me...DO NOT TEXT ME. Call me to discuss all if you have any questions.

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 three group levels are Beginner Stroke development [BSD], followed by Advanced Stroke Development [ASD] and then Squad.

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 that 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. High school students and adults may join the program. You do not have to attend Graceville State School to participate. Everyone is welcome.

I am always looking for swim teachers. If you know any qualified teachers or know anyone who would be interested in becoming a swim teacher, please put them in touch with me.

See you at the pool.

Pete Geraghty
0432407442

Tennis

TENNIS HOT SHOTS – PLACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR TERM 1 2020!

Positions are still available for term 1 2020 tennis coaching. PREP’s INCLUDED!!!

New lessons have been added to the timetable for 2020 including Saturday mornings.

ENROL ONLINE via the link below.

PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Should you have any questions please contact Tennis for Kids on info@tennisforkids.com.au or 0408 187 741.

ALL NEW CHILDREN ENROLLING IN TERM 1 WILL RECEIVE A FREE JUNIOR TENNIS RACQUET!

Community Notices

GO SPORTS Coaching Term 1 :

CRICKET : Grades 1-3 commencing Wednesday 12th February 7.45-8.30am
NETBALL : Grades 1-4 commencing Wednesday 12th February 7.45-8.30am
SOCCER : Grades 1-3 commencing Thursday 13th February 7.45-8.30am

To Register go to the link below and click on Register Now.