27 February 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

I start with good news this week as our Strategic Plan 2020-2023 was officially verified by The Department of Education on Wednesday morning. I would like to thank our P&C President Chris Hansen for representing the school community at the meeting. I was also very proud of our School Captains who attended the meeting and shared their experiences of learning. I am now in the process of finalising our Annual Plan and writing the budget to progress the first part of the work in 2020.

We had a great P&C meeting on Wednesday night with many parents in attendance. Some important outcomes of the meeting are below:

• The Spider web is being fixed next week
• The P&C have agreed to purchase and install a shade sail over the Spider web
• The P&C have agreed to purchase and install a new sound system and equipment for the hall
• The school is interested in support from the P&C to create flexible learning spaces in classrooms – the P&C suggested the school come with a plan to present at the next meeting
• The Green Team presented an idea for recycling and asked the P&C for support – the P&C are supportive and have asked for the Green Team to come with a plan to present at the next meeting
• Mrs Payne, a class teacher, is organising the Spell-a-thon this year and is hoping for support from parents to help. The Spell-a-thon funds will go towards new reading and writing resources to be used in classrooms. The Spell-a-thon is on Tuesday 17 March.
• The date for the Trivia Night has been set – the theme is yet to come! Save the date for Saturday June 6!

We are grateful to the P&C for their continuing support and look forward to sharing our ideas about Flexible Learning Spaces and Recycling at the next meeting.

The first Fete meeting of the year was also held on Wednesday night. It seems we have organisers for this year’s Fete, so the 2020 Fete will go ahead, of course with the support of more volunteers on the actual day. This may be our last Fete however as we currently do not have volunteers willing to take on the organisational roles for 2021 and beyond. The Fete raises over $50,000 a year for the school and all of the funds go straight back into the school. The funds from recent Fetes have been used to do the following:

• Air-condition classrooms
• Air-condition the hall
• Renovate the hall
• Put solar panels in the school
• Put in and maintain playgrounds
• Purchase robotics resources
• Support resources such as class readers

Mr Daunt has started Cross Country Training before school this week. We greatly appreciate the time and effort Mr Daunt puts into preparing students for the Cross County.

I hope you have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Surf Life Saving Presentations

On Thursday March 26 we will be having presentations about Beach Safety in the hall at school, these are delivered by qualified surf lifesavers. The program aims to change behaviours and save lives through education and increased understanding of vital beach and water safety messages in a fun and interactive environment. Students will develop skills, attitudes and awareness that will keep them safe in, on and around water now and into the future. It will be very timely as we head into Easter break. Children will attend with their class.

Mathletics for 2020

Many classes have commenced use of Mathletics for the year. Please pay on the invoice that has come out for the $12 subscription so that your child continues to have access to this online program. If subscriptions remain unpaid we will have to cut access by Friday March 6. Thank you.

Technology Updates for parents – meeting on Wednesday April 1 at 8am

We are very thankful for the portion of voluntary contributions that goes towards updating and increasing the numbers of iPads and laptops we have at school. Each year we have a budget and plan for purchases depending on contributions received at school. Of course this is a never-ending need as devices go out of warranty and new upgrades are released for different devices.

We would like to offer a meeting each term for parents to come along and hear about how technology is used within the school and also how devices are distributed and maintained. The first meeting this year will be on Wednesday April 1 at 8:00am in the Waratah room (upstairs from the office), everyone welcome to attend.

Managing parent-administered Facebook groups and other social media

While social media is an excellent platform for parents and carers to share and keep up to date with news and activities happening, we need to be very mindful of appropriate use and EQ provides some useful tips when creating and administrating these pages and groups.

Waiting List for Prep for 2021 – opens first day of next term Monday April 20.

The waiting list for 2021 will open on Monday, 20th 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.

Lower School 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.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

The Enhancement Program & University of New South Wales Assessments 2020

This year our Enhancement application process will start in early Term 2 with an information session (date to be confirmed). This year there will not be any requirement to participate in any UNSW assessments as a prerequisite for the Enhancement applications. We will collect data on students in alternative ways this year.

With the University of New South Wales assessments this year, we will be participating in the Maths and Science only, the same as last year. This year they will run over a 5 day period each – Science: 17-21 August & Maths 31 August-4 September ($15.95 each comp)

Participation in these competitions is voluntary. Payment for these competitions will be through UNSW themselves, not the school. More information will be sent to parents early in Term 2. The deadline for payments will be the end of Term 2.

Does your child have a current health plan?

Students with health support needs should have a current health plan to enable their school to help them safely participate in all aspects of school life, including camps and excursions. Health plans should be reviewed annually. Speak to your school principal about health plans, including equipment, medication or consumables required to manage your child’s health conditions while at school. Principals will ensure school staff receive training to best support your child. Learn more about support for student health needs in schools.

Sport

Wayne Daunt

CROSS COUNTRY

The school cross country will be held on Wednesday March 11. The following timetable will be followed on that day –

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

For those children that are interested we have commenced cross-country training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school, from 7.40am – 8.30am. Children who wish to attend these training sessions need to assemble under D block and meet Mr Daunt at 7.40am before being accompanied over to Graceville Memorial Park for the session. Please DO NOT wait in the park for Mr Daunt as your child will be unsupervised for several minutes before the group arrives.

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

Student Resource Schemes (SRS) for 2020 are:

• Prep Requirements ($70)
• Reading Eggs for Prep ($25)
• Instrumental Music Programs – Instrument Hire ($100), Percussion Maintenance ($50), Music Participation ($90) & Choir ($40)
• Mathletics On-line registration (Years 1 - 6) ($12)
• Origo Maths (years Prep to 4) ($7)
• Year 4/5 maths levy ($17.50)
• ESmart Digital Licence Yr 5 ($10)

This week, you will have received invoices for the resource scheme. If you did not receive one, please contact the office. All resource scheme fees are due by Friday 21st February 2020.

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.

Credit in Account: Credits from 2019 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.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB : TERM 1

Scholastic Book Club is up and running again this year. This term’s issue’s flyer (Issue 2) has been handed out to the classes – to order, just look over the flyer with your child, select the books you want and mark them on the order form on the back of the flyer.

Then ORDER ONLINE WITH THE CORRECT PAYMENT, by the closing date FRIDAY 6th MARCH.

Preferred method of payment:

CREDIT CARD payments online, or through the LOOP APP [LOOP : Linked Online Ordering and Payment available on the link below or download the LOOP Apple or Android app]. The order forms do not need to be returned to school.

If paying by credit card on the phone or with a cheque made to Scholastic Australia, return the order form to the school library by Friday 6th March.

NO CASH ORDERS PLEASE – GRACEVILLE STATE SCHOOL IS RUNNING A CASHLESS BOOK CLUB.

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS

Due to our ever-growing collection and circulation, the success of our library depends upon volunteers - the library staff would appreciate any extra help.

If you are interested in volunteering some of your time, the CONTACT CLUB may be for you. They meet in the library on the first Wednesday of the month between 8.45 am until 11am, and they welcome any new members who wish to help out. First covering session of the year will be WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH. Tea and coffee is provided, as is any guidance or lessons on how to professionally cover library books/class readers, etc. If you are interested in coming along or helping out in the library, please come in and see us, or feel free to email our current Contact Club Co-ordinator Jo Armstrong (joannesarmstrong@hotmail.com) with your name and phone number.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Please see the choir information note below and if your child would like to join the choir, they should do so ASAP so they have the opportunity to learn the songs we are singing at upcoming performances. It is important for choir members to attend rehearsals regularly in preparation for our songs or please send an email if they are going to be away due to sickness or another commitment (nclos1@eq.edu.au).

Our Junior Choir is preparing songs to sing at the special Harmony Day assembly later this term on Thursday 26 March at approximately 2:00pm (please note that the starting time of the assembly is to be confirmed). The Senior Choir will be singing at our special ANZAC Day assembly on Friday 23 April at 10:15am. Families and members of the school community are welcome to attend these performances and special events which will be held in the hall.

If your child is in the instrumental program and experiencing issues or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact their teacher so they can work with your child to assist them where possible. This can support their engagement and enjoyment of lessons and rehearsals. Our instrumental teachers have handed out/emailed timetables to parents and teachers, but if you have not received this or would like an electronic copy please contact your child's teacher (email contacts below).

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)

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Next week our Year 1 students will head to Pullenvale for an exciting excursion. I am sure this day will be an awesome experience for everyone so prepare yourself for many tales of fun-filled discovery.

Our school Cross Country event isn’t far away, so on Tuesday and Thursday mornings students can participate in training for this event. Meeting Mr Daunt under D block at 7.45, students will head to Graceville Memorial Park for training and return to school at 8.30. This is a great opportunity for those serious about cross country or those keen to improve their fitness and running skills.

It has been wonderful to see some drought-ridden communities receive very welcome rains in recent weeks. This will lead to more hope around stock condition and crop growth over the coming months. While this hope is exciting, it often is preceded by a massive clean-up due to floods. Let’s hope families and communities needing help receive all the assistance they require. I am sure those affected by the floods in 2011 have vivid memories of such a clean-up.

Some of the fire ravaged areas are now bursting with regrowth and the transformation is indeed amazing. I hope we can draw strength from the beauty and resilience of this wonderful country. Perhaps, like our bushland, we too can recover from tough times and, after some refreshing, grow again.

Have a great week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

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

Welcome to week 5...half way through the first term already!

Inter school polo shirts

As inter school sports starts back for Years 5 and 6, many of the kids are interested in wearing the shirt we have available. They look similar to the gold polo shirts, but have blue collars and blue panels down each side of the shirt. They are $35 each and we also have quite a few 2nd hand ones available.

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

The shirts have all been sent off this week to the printers which is exciting. It usually takes around a month for them to be completed, so I will update you once I have a fixed date. When the shirts arrive back, they will be delivered to the Year 6 class rooms where the teachers will hand them out.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Michelle

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.

We do not accept items bought from other stores.

Please be advised that refunds will ONLY be given if you have the original receipt and items should not have been washed or worn.

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 8.15am-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.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for weeks ending 6 March & 13 March

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers new and old, without you we couldn’t feed the masses. Our daily order levels are getting back to normal so to be a volunteer short on a day makes a huge difference. Even if you can just do one shift a term we would love your help. Please also let us know if you could help out but only for an hour or so, every little bit helps.

We have had a few obstacles over the first few weeks of the year and we thank you for your patience as we work through them. School24 and sushi didn’t seem compatible for a bit, but we have been assured by S24 that the issues won’t continue. From this Wednesday it should be back to normal, ordering of sushi and rice paper rolls will commence after service and will be available until Monday 12pm.

As previously stated, Watermelon Fizz ice monys are no longer produced so we can not stock them. We have just been told that Chocolate flavour are out of stock until mid March. We have lemonade and cola flavours only at the moment but are looking in to affordable alternatives that are approved under the Government’s Healthy guidelines so stay tuned.

What can your child (Grade 1-6) purchase over the counter at first break?

Yoghurts, juice poppers, krazy lemons, flavoured milk, bretzels, anzac cookies, muffins, fav-va beans, chic peas, fruit buns, whole apples and of course frozen watermelon and ice blocks.

Thank you and happy Week 5!

Team Tuckshop 2020

School Plus

The sun is back out and our smiles are on this week at School Plus! We kicked off our first week of the Science incursion on Tuesday which was extremely popular! It was a great success with the children learning plenty of new knowledge and being able to conduct their own experiments that left the children amazed. We learned about how an air cannon works and made our own little fog machines! There is so much for us to learn from the weekly incursion and we can’t wait to see what next weeks session has in store!

We trialed an outside craft activity this week on the oval, as the children love getting artsy but also love being outside. The outdoor craft went great, with everyone loving getting a little messy out on the grass! It’s also worth mentioning that our Vacation Care program is in the final stages of being finalised and will be released in the coming weeks. There is still time to complete your enrolments and we are more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have! We hope everyone had a great week and we will see you all soon!

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 6TH, TUESDAY 7TH, WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL 2020

Easter School Holiday Tennis Clinics are now open for enrolments. Positions are available for all school students aged between 4-13 years.

CLINC 1 - RED BALL CLINIC - RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 4-7 YEARS OF AGE

8.15am - 10.45am (2½ hours) – at Graceville State School (Oxley Rd, Graceville)

CLINIC 2 - ORANGE AND GREEN BALL CLINIC - RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 8+ YEARS OF AGE

2.00pm - 5.00pm (3 hours) – at Graceville State School (Oxley Rd, Graceville)

EASTER HOLIDAY PRIVATE COACHING SESSIONS

There are also a limited number of 1hour private lessons available at a special discounted holiday price of $60 per session (33% off the regular price).

Coaching clinics are suitable for everyone as children are divided into groups according to both age and ability. Each session includes plenty of coaching and games, with coaches ensuring regular breaks and snack time, especially for the littlies!

Holiday Clinic positions are limited - Our last school holiday program booked out well before the end of term so please enrol early to avoid disappointment!!

For further details or to enrol, please click this link below - or contact Tennis For Kids at info@tennisforkids.com.au or on 0408 187 741

Term 1 Swim Program

Bookings are still being taken for the term 1 swimming 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 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’s time frame to work with. This program is from 3pm until 5:20 pm on Fridays and 3pm until 5pm 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 3pm and 4pm 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 4pm until 5:20pm 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 second 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. 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 swimming teachers. If you know any qualified teachers or know anyone who would be interested in becoming a swimming teacher please put them in touch with me.

See you at the pool.

Pete Geraghty
0432407442

Community Notices

CATHOLIC PARISH OF CORINDA GRACEVILLE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Expressions of interest are open for those parents who are considering enrolling their children in the local Catholic Sacramental Program (Confirmation, First Eucharist and Penance).

An information night will be held on Wednesday, March 26th, for parents who would like to find out more about our Sacramental program and the process for enrolling their children in the same.

The 2020-22 program - run by the Catholic Parish of Corinda Graceville – is for all children who are baptised and have turned 8 years of age by July 1, 2020 (usually Grade 3 children and above), regardless of which school they attend.

The mandatory parent information night will be held from 6.30pm at Christ the King Church, Churchill Street, Graceville on Thursday, March 26th. If you have yet to do so, to express your interest in attending the information night simply email the Sacramental Program Coordinator at the following address:- sc.corindagraceville@bne.catholic.net.au

Your correspondence will be acknowledged with a confirmation and a copy of the agenda for the evening. Those that have already expressed interest will be automatically sent the agenda.

Enrolments for the Sacramental program will officially open following the March information session. Enrolments for the 2020/22 program will close 26 April, no exceptions.