6 March 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Last week we enjoyed two great days working with and learning from our inquiry expert Kath Murdoch. As part of this visit Kath helped us to dig deeper into understanding assessment within an inquiry approach, especially through the use of formative assessment practices. The Year 6 students had a special half day with Kath to find out their interests and what they were curious to learn about and then helped the Year 6 teachers to analyse and make sense of that information in order to form some overarching concepts which will shape the inquiry learning in Year 6 this year. Kath showed us how to create a negotiated curriculum using the student voice and interests as aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Essentially this means our teachers will deliver all Achievement Standards of the Australian Curriculum as usual, this time through the overarching concepts that the children have identified they want to learn through. This is very exciting and I can’t wait to see what it means for student engagement and learning! Finally, two of our teachers took on a new challenge and started a process of co-teaching with Kath while other teachers observed the lesson. I was so proud of our teachers who not only took on this new role alongside Kath but invited their year level teaching teams to observe and provide feedback to them on their enacted pedagogy as part of the process. I wonder how many times in your work day or ever that you have intentionally asked colleagues to come and observe you work and provide feedback on your practice?

The Cross Country is fast approaching. Mr Daunt has been training any interested students before school a few mornings a week. The Cross County is next Wednesday 11 March if you would like to come along.

The next P&C meeting (25 March) is the AGM and the P&C executive are interested to hear from any parents who might like to take on an executive position in 2020. The current executive have been amazing and done a great job however not all of them can continue on in their roles in 2020 and so please make contact with the P&C if you are interested in taking on a role. In my Principal’s Report I will be formally presenting a plan to the P&C and seeking financial support to start the move towards more flexible classroom learning spaces in the school. A number of teachers and their classes are passionate about the move which they think will enhance their ability to learn. As part of my presentation I will share the thinking of a number of students and teachers (some of them might come along on the night and speak themselves) and hope to persuade the P&C to provide some funding to get us started, even if only a handful of classrooms this year. If you are interested in learning more about this and showing your support for this move we would love for you to come along to the P&C meeting on the 25th and show your support.

Finally, I would like to thankyou all for your continued support in informing, encouraging and reminding your children to wash their hands with soap. By working together, we can build great hygiene habits in our children which will not only be important for them now but for the rest of their lives. As you are aware, I pass on all information provided to me by the Departments of Education and Health as it comes to hand and will continue to do so as we work through this situation. I appreciate the parents who are making us aware of their travel plans in the lead up to Easter and will continue to work with you to understand requirements of re-entry to school as the situation unfolds. I also have plans to travel overseas at Easter and so completely understand and need to remain aware of the possible implications depending on the situation on my return (if I am able to still travel in the first place by that time!)

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

Have you paid your Mathletics invoice of $12? We have enrolled all students and many classes have already started using the program. Access will be cut from any outstanding invoices from Friday of this week.

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.

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.

The School Cross Country

The school cross country will be held on Wednesday March 11, in the Graceville Memorial Park. The event is open to all children from our Prep classes through to the Year 6 students.

The children from Year 4 upwards (born 2010 and earlier) can choose to compete in a cross country event run over 2km (10yrs) or 3km (11 & 12yrs) or a fun run event (1km). Children who wish to possibly compete at the district cross country (available for children aged 10-12yrs) must run in an aged cross country event, not a fun run event. The approximate times for each event are listed below. Please note these times are approximates only and are to be used as a guide only, the event could be several minutes earlier or later depending on the organisation on the day. The year 2 classes are at the start of the day to avoid any clashes with their weekly swimming lesson.

TIMETABLE

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

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)

Statements have been sent home this week to any family that has an outstanding balance. If you have any credits on your accounts, please contact the office so we can apply them to any outstanding amounts. Please note, we cannot just apply any credit to your accounts, without parent permission.

All resource scheme fees were due by Friday 21st February 2020. Please ensure all amounts are paid up to date.

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.

QParents

Anne Nixon

What is QParents?

QParents is a secure, online portal accessible via a free, user-friendly app or web browser created for Queensland state schools by the Department of Education.

QParents enables schools to offer parents secure access to information about their child. Parents can communicate directly with the school and update their child’s address and medical conditions, submit reasons for absences and make online payments for school invoices.

Student information displayed in QParents is recorded in OneSchool.

What information can be accessed?

QParents provides school and student datasets including:

• attendance details
• timetables and upcoming events
• report cards and assessment planner
• invoices and payment history.

Invitations will be sent home this week for new students to the school. If you do not receive an invitation by Monday 9th March, please contact the office.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to our choral and instrumental students for their regular attendance at rehearsals and lessons this term. Please contact your child's conductor if they are not able to attend a rehearsal or if they are experiencing any issues with their practice or involvement in the program.

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. 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.

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

The term continues to speed ahead, seemingly gaining pace with each passing week. We are over half way through the term with so much still to be done. Not because of a relaxed, steady start to the year. Rather, because every moment seems filled with something happening. This busy reality provides the school community with almost endless opportunities to learn and grow. When I see all the interesting learning taking place in classrooms, I am regularly reminded how incredibly capable our students are.

It can be difficult to fully comprehend the excitement and joy communities feel when good rain comes after years of crippling drought. This last week, it has been amazing to see videos and images of drought-breaking rain in some of the nation’s driest communities. More rain in a single day this week than the entire annual rainfall for 2019. That is a staggering reality. The rain brings hope. Hope is a powerful asset for us to have. On its own however, hope may not be enough to reach our desired goal. Hope gives us a positive view to the future but doesn’t remove the difficulties we are currently experiencing. Just as our rural communities have to clean up after flooding, they also have to wait some time to actually see the benefits of this rain. Until then, mixed with new hope, great resilience is needed. The ability to bounce back from tough times and adversity is essential in actually reaching that goal and experiencing the good times. I have noticed another common factor when looking at how families on the land keep going through the hard times. Often, they are still busy in preparation of the better times ahead. Clearing out dams to increase water catchment. Repairing property to maximise the gain of any benefits that might come. I think it takes considerable resilience as well as hope to prepare for better times long before they can be seen. Perhaps we can all learn something from the men and women living on the land? I know I can.

Next Wednesday is our school Cross Country event so please join us in cheering on our runners. It is so exciting for the students to compete with a crowd screaming encouragement. Students are encouraged to have a go, try their best and enjoy the event. Watching the younger year levels participate is a fantastic experience in itself. So much excitement. So much nervous energy… and that’s just the parents. You should see the children! See you there!

Have a wonderful week

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

SPELL-A-THON

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

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

Hair Accessories

Some of you may not know that we sell a great range of hair accessories. They range from $2 to $6. I am about to add something new to the range...Scrunchies! With two girls of my own, I know how popular these are right now, so keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks.

Winter stock

As it's officially now Autumn, some parents are starting to think about buying fleeces, rugby jerseys, light weight jackets and our range of track pants and pants for girls. We have a good supply of most of these items and expect a shipment of fleeces to arrive in the next couple of weeks. Don't forget to check out the 2nd hand rack too!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Michelle

• Donations of 2nd hand uniforms are always appreciated so 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 youhave 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.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop Roster for week ending & 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 but only for an hour or so, every little bit helps.

Bunny shaped fruit buns are coming next week, time to hop in to Easter mode.

Thanks so much to Edina Symonds for coming on board and helping while Alex was away. See you next week Alex!

School Plus

Half way through term one marks an exciting week here at School plus! We had another thirlling Tuesday with our science incursion, finding the children venturing out onto the oval to shoot a rocket ship 10 stories up in the air! They also made our own little water rockets! All children involved have been loving learning about all things science and are defintely benefiting from getting involved. We have started an OHSC ‘Wishlist’ with the children this week, getting the kids to go through equipment and toy catalouges and cutting out things that they would love to have here at our service. It felt a little like Christmas with all children writing up their lists and checking them twice! We have taken the children’s wishlists and compiled them into a little booklet that we are now keeping at front desk of the office. Perhaps there are some birthday present ideas in there for parents! We had a fun sensory activity this week as well, using some cooking ingredients to make fake snow. The children love getting hands on and messy with the sensory activities! We hope all families had a great week and we look forward to seeing everyone in week 6.

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 1 hour 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.