12 March 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We now have three weeks until the Easter Holidays!

I would like to start this newsletter by thanking all of our staff and families for remaining calm as we negotiate our way through the dynamic and constantly changing circumstances related to COVID-19. It is very important for the wellbeing of our children to see adults modelling calm, responsive (rather than reactive) and hopeful communication, actions and behaviours. I do apologise for filling your inboxes with messages however I think it is important to keep you informed. We are very happy to talk to parents and consider ideas in line with other school policies and practices. You can help us by encouraging and reminding children to wash their hands with soap before they eat at home as well as washing their hands with soap after going to the toilet. We need to reinforce good all round hygiene practices both at home and school. It is also extremely important at this time to keep your child home from school at the first signs of Flu like symptoms or other illnesses due to their immune systems being low. We appreciate the support of families who are doing their part and keeping children home if sick. I am also very appreciative of the families who have taken the time to communicate with the school to show their support for us as we manage the situation. It is very nice to feel a sense of us all ‘being in this together’. It is important in challenging circumstances to know we are united as a community and supporting each other. Thankyou!

Over the next three weeks, teachers will be inviting parents to take part in formal Parent Teacher Interviews. We encourage all parents to take the opportunity to come and meet with the class teacher and find out how their child is progressing so far this year.

The Spell-a-thon is next Tuesday. We really hope you can support this fundraiser. The money raised goes directly through the P&C to the school. The funds from this year’s Spell-a-thon are going towards purchasing readers which will go directly into classrooms to support students in reading and comprehension as well as resources and materials to help support the development of our young writers. Last year the Spell-a-thon raised $11,000, in previous years it has raised close to $20,000. The teachers and students hope you can help us to raise closer to $20,000 again this year.

Next week I will be sending home a note about swimming lessons to all parents with children in Years 1-3. The note will outline information about the current Learn to Swim program offered in school hours at Graceville. The letter will also include information about the role and responsibility of parents, especially if they have toddlers or younger than school age children with them, if they are to attend the lessons in the future. This letter is in response to a number of questions raised by both parents and the swimming instructors over the past few weeks.

Finally, the P&C AGM will be on Wednesday 25 March at 7.30pm. The P&C would like parents to know we are seeking interest from the parent body to take on executive positions within the P&C. The general meeting does not usually take very long and so a general meeting will follow the AGM. At the general meeting, I will present the ideas from the teachers and classes who are advocating for flexible learning spaces at Graceville. I already know of nine classes who are writing persuasive arguments, designing learning spaces etc. for me to use on their behalf at the meeting. I love the way our teachers and students work together in a very respectful and democratic way to take action and advocate for what they believe in. This is an important outcome of our shift to a more inquiry-oriented approach to teaching and learning across the school.

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

International Women’s Day Celebrations

Last Friday I was fortunate to visit Milpera State High School with 5 of our Student leaders to participate in celebrations for International Women’s Day. It was very motivational to hear the stories of former Milpera girl students who have overcome challenges through their lives and attained achievements through persistence, courage and hard work. They have beautifully painted tiles on Milpera depicting the many countries and cultures that students come from.

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.

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. 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

Harmony Week celebrations

What is Harmony Week?

It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

On Thursday 26th March we will be celebrating Harmony Week. The theme for the celebration is “Everyone Belongs”. We will be holding our Whole School Assembly on that day commencing at 2pm. There will be performances from our choirs, classes and hopefully some individual students. If you would like to contribute to our assembly or have some ideas to share with me (lmcke46@eq.edu.au). Members of our school community may have some “hidden talents” that they are willing to show us which would fit in well with the theme. Last year we had some individual students perform dances from different cultures for us. We look forward to you joining us for this special assembly.

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

Music news week 7...

This year the Honours Choral Camp is being held from 23-25 March and 6 of our Senior Choir students in year 6 will be attending and representing the school, spending the 3 days singing with highly experienced and renowned conductors and accompanists. They will be performing at a concert on Wednesday 25 March at the Old Museum at 6:00pm. I would like to congratulate our Graceville students who will be attending - our Choir Captains Jessica B and Jett R, and Cayden Allan, Olivia H, Oliver H and Sarah K.

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.

I will be on long service leave during week 10 of this term. Please note that as we have a number of events which will be held at our school during that week and due to my leave, there will be no Senior or Junior Choir rehearsals during the last week of this term (Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 1 April). Choir rehearsals will resume in week 1 of term 2. It will be particularly important for Senior Choir students to attend their first rehearsal next term as they will be singing later that week at the special ANZAC assembly. Thank you for your understanding with these changes.

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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Over the remaining weeks of the term, some special events will be taking place, creating excitement and interests for both students and staff. The Spellathon, Cross Country event, Author visits, Harmony Day and District Sport for year 5 and 6 add lots of extra flavour to the school environment before we enjoy some holiday time. These events provide opportunities for students to engage in a diverse range of activities, on top of their normal school routine. These experiences help students discover more about learning, their peers and themselves. Our students are finding out that sometimes the Learning Pit can be on a sporting field rather than in a classroom. Sometimes exciting new discoveries can be made witnessing a presentation on assembly. Perhaps listening to an author share some knowledge and understanding can spark something in a fertile young mind. As a school community we encourage students to embrace these activities, for who knows where they might lead.

At last week’s Scripture Union Queensland In-Service day, there was a most informative elective session on working with young people with Autism and ADHD. This is an area where more information and understanding is never enough. I am very encouraged that SU QLD are responding to feedback from Chaplains and providing quality professional development at these days and at their annual conference.

This Friday, our year 5 and 6 students commence their Interschool Sport season. Over the next 8 weeks, our students will compete, in a sport of their choosing, against other schools in our area. This competition will increase the students’ skill level and understanding of the sport as well as provide great opportunities to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship and respect. Students are encouraged to attend the sports practices as it quickens skill development, game awareness and team cohesion.

Above the doors leading to the centre court at Wimbledon, these words from Rudyard Kipling’s “If” send an important, final message to players heading out onto the hallowed court.

“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same”

I hope our students discover the lesson in these inspirational words on their sporting field this season.

Have a fantastic week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

SPELL-A-THON

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Rep Shirts

We have all sizes available for the Year 5 and 6 children who start Friday sport this week. Shirts are $35 each. We also have a few on the 2nd hand rack at great prices.

Kennedy House Shirts

We are currently out of stock of the size 6 Kennedy House shirts. I have been informed by the supplier that they are unfortunately out of stock of the green fabric they use to make our Kennedy shirts. This means it will be approximately another couple of weeks before we can re stock. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Opening Hours:

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8.15am to 9.00am.

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 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 holes 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!

Hi Everyone

Roster for WEEK 20/03 and WEEK 27/03 and WEEK 03/04

Thank you to all our volunteers for stepping up and helping in Tuckshop – but as you can see the next couple weeks are looking pretty spare!!! PLEASE SIGN UP AND VOLUNTEER. It really is a very simple process.

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

• No experience required
• Tea/coffee provided
• 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.
• For a short time only we will throw in a FREE roll of TOILET PAPER!!! 100% genuine.

As of this week we are introducing Sweet Potato Bites. These can be purchased by themselves with Hommus, Tomato sauce, Tzatziki or Sweet Chilli accompaniment (1 serve is 2 x SP Bites) or as part of a Wrap or Salad with lettuce, tomato, carrot and cucumber!

1 serve w accompaniment is $4

Wrap (Sweet Potato Bites (2), lettuce, tomato, carrot and cucumber) $5.50

Salad $5.90

Did you know we also have Falafels? These can also be purchased as above.

1 serve (3 Falafels) w accompaniment is $3

Wrap (Falafels (3), lettuce, tomato, carrot and cucumber) $5.50

Salad $5.90

Look forward to seeing you next week at Tuckshop

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

Term 1 Swim Program

Bookings are now being taken for a swim clinic being held at the school pool over the Easter vacation. This is a morning program. Group lessons consisting of Squad, Advanced Stroke Development and Beginner Stroke Development are on offer. Private lessons for learn to swim students or those who want specialised instruction may also be booked for 20 minutes. You do not need to attend everyday, just let me know your availability when booking. The clinic will be held for 5 days from Monday April 6th until Friday April 10th. To enrol in the clinic please contact Pete Geraghty by email: petegeraghty@hotmail.com or phone [0432407442].